of Bicycles and other Velocipedes.
Year: 1885

page_text: of Bicycles and other Velocipedes.
We, THOMAS EDWARD PEARCE, oil dealer, and WILLIAM HIGGITT, blacksmith,
both of High Street, Wednesfield in the County of Stafford, do hereby declare the
nature of our invention for, IMPROVEMENTS IN TREADLES, SPECIALLY APPLICABLE
TO THE TREADLES OF BICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES, to be as follows:-
This invention refers to treadles having a rotary motion, and which are distinct
from those having simply a reciprocating motion; and consists in means whereby
the leverage of a treadle may be lengthened or shortened at will, by the foot of the
rider or operator, while the bicycle or other velocipede or machine is in motion.
We will first describe a convenient method of carrying out this invention in the
case of bicycle treadles, when its application to the treadles of other velocipedes
and of other machines will be sufficiently obvious without need for further
description.
A disc (hereinafter called the fixed disc), having a projection at the back thereof
entering a slot or hole in the outer end of the crank, is fixed to the outer face of
such crank by means of a screw screwed through the centre of the disc and pro-
jection thereon and tightened by means of a nut at the back of the crank. This
screw has a plain turned part thereon projecting forwards from the fixed disc and
terminating in a countersunk head, and upon such plain part, and consequently
between the fixed disc and the head of the screw, is carried an outer disc (herein-
after called the revolving disc) capable of revolving upon the plain part of the
screw and against the face of the fixed disc. The countersunk head of the screw
fits within a corresponding recess in the revolving disc. The treadle spindle is
fixed to the revolving disc near its circumference, so that such spindle acts as a
crank-pin to the disc. This spindle is tubular, and its bore is continued through
the revolving disc.
Two holes are formed through the fixed disc, one being on the side of the centre
next to the driving axle when the disc is fixed in position, and the other on the
opposite side of the centre.
These holes are each at the same distance from the centre of the disc as is the
axis of the tubular spindle, so that as the revolving disc revolves, the hole through
the latter, and the bore of the tubular spindle with which such hole is continuous,
will, during each revolution, pass exactly over each of the holes through the fixed

page_text: disc in succession. A pin is carried through the tubular spindle, and in its normal
position the inner end of this pin projects through the revolving disc and into one
of the holes through the fixed disc, being maintained in such position by means of
a spiral spring which surrounds the pin and bears against a shoulder thereon and
against a nut or collar screwed into the outer end of the tubular spindle.
When
the end of the pin is within the fixed disc, the treadle spindle and, of course, the
revolving disc also, is locked to the fixed disc and consequently to the crank, and
moves as if solid therewith.
Fixed to the outer end of the pin, and consequently at the outside of the treadle,
is a third disc or shield, of greater diameter than the depth of the end framing of
the treadle. This disc can be pressed outwards by the side of the foot without
raising the foot from the treadle.
The method of operating the mechanism above described, in order to lengthen or
shorten the leverage of the treadle whilst the velocipede or machine is in motion, is
as follows:-
The rider or operator simply pushes outwards the outside disc, with the side of
his foot, thus withdrawing the pin from one of the holes in the fixed disc, and
consequently permitting the revolving disc to turn or revolve against the face of
the fixed disc until the pin comes opposite to, and is consequently forced (by means
of the spiral spring) into the opposite hole through the fixed disc to that from
which it has last been withdrawn. In withdrawing the piñ, the sideway pressure
of the foot is exerted, preferably, momentarily only, so that the pin may be
pressed against the outer face of the fixed disc immediately it has been withdrawn
from a hole, and thus be ready to enter the second hole immediately it arrives
opposite that hole.
When it is desired to shorten the leverage of the crank, the pin is withdrawn
from the fixed disc as the crank is rising, in which case the treadle spindle
immediately falls to its lowest position in relation to the screw upon which the
revolving axis turns, the revolving disc of course turning half a revolution to
admit of this, and as the crank reaches its highest position, or at about such point,
the pin will coincide with and enter the opposite hole through the fixed disc and
thus lock the treadle in its position of shorter leverage. When it is desired to
lengthen the leverage of the treadle, the pin is withdrawn from the fixed disc as
the crank is passing downwards, in which case the treadle spindle immediately
falls as before and the pin therethrough coincides with and enters the opposite
hole through the fixed disc as the crank arrives at its lowest position or approxi-
mately so.

page_text: Improvements in Treadles, Specially Applicable to the Treadles
of Bicycles and other Velocipedes.
We THOMAS EDWARD PEARCE, oil dealer, and WILLIAM HIGGITT, blacksmith,
both of High Street, Wednesfield, in the County of Stafford 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, reference
being had to the accompanying drawings and the letters of reference marked
thereon (that is to say) :-
This invention refers to treadles having a rotary motion, and which are distinct
from those. having simply a reciprocating motion; and consists in means whereby
the leverage of a treadle may be lengthened or shortened at will, by the foot of the
rider or operator, while the bicycle or other velocipede or machine to which the
treadle is applied is in motion.
We will first describe a convenient method of carrying out this invention in the
case (as an example) of bicycle treadles, when its application to the treadles of.
other velocipedes and of other machines will be sufficiently obvious without need
for further description.
A disc (hereinafter called the fixed disc) having a projection at the back thereof
entering a slot or hole in the outer end of the crank, is fixed to the outer face of
such crank by means of a screw screwed through the centre of the disc and
projection thereon and tightened by means of a nut at the back of the crank.
This screw has a countersunk head thereon projecting forwards from the fixed disc,
and upon such head is carried an outer disc (hereinafter called the revolving disc)
capable of revolving upon the head of the screw and against the face of the fixed
disc. The treadle spindle is fixed to the revolving disc near its circumference, so
that such spindle may act as a crank-pin to the disc. This spindle is tubular, and
its bore is continued through the revolving disc.
Two holes are formed through the fixed disc, one being on the side of the centre
next to the driving axle when the disc is fixed in position, and the other on the
opposite side of the centre.
These holes are each at the same distance from the centre of the disc as is the
axis of the tubular spindle, so that as the revolving disc revolves the bore of the
tubular spindle will, during each revolution, pass exactly over each of the holes
through the fixed disc in succession. A pin is carried through the tubular spindle,
and in its normal position the inner end of this pin projects through the revolving
disc and into one of the holes through the fixed disc, being maintained in such
position by means of a spiral spring which surrounds the pin and bears against a
shoulder thereon and against a plug or collar screwed into the outer end of the
tubular spindle. When the end of the pin is within the fixed disc, the treadle
spindle and, of course, the revolving disc also, is locked to the fixed disc and
consequently to the crank and moves as if solid therewith.
Fixed to the outer end of the pin, and consequently at the outside of the treadle,
is a third disc, or plate, of greater diameter than the depth of the end framing of

page_text: the treadle. This disc can be pressed outwards by the side of the foot without
raising the foot from the treadle.
The method of operating the mechanism above described in order to lengthen or
shorten the leverage of the treadle whilst the velocipede or machine is in motion,
is as follows:-
The rider or operator simply pushes outwards the outside disc, with the side of
his foot, thus withdrawing the pin from one of the holes in the fixed disc, and
consequently permitting the revolving disc to turn or revolve against the face of
the fixed disc until the pin comes opposite to, and is consequently forced (by means
of the spiral spring) into the opposite hole through the fixed disc to that from
which it has last been withdrawn. In withdrawing the pin, the sideway pressure
of the foot is exerted, preferably momentarily only, so that the pin may be pressed
against the outer face of the fixed disc immediately it has been withdrawn from a
hole, and thus be ready to enter the second hole immediately it arrives opposite
that hole.
When it is desired to shorten the leverage of the crank, the pin is withdrawn
from the fixed disc as the crank is rising, in which case the treadle spindle
immediately falls, by its own weight and the pressure of the foot, to its lowest
position in relation to the centre of the screw head upon which the revolving disc
is capable of turning when not locked to the fixed disc, the revolving disc of course
turning with the crank pin; and as the crank reaches its highest position, or at
about such point, the pin will coincide with and enter the opposite hole through
the fixed disc and thus lock the treadle spindle in its position of shorter leverage.
When it is desired to lengthen the leverage of the treadle, the pin is withdrawn
from the fixed disc as the crank is passing downwards, in which case the treadle
spindle immediately falls, turning with it the revolving disc as before, and the pin
therethrough coincides with and enters the opposite hole through the fixed disc, as
the crank arrives at its lowest position, or approximately so.
In order that our invention may be clearly understood we will describe it with
reference to the drawings herewith, of which figure 1 is a sectional plan of one of
our improved treadles shewn as in position with the crank forwards, and figure 2
an end elevation of figure 1 looking from the crank end, but with the crank (a
short length of which is shewn in figure 1) removed. The same letters of reference
occurring upon both of these views indicate corresponding parts.
A is an ordinary crank, with the usual slot a therethrough for the connection of
the treadle. B is a disc having a projection b on the back thereof formed to fit
within the slot a through the crank. The disc B is fixed rigidly to the crank by
means of a pin C screwed through the centre of the disc and tightened to the
crank by means of a nut c at the back of the crank as shewn. D is a disc capable
of revolving on the countersunk head d of the pin C and against the outer face of
the disc B. e e is a flange projecting from the disc D around the edge of the
disc B in order to exclude dust from between the faces of the discs. The disc B
is lightened out at the back, as shewn by figure 2, and as indicated by broken lines
figure 1. E is a hollow treadle spindle screwed into a cone f formed, preferably,
solid with the disc D. This cone is out of centre with the disc D so that the
spindle E may be capable of acting as a crank-pin to this disc. The end of the
screwed part of the spindle E is preferably riveted up to securely prevent it from
becoming unscrewed. At the outer end of the spindle is a cone f¹ having a plug g
thereon screwed within the end of the spindle. j is a hexagonal part on the base
of the cone f¹ for facility in screwing the plug. The cones f and f¹ form bearings
of the ordinary description inside the hollow axis H of the treadle J J, as shewn.
Two holes h and h¹ are formed through the disc B, the hole h being on that side of
the centre of the disc which is remote from the driving axle and the hole h¹ on the
side of the centre which is next to the driving axle when the disc B is fixed in
position. These holes are in position to each come opposite the bore of the hollow
spindle E during a revolution of the disc D. F is a pin carried within the hollow
spindle E, and has its outer end i reduced in diameter and passing through the

page_text: plug g and cone f¹. is a spiral spring around the reduced part i of the spindle F,
between the plug g and the shoulder of the spindle, and this spring, pressing
forwards the spindle F, causes its inner end to enter one of the holes h h¹ as it
comes opposite thereto, and thereby locks the disc D to the disc B, and conse-
quently maintains such disc D either in the position shewn on the drawings with
the spindle E in position to cause a long stroke in treadling, or else with the
dise D in the opposite position with the spindle E in position to cause a shorter
stroke in treadling. The reduced part of the spindle projects beyond the outer
face of the cone f¹ and has a disc or plate G fixed thereon. The spindle F may be
drawn out of either hole h or h¹ by pressing the disc G sideways with the foot, and
to enable this to be readily accomplished the usual outside guards of the treadle,
corresponding to the inside guards lettered m m (figure 2) are dispensed with.
n is a set-pin to securely prevent the pin C from turning in the disc B.
This treadle admits of back-pedalling, as will be readily seen.
Two holes only have been described as passing through the fixed disc, but of
course three or any number of holes may be employed, giving an opportunity of
varying the length of the crank by any desired number of degrees between its
longest and shortest limits. An arrangement of more than two holes, however,
would cause complication and necessitate considerable practice before a rider could,
while travelling, adjust his crank to the required length with certainty and
expedition, and we consider that as a general rule an opportunity of adjusting the
crank whilst travelling from a longer to one shorter length, and vice versa, will be
found sufficient.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is--
1. A treadle capable of adjustment to vary the length of its leverage by the
movement of the treadle spindle in relation to the point at which a part by which
such spindle is carried is fixed to a crank, such adjustment being effected whilst
the bicycle or other machine to which such treadle is applied is in motion,
substantially as herein described.
2. A treadle capable of adjustment to vary the length of its leverage by a partial
rotation of the treadle spindle around a point at which a part by which such
spindle is carried is fixed to a crank, such adjustment being effected whilst the
bicycle or other machine to which such treadle is applied is in motion, substantially
as herein described.
3. A treadle, which may be back-pedalled, capable of adjustment to vary the
length of its leverage by the movement of the treadle spindle in relation to the
point at which a part by which such spindle is carried is fixed to a crank, such
adjustment being effected whilst the bicycle or other machine to which such
treadle is applied is in motion, substantially as herein described.
4. A treadle, which may be back-pedalled, capable of adjustment to vary the
length of its leverage by a partial rotation of the treadle spindle around a point at
which a part by which such spindle is carried is fixed to a crank, such adjustment
being effected whilst the bicycle or other machine to which such treadle is applied
is in motion, substantially as herein described.
5. A treadle capable of adjustment by means of the sideway movement of the
foot, to vary the leverage of a crank to which it is fixed whilst the bicycle or other
machine to which it is applied is in motion, substantially as herein described.
6. In a treadle capable of adjustment to vary the leverage of a crank to which
it is fixed, a treadle spindle carried excentrically with the point at which such
treadle is fixed to the crank, and capable of rotation around such point, in com-
bination with means by which such spindle may be locked in position in relation
to the crank, substantially as herein described.
7. The adjustable treadle substantially as herein described and shewn by the
drawings herewith, for the purpose set forth.

page_text: 8. The combination of the disc B fixed to the crank, the disc D capable of
revolving on the axis of the disc B, the holes h and ¹ in the disc B, the pin F set
forwards by means of a spring, and the disc or plate G, constructed and operating
substantially as herein described and shewn by the drawings herewith, for the
purpose set forth, and any mere modification of such combination.
m
T. 1000
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Agent for the Applicants.