Improvements in or relating to Frames and Gear Cases for Bicycles, Tricycles and other Velocipedes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Improvements in or relating to Frames and Gear Cases for Bicycles,
Tricycles and other Velocipedes.
I. SAMUEL. HOWE 98. Lordship Lane East. Dulwich London. S.E Decorator do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Namely that in order to provide an. effective gear. case, I have invented and
adopted for such purpose the device herein described by the following statement.
Substantially to convert and adopt the cycle frame or such portion thereof and in
such a manner as I may select or that is necessary, for the purpose of running or
working concealing and protecting the chain or other driving gear. from dust mud or
other destructive agencies that interferes with its free action or condition when in use
or otherwise. Economy of space as well as protection and preservation is obtained by
using the interior of tubes as described herein.
In order to define the working of my invention in connection with a Bicycle, known
as the safety, and using chain gear. I now proceed to give a more detailed statement
of the same and relating thereto.
Practically it is taking or enclosing the chain, and running or working it within the
tubes of the frame altered and adapted for the purpose. To this end the device would
be in the form of an irregular, elongated, triangle, the two upper sides arranged as
inclined planes, unequal in length the longest plane extending from the sprocket of
the rear driving wheel to the apex angle, the lesser plane from the apex angle to the
base in connection with the pedal action. I purpose using an additional chain
within the lesser plane arranged in combination of other parts as follows, within the
apex angle I design to place a double sprocketed wheel. yet one in motion. the said
double wheel to be of two diameters, the additional chain passing over the smaller
diameter and under the sprocket wheel connected with the pedal action, the longer
chain running from the sprocket of the rear driving wheel through the tube of the
longest plane over the greater diameter of the double sprocketed wheel within the
apex, through the tube of the lesser plane under a guide tension wheel within
the pedal action angle, through the tube at the base to the sprocket of the rear wheel
and so on continuously.
The portion of the frame containing the additional chain, that is: from the pedal
joint to the apex angle to be: forked in order to provide a set off. that the chains
may work in a direct line with the sprocket of the rear driving wheel.
Each angle to be so designed and constructed to carry or enclose the necessary
wheels.
Each angle and tube to be so designed and constructed to admit of inspection and
also for the purpose of renewal or repair.
The base or a portion thereof to be utilised as a reservoir for lubricating purposes.
The guide tension wheel so arranged as to admit of its use in an efficient manner
for the purpose of tightening the longest chain.
The wheel at the base of the shortest plane. or the double wheel within the apex
to be so arranged for the same purpose in connection with the shortest or additional

page_text: chain.
It is not designed to increase the length of the driving chain gear. Briefly
it may amount to about the same in proportion to that as in general. use as at present.
In the foregoing statement for the purpose of making the nature of the aforesaid
invention clearer I have described one form of driving mechanism used within the
frame, but it is obvious that other forms of gear may be used either in combination or
parts, as I may hereafter decide or that is necessitated.
The principal nature of the invention being to use and adapt the cycle frame with
the devising and construction of its several parts as herein stated, and for the definate
purpose of containing running or working the chain gear or driving mechanism as
stated in the first part of this specification.
SAMUEL HOWE
Applicant
Improvements in or relating to Frames and Gear Cases for Bicycles,
Tricycles and other Velocipedes.
I. SAMUEL HOWE 98. Lordship Lane East Dulwich London. S.E Decorator, 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:
Namely, that in order to provide an effective gear case, I have invented and
adopted for such purpose the device herein described. Substantially, to convert and
adapt the cycle frame, or such portion thereof and in such a manner as I may select,
or that is necessary, for the purpose of running or working concealing and protecting
the chain or other driving gear, from dust mud or other destructive agencies that
interferes with its free action or condition when in use or otherwise. Economy of
space as well as protection and preservation is obtained by using the interior of tubes
as described herein.
In order to define the working of my invention in connection with a bicycle of the
safety type, and using chain gear, I hereby design to give a detailed description of
the same and relating thereto.
The particular form that the aforesaid may take must be governed by the
arrangement of the driving gear or mechanism used, practically it is taking or
enclosing the chain or other gear, and working it within the tubes of the frame
altered and adapted for the purpose.
In the following statement I desire to refer to the title as the "frame case."
The size and form of the tubes in connection with the aforesaid to be as I may
hereafter decide, or that may be best adapted for the efficient working of the
invention.
The drawings that accompany this specification are not drawn to scale but are
designed to illustrate the frame case; as at Fig 1. Sheet 1. with its several inspection
plates or parts in position, and at Fig 1 Sheet 2 with the inspection plates or parts
removed shewing one arrangement of chain gear that may be used within the
aforesaid frame case. and also. at Fig 1, Sheet 3, the chain arrangement generally in
use Fig 2, inspection plates in position.
The object in view in giving the following particulars of a combination or duplicate
as well as a single chain gear, in connection with the frame case, is to shew the
adaptability of the same for the purpose herein stated.
To this end on referring to Fig 1, Sheet 1, it will be seen that the device forms an
irregular elongated triangle A the two upper sides arranged as inclined planes B. B

page_text: the longest plane extending from the sprocket chain wheel at the rear driving
wheel C, to the apex angle D, the lesser plane from D to the base in connection with
the crank bracket E, the base from E to the rear driving wheel C.
The base F may be horizontal. or decline towards E.
That portion of the base which forms the lowest level at K, to be used as a reservoir
to contain a lubricant, the inlet and outlet for same J, J.
As it is designed to enclose or work the gear within the tubes, I propose to adopt
the following method for the purpose of inspection renewal or repair, on the face of
each tube or angle, to arrange a series of thin plates. easily moveable. fixed either by
a slide. screw
or clip arrangement as may be deemed most serviceable or that I may
decide upon hereafter one arrangement of the aforesaid plates may be seen on
referring to Fig T. Sheet 1 angles at G, tubes at H.
29"
The composition of the inspection plates to be of any suitable metal or material
conducing to efficiency, and also to lessen the weight of the machine.
Fig 2. end section of tube, inspection plate A.
Fig 3, section of tube, with top-inspection plate, or cap A.
Fig 4 cross section at 1, Fig 1 inspection plate A.
The arrangement of plates or angle pieces for the purpose of inspection or
otherwise to be applied to any design the device may assume as necessitated by the
different form of working gear applied.
As my invention practically provides to take or enclose the driving mechanism or
chain gear and running it within the tubes as stated in the begining of this
specification. I now refer to Sheet 2, Fig 1, of the drawings as illustrating an
arrangement of chain gearing, I have devised or adapted specially for the purpose,
and corresponding to the form of the frame case as shewn on Sheet 1, Fig 1.
I propose using two chains one here described as the principal running or working
continuously through the tubes of the triangle A, the other chain here described as a
duplicate devised to work as herein described.
I will now proceed first, to describe the method of working. the principal chain.
through the tubes and angles of the aforesaid frame case.
The triangle arranged in the form as of two inclined planes B. B. and the base C,
the three angles D. D. D. designed to carry and enclose the necessary wheels. that
is a chain wheel E. on the. hub of the rear driving wheel a doubled or parallel
running wheels F. H. at the apex angle D. I, a guide tension or friction wheel at the
junction of the base with the lesser plane and J, a chain wheel at the crank joint or
bottom bracket angle.
The principal chain passing over the chain wheel E, to and over the chain wheel H₁
to and under the guide wheel I, through the base and on continuously.
The duplicate chain to work within the lesser plane as follows, at the apex angle D,
place a chain wheel F, of lesser diameter than H but running parallel and on the
same axle pin, this chain passing over wheel F, to and under the chain wheel J, and
so on continuously the wheels F and H. to be detachable the principal chain K
Duplicate L, On Sheet 2, Fig 2 is shewn a device whereby the chain may work in a
direct line withe the wheel E, on the hub of the rear driving. wheel. and consists of
a set off or projection of a forked design of such a width as may be most serviceable,
the end section of which is here shewn, with the arrangement of chains within the
lesser plane, containing the duplicate chain, Fig 1, the letters indicating parts at
Fig 2. corresponds to the same at. Fig 1, as follows,
F. the lesser parallel wheel,
H. the larger parallel wheel,
J. the crank bracket driving wheel,
K. the principal chain,
L. the duplicate chain,

page_text: Fig. 3, cross section at M, Fig 1, A, inspection plate, B carriers for the fork holding
the chain wheels F. H; and also permitting the fork to slide for chain adjustment,
consisting of a nut and screw attachment, see N. Fig 1.
The guide wheel I, also arranged for chain adjusting, sliding between projections
or tongues O, operated by a screw and nut attachment moveable at will. On Sheet 3
at Fig 1 the drawing represents the frame case, containing a single chain within the
tubes A, the base at the foot of the crank bracket to contain a lubricant with inlet
and outlet for same at B. B.
At C the chain is adjusted on the same principal as described at N. M. Sheet 2.
Fig 1. namely by a fork containing the chain wheel, operated by a screw and nut
attachment, the nut fitted between two fixed bars pierced for the screw, the tubes at
the point necessary, being also pierced for the adjustment to work as required within
the frame. D fork sliding bar. E nut, F chain wheel.
Fig 2 shews the inspection plates in position, in this case it will be desirable to
use the tube, section of which is seen at Fig 5 for the base A, the inspection plate
cap being on the upper part of the tube, thus allowing the lower part B, to be
utilized as a reservoir for the lubricant. it is designed to fix the inspection plates in
the most convenient or desirable sections or parts as may be decided for the efficient
working of the invention. D indicates spring clips or tongues. E points where screws
may be used.
At C is a slot whereby the rear driving wheel may slide when forced by chain
adjusting.
Fig 4 shews section of chain adjusting-fork the letters indicating the same parts as
at Fig 1, as follows C fork, D sliding bar, E. nut, F. chain wheel.
Fig 3 is a sett off or fork so that the chain may work in a direct line with the
chain wheel at the rear driving wheel, the section here shewn is across the bottom
or pedal bracket, A indicates section of bracket chain wheel. B lubricant reservoir,
C axle pin.
Ball bearings to be used in such positions or places necessary for the easier running
or working of the different parts herein described.
The broken lines on the several sheets of drawings indicates the continuation of the
cyclé frame tubes, the semi-circular indicating the rear driving wheel or a section
thereof.
The principal aim of the invention being to use and adapt the cycle frame or
tubes, with the devising and construction of its several parts as herein described, or
to any other form or shape that I may deem necessary hereafter, for the definate
purpose of protecting running or working. preserving from dust mud or other adverse
influences the chain gear or driving mechanism as described by this Specification.
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. adapting and using the cycle frame to enable it to carry or enclose within the
tubes and parts thereof, the chain gear or driving mechanism.
2. the construction of its several parts, angles, tubes, and inspection plates; and
the fixing thereof: to any design or shape necessitated by the form of gear running
or working within the tubes of the aforesaid cycle frame, and in accord with the
description given in this Specification and the Drawings annexed hereto.
Dated this 19th. day of October 1897.