Improvements in velocipedes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Improvements in velocipedes.
I, WILLIAM THOMAS SMITH of Church Street, Bolton in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows, that is to say :-
In connection with the driving gear of bicycles and other velocipedes which are
propelled by the rider operating rotary cranks it is well known that the power of
Baid rider over said cranks as well as the speed of these latter is least and
slowest in that part of each of their revolutions wherein these said cranks are most
nearly approaching their highest and lowest positions, to counteract this and
distribute the power of the rider over the vehicle more evenly throughout the
entirety of each revolution of the crank is the object of the first part of my
invention.
This object attain by the employment of an elliptical driving wheel mounted
on the spindle of the cranks with its larger diameter at right angles to the radial
arms of the said cranks, by which means when these cranks are in position for the
rider to have the greatest power over them this power or force will at this time be
transmitted to the driving wheel of the velocipede through the greater diameter
of the elliptical wheel.
As the distance that one part of the driving chain is from the other, varies by
reason of the varying diameters of the elliptical wheel, the tension on said driving
chain would in any ordinary way vary, however to counteract this and keep the
chain in as normal a condition as it is when the usual kind of chain wheels are
used, I mount the chain wheel eccentrically on the shaft of the velocipede's
driving wheel, the extent of its said eccentricity being made to correspond with
the requirements of the elliptical wheel. Or instead of mounting said wheel
eccentrically on its shaft it may be mounted in the usual manner, and guide pulleys
may be placed between it and the elliptical wheel to keep the chain at a more even
tension. Or again an intermediate pair of chain wheels one fixed eccentrically to
the other might be mounted between the elliptical wheel and that on the shaft of
the driving wheel and this arrangement enables one chain to be more appropriately
adjusted with the other.
In connection with the driving mechanism hereinafter described, as well as in
connection with the usual kind of chain driving gear, I make the spindle of the
bicycle or velocipede's driving wheel so that the antifriction ball-bearing-cone may
be held thereon by a separate or special check nut thus it is entirely beld
independently of the framework fixings.
I also make the back forked part of the framework to have rack teeth for
gearing with small toothed wheels on each side of the driving wheel's spindle.
These toothed wheels are secured to the said spindle so that whenever the fixing
screws of this spindle are loosened it may be moved along the opening in the fork
to take up or otherwise adjust the wheel to meet the requirements of the chain,
and on such movement each end of the spindle is carried through the same space
thus it is kept in proper position relatively with the crank spindle.
Respecting the second part of my invention, which relates to the method of
jointing one piece of tubing to another to form the framework of the velocipede it.
is well known that the method at present followed, which is to pin and braze oue.

page_text: part to another, considerably detracts from the strength of the material by reason
of same having to be heated to such a high temperature in effecting the said
brazing as to alter the nature of the tubing at such parts.
To obviate this and produce firmer and stronger joints, I make the tubing thicker
at such joining parts so that I am enabled to form a screw thread on them for one
part to be screwed into another, on or during which I employ common solder or a
very soft class of brazing substance to further secure one part to the other thus
the joint is produced without the nature or temper of the metal tubes being
interfered with.
To produce tubes with their outer or joining ends thicker than their body parts
I have them firstly made thick enough throughout to meet my requirements, I then
take them and swage down the body or central parts leaving the outer ends at
their original thickness.
The third part of my invention relates to an improved method of mounting the
handle bars of bicycles whereby these are prepared so that the rider can readily
raise, lower or regulate them to occupy any position he may desire.
To accomplish this object the two handle parts of the bar are made separate
from each other and are pivotally mounted on the machine's framework, while
their approaching ends have toothed quadrants formed on them to mesh with each
other or to mesh with an intermediate gearing wheel, so that as one handle is-
oscillated on its pivotal pin so also will the other be moved.
The pivotal mounting of the handles when no intermediate wheel is employed
requires a pin or stud for each handle, while when said wheel is used the teeth of
the quadrant are formed laterally to gear with the pinion so that one pivotal pin
alone acts for both handles. To hold or lock these handles in any of their several
positions, when the pinion wheel is used, extra serrations are formed on the
quadrants or hubs of the handles to gear together, and the pivotal pin is arranged
to carry a screwed handle or nut so that by tightening it up one handle is held fast
to the other and the pinion between them holds them both firmly.
When the pinion is not used, then I arrange a locking plate to be operated by a
screw for binding and holding both of the handles as desired.
The fourth part of my invention relates to brake mechanism for bicycles and
other velocipedes whereby the inconvenience and weight of complicated gearing
and mechanism is dispensed with, while the power exerted over the brake is
efficiently transmitted to it.
To attain this object I arrange the brake sole to be moved by the expanding or
contracting of an india-rubber case or a suitable cylinder and piston may be
substituted for this yielding case, to which as well as to said case, the said sole is
detachably secured so as to allow its detachment for repairs etc. To this case or
to the cylinder is attached a tube (flexible or otherwise) which leads from it into
suitable proximity with the handle bar, so as to be within easy reach of the rider,
where it enters a flexible (as india-rubber) bag or chamber (or here also another
cylinder and piston may be used, the latter if desired being operated by levers or
otherwise), which chamber (or cylinder if used) and the tube leading to the brake
are filled with water, so that any pressure applied by the rider to the bag (or
piston) will be transmitted directly by or through this water to the brake sɔle.
The fifth part of my invention relates to bicycles and consists of attaching
thereto in a suitable manner, adjustable stay pieces which when not in use for
holding the bicycle in its erect position as when same is standing in the street or
elsewhere, these stay picces may be folded over and held in an appropriate position
by the framework of the machine.
In carrying out this part of my invention I form a bearing that may readily be
attached to any suitable part of the bicycle's framework. On this bearing I
pivotally mount two stay pieces the contiguous surfaces of the hubs of which are
serrated to mesh with each other so that by a screwed nut tightening or pressing
them together the one holds the other when in their positions either against a
suitable spring clip securing them to the framework, or when they are turned

page_text: down to rest upon the ground in which latter position they hold the bicycle as
desired.
Dated this 011
1004
vemer
velocipedes.
I, WILLIAM THOMAS SMITH of Church Street, Bolton in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, 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, that is to say :-
It relates to improvements in velocipedes and in order that same may be more
readily understood I have hereunto appended sheets of drawings illustrative
thereof to which by figures and letters reference is made in the following
description.
Fig. 1 is side elevation of a sufficient portion of a velocipede to show the
application of my improved driving gear..
Fig. 2 is a similar view to Fig. 1 but shows certain of the parts in another
position which will be hereinafter explained.
Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the hub of a velocipede's wheel, and shows a method
of securing the chain wheel thereto.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation similar to Fig. 1 but illustrates an alternative arrange-
ment of certain of the parts.
Fig. 5 is a view of the parts shown by Fig. 4 as seen from above.
Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 are also similar views to Fig. 1 and illustrate modifications
hereinafter explained.
Figs. 10 and 11 are side and end views of parts of the machines framework and
the hub of the wheel mounted therein, the same being formed and constructed in
accordance with my invention.
Fig. 12 is a similar view to Fig. 11 but shows a modification hereinafter
described.
Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the tubing as shaped to form my improved
joint.
Figs. 14 and 15 are sectional side and end elevations showing an improved method
of mounting the handle bars of bicycles.
Fig. 16 is a detail drawing of certain parts of same.
Fig. 17 is a similar view to Fig. 14 but illustrates an alternative method of
construction.
Fig. 18 is a view of the parts shown by Fig. 17 and as seen from above.
Figs. 19 and 20 are front and side elevations of a portion of the handle bar
and upright part of the framework of a bicycle and show the method of mounting
my improved brake mechanism thereon, from which and from the description
thereof hereinafter given it will readily be seen how said brake mechanism may
be applied to other classes of velocipedes.
Figs. 21 and 22 are drawings in detail of parts hereinafter explained.
Fig. 23 is side elevation of a sufficient portion of a bicycle to show the application
thereto of adjustable stay-pieces or supports.
Similar figures and letters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the
several views.

page_text: In connection with the driving gear of bicycles and other velocipedes, which are
propelled by the rider operating rotary cranks, it is well known that the power of
said rider over said cranks, as well as the speed of these latter is least and slowest
in that part of each of their revolutions wherein these said cranks are most nearly
approaching their highest and lowest positions, to counteract this and distribute
the power of the rider over the vehicle more evenly throughout the entirety
of each revolution of these cranks is the object of the first part of my invention.
This object I attain by the employment of an elliptical driving wheel 2 mounted
on the spindle or shaft 3 of the cranks 4, with its larger diameter at about right
angles to the radial arms of said cranks 4, by which means when these cranks 4 are
in position for the rider to have the greatest power over them (which is about the
position shown by Fig. 1) this power or force will be transmitted to the driving
wheel 5 of the velocipede through the greater diameter of the wheel 2.
As the distance that one part of the driving chain 6 is from the other, varies by
reason of the varying diameters of the wheel 2 (said variation in the distance of
one part of the chain 6 from the other being shown at the two extreme points by
Figs. 1 and 2), the tension of said chain would in an ordinary way vary.
However, to counteract this and keep the chain in as normal a condition as it is
when the usual kind of chain wheels are used, I mount the chain wheel 7
eccentrically on the shaft 8 of the velocipede's driving wheel 5, the extent of its
said eccentricity being made to correspond with the requirements of the elliptical
wheel 2. Or instead of mounting said wheel 7 eccentrically on the shaft 8
mount thereon the wheel 13 in the usual manner and guide pulleys 10, 11 may be
placed between it and said elliptical wheel 2, as I find that these pulleys 10 and 11
answer the purpose efficiently when mounted on stationary bearings or spindles a a¹
and in proper position relatively with the said wheel 2, while they further allow
any variation in the relative dimensions of the wheels 2 and 13 whereas the
arrangement shown by Figs. 1 and 2 necessitates the wheel 7 being made exactly
half the size of the wheel 2.
may
Further, I find that by slightly increasing the distance of the centre a or a¹ about
which the pulley 10 or 11 rotates, out of the plane in which the spindles or
shafts 3 and 8 are situated, and as shown by Figs. 7 and 8, I have equally good
results in maintaining the tension of the chain 6 when I only use one of said
pulleys 10 or 11 as when I use them both. Or the same result may be again
attained by the arrangement and forination of pulley 12 (see Fig. 9) the diameter
of which is large enough to enable it to be in contact with the chain 6 above and
below it.
The eccentric wheel 7 may still be used in conjunction with the elliptical
wheel 2 and other variable speeds, than that of two to one be obtained by securing
such wheel 7 upon a supplementary chain wheel 14 as shown by Fig. 4, in
which case the extra variation is obtained by the size of said wheel 14 being
varied with that of the wheel 13 to which it is joined by the chain 15.
In connection with the driving mechanism hereinbefore described, as well as in
connection with the usual kind of chain driving gear, I make the spindle or
shaft 8 of the bicycle or velocipede's driving wheel, so that the anti-friction ball-
bearing-cone 16 may be held thereon by a separate check nut 17 (see Fig. 11)
thus it is entirely held independently of the framework fixings.
I also make the back forked part 18 of the framework to have rack teeth b for
gearing with small toothed wheels 19 on each side of the spindle 8. These
wheels 19 are secured to the said spindle 8 so that whenever the fixing nuts 20 of
the said spindle 8 are loosened, it (said spindle 8) may be moved along the opening
in the forked part 18 to take up or otherwise adjust the wheel 7 or 13 to meet the
requirements of its chain 6 or 15, and on such movement of the spindle 8 each of
its outer ends is carried by these toothed pinions through the same space thus it is
kept in proper p: sition relatively with the crank spindle 3.
Respecting the second part of my invention, which relates to the method of

page_text: jointing one piece of tubing to another to form the framework of the velocipede,
it is well known that the method at present followed, which is to pin and braze
one part to another, considerably detracts from the strength of the material by
reason of same having to be heated to such a high temperature in effecting the
said brazing as to alter the nature of the tubing at such parts.
To obviate this and produce firmer and stronger joints, I make the tubing
thicker at such joint, as shown at 20d Fig. 13, so that I am enabled to form a
screw thread on them for one part 20d to be screwed into the other 21, on or
during which I employ common solder or a very soft class of brazing substance
to further secure one part to the other, thus the joint is produced without the
nature or temper of the metal tubes being interfered with.
To produce tubes with their outer joining ends thicker than their body or middle
parts I have them firstly made thick enough throughout to meet my requirements,
I then take them and swage down the said body or middle parts leaving the outer
ends at their original thickness.
The third part of my invention relates to an improved method of mounting the
bandle bars of bicycles whereby these are prepared so that the rider can readily
raise, lower or regulate them to occupy any position he may desire.
This object I accomplish by making the two handle parts 22 and 23 separate
from each other. These said parts I pivotally mount upon the machine's frame-
work 24, while their approaching ends have toothed quadrants cc (Fig. 17) or d d'
(Figs. 14 and 15) formed on them to mesh with each other or in the latter case to
mesh with an intermediate gearing wheel 25, so that as one handle 22 or 23 is
oscillated or moved on its pivotal pin so also will the other be moved.
The pivotal mounting of the said handles 22 and 23 when no intermediate
wheel 25 is employed requires a pin or stud f for each handle, as shown by Fig. 17,
while when said wheel 25 is used then the teeth d d' of the quadrants are formed
laterally thereon (as shown by Figs. 14, 15 and 16) to gear with the said pinion 25
so that only one pivotal pin is required for both the handles. To hold or lock
these handles 22 and 23 in any of their several positions when the pinion 25 is
used, extra serrations g formed on the quadrante d'd to gear together or mesh with
each other, and the pin is arranged to carry a screwed handle or nut 26 so that by
tightening it up one handle 22 is held to the other 23 and the pinion 25 between
them firmly holds them both.
When the pinion 25 is not used, then I arrange a locking plate 27 to be operated
by a screwed bandle 28 for binding and holding both of the handles 22 and 23
together as shown by Figs. 17 and 18.
The fourth part of my invention relates to brake mechanism for bicycles and
other velocipedes whereby the inconvenience and weight of complicated gearing
and mechanism is dispensed with, while the power to be exerted over the brake
may be efficiently transmitted to it.
To attain this object I arrange the brake sole 29 to be moved by the expanding
or contracting of an india-rubber case 30 (or in place of this a cylinder and piston
may be employed) by being directly secured thereon as shown by Figs. 19 and 20,
or instead of this india-rubber case 30 being used, a metal case or cylinder 31
having its upper surface moveable to form a piston, which is arranged to move
vertically in its said cylinder; may be employed as shown by Figs. 21 and 22, in
which case the sole 29 is beneath the wheel's rin and is raised into contact
therewith when the piston in the cylinder 31 rises as it is coupled thereto by the
rods 31 on each side of it. The rigid stays 32 have the levers or links 32
pivotted to them, and these said links 32 are arranged and coupled to said sole 29
in order to keep same in position (the rods 31° in Fig. 21 being behind the stays 32"
only their upper and lower ends are to be seen), while the brake soles 29 in all
cases are made detachable to allow repairs to be readily effected.
To the case 30 or cylinder 31 is coupled a tube 42 (flexible or otherwise) which
leads from it into suitable proximity with the handle bar 33 so as to be within easy

page_text: reach of the rider, where it enters a flexible (as india-rubber) bag 34 (or here also
another cylinder and piston may be used, the latter if desired being operated by
levers or otherwise), which bag 34 (or cylinder if used) and the tube 42 are filled
with water or other suitable liquid, so that any pressure applied by the rider to the
bag 34 (or piston if used in place of this bag) will be transmitted directly by or
through this water or other liquid to the brake sole 29.
The fifth part of my invention relates to bicycles and consists of attaching
thereto in a suitable manner, adjustable stay pieces which when not in use for
holding the bicycle in its erect position as when same is standing in the street or
elsewhere stay pieces may be folded over and held in an appropriate position by
the framework of the machine.
In carrying out this part of my invention I form a bearing 35 that may be
readily attached to any suitable part of the bicycle's framework, such part
preferably being the tube 36 or one occupying a similar position. On this
bearing 35 I pivotally mount two stay pieces 37 and 38 (the pivotal pin 39 upon
which these are mounted being arranged to assume the position relatively with the
tube 36 as shown for the purpose hereinafter described), the contiguous surfaces h
of the hubs of which are serrated to mesh with each other so that by a screwed
nut 40 tightening or pressing them together the one holds the other when in their
positions either in contact with the spring clip 41 as shown in full lines Fig. 23, or
when they are turned down to rest upon the ground in which latter position they
hold the bicycle as desired.
The position and direction in which the pivotal pin 39 is situated enables the
said stays to be turned or folded in line with the tube 36 as shown, or to be brought
to extend vertically or nearly so when in use.
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―
1. In driving gear for velocipedes, an elliptical chain wheel and means for
regulating the tension of said chain on said wheel the same being arranged in
combination substantially as herein specified.
2. In driving gear for velocipedes, an elliptical chain wheel and guide pulleys
mounted to revolve about fixed bearings to regulate or maintain the tension of the
driving chain substantially as specified.
3. In driving gear for velocipedes, an elliptical chain wheel, a guide pulley
mounted to revolve about fixed bearings to regulate the tension of the driving
chain by being in contact with only one part of same substantially as specified.
4. In driving gear for velocipedes, an elliptical chain wheel, a guide pulley
mounted to revolve about fixed bearings to regulate the tension of the driving
chain by having same to come into contact with it above and below its centre of
rotation substantially as specified.
5. In a bicycle, bearings for the shaft or spindle of the driving wheel con-
structed so that toothed pinion may engage therewith substantially as herein
specified, and for the purpose described.
6. In a bicycle, bearings for the shaft or spindle of the driving wheel a check-
nut arranged to maintain the position of certain parts thereon substantially as
specified.
7. In the construction of the framework of a bicycle or other velocipede, joints
or jointing parts formed to be secured substantially as herein set forth.
8. In a bicycle, handle bars constructed and mounted so that they may be
adjusted and held relatively with each other and the other parts of the machine
substantially as specified.
9. In brake mechanism for velocipedes, yielding surfaces for carrying a
detachable brake shoe and means for transmitting pressure thereto substantially
-as set forth.

page_text: 10. Stands or supports for bicycles constructed so that they may be mounted
upon the framework thereof substantially as specified.
W. T. SMITH,
Per Samuel Hey,
Agent.