Improvements in the Pedals of Velocipedes.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Jan., 1893-Accepted, 1st Apr., 1893-
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Pedals of Velocipedes.
We SAMUEL COOK and WILLIAM COOK Junior both of 94 Mersey Road,
Widnes, Lancashire Gentlemen do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Our invention relates to improvements in the pedals of velocipedes and has for
its object a new construction of pedal, and the application thereto, as well as to
that class of pedals known as rat-trap" pedals of a pneumatic cushion, tube,
or case.
"
In carrying our invention into practice we construct a pedal frame of four strips
or plates of metal, preferably of aluminium joined together to form a rectangular
frame, the two end plates being perforated to receive the barrel of the spindle upon
which the pedal revolves, and through which the spindle passes each end of it
resting upon the usual ball bearings in a recess in the short side pedal plates. One
of the long pedal plates is made detachable from the others by making a recessed
notch in one of the side plates and an aperture in the other into which the ends of
the long pedal plate are fitted in any convenient manner. On each side of the
spindle and parallel thereto we place a bar or rod of 'aluminium or other metal the
ends of which fit into the short side plates.
The air cushion which we 'use in connection with our improved pedal and "rat-
trap", pedals consists of an outer cover or casing of india rubber moulded to the
shape and size of the pedal and preferably projects slightly above and below the
edges of its plates. We line the interior surface with linen solutionized thereto :
the casing being made air-tight we fit a valve in a short side for the purpose of
inflation.
.
This casing in all cases we mould with a division commencing at one of its sides
and passing almost through it in order that it may be drawn over the spindle and
the intervening rods of the pedal after first removing the detachable pedal plate.
We secure the divided halves of the cushion together by means of a metal clip
which envelops the barrel of the pedal spindle and any intervening rods or bars of
the pedal frames and is counter sunk in, or cemented to the rubber along the whole
of the division and we attach this air cushion to the pedal frame by means of studs
projecting from the sides of the cushion, and the edge of the clip into the holes
prepared in the pedal plates. In the case of those studs which project from the
clip they are preferably placed in pairs one from each of the edges of the clip and
fitted into the same hole in pairs so as to keep the clip closed as well as to secure
the cushion to the pedal plates.
We provide additional security for the cushion by moulding two grooves in its
long sides into which the two long pedal plates are fitted.
We fix two or three rows of short sharp spikes in the two large surfaces of the
"cushion known as the treads with their points upwards and their flat bases embedded
in its rubber walls, further we corrugate these treads to a suitable pattern and fix
along the two short sides of each tread a bevelled piece or pieces of rubber to the
shape of the shoe of the user. We secure the air cushions above described to
"rat trap" pedals in the manner aforesaid.
lt.
Instead of fitting the valve to the air tight casing hereinbefore described, we
may fit it to a "folded india rubber air cushion or tube placed inside of the outer
casing, in which instance we provide such outer casing with a moveable flap for
inserting the air cushion therein. This flap or lid is preferably one of the treads
carrying a small portion of three of the sides of'the casing wherein the section has
been made and along the three sides of the flap and those of the body of the
T

page_text: cushion are inserted eyelets through which laces pass to hold the flap in position.
The head of the valve is held in two, semi-circular holes one in side of the flap and
the other directly opposite in the body of the casing so that when the flap is
unlaced the head of the valve is released.
Where we have referred to studs in this Specification we also import the use of
bolts or hooks as a means of fastening and where we have referred to eyelets on the
flap we also import the use of hooks or studs.
We claim to prevent the vibration of the moving velocipede from reaching the
foot by our air cushion. And in order that our invention may be more fully under-
siood we have shewn the same in the accompanying drawings in which like letters
of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout.
Fig. 1 is a plan of a "rat trap" pedal fitted with our improved pneumatic
.cushion.
Fig. 2 is an end view of the same.
Fig. 3 is an underside view of Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 is an end view shewing the
metal clip fixed inside the division of the cushion.
Fig. 4 is a plan of the clip.
Fig. 5 is a plan of the frame of our improved pedal.
Fig. 6 shews a similar view of the pedal furnished with our improved pneumatic
cushion.
Fig. 7 is an end view of the cushion shewing the flap and the method of fixing same.
Fig. 8 is a corresponding side view.
Fig. 9. is an end view of the cushion of Figure 3.
"
Referring to Figures 1. 2. 3. 7 and 9. a is the frame of an ordinary or "rat-trap
pedal, b is the cushion or pad surrounded thereby and divided centrally on line x in
order to be placed around the barrel or spindle e of the pedal, the two divided
surfaces of the divided cushion being either solutionized or adjusted together by
the aforesaid clip having the shape shown in end view in Fig. 4 and in plan in
Fig. 4 being preferably made of metal. The cushion is secured to the said frame
by means of studs d projecting from its sides and also projecting from the outer
edges of the clip and passing through corresponding openings formed in the
longitudinal strips of the frame a. vis the valve or brass cup whereby the cushion
is inflated.
"
Referring to Figures 4, 5, 6, and 8, our improved pedal consists of a frame a
provided with two symmetrical longitudinal metal strips e and enclosing a pneumatic
cushion b. Inside the division of this cushion is inserted a metal clip furnished
with a central opening o and two smaller lateral openings o' and o² formed for the
purpose of allowing the metal clip to pass over the longitudinal bars ee and the
spindle c, the two ends f¹ projecting in the manner shewn in Figure 4 to allow of
the cushion being readily detachable and to form a stud which is inserted into a
corresponding opening in the longitudinal pedal plate.
With reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 7 and 9, the part or surface of the cushion
which is used as a tread is provided with short spikes 9 having a flat base g¹ let in
or fastened thereto in any convenient manner and with two transverse bars h of
rubber or other suitable material cemented thereto to prevent the rider's foot from
slipping off the cushion sideways. Fig. 7 shews the rectangular flap or lid i which
is made by a section through three sides near to and parallel with a tread of the
cushion. The edges of the flap are fitted with eyelets; as well as the adjoining
edges of the outer cover or casing so that the flap or lid may be laced to the
cushion.
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature of our said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The application to the pedals of velocipedes of pneumatic cushions secured
thereto substantially as herein described and shewn in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 9, of the

page_text: 2. The combination of a pneumatic cushion with our improved construction of
pedal substantially as herein described and shewn in Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 8 of the
accompanying drawings and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 31st day of December 1892
F. G. CASSELL,
Of Cassell & Co.,
22, Glasshouse Street, Regent Street, London,
Agent for the Applicants.