Improvements in Gear Cases for Velocipedes and the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Sep., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 13th May, 1897-Accepted, 3rd July, 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Gear Cases for Velocipedes and the like.
We JAMES THOMAS TILBY of 48, Detmold Road, Clapton, Engineer, and JOHN
HENRY BLACKMORE, of 69, Peckwater Street, Kentish Town, Enameller, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention refers to gear cases for ladies cycles or velocipedes and like
purposes.
We construct the gear case in such a manner that each side or half of the case
can be put together separately, thereby enabling the operator to get at the chain
on either side in a much easier manner than by the old style of gear case.
The frame-work or rim to which the sides or covers are attached is made in
channelled form, the edges being either raised, curved, or inclined, so that the
edges will form a clinch or detachable fastening to the sides or outer covers that
are to be attached thereto.
Inside one end of the rim or frame and preferably at the front end we fix a
curved metal bar, the ends of which are attached to the rim. On the end of the
rim or frame we fix a set screw and nut, the screw being long enough to reach the
summit of the curved bar within.
The end of the case is constructed to slide out for a short distance, and by means
of the set screw this sliding action takes place, thereby tightening the covers and
taking out any wrinkles or baggy places in said covers.
In making the outer or side covers which protect the riders dress from contact
with the chain or cogs we use by preference a rubber or elastic band which is
shaped to fit into or on the flanges of the rim the rubber having sufficient tension
to enable it to grip on the flanges of the rim as in the case of pneumatic tires,
thereby dispensing with laces or other fastenings.
Attached to the elastic band is a piece of leather, vulcanite metal, or other
suitable material, which completely covers the chain, thereby protecting the rider's
dress from dirt or injury. We do not confine ourselves to the elastic band only;
another way of carrying out our invention is by making the edges of the covers in
such a manner that the edges are thickened, piped or grooved, or with holes running
through them so that a cord can pass through, the cord ends being fastened to a
tightening handle or lever which can be pulled up tight, or a wire or metallic band
can be used either inside or outside, the said wire or metallic band being endless
if preferred, or any other suitable devices as generally used on pneumatic tires.
It will therefore be seen that to take either of the sides or half covers off, all that
is necessary is to stretch the elastic band and spring it over the edge of the rim or
frame, or to remove the lever or wire from the cover, thereby enabling the operator
to get at the chain. Similarly the modes of attaching the sides above described
may be reversed if preferred, and the elastic band or sensitive part attached to the
rim while the sides may be introduced within it; but this method is not preferred
to the foregoing.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, Agent for Applicant.

page_text: p
We, JAMES THOMAS TILBY, of 48 Detmold Road, Clapton, Engineer, and JOHN
HENRY BLACKMORE, of 69, Peckwater Street, Kentish Town, Enameller, 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 refers to gear cases for ladies' cycles or velocipedes and like
purposes.
We construct the gear case in such a manner that each side or half of the case
can be put together separately thereby enabling the operator to get at the chain on
either side in a much easier manner than by the old style of gear case. The frame
work or rim to which the sides or covers are attached is made in channelled form,
the edges being either raised, curved, or inclined, so that the edges or flanges will
form a clinch or detachable fastening to the sides or outer covers that are to be
attached thereto.
The ordinary gear case frame is usually made with a loose end at the back. We
make our frame with a loose end in front as well as at the back. Our front loose
end is strong enough to form a straining bow or arc, which when drawn out can be
fixed by means of set screws at the side where the ends lap and slide out from the
frame. If preferred we fix inside the loose end a curved metal bar the ends of
which are attached to the sides of the rim, and in the front end of the rim we fix a
set screw and nut, the screw of which engages with the curved metal bar inside in
such a way as to allow of the end being adjustable and drawn in or out to effect the
straining up of the textile or other cover which is stretched on the said frame. It
will therefore be seen that in our improved frame both ends are constructed to slide
out for a short distance, and the adjustable movement of the front end as above
described enables us to avoid and remove any slackness or bagginess in the cover.
This result is also aided by the form of the frame itself which has straight rigid
sides gradually widening to the large or front end, in the form or outline of a true
cone, thereby ensuring that the said cover shall be uniformly stretched as it is
drawn forward upon the frame.
In making the outer or side covers which protect the rider's dress from contact
with the chain or cogs, we use by preference either a metal clip or turnover edge
or a rubber or elastic band which is shaped to fit into or engage with the flanges
of the rim the rubber having sufficient tension to enable it to grip on the flanges
of the rim as in the case of pneumatic tyres thereby dispensing with laces or other
fastenings. Attached to the elastic band is a piece of leather, vulcanite, metal or
other suitable material which completely covers the chain thereby protecting the
rider's dress from dirt or injury.
We do not confine ourselves to the elastic band only, another way of carrying out
our invention, is by making the edges of the covers in such a manner that the said
edges are thickened, piped, or grooved or with holes running through them so that
a cord can pass through, the cord ends being fastened to a tightening handle or
lever which can be pulled up tight; or a wire or metallic band can be used either
inside or outside, the said wire or metallic band being endless if preferred or any
other suitable devices as generally used on pneumatic tyres. It will therefore be
seen that to take off either of the sides or half covers all that is necessary is to
stretch the elastic band and spring it over the edge of the rim or frame, or to
remove the lever or wire from the cover, thereby enabling the operator to get at
the chain. Similarly the modes of attaching the sides above described may be
reversed if preferred, and the elastic band or sensitive part attached to the rim
while the sides may be introduced within it, but this method is not preferred to the
foregoing.

page_text: Slides or plates with curved edges connectable by clips or top-plates with suitable
edges to connect with the said plates, are placed around the axle and tube which
project through the said cover.
We will now describe the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which:
Fig. 1 shows a side elevation of our improved gear case with slide catches on
front, and with detachable ends fitted with overlapping tongues and set screws
working in slots to fix same. The dotted lines at front end shew the curved metal
bar inside rim for straining up the cover when slack by means of the set screw.
Fig. 2 shews the vertical support fixed on the frame of the machine for holding
gear case in position.
Fig. 3 shews a section of the rim of our gear case with its two flanges, and with
the metal clips of the cloth sides in position.
Fig. 4 shews an end view of the sliding clip m with projecting cap used for
covering the end of the back-stay of the machine.
Fig. 5, 5 shew sections of our improved rims with their two side flanges. These
rims may be varied in shape provided the two flanges are retained. Fig. 5* shews
a beaded india-rubber cover engaging with flange of rim.
Fig. 6 shews an end view of our improved gear case with the slides which tighten
the cloth in position. Similar slides are used on the back of the case.
a is the rim or outside frame of the gear case which may be of any similar suitable
section to those shown in Figs. 3, 5, and 5º. The rim shown in Fig. 1 is of the
form shown in Fig. 3. The edges of the rim as shewn, are turned up to form
flanges b which engage with a corresponding clip or bead c formed on a metal or
other edge d, attached to the side cover e of leather or other suitable material. In
Fig. 5 we show an india-rubber bead d¹ turned inwards over the flange b to hold
the cover e in place. Various sections of this bead can be employed.
Referring to Fig. 1, g is the semicircular loose end of the double flanged rim a,
and is provided with a projecting lapping piece g¹ which slides in and out of a
socket or groove formed on the end of the straight sides of the frame; g² is a set
screw to fix the lapping piece g².
In Fig. 1 we show the method of adjusting the semicircular end piece g; his a
semicircular bar the ends of which are firmly fastended to the ends of the straight
sides of the frame at A¹. Over this bar à is placed the loose semicircular end piece g,
the ends of which are provided with a lapping piece g', fitting into a groove as
above described, i is a set screw which passes through a small boss in the rim
end g and the point of this screw presses on the bar h. The rim is thus pushed
outwards when the screw is turned to strain the cover e. p, p are rivets.
Referring to Fig. 1, 9, 9 are knobs to facilitate removal of case, the ends of the
cover e are cut in the centre down to the hole to receive the axle and tube, so that
by the means described below, the cover may be strained tightly in place. j,jare
metal edge pieces secured on either side of the aperture in the cover e. The edges
of j, j project from the surface, so that they engage with the curved edges of the
tension sliding clip k, as shewn in Figs. 1 and 6.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:
1. In a gear case for bicycles, tricycles, and the like, a channelled frame or rim
with double flanges for engaging with clips or beads on the detachable sides or
covers, said frame having straight sides and the front ends formed loose or
removable, and attached by means of tongues and grooves secured by set screws,
or in any other suitable way, the back ends being similarly fitted if preferred; as
herein described and set forth.
2. In a gear case for bicycles and the like the method of forming the sides in
two readily detachable covers or halves, each side or cover being fitted with a clip,

page_text: rim or suitable edge, which engages with a flange formed on a suitable frame to
receive same, and said side covers being also fitted with outside flanged plates and
slides for adjustment around axle and end of tube, the same being readily removable
either as a whole or in part; as herein described and set forth.
3. In a gear case for bicycles and the like, a frame with a loose detachable 5
front end, said end being fitted with an internal curved straining bar, having an
externally worked set screw for adjustment; as herein described and set forth.
Dated this 12th day of May 1807
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Agent for Applicant.