A Device for Cleaning and Lubricating Bicycle and other Vehicle Chains, and like Articles.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Nov., 1898-Accepted, 23rd Dec., 18.98
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Device for Cleaning and Lubricating Bicycle and other Vehicle
Chains, and like Articles.
I, WILLIAM JAMES BALDWIN, of 106, Beekman Street, City of New York, State
of New York, U.S.A., Mechanical Engineer, 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 improvements in devices for cleaning and lubricating
bicycle and other vehicle chains and like articles.
I employ a portable receptacle separate from the bicycle or other vehicle, and of
proper shape to contain the chain during the operation of cleaning it. In the
upper part of this receptacle is a wheel for moving the chain, and fixed on a shaft
so as to be easily turned by the operator. To the lower part of said receptacle is
removably attached a vessel to contain a cleaning or lubricating fluid, the chain
hanging down into and being moved through this Huid until cleaned or lubricated.
If it be desired to lubricate the chain after cleaning it, provision is made for
readily removing the vessel containing the cleaning fluid and substituting another
containing a lubricant. By moving the chain through this lubricant it becomes
properly lubricated. As the receptacle for the chain is closed, the cleaning and
lubricating are effected without spattering of the fluids.
Referring to the drawings which accompany this specification to aid the
description.
Fig. 1 is a front elevation, with the case partly broken away, and showing a chain
in the operation of cleaning. The vessel containing the cleaning fluid is shown in
position at the lower end of the receptacle, the chain dipping into the cleaning
Huid;
Fig. 2 is a vertical end section of the parts shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a broken front, and
Fig. 4 a broken side elevation of the vessel which contains the lubricant.
The chain receptacle or case A is preferably formed of sheet metal and shaped
as shown with an enlarged upper part containing the sprocket or grooved wheel B,
and the downwardly depending leg a, which is open at the bottom, so that said
chain S may descend into the vessels containing the cleaning and lubricating
materials. The axle 6 of the wheel B rests in suitable sockets in the top of case A,
and is provided with the handle C for turning said wheel. The cover D is pre-
ferably of semi-circular shape and hinged to case A, so as to be readily opened.
When the cover is opened the wheel B can be lifted out. A catch a holds the
cover shut. Perforated ears e, el provide for fastening case A to a wall.
A number of studs f, f are provided on the case A on which are hung the bails h,
or j, of the vessels H or J, which respectively contain a cleaning and lubricating
material, the different studs providing for different lengths of chain and for greater
or lesser immersion of the chain in the cleaning and lubricating materials.
Said vessel H, which contains the cleaning fluid, as kerosene oil, is formed with
an inner inverted conical bottom i, in the centre of which is a comparatively small

page_text: opening connecting with a space at the bottom of vessel H as shown, this bottom
space constituting a settling chamber. The dirt removed from the chain being
heavier than the cleansing fluid settles down through said hole into the settling
chamber so that it is not stirred up by the motion of the chain, the small area of
opening preventing the motion of the chain from stirring up the dirt. A
nozzle closed by a cork serves for drawing off the contents of vessel H with the
dirt.
To clean the chain, its ends are fastened together as when it is in use on a bicycle,
so as to make it an endless chain, and it is hung on the wheel B which is removed
from the case A for the purpose. The wheel B, with the chain, is then again
placed in vessel A and cover D closed, vessel H with a cleaning liquid or fluid
being hung on the lower end of leg a by placing its bail h over a suitable stud /.
Now the wheel is revolved by the operator, and the chain is thereby moved
through the cleaning fluid, the dirt collecting in the bottom of vessel H.
turns clean the chain thoroughly.
A few
If it is now desired to lubricate the chain, vessel H is removed, and vessel J
containing a lubricant is placed on the leg a, the chain dipping into the lubricant.
Said vessel J is preferably constructed with an inner chamber j', open at the top
for the lubricant, and an outer chamber 1, also open at the top, to contain hot
water for melting the lubricant, should it be desired to use those which are sold in
solid shape. A nozzle m, with cork, is provided for drawing off the water.
Said vessel J is, as above stated, hung on the lower end of the leg a, the lubricant
being reduced to a liquid. Then a few turns of the wheel B suffice for the
thorough lubrication of the chain. When lubricated the chain is removed from the
wheel B, said wheel being lifted out of case A for the purpose, and the chain is
then used as desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. A device for cleaning or lubricating vehicle chains, consisting of a receptacle
separate from the vehicle for the chain and fluids for cleaning or lubricating the
same, and means for moving the chain through the fluids, substantially as described.
2. A device for cleaning or lubricating vehicle chains, consisting of a receptacle
for the chain separate from the vehicle, a container for a suitable fluid at the bottom
of said receptacle, a settling chamber connected with said container by a contracted
orifice, a cover for the receptacle, and a sprocket wheel in the upper part of said
receptacle for moving the chain through the fluid, substantially as described.
3. In a device for cleaning or lubricating vehicle chains, a receptacle for the
chain separate from the vehicle, a sprocket wheel in said receptacle for moving
the chain, and interchangeable vessels the one containing material for cleaning
and the other material for lubricating the chain, and said vessels being each
adapted to be attached to the said receptacle so that the chain shall dip into its
respective contents.
Dated this 7th day of November 1898.
H. D. FITZPATRICK.
100, Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.