Improvements in the Means Employed to Assist in the Propulsion of Velocipedes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd June, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 19th Sept., 1890-Accepted, 25th Oct., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Means Employed to Assist in the Propulsion
of Velocipedes.
1, JAMES ARTHUR FOOTTIT, of Sudbury, near Derby, Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention has for its object to provide a simple efficient means readily adaptable
to velocipedes of any type for minimizing the amount of labour necessary in their
propulsion and to increase the speed thereof.
In carrying out my invention I make use of two weights or levers of any convenient
size and shape which are secured to the axle or hub of the driving wheel at right
angles to the actuating pedal cranks, these weights or levers whilst steadying the
machine and assisting to prevent it slipping sideways when travelling over wet
surfaces serve also to materially assist in its propulsion by adding to the momentum
of the driving wheel, thus carrying the pedal cranks over the dead centres.
The weight or lever which I employ in accordance with my said invention comprises
a bent plate of metal enlarged at the outer extremity so as to provide sufficient weight to
suit the type of machine to which it is adapted. The inner end of the bent plate is fitted
with a strap or saddle the two parts being drawn together so as to grip the axle or
hub by a gib and cotter held in place by a set screw and split pin. The weight or
lever may however be secured to the hub or axle by any other convenient means.
Dated this 4th day of June 1890
JAMES
STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers, 20, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Means Employed to Assist in the Propulsion
of Velocipedes.
I, JAMES ARTHUR FOOTTIT, of Sudbury, near Derby, 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 :-
My invention has for its object to provide a simple efficient means readily adaptable
to velocipedes of any type for minimizing the amount of labour necessary in their
propulsion and to increase the speed thereof.
In carrying out my invention I make use of two weights or levers of any convenient
size and shape which are secured to the axle or hub of the driving wheel at right
angles to the actuating pedal cranks, these weights or levers whilst steadying the
machine and assisting to prevent it slipping sideways when travelling over wet
surfaces serve also to materially assist in its propulsion by adding to the momentum
of the driving wheel, thus carrying the pedal cranks over the dead centres.
In the accompanying drawing
Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the adaptation of my improvements to the driving wheel
of a rear-driving safety bicycle.
Figures 3 and 4 show, by a side and front elevation, detached and enlarged views
of my balance weight or lever and the means I prefer to adopt for securing same to
the hub or axle of the wheel.
The weight or lever, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, comprises a bent plate of metal A
enlarged at the outer extremity a so as to provide sufficient weight to suit the machine.
The inner end of the bent plate A is fitted with a strap or saddle B, the two parts
being drawn together so as to grip the axle or hub by a gib c and cotter d held in

page_text: place by a set screw e and split pin f. The weight or lever may however be secured
to the hub or axle by any other convenient means.
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 :-
.
In velocipedes the employment of weights or levers preferably composed of bent
plates of metal A and straps or saddles B which are adapted to the hubs or axles of
the wheels at right angles to the pedal cranks and secured by gibs and cotters or
equivalent fastenings substantially as set forth and shown and for the purposes
specified.
Dated this 19th day of September 1890.
JAMES STEVENSON,
20, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant,
JAMES
STEVENSON,
20, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.