Improvements in Variable Driving-gear for Bicycles, Tricycles, and similar Machines.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Mar., 1890 ·
Complete Specification Left, 4th Sept, 1890-Accepted, 4th Oct., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Variable Driving-gear for Bicycles, Tricycles, and
similar Machines.
I, RICHARD SAMUEL WOOD of 44 Hyde Street Chorlton Road Hulme Manchester
in the County of Lancaster, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows :-
This invention relates to bicycles tricycles and similar machines in which the driving
wheel is driven from the crank axlo by means of chains and chain wheels and it has
for its object to enable the ratio of the number of revolutions of the crank axle to the
number of the revolutions of the driving wheel in a given time to be altered while the
machine is in use.
In carrying out my invention I mount upon the crank axle in place of the ordinary
chain wheel, a spur pinion, and around this pinion I arrange a ring having internal
and external teeth, the internal teeth of the ring being constructed to gear with the
teeth of the spur pinion. Outside this ring there is also arranged another ring having
internal teeth constructed to gear with the external teeth of the inner ring which is
excentric to the crank axle while the outer ring is concentric therewith. The inner
excentric toothed ring is carried upon a plate to which there is attached a series of
teeth or catches into any one of which there may be entered a detent or stop operated
by suitable levers or rods, so that the plate carrying the inner excentric ring may be
held in a fixed position relatively to the machine, or be liberated so as to rotate bodily
with the crank axle. The outer circumference of the outer toothed ring has suitable
teeth formed upon it to gear with the driving chain and the ring is carried upon two
suitable discs or plates one of which bears upon the boss of the driving pinion or of
the crank shaft whilst through the eye of the other provision is made for connecting
the plate upon which the inner toothed ring is carried to the series of teeth or catches
by means of which the gear is put into and out of operation.
When the apparatus is out of gear, the two toothed rings rotate bodily with the
crank as le, the inner toothed ring always having the same teeth in gear with the same
teeth of the pinion, but when the apparatus is put into gear the pinion drives the inner
ring which in turn drives the outer ring and the speed of the driving wheel will be
reduced, the amount of the reduction being determined by the relative numbers of the
teeth in the pinion and in the two rings.
The variable driving device hereinbefore described is preferred to be substituted for
the ordinary chain wheel on the crank axle but it may if desired be employed in
addition thereto in which case the chain teeth on the outside of the outer ring may be
omitted and the ring be secured to the chain wheel which is mounted upon but is not
secured to the axle.
100
1900
WILLIAM E. HEYS,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Variable Driving-gear for Bicycles, Tricycles, and
similar Machines.
I, RICHARD SAMUEL WOOD of Hulme in the City of Manchester and County of
Lancaster, Mechanical Engineer, 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:-
This invention relates to bicycles tricycles and similar machines in which the driving

page_text: nst the machine is running.
I will describe my improvements with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which
Figure 1 represents part of the framework of a bicycle having my variable driving
gear applied thereto.
Figure 2 is a view of the gear with the cover and the internal gearing wheels
removed;
Figure 3 is a similar view with the cover plate only removed;
Figure 4 is a vertical cross section ;
Figure 5 is an elevation; and
Figure 6 is an end view.
In each of the figures similar letters are employed to refer to similar parts.
In carrying out my invention I dispense with the ordinary chain driving wheel and
mount in its place upon the crank axle, a spur pinion A and around this pinion
I arrange a ring B having both internal and external teeth the internal teeth of the
ring being in gear with the teeth of the pinion A. Outside the ring B there is also
arranged a second ring C having internal teeth constructed to gear with the external
teeth of the ring B. This ring B is carried upon an excentric plate D (which is shewn
in one position in full lines and in the opposite position in dotted lines in Figure 2,)
in such a manner that the ring has a circular displacement with the motion of the
excentric plate but is not rotated thereby. This result is secured by forming a light
flange or annular projection upon one side of the ring B which fits upon and around
the periphery of the excentric plate D. To ensure greater-durability-in-wear,-the-rim
-or-periphery of the plato D may be constructed of steel while the plate itseif may be
constructed of brass or iron; in Figure 4 a steel periphery of the ring B is shewn in
solid black. The excentric plate is provided with a hub in which one or more slots E
are formed (Figures 4 and 5) into which or any one of which a detent or catch F may
be caused to engage so that the plate and the ring thereon may be held in a fixed
position relatively to the machine or be liberated so as to rotate bodily with the crank
axle. One means for effecting the engagement and disengagement of the stop with
the slot E is shewn in Figures 1, 5, and 6, where the stop F is connected to a strap H
pinned to a light rod I the other end of which is secured to a bowl or excentric J
capable of being turned by the handle K. The lower part of the strap H has a returned
perforated part L sliding upon a fixed pin around which a spiral spring is arranged.
When the handle K is turned into the position shewn in full lines in Figure 1, the
strap is pulled upwards and the stop is out of gear with the slot; when however the
handle K is pulled into the position shewn by the dotted outline, the spiral spring
forces the strap downward and brings the stop into engagement with the slot.
The outer circumference of the ring Chas suitable teeth M cut or formed upon it
to gear with the driving chain so that the device may be substituted for the ordinary
driving chain wheel which it does not greatly exceed in weight. This outer ring C
may be partly carried by the casing N and partly by the cover O which together form
a protection for the gearing of the apparatus.
When the stop F is out of engagement with the slot E, the two toothed rings B
and C rotate bodily with the crank axle, the inner toothed ring B always having the
same teeth in gear with the same teeth of the pinion A, but when the apparatus is put
into gear the pinion A drives the ring B which in turn drives the ring C and the
speed of the driving wheel will be reduced, the amount of the reduction being fixed
and determined by the relative number of the teeth in the pinion and in the two
rings B and C which are in gear with each other. Thus, if the driving wheel of the
bicycle or other machine is arranged to run as a 60-inch wheel with the variable
device out of action, and it is desired to run it as a 51-inch wheel when the variable
device is in action, then there will be 13 teeth in the pinion A, 16 teeth in the inner
part of the ring B, 21 teeth in the outer part of that ring, and 24 teeth in the inner

page_text: part of the ring C, or some other numbers having the same relative proportions, that
is to say, the ratio of the reduced speed to the normal speed is as the sum of the
driving teeth to the sum of the driven teeth.
The variable driving device hereinbefore described is preferred to be substituted
for the ordinary driving chain wheel on the crank axle but it may if desired, be
employed in addition thereto, in which case the chain teeth M on the outside of the
ring would be omitted and that ring would be secured to the chain wheel which
would be mounted upon but not fixed to rotate with the axle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is,
(1.) A variable driving device for bicycles tricycles aud similar machines consisting
essentially of the pinion A, the ring B having internal and external teeth and the
ring Chaving internal teeth all constructed arranged and operating substantially as
herein before described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
(2.) The combination and arrangement with the driving chain wheel of a bicycle
or tricycle of an internal toothed ring, a pinion fixed upon the central shaft, an
excentric ring having teeth gearing with the pinion and with the internal toothed
ring respectively, and a catch or device for putting the gearing into and out of action;
substantially as and for the purpose herein before described and as illustrated by the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 26th day of Augnet A 1 1890
WILLIAM E. HEYS,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Mar., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 4th Sept, 1990-Aooopted, 4th Oct., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION,
Improvements in Variable Driving-gear for Bicycles, Tricycles, and
similar Machines.
1, RICHARD SAMUEL Woou of 44 Hyde Street Chorlton Road Hulme Manchester
in the County of Lancaster, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to bicycles tricycles and similar machines in which the driving
wlieel is driven from the crank axle by means of chains and chain wheels and it has
for its object to enable the ratio of the number of revolutions of the crank axle to the
number of the revolutions of the driving wheel in a given time to bo altered while the
machine is in use.
In carrying out my invention I mount upon the orank axle in place of the ordinary
chain wheel, a spur pinion, and around this pinion I arrange a ring having internal
and external teeth, the internal teeth of the ring being constructed to gear with the
toeth of the spar pinion. Outside this ring there is also arranged another ring having
internal teeth constructed to gear with the external teeth of the inner ring which is
excentric to the orank axle while the outer ring is concentric therewith. The inner
excentric toothed ring is carried upon a plate to which there is attached a series of
teeth or catches into any one of which there may be entered a detent or stop operate:
by suitable levers or rods, so that the plate carrying the inner excentric ring may be
beld in a fixed position relatively to the machine, or he liberated so as to rotate bodily
with tho crank axle. The outer oircumference of the outer toothed ring has suitable
teeth formed upon it to gear with the driving chain and the ring is carried upon two
suitable discs or plates one of which bears upon the boss of the driving pinion or of
the crank shaft whilst through the eye of the other provision is made for connecting
the plate upon which the inner toothed ring is carried to the series of teeth or cutches
by means of which the gear is put into and out of operation.
When the apparatus is out of gear, the two toothed rings rotate bodily with the
crank as is, the inner toothed ring always having the same teeth in gear with the same
teeth of the pinion, but when the apparitus le put into gear the pinion drives the inner
ring which in turn drives the outer ring and the speed of the driving wheel will be
redcoed, the amount of the reduction being determined by the relative numbers of the
teeth in the plaion and in the two rings.
The variable driving device hereinhefare described is preferred to be substituted for
the ordinary chain wheel on the crank axe but it may if desired be employed in
addition thereto in which case the chain teeth on the outside of the onter ring may be
omitted and the ring be secured to the chain wheel which is mounted upon but is not
secured to the axle."
Flated this 10th day of Moush AD 1200
WILLIAM E. HEYS,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Variable Driving-gear for Bicycles, Tricycles, and
similar Machines.
1. RICHARD SAMUEL WOOD of Enime in the City of Manchester and (Jounty of
Lancaster, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby deciure the nasure 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 1-
1-
This invention relates to bicycles tricycles and similar machines in which the driving

page_text: means, and it has for its object to enable the ratio of the number of revolutions of the
crank axle to the number of revolutions of the driving wheel in a given time to be
varied whilst the machine is ruquing.
I will describe my improvements with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which
Figure represents part of the framework of a bioyclo having my variable driving
gear applied thereto.
Figure 2 is a view of the gear with the cover and the internal gearing wheels
removed;
Figure 3 is a similar view with the cover plate only removed;
Figure 4 is a vertical cross section;
Figure 5 is an elevation ; and
Figure 6 is an end view.
In each of the ignres similar letters are employed to refer to similar parts.
In carrying out iny invention I dispense with the ordinary chain driving wheel and
mount in its place upon the crank axle, a spur pinion A and around this pinion
I arrange a ring B having both internal and external beoth the internal teeth of the
ring being in gear with the teeth of the pinion A. Outside the ring B there is also
arranged a second ring having internal teeth constructed to gear with the external
toeth of the ring B. This ring B is carried upon an excentric plate D (which is shown
in one position in full. lines and in the opposito position in dotted lines in Figure 2.)
in such a manner thas the ring has a circular displacement with the motion of the
excentric plate but is not rotared thereby. This result is secured by forming a light
flange or annular projection upon one side of the ring B which fits upon and around
the periphery of the excentric plate D. To ensure greater durability in wear, the rim
ar periphery of the plate D may be constructed of steel while the plate itself may be
constructed of brass or iron; in Figure 4a stool periphery of the ring B is shown in
solid black. The excentric plate is provided with a hnh in which one or more slots E
are formed (Figures 4 and 5) into which or any one of which a dolent or catch may
be caused to engage so that the plate and the ring thereon may be held in a Exod
position relatively to the machine or be liberated so as to rotate bodily with the crank
axle. One neune for effecting the engagement and disengagement of the stop with
the slow E is shewn in Figures 1, 5, and 6, where the stop is connected to a strap
pinned to a light rod I the other end of which is secured to a bowl or excentric J
capable of being turned by the handle K. The lower part of the strap II has a returned
perforated part aiding upon a fixed pin around which a spiral spring is arranged.
When the handle K is furned into the position shown in full lines in Figure 1, the
strap is pulled upwards and the stop is out of gear with the slot; when however the
handle is pulled into the position shewn by the dotted outline, the spiral spring
forces the strap downward and brings the stop into engagement with the slot.
The cuter circumference of the ring Q has suitable teeth M cut or formed upon it
to gear with the driving chain so that the device may be substituted for the ordina:
driving chain wheel which it does not greatly exceed in weight. This outer ring C
may be parily carried by the easing N and partly by the cover O which together form.
protection for the gearing of the apparatus.
When the stop. is out of engagement with the alot E, the two toothed ringa B
and C rotate bodily with the crank axle, the inner toothed ring B always having the
same teeth in gear with the same teeth of the pinion A, but when the apparatas is pat
into gear the pinion A drives the ring B which in turn drives the ring O and the
speed of the driving wheel will be reduced, the amount of the reduction being fixed
aud determined by the relative nuinber of the teeth in the pinion and in the two
rings B and C which are in gear with each other. Thus, if the driving wheel of the
bicycle or other machine is arranged to run as a 60-inch wheel with the variable
device out of action, and it is desired to run it as a 51-inch wheel when the variable
sievice is in action, then thero will be 18 teeth in the pinion A, 10 testh in the inner
part of the ring B, 21, teeth in the outer part of that ring, and 24 teeth in the ioner

page_text: part of the ring C, or some other numbers having the same relative proportions, that
is to say, the ratio of the reduced speed to the normal speed is as the sum of the
driving teeth to the sum of the driven teeth.
The variable driving device herein before described is preferred to be substituted
for the ordinary driving chain wheel on the crank axle but it may if desired, be
employed in addition thereto, in which case the chain teath M on the outside of the
ring would be omitted and that ring would be secured to the chain wheel which
would be mounted upon but not fixed to rotate with the axle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is,
(1) A variable driving device for bioycles tricycles attd similar machines consisting
essentially of the pinion A, the ring R having internal and external teeth and the
ring having internal teeth all constructed arranged and operating substancially as
bereinhofore described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
(2.) The combination and arrangement with the driving chain wheel of a bicycle
or tricycle of an internal toothed ring, a pinion Exed upon the central shaft, an
excentric ring Laving teeth gearing with the pinion and with the internal toothed
ring respectively, and a catch or device for putting the gearing into and out of action;
substantially as and for the purpose heretubefore described and as illustrated by the
accompanying drawings.
"Dated this 28th day of Åranst. & D 1800
WILLIAM E. HDYS,
Agent for the Applicant.