Year: 1886

page_text: I, THEODORE I. DE SABLA of New York in the County of New York, and
State of New York, 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 :-
Fig. 1 is a side elevation, and Fig. 2. a plan view of a machine embodying
my invention, similar letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in the
respective figures.
This invention consists in mounting a fly-wheel upon the crank axle of a
Velocipede and connecting. the same to one of the propelling axles by means
of an endless belt said crank axle being capable of adjustment toward or from the
said propelling axle, whereby the connecting belt may be tightened to transmit
notion or slackened to discontinue it, at the will of the rider.
The invention also consists in arranging the operative parts to accommodate the
rider in a standing or upright position whereby the power of the rider is applied
to the treadles substantially in a line direct with said upright position, which"
secure the riders weight in the application of the power, and effects much easier
and more rapid application, than the sitting position of the rider as heretofore'
assumed.
The accompanying drawing illustrates a skeleton machine containing the essentual
elements of my invention which may be otherwise relatively arranged, and such
changes made in the details of construction teading to simplify or beautify the
machine that experience may suggest in building or using the same.
Referring to the drawing an ordinary four wheel running or propelling gear is
sliown with the hind wheels fixed to their axle to revolve therewith and the
forward wheels journalled to revolve upon the axle, the latter being centrally
pivoted to the frame work by a king bolt and cramped by means of a connected
steering rod represented at A.
The hind axle is supported at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the machine
in suitable bearings upon the frame work, and provided with a centrally fixed
pulley or sheave B. C represents a fly-wheel located intermediate of the running
gear substantially in the relative position shown, and mounted upon the axle of
the operating cranks D. D. said crank axle being supported in movable bearings
adjusted for ward or backward by means of the pinion H fixed to the axle engaging

page_text: with the toothed rack G. upon the adjacent framework, the adjustment being effected
by means of a vibrating lever I extended within convenient reach of the rider.
The rim of the fly-wheel C is grooved to receive an endless belt M which is
passed around the same and around the pulley B. upon the propelling shaft and
through which motion is communicated.
The cranks D. D are turned by the pedals F F through the intervening con-
necting rods E E respectively, arranged upon the opposite sides of the fly-wheel,
the pedal rods being journalled to the hind axle as shown at K K and the pedals
located to accommodate the standing position of the rider.
L. represents a shield or casing to keep the rider from contact with the fly-wheel
and belt. This shield or casing will, in practice be extended to enclose the fly-
wheel altogether or sufficiently to fully protect the rider from contact, such
construction being purposely omitted in the drawing in order to clearly illustrate
the operating and adjusting mechanism.
J. J. are rests for the. rider to stand upon when not engaged in operating the
treadles.
Having now referred to such details in the construction and relative arrange-
ment of the parts of a machine embodying my invention that will enable others
to understand the same, I will now proceed to set forth the objects and advantages
of such construction.
The object of the fly wheel is to facilitate the starting of the machine, and to act
by its momentum to prevent a sudden diminution of its speed while under way;
in such case it acts as a store of power to continue the movement when the machine
temporarily flags.
In the act of starting the machine, the belt is slackened by throwing the lever I.
forward, and the fly-wheel is set in motion through the treadle mechanism. The
lever I is then drawn backward and tightens and brings the belt into engagement,
with the fly-wheel and pulley B. on the propelling axle, when the machine will
start and be kept in motion with very slight exertion on the part of the rider.
As the machine moves from rest the velocity of the fly-wheel inay be gradually
accelerated until it attains a maximum corresponding to the maximum velocity of
the machine and in ascending grades the force of the fly-wheel comes in as an
auxiliary to the power of the rider.
To stop the machine without expending this accumulated force the fly-wheel is
adjusted so as to disengage the belt.
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. A velocipede provided with a fly-wheel attached to its crank axle and made
capable of adjustment forward and backward for the purpose of engagement with,
or release from, the propelling mechanism, substantially as described.
"
2. A velocipede provided with a fly-wheel attached to its crank axle and having
its treadle mechanism relatively located therewith and with the other operative
parts, to enable the rider to operate the same in an upright position as set forth.
Dated this 11th day of Nov 1886