Improvements in or relating to Cycles.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Nov., 1890
Co uplete Specification Left, 25th July, 1891-Accepted, 17th Oct., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Cycles.
I, HERBERT Massox of 38 Kentish Town Road, London N.W. Teacher of
Music, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows
1
To the treadle-pin of an ordinary bicycle crank I attach a loose collar or sleeve
with projecting flaps or wings in which are holes for the insertion of rods working
vertically in cylindrical cases beneath the flaps.
These cases are by preference oblong in section and there are two to each treadle
that is to say one to each flap.
Inside the cases are tension or compressible springs to receive the pressure of the
rods. The rods are connected at top by a crosspiece and above the crosspicce is
the treadle or foot rest.
To prevent jar on the return action of the spring upwards a cushion of india-
rubber is fixed around the hole inside the top of the case.
Let is now suppose the foot of the rider to be making the down stroke, anil
thereby pressing down the front rod and the springs in the front case, pulling or
pushing them down according to the description of spring used, thereby storing up
in the case a portion of the force expended, until the bottom of the down stroke is
reached when the pressure of the foot being removed from the top of the rod, thic
springs impel the rod upwards and by means of the crosspiece communicate the
same motion to the back rod. The spring in the back case is so set as to oppose
this upward motion and by resisting the pull of the rod it utilises the force it
receives from the front springs to impel the crank upwards in the upstroke.
this way an alternate or reciprocal movement is imparted to the springs, and as
their energy is employed in the same direction as the motion of the crauk, which is
to them a moveable fulcrum, there occurs the gain and storage of power which it is
desired to protect.
In
The front springs are by preference about double the strength of the back
springs.
Dated this 21st day of November 1800
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Cycles.
1, HERBERT Massox of 38 Kentish Town Road, London, N.W. Teacher of
Music, 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 is designed to effect the increase of power and the storage
thereof, in order to bring about the better application of the same in the
effective propulsion or progress of bicycles, tricycles and all kinds of wheeled
vehicles.
I will now describe my invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings,
as applied to such kinds of bicycles or velocipedes as have their driving axles a
sufficient distance from the ground to admit of the application of this form of
apparatus. attach to each crank pin of the bicycle the contrivance shewn in
elevation in Fig. 1, and in plan in Fig. 2 of the drawings, which I call a pedal
spring attachment. This consists of a lower rigid metal frame b, with eyes or

page_text: rings b', at each corner, through which pass the two sliding rods a¹, of the movable
upper frame a. The crank pin passes through the tube c, and is arranged to
work easily therein, so as to allow of the pedal attachment hanging freely
therefrom.
The eyes b', are furnished in their centres with short sleeves or tubes to serve as
guides for the rods a', and to keep the springs in place.
On these rods I fasten the two fixed collars d, d, and between these collars and
the lower eyes of the lower frame, I place three spiral springs f, which can be
enclosed in a case or tube if preferred.
These springs are separated by the movable washers e, e, which are fitted with
sleeves similar to those fitted to the eyes b'.
The lower ends of the rods a', are screwed and fitted with nuts as shewn.
Above the collars d, d, I place lighter spiral springs g, g, which serve as check
springs to prevent jar, when after depression, the springs ff, cause the rods a', to
ascend.
The rods a' are connected together above and form together the upper frame a,
and they carry on their summit the treads h, h.
The pedal attachments thus formed are attached to each of the pins of the
driving cranks of a bicycle, one on each side, and are then ready for use.
At the downstroke of the crank the pressure of the rider's foot depresses the
treads h, h, and the springs are simultaneously compressed, whereby power is
stored in them, which can be used in the upstroke of the crank. Thus it follows
that the return or upstroke of the pedal is accomplished with little or no effort on
the part of the rider. I also attach much importance to the fact that owing to my
apparatus being attached to both cranks it has an alternate or reciprocating
action and as the stored energy is exerted in the same direction as the motion of
the crank itself, which thus forms a moving fulcrum to the attachment, the power
is applied under most favorable conditions.
As many bicycles and tricycles have their cranks too near the ground to allow
of my pedal attachment being employed, I have devised certain modifications of
my invention, which I make the subject of a separate application.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :--
1. In wheeled vehicles of all kinds the method of storing power and utilising the
same as herein explained and set forth.
2. In velocipedes or pedo-motive carriages the combination therewith of the
double frame, springs and treads with other appliances forming the pedal spring
attachment herein explained and set forth.
Dated this D5th day ….. 1001
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Patent Agent.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Patent Agent.