IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1885

page_text: "
I ROBERT EDWARD PHILLIPS of Selhurst Road, South Norwood, in the County
of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO VELOCIPEDES" to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is the construction and arrangement of the chain
driving wheel on the driving or pedal axle, so that the axle may be turned for the
purpose of steering without putting the chain wheel out of line with that on the
other axle.
My invention is adapted to all types of central geared tricycles and to that type
of "Safety" bicycle in which the steering wheel is placed in front of the driving
wheel and in which motion is communicated from the pedal crank axle to the
driving wheel through an endless chain or chains and chain wheels, its object
being two-fold; either to enable the pedal crank axle to be turned in conjunction
with the steering handle or handles and the steering wheel, so that the steering
may be controlled by the feet, as well as by the hands; or to enable those.
machines in which the steering may be controlled by the feet such as the
Humber" tricycle to be steered without moving the pedal axle, so that the
thrust of the feet on the pedals will not affect the steering.
"
It is well known that safety bicycles with the steering wheel placed in front of
the driving wheel are very difficult to steer owing to the pedal axle not moving
with the steering handle, and that it is impossible to steer them without the use
of the hands no matter how expert the rider may be; by the use of my invention
these machines may be ridden and steered with all the facility of motion and ease
of the ordinary bicycle.
In carrying out my invention as applied to tricycles I mount the pedal crank
axle in bearings forming part of a suitable bracket fixed to the lower end of a
vertical rod, at the upper end of which is fitted a transverse handle bar. The
vertical rod is carried in suitable bearings attached to the frame of the machine;
the steering wheel is connected to this vertical rod through bridle rods and levera
or by any other suitable arrangement whereby the motion of the transverse handle
bar is communicated to the steering wheel. It will be seen that as the pedal crank
axle will move with the transverse steering handle, the steering may be effected
by the feet as on an ordinary bicycle.

page_text: In order to keep the chain wheel on the pedal crank axle in a line with the one
on the driving axle, it is mounted on a kind of "ball and socket" joint on the
crank axle, immediately under the centre of the vertical steering rod, so that the
axle will always drive the chain wheel notwithstanding that it may not be
running at right angles to the axle; suitable bearings carried from the frame
carrying the driving wheel are provided to keep the chain wheel in a line with the
one on the driving axle. The joint that I prefer to use is constructed as follows;-
On the centre of the axle is formed a ball or sphere and the boss of the chain wheel
is bored out spherical to fit it, the boss being in two parts to allow the chain wheel
to be placed in position and to adjust the joint to compensate for wear.
cut longitudinally through the sphere on the axle through which a pin running
through the boss of the chain wheel passes, and forms the driving connection
between the axle and the chain wheel.
A slot is
In fitting this arrangement to "safety" bicycles I proceed as before described,
but as the chain wheel attached to the driving wheel cannot be placed central
with the rod carrying the transverse steering handle which must be in the centre
of the machine, it is necessary to make the chain wheel on the pedal axle overhang
the sphere on the centre of the axle, to bring the teeth of the wheel in a line with
those of the chain wheel mounted on the side of the driving wheel. The pull of
the driving chain on this overhung chain wheel may be compensated in two ways
1st by making a suitable bearing either within the rim of the wheel or in any
other suitable position. The most suitable bearing I find to be as follows;-Inside
the rim of the chain wheel, under the ring of teeth is fitted a disc carried from any
suitable part of the frame, on this disc is mounted in suitable slides to permit of
their adjustment, three or more antifriction rollers which bear against the inner
sides of the rim of the wheel and so take the thrust caused by the pull of the
driving chain on the chain wheel. A slot is cut in the disc which carries the
bearing to allow of the radial movement of the pedal axle. 2nd Instead of
providing a bearing to take the pull of the chain on the overhung chain wheel
I sometimes use two chains one on each side of the driving wheel running on to a
double chain wheel on the pedal crank axle. The pull of one chain is equalized
by the pull of the other so that the chain wheel cannot be twisted laterally, while
its tendency to move vertically is overcome by two small rollers running on studs
fixed to the frame, which bear on the periphery of the rim of the wheel.
"
In fitting my arrangement to a Humber" type tricycle so that the pedal crank
axle shall not turn with the driving and steering wheels I proceed as follows;—
I take a balance geared axle fitted with two driving wheels, and mount in the
centre of it on a "ball and socket" joint, a chain wheel as herein before described.
The axle runs in suitable bearings carried by a bracket on which is formed a head
carrying a transverse handle bar. In this head is fitted a neck to which is
attached a trailing backbone carrying a seat for the rider, all of the usual con-
struction. From this backbone in close proximity to the neck depends a tube on
which is mounted at its free end, a bearing bracket carrying the pedal crank axle,
the chain wheel on which is connected to that on the driving axle by an endless
chain. The head of the machine is so arranged that the centre line of it runs
through the centres of the chain wheels on the driving and pedal crank axles.
Suitable bearings are carried from the neck of the machine to keep the chain
wheel on the driving axle in line with that on the pedal crank axle when the axle
carrying the driving wheels is turned for the purpose of steering. It will be seen
that in a machine so constructed and arranged the rider will not have to pull at
the handles to counteract the thrust of his feet on the pedals.
When this arrangement is fitted to the axle carrying the driving wheels the
balance gear is fitted at one end of the axle close to one of the driving wheels, and
as the axle is a compound one the chain wheel is connected to the sphere on the
axle by a pair of keys or dowel pins fitting into longitudinal slots or key ways cut
on each side of the axle instead of a pin passing through it.

page_text: When this arrangement is fitted to tricycles and "safety" bicycles for the
purpose of permitting them to be steered by the feet as well as the hands I some-
times mount the bracket carrying the pedal axle on the vertical shaft carrying the
transverse handle bar so that it may be disconnected from it and fixed to the
frame carrying the driving wheel at the will of the rider, so that when exerting
great power for hill climbing or otherwise he may not have to pull at the handles
to counteract the thrust on the pedals. It will be obvious that in one case he will
be able to steer the machine by the aid of his feet, and in the other he will not.
In order to keep the steering wheel running in a straight line without any effort
on the part of the rider I connect each side of the chain wheel with the pedal
crank axle, by three or more tension springs, the effect of which is to keep the
axle and the chain wheel at right angles to one another, and therefore as the axle
is connected to the steering wheel, to keep the machine running in a direct line.
Dated this 92nd day of Santambar 100%

page_text: I ROBERT EDWARD PHILLIPS of Selhurst Road, South Norwood in the County
of Surrey, Engineer, 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:-
The object of my invention is the construction and arrangement of the chain
driving wheel on the driving or pedal axle, so that the axle may be turned for the
purpose of steering, without putting the chain wheel out of line with the chain
wheel on the axle, from, or to, which motion is communicated.
My invention is adapted to all types of central geared tricycles, and also to that
type of "safety" bicycle, in which the rear wheel is the driving wheel, and the
front one the steering wheel, and in which motion is communicated from the
pedal crank axle to the driving wheel through an endless chain or chains, running
over chain wheels, on the respective axles. The object of my invention is two-
fold; either to enable the crank axle to be turned in conjunction with the steering
handle, or bandles, and the steering wheel, so that the steering may be controlled
by the feet, as well as by the hands; or to enable those machines in which the
steering may be controlled by the feet, such as the "Humber" type of tricycle, to
be steered without moving the pedal axle, so that the thrust of the feet on the
pedals may have no affect on the steering wheel.
It is well known that "safety" bicycles, in which the rear wheel is the driving
wheel and the front one the steering wheel, are very difficult to steer and balance
owing to the pedal axle not moving with the steering handle, and that it is
impossible to steer them without the use of the hands no matter how expert the
rider may be; by the use of my invention these machines may be ridden and
steered with all the facility of motion and ease of the ordinary bicycle.
In order that my invention may be fully understood I will more particularly
describe it with the aid of the accompanying drawings, throughout the several
views of which similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
Fig. 1. Sheet No. 1. is a side elevation of a front steering tricycle (with one
driving wheel removed) fitted with my invention. Fig. 2. Sheet No. 1. is a front
elevation partly in section of my invention as applied to the pedal crank axle, and
showing the fixing and releasing gear, and Figs. 3. and 4. Sheet No. 1. show an
end elevation thereof, given in two views for convenience. Fig. 5 Sheet No. 2. is
a side elevation of a rear driving "safety" bicycle fitted with my invention.
Figs. 6. 7. and 8. Sheet No. 2. are a front elevation partly in section, a side
elevation and a plan respectively of my invention as applied to the pedal crank
axle of a rear driving "safety" bicycle, and Fig. 9. Sheet No. 2. is a transverse
section through the centre of the double chain wheel and the pedal crank axle.
Figs. 10. and 11. Sheet No. 3. show an alternative arrangement for rear driving
'safety" bicycles in which only one driving chain is used. Fig. 12. Sheet No. 3.
is a side elevation of a "Humber" type tricycle (with one wheel removed) fitted
with my invention as applied to the driving axle. Figs. 13. and 14. Sheet No. 3.
are a front elevation, partly in section, and a side elevation respectively, showing

page_text: the application of my invention to the driving axle, and Fig. 15 Sheet No. 3. is a
side elevation of the chain wheel.
Referring to Figs. 1. 2. 3. and 4. Sheet No. 1. of the accompanying drawings,
I will describe my invention as applied to central geared tricycles; I mount the
pedal crank axle A in bearings b. b. forming part of a suitable bracket B. fixed to
the lower end of a vertical rod C. at the upper end of which is fitted a transverse
handle bar D. The vertical rod C. is carried in a vertical tube X. forming part of
the main frame of the machine; the fork F. carrying the steering wheel Y. is
connected to the vertical rod C. by bridle rods c. c. and arms c¹ c¹, or by any other
suitable arrangement, whereby the motion of the transverse handle bar may be
communicated to the steering wheel. It will be seen that as the pedal crank axle
will move with the transverse steering handle, the steering may be affected by the
feet as on an ordinary bicycle.
"
In order that the chain wheel E on the pedal crank axle A shall always be in a
line with the chain wheel E¹ on the driving axle A¹, it is mounted on a kind of
'ball and socket" joint so that the axle will always drive the chain wheel, not-
withstanding that it may not be running at right angles to the axle; and suitable
bearings carried by the bracket G. fixed to the frame carrying the driving
wheels Z, Z, bear against the sides of the chain wheel and so keep it in a line with
the chain wheel on the driving axle under all conditions. The joint that I prefer
to use is constructed as follows:-On the centre of the axle A is formed a ball or
sphere a and the boss of the chain wheel E is bored out spherical to fit it, the boss
being preferably in two parts to allow the chain wheel to be placed in position,
and to adjust the joint to compensate for wear. A slot a¹ is cut longitudinally
through the sphere on the axle, through which a pin e. running through the boss of
the chain wheel, passes, and forms the driving connection between the axle and
the chain wheel. The bracket G is arranged so that it may be adjusted on the
tube X of the main frame to provide for the adjustment of the driving-chain.
It is sometimes convenient to arrange the bracket B carrying the pedal crank
axle A and the transverse handle bar D, so that they may be disconnected one
from the other, and the former locked to the frame of the machine, so that when
exerting great power for hill climbing, and otherwise, the rider may not have to
pull at the handle bar to counteract the thrust of his feet on the pedals. A con-
venient method of carrying this into affect is illustrated by Figs. 1. 2. 3. and 4.
Sheet No. 1. of the accompanying drawings. Instead of fixing the transverse
handle bar D on the top of the vertical rod C, it is mounted on a tube C¹ encircling
the rod C. On the vertical rod C is mounted a sliding clutch provided with
suitably shaped teeth o' etc. on each side of it. This clutch can either engage with
the tube C carrying the handle bar D, or with the tube X of the frame of the
machine; suitable recesses being formed on each to receive the teeth of the clutch.
When the clutch is engaged with the tube C¹ the handle bar is connected to the
bracket B, and the steering of the machine may be controlled by both the hands
and feat of the rider; and when it is engaged with the frame of the machine, the
vertical rod becomes locked thereto, and the transverse handle bar, is then free to
control the steering wheel, independent of the pedal crank axle.
The sliding
clutch C is controlled by, a grasp hand lever d pivotted on the handle bar D, and
connected to the clutch by a suitable bell crank ď¹ and coupling rods d³ d³.
In fitting my invention to rear driving "safety" bicycles, or tricycles having a
single driving wheel, I proceed as herein before described, but as the chain wheel
attached to the driving wheel cannot be placed central with the rod carrying the
transverse steering handle, which of necessity must be in the centre of the machine,
it is necessary to make the chain wheel on the pedal axle overhang the sphere on
the centre of the axle, to bring the teeth of the chain wheel in a line with those of
the chain wheel mounted on the sides of the driving wheel. The pull of the
driving chain on this overhung chain wheel may be compensated for in two ways;
First, by making a bearing for the chain wheel either within the rim of the wheel
or in any other suitable position; and Secondly, by using a double chain wheel on

page_text: the pedal crank axle and using two chains, one on each side of the driving wheel,
running over chain wheels fixed on each side thereof. As the latter arrangement
is the simplest I will describe it first. Referring to Figs. 5. 6. 7. 8. and 9. Sheet
No. 2. of the accompanying drawings, which illustrate this adaption of my
invention, A designates the pedal crank axle having a spherical swell a in the
centre of its length, B the bracket carrying the bearings b. b., O the vertical rod,
D the transverse handle bar, E the double chain wheel on the pedal crank axle, e
the driving pin, & a¹ the slot in the spherical swell on the axle A. It will be seen
that the driving power will be transmitted equally by each chain, and that the
pull of one chain will be equalized by the pull of the other, so that the chain
wheel cannot be twisted laterally while its tendency to move vertically is overcome
by two small rollers g. g bearing against the periphery of the chain wheel E, and
running on studs g¹ g¹ fixed to the bracket G, which is adjustable on the tube X.
of the frame of the machine to provide for the necessary adjustment of the chains.
When I use but one chain wheel for these types of machines, I prefer to adopt the
arrangement as illustrated by Figs. 10. and 11. Sheet No. 3 of the accompanying
drawings. In this arrangement the chain wheel E is mounted as hereinbefore
described and illustrated by Figs. 7. and 8. Sheet No. 2. of the accompanying
drawings, but it is provided with but one ring of teeth so that only one driving
chain is used. The chain wheel is extended on each side of the central driving
pin e, but on the opposite side to that carrying the ring of teeth, it is made plain
on its periphery so that it may be used as a brake drum if desired. On a suitable
bracket forming an extension of the bracket G. is fixed a ring G' which encircles
the centre of the wheel A. and carries three, four, or more rollers g. g. etc mounted
on pins g g etc. These rollers bear against the inner circumference of the plain
side of the chain wheel and form a bearing to take the thrust caused by the pull of
the chain on the ring of teeth on the opposite side of the chain wheel.
«
My arrangement as applied to velocipedes steered by the two driving wheels,
mounted on a "balance" geared axle, for the purpose of allowing the axle carrying
the driving wheels to be turned for the purpose of steering the machine, without
turning the pedal crank axle, is illustrated by Figs. 12. 13. 14. and 15. Sheet No. 3.
of the accompanying drawings, which shows a "Humber" type of tricycle fitted
with my invention. I take a balance" geared axle A¹ fitted with two driving
wheels Z. Z. and mount on the centre of it, on a ball and socket joint, a chain
wheel E' as herein before described. The axle A¹ runs in suitable bearings b. b.
carried by a bracket B. which supports the vertical tube C. carrying the transverse
handle bar D. On the bracket B. is formed the usual vertical joint or head W, by
which the trailing backbone V. carrying the seat for the rider is connected to the
frame carrying the driving wheels. From this back bone depends a tube V₁ on
which is mounted, at its free end, a bearing bracket V' carrying the pedal crank
axle A; the chain wheel E. mounted thereon being connected to the chain wheel E¹
on the driving axle by an endless chain. The head W. of the machine is so
arranged that the centre line of it runs through the centre of the chain wheel E¹
on the axle A¹. Suitable bearings g. g, preferably fitted with antifrictional balls, are
carried from the neck of the machine by brackets G. G., to keep the chain wheel E¹
in a line with the chain wheel E. on the pedal crank axle, when the axle A¹ carrying
the driving wheels is turned for the purpose of steering. It will be seen that in a
machine so constructed and arranged, the rider will not have to pull at the handles
to counteract the thrust of his feet on the pedals.
When this arrangement is fitted to machines having the differential or "balance"
gear fitted at one end of the axle in close proximity to one of the driving wheels,
the chain wheel is connected to the ball or sphere on the axle, by a pair of keys or
dowel pins e. e. fitting into longitudinal slots or key ways a¹ a¹ cut in the ball or
sphere on the axle, instead of by a pin passing through it, as the axle requires to
be a compound one and will not therefore permit of a pin passing through it.
When it is desired to make the steering automatic, to keep the steering wheel
running in a straight line, I connect each side of the swivelling chain wheel with

page_text: the axle by three or more suitable tension springs, the affect of which is to keep
the chain wheel axially central with the axle, and consequently as the axle is
connected to the steering wheel, to keep that in a central position with respect to
the frame of the machine and so cause the machine to run in a straight line.
Those parts of the machines to which no reference has been made present no
novel features, and all reference to them has been avoided to prevent confusion.
I do not limit my invention to the actual types of velocipedes herein before
described and shown, as it will be obvious that it is applicable to every type of
machine.
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 claim is
1. Mounting the driving chain wheel on the axle of a velocipede, in the manner,
and for the purpose, hereinbefore set forth, or any mere modification thereof.
2. Mounting the driving chain wheel on the pedal crank axle of a velocipede, by
a ball and socket joint, or analogous arrangement, so that the axle is free to swivel
on a point in the centre of its length, without affecting the driving connection
between it and the chain wheel.
3. In a velocipede, the combination of of the axle A., the ball or sphere a., the
slot a¹, the chain wheel E., the pin e., the bearing bracket B., the bracket G., and
the rollers g. g. all arranged, and operating, as and for the purpose herein before set
forth.
4. In a velocipede the combination of the axle A., the ball or sphère a., the
slot a¹, the chain wheel E., the driving pin e., the bracket B., the vertical rod C.,
the transverse handle bar D., the arms c¹ c¹, the bridle rods c. c., the fork F., and
the steering wheel Y. all arranged, and operating, as and for the purpose herein-
before set forth.
5. In a velocipede, mounting the pedal crank axle, and connecting it to the
steering wheel and steering handle bar, as illustrated by Figs. 1. 2. 3. and 4. of the
accompanying drawings, so that the steering wheel may be controlled either by
the handle bar and pedal crank axle in combination, or by the handle bar alone.
6. The mechanism for connecting the pedal crank axle to the steering mechanism
of a velocipede, or for releasing it therefrom and locking it to the frame of the
machine, for the purpose hereinbefore set forth and illustrated by Figs. 1. 2. 3. and 4.
of the accompanying drawings.
7. In a velocipede having two wheels placed in a line with one another, of which
the rear one is the driving wheel, and the front one the steering wheel, mounting
the driving chain wheel in bearings fixed to the frame carrying the driving wheel,
and connecting it to the pedal crank axle in the manner, and for the purpose,
bereinbefore set forth.
8. In a velocipede having a single driving wheel, the double chain wheel E.
constructed, arranged, and operating, as and for the purpose herein before set
forth.
9. In a velocipede, the combination of the rollers g. g. with the double chain
wheel E, arranged, and operating, as and for the purpose herein before set forth.
10. In a velocipede having a single driving wheel, the compound chain wheel and
brake drum E., in combination with the roller bearings g. g. etc, arranged, and
operating, as and for the purpose herein before described, and illustrated by Figs. 10.
and 11. of the accompanying drawings.
11. In a velocipede steered by two driving wheels mounted on a "balance"
geared axle, mounting the driving chain wheel in bearings carried from some rigid
part of the frame carrying the seat for the rider, and connecting it to the driving
axle as and for the purpose herein before set forth.
12. In a tricycle having a loose trailing backbone, and steered by the two front
driving wheels, carrying and supporting the pedal crank axle in a bracket rigidly

page_text: attached to the trailing backbone, so that the thrust of the riders feet on the pedala
has no affect on the steering wheels.
13. In a tricycle having a loose trailing backbone, and steered by the two front
driving wheels, the combination of the driving axle A¹ having a sphere or ball a
formed in the centre of its length, and provided with longitudinal slots a¹ a¹, the
chain wheel El carried in suitable bearings g. g. supported by the brackets G. G,
the driving pins e. e, the bracket B, the vertical tube C, the transverse handle
bar D., the trailing backbone V., the depending tube V, and the bracket V*,.
carrying the pedal crank axle A. all arranged, and operating, as and for the.
purpose herein before described, and illustrated by Figs. 12. 13. 14 and 15. of the
accompanying drawings.