A Racing Index for Home Trainer Cycles.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Mar., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 16th Dec., 1893-Accepted, 3rd Feb.. 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Racing Index for Home Trainer Cycles.
ARTHUR LIONEL KNIGHTEN Photographer High Street Oakham Rutland do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:―
A model bicycle track about 5 feet diameter, on which are two model bicyclists,
underneath track cuclosed in a box is machinery worked by two bicyclists on a
platform, in front of model track (the two bicyclists are on home trainer cycles),
the idea of the invention is to form a game or sport by which persons can contest
against each other on bicycles, a model on the track representing each contestant,
the faster either person pedals his home trainer cycle, the faster will the model
which he represents travel on the model track.
Dated this 16th day of March 1893.
ARTHUR L. KNIGHTEN.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Racing Index for Home Trainer Cycles.
1, ARTHUR LIONEL KNIGHTEN of High Street Oakham in the County of
Rutland Photographer 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 :-
My invention consists of a model bicycle track of about five feet or other
convenient diameter, on which are two model bicyclists. Underneath the track,
preferably, enclosed in a box, is suitable machinery worked by two bicyclists on
home trainer cycles mounted on a platform in front of the track. The idea of the
invention is to form a game or sport by which persons can contest against each
other on home trainer cycles, a model on the track representing each contestant,
the faster either person pedals his home-trainer cycle, the faster will the model
which he represents travel on the model track.
In order that my invention may be well understood append drawings which
show the general form and arrangement of the parts of my invention but
modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my
invention.
Figure I is a general view of the track and two home trainer cyles provided with
an index constructed according to my invention.
Figure 11 Sheet 2 is a view in elevation of part of the machinery connecting the
home trainer cycles to the model bicyclists.
Figures III, IV and V show details of the invention on an enlarged seale.
Similar nunerals refer to similar parts throughout the several drawings.
The home trainer cycles 1, 2 (of which there may be any convenient number)
preferably take the general form of the well known rear driving safety bicycle.
Each cycle is supported on the platform 3 so that both wheels are raised from the
platform and are free to rotate; but the front wheel is prevented, by any convenient
means from defecting from the plane of the machine. The crank axle 4 is mounted
The rim 7 of
in a bridge bracket 5 and carries a suitable pulley 6 on its centre.
the front wheel 10 is concave in transverse section but is not fitted with a tire. An
endless band 8 of leather or other suitable material runs on the pulley 6 and rim 7.
Another pulley 9 is fixed to one side of the front wheel 10 and this is geared to a
horizontal pulley 11 fixed on the vertical axis 12 by another band 13. The
[Price 8d.]

page_text: axis 12 is mounted in suitable bearings in the centre of the track; its upper end
projects above the surface of the track and is provided with an arm 15, to the other
end of which is attached the model bicyclist 16. The limbs of the model bicyclist
are preferably jointed at the hips and knees and the feet are attached to the pedals
so that as the arm carries the model round the track, the wheels rotate and the
limbs move as if the figure were driving the model machine. The rider drives the
home trainer in the usual way and this causes the pulleys 6, 7, 9 and 11 to rotate
and the pulley 11 turns the axis 12 and the arm 15, so that the tigure 16 travels
round the track at a pace corresponding to the pace at which the crank axle 4 is
rotated and at a preferably slower pace governed by the various circumferences of
the respective pulleys. The other home trainer cycle is constructed with similar
pulleys and bands gearing it to the horizontal pulley 21 fixed on the vertical
axi- 22. The axis 22 is hollow and surrounds part of the axis 12; which is
provided with suitable bearings, the lower one being preferably carried by a suitable
bridge 23 fixed to the framework. The upper end of the axis 22 projects above the
surface of the track but not so high as to interfere with the arin 15 on the axis 12
and is provided with an arm 25 to the outer end of which is attached the model
bicyclist 26. Other home trainer cycles may be geared to other model bicyclists
in a similar way, the respective sets of pulleys being preferably all so arranged that
if the home trainers are driven at the same pace the models will all travel around
the track so as to complete a circuit or lap in the same space of time. The arms
are preferably fitted to the axes with a rack 28 and pawl 29 allowing the figures to
Le brought quickly to the starting line at the commencement of each race.
horizontal pulley is arranged as nearly as may be on a level with the centre of the
pulley with which it is geared; but as the horizontal pulleys, cannot both or all be
set at the same level it is sometimes useful to employ rollers 30 to guide the hands.
These rollers 30 may be mounted in forked arms 31 provided with slotted ends 32
and nuts and bolts 33 allowing the rollers to be adjusted to various positions. The
arms 31 are preferably bolted (33) to the front wall or support of the track. The
track is preferably built of wood on an iron frame-work, the parts of which are
bolted together in any convenient manner so that the apparatus may be taken to
pieres and removed and refixed elsewhere when requited. The platform also is
preferably of wood. Cross stays 35 may be used to connect the rear axles or other
convenient parts of the home trainer cycles together to render them steadier and
any suitable brakes may be applied to render the work more like actual riding on
the road or racing path. Each home trainer cycle and its indicating model
bicyclist may be coloured to the same hue or may be provided with some other
corresponding distinguishing mark so that the spectators may readily discern from
the models the relative positions of the actual riders.
Each
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what !
claim is
1. An index for home trainer cycles, consisting of a model track and model cyclists
adapted to move on the said track at rates corresponding to the rates of pedalling of
the riders on the said home trainer cycles.
2. In a racing index for home trainer cycles of the kind referred to in Claim 1,
connecting the home trainer cycles with the models on the track by the gearing
consisting of pulleys, bands, axes and arms substantially as herein described.
3. The racing index for home trainer cycles substantially as herein described and
illustrated.
Dated this 15th day of December 1803
WILLIAM BESTWICK MAXFIELD,
Registered Patent Agent,
19, Bowling Green Street, Leicester, Applicant's Agent.