riages and Machines generally.
Year: 1885

page_text: Carriages and Machines generally.
I, HUGH WATSON, 9 Manor Crescent, Gourock in the County of Renfrew,
North Britain do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS
IN DRIVING GEAR FOR VELOCIPEDES & OTHER CARRIAGES, AND MACHINES
GENERALLY to be as follows:-
In constructing Driving Gear for Velocipedes & other Carriages, and Machines
it is sought by this invention to obtain in one Driving Gear advantages which
hitherto could not be so combined. These advantages are-the absence of dead
points; the ability to vary the length of stroke, hence varying the power without
altering any gear, and enabling the rider or driver to rest both or either foot
without removing them or it from the pedals; and to back pedal when it is
desirable to retard speed of machine.
My Driving Gear, which I call the "British Union Gear" is substantially as
follows: The power is applied direct from the pedals to the gear, or by means of
Driving Levers, with the pedals at one end, the other end working on a fixed
pivot. Near the centre is attached the driving chain, strap, or cord, and these
chains, straps, or cords act upon cranks of peculiar construction. The cranks are
rigidly fixed on the axle in any usual or convenient manner,. but the crank-
pins are not pulled directly by the driving chains: these act on the pins aud
crank through the intervention of little rocking-pieces or pulleys, one on each
crank pin.
The rocking-pieces work freely on the pins in one direction, while any suitable
ratchet-gear is introduced so that they will not revolve in the other unless
carrying the cranks round with them; or, preferably, a similar result is obtained
by a clutch which locks the pieces to the crank-pins whenever pressure is applied
to the pedals. The driving chains are attached to the rocking-pieces or pulleys in
such a way that when the crank is at the top, and the pedal at its highest point,
the chain, strap, or cord is wound round these rocking-pieces or pulleys for a
fraction say half their circumference. If the pedal which has reached its highest
point be now pressed down, the chain would tend to turn the rocking-piece or
pulley forward, but as the ratchet-gear or preferable clutch-arrangement virtually
locks it to the crank-pin, they become practically one. The crank is pulled round,

page_text: when the chain unwinds until by the time it reaches the bottom of the stroke,
the chain is wholly unwound. When the other pedal is pressed down in the
same manner, the first begins to rise, and the tension on the chain is of course
relaxed.
A spring preferably a spiral steel spring-with other necessary connections,
stored with sufficient energy by the pedal when descending, rewinds the chain
until when the crank again comes to its highest point, the pedal is raised to a
position similar to that which it occupied at the beginning of the stroke. The
action of pedals is preferably alternate. A slight projection from the chain or
lever prevents the spring from winding the chain too far on to the rocking-pieces
or pulleys. This can also be accomplished and varied to any extent, within
desired limits, by simply not raising the feet beyond the length of stroke which
the rider or driver desires. It is in this last peculiarity that the main advantage
of my Improved Driving Gear consists.
This it is which makes it possible to vary the length of stroke of both or either
pedal from the longest available down to the merest pats or absolute rest. When
coming down an incline the pedals may remain stationary, or the advantage of
back-pedalling may be had if desirable. Thus the machine can be brought very
perfectly under control.
When driving is easy it may be worked at or near that length of stroke which
may be called the crank-stroke viz,-when the feet have not been raised high
enough to permit any chain being wound on the rocking-pieces or pulleys. The
extra power which the rocking-pieces or pulleys impart to the driving wheel or
wheels corresponds nearly to the distance the pedals have been allowed to rise
over the limit of the cranks; with the further advantage of overcoming the dead
points, the rising pedal and gear being completely over the dead point before
the descending pedal and gear have got near it.
All these advantages can be obtained without altering or doing anything which
requires attention. Of course the gear can be made with a fixed length of stroke,
or be made adjustable to the various powers as desired.
The novelty of my invention does not lie in the separate parts, many of which
are already in use-but in the combination as described, and the new use to
which they are put.
Thus the application of power by the lever chain or strap-through the medium
of the rocking-pieces or pulleys-by means of a clutch to cranks, and driving
wheel or wheels, is entirely new and novel; and it is by this united system of
driving that the advantages already stated are obtained, and which, therefore,
form the chief points desired to be protected.
:
The gear can be fitted to all classes of velocipedes driven by hand or foot,
lathes &, and will require to be made in various sizes to suit the various
machines and purposes to which it may be put.

page_text: Improvements in Driving Gear for Velocipedes and other
Carriages and Machines generally.
I HUGH WATSON 9 Manor Crescent, Gourock, in the County of Renfrew, North
Britain do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN
DRIVING GEAR FOR VELOCIPEDES, OTHER CARRIAGES, AND MACHINES GENERALLY
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
In constructing Driving Gear for Velocipedes other Carriages and Machines. It
is sought by this Invention to obtain in one Driving Gear advantages which
hitherto could not be so combined. These advantages are the absence of dead points,
the ability to vary length of stroke hence varying the power without altering any
gear, enabling the rider or driver to rest both or either foot without removing
them or it from the pedals, and to back pedal when it is desirable to retard speed
of Machine.
My Driving Gear which I call the "British Union Gear" can be applied to all
classes of Velocipedes other Carriages and Machines driven by hand or foot, but is
chiefly designed for Velocipedes driven by the feet, the following description and
accompanying Drawings are intended to fully explain my Invention as applied to
the latter.
The power is applied direct from the pedals, to the gear, or by means of levers
with the pedals at one end the other end working on a fixed pivot, and near the
centre is attached to the gear by means of chains, straps, or cords. I prefer chains
to connect gear and levers. These chains act upon cranks of peculiar construction
the cranks are rigidly fixed on the axle in any usual or convenient manner, but the
crank pins are not pulled directly by the driving chains, these act, upon the cranks
through the intervention of little rocking pieces or pulleys one on each crank pin.
These rocking pieces work freely in one direction but a suitable ratchet or preferable
clutch is introduced which locks the pieces to the crank pins whenever pressure is
applied to the pedal so that they cannot revolve in the other unless carrying the
cranks round with them.
The driving chains are attached to the pieces or pulleys in such a manner that
when the crank is at the top, and the pedal at its highest point the chain is wound
round these rocking pieces or pulleys for about half their circumferance. If the
pedal which has reached its highest point be now pressed down the chain would
tend to turn the rocking piece or pulley forward, but the clutch arrangement
virtually locks it to the crank pin and they become practically one, the crank
is pulled round as the chain unwinds until by the time it reaches the bottom of
the stroke the chain is wholly unwound, and the other pedal which has reached its

page_text: highest is pressed down in the same manner. The first pedal will then commence
to rise, the tension on the chain being removed, a steel spiral spring is fixed to the
lever at one end, the other end is fixed to a strap or light chain which passes over a
pulley and is again connected to another spring attached to the other lever in the
same manner.
This strap or chain passes right through these spiral springs so that the springs
cannot be stretched too far, but only so far as will permit each pedal to remain
stationary when running down hill when the pedals may be used as footrests, these
springs are stored with sufficient energy by the pedal when descending, to rewind
the chain until when the crank comes again to its highest point, the pedal is raised
to a position similar to which it occupied at first.
The chains are so arranged as effectually to prevent them being wound too far
on to the rocking pieces, or pulleys. This can also be accomplished and varied by
simply not raising the feet beyond the length of stroke which the rider or driver
desires.
It is in this last peculiarity that the main advantages of my improved Driving
Gear consists. This makes it possible to vary the length of stroke of both or
either pedal from the longest available down to mere pats or absolute rest. Still
the rider or driver may back pedal if he choose, thus the machine is perfectly
under control.
When driving is easy it may be worked at or near that length of stroke which
may be called the crank stroke, namely when the feet are not raised high enough
to permit any chain being wound on the rocking pieces or pulleys.
The extra power gained by these rocking pieces or pulleys corresponds nearly to
the distance the pedals have been allowed to rise over the limit of the crank stroke
allowing the pedals to rise over the limit of the crank stroke, also overcomes the
dead points, the rising pedal and gear being completely over the centre, before the
descending pedal and gear have got near it.
Fig. 1 and 2. represents the gear as fittéd to a short axle with cranks at each
end, as in a safety Bicycle or when a cog wheel is fitted in place of the hub.
In Fig. 2 the far side Gear is detached and brought forward to be more easily
understood, and shows the descending pedal while Fig. 1 shows the ascending
pedal.
A is the Driving Axle on which is keyed the hub B of Driving Wheel, in the
centre, and a crank at each end C. C. Crank pin D D. fixed as usual E E rocking
pieces, or pulleys with ball bearings complete, and projecting flange to form clutch
box, F plate enclosing clutch which may also be used to throw clutch entirely out
of gear.
GG bosses for fixing driving chains, H H bosses, for fixing light
returning chains. II are the driving chains, J J the light chains for returning
rocking pieces or pulleys KK long link connecting levers L L to the gear and
holding at the top the returning chains for rewinding when the strap O by the
action of the spiral spring pulls up the lever, fixed to it by a little pivot N. M is
the fork of Safety Bicycle or pillar shown without bearings for the sake of clear-
ness, to which are attached at the bottom the levers, O is the strap shown separately
in figures 4 and 5 which passes through the steel spiral spring which is of ordinary
construction and not shewn in drawing, but each end is fixed to eyes on the strap
one at the lever, the other a little up the strap. This strap limits the stretching of
the spring..
Fig. 3 shows the rocking pieces or pulleys in section. D is the crank pin with
nut at end for attaching to the cranks and nut at the other end to hold all together
E, the rocking piece or pulley shewing how ball bearings can be applied and

page_text: projecting flange to form clutch box also the roller clutch adapted to the crank
pin. F is the plate enclosing the clutch which may be used to throw clutch out of
gear. G. jambing rollers. H H bosses for fixing chains. I the cams on crank pin
for jambing rollers.
Fig. 4 and 5 is the pulley with strap or chain (shown with strap) for raising the
pedals. O. O. is the strap. P is the pulley over which it passes and which is
fixed to any convenient position on the frame. Fig. 5, shews the end of the strap
which passes through the spiral steel spring with eyes for fastening spring. When
contracted the spring draws the strap together.; this strap is shown in Drawings
divided into 3 parts, but it is really only one piece; the part attached to lever
pivot N Fig. 1. joins that over pulley farthest down on left side; Fig. 4 while on
right side the strap joins with that shown in Fig. 5. just above the-spring eye; the
spiral springs fixed on the strap between the eyes allows the strap to accomodate
itself to the various lengths of stroke.
Fig. 6 shows a cranked axle for carrying the gear when fitted between 2 wheels
or in the centre of an axle. A A is the straight parts of axle. B B cranks where
gear would be fitted on.
Figures 7, 8, & 9, show the various phases of the gear at four different positions
of the crank, and how the chains, straps or cords-shown with chains-winds and
unwinds on the rocking pieces or pulleys. Although the chain radius may vary in
its relative proportion to the crank radius, which would give more or less variation
according as the rocking pieces are constructed larger or smaller. The gear has
been successfully fitted with a chain radius of of the crank radius. This allows
the chain to be wound on the rocking pieces or pulleys twice the length of the
crank radius, that is to say, the chains when wound half round the rocking pieces,
will be equal to the length of the crank stroke.
Fig. 7. shows the gear working at its maximum, when the crank is at the
highest point, and the chain, wound, on about half the circumference of the rocking
piece or pulley on pressure being applied to the pedal at once lock crank and
rocking piece together, and as the crank and gear is pulled round the chain
unwinds, until, when it reaches the lowest point the chain is wholly unwound. It
will be observed that the stroke commences quite over the dead point, and ends
before coming to it, when pressure is removed, and the strap and spring pull up
the pedal and rewinds the chain, until when it reaches its highest point it regains
the same position as at the first.
Fig. 8. shows the gear working at the medium: In this figure it will be observed
that the rocking piece or pulley does not alter its relation to the chain, but is simply,
carried round by the crank, The driving chain being wholly unwound and the
rewinding chain, wound all on, working as if only a simple. bearing.
Fig. 9. shows the pedal stationary: When the pedals are placed in this position
they remain stationary and may be used as foot rests. As the crank is carried
round by the wheel when descending, an incline, it causes the rocking piece or
pulley to move backwards when the crank is descending; winding on the driving
chain, and unwinding the rewinding chain. When the crank commences to rise it
simply reverses the motion of the rocking piece, and the action of the chain. As
the clutch will not act unless the pedal is moved downwards, the wheel or wheels
revolve quite freely.
The novelty of my invention does not lie in the separate parts, many of which
are already in use, but in the combination substantially as described and the new
use to which they are put, thus the application of power by the lever and chain
through the medium of little rocking pieces or pulleys, by means of a clutch to
cranks and Driving Wheel or Wheels, in entirely new and novel, and it is by this
united system of driving that the advantages already stated are obtained and
which form the points desired to be protected.
The gear requires to be made in different sizes to suit the various machines, and
purposes to which it may be put.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. The application to a crank or cranks of rocking pieces or pulleys, so that the
stroke may be varied in length.
2. The application of a roller or ratchet clutch to lock rocking pieces or pulleys
to the crank when pressure is applied to the pedal.
3. The method of connecting rocking pieces or pulleys to the levers by chains
straps or cords, with or without an extra long link.
4. The arrangement of gear substantially as herein set forth and described.
13th
Dated this 13th day of March 1886.
:
HUGH WATSON.