Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 3rd Feb., 1900
I, HANNIS KOLDING, of Aarhus, Denmark, Wine Merchant, 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 present invention refers to a driving-mechanism for bicycles in which the
use of a chain is avoided.
The invention is shown in the accompanying drawing as applied and adapted to
a bicycle in which Figures 1, 2 and 3 represent a constructional form of the
mechanism, seen in side elevation and in three different positions.
Figure 4 is a section on the line A B in Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a detail, shewing the arrangement of the crank and connecting rod.
Figure 6 is another constructional form of the mechanism, and
Figure 7 is a bicycle seen in side-elevation and fitted with the said mechanism.
On an axle m, corresponding to the ordinary crank-axle of a bicycle is mounted
a plate n, provided with two curved slots o, arranged eccentrically with the axle m.
In each of the slots o a roller q is arranged to move, both rollers q being carried
by a rod p. The slots o are given such a shape that points following con-
secutively each other in the centre line of the one slot having a constant distance
from points following consecutively each other in the centre-line of the other
slot. When the plate n is made to oscillate, while the rod p, by means of
rollers upon the frame, is prevented from partaking in the oscillating move-
ment, the rod 2 will move forward and backward. The end of the rod p being
by means of a pin r connected with a rod h, the other end of which is connected
with the end i of a crank e on the hind-wheel, the said oscillating movement of
the plate will produce a revolution of the hind-wheel, the length of the slots o
being properly adjusted.
On the plate n are placed two rods s, (see Figure 4) of which one is fixed to the
foremost end of the plate and projects on the one side of the bicycle, while the
other rod is fixed to the hind-most end of the plate and projects on the other side
of the bicycle. Pedals v are placed upon the ends of the rods s.
to
The rider places his feet, one in front of the other, upon the pedals vand
imparts to the plate n an oscillating movement by treading that is, pressing down
on the pedals alternately. Starting from the position shown in Figure 1 the
rider will, by treading the pedal nearest to the hind-wheel, force the rod
move to the right and assume the position shown in Figure 2, and the hind-
wheel will consequently turn in the direction indicated by the arrow
and move the bicycle forward. By thereafter treading the other
pedal, the plate n will swing back, passing through the position shown in
Figure 1 (the crank arm e pointing downward) and assuming the position shown
in Figure 3. During this oscillating movement, the rod p has been moved to-
wards the left and consequently forced the crank e to continue its revolution.
the pedals may be fixed in another manner than the one shown
here, as two oscillating plates n, one on each side of the bicycle, may be used
instead of one. One of these plates will then carry the one pedal, while the other
Of course,

page_text: pedal is fixed to the other plate. Two pedals may also be arranged upon each
side of the bicycle, one on each end of the plates n, which will allow the rider,
when tired of working with the right foot in front, to change and work with the
left foot in front.
Instead of two slots, one slot may be used.
The arrangement of the rod h and the crank e is illustrated in Figure 5, show-
ing the hind-wheel seen from above.
Another form of construction is shown in Figure 6, wherein one end of the
rod p is threaded over the crank-pin i and its other end turnably connected with
an arm fixed or formed on the plate n. The plate n, being able to move round
the axle m upon the cycle frame, is made to oscillate by means of the pedals
which are arranged in the same manner as in the form of construction shown in
Figures 1 to 4, and, by means of the rod p, this movement is imparted to the
crank e which thereby is made to turn round.
In Figure 7 is shown a bicycle provided with the driving mechanism illus-
trated in Figures 1 to 4. The rod is here further turnably connected with an
almost perpendicular lever t, arranged to turn round a pin u upon the frame;
the upper end of the levert being provided with a handle w. When the rider
moves the handle to and fro the lever t is turned round its fulcrum u, and the
other end of the levert being connected with the rod p, the rider may thus also
use manual power for propelling the cycle. The pin u may slide in a
longitudinal slot in the lever t.
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. Driving mechanism for cycles characterised by a plate (n) upon which
pedals () are fixed and which may oscillate round a fixed axle in the frame, and
having two eccentric slots (o) in combination with a rod (1) provided with two
pins or rollers (7), each moving into one of the said slots (o), the said rod (1)
being by a rod (h) connected to a crank upon the hind-wheel axle, whereby the
hind-wheel is made to rotate when the plate (n) is made to oscillate, as described
and shown.
2. In driving mechanism for cycles as described in Claim 1 the modification
consisting in the employment of two oscillating plates (n), one on each side of
the cycle, each connected with a separate crank upon the axle of the hind-wheel.
3. In driving mechanism for cycles as described in Claim 1 the modification
wherein the eccentric slots are replaced by a pin fixed upon the plate (n) and
placed outside the axis of oscillation, one end of the rod (7) being turnably con-
nected with the said pin while the other end of the rod is threaded over the
crank pin () of the hind-wheel, as described.
4. In driving mechanism as described in Claims 1, 2 and 3 the arrangement of
an almost perpendicular hand lever (t) arranged to turn round a pin () upon
the frame, the lower end of this lever being turnably connected with the driving
rod for the purpose of employing manual power for propelling the cycle, as
described and shown.
Dand this 20th 1...
1000
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.