A New or Improved Bicycle Propelling Device.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Oct., 1896-Accepted, 21st Nov., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Bicycle Propelling Device.
I, JAMES GRIEVE LORRAIN, M. Inst. E.E., M.I. Mech. E., of Norfolk House,
Norfolk Street, Strand, London, W.C., in the County of Middlesex, Chartered
Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, (as communicated to
me from abroad by Alexander P. O'Hara, of 48 South Canal Street, Chicago, in
the County of Cook, and State of Illinois, United States of America, Gentleman)
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to means, attached to a bicycle, whereby the vibrations of
the frame, under the weight of the rider, may be utilised to assist in the propulsion
of the machine or vehicle.
This invention has for its object the provision of a simple attachment, capable of
adjustment and use in a manner which does not alter or effect the ordinary and
usual operation of the machine, which attachment utilises the energy created by
the vibrations of the frame of the bicycle under and by reason of the super-imposed
weight of the rider, this energy being so applied so as to exert an impulse, or
succession of impulses, the effect of which is to impart to the bicycle a forward
movement and thereby materially assist the pedal transmitting mechanism in
advancing the bicycle along a roadway.
This invention has certain other objects in view, among which may be stated,
the provision of means whereby the tension of the sprocket chain may be
regulated when this advancing attachment is employed.
Reference may now be had to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bicycle showing the improved attachment
adjusted in position.
Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view, partly in section, showing the advancing
attachment.
Figure 3 is an end or edge view of the same.
Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing the parts in a relatively changed
position, the wheel axle being in section to show the manner of attaching the pull
rod and spring hanger to the wheel axle.
Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view, partly in section, of the wheel axle and
associated parts.
Figure 6 is a cross section showing the means of adjusting the tension of the
sprocket chain at the crank hanger.
Figure 7 is a longitudinal section through the crank hanger showing the
construction of the parts when the eccentric is employed to adjust the tension of
the chain,
Figure 8 is a detail view of a modified form.
Figure 9 is a cross section on the line a-x of Figure 8.
Figure 10 is a modified view of a ball bearing.
The downward movement of the frame and the rearward or diagonal thrust of
the rear portion of the frame is utilized to transfer the energy of such movements
to the axle of the rear wheel preferably. In the construction employed a bracket
or yoke is provided secured to the lower end of the rearwardly extended frame rod,
which bracket has at its upper end a recessed head through which a pull rod and
spring banger is passed and secured to the rear wheel axle. A spring between the
head and the wheel axle causes the pressure arm of the bracket to bear against a

page_text: pressure receiving member secured to the wheel axle and a spring interposed
between the head on the bracket and an adjustable nut on the pull rod serves
to exert a pulling pressure while the pressure arm of the bracket exerts a forcing
or pushing energy.
The construction and relation of parts in detail will now be described and then
the manner of operation set forth.
It will be understood that the parts are duplicated upon each side of the rear
wheel and therefore a description of one set or attachment will suffice.
Secured to the lower end of the rearwardly extended frame bar 15 is a
bracket, 16, having what may be, termed a pressure arm 17 and a perforated
head 18, at its unattached end. A pull rod and spring hanger 19 extends through
the bracket head 18 and is screw threaded in a recess of the pressure receiving
ring 20 secured on the end of the rear wheel axle 21. A take-up spring 22
is interposed between the pressure receiving member 20 and the bracket head 18
and a spring 23 is interposed between said head and the adjusting nut 24 screw
threaded on the free end of the. pull rod 19. The pressure arm bears against the
pressure receiving ring, being held in close contact by means of the spring 22
and is kept in position from lateral movement by means of the flanges on the
pressure receiving ring.
It is now evident that the super-imposed weight of the rider causing the frame
to vibrate sets up a rearward diagonal movement of the rear frame bar 15 which
causes the attached bracket to also move diagonally downward, the pressure
arm 17 at the same time moving diagonally downward and bearing against the
pressure receiving ring 20 thereby imparting a forward forcing energy upon the
rear wheel axlo 21. In, this downward movement the bracket head 18 also
compresses the spring 23 which thereby exerts a pushing influence upon the nut 24
and in turn causing the pull rod 19 to exert a forward pull upon the pressure
receiving ring 20 and axle 21 by reason of the fact that the said pull rod is
projected forward from the wheel axle forward of a vertical line through
its axis.
By this arrangement therefore on each side of the rear wheel is provided
an attachment which in the downward movement of the frame exerts a pushing
and pulling influence or energy upon the rear wheel axle thus materially assisting
in the propulsion of the vehicle.
It will be understood also that the spring 23 also tends to exert an upward
pressure upon the frame.
As shown in Figure 5, if desired the pressure receiving. ring 20 and cone
bearing 25 may be secured on the wheel axle 21 while the cone bearing 25 and
pressure receiving ring 20 on the other end of the wheel axle 21 may be screw
threaded thereon and held in position by jam nuts 26 and 27.
In order to adjust the tension of the sprocket chain 28 is provided a slotted
elbow extension 28 secured to or formed with the connecting frame bar 29,
a securing stud or bolt 30 passing through the slot 31 in the extension 28 and
entering the bracket 16 thus holding this extension upon the bracket and also
securing the lower end of the frame bar 15 to said connecting frame bar 29.
In order to adjust the tension of the chain it is simply necessary to loosen the
connection at 30 between the extension 28 and the bracket 16 which permits
a swinging movement of the frame bar 15 on its pivot at 32.
The usual eccentric lianger adjuster which is shown in Figures 6 and 7 may also
be employed for adjusting the tension of the chain.
In Figure
is shown an adjusting screw by which the tension of the sprocket
chain may be accurately regulated, said adjusting screw being designated at 25.
In this form also a clip 26 is provided and projected from the pressuré receiving
ring, 20 which clip embraces the pressure arm 17 and holds the anti-friction
roller 27.
"
1
In Figure 10 is, shown a construction which provides a ball bearing within the
bracket head 18 and about the pull rod and spring hanger 19.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In a bicycle a device for utilizing the weight of the rider to propel the
vehicle consisting of a vibrational frame, a pressure imparting member or members
secured to the rear diagonally, frame bars bearing against the wheel axle and
adapted to exert a downward diagonal thrust thereon and yielding pressure devices
positioned in advance of the center of the wheel axle together with connections
whereby the latter exerts a pull upon the wheel axle, this combined push and pull
being imposed in the downward movements of the frame.
2. In a bicycle a device for utilizing the weight of the rider to propel the vehicle
consisting of a vibrational frame, a pressure imparting member or members secured
to the rear diagonal frame bars bearing against the wheel axle, adapted to exert a
downward diagonal thrust thereon and yielding pressure devices positioned in
advance of the center of the wheel axle and connections whereby the latter exerts
a pull upon the wheel axle, this combined push and pull being imposed in the
downward movements of the frame, and a sprocket chain adjusting device consisting
in a separable connection between the connecting frame bar or bars and the rear
frame bar or bars together with means for adjusting the relationship between
the same.
Dated this 2nd day of October 1896.
J. G. LORRAIN,
Chartered Patent Agent.