IMPROVED MEANS OF, AND APPARATUS FOR REGISTERING DISTANCES TRAVELLED BY BICYCLES, TRICYCLES, OR OTHER VEHICLES, AND OF MAKING THE SAME VISIBLE BY NIGHT
Year: 1884

page_text: HERBERT NELSON HARRIS Crosby House, Clapham Rise, in the County of
Surrey, Mechanical Engineer ALFRED JAMES HELYEAR 19, Beaconsfield Terrace,
Annandale Road East Greenwich, in the County of Kent, Mechanical Engineer
do hereby declare the nature of our invention for IMPROVED MEANS OF, AND
APPARATUS FOR REGISTERING DISTANCES TRAVELLED BY BICYCLES, TRICYCLES,
OR OTHER VEHICLES, AND OF MAKING THE SAME VISIBLE BY NIGHT, to be as
follows:-
This invention has for its object improved means of, and apparatus for registering
distances travelled by, Bicycles, Tricycles or other vehicles, and making the same
visible by night.
It consists of a hub lamp and cyclometer each forming a part of the other. The
Cyclometer forms the back part of the lamp and is illuminated by the same.
The Cyclometer is provided with a primary star wheel, actuated by a cam finger
fixed by clip springs, hinges, clamps, screws, or couplings on the neck of hub, or
axle of the road wheel.
The aforesaid star is fixed to a vertical column or shaft, leading into the
cyclometer portion of the lamp, at the foot of which column a worm is fixed.
The train of wheels actuated by the aforesaid worm is-first-a worm wheel,
and on the same shaft is a pinion sliding on its axis, by means of a quill to one
end of which it is fixed on the other end is a quadrant or plate graduated to a
scale of teeth in order, that at each revolution of itself, and actuated by a movable
projection in the back of the case, and coming in contact with the aforesaid
quadrant it shall thrust the aforesaid pinion out of gear with the large or furlong
wheel during, one or more revolutions of the road wheel. Thus enabling the rider
or driver to regulate the apparatus to register the distance travelled by any
diameter of road wheel.
To facilitate the passing of the apparatus between the spokes the Cylinder or
Barrel at the top is split in half, and with two hinges or joints, on either side in a
horizontal line, enabling the apparatus to be opened to double its own length.
Instead of a star, and worm, and worm wheel, a catch and ratchet wheel may be
used with moving column.
We purpose that the apparatus shall not revolve with the road wheel but remain
stationary in all cases.
It will thus be seen that the apparatus, is by this means interchangeable with
any sized Road wheel.
Dated thin 09-1 dom & Dammha- 1001

page_text: HERBERT NELSON HARRIS, Mechanical Engineer Crosby House, Clapham Rise,
in the County of Surrey ALFRED JAMES HELYEAR, Mechanical Engineer,
19, Beaconsfield Terrace, Annandale Road E. Greenwich, in the County of Kent
do hereby declare the nature of our invention for IMPROVED MEANS OF AND
APPARATUS FOR REGISTERING DISTANCES TRAVELLED BY BICYCLES TRICYCLES OR
OTHER VEHICLES & OF MAKING THE SAME VISIBLE BY NIGHT and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
The object of our 'Invention in an Improved means of and apparatus for
registering distances travelled by Bicycles, Tricycles, or other vehicles, of making
the same visible by night, and interchangeable so as to register for any diameter of
road wheel.
To carry out our Invention, we employ a combination of hub lamp and
cyclometer, each forming a part of the other at the same time making the
apparatus divisible, so as to enable it, to be passed through the spokes with facility
To accomplish this division, and at the same time simplifying the method of fixing
the apparatus to the axle of the road wheel we employ a split cylinder or barrel,
having two hinges or joints in a horizontal line.
Depending from the aforesaid cylinder are the two halves of the apparatus, the
lamp portion being hinged to the top half of the cylinder and the cyclometer
portion to the bottom half.
At each end of the cylinder the bearings are inserted, the space between being
occupied by a cam or finger, fixed to the axle either by spring clips, hinges clamps,
screws, or couplings. This finger actuates a star wheel, fixed at the top of a
vertical coloumn or shaft; on the other end of which is fixed a worm, which in its
turn engages with a worm wheel.
On the same shaft as the worm wheel, is a pinion sliding on its axis, by means
of a quill, to one end of which it is fixed; on the other end of the quill; is fixed, a
quadrant or plate, graduated to a scale of teeth, in order, that at each revolution of
itself, actuated by contact with a movable projection in the back of the case, it
shall thrust the aforesaid pinion out of gear, with the large or furlong wheel,
during one or more revolutions of the road wheel.
Further we employ a forth or mile wheel carried by a socket on the shaft of the
large or furlong wheel, and situated between it and the dial. This forth wheel
is actuated from an arm of the furlong wheel, by means of a weighted pinion,
consisting of a single tooth, which swinging by its own weight, engages with the
forth wheel once in every mile. A fixed pin in the case, imparting the necessary
rotary motion to the pinion.
For the better recording of distances whilst travelling, a gong or bell is made to
ring, once at the completion of every mile.
A glass inserted in the centre of the reflector, enables the light from the lamp to
illuminate the dial which may be either of enamelled glass, or horn.

page_text: Thus it will be seen that the apparatus by its own weight, is maintained in a
vertical position, that the rotation of the road wheel registers itself thereon by
means of the gearing herein described, that it is capable of being so regulated, as
to registed for any diameter of road wheel, and that the dial being illuminated,
enables the rider or driver to read it at night.
We do not confine ourselves to the worm gearing previously described, but a
ratchet wheel & pawl may be used. Neither do we confine ourselves to the
method of illumination, but instead may employ an opaque dial coated with
luminous paint.
In order that our Invention, and the method of advantageously carrying the
same into effect, may be thoroughly understood, we refer to the accompanying
drawings, which are to be read with this Specification, as a part thereof. Like
parts are marked throughout by the same reference letter.
Fig I. Is a side view elevation of our Invention closed, showing interior arrange-
ment of works, the dotted lines indicating the apparatus open at some of its
positions.
Fig II. is an end view elevation, also showing interior works.
Fig. 3. is a back view elevation, showing dial and hands; also regulating button
and finger.
Fig. 4. is a plan of cylinder, showing star-wheel and cam.
Fig. 5. is an end elevation of cam, with spring clips.
Fig. 6. is a view of worm wheel, pinion, and quadrant.
A and A¹ are the two halves of the cylinder jointed by hinges a¹ a¹. C is the
body of lamp, and D the cyclometer, depending from A and A'-A' is the star
wheel, actuated by the cam 62-B. is the axle-b. b. b. b. are the bearings, and b¹ the
spring carrying the top bearings-a. a. are the set screws for adjustment A³ is the
column & worm, to which the star wheel A' is fixed, actuating the worm wheel A*-
F is the pinion fixed to the quill E, to which also is fixed the quadrant e-F¹ is
the furlong wheel, actuated by the pinion F. On the same shaft as F is the mile
wheel G, actuated by the weighted pinion g-H is the bell-H' the striking lever,
actuated by a pin in the furlong wheel F-I. is the registering button-J the slot
in which it slides-K, the finger indicating the diameter of road wheel L. is the
dial and hands.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is
First. The herein before described combination of Hub lamp and cyclometer,
with cam, star wheel, and worm; or equivalent gearing for transmitting the
rotation of the road wheel throughout the apparatus.
Second. The illumination of the dial as herein described.
Third.—The making of the apparatus interchangable so as to register for any
diameter of road wheel, by means of the sliding quill and graduated quadrant,
actuated by the movable projection, as herein described and particularised, by
reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fourth. The method of making the apparatus divisible, thereby enabling it to be
passed through the spokes with facility, substantially as herein described, with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
HERBERT NELSON HARRIS.
ALFRED JAMES HELYEAR.