Improved Speed Indicator for Cycles and other Wheeled Vehicles.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Dec., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 27th Sept, 1895-Accented, 9th Nov., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Speed Indicator for Cycles and other Wheeled
Vehicles.
1, ANDRE LOUIS NOBL, of 21 Boulevard Poissonnière, Pans, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved apparatus for indicating the speed of
cycles and other wheeled vehicles at any given moment, and its essential principle
consists in the novel application to, and special arrangement for speed indicating
purposes of a centrifugal regulaton, and likewise in the method of fixing the
indicator more particularly upon cycles so as to show the speed attamed at any
moment, and to act as an automatic register.
My improved speed indicator consists of two collais of which the lower one is
keyed upon or otherwise igidly connected to a rotary spindle, whilst the upper
one is movable to a limited extent vertically upon a central stem, but is prevented
from 1otating by vertical guide rods passing through it. These two collnis are
connected by two links each formed of two aims hinged together so as to allow
At
of the movement of the upper collar towards or away from the lower one.
the binged joints of the links are suspended two short rods scrowed to receive
two balls capable of adjustment to any desued position upon them.
Though the centre of the upper collar which is screwed, passes a screw-threaded
stem pivoted at its lower end upon the end of the rotary spindle before mentioned,
and having a suitable bearing provided for its upper extremity. Upon this upper
end the sciew-threaded stem carries a pointer conveniently arranged relatively
to a fixed dial graduated to indicate miles, hilometres or other measures of
distance.
A small spring is arranged at each of the hinged joints of the links for the
purpose of keeping the arms normally extended in approximately a straight line
with cach othei, the other ends of the arms being pivoted in Jugs provided upon
the upper and lower collars respectively. It will be seen that the mechanisin
described nets very similaily to that of ball governors, the upper collar being
moved vertically by the links diven by the rotary spindle, to an extent dependent
upon the varying radial distance of the balls which are subject to centrifugal
force.
The entire action descubed 18 enclosed within a case of metal or other suitable
mater ml, of cucular or other convenient form. A glass front is fitted in the case
10 show the dial and pointer, and a beamng is formed in the lower side of the
case to receive the rotary spindle. This spindle is connected by any convenient
means to one of the wheels or other working parts of the vehicle or machine.
In the case of a velocipede o bicycle for instance the indicator is fixed by menus
of a suitable collar upon one of the arms of the handle bai, and the 10taly
spindle is joined by a connecting rod to a small roller arranged to be rotated
by frictional contact with a crown-wheel concentrically fixed around the axis of
the front wheel of the machine. Near its extremities the connecting-iod is
provided with flexible parts, and in order to hold the small roller constantly in
contact with the crown wheel, a plute-sping is fixed by means of a collat upon
the fork of the machine and arianged to press the roller always against the
crown wheel, at the same time serving to maintain the connect.ng-rod axially

page_text: in a hne with the centre of the wheel A suitable guide fixed above the fork
of the machine is provided for the connecting rod which by reason of its flexible
parts and the arrangement described transmits motion from the wheel of the
machine to the 10tary spindle of the indicator in whatever direction the rod may
be tuned.
In operation, by the revolution of the front wheel and the transmitting
mechanism described, the rotary spindle causes the rotation of the lower collar
and links of the indicator. The balls extend apart by centrifugal force and bring
the movable collar nenier to the lower one This movement actuates the screw-
threaded stem and pointer which indicates the speed upon the dial. In order to
counteract the effect of vibration of the machine upon the balls those latter can
readily be adjusted upon their 1ods by screwing, as found necessary.
Preferably make the working parts of my improved indicator of metal, but
I may use any other suitable material, and I may vary the form of the several
parts in order to adapt the apparatus to different kinds of machines or vehicles.
Dated this Twenty-seventh day of December 1894.
Improved Speed Indicator for Cycles and other Wheeled
Vehioles.
I, ANDRÉ LOUIS NOEL of 21 Boulovard Poissonnière, Paris, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same 18
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by 'the
following statement:―
This invention relates to an improved apparatus for indicating the speed of
cycles and other wheeled vehicles at any given moment, and its essential principle
consists in the novel application to, and special auangement for speed indicating
purposes, of a centrifugal regulator, and likewise in the method of fixing the
indicator more particularly upon cycles so as to show the speed attained at any
- moment and to act as an automatic register.
My improved speed indicator and the manner of constructing and applying
the same will be better understood by referring to the accompanying diawings
upon which
Figure 1 is a vertical section through the axis of the indicator which is shown
at rest. Figure 2 being a horizontal section of Figure 1, through line 1-2.
Figure 3, a sectional elevation shewing the apparatus in action the case being
shewn in section
Figure 4 a plan of the dial or index.
Figmes 5 and 6 an exterior side elevation and an end elevation respectively of
the front part of a bicycle shewing the application of the speed indicator and the
arrangement for connecting the apparatus with the front wheel
As shown on Figures 1 and 2 the improved speed indicator consists of two
collais a and b connected by means of hinged arms or links c c d d upon which
are surewed or otherwise attached the balls e e'.
The lower collar a is gidly connected to the upper end of a rotary spindle a
whilst the upper is enclosed with a casing to which are pivoted the ai ins q' d'
so that the collar bis movable vertically to an extent dependent upon the varying
radial distance between the balls e e' duiven by the spindle a' and actuated therefore
by centrifugal force.

page_text: Through the centre part of the upper dollar & Winch is crowed passes a'screw-
threaded stem g pivoted at its lower end upon the end of the rotary spindle a¹ hnd
having a suitable bearing g' at its upper extremity. The screwed part of the
collar may be guided on vertical rods ff or otherwise 'prevented from rotating.
The steing carries upon its upper end a pointer conveniently arranged
relatively to a fixed dial graduated to indicate miles kilometres or other measures
of distance.
The links c c d d are each formed of two arms hinged to each other and
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pivoted respectively in lugs provided upon the collars a b for that purpose.
the hinged joints of the two arms or links a small spring is arranged to keep the
same normally extended in a line as shewn on Figure 1. To each of these joints
a short rod is freely suspended which carries the balls e e¹ in such a manner that
then position thereupon can be precisely adjusted.
The entire action descubed is enclosed within a case A of metal or other smitable
material, of encular or other convenient form. A glass front B is fitted in the
case to show the dial and pointer, and a bearing is formed in the lower side of
the case A to receive the rotary spindle a' the whole bemg theu affixed by the
collar or other suitable device, upon the machine to which it is desired to
apply it.
The spindle a is connected by any convenient means to one of the wheels or
other working parts of the vehicle or machine. In the case of a velocipede or
bicycle the apparatus may be connected with the front wheel in the manner shewn
on Figures 5 and 6.
9,
From these it will be seen that the indicator is fixed by means of the collar k
upon one arm of the handle bar C and the rotary spindle a' is joined by a connecting
rod to a small roller n arranged to be rotated by fictional contact with a crown
wheel concentrically fixed around the axis of the front wheel of the bicycle.
Near its extremities the connecting rod 19 provided with flexible parts m m', and
In order to hold the small rollei n constantly in contact with the clown wheel
a plate spring o is fixed by means of a collar p upon the fork of the machine and
arrauged to press the roller n against the crown wheel g, at the same tune serving
to maintain the connecting-rod axially in a line with the centre of the wheel.
A suitable sockets situated at about the centre of its length, is provided for the
connecting rod which by reason of its flexible parts m m' and the arrangement
described, transmits motion from the wheel of the bicycle to the 1ntary spindle a¹
of the indicator in whatever direction the connecting-rod may be tuned.
In operation, by the revolution of the front wheel and the transmitting
mechanism described, the rotary spindle a causes the rotation of the lower collar a
and links cd of the indicator. The balls e e¹ extend apart by centrifugal force
and bring the movable collar b nearer to the lower one a This movement actuates
the screw threaded stem g and pointer which indicates the speed upon the dial 1.
In order to counteract the effect of vibration of the machine upon the balls e el
they can readily be adjusted upon their rods by screwing, as found necessary.
Preferably I make the working parts of my indicator of metal but I may use
any other suitable material, and I may vary the form of the several parts in order
to adapt the apparatus to different kinds of machines or vehicles.
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 :-
1. In speed indicators for cycles and other vehicles, the application of a regulator
acting by centrifugal force upon a screwed stem carrying a pointer, for tho
purpose of indicating upou a graduated dial the speed attained at any desired
moment, as described.
2 A speed indicator for cycles and other wheeled vehicles comprising the
revolving collar a secured upon spindle a' m combination with the collar 6 and
links c c d d rods, carrying adjustable weights e e¹ said collar & being arranged

page_text: to slide upon vertical guide rods ffand to operate a screwed spindle g carrying a
pointer h, substantially as shewn and for the purposes specified.
1
3. The arrangement of the crown wheel g pinon n and spring o with a 1od /
having flexible ends m 'm' for the purpose of communicating motion to the
indicator, substantially as described and illustrated upon the accompanying
drawings.