Improvements in and relating to Gearing and Free Wheel Mechanism for Velocipedes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Reprinted as amended in accordance with the decision of the Comptroller General
of 8th day of June, 1900.
Date of Application, 12th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 20th Jan., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED).
Improvements in and relating to Gearing and Free Wheel Mechanism
for Velocipedes.
I, ROBERT ALLEN CORDNER, of 29, Alexandra Road, Upper Norwood, London,
Civil 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 relates to improvements in and relating to gearing and free
wheel mechanism for velocipedes, the object being to provide what may be
termed a universal hub, for the back wheel of a cycle, which in connection with
a chain wheel on the crank axle of the cycle having double sets of teeth, can be
adapted to serve the following purposes:-
(1) The cycle can be worked with variable speed gearing, the change from one
gear to another being made while the cycle is in motion; in this case two chains
are required.
(2) The cycle can have what is termed "free wheel" action, that is to say, the
pedals may be kept at rest while the cycle is in motion, and back pedalling can
be resorted to when required. In this case when variable speed gearing is not
required, only one chain is necessary.
(3). The eyele can be worked simply in the ordinary way, that is to say, with a
single chain and a firmly fixed chain wheel on the back wheel hub, when so
required.
According to this invention and in carrying same into practical effect, one end
of the back wheel hub of the cycle is fitted with two chain wheels, which, when
so required, can revolve round the hub in either direction, that is to say, they
are free to revolve round the hub backwards or forwards when not locked to it
by a clutch wheel, which latter is placed between the two chain wheels, and
slides on the hub but does not revolve round it, it only revolves with it, and can
be put into gearing with either of the two chain wheels described above, with
the object of attaching it to the hub when so required, so that it may revolve
with and not round the hub, thereby bringing the hub into mechanical connec-
tion with the chain wheel fitted on the crank axle of the cycle, which has two
sets of teeth, the teeth of the chain wheels on the back wheel hub and crank
axle being connected by two chains (when free wheel action only is required, one
chain connecting the crank axle chain wheel with one chain wheel on the back
wheel hub will suffice). The clutch wheel on the back wheel hub may be moved
into or out of gearing with either of the chain wheels on the back wheel hub, or
be put out of gearing with both when the cycle is in motion, by means of a device
fixed on the opposite side of the hub to that on which the two chain wheels are

page_text: fixed, which is acted on by a lever fixed on some suitable part of the cycle and
under the control of the rider. When it is not necessary to have the clutch
wheel under the control of the rider while the cycle is in motion, it can be firmly
fixed in gearing with one of the chain wheels on the back wheel hub when the
cycle is at rest, in which case the other chain wheel, its chain, and the apparatus
for moving the clutch wheel may be temporarily removed, and the cycle can be
worked in the ordinary way, namely, with a single chain gearing chain wheel on
the back wheel hub and crank axle.
In order that this invention may be more fully understood, I will now proceed
to describe same with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a section through the centre of the axle of the back wheel hub of a
cycle when arranged for working it by means of two chains gearing with two
chain wheels fitted on one end of the back wheel hub, and one wheel with double
sets of teeth fitted on the crank axle.
Fig. 2 is a section on line 1-2 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-4 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 shows the development of the side of casing ijin Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is an elevation of part of the crank axle chain wheel, and
Fig. 6 is a part section of the same.
Fig. is a part section of the back wheel hub with one chain wheel and the
device for moving the clutch wheel removed from the hub, the clutch wheel
being kept locked with chain wheel p by means of the cap w.
As shown in the drawings, p and q (Figs. 1 and 2) are the two chain wheels on
the back wheel hub, which by means of two chains gear with teeth y and z
(Fig. 6) on the crank axle chain wheel. Chain wheel q revolves directly round
the hub, it is shown fixed in position, on the hub by a ring collar v but it might
be fitted in suitable ball bearings which would keep it in position, while the
chain wheel p revolves on a round part of the hub, and is kept in position by a
ring collar, but this might also be mounted on suitable ball bearings arranged
on the round part of the hub and which would keep it in position. Both chain
wheels P and q are free to revolve in either direction round the hub d when not
locked, to it by clutch wheel r with its pin teeth s. This clutch wheel r is fitted
with pin teeth s which fit into holes or slots & cut for them in chain wheels p
and or it may be fitted with cog wheel teeth or projections fitting similar
cog wheel teeth or recesses on or in the chain wheels and g, or some such like
arrangement, may be employed. It slides on the hub but cannot revolve round
it, as the part of the hub between the two chain wheels p and q is made angular
in a similar manner to the part shewn at (Fig. 3), or it may be fitted with key
slides to prevent turning movement.
The clutch wheel r is moved into or out of
gearing with chain wheels and by means of a moving device fitted on the
opposite side of the hub and with which it is connected by the rods e, passing
under chain wheel p. When clutch wheel is in gearing with chain
the hub will be acted
moved
on and
by the chain gearing
teeth andy (Figs. 1 and 6), and wheel 7 will be free to revolve round the hub,
but when clutch wheel r is in gearing with chain wheel g, the reverse will take
place, and the hub will be acted on and moved by the chain gearing teeth
and (Figs. 1 and 6). When the clutch wheel is in the position shown in
Fig. 1, riz. just mid-way between the chain wheels p and q and out of gearing
with both, then the two chains connecting with y and q with z have no effect
in turning the back wheel hub, both chain wheels 9 and p being in fact free
wheels. The device for moving the clutch wheel r into or out of gearing with
chain wheels p and q is shown in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings in which is
a circular casing, firmly fixed on the back wheel hub axle, or on the end of an
extension of the ball cone g, and provided with three slots a b (Figs. 1 and 4)
The casing m with its flanges » fits into and slides backwards and forwards
within the casing ij (Fig. 1). The wheel f fits into the casing m n and slides
on the angular part (Fig. 3) of the hub, or a key and slide arrangement may
wheel
P

page_text: be employed for preventing it turning. The outer periphery of this wheel fis
grooved so that a set of balls can be introduced between it and the flanges of
the casing mn, the moveable flange or ring n allows these balls to be put in
place and when adjusted, the flanges are kept at the required position by the set
Screws k.
The balls o act in two ways, firstly, they complete the connection between
the casing m n and wheel f and secondly they reduce friction, while instead of
these balls, a tongue and groove connection may be made between the casing m n
and the wheel f, the result being the same with the exception of a little addi-
tional friction.
In the side m of the casing m n, three pins a (Figs. 3 and 4) are fixed at equal
distances around the circumference, these three pins fitting into and sliding in the
three slots a (Figs. 1 and 4) cut in side i of casing ij, the longitudinal dis-
tance between the ends a and b of the slots, measuring in a line parallel to the
direction of the centre line of the back wheel hub axle, corresponds to the dis-
tance it is required to move wheelf forwards or backwards, and with it the clutch
wheel r, so as to put the latter into or out of gearing with either of the chain
wheels and g, button (Fig. 1) being to attach a connecting rod to, which
terminates in a lever fixed on some suitable part of the cycle, so as to be under
the control of the rider when the cycle is in motion, and if this button is moved
forwards or backwards in a line at right angles to the centre line of the back
wheel hub axle, this, owing to the pins working in the slots ab gives wheel f
which is enclosed in casing mn its required lateral motion forwards or back-
wards on the part d' of the hub on which it moves.
In Fig. 1 the clutch wheel is shown as halfway between the two chain wheels p
and and just out of gearing with both, and in this position pins are exactly
in the centres of the slots a b. When it is not considered necessary to have
variable speed gearing at any time, chain wheel g and the chain connecting it
with teeth of the crank axle chain wheel may be removed, leaving chain
wheel gearing with teeth of the crank axle chain wheel, and by means of
the clutch wheel r, chain wheel can be made free or fixed to the hub by the
action of the lever as required.
When neither variable speed gear nor a free wheel on the back wheel hub is
required, chain wheel q, the chain connecting it with teeth z on the crank axle
chain wheel, and the moving apparatus consisting of casings and m n with
wheel and connecting rods e, may be removed, and by putting on the cap w
(Fig. 7) chain wheel is kept firmly in position geared with clutch wheel r, and
the cycle can then be operated in the usual way similar to an ordinary machine
having one fixed wheel p on the back wheel hub gearing by a chain with chain
wheely on the crank axle.
Where a free wheel only is required without any arrangement of variable speed
gearing, the parts constituting the variable speed gearing may be dispensed with
and the parts of the free wheel arrangement only employed as shown in Figs. S
and 9, which are sectional views illustrating the wheel free, and locked to the
hub respectively.
According to this arrangement the chain wheel is mounted upon the same
side of the hub as the moving apparatus. When a free wheel is required the
wheel (which is now a clutch wheel) is drawn within the casing ij so that the
clutch pins are quite clear of the holes or slots formed in the chain wheel
which is then quite free and does not necessarily partake of the hub movement
(see Fig. 8), when however the wheel is required to be locked to the hub for
driving purposes or for back pedalling, the clutch wheel f with casing mis
projected from casing in the manner hereinbefore described, bringing the
clutch teeth into contact with the chain wheel q, thereby locking it to the hub
and causing the parts to revolve together.
Instead of a pin and slot arrangement for the purpose of allowing the inner
casing mn to be drawn backwards and forwards within the casing
j, any

page_text: internal arrangement of spiral grooves or slois formed in the one part and corre
sponding projections formed in the other part, or equivalent devices of this nature,
may be employed.
Instead of the clutch wheel being furnished with clutch teeth and taking. into
holes or slots in the chain wheels, the side or sides of the clutch wheel may be
furnished with any suitably shaped toothed, notched or projecting parts, designed
to take into correspondingly shaped grooves, recesses or indents, formed upon
the side of the chain wheel or chain wheels or vice versa.
my
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
-
1. The new or improved combined two speed gear and free wheel arrangement
for velocipedes, which consists in mounting upon the hub,. two chain wheels p
which are free to revolve thereon, and arranging between them a clutch wheel
such as which may be brought into contact with either of the said chain
wheels by means of the operating device, comprising a wheel free to slide
backwards and forwards on an angular part of the hub, and which is connected
with the clutch wheel r by rods and with an inner casing m n preferably by
means of a row of bearing balls and capable of being withdrawn into or pro-
jected from the outer casing by a partial revolution of the inner casing
i
through the medium of pins or parts. projecting from the sides of the inner
casing mn and through transverse slots formed in the sides of the outer casing ij,
the whole arranged in combination with a double chain wheel y or two separate
chain wheels mounted upon the crank axle, and a suitable arrangement of rods
and levers, or their equivalent for turning the outer-ensing-i-j inner casing m n as
required, substantially as herein described and shown with reference to Figs. 1 to 7
of the accompanying drawings.
m n
2. In a combined two speed gear and free wheel arrangement such as above
claimed, the arrangement of two chain wheels » mounted upon one side of the
hub so as to be free to revolve in either direction, in combination with a clutch
wheel such as ♬ arranged between them, and incapable of revolving independently
of the hub, substantially as set forth.
3. In a combined two speed gear and free wheel mechanism such as above
claimed the arrangement of the parts in such a manner that when required, one
chain wheel and the clutch wheel operating mechanism may be removed, and
the remaining chain wheel firmly connected with the clutch wheel by means of
a cap such as we, substantially as herein described and shown, with more par-
ticular reference to Fig. 7 of the accompanying drawings.
4/. The new or improved free wheel arrangement for velocipedes, consisting in
mounting upon the hub of the velocipede a chain wheel such as q capable of
freely revolving in either direction independently of the hub, and in mounting
by the side of such chain wheel a sliding wheel f incapable of revolving indepen-
dently of the hub, and which is united to the inner casing m n preferably by
means of a row of bearing balls, the said wheelf and the inner casing m n being
arranged so as to be withdrawn within or projected from an outer fixed casing i j
so as to bring the projecting parts such as g of the sliding wheel f into engage-
ment with suitable holes slots or recesses formed in the chain wheel g or rire
rersa, or of withdrawing them therefrom when required, substantially as herein
described and shown with more particular reference to Figs. 8 and 9 of the
accompanying drawings.
5/. The combination with a two speed gear and free wheel arrangement or with
a free wheel arrangement only such as above claimed, of an operating device
or gear comprising a wheel f, free to slide backwards and forwards on an angular
part of the hub and connected with an inner casing m n, the whole capable of
being withdrawn within or projected from an outer casing ij by a partial revolu-
tion of the said inner casing m n, through the medium of pins or parts or

page_text: their equivalent projecting from the sides of the inner casing m n and through
transverse slots or their equivalent formed in or on the outer casing ij, sub-
stantially as set forth.
1
L 1
1
1000
CASSELL & Co.,
22, Glasshouse Street, Regent Street, London, W.,
Agents for the Applicant.