IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES, PARTLY ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE DRIVING MECHANISM OF SEWING MACHINES AND OTHER MACHINES DRIVEN BY FOOT POWER
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frank Wirth, of the Firm of Wirth and Company, Patent
Solicitors, at Frankfort on the Main, in the Empire of Germany, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES, PARTLY ALSO APPLICABLE TO
THE DRIVING MECHANISM OF SEWING MACHINES AND OTHER MACHINES
DRIVEN BY FOOT POWER." A communication from Philipp Praechter, of
Heidelberg, in the Empire of Germany,
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frank Wirth at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd August 1881.
IN
FRANK WIRTH, of the Firm of Wirth and Company, Patent Solicitors, at
Frankfort on the Main, in the Empire of Germany. "IMPROVEMENTS
VELOCIPEDES, PARTLY ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE DRIVING MECHANISM OF SEWING
MACHINES AND OTHER MACHINES DRIVEN BY FOOT POWER." [A communication
from Philipp Praechter, of Heidelberg, in the Empire of Germany.]
This Invention relates to improvements in bicycles and other velocipedes, the
said improvements being partly applicable to sewing and other machines."
I will proceed to describe the application of my Invention to a bicycle, and the
modifications required to adapt it to other machines will be obvious without
further description.
The large or front wheel is fitted within a fork, and the axle which is rigidly
attached to the said wheel is supported in bearings in the fork.
The fork is in two parts, each part being attached to the back bone. From the
lower end of the fork an arm extends rearward on both sides of the wheel, which
arm at its end is connected with or forms part of another arm extending to the
fork, but higher up the same than the other arm. The fork and the lower arm on
both sides of the wheel are at an obtuse angle to each other. At the end where
these arms unite there is a projection to which a spring is screwed for a purpose
hereinafter set forth. At both sides of the driving wheel ratchet wheels are fixed
on the axle in such a manner that one leg of the fork will be between the driving
no17

page_text: As
wheel and the ratchet wheel. In connection with each ratchet wheel there is a
toothed wheel which is capable of rotating on the axle, and there are spring-pressed
pawls on the toothed wheels, which pawls engage with the ratchet wheels. The
two ends of the axle are screw-threaded and receive cylindrical nuts, which prevent
the toothed wheels from leaving the axle without interfering with their freely
rotating thereon. To the fork extensions on each side of the driving wheel is
pivotted a segmental lever which freely moves on its pivot, the latter passing
through an aperture of the segmental lever, and being screwed into the projecting
portion herein before mentioned. The front curved portion of the segmental lever
is provided in a groove at the rear thereof with a series of teeth; these teeth gear
with the teeth of the aforesaid toothed wheel, and the upper and lower arm of
the segmental lever have semi-circular curves at the part where they approach
the axle. A spring presses against the lower arm projecting beyond the aforesaid
projection pivotted at the rear of the fork extension. This spring when the
lever has been depressed, and the pressure of the foot taken off will raise the lever.
Each segmental lever has a pedal movable on a pin. The rider of the bicycle
placing his foot on this pedal and depressing the lever, the teeth on the lever gear
with the teeth of the toothed wheel, and thereby cause the same to rotate.
however the pawls pressed by their springs take into the teeth of the ratchet-
wheel, the rotary motion is transmitted to the latter, and consequently to the axle
and to the driving-wheel. When the pressure of the foot is removed from the
pedal on either side, the spring begins to operate and raises the lever. As the
toothed wheel when the lever is raised naturally rotates in a direction opposite to
that which it takes when the lever is depressed, the pawls will not offer resistance
to these wheels, and thus the driving wheel is not actuated. When the segmental
lever is again in the position it occupied before being depressed, the rider again
depresses the same by means of his foot, thereby imparting new power to the
bicycle. The power which the rider applies when depressing the segmental lever
on either side is equally transmitted (during the entire duration of the action) to
the toothed wheel, and thus to the driving wheel as the point at which the power
is transmitted, therefore the spot where the teeth of the series of teeth take into
those of the toothed wheel is always in the same vertical and horizontal plane.
The power which has to be applied for overcoming the opposing force of the springs
which tend to raise the levers need not be considered, as it is only sufficient to at
once raise the lever again when depressed. No power is lost by friction as the
lever does not come into contact with any part of the bicycle excepting the axle
and the toothed wheel. The speed of the bicycle can be greatly increased by
employing toothed wheels of small diameter, and I provide upon the segmental
lever two or more apertures at certain distances apart, which will be used for
connecting the lever according to whether a larger or smaller wheel is inserted, so
that the teeth on the lever always gear with those on the toothed wheel. This
mechanism can be applied not only to velocipedes, but also to sewing machines,
bath-chairs, and the like.
According to this Invention I provide the following mechanism for steering the
bicycle: Instead of steering as hitherto by means of the driving wheel, I utilize
the small rear-wheel for this purpose, as hereinafter set forth. By this arrange-
ment the fatiguing bending of the lower extremities of the rider is obviated, and
the whole machine will work much more safely than otherwise.
A steering rod is provided which is connected with the rear or steering wheel by
means of bevel wheels and a strong chain. The back bone is hollow and this chain
passes through the same. At the point where the two parts of the fork are screwed
to the back-bone, a casing is provided in which the bevel wheels are placed. One
of these wheels is firmly connected with the steering rod, whilst the other is fixed
on one end of the chain or of a steel wire. At the lower part of the back-bone
there is a sleeve which encloses the upper part of the rear wheel fork connected
with the link-chain. That part of this fork which is within the sleeve exactly fits
into the same, so that only a rotary movement of the fork around its axis (in

page_text: which movement the steering wheel participates) is possible. If the steering rod is
turned to the right or left, the rotary motion is necessarily transmitted by the
aforesaid bevel wheels to tie chain and to the steering wheel, whereby the steering
is rendered possible.
On
According to a modification the connection between the steering rod and the
steering wheel is arranged as follows, that is to say :-The steering rod and a two
armed lever are mounted on one axis or vertical rod. The backbone in this case is
solid and has at the lower end diverging arms extending rearward in a curve.
these two arms as well as on both sides of the backbone there are guides for the
chains connecting one of each of the arms of the lever with one of the ends of the
axle of the steering wheel. Now if the lever is by rotating the steering-rod placed
in one position, then by the tightening of one chain and the slackening of the other
the position of the steering wheel must also alter.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Frank Wirth in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 3rd February
1882.
-
-
FRANK WIRTH, of the Firm of Wirth and Company, Patent Solicitors, at
Frankfort on the Main, in the Empire of Germany. " IMPROVEMENTS IN
VELOCIPEDES, PARTLY ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE DRIVING MECHANISM OF SEWING-
MACHINES AND OTHER MACHINES DRIVEN BY FOOT-POWER." A communication
from Philipp Praechter, of Heidelberg, in the Empire of Germany.
This Invention relates to improvements in bicycles and other velocipedes, the
said improvements being partly applicable to sewing and other machines.
In Figures 1 to 9 of the accompanying Drawings I have shewn the application
of my Invention to a bicycle.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the bicycle provided with my improvements; and
Figure 2 is a front elevation of part of the same.
Figure 3 represents in plan and side view one of the segment shaped levers
hereinafter described.
Figure 4 is a side view of a toothed wheel, and the springs and pawls carried
thereby, hereinafter described.
Figure 5 represents in plan and side view a portion of the fork and adjacent
mechanism hereinafter described.
Figure 6 is a front view of a portion of Figure 2 detached.
Figure 7 is a rear view; and
Figure 8, a side view of steering mechanism hereinafter described.
Figure 9 represents a portion of a chain hereinafter described. Referring to
these Figures,
R represents the large or front wheel of the bicycle, which wheel is fitted
between the two elbow shaped pieces A (see Figures 1 and 2 and 5) that constitute
the fork, and E is the axle which is rigidly attached to the said wheel, and is
supported in bearings; in the said fork the said two pieces A are attached to the
back-bone by means of screws, and each of the said pieces consists of a long and a
short arm connected with each other by the inclined piece F, Figure 5. The two
arms of each connecting piece A form an obtuse angle which approximates a
rectangle, and the shorter arm has at its ends the projection n to which the
spring 8 is secured, for a purpose hereinafter set forth, whilst the end of the longer
arm is connected with the backbone by screws as above set forth. At both sides
of the large or driving wheel ratchet wheels o are fixed on the axle in such a
manner that one leg of the fork will be between the said driving-wheel R and each
of the said ratchet wheels. Adjacent to the ratchet wheels o are the toothed
wheels c which are free to rotate on the axle E, and are so arranged that the
ratchet wheel adjacent to each toothed wheel is surrounded by the springs t and
pawls on the latter, so that the pawls will gear with the teeth of the said ratchet
wheel when the springs t depress the same (see Figures 1, 2, and 4). The two
ends of the axle E are screw threaded to receive cylindrical nuts which prevent the
toothed wheels from slipping off the axle without interfering with their free rotation
thereon. To each piece A is pivoted the lever B which freely moves on its pivot ;
the latter passes through the aperture x of the said lever B (see Figure 3), and is
screwed into the projecting portion n of the short arm of the said piece A. The
segment-shaped or curved part H of the lever B is provided in a groove at its
inner or rear side with a series of teeth, as indicated by dotted lines in Figures 1
and 3, and these teeth when the lever B is attached to the piece A gear with the
teeth of the wheel C. Each of the arms or parts G of the lever B has a semi-
circular party; against the lower part G presses springs which projects more or

page_text: less according to the size of the lever beyond the projection n of the piece A. (see
Figure 5); this spring when the lever has been depressed and the pressure of the
foot is taken off raises the said lever. Each lever B has a pedal q movable on a
pin; when the rider places his foot on the pedal g and depresses the lever B, the
teeth of the same gear with the teeth of the toothed wheel C, and thereby cause
the same to rotate. As however the pawls r acted upon by the springs t engage
with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel o, the rotary motion of the wheel C is
transmitted to the latter, and consequently to the axle E and to the driving
wheel R. The rider depresses the lever B so far that the semicircular part y
thereof nearly touches the axle or the nut upon the same. The actual contact of
these parts must not however take place, and the rider will with very little practice
be able to remove the pressure at the proper time; when the pressure of the foot
is removed the spring 8 commences to operate and to raise the lever B. It will be
obvious that as the toothed wheel when the lever is raised rotates in a direction
opposite to that which it takes when the lever is depressed, the pawls will not
offer resistance to the ratchet wheel, and thus will not prevent the driving wheel
from continuing its motion in the direction imparted to it by the depression on the
aforesaid lever. When the lever B is again in the position it occupied prior to its
being depressed, the rider again forces the same downward by means of his foot,
thereby imparting additional power to the velocipede.
The principal advantages to be derived from my improved driving mechanism
are as follow, that is to say :-
The feet of the rider have not to follow the circular motion of the crank, which
in other mechanism of this class transmits the power. The motion of the feet of
the rider when my improved mechanism is used more closely resembles that in
ordinary walking, and consequently is much less fatiguing. Moreover the
expenditure of power required for propelling a velocipede with my improved
mechanism applied to the same is considerably less than that necessary with other
velocipedes. When a crank is used the greatest amount of driving power is exerted,
when in the downward movement the pedal of the crank is in a horizontal plane,
but the nearer the crank approaches the dead point the more it will lose the
capacity for transmitting to the wheel the power that is being inserted. By the
employment of my improved mechanism however the power which the rider
applies when depressing the lever B on either side is equally transmitted (during
the entire duration of the depressing action or stroke) to the toothed wheel, and
thus to the driving wheel, as the point at which the power is transmitted, viz., the
point where the teeth take into those of the toothed wheel is always in the same
vertical and horizontal plane. The power which has to be applied for overcoming
the opposing force of the springs 8 which tend to raise the levers need not be con-
sidered, as it is only not sufficient to at once raise the lever after it has been
depressed; moreover no power is lost by excessive friction, as the lever B does not
come in contact with any part of the bicycle excepting the axle and the toothed
wheel. The speed of the bicycle can if desired be greatly increased by employing
a small toothed wheel in place of the large one, and to enable wheels of different
sizes to be employed I provide the lever with two or more apertures at certain
distances apart, according to the size of the toothed wheel which is to be used;
the part which serves as the bearing or pivot for the lever is placed through one
of these apertures, so that the series of teeth on the said lever will gear with the
toothed wheel.
The above described mechanism can be applied not only to bicycles and velocipedes
but also to sewing machines, bath-chairs, and the like.
I will now proceed to describe the mechanism I provide for steering bicycles.
Instead of steering, as hitherto, by means of the large or driving wheel I utilize
the small rear wheel for this purpose, as hereinafter set forth. By this arrangement
the fatiguing bending of the lower extremities of the rider for steering purposes
is obviated and the whole machine will work much more gracefully and safely than
otherwise.

page_text: My improved steering gear is constructed as follows, that is to say:―The steering
rod or handle a (Figure 1) is connected with the rear or steering wheel by means of
the bevel wheels d, d', and the strong chain e. The backbone fis hollow and the
chain e passes through the same, as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 1. At the
point where the two parts of the fork are screwed to the backbone a casing or box
is provided, in which the bevel wheels d, d¹, are placed; the wheel d is firmly
connected with the steering rod a, whilst the wheel d' is fixed on the end of the
chain or of a steel wire. At the lower part of the backbone there is a sleeve g,
which encloses the point of connection between the fork m and the chain. That
part of the said fork which is within the said sleeve exactly fits the same, so that
a rotary movement only of the fork upon its axis (in which movement the steering
wheel participates) is possible. If the steering rod is turned to the right or left
rotary motion is transmitted by the bevel wheels d and d¹ to the chain e and to
the steering wheel to effect the steering of the bicycle. A modification of the
above described mechanism, whereby the connection between the steering rod a
and the steering wheel is established, is shewn in Figures 7 and 8. In this
modification the steering rod a and a two armed lever bare mounted on the same
axis c, and the backbone f is solid and has at its lower end the diverging arms K
extending rearward in a curve. On these two arms and also on both sides of the
back-bone are guides i for chains 7 connecting one of each of the arms of the
lever b, one of the ends of the axle of the steering wheel. Now, if the lever b is
by rotating the steering-rod a moved into the position shewn by dotted lines in
Figure 7, then by the tightening of one chain and the slackening of the other the
position of the steering wheel will be correspondingly altered. The rider is thus
enabled to turn the wheel either towards the left or towards the right, that is to
say, he is enabled to steer by the turning of the small or hind wheel. I do not in
all cases provide a bicycle with both my improved driving mechanism and steering
gear, as I may use the driving mechanism with bicycles or velocipedes having any
other steering gear, and vice versa.
In Figure 1 the relative proportions of the motor or driving mechanism and the
bicycle have not been shewn as they would appear in practice, but have been drawn
to different scales to elucidate my improvements.
The mechanism above described may with slight modifications be used upon
tricycles, in which case the rider is enabled to travel either forward or
backward.
In Figures 10 to 18 I have illustrated the application of my improvements to a
tricycle.
Figure 10 represents the said tricycle or velocipede complete, and Figures 11
to 18 shew the several parts of the same and their arrangement upon the axle.
This axle is composed of two parts, that is to say, of the axle proper A, which
extends from side to side of the vehicle, and of the enclosing tube or sleeve H,
which surrounds one half of the said axle, as shewn in Figure 14. This sleeve
can turn easily upon the axle and is prevented from becoming displaced therefrom
by the wedge a, which enters or passes into a groove or recess in the axle proper.
At one end of the axle A the wheel R is fastened, whilst the other wheel R¹ is
secured to the end of the sleeve H. The axle proper and the enclosing tube or
sleeve are free to turn in the plates or pieces B, which are connected by the
cross-bars or pieces C and D, and the said axle and sleeve can be revolved
independently of each other. The arrangement of the driving mechanism upon the
axle and the sleeve is the same.
Each of the toothed wheels F, which are adapted to turn freely around the axle,
is placed between a pair of ratchet-wheels K wedged fast upon the axle. On each
side of the said toothed wheels I arrange a pawl G (Figures 12 and 13); these
pawls are adapted to operate in opposite directions and the ratchet wheels at the
sides of the tooth wheel F have their teeth arranged in opposite directions. Each
pawl is pressed down by means of a spring j, and has at its extremity the pin b
(Figure 18). The ratchet wheels prevent any sidewise motion of the toothed

page_text: wheel F upon the axle, but do not prevent its free revolution. Adjacent to each
of the said ratchet wheels is a metallic disc L, which may be readily moved along
the axle and whose edge is cone shaped or conical, the smaller end of the cone
being turned towards the ratchet-wheel K, as shewn; centrally upon the said
cone shaped disc is arranged the shoulder or extension d, through which and
the said disc the axle passes; this extension has a groove by its periphery, as
shewn.
M represents a square beam or bar, which may be readily moved by means of
the lever N from the right to the left, and vice versa, in square openings in the bars
or pieces B. This bar N carries the arms o, which are placed at certain distances
apart thereon, and engage at one end with the annular groove in the shoulder d.
It follows therefore that by shifting the square beam M to the right or to the
left of the discs L will likewise be moved to the right or left, so that two of the
same will be brought into contact with two of the fixed ratchet wheels K,
and the other two discs will be drawn away from the other wheels K. By the
adjustment of the disc L into contact with the ratchet wheel the pin b of the
pawl G on one side of the wheel F will be forced upwards by the conical periphery
of the said disc, so that the said pawl cannot engage with the teeth of its
ratchet-wheel, at the same time the pawl on the other side of the tooth wheel F.
is by the withdrawal of the other disc L allowed to fall into the teeth of its ratchet
wheel. On the axle T (see Figure 17) are the two levers u, whose curved part is
provided with the teeth with which the teeth of the gear wheel F engage; on the
arm V of the lever is arranged the treadle g, which is connected with the said arm
by means of a pivot (see Figures 11 and 16), and is provided forward with a loop;
beneath or in this loop the rider can place .his foot, so as prevent the displacement
of the same in working the machine. At the pivoted point of the lever u is a box
containing a spiral spring, one end of which is fastened to the axle, and the other
end to the lever u (see Figures 11 and 15). If the lever u is pressed down by the
foot, and the pressure of the foot is released therefrom, the tension of the spring
moves it upwards again. On the square cross bar D (Figures 16 and 17) is
arranged the seat for the driver. By pressing down the lever u the toothed wheel F
is caused to revolve, and the pawl at the side of the toothed wheel, upon which the
disc L is removed from contact with the ratchet wheel K then engages with the
teeth of the said ratchet wheel, and thus causes the same to revolve; this revolving
motion of the wheel is transferred to the axle, so as to impart to the velocipede a
forward motion when the pressure exerted by the driver upon the lever u ceases,
the said lever as above stated is carried upward by the tension of the aforesaid
spiral spring. The toothed wheel F then moves in a contrary direction to that in
which it moved when the lever u was depressed, and the pawl slides over the
ratchet wheel, so that the same remains at rest and has no influence upon the axle,
which continues the motion imparted to it by the downward movement
lever u.
This latter movement is continued throughout the driving or propulsion
of the machine. If it is desired to drive the velocipede backwards the necessary
position of the discs L for this purpose is imparted to the same by means of the lever
N, as shewn in Figure 7. If when the parts are in the position shewn in this Figure
the lever is depressed the pawls will ride over the teeth of the ratchet wheels.
On the return or upward movement however of the lever the said pawls will
engage with one of the teeth of the ratchet wheels, and thus cause the latter,
and with them the axle, to follow the motion of the toothed wheel F. But
as the strength of the spiral spring is not sufficient to set the machine in
motion the driver must assist in the propulsion of the same by pulling up the
lever with his foot; this is rendered feasible by the provision of the loop
upon the treadle g. The above described portions of the velocipede are connected
with the guiding or steering wheel W by means of the connecting rods Q (sec
Figure 1) and the bars or rods C. The support h of the said steering wheel can
readily turn in the sleeve or socket y. Through the double armed levert which
is fastened on the upper part of the said sleeve or socket, and by means of a
P

page_text: suitable connection, such as a rein, the driver can impart to the guiding wheel
any position, and thus drive the machine in any direction he may desire. The
mechanism is enclosed in an envelope or casing made, for example, of wire
netting. This construction of a velocipede possesses, in addition to the advantage
that it can be driven easily and without great effort, the greater advantage that
it can be propelled both forward and backward, which is in many cases of the
greatest importance.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same I wish it understood that I claim,-
First. The driving mechanism, consisting of the pieces A in combination with
the levers B, provided with teeth which engage with the wheels C, having the
pawis r, and the springs t, and the ratchet wheels o, all constructed, combined, and
operating, substantially as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
Second. In a velocipede the steering gear, consisting of the steering rod a, the
bevel-wheel d gearing with the bevel-wheel d³, the chain e, and the fork m,
substantially as above set forth.
Third. In a velocipede the steering gear, consisting of the two-armed lever b
on the same shaft as the steering rod a, combined with the chain h, the axle k, and
the fork m, substantially as above set forth.
Fourth. In a tricycle, the combination of the axle A, the sleeve H, the wedge,
the toothed wheels F, the ratchet wheels K, the pawls G, the discs L, the movable
bar M, with the arms o, the lever N, and the levers U, provided with boxes which
enclose the spiral springs, all substantially as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frank Wirth, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty eighth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.