An Improved System of Constructing Bicycles which can be Readily Converted into Tricycles, the same to be Propelled by a Novel System of Driving Gear.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Dec., 1889-Accepted, 25th Jan., 1850
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved System of Constructing Bicycles which can be Readily
Converted into Tricycles, the same to be Propelled by a Novel
System of Driving Gear.
I GEORGE BEBBINGTON of 17 Conduit Road Plumstead in the County of Kent,
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 :-
+
I construct a bicycle with the same kind of materials that are in general used,
which are composed principally of hollow steel tubing, and suitable forgings, of
which I shew two designs in Figures 1 and 2, to both of the front wheels I fix my
system of driving gear; and to convert them into tricycles I construct an axlo for
each of which Figure 10 shews the two bearings, or necks, marked W, to fit in
the ends of the fork bearings-which are made with movable caps, fastened with
bolts, and on each end of the axle are suitable bearings X to carry a wheel with
an india-rubber tyre, and by removing the rear wheel of the bicycle and fixing
the axle in the bearings, then fasten a wheel on each end of the axle; which will
then have converted the bicycle into a tricycle with the addition of one wheel and
an axle.
My system of driving gear is composed of an internal wheel, as a driver geared
with a pinion, or pinions, the said pinion, or pinions, revolving within the circum-
ference of the internal wheel, and the manner in which I apply this system of gearing
is shown in the several drawings.
Figure 3 is one plan of applying my gear of 3, to 1, the pinions are of equal
diamaters marked B. C. geared with the internal wheel A, with round teeth, or
studs, or with teeth of an epicyeloid form as shewn within the pitch circle; the
pinion C is fast on the spindle E. the pinion B rotates on a stud fixed in the end
of fork, this I term central driving, but by removing pinion B, and then placing
the internal wheel in the place of pinion B, it will gear direct with pinion C (as
shown in dotted pitch circle) by making the spindle shorter at each end, to allow the
internal wheel to gear with the pinion C.
Also by having the internal wheel on the spindle E, and then fix the intermediate
pinion B with its stud in the position marked D in the arm of the internal wheel,
this will lock them; and the pedals will then act direct on the bicycle, or tricycle,
which would be useful to a beginner, or to ascend steep hills.
Figure 4 shews a section through one side of the fork, internal wheel, pinion and
hub.
Figure 5 is a drawing of a plan by which I apply my direct gear of 2, to 1, (or
other proportions) which shews a part of the fork, crank, and hub, the pinion Fis
made fast on the spindle H, and geared direct with the internal wheel K-to which the
the crank is fastened, the teeth in the internal wheel to be round, or of an epicycloid
form.
Figure 6 shows a section through one side of the fork, internal whoel, and hub.
Figures 7, 8, 9, are drawings to shew a plan by which I apply my system of central
gearing, by this plan any proportions of speed gear can be fitted to a machine (pro-
viding that the pitch will divide in the several diamaters fixed upon). Figure is to
shew the left-hand side of a machine, with gearing of 2 to 1.
Figure 9 is to shew the right-hand side of a machine, with gearing of 2 to 1.
Figure 8 is a sectional plan through the centre of the spindle S, internal_wheels,
hubs, and pinions, leaving the bottom caps T in position, by this arrangement I obtain
three different speeds on one machine :-If all the gearing were in position the rider
of the machine may work the 2, to 1, gear with the left-foot and the 2, to 1, gear

page_text: with the right foot, or by removing either of the intermediate pinions marked I, the
opposite one to that removed will give either 24 to 1, or 2, to 1, as the case may be.
Also by removing both of the intermediate pinions I (and their studs) and then fix
one or both of them in the position, or positions marked O in figures 7 and 9, within
the circumference of the internal driving wheel, the gearing will then be locked, and
the pedals will act direct on the machine; as without gear.
A machine can he geared on one side only if required;
Also by allowing sufficient space between the face of the internal driving wheel,
and the fork bearings, the intermediate pinions I can be shifted in, or out, of gear by
means of a lever.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is:
1. The application of an internal wheel as a driver-in combination with a pinion,
or pinions to propel velocipodes.
2. The convertion of a bicycle, into a tricycle-with the least possible addition, and
in the quickest manner.
3. The combination of the internal wheel and the crank in one piece.
4. The application of two sets of gearing of different proportions of speeding,
which can be worked together, or seperate, to propel a velocipede.
Dated this 9th day of December 1889.
CEORGE BERRINGTON
GEORGE BERRINGTON