Improvements in Velocipedes and Auto-motor Carriages.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Velocipedes and Auto-motor Carriages.
I, EDMUND HUGH HODGKINSON, of 8, Lancaster Gate, in the County of Middle-
sex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention applies more especially to change speed driving gear velocipedes
described in my former Patent No. 1570 of the year 1896 but portions of it are
applicable to ordinary velocipedes and to auto-motor cars.
The driving chain is shifted from one pulley to another by the aid of a
"chain
lifter" such as is described in my former specification. Such chain lifter has
however two (or more) limbs and is placed inside the frame of the machine.
Each limb of the chain lifter makes a partial rotation around the stationary
axle of the rear driving wheel. The leading limb has a catch tooth which is
caught as before in the reverse movement of the chain and when it has itself
turned about 76 degrees it also by means of a suitable catch turns the other
limb and carries it round with it as far as is needed. In this position the lead-
ing or catch tooth limb keeps the chain clear of the lower half of the pinions
whilst the other limb keeps the chain clear of the upper half of the pinion. On
again pedalling forwards the two limbs are carried out of use by the chain as
before. When not in use the two limbs fold one over the other clear of the
chain. In order to immediately raise the tooth limb on reversing the chain I
may connect the lower portion of the arm carrying the tooth limb with the arm
carrying the jockey roller which is provided to take up the slack of the driving
chain. This arm has an elbow joint in it and is hinged to the frame. The arm
receives a forward thrust when the chain is reversed and it is made to pull for-
ward a cord or strap attached to the arm of the tooth limb and so to raise the
tooth limb sufficiently for the tooth to catch in the chain.
Alternatively the jockey roller may run freely in a forward direction, but by
means of a suitable catch may on a reverse movement be made to itself wind up
the cord which raises the tooth limb.
Or again the cord may be carried up the frame to a position where the rider
can pull it with his hand and so raise the tooth limb.
I employ spring catches on the pinion block as before, which enter correspond-
ing recesses in the hub of the wheel but I now arrange the catches to project in-
wards, and I place the recesses on the hollow spindle.
I preferably employ jam catches or pawls each of which though pivotted to the
pinion block is so encased in a suitable recess in the pinion block that in driving
it transmits the pressure direct from the pinion block to the hollow spindle so
that the pin by which the catch or pawl is fastened to the block does not bear
the strain.
Alternatively in change speed gear velocipedes as above described I may employ
in the pinion block roller clutches in inclined recesses which cause the rollers
to jam in one direction and so drive the hollow spindle whilst in a contrary
direction of the pinion block the rollers run forwards to the larger part of the
recesses and so run freely themselves and allow the hollow spindle also to do so.
For moving the pinions laterally along the spindle I now employ a screw

page_text: held in a little frame carried upon an arm which can be fastened on to the inner
solid spindle by the usual outside nut.
The screw is turned by means of a reel or drum upon it and moves parallel
to the spindle. The reel turns the screw by an inner projecting pin which enters
a slot at right angles to the screw. The screw can thus be made to advance and
retire through the reel itself and the frame holding it.
This screw at its inner end carries a loose wheel having an annular
engages with a flange on the pinion block.
which
groove
Thus when the reel is turned the screw imparts lateral motion to the pinion
block. The reel is actuated by a cord or wire wound upon it the other end of
which is placed in any suitable position for the hand of the rider. The reverse
motion of the reel is obtained by a spring having a tendency to wind up the cord.
The lateral movement of the pinions can be adjusted to a nicety whilst when a
pinion is in gear there is the least friction possible.
The screw itself can be enclosed in an outside cap to prevent its being damaged.
I employ a back wheel rim brake hinged to the top back stay and actuated
by a rod passing direct to the centre of the handle bar and worked by a hand
lever in the usual way.
The brake can be formed with a stirrup bridging over the tyre and carrying
brake pads acting on both sides of the rim. Each of the ends of the stirrup can
be pivotted to a lever itself pivotted to the back stay. Or the levers can be dis-
pensed with and the ends of the stirrup can be turned upwards and be pivotted
themselves to the back stay.
The centre of the stirrup is pivotted to a direct acting rod which pulls up-
wards and forwards preferably in a direction at or about a right angle with the
steering head.
Again if desired the levers may be dispensed with and the ends of the stirrup
may pass direct into guides on the back stays. The stirrup can pull upwards
and forwards as before. As usual a spring can take the brake out of action.
intermediate bell crank on or near the pillar nut can also be employed.
T
3
1011 1 T..1.. 1007
An
Improvements in Velocipedes and Auto-motor Carriages.
I, EDMUND HUGH HODGKINSON, of 8, Lancaster Gate, in the County of Middle-
sex, 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 applies more especially to change speed driving gear velocipedes
in which the driving chain is lifted out of gear by means of what I term a chain
lifter, but portions of it are applicable to ordinary velocipedes and to auto-motor
carriages.
con-
The driving chain is shifted from one pulley to another by the aid of a chain
lifter. Such chain lifter has two or more limbs and is placed inside the frame
of the machine. Each limb of the chain lifter makes a partial rotation around the
stationary axle of the rear driving wheel. The leading limb is
nected by a cord or other suitable connection with a jockey roller which is provided
to take up the slack of the driving chain. The jockey roller runs freely in a
forward direction but by means of a suitable catch may on a reverse movement
be made to wind up the cord and raise the leading limb of the chain lifter.

page_text: When the leading limb has been raised a suitable distance it comes in contact
with a.stop and by this means raises the other limb as far as is needed.
In this position the leading limb keeps the chain clear of the lower half of the
pinion and the other limb keeps the chain clear of the upper half of the pinion.
On again pedalling forwards the two limbs are carried out of use and fold one
over the other clear of the chain.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bicycle to which my invention is applied the
driving chain being on the smallest pinion.
Figure 2 is a section through the boss of the hinder wheel.
Figure 3 is an elevation of the boss.
Figure 4 is a view to a larger scale of the chain lifter and jockey wheel.
In Figure 2, 1 is a portion of the frame, 2 is the stationary wheel spindle
which the frame carries. 3 is the boss of the wheel, it can revolve about the
spindle on ball bearings, 4, 4* and 4b are three driving pinions of different sizes,
either of which can be employed. They collectively form a pinion block and
can be slidden along the boss with which also they engage by means of pawls.
When back pedalling, the pawls allow the pinions to revolve independently of
the boss.
Figure 4 shows the portions 5 and 6 of the divided chain lifter, they are
mounted upon the neck of the spindle so as to be able to turn thereon; in this
figure they are seen in the position they occupy when out of operation, they
7 is a cord attached to
can then lie against a suitable stop upon the frame.
and lapped partially around the leading part 5, when this cord is pulled as herein-
after described the part 5 is raised until it comes against the stop 6 upon the
following limb 6. The two limbs then travel on together until they are brought
to rest by a stop upon the frame.
The chain being then entirely free of the driving pinions these pinions can
then be shifted along the boss of the wheel by means hereinafter described. On.
again pedalling forward the parts of the chain lifter return to their original
position and the chain drops on to the driving pinion which has been brought into
position to receive it.
In order to immediately raise the leading limb 5 on reversing the chain--I
connect the lower portion of the arm carrying the limb with the jockey roller 8
which is provided to take up the slack of the driving chain. The jockey roller
has a reel or drum 9 connected with it by a ratchet wheel and spring pawl 9ª.
So long as the machine runs forward the drum does not turn but as soon as
back pedalling commences the ratchet engages and the drum revolves with the
jockey wheel and winds up the cord 7 until it is resisted by the chain lifter
coming against its stop. The pawl is so constructed as shown that it can then.
yield and pass the teeth of the ratchet, and thus allow a reverse movement of
the jockey wheel on continued back pedalling. A spring may be provided to.
return the chain lifter to its position of rest when forward pedalling commences.
Or the cord 7 may be led along the frame of the machine to a position in which
the rider can pull it and so raise the chain lifter.
In order to allow the driving pinions to turn freely on the hub of the wheel
when back pedalling I employ spring catches on the pinion block which enter
corresponding recesses in the hub of the wheel, and I arrange the catches to
project inwards, and I place the recesses on the hollow spindle.
I preferably employ jam catches or pawls each of which though pivotted to
the pinion block is so encased in a suitable recess in the pinion block that in
driving it transmits the pressure direct from the pinion block to the hollow
spindle so that the pin by which the catch or pawl is fastened to the block does
not bear the strain.
The arrangement of the catches is illustrated by Figures 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
Figure 5 is a front elevation of the pinion block and the pawls which it carries.
Figure 6 shows the section of the pinion block. Figure 7 shows a ring on which
shows an elevation of this ring.
the pawls are carried. Figure

page_text: The pawls 10 are loosely pivotted to the ring 11 and the ring is firmly fixed
by screws to the pinion block. 12, 12 are buttresses upon the pinion block
to which the outer ends of the pawls are fitted and the driving power is trans-
mitted from the buttress through the pawl to the boss of the wheel without any
strains coming upon the joint pins. Alternatively I may attach the pawls on to
the side of the pinion block, or a friction clutch can be employed.
For moving the pinions laterally upon the spindle I now employ a screw held
in a little frame carried upon an arm which can be fastened on to the inner
solid spindle by the usual outside nut.
The screw is turned by means of a reel or drum upon it and moves parallel
to the spindle. The reel turns the screw by an inner projecting pin which
enters a slot at right angles to the screw.
The screw
advance and retire through the reel itself and the frame holding it.
can thus be made to
This screw at its inner end carries a loose wheel having an annular groove which
engages with a flange on the pinion block.
Thus when the reel is turned the screw imparts lateral motion to the pinion
block. The reel is actuated by a cord or wire wound upon it the other end of
which is placed in any suitable position for the hand of the rider. The reverse
motion of the reel is obtained by a spring having a tendency to wind up the cord.
This appliance is seen in Figures 2 and 3, in Figure 2 the pinion block is
at its extreme right hand position, in Figure 3 it has been moved towards the
left. 13 is a plate fixed on the end of the stationary spindle of the rear wheel,
which passes through it at 13ª. 14 is a reel, shown separately in Figure 9,
mounted on this plate to which it is held by clips. On the other side of the plate
a screw nut 15 is fixed and the screw 16 works through this nut.
has a slot 17 in it and the end of a pin 18 which is fast with the reel 14 enters
The screw
the slot. Hence when the reel is turned as by pulling the cord 19 wound upon
it, the screw also turns and it advances through the nut.
The screw at its end carries the roller 20 which engages with a flange 21 on
the ring 11 which is fixed to the pinion block. The casing 22 which receives the
screw within it revolves with the reel. The screw as it moves laterally carries the
pinion block along the boss of the wheel.
The cord 19 is carried up to the front of the machine in guides as can be
seen in Figure 1. The cord is wound up on the reel by the coiled spring 23
(Figure 9).
I employ a back wheel rim brake actuated by a rod passing direct to the
centre of the handle bar and worked by a hand lever in the usual way.
The brake can be formed with a stirrup bridging over the tyre and carrying
brake pads acting on both sides of the rim. Each of the ends of the stirrup can
he pivotted to a lever itself pivotted to the back stay. Or the levers can be
dispensed with and the ends of the stirrup can be turned upwards and be pivotted
themselves to the back stay.
The centre of the stirrup is pivotted to a direct acting rod which pulls upwards
and forwards preferably in a direction at or about a right angle with the steering
head.
Again if desired the levers may be dispensed with and the ends of the stirrup
may pass direct into guides on the back stays. The stirrup can pull upwards
and forwards as before. As usual a spring can take the brake out of action.
Brakes so arranged are shown by the Figures 1, 10, 11 and 12.
Figure 13 is a plan of the handle bars showing the brake lever.
One form of brake as can be seen in Figures 1 and 10 consists of two | shaped
side pieces 24 pivotted at 25 to the frame of the machine and carrying brake
pads 26.
The other ends of the side pieces are connected together by a stirrup
piece 27, this piece is secured by screw nuts 28 so that the brake can be adjusted
to wheels of different widths. A direct acting rod 29 connects the brake to the
handle 30 pivotted to the handle bar as can be seen in Figures 1 and 13.

page_text: In Figure 11 the sides of the stirrup 27 are hinged to a short lever which in
turn is jointed to the fork which carries the rear wheel. 29 is the rod or wire
forming a direct connection between the stirrup 27 and the hand lever 30 mounted
on the handle bar.
In Figure 12 the stirrup brake is not jointed to the rear fork but stems pro-
jecting from it enter guide sockets fixed upon the rear fork.
In Figure 14 the jockey wheel 9 is carried by an arm pivotted to the side piece 31
of the brake, which is itself pivotted to the frame at 32. On the jockey wheel
is a pawl 33 which engages with a stop 34 when back pedalling takes place, thus
the arm is pushed forward and the brake applied. A spring 35 tends to keep the
brake clear of the wheel and a weaker spring 36 acting on a projection on the
arm carrying the jockey wheel keeps the jockey wheel in gear.
Figure 15 shows an alternative mode of actuating the brake. Instead of the
rod passing directly to the brake it is attached to one arm on a bell crank lever
which is pivotted to the frame preferably on or near the pillar nut, the other
arm being connected to the brake. Similarly the bell crank lever may be placed
on or near the crank axle bracket.
These modes of operating brakes can be applied to any sort of brake. When
in this Specification I refer to driving chains, chain lifters, chain pinions and so
forth, I intend to include driving belts and bands and lifters and pulleys adapted
to work with belts and bands.
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 chain lifter formed in two parts and mounted concentrically with the
driving wheel and within the frame of the machine as herein described.
2. The several means herein described for operating the chain lifter.
3. The combination of the jockey wheel driving chain ratchet and pawl to
operate substantially as described and shown in Figures 4 and 14.
4. The arrangement of the pawls in connection with the driving pinions, said
pawls being arranged within or upon the block and projecting inwardly to the
boss of the wheel and engaging with external ratchet teeth thereon.
5. The combination of a pinion block consisting of two or more pinions or
pulleys and a clutch attached to it driving directly on to and sliding along the
tubular spindle of the hub.
6. The appliances herein described by which the pinion block is moved along
the hub of the wheel.
7. A brake consisting of two L shaped side pieces, each carrying a brake pad,
one end of each side piece being pivotted to the frame and the others being
connected to each other by a stirrup piece bridging over the tyre substantially
as described and shown in Figures 1 and 10.
8. A brake substantially as described and shown in Figure 10.
9. Actuating brakes by means of a jockey wheel substantially as described and
shown in Figure 14.
10. Actuating brakes by the means substantially as described and shown in
Figure 15.
11. The several arrangements herein described of stirrup brakes and brake
gear substantially as described and shown in the drawings.
Dated this 4th day of April 1898.
E. H. HODGKINSON