Improvements in the Driving Mechanism of Velocipedes.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 8th July, 1898-Accepted, 10th Dec., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Driving Mechanism of Velocipedes.
I, ANTOINE OP DE COUL, of 35, Brugstraat, Maastricht, Holland, 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:―
This invention has reference to an improved driving mechanism for velocipedes,
which, owing to the peculiarity of its construction and the fact that it utilizes
the energy transferred by the pedals, has given such favourable and unexpected
results, which results have been proved both by observation and practical experi-
ment, that, in spite of the fact that the mechanism is increased almost twofold
over the gearing now generally in use, the rider of the machine is able to travel
over, in the same time and without being over-fatigued, a third more of the
road than he could accomplish on the usual cycles; and, moreover, he can sur-
mount hills and elevations which, at present, it is impossible to surmount with
the ordinary velocipede.
The new driving mechanism consists principally of a combination of chain and
toothed-wheel gears which are so arranged as to work together in a proper
manner. The fact that with this invention increased mechanical advantage is
obtained can theoretically be explained in the following manner, viz., that owing
principally to the specially favourable arrangement of and bearing for the
toothed rim wheel an equally favourable concentration of the propelling power
is produced, in other words, that through the great vis inertia of the rim wheel
(which acts practically as a fly-wheel) increased power is transmitted to the
pinion of the back wheel. Naturally, as the vis inertia of the rotary parts is
greater, the driving of the whole machine is easier, as is attested by experience.
On the annexed sheet of drawings I have shown the new driving mechanism.
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through the cog wheel gearing.
Fig. 2 is a side view of the gearing.
Fig. 3 is a view of a bicycle with the driving mechanism applied thereto.
The rotary motion of the crank axle K is transferred to the chain wheel k by
means of the usual chain 1. The chain wheel is not, however, carried on the
axle of the back wheel but on a special axle b parallel thereto and which runs
in ball bearings carried by the side covers a¹, a³, of the gear case a. The rotary
motion of the axle b is transmitted, by means of the teeth c, to the toothed
pinion whose hub also carries the second toothed ring e. The teeth of this
ring mesh with the internal teeth f of the rim wheel i which runs upon the ball
bearing g. The external teeth of the rim wheel transmit the driving power to
the pinion m which is screwed on the hub of the back wheel.
As
The gear case a can be secured in position in many different ways. In the
example shown on the drawings, a tube p is secured to the front end of the case
and this tube, which is screwed externally, enters the end of the back stay o.
will be seen the end of the back stay is slotted and is provided with a clamp n
by means of which it can be tightened upon the tube p. By screwing up the

page_text: mut against the end o¹ of the back stay o the case a can be moved longitudinally
for the purpose of tightening the chain. It is advisable that the opening in the
case through which the axle of the back wheel passes should be of a slotted form
to allow of the relative adjustment of the wheels m, i.
Instead of arranging the gear in the manner hereinbefore described it can be
arranged in other ways; for example, the toothed gear can be fixed on the crank
axle and the rim wheel i connected by a chain to the pinion of the back driving
wheel of the cycle.
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 consider novel and desire to claim is:-
1. In driving mechanism for velocipedes the combination of chain gear and
cog-wheel gear said gears being made to co-operate together substantially in
the manner as hereinbefore described.
2. In combined chain and cog-wheel gear, transferring the rotary motion of
the pedal crank axle by means of chain gear (l, k) to an axle (b) arranged parallel
with the axle of the back wheel and running in ball bearings carried by one of
the back stays of the bicycle frame, said axle (b), by means of toothed wheels
(c, d, e), communicating motion to a rim wheel running upon ball bearings and
provided with internal and external teeth which latter act upon a pinion (m) on
the hub of the back wheel, substantially as set forth.
3. The arrangement for adjusting the chain consisting of a tube (p) which is
externally screwed and which, at one end, is connected to the gear case, and, at
the other end, enters the slotted tubular stay (o) which is capable of being
tightened upon it, the tube (p) being moved longitudinally so as to effect the
adjustment by the screwing up of the nut ("), substantially as set forth.
Dated this 7th day of July 1898.
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
100, Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.