Improvements in or connected with Bicycles, Tricycles, and similar Vehicles.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Aug.. 1894
Complete Specification Left, 30th May, 1895-Accepted, 6th July, 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Bicycles, Tricycles, and similar
Vehicles.
We, THOMAS HALL, of West Gorton, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster
Manufacturing Chemist, and JOHN DAVIES, of Lloyd Street, Manchester, in the
said county, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:--
This invention relates to improved mechanical appliances for bicycles, tricycles
and similar vehicles to increase their utility and augment their range of service
for use.
In the first place we fix an appliance which we call a transformer through means
of which the rider will be enabled to transform the pedal force at command to
either speed or power, or vice versa, and so be enabled to ascend steep gradients or
thread his way safely through crowded roads, etcætera.
In putting this transformier into operation it will not be absolutely necessary to
alter the present form of cycle frame now in vogue, beyond making the pedal
journal in two longitudinal segments if desirable then we set at liberty the usual
sprocket wheel from its seat that it may run loosely and independently upon its
axle if so required, and there is a similar sprocket wheel to be added, to the other
end of the same axle and which also may run loosely when required upon its axle-
also each of these sprocket wheels is to be provided with a projecting central
boss, each boss having a groove turned into and upon this boss near its end. These
sprocket wheels are each provided with a key way in the end of its central axis
and directly under the wheel end.
The pedal or crank shaft is to be provided with a fast key at each end, in such
position as to fit accurately when engaged with its sprocket wheel, and clear of the
key when disengaged, sliding horizontally upon the shaft this shaft being of
sufficient length to permit of such movement. Next formed is a sliding guide, a
flat strip of metal, with a small slot through its centre its longest parallel edges
formed at an acute angle; to this base plate and upon the same face as these
bevels two fork like projections are formed at right angles thereto-these are to
encircle, engage with, and jockey 'the grooves in the bosses of the two sprocket
wheels upon pedal shaft, fitting sufficiently true to inaintain each sprocket wheel in
position as required, there being only one wheel in gear at once or at the same
time.
This sliding guide fits into and is supported by a bed plate of metal, so con-
structed that on its underside, there is a course or channel formed the edges upon
its longest sides having bevel lips, formed at an angle corresponding with the bevel
edges of sliding guide the two parts when together showing a dovetailed joint,
by means of which this guide is supported in position.
Upon the top face of bed plate is formed two lugs or brackets, through which
the complete transformer is secured to the cycle frame, this bed plate must also
have a 'slot cut along its centre.
Each driving sprocket wheel upon pedal shaft, by means of the usual chain,
gears into and engages with a suitable corresponding sprocket wheel, fixed fast
upon the hub or boss of the cycle's driven wheel so by only moving the sliding
guide into or out of gear the sprocket wheel doing duty for the time, will become
either speed or power.

page_text: " the
It is further proposed to add to the cycle a "self contained clutch brake
use of which is to regulate the rate of speed upon declining roads, and to utilize
gravity that it saves labour.
This is carried out by first securing to the cycle frame work-to the front fork
bar, a lug or bracket having a pivot hole or eye in its end, to which the clutch
ring is secured and suspended,- next a pulley with a conical, smooth rim, and
turned up true from its centre, and of 4 or 5 inches diameter, and this pulley to be
fixed and fastened to the boss or hub, of the front steering wheel. Then the clutch
ring is next formed in two nearly semicircular pieces (being of metal) and of a
size commensurable with the conical rimmed brake wheel, these ring pieces having
extension pieces at each end, one pair of these having eye holes for joining with
the fixed lug upon fork bar, the other two ends drilled to receive the operating
cord. The completed circle formed by these semicircular segments, is to have a
conical groove turned into its inner face, and sunk so as to neatly fit the rim of
brake wheel, and accurately, that it will allow of the running of this wheel, without
friction or deviation from the true centre when working in a vertical position, the
bottom end of this groove in the ring, must be lined with a layer of stout leather,
or buffalo hide.
In order to put this self-contained clutch brake" into action, there is fixed a
cord of either wire, gut, hemp, silk, etcætera, to one of the two holes in the extension
arm of upper semicircular half of clutch ring, then through the hole or slot in the
under half this passing thence through the end hole, again in the upper piece-
thence to the usual form of brake handle or otherwise as found convenient whence
upon pressure being applied to said cord, tightens this and brings the semicircular
rings into closer contact, bringing a gripping effect to bear upon the conical friction
wheel rim, so producing a retardation of speed revolutions as user may desire,
besides this resisting friction being confined and limited within the clutch brake
itself causing no distribution of brake power uselessly, nor distributing its force for
the destruction or distortion of the machine.
Dated this 28th day of August 1894.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Bank Street, Manchester, Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Bicycles, Tricycles, and similar
Vehicles.
We, THOMAS HALL, of West Gorton, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Manufacturing Chemist, and JOHN DAVIES, of Lloyd Street, Manchester, in the
said county, Gentleman, 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 improved mechanical appliances for bicycles tricycles
and similar vehicles to increase their utility and service.
It consists essentially of an appliance which we call a transformer or adjustable
driving gear to enable the rider to apply the energy enforced for progression either
as speed or as power comprising a spindle with two keys fitted thereto one at either
end two sprocket wheels capable of sliding to and fro thereon provided with key
ways to fit over the fixed keys a bracket secured to the frame and a sliding guide
provided with forked ends which fit into grooves in the bosses of the sprocket
wheels also of a brake constructed with conical wheel rotating inside a clutch ring
formed internally with a V groove.
It will be fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
sufficient of a bicycle is shown to illustrate the invention.

page_text: ig. 5. Ilan of bracket
and sliding guide E.
Fig. 6. Side elevation of same.
Fig. 7. Sectional elevation showing a modified arrangement.
Fig. 8. Plan of bracket F.
Fig. 9. Plan of sliding guide E¹.
1
Fig. 10. Sectional elevation of modified arrangement of key d attached to pedal
crank D.
Fig. 11. Side elevation of brake.
Fig. 12. Sectional elevation of same.
The frame A of the cycle is made of any ordinary or convenient form and the
application of the invention does not require the alteration of any of the forms of
frame at present in use.
The driving or crank spindle B is made sufficiently long to carry two sprocket
wheels C C one near either end. The ordinary sprocket wheel C is set at liberty
so that it may run loosely and independently on the spindle B if so required and
the additional sprocket wheel C' at the other end of the spindle is mounted in a
similar manner.
Each of the sprocket wheels C C¹ is provided with a projecting boss c having a
groove turned into and upon it in addition to which each wheel is provided with
a key way or slot c' which can slide over a fixed key when the wheels are moved
in a lateral direction.
'
The driving or crank spindle B is mounted in the journal B¹ and is fitted with
two fast keys b one at either end. The keys bare preferably placed as shown
under the pedal cranks D with the ends projecting inwards towards the sprocket
wheels so that the key ways or slots cut therein may engage with or slide over the
keys when desired. Instead of the keys 6 being attached to the spindle B
projecting lugs or keys d may be formed on the sides of the cranks D as shown in
Fig. 10 with which the key way in the sprocket wheels can engage without
departing from our invention.
The sprocket wheels C C' which are capable of lateral movement on the driving
or crank spindle B are connected together by a forked guide or sliding piece E.
The guide E is fitted at the ends with forks e which fit over and engage with the
grooves formed in the bosses c of the sprocket wheels. By moving this forked
guide E in one direction or the other the sprocket wheels C Care slid along the
spindle B and one or other of them brought into gear with one of the keys 6 and
the other one disengaged therefrom so that the rider can apply his energy either
for speed or power accordingly as the driving power from the pedals is transmitted
through the one or the other.
The sliding guide E fits into and is supported by a metal bracket F which is
attached to the frame A by two metal lugs which embrace the uprights of the
frame. It is preferably constructed of a flat strip of metal with inclined or
bevelled edges and the bracket F is so constructed that on its underside there is a
course or channel formed with bevelled lips corresponding with the bevelled sides E
which forms a dovetailed joint when the two parts are together and by means of
which the guide E is supported in position.
To the guide E is connected a rod or lever G by which it is actuated or moved
from side to side and in the bracket F is cut a slot through which the rod or lever G
passes.
Referring more particularly to Figs. 7, 8, and 9 a modification of the sliding guide
is shown in which the two forked ends can be drawn towards each other in
order to throw both of the sprocket wheels out of gear at the same time.
For
this purpose the sliding guide E' is made in two parts connected by links H which
are pivoted thereto and to each other. They are also pivoted to a rod or lever h

page_text: which passes through a second slot in the fixed bracket F. The slide E' is moved
from side to side by the rod G as previously described and both ends are drawn
in to throw both sprocket wheels C C₁ out of gear by depressing the links Has
shown in dotted lines Fig. 7.
On the hub of the back or driving wheel K of the cycle are fixed two
sprocket wheels L L' one larger than the other which are connected with or geared
to the sprocket wheels C Cby the driving chains M M¹.
To the fork bar A' is attached a bracket N with a pivot hole or eye n in its
end to which a clutch ring O is secured and suspended. To the boss of the
wheel is attached a pulley P with a conical smooth rim. The clutch ring O is
formed of two nearly semi-circular pieces corresponding in size and shape to the
rim of the pulley P. These ring pieces are provided with lugs at both ends one
lug having an eye hole corresponding with the eye hole n in the bracket N by
which it is pivoted thereto. The second lug of the second piece being connected
to the first one by a link or pin o. The other two end lugs are drilled with
holes o through which the operating cord or band R passes and the lower one is
provided with a pulley over which the cord R is passed. By drawing or
tightening the cord R the two 'ring pieces forming the clutch ring O are drawn
tightly together and grip the pulley P between them thus providing an effective
brake. The groove in the clutch ring O is lined with a layer of stout leather or
buffalo hide and the cord R may be either wire, gut, hemp, leather, silk, or
other suitable material the cord R is attached to a brake handle of ordinary
construction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
:-
1. A transformer or adjustable driving gear for cycles constructed with two
loose sprocket wheels on the crank spindle connected together by a sliding guide
either of which can be thrown into gear with a key fast thereto and two sprocket
wheels of different sizes on the driving wheel connected by chains substantially as
and for the purpose described.
2. A transformer or adjustable driving gear for cycles comprising a crank or
driving spindle fitted with two fast keys two sprocket wheels provided with key
ways loose thereon-and a sliding guide with forked ends which embrace the
bosses of the wheels and by which the sprocket wheels can be moved from one
side to engage with either of the fast keys substantially as described.
3. In driving gear for cycles the combination with the pedal cranks and crank
spindle fitted with fast keys at the ends of two sprocket wheels loose on the spindle
provided with key ways and grooved bosses a sliding guide with forked ends which
engage with the grooved bosses and connect the wheels a bracket attached to the
frame work forming a carrier for the sliding guide, an operating lever or rod
attached to the sliding guide and two sprocket wheels attached to the driving
wheel of the cycle which are connected to the adjustable sprocket wheels sub-
stantially as and for the purpose described.
4. The combination with a cycle of a brake comprising a conical pulley attached
to the wheel and a grooved clutch ring formed in two parts with projecting lugs
pivoted to the front fork the lugs of the ring at one side being provided with
holes to receive a pin or link for connecting the two parts together and the luge at
the other side provided with holes and a small pulley through and around which
the operating band passes for drawing the two parts of the ring tightly against the
inner pulley substantially as described.
ويلد
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Manchester, Liverpool, and London, Patent Agents.