An Improved Method of Transmitting Power as applied to Tandem and other Multicycles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 8th May, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 8th Feb., 1898-Accepted, 7th May, 1898
TRUVIDIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Transmitting Power as applied to Tandem
and other Multicycles.
CHARLES CUMBER, of 103, High Street, Notting Hill Gate, London, Cycle Manu-
facturer, and FRED BATTERSBY, of 26, Offley Road, Brixton, London, Cycle Salesman',
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
We employ two, or more brackets to each vehicle, in any shape or manner that
inay be found most suitable, each bracket forming bearings for a spindle, the centre
of which is formed into two cranks on quarter centres, and to which we attach by
suitable bearings, two rods which transmit the power to the main driving axle in the
rear bracket and which is connected to the driving wheel by the usual chain gearing.
We are thus enabled to dispense with the front chains and adjustments heretofore
employed.
.
CHARLES CUMBER.
FRED BATTERSBY.
An Improved Method of Transmitting Power as applied to Tandem
and other Multicycles.
CHARLES CUMBER, Cycle Manufacturer, 118, High Street, Notting Hill Gate,
London (formerly of 103), and FRED BATTERSBY, Cycle Salesman, of 98, Kensington
Park Road, London (formerly of 26, Offley Road, Brixton), 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 tandems or other multi-cycles and the object is to provide
a tandem etc. with an attachment for the transmission of power which is simple in
construction and effective in operation and obviates the use of more than one sprocket
wheel and chain.
The invention consists of an attachment for tandems, etc., constructed substantially
as hereinafter described and defined in the claims.
The invention is fully disclosed in the following Specification, of which the accom-
panying drawings forms a part, and in which the seperate parts of our improvement
are designated by the same letters of reference in each of the views, and in which;-
Fig. 1 is a side view of a portion of the frame of a tandem provided with the
improved attachment.
Fig. 2 is a top view thereof;
Fig. 3 is a top view of one end of the attachment somewhat enlarged :

page_text: Fig. 6 is a side view of the front bracket;
Fig. 7 is a top view of the rod bearing;
Fig. 8 is a side view of same;
Referring to the drawings, A represents part of the frame of a tandem or other
multi-cycle, which may be of any ordinary or preferred construction.
In lieu of the ordinary pedal shafts a double crank axle B is substituted which is
constructed with a short shaft B B1 on each end by which the axle is journalled in
the frame in suitable bearings provided for that purpose. To the outer extremity
of each shaft B B1 is secured the pedal crank, which may be of any ordinary or
preferred construction.
Between the two shafts B B1 are arranged two cranks B2 B3 which extend
eccentrically with respect to the shafts B B1 and are so disposed as to overcome dead
centres.
Connected to the cranks B2 B3 by suitable bearings are two longitudinal rods C C1
which extend from the forward to the rear crank axle to which they are suitably
coupled.
From the above description it is evident that the power applied to the front crank
axle through the pedals, will be transmitted to the rear crank axle by means of the
connecting rods C C1.
It is obvious that the number of crank axles and their connecting rods, are limited
only, by the number of pedal shafts employed.
Among the advantages derived from the use of the improved attachment above
described, are the doing away with the intermediate sprocket wheels and chains with
their many objections, and the increase in power by reason of direct transmission
from the source to the point of application.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is
1. In a multi-cycle the combination with the frame of a pedal operated axle crank
journaled in the front bearing an axle crank journaled in the rear bearing and
connecting crank rods coupled thereto, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. In a multi-cycle the combination with the frame of an axle crank provided
with a bearing at each end, a pedal crank fitted to the end of each bearing, and
two crank bearings intermediate of the said pedal bearings substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
Dated this 8th day of February 1898.