Improvements in Pedals for Velocipedes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Dec., 1897-Accepted, 19th Feb., 1898
Improvements in Pedals for Velocipedes.
I, CASPER BICKEL, of Shelburne Falls, in the County of Franklin, and State of
Massachusetts, United States of America, 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 bicycle pedals, and the object is to simplify the
construction and arrangement of parts and to reduce the cost of manufacture of an
effective and durable pedal.
The matter constituting my invention will be defined in the claims.
I will now describe the details of construction by reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which,―
Figure 1 represents a top plan view of my improved pedal.
Fig. 2 represents a cross section of the pedal on line x-x, Fig. 1..
Fig. 3 represents a horizontal section on line y-y, Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 represents a perspective view.
The pedal, A, is constructed of very few parts, and is strong and durable in
operation. The crank-pin or spindle, C, is provided with an inner screw-threaded
end, c, for connecting it to the crank in the usual manner, and is also provided near
its opposite ends with the circular grooves, c¹, to form bearings or run-ways for the
antifriction balls. The frame is preferably composed of a single sheet metal band B,
open at the inner end and curved at the outer end, as shown in the drawing. The
frame, B, may be finished at the edges with teeth, or in any other desired manner to
form a suitable foot tread. The opposite sides of the frame B, are connected by two
transverse braces, D, D¹, which are preferably rivetted to the bands at d, d. The
braces are provided, each, with a central enlargement, containing a screw-threaded
socket, d', extending to a depth of about three-fourths of the thickness of the brace,
as shown in Fig. 3; also with a central opening concentric with the socket for the
passage of the spindle C. It will be noted that the socket, d¹, is annular and that
the central opening passes entirely through the brace. Each brace (D and D¹) is also
provided at its inner side, with a small circular groove or socket, d¹¹, around the
central opening, for receiving the ends of the strengthening sleeve or collar g, which
is placed on the spindle C, between the braces as shown." When the parts of the
pedal are put together the ends of the sleeve g, are driven into the grooves d", and
make the braces rigid.
In order to provide a suitable bearing for the spindle, C, I use the annular screw-
threaded caps or nut, E, each having a central opening, e, and an annular socket or
recess e¹. The cap, E, is externally screw-threaded at e¹¹, for engaging with a screw-
threaded socket d₁, in the braces, D, D¹. The braces, D, D¹, having been slid on to
the spindle, and driven on to the ends of the sleeve, g, they may be rivetted at d, d,
to the frame B. The annular grooves c¹, will now be within the central openings of
the braces and the balls f, can be placed in said grooves and the annular caps or
nuts E, may then be screwed into their sockets d', and enclose the balls f. The screw-
caps, E, hold the balls in position, serve as a substantial bearing therefor, and
exclude the dust.. It will be observed that the sockets, d¹, and the caps, E, are in
the opposite sides of the two braces, D, D¹. Since the balls fit in the annular
CD

page_text: grooves c, and are closely embraced by the annular caps, E, the pedal is held upon
the spindle until the caps are unscrewed from their sockets. The outer screw-cap or
nut, E, is preferably provided at its outer end with a small circular groove or
socket, i, around its central opening, e, and in such socket there is driven or otherwise
secured the cup, h, enclosing the outer end of the spindle C. Since the sockets (l',
do not extend all the way through the braces, and the screw-caps or nuts are screwed
into the sockets and closely embrace the spindle, and the cup, h, encloses the outer
end of the spindle, the dust is effectively excluded and a very satisfactory bearing is
provided.
The construction is so simple and strong that there is little liability of the parts
getting out of order, and if repair should be required, it can be made at a small
expense.
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
1,In a pedal, the combination with the frame and the spindle or crank-pin having
an annular groove directly in its periphery to form a run-way for the antifriction
balls, of a flat, solid brace having a central opening for the spindle and an annular
screw-threaded socket, a screw-threaded bearing cap having a central opening and an
annular socket or recess, and engaging with the screw-threaded socket in the brace,
and balls in said recess of the cap and annular groove of the spindle, substantially as
described.
2, In a pedal, the combination with the frame, of the spindle or crank-pin having
near its opposite ends and in its periphery the annular grooves, c¹, c¹, the two
annular braces D, D¹, each having a central opening for the spindle and annular
screw-threaded sockets in their outer faces and extending therein from opposite
directions, screw-threaded bearing caps, having, each, a central opening and annular
socket or recess engaging with said screw-threaded sockets in the braces and balls in
said recess of the caps and annular grooves of the spindle, substantially as described.
Dated this 18th day of December 1897.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.