An Improvement in Gear Cases for Cycles.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL DIECIFICATION.
An Improvement in Gear Cases for Cycles.
I, WILLIAM MICHAEL CONWAY, 113, Lower Baggot Street, Dublin, Cycle
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The improved gear case is constructed of india-rubber, or of india-rubber combined
with other substance or substances, and is shaped so that by stretching and then
allowing the gear-case to contract over a frame fixed to cycle, the gear-case can be
placed and retained, by the elasticity of the rubber, in proper position to protect the
chain and sprocket wheels.
Oil and grease being injurious to rubber it is proposed to lubricate the chain,
sprocket-wheels, hub, and bottom-bracket with plumbago, mica or similar lubricant
not containing grease or oil.
I, WILLIAM MICHAEL CONWAY, of 113, Lower Baggot Street, Dublin, Cycle
Manufacturer, 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:-
The gear case is formed wholly or partly of india rubber, and is constructed in the
shape of a long bag or pouch (a Figs. 1 & 3). There is a slit (b Figs. 1 & 3) in the
gear case, in the direction of its greatest length, in the side next the wheel when
the gear case is in position, and this slit is usually, but not necessarily, shorter than
the greatest length of the case.
A rigid frame of metal or other material (c Fig. 2), (similar to that used at present
for leather gear cases) is fastened to cycle and is employed to hold the improved gear
case, so that the chain (d Fig. 2) may run freely inside the latter, when in position
on the cycle.
The gear case is attached to the cycle by stretching the edges of the slit
(b Figs. 1 & 3) referred to, so that they will pass over the frame (c Fig. 2), and
then allowing them to contract so that the case is held firmly in position without
any other fastening being necessary. The slit at the back may then be closed by
means of lacing (e Fig. 3) solutioning, or hooking its edges or a flap or flaps
attached to its edges, or by spring clips or similar fastenings, or it may be closed
by fastening the edges of the slit to the compression stay (f Fig. 2) of the cycle,
Du 11

page_text: or to a projection or projections attached to the compression stay (f Fig. 2) or
by a combination of any of these.
Holes are required to be cut in the case of proper size to allow of the crank
(g Figs. 2 & 3) and hub (h Figs. 2 & 3) axles passing through same, and the
slit at back is to be so shaped that it will fit closely round the bottom bracket
and hub without pressing unduly on the latter.
The case is detached by unfastening the slit, (b Figs. 1 & 3) and stretching the
edges of same until they can be pulled over the frame.
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 I
claim is
The construction of an elastic gear case, and method of attaching same to a cycle,
by means of the contraction of the material of which it is made around a frame fixed
to said cycle, and of detachment of the case by stretching same and pulling it off over
the frame.