CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Thomas Eades, of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Mechanical Engineer, for an Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF VELOCIPEDES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Thomas Eades at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd November 1881.
WILLIAM THOMAS EADES, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Mechanical Engineer. " CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
VELOCIPEDES."
First. My Invention consists of the application to the crank shaft of tricycles of
eccentric pedals, by the use of which the countershaft chains, bands, or cogwheels
are dispensed with.
Second. In the application of a balance brake constructed in the manner herein-
after described.
Third. The application of differential ratchet driving gear to tricycles.
Fourth. The arrangement hereinafter described for altering the speed of
tricycle.
Fifth. The arrangement of the clutch motion hereinafter described, so as to permit
of the crank shaft remaining at rest when the tricycle is running down hill, or
making it fast with the driving wheel when required.
I will describe my Invention thus.
I construct one modification of a tricycle as follows:-
On both ends of a crank shaft I mount wheels. On the cranks I fit a pair of
pedals so constructed as to hang below the crank, shaped in a similar manner to
stirrups, in which the feet are placed, working eccentrically to the radius described
by crank shaft, the foot being placed below the crank instead of above it, as
hitherto. The motion given to the crankshaft by the feet is communicated to the
wheels either by one wheel being made fast to the shaft and the other loose, or in
any other suitable manner. The tricycle is guided in the ordinary way by a
guiding wheel placed either in front of or behind the driving wheels.

page_text: Secondly. I construct the break in the following manner :—On or in the frame
of the tricycle I fix bearings to carry shafts, which are mounted in line with each
other. On the outward end of each are placed levers to carry spoon brakes, or to
attach to a band-brake. On the inward end I also fix two levers, to which are
attached connections to each end of a cross-bar, which is pulled from the centre.
When it is necessary to apply the brake by a suitable connection, or in place of
the cross-bar, I use a pulley round which is passed a chain or cord, the ends of
which are fixed to the levers on the inward end of the brake shafts, either plan
having the effect of imparting equal pressure on the driving wheels.
Thirdly. I cause the wheels to be driven forward by a ratchet wheel suitably
fastened on the crank shaft, constructed with pawls placed at distances differing
to the division of the ratchet wheel, so that if there were twenty teeth in tho
wheel, and four pawls set at differential divisions to the ratchet wheel it would
have the same effect as though a ratchet wheel with eighty divisions were used, still
retaining the strength of twenty, diminishing the slipping of the ratchet teeth one
fourth.
Fourthly. On the crank shaft I fix a pulley or cog wheel, and on the driving
wheel or wheels I fix another. On a countershaft suitably attached I place a
wheel of 2 different diameters; this countershaft is so arranged that by pressure
of a lever the peripheries of the wheel carried on it shall be brought in contact
and connect the wheel on crank shaft and driving wheel, thus giving an alteration
of speed in proportion to the relative diameter of wheels.
Fifubly. I construct the ratchet clutch as follows:-Instead of permanently
fixing the ratchet wheel to the crank shaft I form a screw upon its inside diameter
and a similar screw upon the crank shaft, so that when it is in action the pressure
of the pawls screw the ratchet wheel up against a shoulder formed on the crank
shaft, causing it to remain fixed. On the periphery of shoulder on crank shaft I
form cog teeth, and also on the side of the ratchet wheel next the shoulder I form
cog teeth of equal size and pitch. Parallel with the crank shaft I place a countershaft
carrying a tooth wheel, which gears with both the cog teeth on the shoulder and
ratchet wheel. While this intermediate wheel is in gear with the crank and ratchet
wheels the ratchet wheel is carried round as though fixed on the shaft. I provide
means to lift the intermediate wheel out of gear with the crank and ratchet wheels, if
after having done so the motion of crank shaft will cause, the ratchet wheel to
press upon the side surface of the hub of the driving wheel, and cause it to revolve
with the shaft in a reverse direction. In this modification I sometimes use single
ratchet pawls in lieu of differential ones. The brake, clutch, and speed regulating
notion described I also apply to tricycles as now made.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Thomas Eades in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
23rd May 1882.
WILLIAM THOMAS EADES, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Mechanical Engineer. CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
VELOCIPEDES."
First. My Invention consists of the application to the crank shaft of tricycles of
eccentric pedals, by the use of which the countershaft, chains, bands, or cog wheels
are dispensed with.
Second. In the application of a balance brake constructed in the manner herein
after described..
Third. The application of differential ratchet driving gear to tricycles.
I will describe my Invention thus.
I construct one modification of a tricycle as follows:-On both ends of a crank
shaft I mount wheels. On the cranks I fit a pair of pedals so constructed as to
hang below the crank, shaped in a similar manner to stirrups, in which the feet are
placed, working eccentrically to the radius described by crank shaft, the foot being
placed below the crank instead of above it, as hitherto. The motion given to the
crank shaft by the feet is communicated to the wheels either by one wheel being
made fast to the shaft, and the other loose, or in any other suitable manner.
tricycle is guided in the ordinary way by a guiding wheel placed either in front of
or behind the driving wheels.
The
Secondly. I construct the brake in the following manner :-On or in the frame
of the tricycle I fix bearings to carry shafts, which are mounted in line with each
other. On the outward end of each are placed levers to carry spoon brakes, or to
attach to a band brake. On the inward end I also fix two levers, to which are
attached connections to each end of a cross bar, which is pulled from the centre.
When it is necessary to apply the brake by a suitable connection, or in place of the
cross bar, I use a pulley, round which is passed a chain or cord, the ends of which
are fixed to the levers on the inward end of the brake shafts, either plan having
the effect of imparting equal pressure on the driving wheels.
Thirdly. I cause the wheels to be driven forward by a ratchet wheel suitably
fastened on the crank shaft, constructed with pawls placed at distances differing
to the division of the ratchet wheels, so that if there were twenty teeth in the
wheel, and four pawls set at differential divisions to the ratchet wheel, it would
have the same effect as though a ratchet wheel with eighty divisions were used,
still retaining the strength of twenty, diminishing the slipping of the ratchet wheel
one fourth.
And in order that this my said Invention may be properly understood I shall
now proceed to describe the same with reference to the annexed Drawings.
Sheet 1 shows a tricycle constructed in accordance with any improvements.
Sheet 2 shows the details or separate parts to a larger scale.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in the several Figures of
the Drawings.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of tricycle.
Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the ratchet driving gear.
Fig. 4 is an elevation of the same with the parts in place, the cover plate being
removed.
Fig. 5 is a similar view, but with the ratchet wheel, pawls, and india rubber
band also removed.

page_text: Fig. 6 is a partial view, similar to Fig. 4, but with metallic springs instead of an
india rubber band.
Fig. 7 is a side view of the india rubber band.
Fig. 8 is a front view of same.
Fig. 9 is a front view of cover plate.
Fig. 10 is a side view of same.
Fig. 11 is a front view of inner plate.
Fig. 12 is a side view of same.
Fig. 13 is a side view of one of the pawls.
Fig. 14 is a plan of same.
Fig. 15 is a front view of pawl pin:
Fig. 16 is a side view of same.
Fig. 17 is a side view of ratchet wheel.
Fig. 18 is a plan of same.
Fig. 19 is a front view of stirrup pedal to a smaller scalo.
Fig. 20 is a side view of same.
In Figs. 1 and 2, a is the ordinary crank shaft of a tricycle; a', a', are the throws
of the cranks, on which in most tricycles the pedals are placed, the rider's foot
being above the throw of the crank. Instead of this I form the pedals 6 (Figs. 1,
2, 19, and 20) somewhat in the shape of a stirrup, and suspend them from the throws
of the crank, so that the rider's feet are always below the cranks, thus dispensing
with the necessity of a pitch chain or its equivalent, as used in other tricycles;
b', 6', are the india rubber pedals secured to the side pieces b, 62, by pins be; the
upper part of the stirrup b³ has a cap b' fitted to it, and secured by screws bb; the
side pieces are secured to the upper parts b³ by suitable means; the upper part 6³
with cap b' may either be bored parallel to suit the throw of the crank, or it may
have ball, cone, or other bearings. Instead of india rubber pedals, “rat trap" or
other pedals may be used.
In Figs. 1 and 2, c is the brake shaft extending from side to side of the
machine, and working in bearings c, c, in or on the framing of the tricycle; c², c²,
are short lovers, ono at each end of the shaft, and c³, c³, the spoon brakes, one
acting against each of the large wheels; c is the other short lever, by means of
which the shaft c¹ is actuated. The lever c' is connected by a rod c³ jointed at
each end to a bell crank lever c", which works on a fulcrum pin c² secured to the
framework of the tricycle or velocipede; the outer or front end of this bell crank
lever is bent into the shape of a handle c³, which is easily grasped by some of the
fingers or the whole hand of the rider, who usually rides with his left hand resting
on the fixed handle cº. When the handle c³ is raised each of the spoon brakes c³, c³,
is simultaneously applied to the tyres of the large wheels, causing an equal pressure
on them; d is the inner part of the hub of one or both of the large wheels; this is
bored out to form a circular recess for the reception of the ratchet driving gear,
and covered by a circular plate ', in which are holes for screws d³, d. The screws
take into tapped boles in the hub. Standing against the inner side of the hub
is a thin plate of metal e, which has a central hole e² for the nosing on the hub to
pass through (see Fig. 3), and three holes e' for the pawl studs; ff, are the pawl
studs, each provided with a collar f' and screwed part f* going through part of the
hub d, and secured by nuts f³. These studs are shown in position in Figs. 3, 4,
5, and 6. g, g, are the pawls, with in each a round hole g¹ to fit the pawl pin and
recess g to fit the collar on same; h is the ratchet wheel bored to fit the end of
the crank shaft j, and having a key way h¹ for the reception of the key i by which
it is secured to the crank shaft; k is an india rubber band encircling the pawls
9, 9, 9, and keeping them up to their places against the ratchet teeth h³. Instead
of this india rubber band metallic springs 1, Fig. 6, may be provided, which are
attached to the hub by screws . When by the action of the feet on the pedals
motion is given to the crank shaft in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 4 it is
transmitted to the driving wheel or wheels through the teeth of the ratchet and
the pawls, as may be clearly seen on Fig. 4.

page_text: When the number of pawls is a measure of the number of teeth in the ratchet,
that is to say, when the number of teeth in the ratchet can be exactly divided
without a remainder by the number of pawls, the centres of the pawls are set at
different distances apart; but when, as in the Drawing, the case is different, as
three pawls and sixteen ratchet teeth, the pawls are set equidistant. By either
means I obtain the effect of a ratchet with a great number of teeth combined with
the strength of one with few teeth.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of this my said Invention, and
the manner in which it is or may be performed, I would observe in conclusion that
I do not limit myself to the exact construction of or number of parts as above
described, nor do I limit the use of this Invention to a tricycle; but I claim that
it may be applied to any form of velocipede in which the rider sits between two
wheels. I do not claim all the several parts of the before mentioned improvements
in velocipedes separate and apart from each other as being of my Invention, but
what I claim as novel, original, and useful, and desire to be secured to me by the
herein before in part recited Letters Patent are,-
First. The construction and arrangement of stirrup pedals, substantially as set
forth and described, or any modification thereof.
Second. The construction and arrangement of double spoon brake, as described,
or any modification thereof.
Third. The construction and arrangement of ratchet driving gear, substantially
as set forth and described; and
Lastly. The general construction, combination, and arrangement of the above
parts, any or all of them, in a velocipede, or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Thomas Eades, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Twentieth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
Witness,
THOMAS KENDRICK.
WILLIAM THOMAS EADES. (L.S.)