Improvements in the Pedal Cranks and Axle of a Velocipede.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 28th July, 1896-Accepted, 5th Sept., 1896
[Communicated from abroad by THE LACKAWANNA WHEEL COMPANY, of
Scranton, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, United States of America.]
Improvements in the Pedal Cranks and Axle of a Velocipede.
1, OLIVER IMRAY, of No. 28, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in-
the County of London, Chartered Patent Agent, 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 a construction of the pedal cranks and in axle of a.
velocipede as I shall describe referring to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is a central longitudinal section through the barrel for the pedal axle.
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through the barrel and sleeve.
Fig. 3 is a side view of the sprocket crank.
Fig. 4 a transverse section on line 4-4 Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a section shewing a modification.
Fig. 6 is a perspective of the spindle.
A is the barrel for reception of the pedal axle having in it a sleeve B centrally
supported by ball bearings C. The ends b of sleeve B project beyond the barrel
and are screw-threaded, the threads on opposite ends being respectively right.
and left hand.
Through the sleeve B, and fitting closely therein is the crank spindle D,.
which projects at both ends beyond the ends of the sleeve the projecting ends
being wedge shaped as at d, to fit into corresponding holes e, in the bosses of the
pedal cranks E. The bosses of the cranks are screw threaded to fit on the
threaded ends of the sleeve B.
In putting the parts together the sleeve B is first centered in the barrel and is.
prevented from turning by meeting a pin Z as shewn in Fig. 2. The spindle D is.
then put into the sleeve and the cranks are simultaneously screwed by turning
them in same direction upon the ends of the sleeve B, the cranks being thus drawn
toward each other until the wedge ends of the spindle fit in to the sockets e of the
cranks. The pin Z is then removed. Thus the cranks are firmly fixed on the
spindles D the sleeve B serving both to unite the cranks and also to bind them
on the ends of the spindle.
All side or lateral strain on the threaded ends of the sleeve being prevented by
the close fit between the cranks the crank-spindle and the sleeve. The cranks
being directly fastened to the spindle, the strain from one crank to the other is
communicated through a solid spindle and not upon the threads or the sleeve,
and the sockets of the cranks being strongly c constructed and drawn firmly on the
sleeve, the parts cannot be easily injured a fall of the wheel. The drawing
of the cranks upon the tapered wedge ends of the crank shaft makes the joints.
so close that there is no play of the cranks upon the spindle or in relation to
each other, and so long as the sleeve is free to revolve in the barrel the cranks.
cannot loosen or turn off, for being held by oppositely threaded screws, and being
firmly united to the spindle by the tapered sockets they cannot be turned
independently of each other.
The employment of a solid spindle though not essential is obviously of great.
advantage in respect of strength and economy of construction, and all the parts
are such that they can be easily prepared by ordinary tools; and can be put.
together without special tools.

page_text: The construction described is simple, very strong, durable, and economical, and
the parts so constructed when properly put together are, as firm as if made of a
single piece of metal.
One of the cranks has arms E' radiating from its boss to receive a sprocket
wheel rim F.
Fig. 5 illustrates a modification by making the spindle integral with, one of the
cranks; the other parts and connections remaining the saine.
I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein shewn and described, as
various modifications may be made therein while retaining all the essential features
of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a velocipede the combination of the crank spindle having wedge ends, and
the detachable cranks having holes in their bosses fitting the ends of the spindle
with a sleeve fitted on the shaft and having oppositely screw threaded ends
engaging corresponding threaded holes in the crank bosses, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
2. In a velocipede the combination of a crank and spindle the spindle having a
wedge end, and a second crank, fitted on the wedge end of the spindle with a
sleeve closely fitting around the spindle and having oppositely screw-threaded ends
fitted into threaded holes in the crank bosses substantially as and for the purpose
Bet forth.
3. The combination of the barrel of a velocipede the rotatible sleeve mounted
therein and having its projecting ends oppositely screw threaded and the spindle
fitted in and projecting beyond the sleeve, with the cranks fitted but not capable
of rotating on the ends of the spindle, and having internally threaded holes in
their bosses engaging the screwed ends of the sleeve substantially as described.
Dated this 28th day of July 1896.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.