Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Oct., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 29th July, 1897-Accepted, 11th Sept., 1897
I, CHARLES CHALMERS FONTAINE, of 95, Holland Road, Brixton, London, S.W.,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The invention relates to improvements in the Driving Mechanism of Safety
Bicycles, the object being to provide a means whereby the machine may be propelled
without using 'rotating Cranks as usual.
In carrying out my invention, two Arms, or Levers may be used, the one end being
supplied with Pedals-or suitable Foot Rests as usual the other end I attach to
the Frame of the machine by a suitable bearing in the usual way, in order that the
pedal end may move easily up and down as required, on the bottom bracket Spindle I
einploy in place of Cranks, two small Wheels, around which one end of a Chain or
Belt is attached, the other end being fastened to aforesaid Levers at any suitable
point, on the aforesaid Wheels I employ a Ratchett, or Friction Clutch in the usual
way, in order that they firmly hold the Spindle on the downward stroke of the
Levers, and automatically release themselves on the reverse, stroke, thereby
propelling the machine forward, the power being transmitted to the driving wheel in
the usual manner.
The most important part and what I claim, rleates to a small Wheel which I employ
between the two aforesaid wheels,-and running on an independent bearing at right
angles to the others-and fitted with Teeth which also fit into Teeth or Cogs on the
other wheels, in order that on the downstroke of one lever it operates the other
wheel the reverse way, thereby winding up the other chain or belt, and lever, in
position for the downward or propelling stroke, and vice versa.
I do not wish to limit myself to any particular shape of the above parts, as they
may be varied without altering the general principle of the mechanical parts
employed.
1000
CHARLES CHALMERS FONTAINE,
95, Holland Road, Brixton, London, S. W.
Improvements
I, CHARLES CHALMERS FONTAINE of 95, Holland Road, Brixton, 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 relates to improvements in the driving mechanism of cycles and
other vehicles, and is also applicable to other kinds of machinery, the object of which

page_text: is to provide means of driving without requiring rotating cranks and to obviate
dead centres.
In carrying out my invention as applied to cycles, two ariñs or levers are employed,
each provided with a pedal. These arms or levers are pivoted at the end opposite
the pedal so as to oscillate as hereinafter described. From each of these levers a
chain or other connection passes to a wheel or drum carried loosely on the driving
spindle. This spindle is provided with wheels placed within the drums above
mentioned, and between the rims of the outer and inner wheels a series of small
plates is placed connected together by links so as to form a chain.. These plates
are slightly broader than the space between the two rims, and are placed at a
slight angle bearing against both rims. A number of springs is provided between
the plates which causes them to retain their proper position, and also allows them
to give slightly. On turning the outer wheels or drums in one direction the
plates will be caused to bite between the two rims, and the inner wheels and
driving spindle will be turned. On the outer wheels moving in the opposite
direction they will slip freely over the chains of plates with very little friction,
so that motion can be transmitted only in one direction. The spindle is provided
with the usual chain wheel through which the cycle is driven.
The two drums or outer wheels are connected together by a bevel wheel or
other connection so that as the one is turned it will cause the other to revolve in
the opposite direction.
On oscillating the pedals and levers the connections will alternately drive, their
respective drums, the one being driven returning the other into position ready for
driving so that a continuous motion is obtained. This arrangement allows a perfect
driving motion and at the same time the rider may stop driving at any instant,
keeping his feet at rest and allowing the cycle to continue on its way.
As applied to other apparatas the arrangement is similar, the parts being modified
in form to suit the apparatus.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had
to the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side view of a safety
bicycle provided with my improved driving gear, Fig. 2 shows the driving mechanism
in detail, Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the same, Fig. 4 shows a slight modification
also in section, Fig. 5 is a detail view showing the various forms of plates, and
Fig. 6 shows one of the plates enlarged.
Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the levers or arms A are pivoted at a to the frame
of the machine. The other ends are provided with the pedals or foot rests a', by which
they are driven. On the driving spindle B are placed the outer wheels or drums C
carried by ball bearings c and provided with the over hanging rims c. From these
drums the chains or connections D pass to the arms or levers A, one drum being
provided for each lever. Within the drums are placed the wheels E fixed on the
driving spindle B, the rins c¹ enclosing the rims of the wheels E. A ring e is
provided to keep dust from entering between the rims...
Between the two rims the set of plates F is placed connected together by the
links and the springs, three of the latter being shown, though any other
number may be used. These links and springs keep the plates in the proper
position being connected to the lower edge of one plate and to the upper edge
of the next. As shown these plates are slightly wider than the space between the
two rims so that they lie at a slight angle.
On pushing down one of the arms the connection will pull over the drum belonging
to it, turning it in the direction. shown by the arrow in Fig. 2. This will cause
the plates to bite between the two rims and will compel the inner wheel to turn
along with the drum. At the same time the wheel can turn with the chain of
plates without affecting the drum and the latter can also turn in the opposite
direction quite freely. On the inner face of the drum the bevel teeth c² are placed,
and between these bevelled teeth the bevelled gear wheel G is placed carried by
the frame. This bevel wheel causes the drums to reciprocate so that on one drum
being driven from the foot lever the other will he turned in the opposite direction,

page_text: winding up the chains or connectiou belonging to it, and raising the foot lever ready
for operation.
The spindle is provided with the usual chain wheel H fixed upon it at one side
from which the chain h passes to the small wheel on the driving wheel J.
The arrangement shown in Fig. 4 is similar to that already described, but the
inner wheels C¹ and C2 serve to carry the outer drums or wheels through the ball
bearings 3 placed around the rim of the inner wheels. The wheel C also serves
as the chain wheel being made somewhat larger than the other and provided with
teeth around its edge. The bracket bearing K is placed between the two wheels,
the usual cones and ball bearings being provided. In this case, instead of employing
the bevelled wheel G, the drums are connected by a chain or other connection G¹
wound round them and passing over the pulley g, the result produced being the
same as that before described.
As shown in Fig. 5 the plates placed between the two rims may be of varying
forms F having the upper and lower edges with rounded corners at one side, the
other side being square. The surfaces of both rims are smooth, F2 is formed with its
upper edges similar to F but its lower edge is rounded and takes into a small notch or
depression el in the inner rim. F is of similar shape to F2 but bears at the top and
bottom against snooth surfaces.
Instead of having the plates kept in position by means of connecting links springs F4
may be employed fixed to each plate the lower ends bearing against the next plate to
keep these plates at the proper distance apart.
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 :-
(1) In driving mechanism for cycles and the like, the combination with oscillating
arms or levers, loose drums mounted on a driving spindle and connections wound
round the drums passing to the levers, of fixed wheels on the driving spindle within
the said druins and a clutch consisting of a chain of plates placed between the rims
of the drums and fixed wheels, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
(2) In driving mechanism for cycles and the like, the combination with pivoted
arms or levers, loose drums mounted on a driving wheel and chains or connections
wound round the said drums and passing to the levers, of wheels fixed on the
driving spindle placed within the said druins and a series of small transverse plates
connected together by links and springs placed between the rims of the drums and
fixed wheels, substantially as described and for the purposes specified.
(3) In driving mechanism for cycles, the combination with two pivoted arms or
levers carrying pedals, two drums mounted in ball bearings on the driving spindle,
and chains or connections passing from the said drums to the levers, of bevel wheels
or connections causing one lever to rise as the other falls wheels fixed on the
driving spindle and placed within the drums, transverse plates placed between the
rims of the drums and fixed wheels, links and springs connecting the plates together
in a chain, and a chain wheel fixed on the driving spindle, substantially as described
and for the purposes specified.
(4) Improvements in driving mechanism for use with cycles and the like, comprising
oscillating levers, loose drums with connections to the said levers, fixed wheels within
the said drums and friction clutches between the rims of the drums and fixed wheels,
all constructed and operating substantially as described and shown in the
accompanying drawings, and for the purposes specified
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London; Agent for the Applicant.