Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Apr., 1886.
Complete Left, 1st Jan., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 1st Feb., 1887.
I, WALTER CHATWOOD BURTON of 11 Promenade, South Street Rochdale in the
County of Lancaster Engineer's Draughtsman do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to a device for driving and changing a machine from single to
double speed or vise versa at the will of the operator, and is applicable to Bicycles,
Tricycles, and all foot power machinery. The change in speed, being accomplished
without the rider dismounting.
The mechanism consists essentially of a ball bearing crank, which can freely revolve
round the central axis or stud of the driving wheel, whilst provision is made, in the
outer centre of the crank pin; for its carrying a stud, upon which is fitted a toothed
wheel. This wheel is made secure from rotation round its own centre; or axis, by the
action of a key, which can be slid along the stud, at the will of the operator. The
aforesaid toothed wheel gears into a similar one of equal or unequal diameter, which is
keyed or secured upon the extremity of the central stud or axis of the driving wheel,
and is caused to revolve at the same velocity as the wheel, upon the crank end stud (if
both of equal diameters) in consequence of the crank pin describing a circle, due to the
path of the crank. The toothed wheel, not being at liberty to revolve round its own
axis must consequently push forward the other gear wheel, and with it the driving
wheel of the machine or cycle.
A projection or continuation of the front fork, below and rearwards of the driving
wheel centre, forms a support or fixture for receiving a stud, upon which another ball
bearing crank revolves. This crank is connected to the aforesaid crank by means of a
connecting rod, which is arranged, so that by simply sliding the key upon its stud in
the proper direction, the rod will be made rigid or fast to the wheel, simultaneous with
the liberation of the crank from contact with this wheel.
Hence by communicating motion from a treadle placed in connection with the lower
crank, the connecting rod; by its action of changing sides during the revolution of
the crank; will give double speed to the gear wheel upon the driving wheel centre.

page_text: The driving wheel will make two revolutions, whilst the cranks are performing one.
The relative positions of the treadle cranks and connecting rod is such as to eliminate
the dead centres, for the greatest pressure is being exerted by the foot of the rider, at
the moment that the cranks and connecting rod are in one straight line. The pressure
being thus exerted almost at right angles to this dead centre line.
The aforesaid key is arranged to slide in either of the required positions by the
action of the foot or hand without the rider dismounting.
The preceding combination is fitted upon each extremity of the driving wheel centre
in the Safety Bicycles-but am not bound to make use of both cranks, in its applica-
tion to the ordinary Bicycles or Tricycles for I may use a pair of friction rollers or
pulleys fixed to the end of the connecting rod, and arranged to slide vertically along
the fork.
WALTER CHATWOOD BURTON.
to all Foot Power Machinery.
I, WALTER CHATWOOD BURTON of 11 Promenade, South Street, Rochdale, in the
County of Lancaster Engineer's Draughtsman do hereby declare the nature of my
said invention for AN IMPROVED TWO SPEED DRIVING GEAR FOR VELOCIPEDES,
APPLICABLE TO ALL FOOT POWER MACHINERY and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention relates to a device or combination of mechanism for driving and
changing a Bicycle, Tricycle, Sewing Machine, or other foot power propelled machine,
from single to double or any intermediate speed, or vise versa, at the will of the
operator, and which invention is an improvement upon a Patent No. 14157, Granted
me Nov. 1885.
The speed may be changed without the rider dismounting from his machine. The
mechanism consists essentially of a ball bearing crank, which freely revolves round or
upon the central axis or stud of the driving wheel. The outer end of crank, carries a
stud upon which is fitted a toothed wheel.
This wheel is prevented from revolving round the aforesaid crank stud, by the action
of a sliding key or lever, which can be engaged with the wheel and crank at the will
of the operator.
The aforesaid toothed wheel gears into a similar one of equal or unequal diameter,
and is keyed, or otherwise secured upon the extremity of the driving wheel spindle or
stud.
This wheel is compelled to revolve at the same velocity as the wheel which
revolves with the crank end stud (assuming both to be equal in diameter) owing to
the latter describing a circle round the former, during the time that it is dead or held

page_text: secure from revolving upon its own stud. Hence the crank end stud gear wheel
pushes forward the other gear wheel, and both being of equal diameters, I must con-
sequently attain one revolution of the driving wheel of the machine for each revolution
of the crank. A projection or continuation of the driving wheel fork, below and
rearwards or forwards of the driving wheel centre, forms a support, or fixture for
receiving the stud upon which a second ball bearing pedal crank can freely revolve.
This crank is connected with the first mentioned crank, by means of a connecting
rod. The extremity of the connecting rod which is in connection with the first
named crank, is provided with only one, or two or more holes or projections, into, or
upon which, one extremity of a sliding or swivelling key or lever, can engage, so as
to secure the wheel and connecting rod to move together.
Similar holes or projections are prepared in the crank end, so as to receive the
opposite extremity of the key or lever, immediately it is released from contact with the
connecting rod end.
The key may be arranged to slide along the crank end stud, but it is preferably
prepared to slide or turn upon a fixed centre, which is secured into the wheel shell.
The key is kept in either of the beforementioned positions, by the action of a spiral
spring, pressing against a projection or flat surface formed upon the key. When the
key is in such a position as to cause both the connecting rod and gear wheel to
move together, then, the motion which is transmitted from the pedal crank, through
the connecting rod and crank, will by the action of the connecting changing sides
during the revolution of the crank, produce double speed in the gear wheel проп the
driving wheel spindle or stud.
Hence the driving wheel will perform two revolutions, during the time that the
cranks are performing one revolution.
The relative positions of pedal; cranks; and connecting rod, is such as to practically
eliminate the dead centres, for the greatest pressure is being exerted by the foot of the
operator, at the moment when the cranks, and connecting rod, are in a straight line
and the pressure is being exerted almost at right angles to the line of the dead centres.
The beforementioned key, may be operated by the action of the riders foot or hand,
without necessitating his dismounting.
The hereinbefore described combination of mechanism is placed or fitted upon each
extremity of the driving wheel spindle. I do not bind myself to the use of both
cranks, for I may in particular cases, employ a balance lever, or in others antifriction
roliers.
In order to describe the nature of my said invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I have caused to be annexed to this specification, the accompanying sheet of
Drawings illustrative of the applications of my invention to Bicycles, Tricycles, and
all foot power machinery.
With respect to the before referred to sheet of Drawings, and the figures, and
letters of reference thereon indicated
Fig. 1. Represents a side elevation of the Two Speed Gear with lever pedal motion
as applied to an ordinary Safety Bicycle.
Fig. 2. side elevation, with crank pedal motion.
Fig. 3. Do. Do. of a Tricycle with two speed gear, and crank pedal motion.
Fig. 4. front elevation of two speed gear.
Fig. 5. sectional elevation of Two Speed Gearing.
Fig. 6. view of Sliding Key and spring.
In order to make my description clear, I will only describe the mechanism or gear
upon one side of the machines, as the same gearing is applicable to each side.
The various pieces of mechanism in each of the before referred to figures, are
denoted by the same letters of reference.
In Figs. 1. to 5. "6" represents the toothed wheel, which is fixed upon the driving
wheel spindle "s."
"
gears into the wheel "6" and is carried or supported
"which is secured into the crank "c."
A similar toothed wheel " a
upon the crank end stud
26
"R" is the ball bearing bracket, into which the fork fang "h" is bolted or screwed.

page_text: The fang of the fork is extended downwards and terminates in a support "q" which
is prepared to carry the balance pedal lever stud "e" fig. 1. or pedal crank "e"
figs. 2 "3."
"d" is the connecting rod which is used simultaneously for transmitting and (in
case of double or intermediate speeds) accelerating the speed of the motion derived
from the pedal, to the gearing wheel "6" and thence to the driving wheel of the machine.
The sliding key figs. 5, 6, is centred upon a projection "n" in the wheel "a."
Each extremity is prepared to fit upon stops or into holes bored or prepared into the
crank and connecting rod ends respectively.
A projection "to" affords one means of engaging or disengaging the key or lever,
to attain the change speeds, as beforementioned, at the will of the operator.
For facilitating the change in speeds, I may preferably use cords or bands or levers,
in connection with the projection "w the same being actuated from the riders hands,
so as to change without dismounting.
"
If the projection be forced upwards, the extremity "p" will be immediately liberated
from the connecting rod, and the other extremity "o almost simultaneously engaged
with the crank end recess " c."
A spiral spring ";" presses against a flat surface upon the key or lever, and must
retain it in any position to which it may be essential to occupy in order to effect the
change in speed.
In fig. 2. 3. the pedals may be suitably mounted upon the studs "d" & between the
connecting rods, and cranks so as to obtain a very narrow tread.
Fig. 4. represents the gearing, as applied midway between the driving wheels of a
Tricycle.
In this arrangement the pedal cranks "e" are placed one upon each side of the
bearings "q" and motion is communicated to both sets of gearing wheels, by the
connecting rod "d."
"k" "k" are
the bearings into which the fork fangs, are attached.
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
1st. In all bicycles, tricycles, and foot power machinery of any kind whatever
The combination of the parts 'a' 'b''c' 'd' and '' or any modification,
imitation or equivalent piece or combination of mechanism whereby I am enabled to
render or make the wheel " a "dead alternately with the crank and connecting rod
respectively, and thereby attain a change speed gear at pleasure, without in any
manner disconnecting the gearing wheels, as and for the purposes herein before
described and illustrated.
WALTER CHATWOOD BURTON.