Improved and Simple Means of Cleaning Cycle Chains.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application. 9th Mar., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 31st, May, 1892-Accepted, 9th July, 1892.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
An Improved and Simple Means of Cleaning Cycle Chains.
CHARLES JAMES STEPHENS of No. 18 Victoria Road in the Parish of Battersea'
in the County of London Clerk do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
.
My invention consists of two brushes (upper and lower). These brushes are
fixed to a spring made of a suitable material which is adjusted by means of a screw,
with a wing nut.
To clean the chain the brushes are placed over it and then screwed down to meet
the chain and when in this position it is worked backwards and forwards and thus
the chain will be freed from all dust grit and other clogging substance which.
causes a deal of friction in the driving of a machine and thus necessarily increases
the labour attached, thereto.
1 J.
The brushes are fixed so that they can be replaced when worn by new ones.
My invention is made a convenient size to enable it to be carried in the wallet.
with the other accessories thus rendering it valuable to tourists and other cyclists,
going on long journeys.
Dated this 0th day of March 1800
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION..
An Improved and Simple Means of Cleaning Cycle Chains.
CHARLES JAMES STEPHENS of 18 Victoria Road Battersea Park in the County
of London, Clerk 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 :-
My invention relates to an improved double brush for cleaning cycle chains.
In carrying my said invention into practice I mount two brushes opposite each
other on the ends of a wire or band spring of a suitable material and shape and
sufficiently powerful so that when the brushes are attached to the ends of the same
they fit well into each other thus enabling the bristles to reach, every corner of the
chain when cleaning it.
I may make the spring of a V or hairpin shape with if necessary one or more
complete turns at the bend thereof.
At each end of the spring I may fix a suitable clip or clutch the said clips or
clutches facing each other. The said clips or clutches may take the form of thin
metal plates bent to such a shape that they will approximately fit the backs of the
brushes which may be secured in the same by the exertion of slight pressure. I
provide also a screw threaded rod secured to one limb of the spring and projecting
through a hole in the opposite limb and on the end of the screw threaded rod I
provide a wing nut.
When the wing nut is screwed forward on the rod it compresses the spring and
brings the limbs nearer together.
The brushes are conveniently made small and square similar to very small nail
brushes with stiff bristles or wire and are provided with a bead round them so that
they can be easily slipped into and out of the clips or clutches as required and when
worn out can be replaced by new ones without trouble.
The operation of cleaning the chain is as follows that is to say, the wing nut is
unscrewed thus allowing the spring to open the brushes being thereby brought far
!

page_text: apart. The brushes are then placed over the chain and the wing nut screwed down
until the brushes clasp the chain tightly. The cleaner is then moved backwards
and forwards over the chain and by this means in a very short time the chain is
freed from all dust, grit, and other clogging matter which causes much friction in
driving a machine thus materially increasing the labor attached thereto which
especially tells on a long journey. When the cleaning is over the wing nut is
slacked off and the cleaner removed from the chain.
In a modification of my invention I make the spring of a slightly different shape
and am enabled to dispense with the screw threaded rol and wing nut. I nake
the limbs of the spring cross at a point about halfway along their length the
brushes then tending to close together instead of keeping apart.
When the brushes are to be separated in order to be placed over the chain the
limbs of the spring are pinched with the finger and thumb near the bend thus
forcing the ends apart.
On placing the brushes over the chain and releasing the limbs the brushes clasp
the chain tightly between them and the cleaning is proceeded with as before.
My cleaner is made of such a size as to enable it to be carried in a cyclists pouch
with the other accessories thus rendering it portable and of value to tourists and
others going long distances as it can be easily used when making a halt on
the road.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
First The improved cycle chain cleaner consisting of two brushes removably
mounted one on each end of a spring, which may or may not be furnished with a
screw threaded rod and wing nut substantially as described.
Second-The modification of my invention wherein I provide a spring for holding
the brushes of such a shape and strength that the said brushes are tightly pressed
together in the normal condition of the spring substantially as and for the purpose.
specified.
Dated this 31st day of May 1892.
CHARLES J. STEPHENS.