IMPROVEMENTS IN DRIVING MECHANISM FOR BICYCLES, TRICYCLES, AND LIKE VEHICLES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Dutton, of 13, Parker's Row, Dockhead,
Bermondsey, in the County of Surrey, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN DRIVING MECHANISM FOR BICYCLES, TRICYCLES, AND LIKE VEHICLES."
.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Dutton at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st May 1880.
JOSEPH DUTTON, of 13, Parker's Row, Dockhead, Bermondsey, in the County
of Surrey.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN DRIVING MECHANISM FOR BICYCLES, TRICYCLES,
AND LIKE VEHICLES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in driving mechanism for bicycles,
tricycles, and like vehicles.
The driving mechanism which I employ consists of a spur wheel on the axis of
the main wheel or wheels of the vehicle, and a second spur wheel in gear with the
first. The axis of the second spur wheel is carried by an arm so contrived that it
can be clamped to the frame in different positions, either higher or lower as may be
required, but always with the two spur wheels in gear. In the case of a bicycle
this arm is attached to the fork on which are the bearings for the axis of the main
wheel, and the arm is formed as a segment of a circle, of which when the arm is in
place the axis of the main wheel is the centre. The arm is received into a clip on
the fork in which it can slide circumferentially, so as to raise or lower the axis of
the second spur wheel without removing it out of gear with the spur wheel on the
main axis. Fast with the second spur wheel there is a ratchet wheel, and a pawl
engages with the ratchet teeth. The pawl is carried by a lever mounted on the
axis of the second spur wheel so as to be able to turn freely thereon; the same lever
is formed at its rear end as a treddle, and the foot of the rider is placed upon the
treddle. Similar gear to the above is provided on each side of the main wheel so
that there is a treddle for each foot, and the treddles are connected by a cord passing
up over a pulley, so that as one treddle is pressed down the other is drawn up.
either treddle is pressed down the pawl upon the treddle lever engages with the
teeth of its ratchet, and so during the down stroke motion is imparted by means of
the treddle to the main wheel and to the vehicle. As the treddles are operated
alternately, the power is applied continuously or nearly so. Or at pleasure both
As

page_text: feet and both of the treddle levers may be kept for a time at rest, allowing the
vehicle to run forward by the momentum it has already acquired.
By suitably adjusting the segment arms carrying the treddle levers, the treddles
may be brought to the position best suited to the convenience of the rider, so the
vehicle can with great facility be adjusted for different riders, whatever may be
their difference in stature.
The pawl may, if desired, be arranged upon slides moveable along the treddle
levers, and so that at the will of the rider the pawls may be drawn back out of
gear; this may be effected by providing a movable arm on the treddle lever, such
arm being connected by a link with the slide in such manner that the slide may be
drawn back by pressing on the moveable arm by an upward movement of the foot
without removing it from the treddle lever.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Joseph Dutton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th November
1880.
JOSEPH DUTTON, of 13, Parker's Row, Dock Head, Bermondsey, in the County of
Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN DRIVING MECHANISM FOR BICYCLES, TRICYCLES, ANL
LIKE VEHICLES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in driving mechanism for bicycles,
tricycles, and like vehicles.
The driving mechanism which I employ consists of a spur wheel on the axis of
the main wheel or, wheels of the vehicle, and a second spur wheel in gear with the
first. The axis of the second spur wheel is carried by an arm so contrived that this
axis can be clamped in different positions, either higher or lower, as may be required,
but always with the two spur wheels in gear. In the the case of a bicycle this arm
is attached to the fork on which are the bearings for the axis of the main wheel,
and the arm is formed as a segment of a circle, of which when the arm is in place
the axis of the main wheel is the centre. Fast with the second spur wheel there is
a ratchet wheel, and a pawl engages with the ratchet teeth. The pawl is carried by
a lever mounted on the axis of the second spur wheel, so as to be able to turn freely
thereon; the same lever is formed at its rear end as a treddle, and the foot of the
rider is placed upon the treddle. Similar gear to the above is provided on each
side of the main wheel, so that there is a treddle for each foot, and the treddles are
connected by a cord passing up over a pulley, so that as one treddle is pressed down
the other is drawn up. As either treddle is pressed down the pawl upon the
treddle lever engages with the teeth of its ratchet, and so during the down stroke
motion is imparted by means of the treddle to the main wheel and to the vehicle.
As the treddles are operated alternately, the power is applied continuously or
nearly so. Or at pleasure both feet and both of the treddle levers may be kept
for a time at rest, allowing the vehicle to run forward by the momentum it has
already acquired.
By suitably adjusting the axis carrying the treddle levers upon the segment arms,
the treddles may be brought to the position best suited to the convenience of the
rider, so the vehicle can with great facility be adjusted for different riders, whatever
may be their difference in stature.
The pawls may, if desired, be arranged so that at the will of the rider the
pawls may be drawn back out of gear by a movement of the foot without lifting it
from the treddle lever.
In order that my said Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bicycle fitted with my improved driving
mechanism.
a is the toothed wheel or pinion upon the axis of the main wheel, and b is a spur
wheel in gear with the wheel a; c is an arm carrying the axis b¹ of the wheel b, it
is clipped on to the forked frame of the bicycle. The arm c is an arc of a circle,
and is concentric with the pinion a. The axis b¹ can be set in any position upon
the arm c which may be most convenient to the rider, and in any position the
wheels a and b will gear truly together; & is a ratchet wheel fast with the wheel b,-
and e is a lever mounted upon the same axis b' on which it is able to turn freely;
f is a pawl mounted on a stud upon the side of the lever e; it is provided with a
tail f extending to the rear of the stud. An india rubber or other spring connects

page_text: the tail f¹ with the lever e, and causes the pawl to engage with the ratchet teeth.
The rear end of the lever e carries a treddle at e¹. The driving gear upon the two
sides of the main wheel are similar, and the lever e on the one side is connected
with the corresponding lever on the other side by a cord g which is led over the
pulleys g¹, gl, carried upon the main frame. The rider can at pleasure lift the
pawls fout of gear with the ratchets d. To admit of this a little moveable arm h
is connected by a stud or pivot with the lever e, and the rider when he desires to
put the pawl out of gear, moves his foot forward and presses with the toe upon
the hinder end of the arm h. The arm then acts against the pawl and removes it
from contact with the teeth.
A plan of the driving mechanism is shown at Figure 2.
Similar driving mechanism is applicable to tricycles and like vehicles.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that I claim,
First. The arrangement of driving mechanism for bicycles, tricycles, and like
vehicles, substantially as herein described.
Second. In combination with such driving mechanism the arrangement, sub-
stantially as herein described, by which the rider can at pleasure lift the pawls out
of gear.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Dutton, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Eighteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.