Improvements in Cycle Pedals.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cycle Pedals.
I, JAMES SIMEON EDGE, of Coleshill Street, in the City of Birmingham,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the pedals of cycles and has for its object, principally, so
mounting the tread plate that the same turns slightly in a horizontal plane to follow
the movement of the leg of a rider in pedalling, without the ankle being compelled
to twist owing to the foot being kept straight by the rigid horns of the pedal end
plates, and for a further object, a spring mounted pedal plate which slightly yields in
obedience to pressure exerted upon it, thereby getting rid of vibration and the
hardness of the pedal which is commonly felt by cyclists when riding, and for a
further object, a pedal which is readily interchangeable from a rubber tread to a
rat-trap tread without the aid of tools.
In carrying out my improved spring-mounted and pivot turning plate, I take a
round or other plate having rat-trap edges and having a vertical pivot directed from
the middle of its underside which takes and works within a sleeve or hanger socket
wherethrough the pivot, which may turn within ball or plain bearings, passes and is
secured by a screw pin or nut or other means. This hanger bracket is carried by a
horizontal sleeve, closed at its inner end and having an enlarged outer end or head
forming a ball race wherein ball bearings are located upon which the shank end of the
spindle runs. The other end of the spindle is formed with a ball race and runs upon
ball bearings located in the closed end of the horizontal sleeve, whose mouth is closed
by a cupped ring having an inwardly presented ball bearing race.
Located within the hollow of the vertical hanger bracket or socket, with one end
taking its abutment against a shoulder on the pivot (which it surrounds), and the
other end bearing against the bottom of the socket, is a strong coiled spring which is
compressed by the pressure of the foot upon the pedal plate, and the pivot slides
vertically to a corresponding extent, and is returned, when the said pressure is
relieved, by the reaction of the spring, thus giving some back pressure besides
imparting resilience and lessening the hardness of feel of the pedal.
The opposite sides of the pedal plate, which may be pierced to give lightness, are
provided with horns constituting undercuts, under which eared sides of a loose rubber
ring tread, of a similar contour to that of the plate may be slipped in order to convert
the rat-trap pedal into one having a rubber tread. The rat-trap teeth form a gapped
or divided edging which confine the edges of the rubber tread and prevent the same
slipping out of position.
Deted this 13th day of October 1896

page_text: Improvements in Cycle Pedals.
I, JAMES SIMEON EDGE, of Coleshill Street, in the City of Birmingham,
Manufacturer, 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 the pedals of cycles and has for its object, principally, so
mounting the tread plate that the same turns slightly in a horizontal plane to follow
the movement of the leg of a rider in pedalling, without the ankle being compelled
to twist owing to the foot being kept straight by the rigid horns of the pedal end
plates, for a further object, a spring mounted pedal plate which slightly yields
vertically in obedience to pressure exerted upon it, thereby getting rid of vibration
and the hardness of the pedal which is commonly felt by cyclists when riding, and
for a further object, a pedal which is readily interchangeable from a rubber tread to a
rat-trap tread without the aid of tools..
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing represents, in front elevation, a spring-
mounted cycle pedal constructed and arranged according to my improvements.
Figure 2 is a topside plan of the said pedal, and Figure 3 an underside plan
thereof.
Figure 4 is an end elevation and
Figure 5 a longtitudinal vertical section of Figure 2 upon the dotted line x.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures of
the drawing.
The improved spring-mounted pedal consists of a round or other tread plate,
pierced at parts a¹, for giving lightness thereto, and having rat trap teeth a², around
the edges a³ and a vertically depending pivot or stalk b, directed from the middle of
its underside and taking and working within a sleeve or hanger socket b¹,
wherethrough the said pivot, which may either turn within plain bearings as shown,
or be mounted upon ball or other anti-friction bearings passes, and is secured by a
nut 6, taking upon the screwed end 6, of the said stalk. This hanger socket or
bracket b¹, is carried by a horizontal sleeve c, closed at its inner end c', by the plug c²,
and having an enlarged or cupped outer end or head c³, the mouth c", of which is
closed by a ball raced disc c, wherein ball bearings c, are located, and upon which
the shank end d', of the spindle d, which is formed with a ball race d³, runs. The
other or inner end d³, of the spindle is formed with another ball race d', and runs
upon ball bearings d³, located between it and a race c, formed on the plug closing the
mouth end of the horizontal sleeve.
Located within the hollow 65, of the vertical hanger bracket or socket with one end e¹,
taking its abutment against a shoulder 66, on the pivot b, (which it surrounds) and
the other end e2 bearing against the bottom 67, of the said socket, is a strong coiled
spring e, which is compressed by the pressure of the foot upon the pedal plate, and
the pivot slides vertically downwards to a corresponding extent, and is returned,
when the said pressure is relieved, by the re-action of the spring, thus giving some
back pressure besides imparting resilience and lessening the hardness of feel of the
pedal.
The opposite sides of the pedal plate are provided with horns at, having attached
ears a, constituting undercuts, under which eared sides f, of a loose or detachable
rubber ring tread f, of a similar contour to that of the plate, may be slipped in order
to convert the rap-trap pedal into one having a rubber tread. The rat-trap teeth

page_text: form a gapped or divided edging which confine the edges of the rubber tread and
prevent the same slipping out of position.
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 :-
First-In cycle pedals, pivot mounting the tread plate so as to admit of the same
turning or slightly rotating in a horizontal plane, substantially as and for the purpose
described and set forth.
Secondly-In cycle pedals, supporting the tread plate upon a spring mounting
which admits of the said plate slightly yielding vertically in obedience to pressure
exerted upon it, substantially as described and set forth.
Thirdly-A combined spring mounted and horizontally swivelling tread plate fo.
cycle pedals, constructed and arranged substantially as described and set forth.
Fourthly-The general construction, arrangement and combination of the parts
of cycle pedals, less the means for converting a rubber pedal to a rat-trap pedal, or
vice versa, substantially as described and set forth.
Fifthly-In cycle pedals, the means employed in combination with the tread plate
for converting a rap-trap pedal into a rubber pedal, or vice versa, substantially as
described and set forth."
JAMES SIMEON EDGE,
By Henry Skerrett,
24 Temple Row, Birmingham, Agent for Applicant.