Improvements in Velocipedes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Aug., 1896-Accepted, 23rd Jan., 1897
Improvements in Velocipedes.
A communication to me from JULIUS KÜSTER, of the Société de Tissage, "Le
Phalère," Piræus, in the Kingdom of Greece, Technologist.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of the Firm of Edwards and Co., Patent Agents and
Engineers of 65 and 66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, 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, and accompanying drawings, that is to say :-
This invention relates to improvements in velocipedes, having for their object
methods of construction by which the power exerted by the feet of the rider
produces better results than is ordinarily the case. In the velocipedes ordinarily
used the pedals have a uniform speed through their entire revolution. This,
however, has the disadvantage that the time during which the pedal lever is acting
horizontally and with less efficiency, is as great, as that in which it is acting
vertically and with greater efficiency.
By means of the present invention, the inefficiency or irregularity caused in
this way is neutralized, by the use more especially, between the pedal axle and the
axle of the driving wheel of the velocipede, of gear consisting of toothed wheels
-elliptical, excentric, or of other irregular shape and arrangement.
In the accompanying drawings, which are in illustration of the invention,
various forms and methods of application of the novel system of construction are
shewn.
Figures 1 and 2 shew in side view and in plan, a bicycle in which the endless
chain c, driven by the chain wheel a on the pedal axle 6, passes also round a chain
wheel d on an intermediate axle e.
Upon the latter a circular chain wheel fis excentrically fixed, and a second endless
chain g connects the wheelf with a corresponding wheel , fixed excentrically in
the same way upon the axle of the back driving wheel of the bicycle. By this
arrangement it is understood that the proportion of the number of revolutions of
the pedal axle to that of the driving wheel axle remains always the same.
In Figures 3 and 4, also side view and plan respectively, the proportion can
however be made variable, even whilst travelling.
In this form of arrangement the required end is obtained in the following
manner. Upon the pedal axle la toothed wheel m is keyed, which has somewhat
the form of an 8, and on the intermediate axle n a circular toothed wheel o' is
excentrically keyed.
Upon the axle n a friction disc o is fixed, against one face of which works the
edge of a friction wheel q fixed upon a spindler which can move endways. A
helical spring s presses the friction wheel g towards the axle t of the driving
wheel of the bicycle, a friction disc u upon which is driven by a second
friction wheel upon the spindle r. The action of the helical springs upon
the spindle is effected by means of a collar 1 on the tube which carries
the bearings of the spindle, which-guided in guides 2-is kept pressed
constantly endways by the spring. The lower ends of the guides 2 fit and can
turn on the rod 3 of the frame of the bicycle, and are pressed by springs in such
manner that a constant pressure of the friction wheels o, q, against the discs u, v
is caused. By this arrangement the number of revolutions of the intermediate
axle n is double that of the pedal axle.

page_text: The end movement of the tube w and spindler with the friction wheels g and v,
is effected by means of a cord or strap 4 which is attached to the arm 5 of a
bell-crank lever 5, 6. To the arm 6 is jointed a rod 7 which can be worked and
fixed by the rider.
In Figures 5 and 6, an arrangement is shewn in which the pedal axle 8 as
well as the intermediate axle 9 are provided with toothed wheels 10 and 11 in
the shape of a figure 8.
The intermediate axle 9 also carries a disc 12 having on its face two bevilled
toothed rings 13 and 14, with which gear one or other of two bevilled toothed
pinions 15 and 16. Both these latter are fixed or formed upon a tubular socket 17,
which with the intervention of the tubular bearing 18 surrounding and supporting
it, is carried in the cylindrical case 19.
A pin 20 fixed to the tube 18 engages in the groove 2, of a shifting device 22,
which is pressed up when desired, against the pressure of a flat spring 23, by the
bell-crank 24, 25, and the cord or band 26. Through the square central hole
through the socket 17 passes the square part of a second intermediate spindle 27,
on the other end of which is fixed a bevelled toothed wheel 28 which is always in
gear with the corresponding one 29 upon the axle of the driving wheel of the
bicycle. Or, for the toothed gear described may be substituted a double universal
(or "Hooke's") joint, shewn in Figure 12. Figure 7 shews an excentric elliptical
or cam-shaped toothed wheel 31 keyed upon the first intermediate axle 30. This
axle 30 carries also two circular centrally keyed toothed wheels 32, 33, of different
diameters; and accordingly as one or other of these is put in gear with 34 or 35
on the second intermediate axle, the relative speed of the driving-wheel axle 37
to that of the pedal axle is greater or less.
The pedal axle carries the 8-shaped toothed wheel 39, which gears with the
toothed wheel or cam 31 on the first intermediate axle 30.
The ends of the second intermediate axle 36 are provided with two cranks 40
and 41, at right angles to each other, which are connected by rods 42, 43, with
similar cranks on the driving wheel axle. The endlong movement of the first
intermediate axle 30 is effected by the pin 44, which fits and works in a curved
slot 45 in a sliding plate 46 (Figure 8).
In the modification shewn in Figures 10 and 11, the number of revolutions of
the driving wheel is different from those of the pedal axle 47;-but with equal or
uniform angular speed of the driving wheel axle, that of the other axles can be
varied in the way described.
For this purpose, between the pedal axle 47 and the first intermediate axle 49
a pair of toothed wheels 50 and 51 gear, and between the first and the second
intermediate axles a pair of excentric toothed wheels 52 and 53 gear together.
This arrangement can be modified by making the intermediate axles 48 and 49
gear with the driving wheel axle instead of with that of the pedal axle. More-
over, by means of irregular shaped toothed wheels, worked by the pedal axle 47,
at the required speed of revolution, the power can be transmitted to the axle 48
and to the driving axle by means of a third intermediate shaft moving on a double
universal joint (of the kind shewn in Figure 12).
In the further modifications shewn in Figures 13 and 14, the pedal axle 54 is
surrounded by a hollow or tubular shaft 55, upon which is fixed the chain wheel 56
by which the driving wheel axle 57 is driven.
The pedal axle 54 drives by means of its elliptical or irregular shaped toothed
wheel 58 a similar wheel upon the intermediate axle 59. A toothed wheel 61
upon the latter gears with and drives a corresponding wheel 62 upon the hollow
shaft or axle 55.
Figure 15 shews how the invention can be applied to the driving wheel of what
is known as an "ordinary" bicycle, driven direct by the pedals. An excentric or
irregular shaped toothed wheel 63 fixed upon the pedal axle 64, gears with a
corresponding toothed wheel 65 which turns upon a stud 66 fixed to the frame of
the machine. The toothed wheel 65 forms part of, or is attached to, an ordinary

page_text: toothed wheel of which gears with a corresponding one o8 пxed upon the nonow
axle 69 of the driving wheel.
The further modification shewn in Figures 16 to 18, is a combination of that
shewn in Figures 7 to 9 and that shewn in Figures 13 to 15.
A shifting plate 70, Figure 18, is provided with a step-formed slot, such that by
means of the pin 72 the tubular bearing 79 containing the intermediate axle 78,
can be moved endways and held fast in either of three positions. In the middle
position, neither the toothed wheels 73, 74, nor those 75, 76, are in gear with each
other. The wheels 73, 75, on the axle 78, and those 74, 76, on the hollow axle 79"
are not affected. The last named transmits its movement by the chain wheels and
chains 80, 81, and 82, to the axle 83 of the driving wheel 84 (Figure 16).
Between the pedal axle 85 and the intermediate axle 78 are arranged the
excentric or irregular-shaped wheels 86, 87. The hollow shaft 79 is supported in
bearings 88.
In the central position of the intermediate axle 78 the rider when going down
bill can rest his feet upon the pedals instead of upon the foot rests. In this way
he has a firmer seat, than if his feet are moving up and down.
Figures 19 and 20 shew how, by the use of bevilled toothed wheels only, the
desired action of the pedal levers remains always the same, whilst a variable
number of revolutions of the driving wheel axle can be obtained. The elliptical
suitably shaped bevilled toothed wheel 89 on the pedal lever axle 90 is always
in gear with the corresponding suitably shaped bevilled toothed wheel 91 on
the longitudinal spindle 92. The other end of the latter is provided with two
ordinary bevilled toothed wheels 93 and 94, which can gear respectively with the
bevilled teeth 95 and 96 on the disc 97 fixed upon the axle 98 of the driving wheel
of the machine. For this purpose the wheels 93 and 94 are both fixed or formed
upon the tubular socket 99, which is moveable end ways upon the spindle 29, but
cannot turn upon the latter. The socket 99 turns in a guiding tube 100 which can
be moved endways by the rider by means of the pin 101 and shifting plate 102, as
in the arrangements already above described.
In Figures 21 and 22 an excentric toothed wheel 104 is shewn fixed upon the
driving wheel axle 103. It gears with an elliptical internally toothed wheel 106
fixed at its central point upon a crank and axle 105. Upon two cranks on this
axle work connecting rods 107, 108, which are actuated by corresponding
cranks 109, 110, upon the pedal axle 111.
In Figure 23 a chain is shewn, working over an elliptical chain wheel 112 upon
the pedal axle and an excentric or suitably shaped chain wheel 113 upon the
driving wheel axle 115.
In some cases it is preferable, to obtain the required relative speeds, to divide
the pedal axle into two parts, and between each of these parts and the driving
wheel axle to arrange excentric or irregular shaped toothed wheels. For instance,
in Figure 24 a longitudinal spindle 116 is shewn, which carries on its front end
two excentric or irregular shaped bevilled toothed wheels 117 and 118. The
wheel 118 gears with a corresponding toothed wheel 119 on the half 120 of the
pedal axle, whilst the wheel 117 gears with the wheel 121 on the other half 122 of
the axle. A disc 123 at the other end of the spindle 116 is provided with two
sets of bevilled teeth 124 and 125 of the usual kind, either of which can be
brought into gear with the toothed piuions 126 and 127 respectively, which form
one piece the central boss of which can slide endways upon the square end of the
driving wheel axle 128.
In the arrangement shewn in Figures 25 and 26, each of the halves 129, 130 of
the pedal axle, has fitted upon it an excentric toothed wheel, 131 and 132. The
wheel 131 gears with a similar one 133, and that 132 with the one 134 upon the
intermediate axle 135. The main driving wheel axle is most conveniently operated
(as shewn in Figure 27) by a chain wheel 137 upon the latter, a chain 138, and a
second chain wheel 139. In this arrangement the lower part of the chain 138 is
stretched, and in order to effect the revolution of the driving wheel axle in the

page_text: proper direction, a toothed wheel 140 upon it is made to gear with a similar toothed
wheel 141 upon the intermediate axle 142.
Figures 28 and 29 shew, between the halves 143 and 144 of the pedal axle, and
the intermediate axle 145, a differential gear 146, 147, 148, of the well-known kind,
in which the transmission of the power between the central wheels 147 and the
intermediate axle 145 is effected by means of a chain wheel 149 which carries the
former, and a chain 151 which connects the chain wheel with a similar one 150
upon the intermediate axle 145.
The half 144 of the pedal axle drives the intermediate axle 145 by means of
two excentric chain-wheels 152, 154, and the endless chain 153.
As illustrated in Figure 30, the construction of the differential gear may be
varied more or less.
Each half, 155 and 156, of the pedal axle is shewn provided with an excentric
inclined bevilled toothed wheel 157. These gear with a similar wheel 158, which
turns upon one of the radial arms of a chain wheel 159, which turns upon one
half 155 of the pedal axle. In this arrangement the chain gear is situated
centrally between the two pedal cranks,-as is usual for driving tricycles.
In Figure 31, the middle inclined bevilled toothed wheel 158 does not turn upon
an arm of the chain wheels, but on the radial arm 160 of a frame or box 162
connected and attached to one side of a chain wheel 161. This arrangement is
suitable for bicycles.
Figure 32 illustrates, in cross section, the manner in which sun and planet wheels
can be used. Figure 33 is a diagram of the same, shewing the shape of the
toothed wheels. The excentric toothed wheels 163 upon the halves 164 and 165
of the pedal axle gear with corresponding excentric toothed wheels 166 turning
upon pins 167, 168, on arms carried at the end of a tubular shaft 169, which is
carried in bearings in the frame 170 and is provided with a chain wheel 171. The
excentric toothed wheels 166 carried by the pins, gear on their outer edge in fixed
internally toothed wheels 172, of such a shape (as shewn in dotted lines in Figure 33),
that they always remain in gear with them, as well as with the excentric toothed
wheels 166.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
In velocipedes, the arrangement between the pedal axle and the driving wheel
axle, of toothed or chain gear, having two or more excentric or irregular shaped
toothed wheels, so that a revolution of the pedal axle causes a variable angular
speed in different parts of the revolution, and the transmission of power from the
pedal axle remains practically uniform, and also so that a variable speed of the
velocipede can be obtained by means of adjustable friction gear or bevilled wheels,
substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 14th dose of Avant 1806
EDWARDS & Co.,
65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.