Improvements in Propelling Mechanism for Cycles.
Year: 1891

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by ANDERS ADOLF LARSEN, of Copenhagen, in the
Kingdom of Denmark.]
Improvements in Propelling Mechanism for Cycles.
I PHILIP ARTHUR NEWTON of the Office for Patents, 6, Bream's Buildings,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent do hereby declaré
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, which relates to means for communicating the rotary movement of
the pedal shaft of velosipedes to the axle of the driving wheel or wheels, consists in
the adaptation of a novel arrangement of mechanism for this purpose, such
mechanisin being capable of adjustment as regards speed or power, according to the
convenience or requirements of the rider.
In the accompanying drawing,
Fig. 1 shews, in side elevation, part of a bicycle embodying this invention.
Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are detached views of details of the mechanism about to be
explained.
On the pedal shaft, immediately inside the pedal, is firmly fixed a disc a, with 3
circular rows of teeth, which are set at right angles on the inner face, and engage
with toothed wheels c c¹ and e, loose on the shaft b.
C
This shaft, provided with suitable bearings, extends backways from the pedal
shaft to the axle of the hindmost or driving wheel. At the back end of the shaft b,
is firmly fixed a bevil wheel d, which engages with a corresponding bevil wheel f
which is firmly fixed on the axle of the driving wheel. The mechanisin, the front
part of which is shown in side view enlarged at Fig. 2, operates in the following
manner When the disc a on the pedal shaft is turning round, the wheels e c' and e
will likewise be turning round, but without driving the shaft b, as they are loose on
the latter.
C
Between the wheels and e', and between e¹ and c², are placed 2 round discs g and g'.
These discs slide on 2 firmly-screwed metal pins and , but do not turn on the
shaft. From the side of the discs project a certain number of steel pins j, which
can fit into corresponding holes & in the wheels and c², thereby locking them to
the shaft b.
C
When one of these discs is caused, by means of the fork shown in front
view Fig. 4, to engage with one of the wheels c, after the manner of the
wheel in Fig. 2, the shaft will be driven, and by that means the machine will be
propelled thro' the bevil wheels d and . When the innermost wheel drives the
shaft, the hind wheel of the machine will perform 2 rotations for each rotation of
the pedal shaft when the wheel cl operates, the proportion will be 3 to 1; and
when, lastly, the outermost wheel c² is employed, it will make 4 rotations to each
rotation of the pedal shaft. By this means, the driving capacity of the machine
may be regulated to suit the exigencies of the road, or the requirements of the
rider.
The change of the wheels c can be done during the driving, as the forks l, which,
during the driving, are hanging loose on the disc g, are extended upward in the
form of 2 connecting rods and 12, pivotted at 3 fixed points, m, n, o, and terminate
in handles and pl
These handles are fitted in a quadrant 7 (see detached plan
view Fig. 3), which is fixed to the framing of the cycle, as shown by Fig. 1. On 4
metal pins r, is hanging loosely a thin metal plate s, which is pressed towards the
handles by spiral springs.
дар
P
In changing, the said plate can be pressed back with the handles, so that these
When the handles occupy the position as is shown by Fig. 3. the
ness along

page_text: is
wheel c' will be locked to the shaft b, as shown in Fig. 2; if the handle p' is moved
to the notch, then none of the wheels c will operate; if the handle
moved to the notch, the wheel e will drive the machine. Fig. 4 shows one
of the forks seen in front; their connection with the discs g consists only in the 2
small knobs and ¹, so as to render the rubbing-resistance during the driving very
insignificant.
Fig. 5 shows one of the discs in front, and placed upon the shaft b.
g
"The parts forming the mechanism are preferably covered by a protection box.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A. propelling mechanism for cycles, consisting of a toothed wheel connection
between the pedal shaft and the hind or driving axle, as shewn in Fig. 1.
2. A. mechanism as shown in Fig. 2, which renders a change of the propelling
wheels possible, to effect a greater or smaller rotating velocity, such mechanism
essentially consisting of a disc with 3 circular rows of teeth, which engage with
corresponding toothed wheels, which are brought into activity by 2 discs placed on
the same snaft therewith.
3. The arrangement of connecting levers shewn and described, by means of which
one can make changes while driving.
Dated this 23rd day of December 1891.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.