Improved Means for Adjusting Chains of Chain-driven Velocipedes.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Feb., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 13th Nov., 1839-Accepted, 4th Jan., 1890.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Adjusting Chains of Chain-driven Velocipedes.
FRANCIS WILLIAM ROSSER 56 Ledsam Street Birmingham in the County of
Warwick Mechanic do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
A novel appliance for preventing the chain of any chain-driven velocipede, becoming
loose from any other cause but wear, when once adjusted.
.It consists of an eccentric washer having semi-circular serrations on its periphery,
engaging in a peg placed in a suitable position on the frame of the velocipede.
The said appliance could be used in a slighty different form, viz. the washer
made larger and holes drilled at varying distances from the centre hole, the said
holes forming an eccentric round the centre hole, & engaging with the peg on the
frame as before.
The above appliance is used in the following manner, viz. :—
The washer is passed over the spindle or axle of the driving wheel or wheels of the
velocipede, and the peg so arranged so as to engage with the semi-circular serrations
on the shortest side of the eccentric washer, and is then locked in its place with the
ordinary locknut of the axle.
When the chain becomes loose & requires tightening the nut is slackened back,
and the washer turned round until the next serration engages with the peg on the
frame of the velocipede, and so on until the chain is tight.
When the chain is stretched until the greatest throw of the eccentric is reached a
link may be taken out of the chain, & the washer turned round until the chain is held
in its correct position with the washer.
Dated this 19th day of Tahusu 1880
FRANCIS WILLIAM ROSSER.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Adjusting Chains of Chain-driven Velocipedes.
FRANCIS WILLIAM ROSSER 56 Ledsam Street Birmingham in the County of
Warwick Mechanic 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:-
I hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-An improved means
for adjusting the chains of chain-driven velocipedes. It consists of an eccentric
washer having semi-circular serrations on its periphery engaging in a peg placed in a
suitable position on the frame of the velocipede.
The said appliance could be used in a slightly different form, the washer made
larger & holes drilled at varying distances from the centre hole, the said holes
forming an eccentric round the centre hole and engaging with the peg on the frame
as before. The said appliance is used in the following manner viz.: the washer is
passed over the spindle or axle of the driving-wheel or wheels of the velocipede, and
the peg so arranged so as to engage with the semi-circular serrations on the shortest
side of the eccentric washer and is then locked in its place with the ordinary locknut
of the axle. When the chain becomes loose & requires tightening the nut is
slackened back & the washer turned round until the next serration engages with the
peg on the frame of the velocipede & so on until the chain is tight. When the chain
is stretched until the greatest throw of the eccentric is reached, a link may be taken
out of the chain and the washer turned round until the chain is held in its correct
position with the washer.

page_text: I will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying drawing the
manner in which my Invention is to be performed.
Figure 1. represents a side elevation of the part of a velocipede on which my
Invention works with the washer, shown on its smallest throw.
Figure 2. a side view of the eccentric washer.
Figures 3. & 4. a side elevation & plan of an auxillary attachment to be used instead
of the peg or screw on the frame.
Figure 5 represents a screw the head of which forms the peg for the eccentric
washer to engage with.
Figure 6. a side elevation same as in Fig. 1. but with the eccentric washer turned
to its fullest throw.
The same letters of reference indicates the same parts in Figures 1 to 6.
I will now describe the manner in which the washer B. is fixed and used on the
part of a velocipede A. by means of which said part A., axle D., and locknut C., the
chain is adjusted.
Firstly fix the peg E, a suitable distance from the end of slot in A. to allow the
locknut C. being turned, then remove locknut C and pass washer B. over the axle D.
engaging whichever semi-circular serration on washer B. keeps the chain tight,
securely locking nut C. in its place as shown in Figures 1 and 6. I will now describe
the auxillary attachment F. shown in Figures 3. & 4. which is used preferably to
screw E. as it does not require drilling and fixing in frame A.
F. is the attachment shown in Figures 3. & 4. with three progections, one G. on
the front, the other two H. and I. on the back, the method of using it is as follows,
remove locknut C. pass attachment F. over axle D. G. will then take place of E. the
progection H. preventing chain from pulling F. any further than the end of slot,
I. forms a means of keeping F. from moving out of its place by fitting between sides
of slot, the eccentric washer B. can then be placed over the axle D; and nut C.
fixing as before described, and shown in Figures 1 and 6. Washer B. provides
sufficient adjustment, that when it reaches the position shown in Figure 6. a link
would require to be taken out of the chain & it would then be placed as shown in
Figure 1.
The Improvements hereinbefore described and illusted in the accompanying
drawing may be applied to any velocipede driven by a chain, which adjusts said chain
by means of a slot.
-
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
claim is :-
First. The construction and combination of the parts of mechanism herein before
described & illustrated in Figures, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, of the accompanying drawing,
the same being used for adjusting the chains of any slot-adjusted velocipede.
Second. Any modification of an eccentric washer, working on or off the axle of
chain-wheel of velocipedes, either in conjunction with a peg, screw or any other
suitable attachment for holding the indentations on the outside edge of an eccentic
washer.
In witness whereof, I, the said Francis William Rosser have hereunto set my
hand & seal this Eleventh day of November in the year of our Lord One
thousand
Witness,
FRED CLARKE,
Park End Villas,
Laurie Square,
Romford, Essex.
FRANCIS WILLIAM ROSSER.