Improvements in Combined Back Pedal Brakes and Coasters for Cycles.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Feb., 1839
Complete Specification Left, 9th Nov., 1899-Accepted, 9th Dec., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Combined Back Pedal Brakes and Coasters for
Cycles.
We, FREDERICK PERRY HINCKLEY, Machinist, and JOHN MCDEVITT, Attorney-
at-Law, both residing at Jackson in the County of Jackson, and State of Michigan
United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:
.
My invention relates to improvements in combined back pedal brakes and
coasters for bicycles and its object is to provide a cheap and compact device that
can be placed on any bicycle as usually constructed, by simply removing the rear
sprocket and lock nut and inserting my device instead; and also to provide said
device with certain new and useful features hereinafter referred to.
My device consists essentially of a sprocket wheel having inner and outer ring
portions between which is a clutch to permit the outer ring to turn freely on
the inner ring in one direction only, the inner ring being adapted to screw on
in place of the ordinary solid sprocket; a lock nut provided with an outer friction
surface forming one member of the brake; a casing inclosing the brake mechanism
and a friction band surrounding said nut and secured at one end to the casing
and having a projection at the other end to temporarily engage the sprocket
wheel when the latter turns backward, and to permit the said wheel to turn
forward freely.
The inner ring of the sprocket has an internal thread to fit the right hand
thread of the hub, and a series of radial openings from which extend inclined
concave channels adapted to receive balls. Beneath these balls is a circum-
ferential groove to receive a spring wire to vertically hold the balls outward into
engagement with an internal groove in the inner surface of an outer ring, sur-
rounding the first ring and rotative thereon, and also held in place thereon by the
balls. Said outer ring constitutes the rear sprocket proper. An inclined open-
ing extends from the interior of the ring, diagonally outward to the groove and
said groove is cut deeper opposite the balls to permit the spring to yield at these
parts. To connect the parts of the sprocket, the inner ring is first placed in the
outer ring and the balls inserted through the openings in succession, and the
wire inserted through the opening and moved forward to engage the balls in
succession. As the outer ring turns forward, the balls simultaneously roll for-
ward and wedge between the inclined channels and the groove in the outer
ring and transinit forward motion to the hub. As the outer ring turns back-
ward, the balls roll back against the shoulders opposite the inclined channels
and then turn freely between the groove in the outer ring and the spring, thus
permitting the inner ring to turn forward for coasting or back pedaling. The
balls being held out by the spring, do not rattle and also do not fall forward
by gravity. They thus all act simultaneously. The rotating member of the

page_text: brake consists of a ring having a screw threaded opening adapted to engage the
left hand thread on the end of the hub and jam against the inner ring, thus acting
as a lock nut for the sprocket, said ring being also provided with an outer
periphery adapted to engage a friction band. Surrounding the ring having the
threaded opening is a band having one end secured to the inside of a non-rotative
casing by means of a rivet and provided at the other end with a laterally pro-
jecting pivoted pawl to engage a tooth of the sprocket wheel, and having a down-
wardly projecting lug engaging the smooth inner side of the sprocket wheel
and pressed against the same by the lateral spring of the aforesaid band. Thus
when the sprocket wheel is running forward, the frictional contact of the lug
with the same turns the pawl inward and out of contact with the teeth and it
passes the same without noise, vibration or wear. As the sprocket turns back-
ward, the said contact turns the pawl outward and into engagement with one of
the teeth of the sprocket and carrying the free end of the band backward, tightens
it around the ring having the threaded opening and thus retards the motion of
the wheel.
The pawl is also oppositely extended and engages with the side of an opening
in the case, forming a lever fulcrumed on its pivot, which adds materially to the
power applied to the brake and also stops the turning of the pawl backward on
its pivot. The case surrounds the brake mechanism and its flange abuts closely
against the sprocket wheel near the teeth thereof. Said case also has a forward
extension of its outer vertical plate which extension is provided with an integral
and outwardly-turned concave hook to adjustably engage the side of the lower
tube of the frame and thus prevent turning of the case by the strain of the brake
band. To throw the brake out of action, I provide a slide which moves longi-
tudinally on the extension and when moved inward covers the opening in the case.
Whenever the pawl is turned out of the plane of the teeth of the sprocket, the
extension is withdrawn from the opening and is wholly within the case, the
slide being moved inward over the said opening engages the extension and pre-
vents the turning of the pawl outward within the plane of the sprocket teeth
and thus prevents application of the brake by the backward movement of the
sprocket wheel.
Dated this 9th day of February 1899.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicants.
Improvements in Combined Back Pedal Brakes and Coasters for
Cycles.
°
We, FREDERICK PERRY HINCKLEY, Machinist, and JOHN MCDEVITT, Attorney-
at-Law, both of Jackson, in the County of Jackson and State of Michigan, United
States of America, 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 relates to improvements in back pedal brakes and coasters for
bicycles, and its object is to provide a device that can readily be attached to the
rear hub and frame of a bicycle, as usually constructed, by simply removing the
rear sprocket and attaching this device instead; to provide an improved clutch
mechanism for connecting the sprocket to the rear hub to drive the same forward.
and to permit the hub to turn freely in the sprocket when coasting; to provide

page_text: an improved automatic brake operated by the rear sprocket when turned back-
ward. and to provide the device with certain new and useful features hereinafter
more fully described. The device consists essentially of a suitable ring properly
threaded to go on the rear hub in place of the usual sprocket and having
integral therewith, a brake surface engaged by a friction band, said band having
one end fixed and the other end provided with a pawl or lever engaging a fixed
stop at one end and adapted to engage a tooth of the sprocket wheel at the other
end,, said sprocket wheel being rotatively mounted on the aforesaid ring and
connected therewith by a ball clutch of peculiar construction, all as hereinafter
more fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.
Reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which,-
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal, vertical section of a device embodying said invention.
Fig. 2, a transverse section of the same on the line 2-2 at Fig. 1, a part of the
more fully described. The device consists essentially of a suitable ring properly
threaded to go on the rear hub in place of the usual sprocket and having
integral therewith, a brake surface engaged by a friction band, said band having
one end fixed and the other end provided with a pawl or lever engaging a fixed
stop at one end and adapted to engage a tooth of the sprocket wheel at the other
end,, said sprocket wheel being rotatively mounted on the aforesaid ring and
connected therewith by a ball clutch of peculiar construction, all. as hereinafter
more fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.
Reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which,-
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal, vertical section of a device embodying said invention.
Fig. 2, a transverse section of the same on the line 2-2 at Fig. 1, a part of the
sprocket being broken
Fig. 3, a front elevation of the device with part of the case removed.
Fig. 4, a side elevation of the same complete, and;
Fig. 5, a detail of the clips to engage the frame.
Like letters refer to like parts in all of the figures. A represents a portion of
the frame; B, a portion of the hub; C, a portion of the axis bolt in the hub;
C, a cone bearing; C", the cup, and; F, the lock nut of a bicycle, all as usually
constructed.
E is a suitable ring internally threaded to fit on the hub B in place of the usual
sprocket wheel, and provided with a series of radial openings preferably six
in number, and an outwardly extended cylindrical friction surface E' internally
chambered to surround the "lock nut F. Rotatively mounted on this ring E
is a suitable sprocket wheel G having an internal groove opposite the ring,
semi-circular in cross section and having a radius equal to that of the clutch
balls 0. Extending forward from each of the radial openings E, in the ring,
are eccentric concave channels O' which channels are also curved around a center
eccentric to the center of the axis bolt C, and in each of these channels is placed
a suitable steel ball which fits loosely between the ring E and the sprocket
wheel G when in the larger part of the channel 01, and engaged with the groove
in the sprocket wheel at one side and with the channel O at the opposite side.
H are suitable plugs inserted in the radial openings E and having rounded
outer ends engaging the groove in the sprocket wheel. These plugs serve to
keep the balls O in place and also retain the sprocket wheel in place on the
ring E.
These parts are assembled by first placing the wheel on the ring, then inserting
the balls through the radial openings in the ring, then inserting the plugs in
said openings, and finally turning the ring to place on the hub. The plugs H
are now retained in place by the hub and, in turn, prevent the balls from pass-
ing into the openings E" and also retain the sprocket in place on the ring.
D is a casing to enclose the brake mechanism, and having a forwardly extended
enlargement D₁ provided with an internal shoulder " to form a fixed support
for the pawl M. Said casing is held in place by being clamped between the cone
bearing C and the frame by means of the axis bolt C, and held from turning
by means of clips L and L' provided with lateral projections Q and Q' to engage
the respective sides of the frame A, and secured to the extended portion of the
casing by screws passing through openings in the clips, the openings in the
clip L are elongated to permit the adjustment of the said clip to fit the various
sizes of frames.
Between the casing D and the friction surface E¹ is inserted a flexible brake
band I having attached a suitable friction surface I to engage the friction
surface E', and having one end I extended within the extended portion D' of
the case and secured thereto by the screws that hold the clips L and L. The
band I extends around the friction surface E' and terminates at its movable end
within the extension D', and secured to this end is a supplementary support K

page_text: between which and the band I is pivoted at one end parallel plates J and J',
which plates at their other ends support a pawl M pivoted between said plates
and adapted at one end to engage the shoulder " formed in the inner surface
of the extension of the casing, and at the other end to engage the teeth of the
sprocket wheel G. The pawl is provided with a lug M which engages the side
of the sprocket wheel and tends to turn the pawl by frictional contact therewith;
which contact is maintained by a spring N having one end attached to one of the
plates J and the other end attached to the support K as shown in Fig. 2. A
suitable slide P extends through an opening in the extension D' and when moved
inward engages the end of the pawl M and prevents its turning, when it is desired
to throw the brake out of action.
From the foregoing description the operation of the device will be readily
understood. When the sprocket wheel G is driven forward the balls are
wedged in between the eccentric channels O' and the groove in the sprocket and
operate as a clutch to hold the sprocket from turning on the ring, thus driving
the rear wheel forward. When the sprocket is held stationary the hub and ring
turn forward within the sprocket, the balls thus move back against the plugs,
releasing the hub which now runs freely forward for coasting. While the
sprocket is turning forward the friction of the same against the lugs M¹ tends
to turn the pawl out of engagement and releases the brake band from contact
with the friction surface E. When coasting, as described, the sprocket is
stationary, any backward movement of the pedals will now turn the sprocket
wheel backward, which, at once, by frictional contact with the lug M turns the
pawl into engagement with the shoulder ]" and one of the teeth of the sprocket
wheel. Any further backward movement of the sprocket wheel will now tighten
the band I upon the friction surface E¹ and thus operate the brake mechanism
to retard the forward movement of the hub. The pawl M operating as a lever
and thus reducing the amount of strain required to effectively apply the brake.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. The combination of an outer ring having a continuous internal groove, an
inner ring adapted to turn freely within the outer ring, and in the same plane,
inclined channels at intervals in the periphery of the inner ring, and radial
openings extending from the inclined channels, to the opening of the inner ring,
whereby the balls are inserted and removed by passing the same radially through
said openings for the purpose of assembling and dissembling the device, balls
adapted to pass through said radial openings and engage the said groove and
channels, and means for retaining the balls in operative position, substantially
as described.
2. In a sprocket wheel, an inner ring adapted to be attached to the hub of a
bicycle, and having radial openings to permit the passage of the balls there-
through, and inclined channels, an outer ring having an internal groove, said
channels and groove being semi-circular in cross section, balls having the same
radius as said channels and groove and engaging the same, and plugs in said
openings, said plugs being removable to permit the balls to pass through the
radial openings in the inner ring, substantially as described.
3. In a bicycle, the combination of an inner ring attached to the driving hub,
and having radial openings adapted to permit the passage of the balls there-
through, and inclined channels extending one way from the radial openings,
a sprocket wheel rotatively mounted on said ring and having an internal groove,
and plugs inserted in said openings in the ring and having rounded ends engaging
the groove in the sprocket wheel, substantially as described.
4. In a bicycle, a driving wheel and a sprocket wheel independently rotative,
a clutch connecting the sprocket wheel with the driving wheel to turn the latter 5

page_text: forward and to allow the same to run forward freely, a friction surface attached
to the driving wheel, a band engaging said friction surface and having one end
fixed and its free end adapted to yield laterally, and provided with a projection
to engage the teeth of the sprocket wheel whenever the said wheel is turned
backward, substantially as described..
5. In a bicycle, a driving wheel and a sprocket wheel independently rotative,
a clutch connecting the same, a friction surface attached to the driving wheel,
a band engaging the friction surface having one end attached to a fixed support,
a pawl pivoted to the free end of the band and temporarily engaging the teeth
of the sprocket wheel and carrying the free end of the band backward with the
sprocket wheel whenever the latter is turned backward, and means for limiting
the movement of the pawl on its pivot, substantially as described.
6. In a bicycle, a driving wheel and a sprocket wheel independently rotative,
a clutch connecting the same, a friction surface rotating with the driving wheel,
a band engaging the friction surface and having one end attached to a fixed
support and the other end movable, a pawl pivoted to the movable end of the
hand and engaging the teeth of the sprocket wheel, means for limiting the move-
ment of the pawl on its pivot, and a lug on said pawl engaging the side of the
sprocket wheel to turn the pawl on its pivot, substantially as described.
7. In a bicycle, a driving wheel and a sprocket wheel independently rotative,
a clutch connecting the same, a friction surface rotating with the driving wheel.
a band engaging the friction surface and having one end attached to a fixed
support and the other end movable, a pawl pivoted to the movable end of the
band and engaging the teeth of the sprocket wheel, a lug on the said pawl en-
gaging the side of the sprocket wheel to turn the pawl on its pivot, an extension
of the pawl at the side of the pivot opposite the part engaging the sprocket wheel
and a fixed support engaged by said extension, whereby the pawl operates as a
lever to tighten the band, substantially as described.
8. In a bicycle, in combination with a sprocket wheel adapted to freely turn
backward on the driving wheel, a friction surface attached to the driving wheel
and rotative therewith, a case enclosing the same and attached to the frame, a
band engaging said friction surface and having one end attached to the case.
a pawl pivoted to the other end of said band and having oppositely extended
portions, one of which portions engages a shoulder in the case and the other
portion engages a tooth on the sprocket wheel, and a lug on the pawl in frictional
contact with the side of the sprocket wheel, and clips on the case to engage the
frame, substantially as described.
9. In a bicycle, in combination with the driving wheel, a sprocket wheel
adapted to turn freely backward on the same, a clutch connecting said wheels.
a friction surface attached to the driving wheel and rotating therewith, a band
engaging the friction surface and fixed at one end, a pawl pivoted to the other end
of said band and adapted to engage the sprocket wheel when the latter turns
backward, and a slide engaging said pawl to prevent such engagement, sub-
stantially as described.
10. In combination with the rear hub of a bicycle, an inner ring having an
internal thread and radial openings and inclined channels, an outer ring having
an internal groove and external sprocket teeth, balls connecting said rings.
plugs in the openings of the inner ring and engaging the groove of the sprocket
wheel, a friction surface attached to the ring, a case enclosing the same, a band
engaging said friction surface and attached at one end to the case, a pawl pivoted
to the other end of the band and oppositely extended to operate as a lever by en-
gaging the teeth on the sprocket wheel at one end and a shoulder in the case at
the other end, an extension on the case, and clips on the extension of the case
engaging the frame, substantially as described.
11. In the combination of a sprocket wheel and a driving wheel, independently
rotative, a clutch connecting the same, a friction surface attached to the driving
wheel and rotating therewith, a band to engage the friction surface having one

page_text: end fixed, plates pivoted to the free end of the band, a pawl pivoted to said plates
and having a lug engaging the sprocket wheel, and a spring engaging the plates
and pressing the lug into contact with the wheel, substantially as described.
Dated this 9th day of November 1899.
BOULT, WADE & KILBURN,
Agents for the Applicant.