Improvements in Fedal Cranks for Bicycles or other Vehicles.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fedal Cranks for Bicycles or other Vehicles.
I, HUGO SCHEEREN, Bicycle Dealer, of 483, Willis Avenue, New York, in the
State of New York, United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in pedal cranks for bicycles or other
vehicles. The object thereof is to provide a simple device, whereby the ankle
action of the rider may be made easier and more effectual in propelling the wheel,
and in providing a device which will obviate the difficulty experienced by riders
in overcoming the dead centre when riding in crowded streets where a low rate
of speed is necessary.
In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is
a side elevation of the device, showing the crank shaft, sprocket wheel and the
adjacent parts of the bicycle frame. Figure 2 is a side elevation of the main
Figure 3 is
and auxiliary cranks in horizontal position and partly sectional.
a plan view of the crank partly in section, and Figure 4 is an enlarged detail
sectional view of the bearing, taken on a line of Figure 2.
In applying my invention, I employ a crank A of the type in common use in
bicycles. It is obvious that this crank may be varied in formu at will. Said
crank A is provided at its free end with a threaded hole a of the usual type.
An auxiliary crank B of any approved design is provided at one end with a
threaded hole b. Preferably this hole is of the same diameter as the hole « in
the main crank A and is provided with a thread of equal pitch. Into the hole b
is threaded the axle C, of the pedal. Said pedal may be of any approved design
and the object of having the hole b and the hole a of the same diameter and each
provided with a thread of the same pitch is to enable the rider to attach his
pedals directly to the main crank in the usual way without the intervention of
the auxiliary crank if he so desires. It is obvious, therefore, that the use of the
auxiliary crank B is entirely optional and may or may not be employed in
combination with the main crank A.
Said auxiliary crank B is provided at its other end with an enlarged head b¹.
An annular rib 62, centrally located on the interior of said enlarged head is
adapted to form a partition wall between double ball bearings. The inner and
outer walls of said rib 2 are provided with suitable channels 63 adapted as
ball races for the anti-friction balls br.
An outer adjusting cone D is provided with an annular flange which has a
concaved slot d on its outer face adapted for use in combination with a round-

page_text: edged screw driver in turning said cone D), whereby leverage is obtained by
turning the screw driver at an angle, as shown at B, Fig. 3 of the drawings. A
projection d therefrom is provided with a suitable thread upon its periphery to
fit the threaded hole a of the main crank A.
An inner cone E is adapted to thread on to the projection and is provided
with a hub e upon its rear side, said hub being adapted for contact with the outer
wall of the main crank A.
A suitable oil hole is provided in the enlarged head of the auxiliary crank
by means of which the ball bearings contained therein may be lubricated."
In the operation of the device, the balls are inserted in the outer grooved
channel, the outer cone D placed in position, and the auxiliary crank then
reversed. The other balls are then placed in the opposite groove and the cone E
threaded on to the projection d' of the cone 1 until the adjustment of both ball
bearings is made. It is then screwed into the threaded hole a of the main
crank A, the cone acting as a lock-nut for preventing the loosening of the several
parts as well as acting as a cone. The pedal axle is then screwed into the
free end of the auxiliary crank B. Any form of pedal may be used for this
purpose, but it is preferred that a ball bearing pedal be used in combination with
the compound crank.
Should it be desired to dispense with the compound crank, the same may be
screwed from the main crank and the pedal axle unscrewed from the auxiliary
crank and screwed directly into the main crank. The device will then differ in
no way from the ordinary pedal crank.
The action of the device is best shown in Figure 1. It will be seen that at
all times the pedal occupies a position below the free end of the main crank.
The arc described by the free end of the main crank being shown by the dotted
line 5, and the arc described by the pedals by the dotted line 6, the crank revolving
in the direction shown by the arrow 7.
It has been found by experience that the action of the ankle, shown in Fig. 1,
brings much less strain upon the muscles of the rider than is the case when the
ankles are held stiffly and motion derived principally from the muscles of the
knees. The relative position of the pedals and ankles of the rider are shown
in Fig. 1 at the four cardinal points of a revolution. At 1, the compound crank
is shown in full lines with the auxiliary crank, extended as it would naturally
be during action. As the crank revolves, the toe of the rider is depressed, bringing
the foot and pedal in the direction shown at 2. As the crank rises on the rear
side of the sprocket, the toe is elevated as shown at dotted lines at 3, and when at
the top of the stroke, the relative position is shown at 4. If the pedals are
connected directly to the cranks while in this position, it will be practically
impossible for the rider to start the wheel; but with the compound cranks, it
will readily be seen that the action of the foot throws the pedal forward of the
dead centre line. The natural result is that pressure applied to said pedal starts
the crank over the dead centre line when the pedalling action becomes easy.
It is obvious that the auxiliary crank may be of varying lengths and in rough
riding or in climbing a hill, for instance, where more power is required than in
ordinary wheeling, the auxiliary crank and pedal may be extended to a greater
degree than is shown at 1 in Fig. 1. The result is that the crank is lengthened
and becomes more powerful than the ordinary straight crank.
It is obvious that a single ball bearing or a double ball bearing of a different
type may be substituted for that located in the hub of the auxiliary crank B.
The cones may be also varied in form without departing from the spirit of my
invention.
Dated this 20th day of September 1898.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.

page_text: I, HUGO SCHEEREN, Bicycle Dealer, of 483, Willis Avenue, New York, in the
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:-
This invention relates to improvements in pedal cranks for bicycles or other
vehicles. The object thereof is to provide a simple device, whereby the ankle
action of the rider may be made easier and more effectual in propelling the wheel,
and in providing a device which will obviate the difficulty experienced by riders
in overcoming the dead centre when riding in crowded streets where a low rate
of speed is necessary.
In the drawings forming part of the Provisional Specification, Figure 1 is
a side elevation of the device showing the crank shaft, sprocket wheel and the
adjacent parts of the bicycle frame. Figure 2 is a side elevation of the main
and auxiliary cranks in horizontal position and partly sectional. Figure 3 is
a plan view of the crank partly in section, and Figure 4 is an enlarged detail
sectional view of the bearing, taken on a line -c of Figure 2.
In applying my invention, I employ a crank A of the type in common use in
bicycles. It is obvious that this crank may be varied in form at will. Said
crank A is provided at its free end with a threaded hole a of the usual type.
An auxiliary crank 6 of any approved design is provided at one end with a
threaded hole b. Preferably this hole is of the same diameter as the hole a in
the main crank A and is provided with a thread of equal pitch. Into the hole b
is threaded the axle C, of the pedal. Said pedal may be of any approved design
and the object of having the hole and the hole a of the same diameter and each
provided with a thread of the same pitch is to enable the rider to attach his
pedals directly to the main crank in the usual way without the intervention of
the auxiliary crank if he so desires. It is obvious, therefore, that the use of the
auxiliary crank B is entirely optional and may or may not be employed in
combination with the main crank A.
Said auxiliary crank B is provided at its other end with an enlarged head b
An annular rib b², centrally located on the interior of said enlarged head is
adapted to form a partition wall between double ball bearings. The inner and
outer walls of said rib 2 are provided with suitable channels 63 adapted as
ball races for the anti-friction balls 64.
An outer adjusting cone D is provided with an annular flange which has a
concaved slot d on its outer face adapted for use in combination with a round-
edged screw driver in turning said cone D, whereby leverage is obtained by
turning the screw driver at an angle, as shown at B, Fig. 3 of the drawings. A
projection therefrom is provided with a suitable thread upon its periphery to
fit the threaded hole a of the main crank A.
An inner cone E is adapted to thread on to the projection and is provided
with a hub e upon its rear side, said hub being adapted for contact with the outer
wall of the main crank A.
A suitable oil hole F is provided in the enlarged head of the auxiliary crank
by means of which the ball bearings contained therein may be lubricated."
In the operation of the device, the balls are inserted in the outer grooved
channel, the outer cone 1) placed in position, and the auxiliary crank then
reversed. The other balls are then placed in the opposite groove and the cone E
threaded on to the projection d' of the cone 1 until the adjustment of both ball
bearings is made. It is then screwed into the threaded hole a of the main

page_text: crank A, the cone acting as a lock-nut for preventing the loosening of the several
parts as well as acting as a cone. The pedal axle is then screwed into the
free end of the auxiliary crank B. Any form of pedal may be used for this
purpose, but it is preferred that a ball bearing pedal be used in combination with
a compound crank.
Should it be desired to dispense with the compound crank, the same may be
screwed from the main crank and the pedal axle unscrewed from the auxiliary
crank and screwed directly into the main crank. The device will then differ in
no way from the ordinary pedal crank.
The action of the device is best shown in Figure 1. It will be seen that at
all times the pedal occupies a position below the free end of the main crank.
The arc described by the free end of the main crank being shown by the dotted
line 5, and the are described by the pedals by the dotted line 6, the crank revolving
in the direction shown by the arrow 7.
It has been found by experience that the action of the ankle, shown in Fig. 1,
brings much less strain upon the muscles of the rider than is the case when the
ankles are held stiffly and motion derived principally from the muscles of the
knees. The relative position of the pedals and ankles of the rider are shown
in Fig. 1 at the four cardinal points of a revolution. At 1, the compound crank
is shown in full lines with the auxiliary crank, extended as it would naturally
be during action. As the crank revolves, the toe of the rider is depressed, bringing
the foot and pedal in the direction shown at 2. As the crank rises on the rear
side of the sprocket, the toe is elevated as shown at dotted lines at 3, and when at
the top of the stroke, the relative position is shown at 4. If the pedals are
connected directly to the cranks while in this position it will be practically
impossible for the rider to start the wheel; but with the compound cranks, it
will readily be seen that the action of the foot throws the pedal forward of the
dead centre line. The natural result is that pressure applied to said pedal starts
the crank over the dead centre line when the pedalling action becomes easy.
It is obvious that the auxiliary crank may be of varying lengths and in rough
riding or in climbing a hill, for instance, where more power is required than in
ordinary wheeling, the auxiliary crank and pedal may be extended to a greater
degree than is shown at 1 in Fig. 1. The result is that the crank is lengthened
and becomes more powerful than the ordinary straight crank.
It is obvious that a single ball bearing or a double ball bearing of a different
type may be substituted for that located in the hub b of the auxiliary crank B.
The cones may be also varied in form without departing from the spirit of my
invention.
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. An improved jointed pedal crank for bicycles, embodying a main crank, an
auxiliary crank pivoted to the free end thereof, and a pedal secured to the free
end of the said auxiliary crank, substantially as shown and described.
2. An improved jointed pedal crank for bicycles embodying a main crank, an
auxiliary crank, pivoted to the free end thereof, and a pedal threaded into the
free end of said auxiliary crank and adapted to be threaded into the free end of
the main crank in place of the auxiliary crank, substantially as shown and
described.
3. An improved jointed pedal crank for bicycles, embodying a main crank of the
ordinary type, a pivot adapted to thread in the free end of said main crank, said
pivot being provided with a fixed cone on the outer end thereof, an inner cone
threaded upon said pivot, an auxiliary crank provided with a ball bearing confined
between said cones, and a pedal axle adanted to thread into the free end of
said auxiliary crank or into the tree end of the main crank in place of said pivot,
substantially as shown and described.

page_text: 4. An improved jointed pedal crank for bicycles, embodying a main crank
having a threaded hole near the free end thereof, a pivot adapted to thread therein,
said pivot being provided with an enlarged head forming a cone, a compound
lock-nut and adjusting cone threaded upon said pivot and provided with a hub
upon its rear face adapted for contact with the main crank, an auxiliary crank
provided at one end with a threaded hole adapted to receive the pedal axle and at
its other end with an enlarged head having a hole therethrough and an integral
central annular rib therein, both walls of said annular rib being provided with a
suitable channel adapted to act in combination with the said cone as ball races,
a double series of balls running in said channels, and means for lubricating said
balls, substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 11th day of November 1898.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.