Improvements in Mechanically Propelled Road Vehicles.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Sept., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mechanically Propelled Road Vehicles.
WILLIAM EDWARD CROWTHER, 88, Sandy Lane, Chorlton cum Hardy, near
Manchester, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
The object of this invention is the production of an improved road-veliicle
of the mechanically propelled class by the application of several new devices.
To dispense with the driving chain employ a light drum having its peri-
phery in frictional contact with the tyre of the driving wheel. This drum
contains a train of wheels known as the differential gear, by which it is
driven at high speed by the slower rotation of the crank axle upon which it is
centred.
In vehicles having a transverse front handle bar for steering I give this bar
a fixed position and effect the steering of the machine by swivelling the handles
on each end of the bar, arranging a system of rods & levers to connect them
with the steering post and brake in such a way that the steering and braking
of the vehicle may be effected by the manipulation of the handles.
To minimise the shocks of travelling at speed over ordinary roads I employ
springs situated in any of the usual positions and I supplement these springs by a
frictional device for deadening or damping their oscillations.
In joining together the ends of air-tubes used in pneumatic tyres I insert a
small piece of rubber-proofed-fabric between the inside end and the outside end
when bringing them together. The hole for the valve is then made at the joint,
through two thicknesses of rubber and the fabric between.
Dated this 14th day of September 1899.
Improvements in Mechanically Propelled Road Vehicles.
WILLIAM EDWARD CROWTHER, 88, Sandy Lane, Chorlton cum Hardy, near
Manchester, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
-
With the object of dispensing with the driving chain in mechanically pro-
pelled road vehicles a light drum is centred loosely upon the bracket or casing
which contains the driving axle and so placed that its periphery may bear

page_text: against the tyre of the driving wheel of the vehicle. In Figs. 1 and 2 of Sheet 1
of the drawings an arrangement suitable for driving a bicycle of the common
safety" type is shown.
To produce the necessary speed of rotation in the drum H, an application of
differential spur gearing is used wherein A is the crank spindle and B the bottom
bracket casing. The spur wheel C is fixed on the crank spindle whilst the
two wheels DD of a somewhat larger diameter are fixed on the casing, which
is divided as shown. The toothed rings E F G and I, gear with C and D D and
with the internal circumference of the drum H. which is similarly toothed, the
rings being free to roll round C and D D.
By this arrangement the drum will rotate at speed in the opposite direction
to the crank spindle & so drive the vehicle. Instead of toothed wheels friction
discs may be used and either fewer or more than four employed. In Fig. 1
the circles in contact are the pitch circles of the toothed wheels referred to.
By altering the relative sizes of the wheels C and D D the drum may be
made to rotate in the same direction as the driving spindle A so as to fit the
appliance for front-wheel-driving vehicles.
To effect the steering of road vehicles such as bicycles and tricycles having
a transverse front handle-bar whilst permitting the handle bar to remain in
a fixed position, so as to give steady support to the rider, the bar is fixed to
the frame of the vehicle as at A in Figs. 3 and 4 of Sheet 1. The handles or
grips H H are mounted with a swiveling action by which the small cranks C
is actuated and the connecting rods R R moved and motion given to the lever L
which being fixed on the upper end of the steering post l' effects the steering of
the vehicle. The connecting rods R R instead of being straight may for the
sake of appearance be carried round underneath the handle bar.
In carrying out my device for suppressing vibration in mechanically pro-
pelled road vehicles I apply frictional braking to the springs or some of the
moving parts controlled by them so that the oscillations of the parts may be
damped.
In applying this principle to a bicycle I prefer to make the joints of the
frame A B C D E and F in Fig. 5 of Sheet 2, with a swivelling action in the
plane of the frame and to form the piece E F as a split lug, so that a frictional
clip on the seat pillar C may be obtained by means of the bolt and nut H. The
piece E F being really a slider on G is maintained in its position by the con-
joint action of friction and the helical spring S, the upper end of which is
attached to E F and the lower end to G. The L pin P passes into the upper
end of the seat pillar and is secured by a clip.
By another modification I may support the pin upon a spring concealed
within the seat pillar and apply the requisite degree of friction by a clip at the
upper end of the pillar.
In joining together the end of air tubes, used in the tyres of mechanically
propelled road vehicles, I insert a piece of rubber proofed fabric between the
inside and the outside layers when making the joint. The hole for the valve
is then made through the centre of the fabric and the two thicknesses of rubber
I may insert leather or other tough material instead of fabric.
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. Driving a mechanically propelled road vehicle by means of a drum bearing
against the periphery of the driving wheel such drum being driven at speed
by differential gearing substantially as described and illustrated in the drawings
2. Steering a mechanically propelled road vehicle having a transverse front
handle bar by fixing the handle bar to the frame and using swivelling grips
cranks and connecting rods substantially as described and illustrated in the
drawings.

page_text: 3. Damping the oscillations of weight carrying springs in mechanically pro-
pelled road vehicles by the application of frictional braking to the springs or
the parts controlled by them.
4. The arrangement of bicycle frame described and shown on Sheet 2 Fig. 5
with the accompanying explanation.
5. Inserting a piece of fabric, leather or other tough material between the
two layers or plys in joining up the ends of an air tube for a pneumatic tyre
substantially as described.
Dated this Thirteenth day of July 1900.
WILLIAM EDWARD CROWTHER.
Applicant.