An Improvement in Gearing.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 9th July, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 8th May, 1897-Accepted, 26th June, 1897
An Improvement in Gearing.
I, EDWIN LATHAM The Rectory, West Wratting in the County of Cambridgeshire,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
An invention of a mechanical arrangement for actuating differing gears for the
purpose of varying the speeds of driving or driven wheels or axles used for propelling
bicycles, tricycles, carriages road motors lathes or engines whether driven by human
power, steam, explosive gases, hot air, electricity or other power, whereby a different
rate of speed is obtained on a driven wheel or axle, and whereby such driven axle or
wheel is released from the driving force, and doing this without interfering with the
driving power employed.
In my invention I employ two wheels for each set, with gearing attachments which
wheels are loose on their axles. Such wheels are geared or ungeared, keyed or
released on their axles by one or more sliding keys sliding in a slot or slots, in the
circumference or elsewhere of the driving axle, and so are carried round by the said
sliding key or keys or be freed entirely as desired.
When it is desired to drive the wheel round the sliding key or keys is or are pushed
forward to engage on the wheel, and when it is desired to move the vehicle or
machinery at a differing speed the sliding key or keys is or are engaged in the wheel
fixed at the opposite end of the axle when the second wheel is keyed, and moves the
gearing attached to it at the differing speed, the first wheel being disengaged before
the second is actuated.
The sliding key or keys is or are engaged in either wheel by a lever or other
mechanical contrivance, being pushed forward into recesses on the wheel, by foot or
hand until it or they engages or engage in the loose wheel it is desired to bring into
operation, which wheel then propels the bicycle, tricycle, carriage or machinery by
means of the gearing, and this without altering the driving power.
A second set of pairs of wheels geared to different speeds are operated upon in the
same manner, and thereby two other varying speeds are provided for in my
invention.
When the lever or mechanical contrivance is propelled an intermediate distance
only, and thereby and at the same time withdrawn from the loose wheels both the
loose wheels are disengaged, and the vehicle or machinery is free to stop or to move
on down hill in the case of a bicycle or tricycle or carriage, or by its acquired impetus
carried on, and when desired the sliding key or keys can be pushed forward to engage
which of the loose wheels or axles is desired.
The feet of a bicycle rider by my invention can be kept at rest on the pedals and
would not be revolved uselessly when out of gear and would be ready for propelling
the machine on the key or keys being again engaged, and the inconvenience of having
to catch the revolving pedals avoided. The rider is enabled by this invention to better
balance his machine, since his feet assist in supporting the balancing power now
secured by the handles alone.
This invention is applied to the driven axle or wheel when convenience serves.
Dated this Ninth dow..... 1006

page_text: An Improvement in Gearing.
I, EDWIN LATHAM, of The Rectory West Wratting, in the County of Cambridgeshire
Gentleman, 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 for a mechanical arrangement for actuating differing gears for
the purpose of varying the speeds of driving or driven wheels or axles used for
propelling bicycles, tricycles, carriages, road motors, lathes, or engines, whether
driven by hand or foot, steam, gas, air, electric, or other power, whereby a different
rate of speed is obtained on a driven wheel or axle and whereby such driven wheel or
axle may be released from the driving force, and this without interfering with the
driving power employed.
In accordance with this invention I employ two sprocket or other wheels for each
set with suitable chain or other gearing attachments, and these wheels are loose upon.
their axles. Said wheels are geared or ungeared, keyed, or released, on their axles by
one or more sliding keys sliding in a slot or slots, in the circumference or elsewhere of
the driving axle, and so are carried round when engaged by the said sliding key or
keys, or are freed entirely by withdrawing the key or keys, all as desired.
To drive at a given speed the sliding key or keys is or are pushed forward to
engage with the wheel giving that speed and when a different speed is desired the
sliding key or keys is or are caused to engage with the wheel fixed at the opposite end
of the axle when said second wheel is keyed, and moves the gearing attached to it at
the differing speed, the first wheel being disengaged before the second is actuated.
And in order that this my invention may be fully understood I will describe same
with reference to the accompanying drawings and figures and letters of reference
marked thereon, that is to say:
Fig. 1 is an end elevational view of the improved gearing constructed in accordance
with this invention and shewn with the enclosing casing in section so that its operation
may the more easily be understood.
Fig. 1 shews separately a collar or arm employed in conjunction with actuating
means or mechanism later on described and shewn for giving a lateral movement to
the engaging key or keys.
Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the driving axle with ball race collars attached, and
Fig. 2 an end view of same partly in section.
Fig. 3 a view in section of the sliding keys; Fig. 4 is an end view of the same;
Fig. 5 is a section of the boss of the sprocket wheel shewing the slots or recesses in
the face of same for the reception of the ends of the sliding keys when engaging with
the wheel. Fig. 6 is a face view of the same.
Fig. 7 is a diagram shewing a suitable means for actuating the sliding keys; and
Fig. 8 shews a cross section of the front or fork tube of the frame of a bicycle with
a slotted or notched block attached thereto in which works the end of the gear change
actuating lever.
Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in each of the figures.
In the drawings above referred to a and b are two sprocket wheels running loose
upon the shaft or spindle c. As shewn particularly in Figs. 5 and 6 the bosses of
these wheels a and b are formed with slots or recesses d in their faces into which the
ends of the sliding keys are inserted when engaging with and actuating the wheel.
The axle cupon the ends of which are mounted the sprocket wheels a b and pedal
cranks e is formed centrally of a larger diameter as at c¹ (see Figs. 1 and 2,) and upon
this enlarged portion slides a collar carrying or formed in one with the sliding

page_text: keys g. These keys g fit into slot h formed in the enlarged portion c¹ of the axle c
and are free to slide therein. ii are collars placed around the axle at a suitable
distance apart to form a stop each way to the aniount of lateral travel capable of being
given to the collar carrying the sliding keys g. The collar f aforesaid is formed
with a central circumferential groove in which fits a suitably shaped block k carrying
a pin l. By pushing this pin to one side or the other so are the sliding keys caused
to engage with one wheel a or the other wheel b all as may be desired. As shewn in
Fig. I the pin and consequently the whole of the sliding gear is centrally situated
between the two wheels thereby leaving both wheels disengaged, the vehicle or
machinery then being free to stop; or as in the case of a bicycle, tricycle, or carriage,
move on down hill, or be carried on upon a level road a certain distance by its
acquired impetus. Then by sliding the collar f by means of the pin and block k to
the left as shewn in dotted lines Fig. 2 against the stop or shoulder i, the sliding key g
is brought so as to engage or gear with the wheel a Fig. 1, and the speed given off
from that wheel is obtained.
To change that speed the collar fis brought over to the stop shoulder and the
wheel bis engaged or geared by the sliding keys g and the speed from that wheel is
then obtained, the first wheel being disengaged before the second is actuated. The
sliding key or keys is or are engaged in either wheel by a lever or other mechanical
contrivance actuated by foot or hand until it or they engages or engage in the loose
wheel it is desired to bring into operation, which wheel then propels the bicycle,
tricycle, carriage, or machinery, by means of the gearing, and this without altering
the driving power.
The axle and sliding keys are preferably enclosed in a tubular casing m, suitable
rings n being screwed in the ends so as to form a race for the bearing balls o.
PP Fig. 1 are lubricating cups and p' an oil outlet fitted with removable cap. The
casing m is formed with a suitable slot y therein in which works the pin attached to
the block k actuating the sliding keys. A dust slide or cover r may be attached to
the pin 7 so as to cover the slot and prevent so far as possible any entry of dirt, dust,
or the like and for lessening friction the ends of the block & may be provided with
small rollers if desired.
A convenient method of actuating the sliding keys when applied to a bicycle is
shewn in diagram Fig. 7. A lever s pivotted at s¹ to front stay of the frame of the
machine and having a forked end in which the pin 7 stands, terminates at its other
end near the handle bar t from whence it may easily be manipulated by the hand of
the rider. The end of the lever may be provided with a spring bolt taking into
notches in a plate u (see also plan Fig. 8,) attached to the handle bar or fork tube v.
As the end of lever is moved to left or right so will the fork on same move the
pin to right or left and cause one or other of the wheels a and b to be engaged. A
stiffening block w may be inserted between the front and back stays if desired suitably
slotted as also shewn separately in plan in diagram Fig. 7 for the passage of the
pin l.
By this invention as above described the feet of a bicycle rider can be kept at rest
on the pedals without being revolved, uselessly when out of gear; and they would be
ready for propelling the machine on the sliding key or keys being again engaged
with one of the wheels. The inconvenience of having to catch the pedals whilst
revolving is thus avoided. Further the rider is enabled to better balance his machine,
since his feet assist in supporting the balancing power now secured by the handles
alone. It will be obvious that the invention may be applied to the driven axle or the
wheel as convenience may serve.
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. The improvement in gearing substantially as herein before described and shewn.
2. In gearing for varying the speeds of driving or driven wheels or axles, the
sliding keys, slotted axle, recessed sprocket or gear wheels, actuating block fitted

page_text: with vertical pin, and the enclosing tube or casing suitably slotted, for the passage
and working of the vertical pin aforesaid, all in combination with a pivoted lever or
other equivalent mechanical contrivance for actuating same; and substantially as
herein before described and shewn in the drawings.
3. In gearing for varying the speeds of driving or driven wheels or axles, the
wheels a and b with recesses d in their bosses; the shaft c having an enlarged
portion and being provided with collars i and and longitudinal slots h; the
sliding keys g and connecting collar f; the actuating block k and pin!; the
enclosing case or tube m with slot q therein; the ball races n and bearing balls o;
lubricating cups p and oil passage p'; the dust slide or cover r; the pivotted
actuating levers; the notched plate ; and stiffening block or piece w; all
combined, constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as and for the purpose
hereinbefore set forth and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 8th day of May 1897
HUGHES, SON, & Co.,
38, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.