A Chain Guard or Protector for Cycles.
Year: 1898

page_text: I, HENRY DAVID FLEMING, of 2, Bridge Street, Banbridge, Ireland, Watch-
maker, and Jeweller, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
-
Owing to the fact that cycles are at present made with very narrow treads
they are, in some cases, unsuitable for gear cases and as a consequence the chain
is left unprotected. With such narrow tread machines it frequently happens
that, when the chain is adjusted for easy driving, it mounts the crank especially
is this the case when a back lash takes place or when back pedalling. As a
result of the chain mounting the crank as aforesaid it either breaks or bends
the back stays.
To prevent the chain mounting the crank as aforesaid I have designed a small
chain guard or protector which can be fastened to the bottom stay of the machine.
The guard can be adjusted to any machine, either up or down, to suit the height
of chain, and, in or out, to suit the width of tread. The guard can also be shifted
on the bottom stay to suit the length of crank.
The guard consists of a small rectangular frame having guide grooves or slots
at each side. Fitted so as to work in the said guide grooves aforesaid is an
adjustable cover preferably of a U shape. There may be fitted at the bottom
of the frame a small brush or a piece of leather or other suitable material. The
guide is secured by means of metal straps to the bottom stay of the machine.
When the guide is properly adjusted there is no friction or rattle of the chain
or the guide. The guide may have slots for adjustment.
The brush helps to clean the chain.
A Chain Guard or Protector for Cycles.
I, HENRY DAVID FLEMING, of 2, Bridge Street, Banbridge, Ireland, Watch-
maker and Jeweller, 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:―
Owing to the fact that cycles are at present made with very narrow treads
they are, in some cases, unsuitable for gear cases and as a consequence the chain

page_text: is left unprotected. With such narrow tread machines it frequently happens
that, when the chain is adjusted for easy driving, it mounts the crank; especially
is this the case when a back lash takes place or when back pedalling. As a
result of the chain mounting the crank as aforesaid, it either breaks or bends
the back stays.
To prevent the chain mounting the crank as aforesaid I have designed a small
chain guard or protector which can be fastened to the bottom stay of the machine.
The guard can be adjusted to any machine, either up or down, to suit the height
of chain, and, in or out, to suit the width of tread. The guard can also be shifted
on the bottom stay to suit the length of crank.
In order that the invention may be properly understood I have hereunto
appended an explanatory sheet of drawings, whereon,
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the chain guard.
Fig. 2 is a vertical section thereof.
Fig. 3 shows the chain guard fitted on the bottom stay of a bicycle.
Referring to the drawings:-
a'is the bottom bracket,
the chain wheel, c the chain, one of the pedal
cranks, and e one of the bottom stays.
The guard consists of a rectangular metal frame constituted by the base f and
vertical sides f¹, f2, which latter have, preferably, a certain amount of spring
or resiliency. Fitted, by preference, telescopically upon the sides f¹, f, is an
adjustable Ű shaped cover the legs g', g², of which are made so as to fit over
and wholly or partially enclose the sides f¹, f. is a strengthening bead upon
the front edge of the cover.
A small brush may be fitted at the bottom of the frame, or, by preference,
between guides j, j, on the lower end of the cover g so that when the cover is
lifted off the brush is lifted off also. The block or stock k of the brush is slid
into position between the guides as shown clearly at Figs. 1 and 2.
Instead of having a brush as hereinbefore described a piece of leather or other
suitable material may be secured at the bottom of the frame f.
m, m²
The guide is secured in place on the bottom stay e by means of two curved
metal straps 7, . As will be seen the two straps have not the same curve.
are bolts and nuts for locking the straps 1,, together. The upper bent part 2
of the strap is locked to the frame f by means of two bolts n which pass through
cross slots (not shown) made in the bottom of the frame. These cross slots
permit of the lateral adjustment of the guard.
The guard, when fastened in place on the bottom stay, prevents the chain catch-
ing on the end of the crank. It also acts as a chain-cleaner, and will guide the
slack portion of the chain on to the sprocket-wheel when back pedalling.
When the upper portion of the chain is tight, as when forward pedalling, it
will pass through the chain guard without touching any part of it, there being
no friction or rattle when it is properly adjusted.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I consider novel and desire to claim is: -
The construction of chain guard (with or without cleaning brush) substantially
as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings annexed.
Dated this 10th day of May я
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
100. Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
100. Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.