Improvements in the Construction of Friction Clutches applicable to Cycles, Autocars, and the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Dec., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 19th Oct., 1897-Accepted, 4th Dec., 1896
COVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Friction Clutches applicable to
Cycles, Autocars, and the like.
We, JAMES WOODHEAD, of Watson House, Farnley, near Leeds, Colliery Pro-
prietor, and JESSE COOKE, of Highfield House, Keighley, Wool Comber, both in
the County of York, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention has for its object the arrangement of certain mechanism and the
combination of the same with the wheels of cycles and the like, in such a manner
as to obviate the friction in ball clutches, and to ensure a greater gripping power
of the clutch; also to remove or reduce the liability of any of the parts catching
or jamming on the reverse motion by the lifting of the balls.
We accomplish our object in the following manner. We construct the casing
or collar of the clutch in such a manner as to maintain the balls, each ball is placed
in a separate pocket or chamber, by this means, the friction caused by contact of
the balls against the inside of the casing is removed.
The pockets are constructed in such a manner, as to present to the ball, a face
parallel with the incline of a sprocket wheel, and on the machine being propelled,
the balls drop on to the inclined planes of the sprocket wheel, and are compressed
between parallel faces, thus imparting the movement of a pinion to the before
mentioned collar or casing, which is keyed to the axle of the wheel.
The pinion is connected to the sprocket wheel and is free to rotate on the axle of
the machine, the clutch imparting the motion of the pinion to the wheel.
Dated this 18th day of December 1896.
JOHN WAUGH,
Agent.
כו ע
Improvements in the Construction of Friction Clutches applicable to
Cycles, Autocars, and the like.
We, JAMES WOODHEAD, of Watson House, Farnley, near Leeds, Colliery Pro-
prietor, and JESSE COOKE, of Highfield House, Keighley, Wool Comber, both in
the County of York, 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 has for its object, the arrangement of certain mechanism and the
combination of the same with the wheels or axles of cycles and the like, or with

page_text: other suitable classes of gearing, in such a manner so as to drive in a positive manner
clutches of the class hereinafter described, instead of driving by friction applied in
the manner as hitherto; and by our improvement to ensure a readier and better
gripping power, and obviate the liability of the internal driving portions of the
clutch, catching with the driven, on the reversal or stoppage of the driving portion
of the clutch.
In describing our invention in detail, reference is made to the accompanying
drawings, in which Fig. 1. represents a side elevation, with the cover plate
removed, of a clutch made according to our invention..
Fig. 2 is a transverse section through the clutch and driving portion thereof.
The outside casing or collar A. is secured to a cycle axle B. or other shaft to be
driven, and in the said casing are formed a number of pockets C. each of which
contains a ball D.
Within the outside casing or collar A. and upon the axle or shaft B. is mounted
a compound cam E. which is attached to or forms a part of the sprocket wheel F.
which may be arranged for receiving the driving chain of a cycle, or the sprocket
wheel F. may be replaced by a spur wheel when the clutch is required for other
purposes than driving a cycle or the like; a cover plate G is secured to the outside
casing A for keeping the compound cam E in position.
The pockets C. are so constructed that when the compound cam E. is driven in
the direction of the arrow, one or more curves at H. will press the respective balls 1)
against the side of the pockets C in which they are placed, thus ensuring a perfect
grip or stop between the two surfaces, the ball or balls forming the contact or
support between them, thus imparting the motion of the sprocket wheel F or spur
wheel, as the case may be, to the outer casing A. and axle or shaft B.
The sprocket wheel For spur wheel, is mounted loose on the axle or shaft B.
so that the sprocket wheel or the like may be held stationary on the axle or shaft,
and the latter allowed to rotate, as for example, in the case when the clutch is
applied to a cycle or the like, on the stoppage of the pedals of the machine, the
balls D. will recede within the pockets C. being raised therein by the curved
inclines E. of the compound cam E. thus by arranging the clutch in the manner
described, and fitted to a cycle or the like, on descending hills, the rider has no
need to operate the pedals, they may remain stationary and the machine continue
its course.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we claim
is: ...
A casing A having pockets C, formed therein, provided with balls D. combined
wit a compound cam E. all arranged substantially in the manner and for the
purpose as herein before set forth.
Dated this 18th dox of Clotalar 1807