Year: 1888

page_text: I, JAMES EDWARD EVANS of Cincinnati, Hamilton County, State of Ohio, United
States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
The object of my invention is to provide a device which may be attached to any of
the ordinary forms of bicycles, to prevent the rider from taking what is termed a
"header" when the main wheel strikes an obstruction.
In the accompanying drawing-
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a bicycle shaft and cranks showing my improve-
ments.
Fig. 2 is an elevation of the inner face of one of my improved cranks.
Fig. 3 is a vertical central section of same.
Fig. 4 is an elevation of a bicycle on a diminished scale when striking an obstruc-
tion, the dotted lines showing the centre of gravity changed from the shaft (as is the
case when not provided with an anti-header) to the obstruction, as is the case when
provided with my improved anti-header.
My invention consists in attaching to the cranks of a bicycle a device in the nature
of a ball-clutch, and is constructed and operated in the following preferable manner:
Each of the cranks A is rigidly connected in any suitable manner to the shaft B.
In the present illustrative instance they are attached thereto by having the stationary
journals of the cranks keyed to the outer ends of said shaft, as shown in Fig. 3. The
inner face of the circular portion of each crank is countersunk, leaving an outer
casing a, and a circular wall, a. In the countersunk portion of each crank the
toothed disk C, is secured in the following preferable manner.
To the inner face of each disk C, is cast or suitably secured, two lugs c, sufficiently
far apart to accommodate varying widths of forks. When the cranks are put in place
on the shaft, the forked portions D, will fit in between these lugs c.
When in this
position, the screw e having a flanged cap c³, on its inner end portion, is screwed
through one of the lugs up and against one side of the fork, thus rigidly connecting
said disks C, to the forks D, without marring the latter.

page_text: Around the inner face of the wall a, on each of the cranks, is made a groove a¹, and
in the outer face of each toothed disk C, is made a corresponding groove, a², (see
fig. 3). These grooves are made of sufficient depth to accommodate about one-third
the diameter, respectively, of the balls E. The vertical portion e, of the teeth on the-
disks is of sufficient height to permit the balls to revolve freely in the angular grooved
portions of the teeth, when the cranks are operated in a direction toward the vertical
portions c³, as shown by arrow in Fig. 1. It will be seen that by the above construc-
tion, a ball-bearing is afforded for the cranks, which revolve around the disks O, the
latter being made stationary to the forks D, as beforo describod.
The balls E, are kept in place by socuring in any suitable manner a thin circular
piece of fibre or other material over the disks in the countersunk portions of the
cranks.
The operation of my device as an anti-header, which acts in the nature of a ball-
clutch, is as follows: The toothed disks C, being rigidly connected to the forks D,
permit of the cranks being operated freely in a forward direction, as indicated by
arrow in Fig. 1; but no backward motion of the cranks, nor forward motion of the
forks is permitted, for the reason that as soon as either movement is attempted, the
balls E, impinge against the angular surface portions c, of the teeth on the disks and
outer wall of the cranks, and securely lock the cranks and disks, the latter being
secured stationary to the forks D, of the bicycle. This latter is the principal feature
of my invention, and to those accustomed to riding bicycles, will at once commend
itself. In the ordinary bicycle not provided with an anti-header, great danger is
incurred by reason of obstructions in the way of the main wheel. When the wheel
strikes an obstruction and is brought to a standstill, the forward momentum of the
rider is apt to carry him past the centre of gravity (which is the shaft of the wheel)
and cause him to take a "header," often severely injuring him.
My invention
greatly lessens, if not entirely obviates this danger. When provided with my
improved anti-header, so soon as the wheel strikes an obstruction, and stops, the
forward momentum of the rider causes the forks to revolve forward, and with them
the disks C. This forward motion of the disks causes the balls E to act at once and
impinge against the angular portion c, of the teeth on the disks, and lock the same, as
before described. When the main wheel strikes an obstruction, this locking of the
disks and cranks by reason of the forward momentum of the rider, causes the centre
of gravity to be shifted from the shaft (which is the centre of gravity when not
provided with an anti-header) to the obstruction, as is illustrated by dotted lines in
Fig. 4. This shifting of the centre of gravity from the shaft to the obstruction,
necessitates the raising of the rider, a new circle being described, and also necessitates
carrying him farther before he can possibly take a header." It will be seen from
the foregoing, that the weight of the rider very materially assists to prevent this
accident.
The disks C, will be operative in the cranks without the grooves a¹ and a³ although
it is preferred to provide said grooves. If desired but one anti-header need be
employed, but it is preferred to use two-one in each crank.
While the means shown for connecting the cranks to shaft, and the disks to the
forks is preferably employed, any suitable operative mechanism may be employed for
making said connections.
Dated this 14th JavL 1000

page_text: I, JAMES EDWARD EVANS of Cincinnati, Hamilton County, State of Ohio, United
States of America, 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 :-
The object of my invention is to provide a device which may be attached to any
of the ordinary forms of bicycles, to prevent the rider from taking what is termed a
"header" when the main wheel strikes an obstruction.
To clearly explain my invention reference is made to the drawing filed with my
provisional specification, in which—
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a bicycle shaft and cranks showing my improve-
ments.
Fig. 2 is an elevation of the inner face of one of my improved cranks.
Fig. 3 is a vertical central section of same.
Fig. 4 is an elevation of a bicycle on a diminished scale when striking an obstruc-
tion, the dotted lines showing the centre of gravity changed from the shaft (as is the
case when not provided with an anti-header) to the obstruction as is the case when
provided with my improved anti-header.
My invention consists in attaching to the cranks of a bicycle a device in the nature
of a ball-clutch, and is constructed and operated in the following preferable manner:
Each of the cranks A is rigidly connected in any suitable manner to the shaft B.
In the present illustrative instance they are attached thereto by having the stationary
journals of the cranks keyed to the outer ends of said shaft, as shown in Fig. 3. The
inner face of the circular portion of each crank is countersunk, leaving an outer
casing a, and a circular wall a. In the countersunk portion of each crank the toothed
disc is secured in the following preferable manner.
To the inner face of each disc O, is cast or suitably secured two lugs c, sufficiently
far apart to accommodate varying widths of forks. When the cranks are put in place
on the shaft, the forked portions D will fit in between these lugs c. When in this
position the screw c' having a flanged cap on its inner end portion, is screwed
through one of the lugs up and against one side of the fork, thus rigidly connecting
said discs C, to the forks D, without marring the latter.
Around the inner face of the wall a on each of the cranks, is made a groove a¹, and
in the outer face of each toothed disc C is made a corresponding groove a³, (seo Fig 3).
These grooves are made of sufficient depth to accommodate about one-third the
diameter, respectively, of the balls E. The vertical portion c³ of the teeth on the discs

page_text: s of sufficient height to permit the balls to revolve freely in the angular grooved
portions of the teeth, when the cranks are operated in a direction toward the vortical
portions as shown by arrow in Fig. 1. It will be seen that by the abovo construc-
tion a ball-bearing is afforded for the cranks, which revolve around the discs C, the
latter being made stationary to the forks D, as before described.
The balls E are kept in place by securing in any suitable manner a thin circular
piece of fibre or other material over the discs in the countersunk portions of the
cranks.
The operation of my device as an anti-header, which acts in the nature of a ball-
clutch, is as follows:
The toothed discs C being rigidly connected to the forks D, permit of the cranks
being operated freely in a forward direction, as indicated by arrow in Fig. 1; but no
backward motion of the cranks, nor forward motion of the forks is permitted, for the
reason that as soon as either movement is attempted the balls E impinge against the
angular surface portions c' of the teeth on the discs and outer wall of the cranks, and
securely lock the cranks and discs, the latter being secured stationary to the forks D
of the bicycle. This latter is tho principal feature of my invention, and to those
accustomed to riding bicycles will at onco commend itself. In the ordinary bicycle
not provided with an anti-header, great danger is incurred by reason of obstructions
in the way of the main wheel. When the wheel strikes an obstruction and is brought
to a stand-still, the forward momentum of the rider is apt to carry him past the contre
of gravity (which is the shaft of the wheel) and cause him to take a "header," often
severely injuring him. My invention greatly lossens, if not entirely obviates this
danger. When provided with my improved anti-header, so soon as the wheel strikes
an obstruction and stops, the forward momentum of the rider causes the forks to
revolve forward, and with them the discs C. This forward motion of the discs causes the
balls E to act at once and impinge against the angular portion c* of the teeth on the
discs, and lock the same, as before described. When the main wheel strikes an
obstruction, this locking of the discs and cranks by reason of the forward momentum
of the rider, causes the centre of gravity be shifted from the shaft (which is the centre
of gravity when not provided with an anti-header) to the obstruction, as is illustrated
by dotted lines in Fig. 4. This shifting of the contre of gravity from the shaft to the
obstruction necessitates the raising of the rider, a new circle being described, and also
necessitates carrying him farther before he can possibly take a
"header." It will be
seon from the foregoing that the weight of the rider very materially assists in
preventing this accident.
The discs C will be operative in the cranks without the grooves a¹ and a³, although
it is preferred to provide said grooves.
If desired, but one anti-header need be employed, but it is preferred to use two,
one in each crank.
While the means shown for connecting the cranks to the shaft, and the discs to the
forks, are those preferably employed, any suitable operative mechanism may be
employed for making said connections.
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 :—
1. An anti-header device for bicycles, consisting of a ball-clutch or lock located in
the cranks, said ball-clutch or lock being rigidly connected to the fork of the bicycle,
substantially as set forth.
2. An anti-header device for bicycles, consisting of a crank circularly countersunk
on its inner face, in combination with a suitable toothed disc in said countersunk
portion, and balls interposed between the outer wall of the countersunk portion of the
crank and the toothed disc, the latter being rigidly connected to the fork of the
bicycle.
3. An anti-header device for bicycles, consisting of a circularly countersunk
crank A, having an outer circular wall a, said wall having a groove a¹ therein, in

page_text: combination with a toothed disc C, having a groove a³ in its outer face, and suitable
balls interposed in said grooves between said wall and disc, the latter being attached
to the fork of the bicycle, substantially as set forth.
4. The cranks A rigidly connected to the shaft B, said cranks being circularly
countersunk on their inner faces, in combination with circularly toothed discs C in
said countersunk portions, and balls E interposed between walls a and discs C, lugs c
attached to said discs, and screws c³, substantially as set forth.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
Associate Agent.