IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF VELOCIPEDES AND APPARATUS. CONNECTED THEREWITH.
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Amos Kirby, of Harpur Place, Bedford, for an Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF VELOCIPEDES AND APPARATUS.
CONNECTED THEREWITH.'
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Amos Kirby at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th February 1881.
AMOS KIRBY, of Harpur Place, Bedford. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
OF VELOCIPEDES AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH.
"3
The object of my said Invention is to improve some of the details or parts
belonging or appertaining to bicycles, tricycles, and other vehicles of the velocipede
class, such details being confined to the driving gear and the lamps of such
vehicles.
My improvements in the construction of velocipedes, so far as such improvements
relate to the driving gear, are effected by applying to the driving axles and cranks
the mechanical appliance well known as the "sun and planet" motion, that is to
say, the "
sun" wheels are fitted to and revolve with the driving wheel or wheels,
and the "planet" wheels are fitted to and fixed upon the axes of the treadle pins,
which are carried on bearings at the outer ends of the cranks. By this arrangement
the speed or number of revolutions in a given time of the driving wheel is greater
than the speed or number of revolutions performed in the same given time by the
crank arm, and the difference of such respective speeds can be varied at pleasure,
and will always depend upon the relative diameters of the sun and planet wheels
before mentioned.
The radius of the crank is so arranged as to keep the axles of the sun and planet
wheels at a suitable distance, so as properly to gear into each other.
In some cases the planet wheel may be attached to a lever, connecting rod,
vibrating bar, or other suitable device for receiving the reciprocating motion of the
foot and preserving its planetary action with respect to the "sun" wheel.
In other cases I so arrange this part of my Invention that a tall rider may
utilize a small driving wheel. I effect this by bending the pedal arm downwards
DC21

page_text: from the crank pin in such a manner that the rider's foot is considerably below the
crank pin; the planet wheel being fixed to the pedal as before described.
As the sun wheel runs at a different speed to that of the crank arm, they are
caused to run concentrically to each other by fitting the sun wheel upon a hollow
axle or sleeve, and the crank axle is made to fit in such sleeve and revolve therein.
be
In other cases the sun wheel may be upon a solid axle, and the crank axle may
upon a sleeve.
The effective action being similar in both cases.
That part of my said improvements in the construction of velocipedes which
relates to velocipede lamps is for the purpose of enabling such lamps to be lighted
in windy weather, for which purpose a hole is cut in the outer case of the lamp,
near to the wick, and by preference of a narrow and elongated form. In a line
with this hole, and in continuation thereof, a groove is formed on or in the outer
wall of the lamp. The surface of the groove may be roughened or covered with
sand or other rough material for producing friction on congreve or lucifer matches;
or the said roughened surface may be a piece of detachable channel shaped metal
of suitable form, which may be carried in the pocket to prevent failure arising
from damp, and which may be placed in contact with the groove when required for
use. When it is desired to light the lamp; a match is drawn sharply along the
groove in the direction of the hole or slit, through which the end of the match
slips into the interior of the lamp at the moment of ignition of the match, causing
the ignition of the lamp at the same time. The operation of lighting is thus
protected from the action and effect of wind. A suitable cover may be fitted to the
hole when out of use.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Amos Kirby in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 16th August
1881.
AMOS KIRBY, of Harpur Place, Bedford.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
OF VELOCIPEDES AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH."
My Invention consists in the application of that form of epicycloidal mechanical
contrivance well known as the "sun and planet" motion, for the purpose of trans-
mitting power or movement from its source to the driving or road wheels of the
velocipede class, such as bicycles and tricycles, by means whereof the speed of the
said driving or road wheels may be increased without any considerable increase of
friction.
The sun and planet gearing is constructed in the following manner (subject to
such variations in detail as the case may require):-Upon the axle of the road or
driving wheel, or on an axle connected therewith by suitable means, one or more
spur wheel or wheels of convenient size is securely fixed by a key or other suitable
contrivance. For the sake of distinction this wheel is herein after called the "sun"
wheel. The axle on which the sun wheel or wheels is or are fixed may be either
solid or tubular. In connection with this axle a secondary axle is arranged so as
to revolve concentrically with it. If the sun wheel axle is solid, the secondary
axle may form a continuous line therewith, or it may be arranged to travel round
it by being made tubular, and arranged as a sleeve, or by any other contrivance of
a similar nature. If however the sun wheel axle is hollow or tubular, the secondary
axle may be arranged to revolve within it. The secondary axle (which revolves
concentrically with the sun wheel axle) has attached thereto at each end thereof a
radial arm or a disc, which is constructed so as to carry at a proper distance from
its centre a third short axle, crank-pin, or stud (herein after called the "planet
wheel" axle), and to this planet wheel axle a second spur wheel, herein after called
the "planet wheel" is keyed or otherwise fixed in such a manner that it gears or
engages with the sun wheel. The planet wheel is prevented from revolving on its
own centre by the means next herein after described. One of the methods by
which I effect this object is to make the planet wheel axle of sufficient length to
allow it to carry the treadle or pedal upon which the rider's foot is placed, in which
case the pedal is fixed firmly to the planet wheel axle, and does not revolve round
it, the rider's foot preventing it from revolving on its own centre. A variation
of this plan consists in making the outer end of the said spindle to bend down-
wards, and when thus bent, in attaching to its lower end a pedal of any convenient
kind.
Another arrangement for preventing the planet wheel from revolving on its own
centre, whilst allowing it to receive motion from the foot, consists in attaching
it or its axle firmly to a lever or vibrating rod which may be connected with
any suitable part of the frame of the machine, and to which power or motion is
communicated.
This arrangement belongs to that class of mechanical motions known as
epicycloidal, and the variations in the relative speeds of the sun wheel and of the
treadle are well understood to be in accordance with the relative diameters of the
sun and planet wheels, thus:-If equal sized wheels are used, the sun wheel is made
to revolve twice for every revolution of the crank arm. If however the planet
wheel is of half the diameter of the sun wheel, then the sun wheel revolves three
times to every two revolutions or journeys of the crank arm.
In applying this apparatus to the propulsion of bicycles, the machine may be

page_text: constructed in various ways, but I prefer the following method :—I construct a
bicycle in the ordinary manner, with the following exceptions:-
1st. That the central axle of the front wheel is formed of a hollow tube instead
of being solid.
2nd. Instead of fixing a crank to each end of this axle, I fix a pair of sun wheels
being spur wheels of convenient diameter, say about 8 inches.
3rd. Within the hollow or tubular sun spur wheel axle I fit a secondary axle
which is capable of rotating freely therein.
4th. To each end of this secondary axle I attach a crank or arm by means of a
key, cotter, or other suitable means, and at a proper distance from the centre I
form a hollow boss or bearing in which a short axle pivot or stud works, upon one
end of which a small spur wheel or pinion herein called the planet wheel is firmly
keyed or fixed in such a way that it engages with the teeth of the sun wheel.
This last named axle pivot or spindle of the planet wheel may be prolonged outwards
from the machine on the outer side of the boss or bearing, and its outer end may
be formed into and may form part of a suitable pedal or treadle, which is arranged
so that it does not revolve round the said axle or spindle; thus the pedal-spindle or
axle and the planet wheel form one fixed structure in relation to each other.
By another modification of the foregoing, instead of the pin, stud, or spindle of
the planet wheel actually and immediately forming a part of the pedal, it may be
bent downwards, or, what is the same thing, may be fixed firmly to a link which
hangs downwards therefrom, and to the lower end of this link the pedal may be
attached. When the machine is constructed in this way a tall rider may ride
in an erect position on a small machine, his feet being below the centre of the
front wheel.
Another variation in the method of forming the pedal attachment of machines
constructed on this plan consists in prolonging the front fork below the centre of
the wheel and attaching to the lower part of each of the prolongations a lever, on
the other end of which the rider's foot is placed, whilst at a point near its centre a
connecting rod or pitman is attached, the other end of which is firmly fixed to the
spindle or pivot of the planet wheel.
Another modification of the pedal attachments to the machine consists in
attaching or jointing a lever directly to the spindle of the planet wheel in such a
way that the rider's foot can be placed upon one portion of the lever, whilst another
portion of the lever is connected with the frame by means of a link or a rocking
bar or by a slide in a well known manner.
Instead of forming the central axle of the front wheel of a hollow tube, it may
be made solid, in which case the crank or arm for carrying the planet wheel is
arranged upon it on a sleeve or outer bearing which travels round the outside of the
axle instead of within it.
Instead of constructing the sun wheels before named with teeth in the usual
form, the teeth may be formed of round studs covered with rollers for diminishing
friction; these engage with teeth of the usual form on the planet wheel. Or
the planet wheel may have the roller teeth and the sun wheel may have common
teeth.
Having thus stated the nature of my said Invention, I will describe more
particularly in what manner the same is to be performed by the aid of the
accompanying Drawings, in which similar letters indicate similar parts in the
several Figures.
sun
"
Fig. 1 is a front view (partly in section) of a driving wheel fitted in accordance
with one arrangement of my said Invention. a is the driving wheel, bis the
hollow "sun" wheel axle, the two ends whereof are fitted with the "
wheel s.
This wheel, axle, and "sun" wheels are also shown for greater clearness in Fig. 2.
The axle b (shewn also in Fig. 3) is fitted into the hollow axle b, as shewn in
Fig. 1. The ends of the axle 6 are fitted with cranks c, as shewn, the outer end of
the crank arm having a hollow boss c¹ or bearing in which the crank pin is fitted,
so that the crank revolves upon the pin. The crank pin passing through the boss

page_text: or bearing c¹ has rigidly fitted thereto the treadle t and the planet wheel w in such a
manner that the treadle t and wheel w cannot revolve independently of each other,
and the foot of the rider prevents them from revolving.
When the respective parts are put together, as shewn in Fig. 1, the planct
wheels w, w, engage with the sun wheels 8, 8, and actuate such sun wheels as
herein elsewhere explained, and as is well understood with regard to sun and planet
motions.
This
Fig. 4 is an elevation shewing a modification of Figs. 1, 2, and 3.
modification consists in fitting an additional arm, lever, or crank c (shewn also in
Fig. 5), whereby an additional leverage is afforded to prevent the turning of the
crank pin and wheel w, and otherwise as hereinbefore described.
Fig. 6 shews another modification or mode of actuating the planet wheel w and
the sun wheel s. The crank arm c is utilised to retain the planet wheel w in its
orbit and in gear with 8. A lever is fitted with its fulcrum at f, as shewn, and
the treadle at t fitted to a pin or pivot. A connecting rod v transfers the power
from the lever to the planet wheel w. The lever is so connected to the planet
wheel w that the planet wheel is prevented from rotating upon its axis; and Fig. 7
is another modification in which the planet wheel w is rigidly fixed to the bent
lever l, as shewn, the upper end of this lever being attached to a link d whereby
its connection with the fork is made complete.
It will be evident that velocipedes may be constructed with one set of sun and
planet gearing instead of two, as described, substituting a simple ordinary crank
and treadle on one end of the axle b', and the slight modifications that will be
required to adapt my said Invention to the various forms of tricycle driven by a
single wheel to which it is applicable, such as that described in Blood's Specification,
No. 4250, 1876, will be readily understood without further description.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention, and the
means whereby the same may be carried into effect, I wish it to be understood that
I do not confine myself to the precise details herein described, as the same may be
varied without departing from the principle upon which my said Invention is based,
but what I claim and desire to be secured to me by the said in part recited Letters
Patent is,
sun and
The application of that form of gearing which is technically known as
planet" to the driving, propelling, or communicating rotary motion to the driving
wheels of velocipedes, substantially as herein before described, and the application
of which is partially illustrated in the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Amos Kirby, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fifteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty one.
AMOS KIRBY. (L.S.)