Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 27th May, 1897-Accepted, 31st July, 1897
I, WILLIAM JOSEPH RYMER WATSON of 10 Rue de la Duchesse, Antwerp, Belgium,
Broker, 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:
The object of my invention is to improve propelling gear and apply the power of the
foot in a more direct way for driving bicycles.
I will now proceed to describe the way in which I prefer to carry out my
invention.
Fig. 3 of the drawing shows a complete bicycle constructed in accordance with my
invention. The chain rim wheel a is carried in a circular frame f which frame is part
of the bicycle frame, by means of roller bearings. These rollers themselves work in
ball bearings so that friction is reduced to a minimum.
The diameter of the chain wheel a can be increased or diminished as may be found
convenient, but, preferably should be of such a diameter that the radius is equal to
that of a circle described by the revolution of an ordinary crank lever. Should the
radius be decreased and the ordinary crank length adhered to it is obvious that it
would become necessary to use a short crank lever to attain this object.
In this case any suitable well-known means of connecting the short crank lever
to the chain rim wheel could be employed and the pedals attached to same in the
usual manner,
in the case of the pedal pin not going directly into the chain rim
wheel.
The driving gear of my bicycle consists of the usual or any equivalent method of
working the driving wheel, but the chain driving wheel actuated by the pedals is
merely a rim with parts on place for the chain or bearing parts, which bearing
parts touch bearing points 8888 in the frame f. These bearing points I preferably
construct as shewn in section in Fig. 1.
Fig. 1 shows a view of a part of the frame which carries the roller bearings to
support the chain rim wheel partly in section. The roller in the arrangement
shown is shaped at an angle which fits into a V groove v on the chain rim wheel.
This chain rim wheel carries an attachment for the pedal at p.
Fig. 2 is a plan partly in section which shows that this part of the frame and
connected parts are compact, and only occupy a small space. The tread of the
bicycle in fact is very small and a considerable advantage will accrue from this
point.
It will be noted that my construction of frame and chain driving parts permits of
the tread of bicycles being reduced to any extent which breadth of wheels may
permit.
A gear case can if desired be easily fixed to the circular part of the frame which
carries the said roller bearings. It will be noticed that my invention combines a
new bicycle frame; the abolition of the crank and crank bracket with a chain rim
wheel into which the pedals are directly fixed; which chain rim wheel runs on a
series of points ss formed by bearings as shown in Fig. 3.

page_text: I wish to point out that one great practical advantage which results from my new
form of bicycle frame and chain rim wheel is that the sprocket wheel on the driving
wheel becomes of larger diameter than is usual. The result of this is that the
power being applied at a point on the driving wheel further away from the centre;
obstructions and indentations on the road must be less felt, and consequently there
will be a gain in speed with a given expenditure of power. With an equal number
of revolutions, the conditions brought about by my invention are such that
the power is as above stated applied on the driving wheel with greater effectiveness.
I also wish to point out that the pressure of the foot on the crank of an ordinary
bicycle has of course a tendency to cause unequal strains on the bearings of the
crank axle which must tell from the point of view of the useful effect of a given
force applied. These conditions are greatly changed in my driving arrangements as the
pedal strain of the foot comes direct on to the chain, and the driving itself is more
direct, which must be an advantage in addition to the fact that my circular frame
forms a far more rigid support for the moving parts than is the case in the ordinary
construction of bicycle.
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 1
claim is :-
1. A novel bicycle frame, which frame in its circular part contains bearing points
for the chain rim wheel, as herein described.
2. A bicycle driving gear consisting of a chain rim wheel constructed without a
centre and carried in a circular frame containing bearing points as described, such
rim being of suitable diameter to fix the pedals direct into the rim or of such a
diameter that short crank levers may be used.
3. The combination of the various parts described in my specification and illustrated
in the drawings.
Dated this 27th day of May 1897.