Improvements in Home Training Apparatus for Cyclists..
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 6.h Oct., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 17th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 19th Jan., 1895
[Communicated from abroad by EMERY WILLARD SMITH, of 2, Yarmouth
Sirect, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America, Professor of
Drawing.]
Improvements in Home Training Apparatus for Cyclists..
I, JOHN HUTSON, of Frankfort Lodge, Beverley Road, Auerley, S.E. in the
County of Surrey Commission Agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an apparatus or machine in the nature of a bicycle but
arranged to remain in one position or move very slowly while the wheels corre-
sponding in position and appearance with the front and rear wheels of bicycle are
driven at a rapid rate.
The present invention is an improvement or development of the apparatus
described in the Specification of prior Letters Patent No. 18243 A.D. 1893. The
chief improvement relates to the driving gear.
In the form of the apparatus hereinafter described which is a preferred
construction an ordinary safety bicycle is converted into a machine embodying the
invention. The front and rear axles are supported by stands, one of which is
located at the front of the machine and the other at the rear. The front stand is
composed of a rectangular base frame, and convergent arms, which at their point
of meeting form bosses or bearings to embrace the axle. The height of this stand
is such as to elevate the front wheel of the machine above the Hoor. The stand
may be provided with casters or rollers but these are not essential. A. brace
extends from the base of the stand to the upper part of the fork, to which it is
connected by means of a clamping collar.
The rear stand is of similar construction, being composed of a rectangular base
frame, and convergent side arms, formed at their upper ends to embrace the axle.
The base frame supports bearings for a sunft on the ends of which ground wheels
are affixed.
The ordinary rear wheel of the bicycle is taken out and replaced by a wheel
which is similar thereto in appearance but differs therefrom in structure in that
instead of being provided with the usual tire, its rim is fitted with an annulus, of
solid iron or is otherwise weighted for the purpose of increasing its inertia. This
wheel is equipped with a sprocket the same as an ordinary wheel, which sprocket is
connected by a chain with the driving sprocket at the centre of the frame. The
said wheel is also equipped with a worm, which meshes with a worm wheel on the
upper end of a vertical shaft whose lower end carries a bevel-gear in mesh with a
similar gearfaffixed to the shaft of the ground wheels before-mentioned. The upper
end of the worm wheel shaft is journalled in a bearing, attached to a convenient
portion of the machine frame, and the lower end of said shaft is stepped in a
bearing fastened to the base frame of the rear stand.
It will be seen that rotation of the pedals will propel the machine at a
comparatively low rate of speed, by reason of the fact that the power is con-
municated to the ground wheels through the worm and worm-wheel, the object
being to so arrange that the machine will have travelled but a very short distance,
say eighteen feet, when the pedals bave beep rotated sufficiently to propel a bicycle
oue mile under ordinary circumstances.

page_text: A machine of this character is well calculated for use on the stage in races. It
is also well adapted for use as a training apparatus at home or in the gymnasium,
where space in which to propel the machine is limited.
6.
When employed for the latter purpose, however, it is preferable to make the
apparatus stationary, and this provide for in the following manner:
:-
The base frame of the rear stand, is provided at its four corners with downward
projecting shanks which are adapted to receive tubular standards formed with base
flanges to rest on the ground surface. The height of these standards is such as to
elevate the wheels above the ground surface. The said standards may be fixed to
a floor by screws passed through holes in the base flanges.
It is desirable that the driving wheel of the machine should have a tolerable-
amount of resistance to its rotation, and this is provided for in the following
manner; that is to say, wheels which are suitably weighted and may be termed
balance wheels, are supported by arms projecting upward from the base of the
rear stand. The said wheels have a common hub with a rubber covering for
contact with the periphery of the driving wheel. Underneath the driving wheel I
arrange a strap of resilient metal, which is equipped with rollers adapted to bear
against the periphery of the wheel. The said strap, which is adjustably supported
so as to provide for regulating the pressure of its rollers against the driving wheel
is fastened to a support hinged to the rear frame and provided with a set-screw
arranged to bear upon said frame.
The front and rear wheels of the machine may be operatively connected together
by means of a belt which passes around pulleys on the hubs of the wheels, the said
belt being preferably a light cord. This provision is desirable when the apparatus
is employed on the stage, in order that the front wheel may rotate as though
running on the ground.
In order to prevent the rear stand from swinging on the rear axle it is connected
with a convenient portion of the bicycle frame by means of curved braces.
It is evident that the invention may be embodied in other forms than that above
described, and is not limited in this respect.
Dated this 6th day of October 1891
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Home Training Apparatus for Cyclists.
I, JOHN HUTSON, of 26 Ditchling Road, Brighton, in the County of Sussex,
late of Frankfort Lodge, 34 Beverley Road, Anerley, in the County of Surrey,
Commission Agent, 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:
This invention relates to an apparatus or machine in the nature of a bicycle but
arranged to remain in one position or inove very slowly while the wheels corre-
sponding in position and appearance with the ordinary wheels of a bicycle are
driven at a rapid rate.
An apparatus of this character is useful for training purposes, at home or in the
gymnasium, and is also adapted to be used in races on the stage or other confincil
space.
The present invention is an improvement upon or development of the apparatus
described in the Specification of prior Letters Patent No. 18243 A.D. 1893.
The accompanying drawings illustrate an apparatus embodying the invention.
Figure 1 shows a side elevation of the machine.

page_text: Figure 2 shows a top plan view of the same.
Figure 3 shows a rear elevation of part of the machine.
Figure 4 shows a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.
Figures 5 and 6 show details to be hereinafter referred to.
In the form of the apparatus here shown, which is a preferred. construction, an
ordinary safety bicycle is converted into a machine embodying the invention. The
letter a designates the frame of such a bicycle, and a' and a the front and rear
axles, which are fastened in the frame in the usual manner. These axles are
supported by stands, one of which is located at the front of the machine and the
other at the rear. The front stand is composed of a rectangular base frame b,
and converging arms b', which at their junction form bearings to receive the axle.
The height of this stand is such as to elevate the front wheel c of the machine
above the floor. The stand' is shown as provided with castors or rollers b², but
these are not essential. A brace 63 oxteuds from the base of the stand to. the
upper part of the fork a³, to which it is connected by means of a clamping collar b
This brace may be conveniently attached at its upper end to the foot-rest.
The rear stand is of a similar construction, being composed of a rectangular
base frame d, and converging side-arms d', formed at their upper ends to receive
the axle. The base frame d supports bearings for a shaft ³, on the ends of which
ground wheels d', are affixed.
The ordinary rear wheel of the bicycle is taken out and replaced by a wheel e,
similar thereto in appearance but differing therefrom in structure in that, instead of
being provided with the usual tyre, its rim is fitted with an annulus e" of solid iron
for the purpose of adding weight to the wheel and thereby increasing its inertia.
This wheel e is equipped, in a manner similar to an ordinary bicycle wheel, with a
sprocket wheel e which is connected, by a chain e³, with the driving sprooket
wheel, carried by the bottom bracket. The wheel e is also equipped with a
worm, which meshes with a worm-wheelf on the upper end of a vertical shaft/",
whose lower end carries a bevel-gear in mesh with a similar gear faffixed to
the shaft d. The upper end of the shaft is journalled in a bearing f³, attached
to a convenient portion of the bicycle frame, and the lower end of said shaft is
stepped in a bearing, fastened to the base framed of the rear stand.
It will be seen that rotation of the pedals will propel the machine at a
comparatively low rate of speed, by reason of the fact that the power is com-
municated to the ground wheels d' through the worm gearing, the object being, to
so arrange that the machine shall have travelled but a very short distance, say
eighteen feet, when the pedals have been turned sufficiently to propel the machine
one mile under ordinary circumstances.
A machine of this character is well calculated as before stated for use on the
Biage in races. It is also well adapted for use as a training apparatus at home or
in the gymnasium, where space in which to propel the machine is limited.
When employed for the latter purpose, however, it is sometimes desirable to
make the apparatus stationary, and this I provide for in some instances in the
following manner, that is to say:
The base framed of the rear stand is provided at its four corners with downward
projecting shanks g, which are adapted to receive tubular standards g', formed with
base flanges gto rest on the floor. The height of these standards g is such as to
elevate the wheels d' above the floor. The said standards may be fixed to a floor
by screws passed through holes in the base flanges g².
I sometimes dispense with the standards g' for elevating the ground wheels, and
in such cases disengage the gear which drives the shaft d when the machine is
required to be kept stationary. To allow of such disengagement I arrange the
wheel to slide on the shaft d³ to which it is connected by a feather key f³. A
thumb screw serves to secure the wheel in any position on the shaft in which
the wheel may be set either in gear with the wheel in which case the shaft d
will be rotated, or out of gear with said wheel in which case the shaft d³ will
remain stationary, when the pedals are operated.

page_text: When the machine is used for. training purposes it is usually desirable that the
wheelle rotate in the presence of a certain amount of resistance, and this may he
provided for in the following manner, that is to say :-
Wheels, which are suitably weighted and may be termed balance 'wheel's, are
supported by arms projecting upward from the base of the rear stand. The said
wheels have a common hub covered witli india-rubber or other suitable material A²
that makes contact with the periphery of the wheel e, aud is driven thereby and
produces a drag on the said wheel thus increasing the power required to drive the
machine. I also sometimes provide an additional or independent form of brake as
follows, that is to say, underneath the wheel e, I arrange a strap i of resilient
metal, which is equipped with rollers adapted to bear against the periphery of
the wheel. The said strap is adjustably supported so as to provide for regulating
the pressure of the rollers against the wheel as follows, that is to say: It is
fastened to a support hinged at to the frame d, and provided at the end opposite
to the hinge with a set-screw it, arranged to bear upon said frame. By turning
the screw the pressure of the rollers. on the wheelle cauibe adjusted as required,
the retarding effect of the brake being thereby regulated as may be required. The
strap may be pivoted at the centre to its support and made adjustable to and
from the wheel by means of thumb-screws. I may dispense with either or both
forms of the aforesaid brakes or loading devices if the machine is required for
racing purposes only.
The front and rear wheels c and may be operatively connected together by
means of a belt j, which passes around pulleys on the hubs of the wheels, the said
belt being preferably a light cord. This provision is desirable when the apparatus
is employed on the stage, in order that the front wheel may rotate as though
running on the ground.
In order to prevent the rear stand from swinging on the rear axle, it is connected
with a convenient portion of the bicycle frame by means of curved braces k.
It is evident that my invention may be embodied in other forms than hereinabove
described, and is not limited in this respect, for example I wish it to be clearly
understood that it is not essential to provide a special wheel e to replace the ordinary
rear wheel of the bicycle as I may retain the said ordinary wheel in combination
with the devices hereinabove described for ensuring such resistance or friction as
will give the necessary drag on the machine.
My improvements are morcover not limited to bicycles but may be applied to
cycles having three or more wheels.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A cycle having its driven axle supported in a wheeled frame or carriage and
connected to the axle of the said wheeled frame or carriage by gearing that
includes a worm and worm wheel, substantially as, and for the purpose, specified.
2. The combination with such a machine of the adjustable brake apparatus i, i¹,
or the wheel, or both, substantially as, and for the purpose, specified.
3: Such a machine wherein both axles are supported in carriages and the wheels
are thereby elevated from the floor, substantially as, and for the purpose, specified.
4. The improved home-training or racing apparatus constructed substantially as
described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and operating as, and for
the purposes, specified.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.