Improvements in Means for Adjusting the Tension of the Driving Chains of Velocipedes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Aug., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 23rd May, 1898-Accepted, 23rd July, 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for Adjusting the Tension of the Driving
Chains of Velocipedes.
I, GEORGE TOWNSEND, of Aston Cantlow Mills, Alcester, Redditch, in the
County of Warwick, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved device for adjusting the position of the
driving wheel or wheels of velocipedes with respect to the frame carrying it or
them for the purpose of adjusting or varying the tension of the driving chain.
The back fork terminates on each side in the usual slotted end piece for the
reception of the axle of the driving wheel which is carried in an eye fixed to or
attached to a threaded shank adapted to be adjusted by means of a nut bearing
against an end cap attached to the free end of the slotted piece. The eye which
carries the axle of the driving wheel is of such a width or thickness and so
recessed or channeled as to allow it to slide freely in and between the slot of the
end piece so that it can take a bearing on each side thereof and yet allow for a
greater length of adjustment than usual as it is capable of sliding up to almost
the extreme end of the slot. The eye is also cut through the centre of its width
to within a short distance of its point of attachment to the screw threaded shank so
as to allow of it firmly engaging each side of the slotted end piece when the outer
nut on the axle is tightened after the adjustment of the chain has been made.
It will be seen that by this construction the usual washer may be dispensed with.
The side of the eye that is adapted to be next to the driving wheel is preferably
recessed to receive a portion of the axle before it is reduced and screw threaded
to receive the locking nut, so as to give the eye a better bearing on the axle.
The end cap, against which the adjusting nut threaded on the shank of the
eye takes a bearing and through which the threaded shank passes, is cut away or
recessed in such a manner as to allow the sides of the cut away portions to engage
with the sides or edges of similar recesses formed, in an opposite direction, in
each side of the slot in the end of the slotted piece or the end of the cap may
interlock in any other suitable manner with the end of the slotted piece so long
as it is kept in a true and central position thereon and so provides a means
whereby the eye and shank are kept in a perfectly true and central position within
the slot.

page_text: C
Improvements in Means for Adjusting the Tension of the Driving
Chains of Velocipedes.
I, GEORGE TOWNSEND, of Aston Cantlow Mills, Alcester, Redditch, in the
County of Warwick, Manufacturer, 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 an improved device for adjusting the position of the
driving wheels of velocipedes with respect to the frames carrying them, for the
purpose of adjusting or varying the tension of the driving chain.
In the accompanying drawing which illustrates this invention:-
Figure 1 is a broken view in side elevation of the rear end of the back fork of a
velocipede fitted with this invention, and
Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 are detail views thereof in side elevation, back elevation,
front elevation and plan respectively.
Throughout the views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
The back fork X terminates on each side in the usual slotted end piece ✗1 for
the reception of the axle Y of the driving wheel the ends of which engage with
the eyes A of eye bolts a which pass through caps C bearing against the ends of
the slotted pieces ✗X' and are adjustable by means of nuts 13.
The eyes A of the eye bolts a are each of sufficient thickness to allow of their
having recesses or channels a cut or formed in their edges to permit them to fit
and slide freely in the slots of the pieces X' taking a bearing on each side
thereof. The eyes A are also cut or split through the centre of their widths as
clearly shown on Figures 3 and 5 so as to give them transverse elasticity and
allow them to firmly engage each side of the slotted piece X' when the nut Y'
on the axle Y is tightened after the adjustment of the chain has been made. It
will be seen that by this construction the usual washer may be dispensed with.
In that side of the eye of each eye bolt, adapted to be the inner side when in
position, I preferably form a recess a² to receive the shoulder of the axle Y in
order to afford a better support to the axle but this is not obligatory.
The end caps C through which the eye bolts pass and against which the
adjusting nuts B threaded thereon take a bearing, are preferably interlocked with
the ends of the slotted end piece X' to keep the eye bolts in a true and central
position in the slots x. To this end the caps Care formed with projecting
pieces cc in which are cut longitudinally arranged grooves or channels c which
engage with the ends of the slotted pieces X', in which similar recesses ¹ are cut
or formed to receive the projecting pieces c, c.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
(1) In a device for adjusting the tension of the driving chains of velocipedes
consisting of adjustable eye bolts, forming recesses or channels in the edges of
the eyes of the bolts and splitting them to adapt them to fit and slide in the slots
in the back fork ends, and to be clamped thereto when the nuts on the ends of
the axle are tightened up, as and for the purpose -set forth.
(2) An improved device for adjusting the tension of the driving chains of
velocipedes, consisting essentially of eye bolts a the eyes A of which are adapted
to carry the driving wheel axle, each eye having a recess or channel «³ in its edge
and each being cut or split longitudinally, and of caps C engaging with the ends

page_text: of the slotted pieces X¹ to form abutments for the adjusting nuts B to bear
against, as set forth.
(3) For a chain adjusting device an eye bolt, the eye of which is recessed or
channelled and slotted in the manner and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 23rd day of May 1898.
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS, Assoc.M.Inst. C.E., M.I.Mech.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.