Improved Method of and Apparatus for Driving Cycles.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 15th July, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 10th Apr., 1891-Accepted, 11th July 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Improved Method of and Apparatus for Driving Cycles.
I EDMUND FRANCIS VESEY Ross Agent for Scottish Widows' Fund Life
Insurance Society 7 Wellington Place Belfast Ireland do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of the invention is to raise the up moving treadle of a bicycle or
tricycle by means of a hand worked lever consisting of a section of a wheel (with
handle attached) moving on ball bearings round the handle bar on the left side and
the same on the right side. This wheel-section is connected with the treadle, by
strapping or piece of wire attached to the treadle, or to a steel crank joined to the
treadle or wheel. The object of using a wheel-section is to gather up the leather or
wire as the treadle rises. From the centre of the wheel to the circumference is
about 10 inches perhaps less perhaps more. The intention of the invention is to
give an independent aid to the working of the feet e.g. when the right foot goes
down the left hand is levering up the left treadle; when the left foot goes down the
right hand is levering up, thus increasing the speed of the machine.
14th July 1890.
EDMUND FRANCIS VESEY ROSS.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Apparatus for Driving Cycles.
I EDMUND FRANCIS VESEY Ross Gentleman of 7 Wellington Place Belfast
Ireland 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 nature of the invention is a speed accelerator for bicycles or tricyles in form
of a hand-lever with more or less of a rowing action, & placed on either or both
sides of cycle.
The object of the invention is to raise and lower cycle pedal by hand (with or
without foot action). A piece of light tubing about 14 inches long (with handle at
end) moves up and down upon a ball-bearing (or plain bearing) which is fitted to a
crank fastened in front of the end of the handle-bar. In other words the ball-
bearing is fitted to an attachment that runs out in front of the handle-bar about
parallel to the brake-spoon. This piece of light tubing (wheel-lever) is connected
with the pedal by another piece of tubing (or connecting rod). The connecting rod
is joined to wheel-lever and pedal-pin by ball-bearings (or plain bearings) at each
end. The pedal-pin is long and projects outside the pedal some inches and is bent
so as to form an extension of the axle-crank. See Fig. 3. B is the axle crank.
CD end of long pedal pin. Lever is attached at D. When the pedal is down the
pedal-pin bend is down, or back, or down and back, as best suits machine.
The points of juncture may be globe i.e. ball socket bearings &c. instead of ball
bearings in the case of rear drivers &c. for the better enabling of the driving wheel
to turn.
Fig. I A, hand lever. B, connecting rod.
Fig. II A, handlebar. B, crank or rod attachment to handle bar. C, ball-
bearing at connection point (at which point hand-lever is attached).
Fig. III A, pedal. B axle crank. CD crank attachment to pedal. D ball
bearing at connection point (at which point connecting rod is attached).
Fig. 1 does not show the attachment of lever to bicycle for this purpose. Figs. II

page_text: and III were drawn. Figs. II and III show the attachment cranks. The axle
crank is not a part of my invention. The term axle crank is merely my expression
for the bicycle crank from axle to pedal to distinguish it from my own crank
attachment from pedal to lever. Figs. II and III are drawn so as to suit any
bicycle or tricycle.
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
I. The result of extending the arm of a lever viz. that the 'fling' is also extended
to an awkward extent, is obviated by the combination of the hand lever with the
axle lever. (The axle lever is B running down from the bicycle axle and continued
to C D. Fig. III) i.e. the third order of lever with the first; the circular motion of
the hand being lessened by the extension of the hand lever in front of the handle
bar (Fig. II shows at B the attachment point for lever) notwithstanding the
increased length of the axle lever. In other words the extension of the hand lever
in front of handle bar to ball-bearing at B Fig. 11 (with regard to the extended
fling of the crank B C D Fig. III) lessens the excessive circular motion of the
hand.
II. The application of ball-bearings to handle bar and joints.
III. The whole apparatus.