Improvements in Means for Multiplying the Revolutions of an Object Driven by a Crank Pin or Handle.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Aug., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 12th May, 1893-Accepted, 12th Oct., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for Multiplying the Revolutions of an
Object Driven by a Crank Pin or Handle.
I, WILLIAM SHEARS, of The George and Dragon Hotel, Thames Ditton, in the
County of Surrey, Licensed Victualler, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in means for multiplying the revolutions
of a crank axle with relation to those of the crank pin or handle, and has for its
object primarily to obtain a simple and compact means of multiplying the revolutions
of the crank axle of a velocipede with relation to those of the crank and pedals,
and, for convenience, I will describe my invention in that connection.
For this purpose, I mount the crank loosely upon the crank axle or hub preferably
by means of ball bearings, and I form or fix upon the hub of the driving wheel, a
toothed wheel, and, along the entire length of the crank, I arrange a series of
smaller toothed wheels or pinions gearing together and terminating in a toothed
wheel formed upon a sleeve mounted loosely upon the pedal pin and fixed to the
pedal.
The crank I, by preference, form hollow, in which case, I arrange the toothed
gearing upon the interior thereof, or, it might be arranged upon the exterior thereof,
and, if desired, covered with a light removeable cover.
Or, in some cases, in lieu of toothed gearing I may employ a chain wheel upon
the hub of the driving wheel, and a smaller chain wheel upon the sleeve of the
pedal spindle and gear these chain wheels by means of an endless chain.
This arrangement of parts gives in effect a sun and planet movement, whilst, by
reason of the whole of the gearing being contained within, or within the area of,
the crank, I obtain a compact and efficient means of multiplying the revolutions of
the driving wheel with relation to those of the pedal.
Dated this 12th day of August 1892.
VAUGHAN & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for Multiplying the Revolutions of an
Object Driven by a Crank Pin or Handle.
I, WILLIAM SHEARS, formerly of The George and Dragon Hotel, Thames
Ditton, but at present of Hampton Lodge Brighton Road Surbiton both in the
County of Surrey, Builder, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
My said invention relates to improvements in means for increasing or multiplying
the revolutions of a crank axle with relation to those of the crank pin pedal or
handle, and has for its object primarily to obtain a simple and compact means of
increasing or multiplying the revolutions of the driving wheel of a velocipede with
relation to those of the crank and pedals, and, for convenience, I will describe my
invention in that connection.
For this purpose, I mount the crank loosely upon the axle or hub, preferably by
means of ball bearings, and I form or fix upon the hub of the driving wheel, a
toothed wheel, and along the entire length of the crank, I arrange a series of

page_text: smaller toothed wheels or pinions gearing together and terminating in a toothed
wheel formed upon a sleeve mounted loosely upon the pedal pin and fixed to the
pedal.
The crank I, by preference, form hollow, in which case I arrange the toothed
gearing upon the interior thereof, or, it might be arranged upon the exterior
thereof, and, if desired, covered with a light removeable cover.
Or, in some cases, in lieu of toothed gearing, I may employ a chain wheel upon
the hub of the driving wheel, and another chain. wheel upon the sleeve of the pedal
spindle and gear these chain wheels by means of an endless chain.
And, in order that the said invention may be more clearly understood and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed, aided by the accompanying drawings, more fully
to describe the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a horizontal section of a portion of a velocipede representing the
application of my invention thereto.
Figure 2 is a transverse section taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 1.
Figures 3 and 4 are similar views to Figures 1 and 2, but representing the
substitution of chain gearing for toothed wheels.
Figure 5 is a similar view to Figure 1, but representing a further modification in
the gearing employed, and,
Figure 6 is a similar view to Figure 1, representing a modification in the arrange-
ment of parts.
In the several figures, like parts are indicated by similar letters of reference.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a represents the fork, b represents the hub of the
driving wheel which is formed with extensions b' to run within the fork bearings,
and e represents the crank axle which runs loosely within the hub b.
In this example, the crank is formed in two parts d d solidly connected together
by the pedal spindle e at the outer end, and by a screw or bolt d' near to the inner
end, whilst the part d of the crank is keyed to the crank axle c and runs loosely
with relation to the hub b.
is
Upon the extension 61 of the hub is. fixed a toothed wheel 62 and between the
toothed wheel 6 and that part of the crank d surrounding the crank axle
formed a race for a cluster of balls bx thus providing a ball bearing between those
parts.
Along the entire length of the crank d are arranged a series of small toothed
wheels or pinions f, the inner one of which is mounted upon the stud or bolt d' and
gears with the toothed wheel 6 of the sleeve b, whilst the others are formed with
short axes taking into corresponding bearings formed in the two parts d, d* of
the crank.
The outer one of these toothed wheels or pinions of gears with a pinion g³ fixed
upon a sleeve g¹ mounted loosely upon the pedal pin or spindle e, but fixed with
the pedal g.
66
sun and
The arrangement of parts herein before described gives in effect a
planet" movement, the crank d revolving with the crank axle c, whilst by reason
of the pedal g and pinion g' being held always in a given, or approximately in a
given position, against independent revolution the toothed wheels, and 2 are caused
to revolve by the toothed wheel g* and the revolutions of the hub b and driving
wheel are multiplied or increased with relation to those of the pedal y.
In the example given at Figures 3 and 4, the toothed wheels or pinions f, for
transmitting motion from the sleeve gl of the pedal g to the toothed wheel of the
hub bare substituted by chain gearing.
For this purpose, in lieu of the toothed pinion fixed upon the sleeve gl, a chain
wheel g² is employed, and this chain wheel is by means of a chain f* geared with a
chain wheel f fixed upon the axis of a toothed pinion f, gearing with the toothed
wheel of the hub b, this wheel being formed with short axes mounted in
bearings formed in the two parts d, d* of the crank in a similar manner to that

page_text: employed in connection with the
crank being in this case connected
pedal pin or spindle e.
described with respect to some of the pinions
previous figures, the two parts d, d* of the
together by two bolts or screws and by the
By the employment of the toothed wheel to transmit motion from the chain
wheel to the toothed wheel 2 and hub b, I cause the hub and driving wheel to
be driven in the required direction which it would not be if the chain geared
directly with a chain wheel fixed with the hub b in place of the toothed wheel-2.
In the example given at Figure 5, I have shown a modified arrangement of
gearing for transmitting motion from the pedal pin or spindle e to the hub b.
In this case a mitre wheel is fixed upon the sleeve of the pedal and a
similar but larger wheel is fixed upon the extension of the hub and these
wheels b, gare geared together by means of bevelled pinions x, fixed at opposite
ends of a spindle f* mounted with capability of revolution in bearings formed in
blocks dx fixed to the part d* of the crank d.
In the example given at Figure 6, a separate axle c, is dispensed with, and the
hub b is formed solid and with an extension which constitutes the crank axle and
upon the crank d is formed an extension or sleeve which is mounted in bearings
at the end of the fork, and runs loosely upon the extension of the hub b.
The arrangement of toothed wheels for transmitting motion from the pedal
sleeve gl to the hub b, is similar to that herein before described with respect to
Figures 1 and 2, but in this case the transmitting wheels are all mounted by means
of screws or bolts d' upon the face of the crank d, whilst, in order to exclude dust,
a loose cover is employed which is held in position by means of lugs d and
screws d.
For convenience, I have described my invention in connection with one side of
the driving wheel of a velocipede, but it will, of course, be understood that the
parts are duplicated upon the other side of the machine.
By the means hereinbefore described and by reason of the whole of the gearing
being contained within the area of the crank, I obtain a compact and efficient
means of multiplying or increasing the revolutions of the driving wheel with
relation to those of the pedal.
Although I have described my invention in connection with a velocipede it is
evident that it is equally applicable to other machines where a crank is employed
and that a crank handle might be substituted for the pedal g, and other mechanism
might be substituted for the driving wheel.
I have herein shown and described the best means that I am at present acquainted
with for carrying my invention into effect, but I would have it understood that I do
not confine myself to the precise details herein shown and described, as it will be
evident that the same may be to some extent varied without departing from the
peculiar character of my invention.
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 combination with a wheel or the like to be driven, a crank loosely connected
by its inner end with the wheel at its axis, a pedal or handle loosely connected with
the outer end of the crauk, a toothed wheel or the like fixed with the wheel to be
driven, a toothed wheel or the like fixed with the pedal or handle and a series of
toothed wheels or other gearing carried by the crank for connecting the pedal or
handle with the wheel to be driven, substantially as herein shown and described and
for the purpose stated.
2. In combination with a wheel or the like to be driven, a hollow crank loosely
connected by its inner end with the wheel at its axis, a pedal or handle loosely
connected with the outer end of the crank, a toothed wheel or the like fixed with
the wheel to be driven, a toothed wheel.or the like fixed with the pedal or handle,
and series of toothed wheels or other gearing carried by the crank for connecting
the pedal or handle with the wheel to be driven, all of such toothed wheels or the

page_text: like being enclosed within the hollow crank, substantially as herein shown and
described and for the
purpose stated.
3. In combination with a wheel or the like to be driven, a hub fixed with the
wheel, an axle loosely passing through the hub, a crank by its inner end fixed with
the axle and loose with the hub, a spindle fixed with the outer end of the crank, a
pedal or handle loosely mounted on the spindle, a toothed wheel or the like fixed
with the hub of the wheel to be driven, a toothed wheel or the like fixed with the
pedal or handle and a series of toothed wheels or other gearing carried by the crank
for connecting the pedal or handle with the wheel to be driven, substantially as
herein shown and described and for the purpose stated.
Deted this 19th dov of Mar 1803
VAUGHAN & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.