Improvements in Gear Wheels of Bicycles, Tricycles, and the like.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Feb., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 24th Nov., 1892-Accepted, 31st Dec., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Gear Wheels of Bicycles, Tricycles, and the like.
1 JOHN WILSON, of Brothers Street, Livesey, near Blackburn in the County
of Lancaster, Builder do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
-
This invention relates to improvements in the driving, or gear wheels of bicycles,
tricycles. and the like, the object of my invention being to construct a wheel the
size of which can be varied as desired so as to make the diameter of the driving
wheel greater, or less according as the rider wishes.
According to this my said invention 1 cast a toothed driving wheel of small
diameter, and in the boss of this wheel I form a concentric groove, and in this
groove are received the rounded ends of a series of toothed segments the outer and
toothed edges of which form a driving wheel of larger diameter than the first
mentioned one.
Each segment has two recesses or hollows formed in it, and in
one, or other of these recesses the pointed end of a finger is pressed by means of a
spiral spring, there being one of such fingers, and springs for each of the segments,
these fingers, and springs being received in a groove formed in the boss of the
small wheel.
On each of the segments I form two fingers, or triggers which are operated by a
cam brought into contact with such triggers by means of a lever operated by the
foot, or by connections by hand of the rider.
When the cam, which works between the triggers is, by the rider, pressed against
one of the triggers the segments of the wheel are forced outwards, moving on their
rounded ends which serve as hinges, and away from the driving chain so that the
latter is then driven by the smaller driving wheel.
When the cam operates on the other finger, or trigger a reverse action takes
place, and the segments of the wheel are brought under, and in contact with the
driving chain so that the latter is driven by a wheel of larger diameter.
Dated this o6th love of February 1892.
WALTER
BRIERLEY,
Bank Chambers, Waterhouse Street, Halifax, Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Gear Wheels of Bicycles, Tricycles, and the like.
I JOHN WILSON of Brothers Street, Livesey, near Blackburn in the County of
Lancaster, Builder, 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, or gear wheels of bicycles,
tricycles, and the like, the object of my invention being to construct a wheel the
size of which can be varied as desired so as to make the diameter of the driving
wheel greater or less according as the rider wishes.
According to this my said invention I cast a toothed driving wheel of small
diameter, and in the boss of this wheel I form a concentric groove, and in this
groove are received the rounded ends of a series of toothed segments, the outer
and toothed edges of which form a driving wheel of larger diameter than the first
mentioned one. Each segment has two recesses or bollows formed in it and in one

page_text: or other of these recesses the pointed end of a finger is pressed by means of a spiral
spring, there being one of such fingers and springs for each of the segments, these
fingers and springs being received in a groove formed in the boss of the small
wheel.
On each of the segments I form two fingers, or triggers which are operated by
a cam brought into contact with such triggers by means of a lever operated by
the foot, or by connections, by hand, of the rider.
When the cam which works between the triggers, is by the rider pressed
against one of the triggers the segments of the wheel are forced outwards moving
on their rounded ends which serve as hinges, and away from the driving chain
so that the latter is then driven by the smaller driving wheel.
When the cam operates on the other finger or trigger a reverse action takes
place and the segments of the wheel are brought under, and in contact with the
driving chain so that the latter is driven by a wheel of larger diameter.
Such being the nature and object of my said invention the following is a
complete description of same reference being had to the accompanying drawings
in which
Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of a bicycle having the improved gear wheel and
appliances for operating and controlling same applied thereto, part of the frame of
the bicycle being broken away.
Fig. 2. is a view in clevation of the improved gear wheel the cover being removed
in order more clearly to shew its construction.
Fig. 3. is a sectional end elevation of the improved gear wheel, the cover and
operating cam being in position.
Figs. 4. 5. 6. and 7 are details drawn detached in order more clearly to shew
their construction.
According to this invention I cast a driving or gear wheel 1 of small diameter,
and in the boss 2 of this wheel form a concentric groove 3, and in the wheel I
I also form the radial slots 4.4. In the concentric groove 3 are received the
rounded ends or axes 5. 5. of a series (say 7) of toothed segments 6. 6 the outer and
toothed edges of which form a driving, or gear wheel 7 of larger diameter than the
first mentioned wheel 1. Each of the arms 8 of the segments 6. 6 has two hollows
or recesses 9 formed in it and in one or other of these recesses 9 the pointed end 10
of a finger 11 is pressed by means of the spiral spring 12 which presses against
the shoulder 13 of the finger 11 and also against the flange or box 14 cast to the
small gear wheel 1. There is one of the said fingers 11 and springs 12 for each of
the segments 6. 6 such fingers and springs being received and carried in groove or
boxes 14 formed on the small gear wheel 1.
On each of the arms 8 of the segments 6 1 form two fingers or triggers 15. 15
which are operated upon by a cam, or finger 16 brought into contact with such
triggers by means of a lever and connections operated by the foot or hand of the
rider.
A cover 17 (see Fig. 3) is secured over the side or face of the small wheel I such
cover having passage ways 18 formed in it to allow of the movement of the arms 8
but the fingers 11 springs 12 and axes 5. 5 are protected from dust and dirt by the
cover 17.
The action is as follows:- -When the cam or finger 16, (which lies between the
two fingers or triggers 15) is, by the rider pressed against one say the upper one of
the triggers 15 (see Fig. 3) such trigger and the segment 6 of the wheel are turned
back or outwards on their axis 5, and so away from, or out of contact, or line of
the driving chain 17 and as each of the segments 6, as the wheel I revolves passes
the cam 16 it is in turn moved outwards as described. The cam 16 (see Fig. 1) is
placed in such a position as to operate the segments 6 when the latter are not
in contact with the driving chain 17 but just previous to their coming in contact
therewith and the larger wheel is segment by segment removed from the line
of the driving chain and the latter is transferred to the smaller wheel 1.

page_text: When the segments 6 are moved outwards on their axes 5 the springs 12 are
overcome until they again. force the pointed ends of the fingers into the second
recesses or hollows 9 in the arms 8 whereby the segments are maintained in the out
position until the springs are again overcome by the cam 16.
When the cam 16 is moved in a reverse direction and the lower trigger 15 is
operated upon, then the segments 6 are moved one by one so as to be directly under
the chain 17" and so form the larger gear wheel.
I will now describe suitable appliances for operating and controlling the cam or
finger 16 for changing the diameters of the gear wheels, and also a device for auto-
matically adjusting the distance of the driven wheel 18 from the driving wheel 1
so that equal tension is maintained on the chain 17, whether the larger or small
diameter of wheel is employed.
The cam or finger 16 is carried and free to turn in a bracket 19 fixed to the
frame of the machine, and to the end of the finger 16 (see Figs. 4 and 5) a short
arm 20 is fixed by set screw, the other end of the short arm being connected to the
vertical rod 21 attached to the cross foot piece 22 free to move on its fulcrum
pin 23 fixed in the frame 24 of the machine. The foot piece 22 has a recess 25
formed in it and this recess contains a finger and spiral spring, similar to those
already described, the pointed end of such finger resting in one or other of the
hollows 26. 26 in the frame 24 so that the cam 16 is held thereby in the desired
position until a change is indicated as desired.
The rider can without dismounting, or stopping the machine press his foot on
one or other of the beaks 27 of the foot piece 22 and so control the cam 16 and
gear wheel, so that he can drive with a larger or smaller gear wheel as desirable or
necessary.
By continuing the vertical rod 21 the cam may be operated and controlled by
hand.
In order to maintain an equable tension on the chain 17 the driven wheel 18" is
mounted in the links 27" (one at each side of the wheel 18") which are carried on
studs 28 fixed in the fork ends of the machine. Connected to links 27 by a
stud 19 is a fork 29 to the end of which I attach the spiral spring 30* the other
end of which is connected to the end of a catch 30 free to move on the fulcrum
stud 31 carried in the bracket 32 fixed to the frame of the machine. The catch 30
has a small finger 33 engaging in a recess or hollow 34 in the arm 29° and a second
finger 35 abuts against the underside of the arm 29".
The
When the small gear wheel 1 is employed the distance between the wheel 1 and
wheel 18 must be greater than when the larger gear wheel is employed, and
the spring 30 attached to fork end 29" is sufficient to cause the wheel 18 to
move away from the wheel 1 so the slack of the chain 17 is taken up.
fingers 33 in the recess prevents the wheel 18* moving too far back and putting
too much tension on the chain. The spring 30" answers the double purpose of
holding the catch 30 and causing the wheel 18 to move away from the wheel 1
when required.
When the larger wheel 7 is employed it is necessary that the wheel 18" should
move nearer to the wheel 1 and this is done by the segments 6. 6 taking up
(practically shortening) the chain 17, the fork 29" moving forwards, the side of the
recess 34 pressing against the finger 33, the catch 30 is turned on its pin, and the
finger 35 presses against and raises the arm 29*, until the recess 34 is clear of
the finger 33, the spring 39" is extended, and the arm 29* moves forward until the
notch 36 catches on the finger 33 and further forward movement is prevented and
the tension of the chain 17 will prevent the wheel 18" moving away from the
wheel 1.
This arrangement of spring and catches prevents breakage of any of the parts
when from accidental or any cause, one only of the segments 6 is moved into
contact with the chain when the latter is on the small wheel 1, as for instance if
one of the segments is moved under the chain when the machinery is stationary.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
--
1. The general construction, arrangement and combination of parts constituting
the improved gear wheel as and for the purpose herein described and substantially
as illustrated by Figs. 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
2. The improved gear wheel comprising the wheel 1 segments 6. 6 and axes 5. 5
as and for the purpose herein described and substantially as illustrated by Figs. 2
and 3 of the annexed drawings.
Tated the 22 dow of Navamhor 1005
JOHN WILSON,
By his Agent, Walter Brierley,
Penny Bank Chambers, Halifax.