Improvements in the Driving Gear of Cycles.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Feb., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 21st Nov., 1894-Accepted, 22nd Dec., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Driving Gear of Cycles.
I, THOMAS JOSEPH HEALY, of Drumconrath, in the County Meath, Ireland,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to improvements in the driving gear of cycles, and
has for its object the utilization of the weight of the rider for the purpose of
communicating rotatory motion to the driving spindle, and thence to the
machine.
In carrying out my invention I propose to mount the saddle or seat on a suitable
spring or oscillating lever attached to the frame of the machine, whereby the saddle
or seat will be capable of an up and down motion.
This saddle or seat is connected to the driving spindle by means of two ratchets
which gear with suitable pinions mounted on the driving spindle.
The ordinary pedals are replaced by stirrups or other suitable rests for the feet
to press against in the act of driving.
These stirrups instead of being carried at right angles to each other, as in the
case of ordinary pedals, are carried parallel to each other.
The action of the invention is as follows:-
When the stirrups are depressed by the feet of the rider, the saddle or seat rises
and causes one of the ratchets to gear with one of the pinions on the driving
spindle, thus imparting a rotatory motion to same.
As the saddle descends the second ratchet comes into gear with the second
pinion on the driving spindle, carrying on the rotatory motion, thus the up and
down motion of the saddle is converted into a continuous alternating rotatory
motion, and the machine propelled by the weight of the rider.
Dated the 20th dow of Fahmury 1801
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
9, Westland Row, Dublin, Agents for Applicant.
Improvements in the Driving Gear of Cycles.
I, THOMAS JOSEPH HEALY, of Drumconrath, in the County Meath, Ireland,
Gentleman, 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 has reference to improvements in the driving gear of cycles, and
has for its object the utilization of the weight of the rider for the purpose of
communicating rotatory motion to the driving spindle, and thence to the
machine.
In carrying out my invention I propose to mount the saddle or seat ou a suitable
spring or oscillating lever attached to the frame of the machine whereby the saddle
or seat will be capable of an up and down motion.

page_text: This saddle or seat is connected to the driving spindle by means of two curved
racks, which gear with suitable pinions and ratchet wheels mounted on the driving
spindle.
The ordinary pedals are replaced by stirrups or other suitable rests for the feet
to press against in the act of driving.
These stirrups instead of being carried as in the case of ordinary pedals, are
carried parallel to each other.
The accompanying drawings will enable the construction and application of my
said invention to be more readily understood, and carried into practice.
Fig. 1, is a general view of a bicycle with my improved driving gear applied
thereto. Fig. 2, is an elevation (enlarged scale) of driving gear detached; and
Fig. 3. a plan of same.
A. is the seat or saddle mounted on the levers b, b, which oscillate on the pivot c,
and are provided at their free ends with vertical rods d, carrying at their lower
extremities stirrups e, for the feet to rest in. The levers b, are hinged by vertical
rods 6', with parallel levers, which latter are pivoted at g, and carry the curved
racks h and h¹. These racks engage with pinions i and running loosely on the
chain wheel spindle k, and engaging by means of pauls and P, the ratchet
wheels and p which are keyed to the spindle.
As thus constructed the action of the improved driving gear is as follows:-
When the stirrups are depressed by the feet of the rider, the saddle rises and
causes one of the curved racks h. to gear with pinion i, which by means of paul
engages ratchet wheel p, thus driving the spindle round half a revolution or so.
As the saddle descends the curved rack h¹ comes into action with pinion i¹, which
being coupled by means of paul 11 to ratchet wheel p' carries on the rotatory motion
of spindle k. Thus the up and down motion of the saddle is converted into a
continuous rotatory motion, and this action is accomplished by utilizing the weight
of the rider. s. is the chain wheel mounted on spindle k, by means of which
motion is imparted to the ordinary driving wheel of the machine.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would have it understood
that what I claim is :-
First. In cycles, the use and application of driving gear, constructed, arranged,
and operating substantially in the manner herein specified.
Dated the 19th day of November 1894.
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
9, Westland Row, Dublin, Agents for Applicant.