Improvements in Propelling Mechanism for Velocipedes and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 25th May, 1897-Accepted, 4th Sept., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Propelling Mechanism for Velocipedes and the like.
I, JAMES PALMER O'NEIL, late of Fifth Avenue Hotel, in the City and State of
New York, United States of America, Gentleman, at present residing at Ben Avon,
Allegheny, County Pennsylvania, 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 certain new and useful improvements in Propelling
Mechanism for Bicycles, Velocipedes and the like, and has for its object to
provide means for propelling the machine without the aid of the ordinary chain
or idler.
The invention aims to accomplish the above by means of driving rods connected
to cranks attached to the rear axle and to a counter shaft which is operated by a
floating gear arranged in a casing, and to this end the invention consists in the
novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more
specifically described and particularly pointed out in the claims.
The invention has for its further object to provide a propelling mechanism
that will materially decrease the friction to that attained through the use of the
chain or train of gears and that will also increase the propulsive power by reason
of the power being conveyed to the rear axle by cranks.
A further object of the invention is to provide means for overcoming the
unavoidable slack in the chain which causes a back lash, by driving rods being
connected from the counter shaft to the rear axle the cranks are held firmly,
and the serious objection of the chain is effectually overcome.
A further object of the invention is to apply the power that the same will be
equally divided on each side of the wheel, and all danger of buckling the frame
of the machine is thereby prevented.
A still further object is to obtain a constant application of the power, and
thereby enable the rider to more easily control the machine by reason of the
power applied to the pedals acting immediately on the rear axle of the machine.
A further object is to enclose the bearings and all parts that could be injured
by dust within a casing which will amply protect the same, which case, may,
if so desired, be filled with lubricant to decrease the friction and prevent rust
and the wearing of the bearings.
A still further object is to provide a propelling mechanism that will be entirely
simple throughout, strong, durable, light, comparatively inexpensive to manu-
facture, and effective in the performance of all its functions.
A further object of the invention is to provide a propelling mechanism for
velocipedes and the like wherein the float gear and spur gear mounted upon the
crank shaft and counter shaft will rotate in the same direction as these gears
are so arranged as to mesh with each other without the aid of an idler.
In describing the invention in detail, reference is had to the accompanying
drawings forming a part of this invention specification and wherein like figures
of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views, in which:-
DQ71
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page_text: Fig. 1, Is a side elevation of a bicycle with my improved propelling mechanism
applied thereto.
Fig. 2, Is a side elevation of the case and gears with one side removed.
Fig. 3, Is a longitudinal sectional view of the casing and gear wheels.
Fig. 4, Is a side elevation with cranks removed.
Fig. 5, Is a transverse vertical sectional view of the ball bearing for rear
axle, showing the portion of the axle.
Fig. 6, Is a side elevation of the fitting to receive bearing of rear axle.
Fig. 7, Is a detail and sectional view of one of the driving rod cranks.
Fig. 8, Is a detail and sectional view of a portion of driving rods, showing
end bearings.
Fig. 9, Is a detail and sectional view of adjusting cone for driving rod bearings.
Fig. 10, Is a side view illustrating how the same mechanism may be applied
to a tandem.
1
case,
Referring now to the drawings by reference figures, 1 denotes the rim of the
the sides thereof, said case being constructed as a part of the bicycle frame,
the rim is formed with an interior annular flange 3, which forms a rest or seat
for the annular cone 4, which is neatly fitted in the case and provided with a left
hand bearing 5, and a thread to receive the adjusting cone 6, formed with right
hand bearing; a floating gear 7, provided around its outer periphery with a
groove 8, completes a race for the balls 9, said floating gear provided on its inner
periphery with sprockets or teeth engaging the gear 11, which is rigidly mounted
centrally upon the crank shaft 12. This crank shaft 12, is provided at each
side of the gear 11, with sleeves 13, abutting against the gear 11, and provided
near their outer end with a groove 14, forming one-half of the race for the balls 15,
the outer portion of said race being formed by a circular cone 16, and the adjusting
cone 17, engaging same, in the same manner as the ball races or bearings for
the floating gear are formed, said crank shaft having secured on its outer ends
the pedal cranks 18, which are keyed or otherwise suitably secured thereon.
Journaled on the sides 2, is a counter shaft 19, which is also provided with ball
bearings 20, formed of the sleeve 22 upon the crank shaft, and the circular
cene 23, formed with a screw seat to receive an adjusting cone, the said counter
shaft having mounted centrally thereon a gear 24, which meshes with the floating
gear 7. Secured on the ends of the counter shaft 19 are driving shafts 25,
having a split end 26, secured by a key or bolt 27, to the counter shaft; these
driving cranks carry projecting cones 28, which receive the forward ends of the
driving rods 29, said cones and driving rods forming three of the points of contact
fer the balls 30, the other point of contact being formed by the adjusting cone 31,
which engages in the screw seat formed in the driving rod, and provided with a
serrated or notched periphery 32, to receive a set screw 33, engaging into the
driving rod to hold the adjusting cone in position, the rear axle 34, carries
cranks 25, 25, similar in construction to the cranks secured on the counter shaft,
to which the driving rods are also similarly connected; the bearings on this
axle 34, consist of a sleeve or collar 35, grooved around its outer periphery to form
one-half the ball race for the balls 36; a circular cone 37, and adjusting cone 38
complete this ball race, said circular cone being provided around its outer
periphery with a V-shaped flange 39, which engages in a groove 40, provided for
same in the inner face of the hinged band 41, to which the rear forks 42 and
seat post stays 43 are secured, said band being secured by a suitable key or bolt 44.
The pedal cranks 18, are mounted upon the crank shaft 12, at 180 degrees, and
the driving cranks on the counter shaft and rear axle are mounted at 90 degrees,
and by this arrangement prevent the possibility of dead centers, as while the
driving rod on one side is pulling upon the crank of the rear axle, the opposite
driving rod will be exerting a push on the opposite crank and the same principle
will be applied to the cranks of the counter shaft. By reference to Figs. 2 and 3
of the drawings, it is thought the operation of the mechanism will be readily
understood, as it will be noted that as the pedal cranks are operated, motion is

page_text: communicated through the crank shaft 12, to the gear 11, which by reason of
its meshing with the floating gear 7, causes the same to revolve and operate the
gear 24, mounted upon the counter shaft and communicate the motion through
this counter shaft to the crank, driving rod and to the rear axle.
By the peculiar arrangement of the bearings, for the crank and counter shafts,
it will be observed that when the one side of the case is removed the sleeve and
cone will remain in position on the side that has been removed so as not to disturb
the ball bearings. I also wish to call attention to the fact that should anything
happen to the ball bearings, such as the breaking of one of the balls or the like,
it will not seriously affect the running of the machine, by reason of the crank
shaft 12, and the counter shaft 19, being permitted to turn freely within the
sleeve arranged thereon.
I also desire to call attention to the fact that the bearings for the shaft being
enclosed within the case will be fully protected from any dirt or dust, and if
desired this case may be filled with lubricant, which will decrease the friction
and assist in lightening the running of the machine.
It will be particularly noted that various changes may be made in the details
of construction of my improved velocipede, without departing from the general
spirit of my invention; for example, I can advantageously employ the above
described invention to vehicles carrying a number of persons, by multiplying my
propelling mechanism and extending my driving rod, so as to connect with each
additional propelling mechanism.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1, In a propelling mechanism for velocipedes and the like, the combination
of a floating gear meshing with gears mounted upon the crank shaft and a counter
shaft, and driving rods connecting said counter shaft with the rear axle, sub-
stantially as shown and described.
2, A velocipede propelling mechanism consisting of the pedal shaft, a counter
shaft, gears mounted thereon, said gears meshing with a floating gear, and
connections between the counter shaft and rear axle, substantially as shown and
described.
3, A velocipede propelling mechanism consisting of a floating gear, a counter
shaft, a pedal shaft, gears mounted upon said pedal and counter shafts, said
gears meshing with the floating gear, suitable bearings for said floating. gear
and shafts, and connections between the counter shaft and the rear or driving
wheel axle, substantially as shown and described.
4, A velocipede propelling mechanism, consisting of a crank shaft, a counter
shaft, gears mounted upon said shaft, a floating gear, driving cranks on the
counter shaft, and rear axle and driving rods connecting said cranks, substantially
as shown and described.
5, A velocipede propelling mechanism, consisting of a floating gear, a crank
shaft, a counter shaft, gears mounted upon said shafts and adapted to be engaged
by the floating gear, suitable bearings for said floating gear and for the shafts,
a rear axle, driving cranks on the rear axle and counter shaft and driving rods
connecting said driving cranks, substantially as shown and described.
6, In a velocipede propelling mechanism, the combination of the floating gear,
crank shaft and counter shaft, and means whereby motion is communicated to
the rear axle through the medium of the floating gear, substantially as shown
and described.
7, In a velocipede propelling mechanism, the combination of the floating gear,
a crank shaft and counter shaft, suitable bearings therefor, a rear axle, connection
between the counter shaft and rear axle, and means whereby motion is com-
municated through the medium of the floating gear, substantially as shown and
described.

page_text: 8,-In a velocipede propelling mechanism, the combination of the crank shaft
and cranks mounted in suitable bearings, a counter shaft, gears mounted on said
shafts a floating gear arranged to engage said shaft gears, a rear axle, driving
cranks on the rear axle, and on the counter shaft, and driving rods connecting
said driving cranks substantially as shown and described.
9, In a driving mechanism, the combination of a crank shaft, a counter shaft,
gears mounted upon said shafts, a floating gear, a rear axle, a suitable bearing
for said axle, and connections between said axle and the counter shaft, substantially
as shown and described.
10, In a driving mechanism, a floating gear, a crank shaft, a counter shaft,
gears mounted upon said shafts and adapted to be engaged by the floating gear
bearings for said shafts and gear, a case enclosing same, a rear axle, a bearing
for said axle, a hinged band engaging said bearing, and connections between the
counter_shaft and rear axle, substantially as shown and described.
11, In a driving mechanism, the combination of the crank shaft, a counter
shaft, gears mounted on said shafts, a case enclosing said gears, and connections
between the counter shaft and rear axle, substantially as shown and described.
12, In a driving mechanism, a floating gear, a crank shaft, a counter shaft,
a rear axle, connections between the counter shaft and rear axle, means whereby
motion is communicated through the floating gear, and a case enclosing the gears,
substantially as shown and described.
13, A propelling mechanism consisting of a crank shaft and a counter shaft,
means whereby the two shafts revolve in unison, a rear axle, and connections
between the rear axle and counter shaft, substantially as shown and described.
14, A propelling mechanism consisting of a crank shaft, a counter shaft,
driving means for operating the shafts in unison, a case inclosing said driving
mcans, a rear axle, and connections between the axle and counter shaft, sub-
stantially as shown and described.
15, In a velocipede propelling mechanism, a case, a crank shaft and counter
shaft operating through said case, ball bearings formed within the case for said
shafts gears mounted on said shafts, a rear axle, a bearing for said axle, a hinged
band for said bearing, driving cranks on the axle and counter shaft, and driving
rods connecting said driving cranks, substantially as shown and described.
16, In a propelling mechanism for velocipedes and the like, a float gear, a
crank shaft, a counter shaft, spur gears mounted thereon and adapted to mesh
with the float gear, and revolve in the same direction, a rear or driving wheel
axle and connections between said counter shaft and rear or driving wheel axle,
substantially as shown and described.
17, In a propelling mechanism for velocipedes and the like, the combination
of the float gear and spur gears mounted to revolve in the same direction, a
counter shaft, a rear or driving axle and connections between the counter shaft
and rear or driving axle, substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 11th dow of Vaw ID 1007
JAMES PALMER O'NEIL.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.