Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Propelling • Cycles.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Mar., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 15th Dec., 1894-Accepted, 2nd Feb., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Propelling
•
Cycles.
I, JOHN WALKER, of 9, Tempest Road, Beeston Hill, Leeds, in the County
of York, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention has for its object the arrangement of certain mechanism and the
combination of the same with the driving wheels of cycles and the like, in such a
manner, that the full force applied by the rider during the entire downward stroke
of the peddles is transmitted to the machine in such a way that, the force is more
effectually utilized and practically uniform during each tread of the peddles.
I accomplish my object in the following manner :-A lever is mounted in a
suitable fulcrum pin at each side of the driving wheel, and each lever is provided
with a tooth segment which respectively gears with a toothed wheel mounted
loosely on each side of the driving wheel axle. On each toothed wheel is attached
a pawl which gears with a ratchet wheel secured on each side of the driving wheel,
so that when the toothed segments are operated in one direction, the pawls on the
toothed wheels engage with the ratchet teeth and rotate the driving wheel.
The levers are of suitable length to serve as peddles, and are connected together
by rods and a rocking shaft or lever, or by a chain over a pulley, in a manner that
when one lever is descending the other is ascending.
The motion of the peddles can be stopped in any position at the will of the rider
by disengaging the pawls from the ratchet wheel, by which arrangement foot rests
may be dispensed with.
The toothed and ratchet wheels are boxed within suitable casings, thus protecting
them from dust and the like, and reducing the liability of the rider's wearing
apparel being caught in the driving mechanism.
Dated this 14th day of March 1894.
JOHN WAUGH,
Agent.
Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Propelling
Cycles.
I, JOHN WALKER of 9, Tempest Road, Beeston Hill, Leeds, in the County of
York, 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 :-
This invention has for its object the arrangement of certain mechanism and the
combination of the same with the driving wheels of cycles and machines operated
by foot pressure by arranging the mechanism in such a manner that, the full force
applied by the operator during the entire downward stroke of the treadles is
transmitted to the machine in such a way that the force is more effectually utilized
and is practically uniform during each tread of the treadles.

page_text: In describing my invention in detail, reference is made to the accompanying
drawings in which
Fig. 1 represents a detached portion of the rear wheel of a cycle with my improved
treadle apparatus added thereto.
Figs. 2 and 3 show portions of the front wheel of a cycle with my treadle apparatus
applied.
Fig. 4 is a detached detail of a ratchet wheel and pawls hereinafter further
described.
Fig. 5 is a plan of a portion of a treadle lever.
Fig. 6 is an enlarged detached detail view of an internal toothed segment forming
part of a treadle lever.
Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the same through line M. M. showing a portion of
the wheel and cycle frame also.
Figs. 8 and 9 are detached details, the latter in perspective showing the
connecting bars between the treadle levers and a rocking shaft, and
Figs. 10 and 11 details of a washer hereinafter described.
A treadle lever is mounted on a fulcrum L. at each side of the driving wheel W.
and each treadle lever is provided with a toothed segment on the internal circum-
ference or surface at H. when geared to the rear wheel axle, or externally at H¹.
when geared to the front wheel axle, each treadle toothed seginent gearing with a
toothed wheel G. mounted loosely on the driving wheel axle Y. one wheel G. at
each side of driving wheel W.
On each toothed wheel G. are secured arms F. F. each supporting a pawl A.
one end being connected by a rod C. to the washer or disc D. mounted on the
axle Y. between the ratchet wheel B. and cap E. the latter secured to the axle in
any convenient manner. The washers or discs D. are of such thickness that the
ends of connecting rods C. may be mounted in recesses R. formed in the said
washers, or discs, and in order that the latter may grip the axle so as to slightly
retard the washers or discs, a light spring St may be introduced in said washer or
disc to press on the axle Y. as shown, or the cap E. may be secured so as to
slightly hold by friction the washer or disc between caps and ratchet wheel B.
On pressing the treadle levers P. in a downward direction the toothed
segments H. or H' and wheels G. are operated in the direction that the respective
pawls A. engage with the teeth of the ratchet wheels B. secured on the axle Y.
thus causing same and the driving wheel W. of the cycle to rotate and the machine
to travel, or the driving shaft to rotate of any other treadle machine to which the
improved treadle and toothed mechanism is applied.
The treadle levers P. are connected together by rods O. O. and an intermediary
rocking shaft N. mounted on a bracket secured to the frame S. of machine in a
manner that, as one treadle lever P. is ascending, the other lever is descending,
thereby keeping the two treadle levers in their relative positions.
The foot rest D. of each treadle lever is supported by a forked enlargement
formed at one end of tube portion of the lever P. which fits over a rod 1. connected
to the toothed segment portion of the treadle lever. A slot hole J. is formed in
the said tube, so that it may be moved on the rod I. and thereby increase or
decrease the length of the leverage as desired, the tube being held in position on
the rod by an ordinary divided screw clutch as shown at K.
By mounting the toothed wheels G. and washers or discs D. loosely on axle and
securing to the axle the ratchet wheels B. on the operator ceasing to treadle the
levers P. say for example on going down an inclined road, the friction of the
washers or discs D. on axle will cause the discs to advance with the axle a short
distance, thus pulling the connecting rod C. forward, and causing the pawls A. to
be raised. clear of the ratchet teeth of wheels E. thereby liberating the treadle
levers P. of motion which may be utilized as foot rests..
When the operator begins to treadle the levers, the pawls A. are again brought
into gear with the teeth of the ratchet wheels B. and the machine propelled as
before described.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is,
1. The combination of treadle levers and toothed segments one at each side of a
cycle or like machine driving wheels W. with toothed wheels G. having arms F.
supporting pawls A. engaging with ratchet wheels B. secured on wheel axle Y.
substantially in the manner and for the purpose as hereinbefore set forth.
2. A treadle lever having a toothed segment gearing with a pinion mounted free
on the shaft to be rotated, the pinion supporting pawls and combined with a ratchet
wheel secured on said shaft, all arranged and operated substantially in the manner
as shown and herein before described.
3. The method of propelling cycles and like machines by a toothed ratchet wheel
secured on driving shaft and combined with gearing so arranged that the said
toothed ratchet wheel and axle on which it is secured, is only operated by the
movement of the treadles in one direction.
Dated this 14th day of December 1894.
JOHN WAUGH,
Agent.