Improvements in Pedal Grips and Pedals.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Oct., 1895-Accepted, 21st Dec., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pedal Grips and Pedals.
We, MARMADUKE MATTHEWS, of the Village of Bracondale, in the County of
York, and Province of Ontario, Canada, Artist, and AGNES JARDINE, of the said
Village of Bracondale, wife of Alexander Jardine, of the same place, Merchant,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manuer the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The object of the invention is to devise a pedal grip and pedal which will
enable a rider to exert a propelling force during a much greater proportion of each,
revolution of the crank axle than is otherwise possible, and it consists, essentially,
in forming in or connecting to each shoe of the rider a shoulder or shouldered
plate adapted to engage with a flange formed at the rear end of a metal plate
having a toe clip formed at its front end. The plate is connected to a sleeve, or
other part revolving on the pedal spindle, and the whole is constructed in detail
substantially as hereinafter specified and then definitely claimed.
Figure 1, is a side elevation, partly in section, of a shoe provided with my
improved grip and applied to an ordinary pedal.
Figure 2, is a perspective detail of the sole of a shoe provided with my improved
grip.
Figure 3, is a perspective detail showing a detachable grip.
Figure 4, is a perspective view of our improved pedal;
Figure 5, is a sectional view of a modified form;
Figure 6, is an elevation of another modification.
Figure 7, is a side elevation showing a rat trap pedal altered to form a
modification of our improved pedal;
Figure 8, is a perspective detail of the same.
Figures 9 and 10 show alternative forms of our pedal.
In the drawings, like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the
different figures.
It is well understood that a bicycle rider using an ordinary pedal, is only able
to exert a propelling force for less than one hundred and eighty degrees of a full
revolution of the crank axle, and that a really effective force can only be exerted
through an arc of about ninety degrees. To enable a rider to apply power
through a larger arc than this, it is necessary to provide him with some means for
exerting a pulling or pushing force on the pedal while the crank is approaching
or receding from a vertical position. By forming a shoulder or notch in the sole
of the shoe, or connecting a notched or shouldered plate thereto with which the
edge of the pedal can engage, we render it possible for the rider to exert a pull
while the crank is approaching and receding from its lower vertical position.
A similar notch or shoulder might be used to enable the rider to exert a push when
the crank is approaching and receding from its upper vertical position, but a toe
clip, as used in my improved pedal, will give a very effective push, the front notch
or shoulder may be dispensed with when using it.
In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, A is a metal plate having one or more
shoulders B formed thereon and connected to the sole of the shoe by screws or
rivets in the position indicated. This plate preferably of sheet metal stamped
into shape, in which case it is necessary to correspondingly notch the sole of the
shoe so that the plate may be fitted thereto. The plate A might also be of cast

page_text: metal, in which case it would probably be formed with a fat base and with
projections forming shoulders cast thereon. In this case, no notching of the shoe
will be required.
In Figs. 4, 5 and 6, is shown our improved pedal.
In Fig. 4-A is the crank of a bicycle, to which is connected in the usual
manner the spindle B', on which is journalled the sleeve C¹, which usually runs on
ball bearings.
D' D are two metal plates, each comprising a rearward extension having a
flange E¹ formed thereon, a middle portion F¹ fitted on the sleeve C', and a toe
clip G. These plates D₁ D' are located one on each side of the sleeve in such a
position that no matter which is uppermost, its toe clip will be in front of the
sleeve.
HH are blocks of rubber, cork or other suitable material, placed between the
plates which are clamped on the sleeve C¹ by means of rivets or bolts I' passing
through the plates and the rubber blocks H'.
The central portion F' of the plate D' might of course be fitted to the spindle
in various ways, but we consider the form shown in Fig. 4 to be preferable with
the rear end of the toe clip G substantially on a level with the upper side of the
sleeve C. In this fig., the flange E' is shown serrated, but it might also be made
smooth.
Owing to the advantage to be derived from the use of the shouldered plate A,
it is advisable to make the improved pedal in such shape that it may be applied to
the ordinary rubber pedal. This modification is shown in Fig. 5.
Jare the cross bars connecting the ends K' of the pedal which are suitably
journalled on the spindle B. The rubber is removed from these cross bars, and
the plates D clamped thereon by means of the bolts or rivets I¹ passing through
the rubber blocks H', as previously described. The central portions of the
plates D in this form, are shaped so as not to come in contact with the
spindle B
In this fig. will be seen how the flange E¹ engages with the shouldered plate A,
secured to the sole of the boot, while the toe engages with the toc clip G
In Fig. 6 is shown another modification, in which the plates D', instead of being
provided with toe clips, are provided with double flanges E¹, engaging with the
two shouldered plates A and E set in reverse positions on the sole of the shoe.
In this figure it will be seen that when the foot is placed on the pedal, that the
sole is not in contact with the central portion of the plate and will not come
in contact therewith unless considerable force is exerted on the pedal, as seen in
Fig. 5. There is thus a spring pressure in the pedal tending always to keep it in
contact with the rider's foot, so that the probability of the foot being disengaged
from the pedal is rendered a remote possibility.
Another great advantage of my improved pedal is that whichever side of the
pedal is uppermost, the toe clip and flange are sure to be in a position to engage
with the foot.
A pedal, especially as constructed in Figs. 4 and 6 will be considerably lighter
than any now in use and much easier on the foot.
From the construction of the grip and pedal above described, it follows that
when the crank A is in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, that a very
effective pull may be exerted by the rider to carry the crank over the lower dead
centre, and that when the crank is in the position shown in full lines, a push may
be exerted to carry it over the upper dead centre.
It is evident that the important feature of the grip consists in having a pro-
jection formed, either by notching the sole or attaching a notch to a shouldered
plate thereto. If the sole is notched, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the metal plate
night possibly be omitted, as its chief object is to prevent the sole of the shoe
being worn through.
In Fig. 3 we show the sole of the shoe formed with the shoulder and protected
by a removable metal plate A and shoulder B. The plate A has a metal tongue H

page_text: connected thereto, and has a hook I formed thereon to engage with the slotted
plate A, connected to the heel of the shoe.
A leather or elastic strap K is secured to the plate A, and passes round the shoe
holding the foot of the plate A in position. Other means might of course be
devised for holding the detachable plate A in position.
Although in Figs. 1 and 2 we show two shoulders B on the plate A, and more
might be used, yet in most cases one will be sufficient.
Our improved pedal may of course be used without the gripping piece, and the
gripping piece may be used without the pedal, though they will be found most
effective in combination.
As it is advisable to be able to adapt ordinary pedals for use with our grip so
that the shouldered plate A is well under the instep, we illustrate the method
of doing this in Figs. 7 and 8.
The flange E¹ is connected to the back of the toe clip G, and is thus exerted
rearwardly to engage with the shouldered plate A under the instep of the rider.
As these plates may be duplicated at opposite sides of the pedal, a flange and toe
clip are always in position for the foot, and the pedal is perfectly balanced. The
flange may be formed integral with or connected to the toe clip, the stem of which
is bolted to the cross piece of the pedal, as shown in the drawings.
From the above description it will be seen that we have devised a pedal grip
which will enable the rider to apply greatly increased and more continuous power
to the crank axle, thus enabling him to attain a greater speed than is otherwise
possible, and to apply extra power at any time to overcome unusual obstacles.
As power may be applied at all times to both cranks at the same time, the stress
on the machine is rendered more equable, and the pedalling of the rider equalized,
and a greater distribution of muscular action obtained, thus giving a more healthy
and general development of the body.
Protection is also afforded to shoe soles from the wear of the pedals.
It should be mentioned that when our pedal is formed with a single toe clip,
that it should be so balanced on the crank spindle that the toe clip will be upper-
most. The central portion, in such a form, will be widely varied, as shown without
departing from the spirit of our invention.
In Figs. 9 and 10 are shown forms of our pedal, in which the central portion F¹
is considerably modified.
In Fig. 9, two lugs M' are formed on each side and bent downwardly so that
they may be journalled on the spindle B'.
In Fig. 10, the central portion is substantially of the rat trap shape, but is
stamped out of one piece of metal and bent to the form shown.
Both these forms of pedal are so balanced as to take the position shown in
Fig. 10, when the foot is not on the pedal.
In Fig. 9 is shown the position of the pedal when the foot is engaged with it.
Both these forms, it will be seen, embody the spirit of our invention.
It will be seen that we have devised for use, either with or without the grip, a
combined spring pedal and toe clip, which will be very much lighter and much
more effective than any now in use.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
1. A shoe having a transverse shoulder formed in or on its sole adapted to
engage with one of the cross pieces of a pedal, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
2. A shoe having a notched or shouldered plate connected to its sole, the
shoulders being so shaped as to engage with a flange or cross piece of a pedal,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
3. As a pedal grip, a metal plate having one or more shoulders stamped therein

page_text: and fitted to the sole of a shoe cut or formed to correspond with the shape of the
metal plate, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
4. As a pedal grip, a metal plate having one or more shoulders stamped therein
and fitted to the sole of a shoe, cut or formed to correspond with the shape of the
metal plate in combination with a pedal having a flange hooked to engage with a
notch in the plate, substantially as described and for the purpose specified.
5. As a pedal grip, a metal plate having one or more shoulders formed thereon
and fitted to the sole of a shoe, in combination with a pedal having a flange
extended rearwardly to engage with the shoulder in the plate, substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
6. As a pedal grip, the plate A, connected to the sole of the shoe, and having a
shoulder B formed thereon, in combination with a pedal C, having toe clips L
formed on opposite sides thereof, and two flanges connected, one to the back of
each toe clip, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
7. In a pedal, a plate having a flange formed on its rear end, and a toe clip or
gripping piece on its forward end its central portion being connected to and
adapted to revolve on the pedal spindle, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
8. In a pedal, the spring metal plate D', having a flange E', and toe clip G¹
formed thereon, and so shaped that the sole of the foot is normally raised above
the centre of the plate, in combination with the spindle B', to which the centra!
portion F¹ of the pedal is revolvably connected, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
9. In a pedal, the combination of the plate D', having the flange E³, toe clip G',
and the lugs M¹ formed thereon; and the spindle B¹, on which the said lugs M¹
are journalled in any suitable manner, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
10. In a pedal, the combination of the spring metal plate D¹, having the flange E¹,
toe clip G and the lugs M' formed thereon; and the spindle B' on which the said
lugs Mare journalled in any suitable manner, the plate D¹ being so shaped that
the sole of the boot is normally raised above the centre of the pedal with which it
is engaged, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 28th day of October 1895.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicants.