Improvements in Velocipedes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Oct., 1890.
Complete Specification Left, 20th June, 1891-Accepted, 15th Aug., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION..
Improvements in Velocipedes.
I, The Abbé MATHIEU CASTAY of 45, Rue de Sèvres, Paris, France, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention has for its object to provide a two-speed gear for velocipedes
which may be "geared up" for travelling over level roads or going down hills, or
be "geared down" for hill-climbing, the gear being so arranged that the one.or
other motion may be instantly brought into action at will.
In ordinary velocipedes, the same gear being used under all circumstances, it
has been necessary to so proportion it as, whilst permitting of moderate speed being
attained on levels and running down hill, to render possible the climbing of not
very steep hills, the speed on levels and down hill being consequently, reduced in
order, to obtain sufficient power for ascending gradients.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part, of this
Specification, in which
A B, Figure 1, or A¹ B', Figure 2, is the driving wheel axle of a tricycle ;
CD, Figure 1, or C¹ D', Figure 2, is one of the chain wheels on which runs the
driving chain V, Figure 1, or V1, Figure 2; E F, Figure 1, or E' F', Figure 2,
is a chain wheel of, say, half the diameter of C D or CD driven by another
chain V, Figure 1, or V, Figure 2. These wheels are keyed on axle A B,
Figure 1, or A B¹ Figure 2, on opposite sides of the bearing P, Figure 1, or P',
Figure 2. The other wheel c d, Figure 1, or c d', Figure 2, on which chain V
or V runs is of, say, half the diameter of wheel CD or C¹ D₁ and is loose on the
treadle axle G H, Figure 1, or G' H', Figure 2.
It will be evident that, for every
revolution of wheel cd or ¹ d', the wheel C D or C₁ D' will only make half a
revolution. The other wheel e f, Figure 1, or el f¹, Figure 2, on which chain V"
or V runs is of double the diameter of wheel E For E' Fi and is also loose on
axle G H or G¹ H' so that, for every revolution of wheel e for e¹ f', wheel E F
or E F will make, two revolutions. Therefore, if rotary motion be imparted by
any suitable means to wheel c d or c¹ d', wheel C'D or C₁ D' will revolve at half
the speed of the former and as the wheel e f or ¹¹ is loose on the axles it will
offer no impediment. If, on the other hand, rotary motion be imparted to wheel ef
or el, the wheel c d or c¹ d¹ being loose on its axle, wheel E F or E¹ F¹ will
revolve at twice the speed of the wheel e for el ƒ''.
For ascending an incline, the first motion would be employed which has a speed
four times less than that of the second and requires an expenditure of one-fourth
of the power, whilst for travelling on a level or down hill the second motion is
employed having a speed four times greater than that of the first. As the speed
depends upon the relative diameters of the chain wheels, the one motion may be
either double or triple that of the other.
The method of substituting the one gear for the other is as follows;―The
wheels cd, Figure 1, or ed¹, Figure 2 and e f Figure 1 or e', f1 Figure 2 are
loose on the treadle axle G H or G H which is free to slide longitudinally in its
bearings, in order that it may be engaged with one or other of the said chain
wheels. In Figure 1, this is effected by clutches, formed by lugs i or i¹ on the
crank arms, engaging between pins jjjj, fixed in the chain wheels. In Figure 1,
the clutch k is thus thrown into gear with wheel e f while the; other, L is out of
gear, the wheel ef being thus coupled to the axle G H while the wheel c d
remains free. By rotating the axle G H by means of the treadles 1 m, the
wheel,e through the chain V₁ will drive the wheel axle A B the wheel cd
turning on the axle G H by the motion imparted to it from the chain wheel C D.

page_text: As the wheel E F is supposed to be half the diameter of the wheel ef by which
it is driven, each revolution of the treadle will produce two revolutions of the
driving wheels and the velocipede is." geared up" for travelling on levels or
descending inclines. In order to " gear down," the crank axle is slid in the
direction of the arrow S, Figure 1, until the clutch K is disengaged and the
clutch L is engaged at n. The wheel c d then drives the axle A B through
chain V and wheel C D and wheel e f is loose. As the diameter of c d is only
half that of C D, the latter will only make half a revolution for one revolution
of the crank, the motion of the driving wheels being then four times slower than
before and only requiring an expenditure of one-fourth of the power. The velo-
cipede is thus "geared down."
Figures 5, 6, 6bis, 7, 7 bis, and 8, shew detached views of the clutch gear above
described.
In Figure 2, the clutch dog is midway between the two wheels c' de¹ fin
which position neither of said wheels is in gear. This occurs in changing from
one gear to the other, it being necessary that the one wheel shall not be thrown
into gear until the other one is completely disengaged. To "gear up," the axle is
shifted so as to bring the face m of clutch dog up to face k of the wheel e¹ f¹
and engaged between the pins while the wheel c d remains loose. To "gear
down," the face n of the clutch dog is brought up to face 1 of wheel c¹¹ while
the wheel eflis put out of gear.
In Figure 3 the sliding movement of the crank axle is effected by means of a
hand lever y, Figure 3, pivoted at o' whose tail enda engages in a groove 2 ; but
any other means may be employed, such for example as the slide rod vt, Figure 4,
engaging in a groove and operated by a hand lever which is in all cases, secured
in the one or other position, as will be hereinafter referred to.
To prevent the wheels c d e f, Figure 1, or cdcf1, Figure 2, moving with the
treadle axle, each of said wheels has a collar o o at back, Figures 1 and 2,
(separately represented in face view in Figures 5 and 7) engaging in grooves in
the bearings u u', shewn in section in Figures 1 and 2. Or, instead of grooving
the bearing it may be recessed to receive the collar and engage therewith by a set
screw, as shewn in Figure 12. When ball bearings are used, as in Figure 13, the
balls B would suffice to retain the wheels.
This two speed gear may be applied to all kinds of velocipedes. It is simple
and inexpensive and simply needs the addition of a chain, chain wheels, and clutch
lever to adapt the velocipede for travelling over all kinds of roads.
Figure 9 represents a rear driving safety bicycle having the two-speed gear
applied. The chain wheel a is fixed on the near end of the driving wheel hub and
is geared by the chain with wheel of twice its diameter. The chain wheel d,
fixed on the opposite end of the driving wheel hub, is similarly geared with
wheel e of half its diameter. Both these wheels be are on the axle of the crank c,
the longitudinal sliding motion of which, for gearing " up or "down," is effected
by the hand lever f, all as above described.
Figure 10 represents a tricycle provided with the two-speed gear. The small
wheel a on the driving axle with the large wheel on the crank axle and the con-
necting chain are for " gearing up" and the large wheel on the driving axle with
the small wheel d on the crank axle and the other connecting chain are for "gearing
down." The change of gear is effected by means of the hand lever. The same
arrangements may be applied to all kinds of velocipedes.
Instead of wheels and chains as described toothed gearing may be employed, of
which an example, as applied to a tricycle, is shewn in Figure 11 wherein A. Bare
the treadles and CD the crank axle; F G double bevel pinion keyed on axle C D.
I bevel wheel and J bevel pinion, both keyed on driving wheel axle H; KO bevel
pinions keyed on shaft L and gearing respectively with wheel I and with the near
side M of the double pinion FG; P R bevel pinion and wheel keyed on shaft q
the wheel R gearing with pinion on the driving wheel axle; S hand lever pivoted
at V and engaging by the tail end T with a collar M' on the crank axle C D for
$

page_text: sliding the latter longitudinally in its bearings pl p¹ in order to throw the double
pinion F G out of gear with pinion O and into gear with pinion P when it is
desired to change the speed. In the position shewn, the tricycle is "geared down,"
the pinion F G driving, through the pinion O shaft I pinion K and wheel I. To
gear up," the crank axle C D is slid by means of hand lever S until pinion F G
is moved out of gear with pinion O and into gear with pinion P and drives, through
shaft 9 wheel R and pinion J.
ર
The mechanism is simple, and strong and enables the chains and their tension
devices used in the previous arrangement to be dispensed with.
OBSERVATIONS.
In Figure 1 the lugs which put the wheels c d e f in or out of gear are on the
crank arms, but it is preferable, for the sake of compactness, to reduce the length
of the crank axle and place the lugs between the two chain wheels, as shewn in
Figure 2. It is also preferred in all cases, to place the grooved collar by which
the clutch is operated between the wheels, as in Figure 13; V are the discs of
the clutch and G the groove in which the hand lever engages; T T the lugs
engaging respectively with the large and small wheels. In order to reduce
friction the tail end of the hand lever is provided with a friction roller M¹
(Figure 11) or M (Figure 18). Figure 14 is a face view of the clutch, Figure 13.
The lugs T project from the clutch discs and engage in apertures in the
wheels. This arrangement is intended as a substitute for that represented at it,
Figures 1 and 2, although less strong. Another and preferable arrangement of
clutch is shewn in Figure 18 in which a lug t on each of the flanges of the
collar P (see Figure 21) respectively engage between lugs on the wheels A
and B. Figure 15 shews the tension device for the chains; a tension rod jointed
at V to the treadle bearing hanger c and G a fork fixed to the frame, in the
slot o o of which (Figure 16) the rod a is engaged by a nute having a
spherical bearing lodged in the seini-circular fork G, the connection being
ensured by the nut e'. This spherical bearing permits of angular motion of the
rod a without binding in fork G. Figure 17 represents the clutch operating lever
consisting of the arms A C on shaft B journaled at o o in a frame P R which
should be fixed to the bearings of the treadle axle when chains are employed, on
account of their adjustability; E latch pivoted at D to the arm A caused by a
spring m to engage by a lug S in a notch V in a disc F on the end N of the
framing. The other arm C terminates in a friction roller M which engages in the
clutch G, Figure 13, or as shewn in Figures 11 and 18. By grasping the lever A
and latch E together in the hand, the spring m is compressed and lugs disengaged
from its notch V so as to allow of the lever being oscillated for the purpose of
operating the clutch. A notch V is provided in disc F for each position of the
lever so as to hold the lever locked and prevent any longitudinal movement of the
treadle axle. Figure 20 represents a more simple arrangement. SS are brackets
fixed to the hanger P in which is mounted in bearings n a rod T capable of
rotating therein and also of being raised so as to cause the stud o to abut against
the bracket. m is a friction roller which bears against the clutch G which is of
the kind represented in Figure 18. D is a rigid arm engaging in notches X'X',
Figure 20, in a bar c. R spring tending to draw down the rod T and hold the
rigid arm D in the notch X'. Supposing the parts to be in this position, when
using the fast motion, in order to substitute the slow motion the rod T is first raised
by means of its handle M so as to compress the spring R and raise the rigid arm D
out of its notch X' after which the rod T is turned so as to cause the arm D to
abut against the end Z, Figure 20s, and then pushed down so as to engage the arm D
in the notch X by which means the lug on the clutch will be inserted between the
two lugs of the other chain wheel and the speed will then be changed. This
arrangement is represented in the tricycle shewn in Figure 10. In Figure 19 the
rod T is dispensed with, A B being two lever handles pivoted together at C, the

page_text: act of grasping which by the hand raises rod E, jointed at D and N, and with it
a latch F pivoted at J and against the pressure of spring i whereupon latch F is
released from its notch X for example and a torsional movement is applied so as to
engage the latch in notch X', Figure 20s. This mechanism is more complicated
than the preceding but is more casily operated.
Another improvement relates to the means of fixing the seat support. In
Figure 26, S is the seat support in the stem of which are formed notches o and
also a groove n, as shewn in cross-section in Figure 27, to receive the set screw V
(Figure. 22) which prevents the seat support from turning when introduced in
socket T, Figure 22, provided at one side with a plate t (Figure 24) upon which
is placed a sliding plate P secured thereon by slots and screws V, said plate
being formed with a notch e which is caused by sliding the plate P in the direction
of the arrow (Figure 22) to correspond with the orifice of the socket T and
enable the stem of the seat support to be introduced therein. The point of the
screw Venters the groove n and the seat support S can be lowered to the desired
extent after which it is fixed by sliding the plate P in the reverse direction so as
to engage it in one of the notches o (Figure 26). R is a spring placed beneath
plate t provided. with a head M by which the plate P is prevented from shifting.
Thus supported, the seat is not liable to be loosened by jolts while it can be readily
elevated or lowered.
Instead of sliding the crank axle in its bearings, in order to produce the change
of speed, a sliding motion may be imparted to the clutch only by the hand lever
before described, as shewn in Figures 21, 22bis, and 23s, for which purpose the
clutch is connected to the crank axle by a key g sliding in a groove d in said axle.
This clutch gear may also be adapted to the bevel gear driving mechanism before
described, by making a circular groove in the double bevel pinion to receive the
friction roller of the hand lever by means of which it may be put in gear with one
or other set of gearing, for producing the fast or slow motion, as desired.
"Dated this 1st day of October 1890.
M. CASTAY.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Velocipedes.
I, The Abbé MATHIEU CASTAY of 45, Rue de Sèvres, Paris, France, 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:—
"
"My invention has for its object to provide a two-speed gear for velocipedes which
may be "geared up for travelling over level roads or going down hill or be
"geared down" for hill climbing, the gear being so arranged that the one or other
motion may be instantly brought into action at will.
In ordinary velocipedes, the same gear being used under all circumstances, it has
been necessary to so proportion it as, whilst permitting of moderate speed being
attained on levels and running down hill, to render possible the climbing of not very
steep hills, the speed on levels and down hill being consequently reduced in order to
obtain sufficient power for ascending gradients.
Reference is to be had to the drawings left with my Provisional Specification and
also to the accompanying drawings in which A B, Figure 1, or A' B', Figure 2, is
the driving wheel axle of a tricycle; CD, Figure 1, or C D', Figure 2, is one of
the chain wheels on which runs the driving chain V, Figure 1, or V¹; Figure 2;
EF, Figure 1, or E¹ F, Figure 2, is a chain wheel of, say, half the diameter
of CD or CD driven by another chain V₁, Figure 1, or V; Figure 2. These

page_text: wheels are keyed on axle A B, Figure 1, or A' B' Figure 2, on opposite sides of
the bearing P, Figure 1, or P1, Figure 2. The other wheel cd, Figure 1, or c¹ d',
Figure 2, on which chain V or V₁ runs is of, say, half the diameter of wheel C D
or C D and is loose on the treadle axle G H, Figure 1, or G' H', Figure 2. It
will be evident that, for every revolution of wheel c d or c¹ d', the wheel C D
or CD will only make half a revolution. The other wheel e f, Figure 1, or el f',
Figure 2, on which chain V' or V" runs is of double the diameter of wheel E F
or E' F' and is also loose on axle G H or G¹ H' so that, for every revolution of
wheel e for e¹ f', wheel E F or E' F' will make two revolutions. Therefore, if
rotary motion be imparted by any suitable means to wheel c d or c' d', wheel C D
or CD will revolve at half the speed of the former and as the wheel e for e' f¹
is loose on the axle it will offer no impediment. If, on the other hand, rotary
motion be imparted to wheel e for e¹¹, the wheel c d or c d being loose on its
axle, wheel E F or E¹ F will revolve at twice the speed of the wheel e for e¹ f
For ascending an incline, the first motion would be employed which has a speed
four times less than that of the second and requires an expenditure of one-fourth of
the power, whilst for travelling on a level or down hill the second motion is
employed having a speed four times greater than that of the first.
As the speed
depends upon the relative diameters of the chain wheels, the one motion may be
either double or triple that of the other.
"
As the
The method of substituting the one gear for the other is as follows;-The
wheels d, Figure 1, or c' d', Figure 2 and e f Figure 1 or e', f Figure 2 are loose
on the treadle axle G H or G H which is free to slide longitudinally in its
bearings; in order that it may be engaged with one or other of the said chain
wheels. In Figure 1, this is effected by clutches, formed by lugs i on the crank
arms, engaging between pins jj, fixed in the chain wheels. In Figure 1, the
clutch k is thus thrown into gear with wheel e while the other clutch L is out of
gear, the wheel e f being thus coupled to the axle G H while the wheel cd remains
free. By rotating the axle G H by means of the treadles m, the wheel e f
through the chain V1 will drive the wheel axle A B the wheel c d turning on the
axle G H by the motion imparted to it from the chain wheel C D.
wheel E F is supposed to be half the diameter of the wheel ef by which it is
driven, each revolution of the treadle will produce two revolutions of the driving
wheels and the velocipede is "geared up "for travelling on levels or descending
inclines. In order to "gear down," the crank axle is slid in the direction of the
arrow S, Figure 1, until the clutch K is disengaged and the clutch L is engaged
at n. The wheel cd then drives the axle A B through chain V and wheel CD
and wheel e f is loose. As the diameter of c d is only half that of CD, the latter
will only make half a revolution for one revolution of the crank, the motion of the
driving wheels being then four times slower than before and ouly requiring an
expenditure of one-fourth of the power. The velocipede is thus "geared down."
Figures 5, 6, 6, 7, 7bis, and 8, shew detached views of the clutch gear above
described.
In Figure 2, the clutch dog i¹ is midway between the two wheels c' d'e' f' in
which position neither of said wheels is in gear. This occurs in changing from one
gear to the other, it being necessary that the one wheel shall not be thrown into
gear until the other one is completely disengaged. To "gear up," the axle is
shifted so as to bring the face m of clutch dog up to face k of the wheel e¹ and
engaged between the pins while the wheel c' d' remains loose. To" gear down,"
the face n of the clutch dog is brought up to face of wheel c d while the
wheel eis put out of gear.
In Figure 1 the sliding movement of the crank axle is effected by means of a
hand lever y, Figure 3, pivoted at o whose tail end engages in a groove, but any
other means may be employed, such for example as the slide rod at, Figure 4,
engaging in a groove z¹ and operated by a hand lever which is in all cases, secured
in the one or other position, as will be hereinafter referred to.
To prevent the wheels c d e j, Figure 1, or c¹ d'e' f¹, Figuré 2, moving with the

page_text: treadle axle, each of said wheels has a collar o o' at back, Figures 1 and 2,
(separately represented in face view in Figures 5 and 7) engaging in grooves in the
bearings u', shewn in section in Figures 1 and 2. Or, instead of grooving the
bearing it may be recessed to receive the collar and engage therewith by a set
screw, as shewn in Figure 12. When ball bearings are used, as in Figure 13, the
balls B would suffice to retain the wheels.
This two speed gear may be applied to all kinds of velocipedes. It is simple and
inexpensive and simply needs the addition of a chain, chain wheels, and clutch lever
to adapt the velocipede for travelling over all kinds of roads.
Figure 9 represents a rear driving safety bicycle having the two-speed gear
applied. The chain wheel a is fixed on the near end of the driving wheel hub and
is geared by the chain with wheel of twice its diameter. The chain wheel d,
fixed on the opposite end of the driving wheel hub, is similarly geared with wheel e
of half its diameter. Both these wheels be are on the axle of the crank c, the
longitudinal sliding motion of which, for gearing "up or "down," is effected by
the hand lever /, all as above described.
22
Figure 10 represents a tricycle provided with the two-speed gear. The small
wheel a on the driving axle with the large wheel on the crank axle and the
connecting chain are for "gearing up" and the large wheel e on the driving axle
with the small wheel d on the crank axle and the other connecting chain are for
"gearing down." The change of gear is effected by means of the hand lever f.
The same arrangements may be applied to all kinds of velocipedes.
Instead of wheels and chains as described toothed gearing may be employed, of
which an example, as applied to a tricycle, is shewn in Figure 11, wherein A Bare
the treadles and C D the crank axle; F G double bevel pinion keyed on axle CD.
I bevel wheel and J bevel pinion, both keyed on driving wheel axle H; KO bevel
pinions keyed on shaft L and gearing respectively with wheel I and with the near
side M of the double pinion F G; PR bevel pinion and wheel keyed on shaft
the wheel R gearing with pinion J on the driving wheel axle ; S hand lever pivoted
at V and engaging by the tail end T with a collar M' on the crank axle C D for
sliding the latter longitudinally in its bearings in order to throw the double
pinion FG out of gear with pinion O and into gear with pinion P when it is desired
to change the speed. In the position shewn, the tricycle is "geared down," the
pinion F G driving, through the pinion O shaft L pinion K and wheel I. To
gear up," the crank axle CD is slid by means of hand lever S until pinion F G
is moved out of gear with pinion O and into gear with pinion P and drives, through
shaft wheel R and pinion J.
66
The mechanism is simple and strong and enables the chains and their tension
devices used in the previous arrangement to be dispensed with.
OBSERVATIONS.
In Figure 1 the lugs which put the wheels c d e f in or out of gear are on the
crank arms, but it is preferable, for the sake of compactness, to reduce the length of
the crank axle and place the lugs between the two chain wheels, as shewn in
Figure 2. It is also preferred in all cases, to place the grooved collar by which the
clutch is operated between the wheels, as in Figure 13, in which V are the dises of
the clutch & the groove in which the hand lever engages and T T the lugs engaging
respectively with the large and small wheels. In order to reduce friction the tail
end of the hand lever is provided with a friction roller M' (Figure 11) or M
(Figure 18). Figure 14 is a face view of the clutch, Figure 13. The lugs T
project from the clutch discs and engage in apertures i in the wheels. This
arrangement is intended as a substitute for that represented at ij, Figures 1 and 2,
although less strong. Another and preferable arrangement of clutch is shewn in
Figure 18 in which a lug t on each of the flanges of the collar P (see Figure 21)
respectively engage between lugs t' on the wheels A and B.
Figure 15 shews the tension device for the chains; a tension rod jointed at V to

page_text: the treadle bearing hanger c and G a fork fixed to the frame, in the slot o o¹ of
which (Figure 16) the rod a is engaged by a nut e having a spherical bearing s
lodged in the semi-circular fork G, the connection being ensured by the nut e.
This spherical bearing permits of angular motion of the rod a without binding in
fork G.
Figure 17 represents the clutch operating lever consisting of the arms A Con
shaft B journaled at o o in a frame PR which should be fixed to the bearings of
the treadle axle when chains are employed, on account of their adjustability;
E latch pivoted at D to the arm A and caused by a spring m to engage by a lug S
in a notch V in a disc F on the end N of the framing. The other arm C terminates
in a friction roller M which engages in the clutch G, Figure 13, or as shewn in
Figures 11 and 18. By grasping the lever A and latch E together in the hand, the
spring m is compressed and lugs disengaged from its notch V so as to allow of the
lever being oscillated for the purpose of operating the clutch. A notch V is
provided in disc F for each position of the lever so as to hold the lever locked and
prevent any longitudinal movement of the treadle axle. Figure 20 represents a
inore simple arrangement. SS are brackets fixed to the hanger P in which is
mounted in bearings n a rod T capable of rotating therein and also of being raised
so as to cause the stud o to abut against the bracket. M is a friction roller which
bears against the clutch G which is of the kind represented in Figure 18. D is a
rigid arm engaging in notches X', X', Figure 20s, in a bar C. R spring tending
to draw down the rod T and hold the rigid arm D in the notch X. Supposing the
parts to be in this position when using the fast motion, in order to substitute the
slow motion the rod T is first raised by means of its handle M so as to compress
the spring R and raise the rigid arm D out of its notch X, after which the rod T
is turned so as to cause the arm D to abut against the end Z, Figure 20s, and then
pushed down so as to engage the arm D in the notch X' by which means the lug on
the clutch will be inserted between the two lugs of the other chain wheel and the
speed will then be changed. This arrangement is represented in the tricycle shewn
in Figure 10. In Figure 19 the rod T is dispensed with, A. B being two lever
handles pivoted together at C, the act of grasping which by the hand raises rod E,
jointed at D and N, and with it a latch F pivoted at J and against the pressure of
spring whereupon latch F is released from its notch X for example and a torsional
movement is applied so as to engage the latch in notch X', Figure 20s. This
mechanism is more complicated than the preceding but is more easily operated.
Another improvement relates to the means of fixing the seat support. In
Figure 26, S is the seat support in the stem of which are formed notches o and
also a groove n, as shewn in cross-section in Figure 27, to receive the set screw V
(Figure 22) which prevents the seat support from turning when introduced in the
socket T, Figure 22, provided at one side with a plate t (Figure 24) upon which is
placed a sliding plate P secured thereon by slots and screws V said plate being
formed with a notch e which is caused by sliding the plate P in the direction of the
arrow (Figure 22) to correspond with the orifice of the socket T and enable the
stem of the scat support to be introduced therein. The point of the screw V enters
the grooven and the seat support S can be lowered to the desired extent after which
it is fixed by sliding the plate P in the reverse direction, so as to engage it in one
of the notches o (Figure 26). R is a spring placed beneath plate t provided with a
head M by which the plate P is prevented from shifting. Thus supported the seat
is not liable to be loosened by jolts while it can be readily elevated or lowered.
Instead of sliding the crank axle in its bearings in order to produce the change
of speed, a sliding motion may be imparted to the clutch only by the hand lever
before described, as shewn in Figures 21 bis 22 and 23, for which purpose the
clutch is connected to the crank axle by a key 7 sliding in a groove d in said axle.
This clutch gear may also be adapted to the bevel gear driving mechanism before
described, by making a circular groove in the double bevel pinion to receive the
friction roller of the hand lever, by means of which it may be put in gear with one
or other set of gearing for producing the fast or slow motion as desired.

page_text: Figures X, Y, P, O, shew face and edge views of modified forms of the tension
device for the driving chains.
In Figure Xab are the chain wheels and c d the frame in which they are
mounted. p is a tension roller over which the chain passes, mounted on one arm e
of an elbow lever jointed to the frame c whose other arm f is provided with a
slot to allow of adjusting the tension roller p for the purpose of regulating the
tension of the chain.
Figure P shews a face view of another form of tension device in which c d is
the frame as before, e f an arm depending therefrom having a slot o in which the
tension roller -p is capable of being adjusted and secured by means of a screw.
and-nut.
Figure. O is an edge view of this arrangement. This tension device may be
mounted either upon the framing or fork or upon an additional frame provided for
the purpose.
In this manner the tension of each chain may be separately effected
as each chain would be provided with its own tension device.
Figures Rand S shew modified forms of the clutch operating levers before
described.
In Figure S; abd is a lever pivoted at o provided with a handle a at its upper.
end and terminating in an oblique blade.
Figure U shews in cross-section the position d' of rod a d and the position e¹ of
blade e.
x, z, is the clutch lever pivoted at o' provided at its extremity = with a
friction roller G for acting on the clutch collar and bent at its opposite end a which
is provided with a slit at, Figure T, in which the blade e on the lever a d engages.
The blade being oblique on oscillating the lever a d a similar movement is imparted
to the lever whereby the clutch is put in or out of gear.
d
The lever a
may also terminate in a cam surface, as shewn at e¹, x¹, Figure V.
In this case the rock lever x z would have a slotted end n with which the cam
surface e¹¹ engages. Thus on turning rod a d, the rock lever z will be oscillated
on its pivot and so throw the clutch in or out of gear but in order that the clutch
may be thrown into gear automatically and automatically produce the change of
speed it is necessary either to make hand lever a d, Figure S, flexible from c to d or
to make the clutch lever a z flexible from a to o¹ or from o' to z. With a similar
object either the lever a d, Figure V, should be made flexible or elastic from o to d
or the clutch lever xz, Figures V and 7, from to o' or from o¹ to z.
Figure Q shews the means of fixing the hand lever a b in each of its two extreme
positions by engaging in notches n n in the slotted guide s, for which purpose the
hand lever would be made flexible from a to (Figure S). Spoked chain wheels
may be employed in which case the arms t t¹, Figure W, of the clutch sliding on
the treadle axle between the wheels would be made of sufficient length and breadth
and be curved at their ends v¹, Figure W¹, so as to engage between two adjacent
spokes and so gear the one or other wheel with the axle.
In tandems, tricycles, and quadricycles, ridden by two or more persons, the clutch
gear may be dispensed with and both the fast and slow motions be operated
simultaneously by different persons. Thus in a tandem where the riders are placed
one in front of the other, the front rider may drive the fast speed, and the rear rider
the slow speed, gear or vice-versa. The same arrangement may also be adopted for
tricycles or quadricycles whatever may be the arrangement of the seats. In
quadricycles either the front or hind wheels or both may be drivers but in the latter
case the fast speed pinion would be keyed on the hind wheel axle and the slow
speed pinion on the front wheel axle or vice versa.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
-
In the herein described two-speed gear for velocipedes―
1st. The employment, with the chain gear, of chain wheels loose on the treadle

page_text: 2nd. The clutch revolving with the treadle axle and sliding thereon between the
chain wheels to actuate the one or other of said wheels for producing the change of
speed as described whatever may be the form of clutch employed;
3rd. Arranging the treadle axle to slide in its bearings when the treadle arms
engage directly with the loose chain wheels the clutch being in this case fast on
treadle axle ;
4th. Dispensing with the clutch collar between the two toothed wheels and
causing the treadle arms to engage directly and successively with the toothed
wheels by means of clutch dogs fixed to or sliding upon said treadle arms and
capable of being arrested when engaging the wheel to drive it or when disengaged
therefrom to leave it free on the axle ;
5th. The arrangement for enabling the fast and slow speeds to be operated
simultaneously in tandems tricycles and quadricycles;
6th. The tension device with roller mounted either upon the fork or frame of the
machine or otherwise, whereby one or other of the driving chains may be separately
put in tension ;
7th. A clutch-operating gear consisting of a hand lever and rock lever engaging
in the grooved collar of the clutch for the purpose of sliding it upon the
treadle axle ;
8th. The clutch gear operated by hand until the clutch dog engages with the
chain wheel and also the clutch gear whereof the hand lever is a spring or the rock
lever a spring so as to throw the clutch dog automatically into engagement with
the spokes of the loose wheels ;
9th. The herein described fast and slow speed toothed gear without chains;
10th. Any other arrangements contained in this Specification which are new in
their application to velocipedes.
Dated thin onth J. LI
1001