An Improved Multiplying Wheel and Axle Action for Cycles and similar purposes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 30th July, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 24th Aug., 1891-Accepted, 24th Oct., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Multiplying Wheel and Axle Action for Cycles and
similar purposes.
I, HERBERT MASSON of 28 St. George's Road, Regent's Park London, N.W.
Teacher of Music, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is to increase the speed of cycles and other rotating
machines worked by foot action.
It consists of the combination of another axle carrying a geared or toothed chain
wheel which engages with a smaller wheel of the same description placed on the
present driving axle.
The additional axle becomes the new driving axle, and the cranks and pedals
are attached to it instead of to the present driving axle which becomes an inter-
mediate axle only.
The position of the new axle will depend on the construction of the machine,
but will usually be above and a little in front or behind the present axle, which
can be lowered if preferred. The additional speed will of course be regulated
by the relative size of the geared wheels employed.
My invention is applicable to bicycles and tricycles and all other kinds of
cycles.
Doted this 20th dox of lul 1901
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Patent Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Multiplying Wheel and Axle Action for Cycles and
similar purposes.
I, HERBERT MASSON of 28 St. George's Road, Regent's Park 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 :-
The object of this invention is to increase the speed of cycles and other rotating
machines worked by foot action.
Certain portions of my improvements are also applicable to stationary machines
of some kinds, & to other purposes.
In regard to pedo-motive machines my improvements consist mainly in intro-
ducing between the pedal and the present driving axle a pair or series of
multiplying wheels preferably chain wheels so as to cause a more rapid rotation
of the driving wheel of the machine.
I will now proceed to describe my improvements with reference to the accom-
panying drawings in which
Fig. 1 shews a side elevation of a "Safety" bicycle with my improvements.
Fig. 2 shews an elevation of a tricycle with my improvements.
Fig. 3 shews the invention applied to one side of an "Ordinary" bicycle.
Fig. 4 shews a longitudinal section of the hub or outer axle, and inner axle
forming my double axle.
a, is the new driving axle to which the pedals are attached. b, is the old driving
[Price 8d.1

page_text: e,
axle which is now converted into an intermediate axle. C, is the small chain wheel
placed on one side of b. d, is the new chain wheel fixed on the axle a, which acts
as a multiplying wheel to the wheel c. e, is the inner axle of my new double axle
for ordinary bicycles. f, is the outer axle or hub inside which revolves. 9, is
the chain wheel attached to end of the driving axle e. h, i, are chain wheels which
receive motion from and convey it to k, the chains being omitted. 4, is the fork
of the bicycle. m, is the supporting double bracket attached to the fork /, with
bearings at n, o, to receive ends of e, and the short spindle p.
Two separate brackets can be used if preferred. The other end of e, rotates in
a bearing formed in the fork l. is the centre stay of the bracket m.
r, is the
bracket with bearing to receive the other end of e; this bracket is also attached to
the fork similarly to m.
I will first describe the invention as applied to a "Safety" machine.
It will be seen in Fig. 1 that I add another axle a, to which I attach the pedals
instead of to the former driving axle b. The new axle a, is mounted on suitable
bearings and supports attached to the frame of the bicycle and carries by pre-
ference a chain wheel d, which engages with a smaller wheel c, placed on the
axle b, which now becomes an intermediate axle. The relative sizes of the chain
wheels will depend on the amount of speed required. Instead of the chain wheels
cogged wheels can be used, in which case an intermediate wheel will be needed to
prevent reversal of the motion.
The position of axle b, can be altered if required to ensure a suitable position for
axle a. By preference Í place the new axle a, in or near the place occupied by b,
which is lowered or raised to allow space for it.
In applying my invention to tricycles as shewn in Fig. 2, the arrangement is
very similar to that just described for "Safeties."
By preference I place the new driving axle a, in front of the old axle b, instead
of below as shewn in Fig. 1 for "Safeties."
"
With regard to bicycles of the older or "Ordinary type I have devised the
plan of a double axle as shewn in section in Fig. 4.
It will be seen that the axle e, passes through the other axle or hub f, which is
hollow without touching it at any part of its length, and is supported by
brackets r, m, attached to the forks of the bicycle, and that both revolve upon
one centre, each acting independently of the other, and having different degrees of
speed.
In Fig. 3 I shew an end elevation of this arrangement separate from the cycle
with the chain wheels g, h, i, k, by means of which the motion is communicated
from the driving axle e, to the outer axle or hub f. The pedals being attached to e,
the motion, duly multiplied to obtain the necessary speed is communicated by
chains, which are not shewn, from the wheel g, keyed on the axle e, to the equal
sized or smaller wheel , and thence through the large wheel i, fastened to the same
spindle as h, to the small wheel k, which keyed to the outer axle or hub f.
In this way I can obtain an immense increase of speed. All the bearings can be
fitted with balls to reduce friction.
It is desirable that the larger chain wheels should not be exact multiples of the
smaller one to avoid inequality of wear.
The double axle or spindle e, f, and its supports may be applied to many kinds
of mechanical arrangements and devices, as well as stationary machines, wherein
varying motions or speeds are required to originate from a common centre.
Two
or more axles may be arranged to work in this way if necessary.
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 cycles of various kinds the arrangement of multiplying wheels or of other
geared wheels, for increasing speed as herein described and set forth.

page_text: 2. In cycles or other machines or mechanism the arrangement of two or more
axles working independently on one centre, each axle giving the same or different
speeds, and the same or different lines of direction to the motion as herein explained
and set forth.
Dated this 22nd day of August. 1891.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Patent Agent.