Improvements in Cycles.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Oct., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 7th July, 1893-Accepted, 7th Oct., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cycles.
I URBAIN FAUSSEREAU, Engineer of La Bernerie, Loire-Inferieure, in the
Republic of France, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
:-
This invention for improvements in cycles has for its object to provide an
improved spring frame for cycles so as to obviate the use of pneumatic tyres; to
provide an improved two speed instantaneous change and disengaging gear so that
without dismounting the cyclist can change from one speed to the other or can
disengage the pedals from the gearing so that they can be used as foot rests, for
example when descending inclines; and to arrange a brake on the rear or driving
wheel so as to give an increased braking power.
In carrying out this invention the main frame of the cycle is connected to the
driving and steering wheels by means of straight and curved plate springs in such
manner that the frame is practically suspended from the wheels.
Two chain wheels secured one on either side of the driving wheel are geared by
two chains to chain wheels mounted loosely on the pedal axle and either of which
can be fixed to the axle by means of a sliding sleeve. The two gearings can be
arranged to give any two desired speeds. When the sliding sleeve is in its central
position the axle and pedals are disconnected from the driving gear and the pedals
can be used as foot rests. The pedal axle is mounted in bearings secured to the
springs and the sleeve is operated by a system of levers and links actuated by
a convenient handle so as to connect either chain wheel to the pedal axle or to
disconnect both.
The brake is applied to the hind or driving wheel and is pivotted to the spring
frame and is actuated by a lever and connecting cord.
Dated this 7th day of October 1892.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cycles.
1, URBAIN FAUSSEREAU, Engineer, of La Bernerie, Loire Inferieure, in the
Republic of France, 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 for improvements in cycles has for its object to provide an
improved spring frame for cycles so as to obviate the use of pneumatic tires; to
provide an improved two speed instantaneous change and disengaging gear so that
without dismounting the cyclist can change from one speed to the other or can
disengage the pedals from the gearing so that they can be used as foot rests, for
example when descending inclines; and to arrange a brake on rear or driving wheel
so as to give increased braking power.
and
In the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bicycle constructed according to this invention

page_text: The main frame of the cycle is connected to the fork A in which the driving
wheel is mounted by means of the plate springs RS, the fork A being pivoted at Y
to the spring R so that it is free to move in the plane of the machine. The fork A
is flattened so as to be flexible at its lower part. The steering socket of the main
frame of the machine is connected to the front fork B by the split clamp s capable of
sliding on the socket. The steering axle or shaft carrying the handle bars is
connected to the front fork by the fork D and springs T, the lower extremities of
he fork B being also flattened out to form a spring or instead of making the ends
of the forks A B flexible they may be hinged to the springs S. T but this arrange-
ment is not so strong, the object being to maintain the wheels in the plane of the
frame. The bearing for the pedal axle is supported on the springs S connected to
the frame at their ends and at a short distance from their ends by the fork C. The
front ends of the springs S instead of being fixed to the frame as shown may
be curved backwards to pass under the base of the fork C and under the rear
portions of the springs to strengthen it the bearing for the pedal axle being connected
to the lower side of the loops thus formed, or, another spring may be carried from
under the foot of the bracket C to the pedal axle bearing. The springs T may also
be turned back on themselves to form a loop in the same way. A spiral spring
surrounding the steering socket may be arranged to bear upon the clamp & and
bracket L' so as to increase the resistance of the clamps to motion under the weight
of the rider.
In order to obtain a variable driving gear two chain wheels be mounted loosely
one on either side of the pedal axle and of different size are connected respectively
by chains o o' to pinions i one on either side of the driving wheel so that the speed of
the driving wheel will vary according to which wheel 6 or c is fixed to the pedal
axle. A sliding sleeve or clutch a is mounted on the axle and rotates with it. In
its central position the clutch is free of both wheels bc but when moved to the
right or left it engages with the corresponding wheel and so rigidly secures it to
the axle. The clutch is operated by the handle C¹ pivotted at J to a bracket K
fixed at the upper end of the main frame P and connected by links m n to a lever /
fixed on a shaft F mounted in bearings secured to the main frame. On the shaft F
is fixed a bifurcated arm 9 carrying two rollers d e engaging the groove of the
clutch a.
By operating the handle either wheel b c can be engaged with the
clutch a and when the handle is central neither wheel is engaged with it so that
the driving wheel runs free of the pedals which can then be used as foot rests, for
example when descending an incline.
In order to arrange the brake to act upon the hind wheel instead of upon the
front wheel as heretofore the lever H carrying the brake is pivotted at v to the
main frame and is connected by a cord u passing over the guide pulley L mounted
in a bracket L' fixed to the steering socket to the hand lever U pivotted on the
handle bar U. The bracket L' serves as an abutment to the clamps in the
event of great shock. A brake arranged as described gives a quick and sure
effect.
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. The arrangement of suspending a bicycle frame by means of flat springs sub-
stantially as described.
2. The arrangement of two speed driving gear substantially as described
consisting in two driving chain wheels adapted to be connected to the pedal shaft
by a sliding clutch operated by a suitable handle without the rider having to
dismount.
3. The arrangement for disconnecting the driving wheel from the pedal axle
consisting of a clutch sliding on the pedal axle and adapted to engage with the
driving wheel so as to enable the pedals to be used as foot rests substantially as
described.

page_text: 4. The arrangement of brake acting on the rear or driving wheel substantially as
described.
Dated this 7th day of July 1893.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.