Improvements in Bicycles and Analogous Vehicles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 10th May, 1897-Accepted, 24th July, 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bicycles and Analogous Vehicles.
I, GEORGE THOMAS WARWICK, of 62 Oriental Street, in the City of Newark,
and State of New Jersey, United States of America, Manufacturer, 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 the ball-bearing devices and also to
an improved brake mechanism, for bicycles and analogous vehicles. The objects
of the invention are to provide an organization of the parts comprising the ball-
bearing devices whereby the use of cones having screw connections with the shaft
or axle as heretofore employed is avoided, so that the cones cannot, by any
accidental means, be screwed up to lock the bearings and yet the devices are so
arranged as to involve means for adjusting the bearings, and for locking the parts
in their adjustments; to provide a novel and simplified ball retaining device
which, when in place, will permit the easy insertion of the balls into the ball-
groove or race, or permit the purposed removal of the balls; to provide a means
for locking the removable sprocket wheel to the hub permitting at pleasure, the
removal of the sprocket wheel: to provide very efficient and practical dust proof
appliances in the ball-bearing, the same in part being constituted by essential
portions of the ball-bearing devices; and to provide a novel construction of
brake mechanism through one of the sprocket wheels of the vehicle to set the brake
in the act of back pedalling or by the application of a retarding force upon the
sprocket wheel, or any wheel in the vehicle corresponding or equivalent to the
sprocket wheel.
Exemplifications of means and mechanisms for attaining the foregoing objects
are fully and clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, described in the
following portions of this specification, and are covered and identified in and by
the claims.
"
In the drawings, Figure 1 is a central sectional view of the hub of a bicycle
wheel mounted on an axle therefor and having comprised therein and combined
therewith, the improved novel 'features relating to the ball-bearing device. and
the sprocket wheel
Figure 2 is a side view of the hub showing peculiar locking devices partly in
section at one end thereof.
Figure 3 is an inner end view of one of the ball-cases detached.
Figure 4 is a perspective view on a larger scale of the ball retaining device.
In the second sheet of drawings, Figure 5 is a sectional view substantially like
Figure 1, but showing the availability on the hub and axle as there equipped, of
my novel and simplified automatic brake.
Figures 6 and 7 are end views of Figure 5 showing the brake free in the one
case and in the other the relations of parts assumed for setting the brake.
Figure 8 is a view in detail showing parts of the brake mechanism.
Similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in all of the views.

page_text: In the drawings, A. represents the shaft or axle about or relative to which the
hub B is mounted for rotation. The shaft has suitably within its ends the stops
or shoulders a against which the cones C are set, the cones preferably being slipped
in place about the shaft against said shoulders.
D D² represent the ball-cases, of annular form and having the ball-grooves or
races therein as usual, inner end portions 10 of the ball-cases being of such
cylindrical form and size as to have a sliding fit within the cylindrical ends of the
hollow hub B, said ball-case having the outward enlargements, flanges or
shoulders 12, 12 within the faces of one D2 which are the circular series of
sockets 13.
Within each annular ball-case is an internal flange or seat 14 which constitutes
a rest for the ball retainer d which retainer as shown in Figure 4 consists of a
thin metallic ring or sleeve having a deep kerf 11 whereby it is nearly cleft, having
paired ring sections 15, 15 united by the integral portion of the metal at 16.
This retainer seated inwardly beyond the ball-race protrudes within the edge
of the said race, and serves to contract the mouth thereof whereby the balls will
not be misplaced after having entered within the groove b even if the cone is
removed from juxtaposition.
Of course it is understood that the balls are entered in place by forcing them
past the adjacent ring section 15 of the ball retainer, which by its spring reaction,
assumes its normal ball retaining position. Again, of course, the balls may be
wilfully removed by pressing with a knife-blade or other suitable instrument against
the spring section 15 of the retainer adjacent the ball-groove whereupon the balls
may slip out from the ball-case.
At the left hand end of the drawing Figure 1 and also Figure 2 the hub is
indicated as having projecting beyond its end, several, as for instance three pins or
studs over which the corresponding sockets 13 of the ball-case have a sliding fit;
it being here noted that the sprocket wheel F is integral with this ball-case D,
or it may be separately formed and affixed thereto.
The inner end portions of both of the ball-cases are threaded as seen at 17, 17,
having screw engagements with the locking-tube G.
The hub at its right hand end is shown as having the outwardly extended
flange, the same being externally screw-threaded as shown at 18, and inwardly
from the end, at a short distance from the flange g is a shoulder or stop, prefer-
ably constituted by the second continuous annular flange h. A spring i is located
between the flange g and the shoulder or flange h which constitutes a seat or rest
for the spring.
り
The compression of said spring is substantially in a line parallel with the length
of the hub. Said spring carries or supports a pin or stud which projects
longitudinally through a groove 19 therefor in the threaded flange g, this pin
when the spring is distended, projecting beyond the end of the hub, and having an
engagement in one of the sockets 13, within the back face of the flange 12 of the
ball-case D2 which lies opposite_or_adjacent-the end of the hub.
It will be noted that the position of the stud jis such that the bulk thereof is
sunk below the screw threads whereby the ring-nut m threading on the said
flange is not interfered with in its turning movements by the said pin. The
ring-nut m has the annular internal ledge 20 which may abut against the spring
device i j when the nut is turned to be moved inward on the hub, so as to compress
the spring, and move the stud inwardly endwise out of engagement with the
socketed ball-case. Of course it will be plain that, with the ball-case I forced
to abutment against the left hand end of the hub, and non-rotatably interlocked
with the hub as shown, the ball-bearings at both ends may be adjusted so as to
permit the parts to turn one upon the other without undue looseness or slack, and
yet without bind, by turning the ball-case D².
The ball-case is freed to be turned by rotating the ring-nut m until it, through
its ledge 20, so compresses the spring locking device that the pin of said
device becomes disengaged from the sockets 13 in the ball-case D².

page_text: It will be perceived that in the ball-bearing constructions and arrangements
shown and described, the axle A may remain fixed in the fork and the adjustment
of the bearings may be accomplished without removing, or moving, the axle or
axle nuts, or the hub:-hence the wheel is not thrown out of line in the frame.
Inasmuch as the cones are loose on the shaft, if the ring-nut m should be acci-
dentally left loose whereby the ball-case D³ might be rotated and tightened on
the balls, the cones of course, have no capability of being screwed up to lock or
bind the ball-bearings and destroy same, but will turn on the shaft without any
especial harmful result.
The improved arrangements and forms of parts to constitute more efficient dust
and dirt proof means for the bearings are shown in these drawings and will now
be pointed out as follows:-cach ball-case has in its outer face the annular
groove 23 centrally within which is the endwise extended dome shaped
portion 24 terminating at the end in the annular groove 25 and outer
flange 26, the end face of the flanged outer end of the ball-case surrounds
the middle portion of a groove 27 within the periphery of the outer portion of the
cone, the cup shaped guard or disk n surrounding the shaft and held by the fork
side or leg and nut o against the end of the cone has the edge 28 of its flanged rim
entered within the end of the aforesaid groove 23 in the end of the ball-case. Now,
assuming that dust or mud comes upon the external outer end portion of the
ball-bearing, it will for the most part be excluded from within the cup disk m
by reason of the outwardly curving and diminishing form thereof, and the closeness
with which its circular edge adheres in the groove 23 of the ball-case. Now, sup-
posing that some small particles of dust may enter the groove 23 under the
guard disk, it will now most naturally be carried into the groove 25 inside of
the flange at the end of the ball-case, and as it drops therefrom, it will be more
likely to work outwardly back to the groove 25 than inwardly; again should the
dust or mud, assumed to be entered within the guard disk, be carried over the
flanged end of the ball-case and drop into the groove 25 in the outer end portion
of the cone it will fall from the cone down onto the internal surface of the rim
of the guard disk. It is seen that these results are derived by forms and arrange-
ments of the essential parts of the ball-bearings and that this trebly assured dust
exclusion in the bearings is acquired without the provision of extra parts, or
additional expense in construction.
In the second sheet of drawings, my improved brake device is illustrated. The
pins affixed at the one end of the hub are sufficiently long to extend through
and beyond the thickness of the combined ball-case and sprocket wheel, which
latter part has the arc slots ttt so that the sprocket wheel can have a limited
extent of rotational play relative to the hub.
uu u are tumblers or brake-members pivotally supported on the face of the
sprocket wheel at and their extremities are located adjacent the said slot t,
and have the cam surfaces against or very near which the said pins, projected
from the end of the hub, are extended.
The backs of the said brake tumblers are widened so as to have positions
endwise outside of the face of the sprocket wheel, and the disk n² which is fixed
on the axle A, or other suitable stationary support has its flange rims closely
surrounding the said brake tumblers.
Now, it will be understood that in use of this described mechanism for instance
on and in relation to the hub of the rear wheel of a bicycle, the driving force
applied as usual to the sprocket wheel causes the said wheel to be kept with the
end walls of its slots in driving contact against the pins or projections of the end
of the hub whereby the hub must necessarily be rotated as one with the sprocket
wheel, see Figure 7.
Assuming, however, that by a "back-pedalling," the sprocket chain causes a
retardation of the sprocket wheel, the rear wheel and its hub under momentum
continuing their rotation, the sprocket wheel having the pin and slot engagement
with such hub, has relative thereto a slight backward movement thereon, as

page_text: represented in Figure 6 and by the impingement which the cam-like portions of the
brake-members have upon the said pins, said brake-members are outwardly
crowded to bind against the interior of the rim of the cup disk n² serving to most
effectually brake the wheel.
As specifically shown the brake-members or tumblers a consist of arc-shaped
pieces each having the integral boss or stud 35 extended from its side or face
which adjoins the outer face of the sprocket wheel, and it has its upper edge or
"back
outwardly extended in the integral flange u to constitute the brake
bearing surface of the brake-member.
The sprocket wheel at the pivoted point merely requires to be drilled with the
hole or socket, as seen at 36, into which is let the said boss or stud 35 of the
brake-member.
The inner face of the cup disk n² which has a fixed support, holds the brake-
members against outward displacement.
It will be perceived that the present improved brake device necessitates (aside
from the cup disk 2 which is substantially like the cup disk n employed in the
dust exclusion devices shown in Figure 1, being however, of larger diameter, and
here serves as a dust guard) merely the provision in the sprocket wheel of a
suitable number of arc slots t and the forming of the pivot sockets 36, the extension
of hub pins f through and beyond the sprocket wheel and, as extra parts, only
the three or other suitable number of brake-members u uu.
It is preferred in the hub bearing in conjunction with the brake device to have
the tube G which unites the two ball-cases formed at its end towards the sprocket
wheel with the external flange 17", which engages the internal seat a¹ instead of
having here a screw thread engagement with the ball-case, so that here the
ball-case and sprocket wheel as one may have the rotational movement on the
tube, without causing any endwise movement of the tube, no matter how slight,
to affect the adjustment of the ball-bearings.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed. I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. In a ball-bearings for bicycles and analogous vehicles a hub or like cylindrical
part having rotatably fitted in the end thereof a ball-case, a sleeve located within
the hub with which said ball-case has a screw-engagement for adjustment, a
locking device mounted on the hub and adapted to engage in one of a series of
sockets or recesses with which the ball-case is provided, and a part movably
mounted on the hub which, in its movement, forces the locking device to assume
an unlocked position relative to the ball-case.
2. In a ball-bearings for bicycles and analogous vehicles a hub or cylindrical
part, having rotatably fitted in the end thereof a ball-case which has a screw-
engagement within the hub whereby, when turned, it derives an endwise move-
ment for adjustment, a locking device mounted on the hub and adapted to engage
in one of a series of sockets or recesses in the ball-case, and a part movably
mounted on the hub, which, in its movement, forces the locking device to assume
an unlocked position relative to the ball-case, the shaft or axle, provided with a
cone and the balls between the cone and the race therefor in the ball-case,
substantially as described.
3. In a ball-bearings for a bicycle in combination, a hub or cylindrical part
having a ball-case fitted in the end thereof provided with a series of recesses or
sockets, means for imparting to the ball-case an axial adjusting movement, a
spring-pressed locking device mounted on the hub, and adapted to engage in the
said socket of the ball-case and an annular part rotatably mounted on the hub
which, in its movement, forces said locking device to assume a position of
disengagement relative to the said ball-case-sockets, substantially as described.
4. In a ball-bearings, the combination with a hub or cylindrical part having
at one end portion, the externally threaded flange g with an aperture 19 therein

page_text: parallel with the length of the hub, a spring mounted on the hub and supporting
a stud which projects through said aperture beyond the end of the hub, the
ring-nut m having the internal ledge 20 screw-engaging said external flange and
adapted by exerting through its ledge a compressing force against the spring to
cause said stud to be moved inwardly endwise, combined with a ball-case having
a series of recesses in which said stud may engage, and means for imparting an
axial movement for adjustment to the ball-case, substantially as described.
5. In a ball-bearings for bicycles and analogous vehicles a hub or like cylind-
rical part, provided with a ball-case at its one end, a sleeve connected with said
ball-case, and a second ball-case screw-engaged with the sleeve and having a series
of sockets or recesses in a portion thereof which is extended across the end of the
hub, a locking device mounted on the hub.comprising a pin or stud and a spring
for pressing it to engagement in one of the sockets in the ball-case, and a device
movably mounted on the hub, which in its movement, forces the spring device
to disengage the ball-case.
6. In a ball-bearings for bicycles and analogous vehicles a hub or like cylindrical
part, a ball-case having a pin or hole engagement with the hub at one end of the
latter, a sleeve connected with said ball-case, and a second ball-case screw-engaged
with the sleeve and having a series of recesses in a portion thereof which is
extended across the end of the hub, a locking device mounted on the hub com-
prising a pin or stud and a spring for pressing it to engagement in one of the
sockets in the ball-case, and a device movably mounted on the hub, which in its
movement, forces the spring device to disengage the ball-case.
7. In ball-bearings for bicycles, a hub or like cylindrical part provided with a
ball-case at one end thereof, a sleeve connected with said ball-case, and a second
ball-case screw-engaged with the sleeve and having a circular series of recesses
or sockets, a locking device mounted on the hub adapted normally to have an
engagement in one of the said sockets in the ball-case, and a device movably,
mounted on the hub, which, in its movement, forces the said locking device to
disengage the ball-case, the shaft with the shoulders, and the cones loose on the
shaft, and inwardly limited by the said shoulders and the balls, substantially as
described.
8. In ball-bearings for bicycles and analogous vehicles a hub or like cylindrical
part provided with a ball-case at one end thereof and having at its other end the
external screw-threaded flange with the aperture 19, and having provided thereat,
the spring and stud j, carried by the spring, a sleeve connected with said ball-
case, and a second ball-case screw-engaged with the sleeve and having a circular
series of recesses or sockets, and the ring-nut m screwing on the hub flange and
provided with the internal ledge adapted as the nut is turned in one direction,
to engage and compress the spring, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
9. In ball-bearings for bicycles and analogous vehicles a hub or like cylindrical
part provided with a ball-case at one end thereof, a sleeve connected with said
ball-case, and a second ball-case screw-engaged with the sleeve and having an
outwardly extended flanged portion which overlies the end of the hub provided
within its face which is towards the end of the hub with a circular series of
recesses or sockets, a locking device mounted on the hub which comprises a
spring and a stud arranged parallel to the length of the hub, and adapted,
normally to have an engagement in one of the said sockets in the ball-case, and a
ring-nut screw-threading on an end portion of the hub, adapted to be screwed
against the said flanged and recessed part of the adjacent ball-case, and when
turned in the opposite direction to force the said locking device to disengage from
the recess in the ball-case, substantially as described.
10. In a ball-bearings, a hub or like cylindrical part having at its end an
annular ball-case which has within its outer end face, the concentric groove 23,
the dome shaped outward extension terminating in the end flange 26 and external
groove 25 endwise inside of the flange, the cone having the annular peripheral
groove 27, the face of the end flanged ball-case being in a plane which intersects

page_text: the cone between the opposite edges of its said groove 27, and the cup disk n the
rim flange of which enters the said annular 23 in the ball-case and the balls
between the cone and internal wall of the ball-case, substantially as and for the
pposes explained.
11. In a ball-bearings, a hub or like cylindrical part having provided in its
end an annular ball-case which is constructed with a concentric annular groove
which surrounds an outwardly endwise extended dome like portion provided with
the end flange and groove, the cone, and the cup disk having the rim flange
which enters the concentric groove in the ball-case, the cone having its end
covered by said cup disk and the balls, substantially as described.
12. In a ball-bearings, an annular ball-case having an internal ball-groove,
the balls in said groove and a ball retainer consisting of a cylindrical shell or ring
supported within the ball-case with one circular end thereof movably extended
beyond one margin of the ball-groove, whereby the mouth of the ball-groove is
contracted to an extent less than the diameter of the balls, said extended edge
of the retainer being yielding for the purpose set forth.
13. In a ball-bearings, an annular ball-case having the internal ball-groove b,
adjacent which is the seat or shoulder 14, the balls in said groove and the ball
retainer seated against said shoulder 14, and consisting of the metallic ring.having
the kerf 11, substantially as described and shown.
14. In a brake for bicycles and analogous vehicles, in combination, a movable
part as a drive wheel or sprocket, and a rotary part, on which the sprocket wheel
is mounted for bodily rotary movement therewith, and relative to which it has an
independent limited rotational movement, a stationary circular part adjacent said
rotating part, a brake-member pivotally mounted on one of said rotary parts, and
a member carried by the other of said rotary parts for forcing, as the one part
has its independent rotational movement relative to the other, said brake shoe
against the stationary circular part.
15. In a brake mechanism for a bicycle or analogous vehicle, in combination,
a hub having one or more endwise projecting pins or studs, a sprocket wheel
mounted to turn bodily with the hub, and having arc slots through which said
hub pins project, whereby the sprocket wheel may have a slight rotational move-
ment relative to the hub, and one or more brake-members pivotally mounted on
the face of the sprocket wheel and respectively having cam surfaces, against, which
are the extended portions of said hub pins, and a cup disk having a fixed support,
the rim of which surrounds the backs of said brake-members, substantially as
described.
16-In a brake mechanism for a bicycle or analogous vehicle in combination,
the hub having the endwise projecting pins, a sprocket wheel on the hub, having
the arc slots, through which the hub pins project, and having the sockets, the
brake-members having the studs or bosses set in said sockets and having at their
portions adjacent said pins, the cam surfaces, and the cup disk having a fixed
support, substantially as described.
1. In a brake mechanism for a bicycle or analogous vehicle in combination,
the hub having the endwise projecting pins, a sprocket wheel on the hub having
the arc slots through which the pins-project, the brake-members pivotally mounted
on the outer face of the sprocket wheel having the cam surfaces at their portions
adjacent said pins and faving the outwardly extending flange backs, and the
cup disk having a fixed support, the rim thereof surrounding the said back
flanges of the brake-members, substantially as described.
18. In a brake mechanism for a bicycle or analogous vehicle in combination,
the hub having the endwise projecting pins, the sprocket wheel on the hub having
the arc slots through which the hub pins project and having the pivot sockets or
holes, the brake-members having the studs or bosses set in said sockets having
their portions adjacent the said pins of cam form and having the outwardly
extended flange backs, and the cup disk having a fixed support, the rim thereof

page_text: surrounding the said back flanges of the brake-members, substantially as
described.
19. In a brake for bicycles and analogous vehicles, in combination, a movable
part as a drive wheel or sprocket, and a rotary part, on which the sprocket-wheel
is mounted for bodily rotary movement therewith, and relative to which it has
an independent limited rotational movement, a stationary circular part adjacent
said rotating part, a brake-member pivotally mounted on one of said rotary parts,
and a member carried by the other of said rotary parts for forcing, as the one
part has its independent rotational movement relative to the other, said brake
shoe against the stationary circular part.
20. The combination with a hub or barrel, of ball-cases removably provided in
the ends thereof, a catch device operating between the hub and one of the
ball-cases for detachably confining the said ball-case against rotation in the hub,
substantially as described.
21. The combination with a hub or barrel, of ball-cases removably provided in
the ends thereof, a catch device operating between the hub and one of the
ball-cases for detachably confining the said ball-case against rotation in the hub,
and a tube connected to one of the ball-cases and having a screw engagement with
the other ball-case, substantially as described.
22. In a bicycle or analogous vehicle in combination, a hub or like cylindrical
part having at one end thereof the endwise extended pins, a ball-case fitted in
said hub and having as a part thereof a sprocket wheel, which combined sprocket
wheel and ball-case have the are slots through which the pins project, a series
of brake-members pivotally mounted on the outer face of said combined ball-case
and sprocket wheel having their portions adjacent said pins of cam form, the cup
disk having a fixed support and surrounding the brake-members, a tube inside
the hub having an engagement with the ball-case whereby there may be a
rotational movement, of the ball-case relative to the tube without any endwise
motion, a second ball-case fitted in the other end of the hub having a screw-thread
engagement with the said sleeve, and means for locking at pleasure said second
ball-case against turning in the hub, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
23. In a bicycle or analogous vehicle in combination, a hub or like cylindrical
part having at one end thereof the endwise extended pins, a ball-case fitted in
said hub and having as a part thereof a sprocket wheel, said combined sprocket
wheel and ball-case having the arc slots through which the pins project, a series
of brake-members pivotally mounted on the outer face of said combined
all-case and sprocket wheel having their portions adjacent said pins of cam form,
the cup disk having a fixed support and surrounding the brake-members, a tube
inside the hub having an engagement with the ball-case whereby there may be a
rotational movement of the ball-case relative to the tube without any endwise
motion, a second ball-case fitted in the other end of the hub having a screw-
thread engagement with the said sleeve and having the series of holes or sockets,
the spring locking device i j mounted on the hub adjacent the second ball-case
and the ring-nut m, having the internal ledge, screw-threading on the
exterior of the hub and when turned in the proper direction operating to disengage
said locking device from engagement with the socket ball-case, substantially as
described.