Improvements in Driving Mechanism for Bicycles and the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Aug., 1896-Accepted, 14th Nov., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Driving Mechanism for Bicycles and the like.
I, ALBERT DESOHAMPS of Lisieux, France, 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 :-
The object of my invention is a new arrangement whereby the endless chain is
suppressed and a greater motive power imparted.
In order that my invention may be more clearly understood reference is made to
the accompanying drawing in which:
Fig. 1 shows a bicycle seen from the right provided with my new driving
mechanism.
Fig. 2 shows the driving mechanism detached seen from the left, and
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the driving mechanism.
In those figures the same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
On the side A B and on the side CD of the frame of the bioycle is a bearing E
solidly fixed intended to recoive the shaft carrying the pinion N and the driving
whool.
Over this bearing E is likewise placed another bearing H for receiving the toothed
wheel M. Those bearings E and H are held by brackets solidly fixed in any
convenient way to the sides A B and C D of the frame which may be of any
desirable shape.
The toothed wheel M is provided with a crank pin on which is fixed a connecting
rod J which is actuated by a pedal lover K the fulcrum of which is pivoted in L
on the prolongation of the sides A B and C D of the frame.
The end of each of the levers is provided with a pedal or with a paddle or
plate at will.
The arrangement just described is that of the right side of the bicycle.
The arrangement of the left side (see Fig. 2) is in all respects similar to the
aforesaid except as regards the crank pin which must be placed so us to allow of
an alternate movement being given to the pedals in order to avoid the dead point.
The levers may be of any convenient shape, straight or curved and must be
placed so as to act on the connecting rod by traction.
To set the machine working the velocipedist acts on the pedal levers K, the
lever K pivots round the point L and acts on the connecting rod J in this way
turning the toothed wheel M which transmits the movement to the pinion N
joined to the driving wheel of the bicycle which by this means is set in movement.
The velocipedist acting alternately on the pedals of the levers K the motive
power continues without interruption. This driving mechanism may be applied to
all velocipedes, tandems &c., with any number of wheels whatever. Moreover all
the gearings are placed at the interior of the frame and so protected from all
kinds of damage.
It is evident that the gearings may be placed at any convenient part of the
frame either at the front or back, above or below the driving wheel or inside or
outside the said frame and the connecting rods may act by traction or pressure according
to the position of the said gearings.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what mannor the same is to be performed I declare that what I
laim is :-
1. In a driving mechanism for velocipedes a toothed wheel M actuated by means

page_text: of a connecting rod by a lever K oscillating round a pivot I substantially as
above described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
2. In a driving mechanism for velocipedes a toothed wheel M notuated by means
of a connecting rod J by a lever K oscillating round a pivot L gearing with a
toothed pinion N fixod on the driving wheel of the bicycle substantially as above
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 28th day of August 1896.
A. H. REED,
Agent for Applicant.