Improvements in Bicycles and Tricycles.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Mar., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 19th Dec., 1892-Accepted, 18th Feb., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bicycles and Tricycles.
I, THOMAS WILLIAM BARNETT of Sturminster-Newton in the County of
Dorset, Ironmonger, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention has for object the removal of the dead centre of the spoke of the
pedals when riding, by the addition of a fly wheel or its equivalent to the driving
axle or wheel hubs of the machine, or to all or any of them.
The weight of the fly wheel or fly wheels can be varied to suit the special
requirements of the case, or the weight of the rider.
The fly wheels must be kept distinct from the running wheels so as to avoid
friction with the road, that is to say, the running wheels must not themselves be
weighted or loaded, as their contact with the road would probably neutralise the
advantage gained. I prefer to employ a fly wheel attached to the driving axle or
to the hub of the back wheel, the frame being modified to receive same.
This fly
wheel can be utilised also to receive the impact of the brake, whereby the wear caused
by the friction of the brake on the rubber tire can be avoided.
I believe the addition of this flywheel or flywheels will prove an assistance
in mounting hills and a benefit also on level roads.
Dated this 21st day of March 1892
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, E.C., Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bicycles and Tricycles.
I, THOMAS WILLIAM BARNETT of Sturminster Newton, in the County of
Dorset, Ironmonger, 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 is designed to effect the removal of the dead centre of the stroke
of the pedals, when riding bicycles or tricycles, and to supply a certain amount of
impetus to aid the rider when travelling, and thus afford him more frequent relief
from muscular strain.
This is proposed to be accomplished by the addition of a flywheel or its
equivalent, to the driving axle wheel hubs or other convenient part of the machine.
I will now describe the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which
Fig. 1 shews a side elevation of a bicycle with my proposed fly wheel a attached
to the driving axle between the large running wheels.
Fig. 2 shews the flywheel a inside the spokes of the back wheel. In this case
it is centred on the hub of the wheel and could be built up with the wheel
when made.
Fig. 3 shews a plan view of the pedals and driving axle shewn in Fig. 1 with the
flywheel a in position. It could be fixed on the other side of the axle near to the
chain wheel if preferred, in which case it might require to be dished to avoid
the chain. I prefer to place it as shewn, for reasons that are sufficiently obvious,
and it could be dished so as to lie near the spokes and out of the way of the riders
leg, if thought desirable.

page_text: Fig. 4 shews a plan view of a flywheel a inside one of the large running wheels.
a is the flywheel. 6 is the weighted rim. c is the axle of a.
The fly wheel a could be fixed both on the driving axle and in the running
wheel if preferred.
The weight of the flywheels can be varied to suit the machine or the preferences
of the rider.
The flywheels could be made adjustable as to weight, by forming their
peripheries hollow and filling them with water or shot, or sand, or mixing these
substances or others.
The flywheels may consist of two or more radial arms with weights at their
extremities, and need not be wheels, if preferred. I prefer however to use wheels,
and to place them conveniently for applying the brake to their peripheries, so as to
avoid using the brake on the rubber tires.
•
The flywheels should be kept distinct from the running wheels as shewn so as to
avoid friction with the road or strain on the wire spokes, that is to say, the running
wheels should not themselves be loaded. With a front-steering safety machine or
a geared ordinary pattern bicycle I prefer to attach the fly wheel either on the
driving axle or inside or outside the driving wheel, but attached to the hub thereof,
so that the rim of the flywheel may be quite free from contact except when the
brake is applied. In the case of tricycles the flywheels can be placed inside
the back wheels, or on the driving axle, or in any other convenient place where
they can revolve freely, according to the construction of the machine. as herein
described, the necessary impetus will be more quickly and easily gained, and when
gained will be more easily maintained, and that there will be less strain on the
muscles when surmounting obstacles, owing to the steadiness and stored force
derived from the flywheel. Many roads are composed of recurring descents and
ascents, and by the adoption of my invention the power stored in the flywheel on a
descent, may be utilised to assist the rider on the succeeding ascent or stretch of
level road.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is:
1. In a tricycle, bicycle or other pedo-motive vehicle, the employment of a fly
wheel or its equivalent available as a brake wheel if desired, and with or without a
weight adjusting arrangement, as herein described and set forth.
Dated this 19th day of December 1892
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, Patent Agent.