Improvements in or relating to Motor Cycles.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 16th May, 1899
Complete Specification Left, 16th Feb., 1900-Accepted, 5th May, 1900
Improvements in or relating to Motor Cycles.
We, WILLIAM ALLEN TAYLOR, of 17, Radford Street, Coventry, Warwickshire,
Engineer, and THE BRITISH MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED, of 40, Holborn Viaduct,
London, E.C., do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to motor cycles and has for its objects to reduce vibration
and expense and, further, to allow of the rider turning both pedals to their
lowest position while the machine is running in the usual way and at the same
time to provide for the pedals taking their proper diametrical position in an
effective manner when it is desired to rotate the pedal cranks, as in starting or
assisting the motor.
And in order that the manner in which we attain our objects may be readily
understood we will describe the same, by way of example, as applied to a motor
bicycle.
do
We preferably employ an explosion engine, of the kind known as the
Dion," and arrange the same vertically over the bottom angle of the diamond
frame. The motor shaft takes the place of the usual pedal crank axle, and the
crank case takes the place of the usual bottom bracket. The fly wheel or wheels
is or are mounted on the crank shaft outside the crank case, and the said case is
thereby enabled to be made of comparatively small diameter.
The
The lower portions of the single members known as the bottom backbone and
diagonal tube are replaced by laterally duplex members which, on their respective
sides, are united by curved portions arranged concentrically with the crank
case, to the sides of which the said curved portions are preferably bolted by
the horizontal bolts employed to connect the parts of the crank case.
front ends of the lower back stays are preferably connected respectively to rear-
ward extensions of the said duplex members, and this part is supported laterally
by a bridge. The riders legs may be shielded from the motor by copper or
other suitable sheet metal guards lined with asbestos, and secured to the duplex
members at a short distance from the sides of the motor, so that in action a
current of air is induced between the guards and the motor and the cooling of
the latter is better effected. If tube ignition be employed, as preferred, the
guards will shield the rider from the burner also.
The rear wheel of the bicycle is preferably driven through chain gearing, the
chain passing round a small sprocket wheel secured on the motor shaft and a large
sprocket wheel on the road wheel, the sizes of the wheels being proportioned in
obtain the necessary reduction of speed.
The carburettor and other appliances are provided and fitted in any suitable
manner. By arranging the motor in the central position above described
vibration is minimised and the whole construction is simplified and cheapened.
Near each end of the crank shaft, beyond the crank case, is fixed a circular box
with its mouth directed outwardly. The pedal cranks are mounted loosely on
the ends of the crank shaft and each has a scroll flange on the inner face of its
boss. This flange enters the box but, does not reach either to the back.or to the
walls thereof; it is retained therein by a divided plate which has a suitable
central aperture and is secured over the mouth of the box in suitable
In the space between the circumferences of the crank flange and box a pawl
manner.
any

page_text: is pivotted to the box on an axis parallel to the crank shaft. This pawl is
impelled towards the crank flange by a spring and its movements may be limited
by a suitable stop or stops.
A circular series of horizontal pegs projects from the crank flange towards
the back of the box, and a flat spiral wire spring is secured by its outer end to
the said box. The inner end of the said spring is adapted to engage with the
pegs or equivalent rack on the crank in such a manner that, while the cycle is
running and the riders foot rests on the pedal, the spring will be wound up to a
certain degree and then the said inner end of the spring will commence to trip
over the said rack. But when the rider removes the weight of his foot from
the pedal the spring ceases to trip and at the same time rebounds, thus rotating
the pedal crank on the crank shaft until stopped by the notch of the scroll
flange engaging with the above mentioned pawl. This engagement of the
flange and pawl makes a positive connection between the crank and crank shaft
in the one (forward) direction, and the parts of the respective clutches are so
arranged that both pedal cranks are immediately brought into effective pedalling
position and into line with each other on the rider relieving the pedals of the
weight of his feet; so that to start the motor he has only to lift his feet enough
to allow the pedal cranks to take their effective positions when he may proceed
to pedal forward forthwith. In ordinary riding both pedals are held at their
lowest positions, in a much more comfortable and elegant manner than the
diametrical position at present usually necessary.
_ Although we have described our invention as applied to a motor bicycle it
will be obvious that it may be applied to other-suitable-motor cycles in a similar
manner and that modifications may be made without exceeding the fair scope of
our invention. For example, the spring may be carried by the crank flange and
the rack be on the box.
DOUGLAS LEECHMAN, M.Cy.E.I.,
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents,
18, Hertford Street, Coventry,
9, Exchange Chambers, New Street, Birmingham, and
75, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Patent Agent for the Applicants.
Improvements in or relating to Motor Cycles.
We, WILLIAM ALLEN TAYLOR, of 17, Radford Street, Coventry, Warwickshire,
Engineer, and THE BRITISH MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED, of 40, Holborn Viaduct,
London, E.C., 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:-
Our invention relates to motor cycles and has for its objects, firstly to reduce
vibration and expense, and secondly, to allow of the rider turning both pedais to
their lowest position while the machine is running in the usual way and at the
same time to provide for the pedals taking their proper diametrical position in
an effective manner when it is desired to rotate the pedal cranks and shaft, as
in starting or assisting the motor.
And in order that the manner in which we attain our objects may be properly
understood we will describe the same, by way of example, with the aid of the
accompanying drawings which show the same applied to a motor bicycle.
Figure I is a side elevation of so much of the bicycle as is necessary for the
purpose of description.

page_text: Figure II is a rear elevation of the motor, crank shaft and adjacent parts.
Figure III is a vertical section illustrating the part of our invention relating:
to the pedal cranks, and
'
Figure IV is an inside elevation of the same.
Like numerals indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
66
do
We preferably employ an explosion engine of the kind known as the
Dion," and arrange the same vertically over the bottom angle of the diamond]
frame. The motor shaft 2 takes the place of the usual pedal crank axle and
the crank case 3 takes the place of the usual bottom bracket. The fly wheel or:
wheels 4 is or are mounted on the crank shaft outside the crank case, and the
said case is thereby enabled to be made of comparatively small diameter. If
only one fly wheel be employed, the crank shaft may be supported beyond the
crank case by a bracket 45 and journal 46; as shown.
The lower portions of the single members known as the bottom backbone and
diagonal tube are replaced by laterally duplex members 5, 6 which, on their
respective sides, are united by curved portions 7 arranged concentrically with
the crank case, to the sides of which the said curved portions are preferably
bolted by the horizontal bolts & employed to connect the parts of the crank case.
The front ends of the lower back stays 9 are preferably connected respectively.
to rearward extensions 10 of the duplex members 5, 6, 7, and this part is
supported laterally by a bridge 11. The rider's legs may be shielded from the
motor by copper or other sheet metal guards 12 lined with asbestos 13 anil
secured to the duplex members at a short distance from the sides of the motor,
so that in action a current of air is induced between the guards and the motor
and the cooling of the latter is thereby promoted. If tube ignition be employed,
as preferred, the guards will also shield the rider from the burner 14
The rear wheel 15 of the bicycle is preferably driven through chain gearing,
the chain 16 passing round a small sprocket wheel 17 secured on the motor shaft
and a large sprocket wheel 18 on the road wheel, the sizes of the wheels being
so proportioned as to obtain the necessary reduction of speed.
The carburettor 19, burner 14 and silencer 41, are provided and fitted as
shown or in any well known manner. By arranging the motor in the central
position above described vibration is minimised and the whole construction is
simplified and cheapened.
Near each end of the pedal crank axle 2, is fixed a circular box 20 with its
mouth directed outwardly. The pedal cranks 21, 22 are mounted loosely on
the ends of the crank axle and each has a cam flange 23 on the inner face of its.
boss 24, (Figs. III and IV). This flange enters the box but does not reach
either to the back or to the walls thereof; it is retained therein by a divided
plate 25 which has a suitable central aperture and is secured over the mouth of
the box in any suitable manner. A washer 42 held to the end of the crank
axle by a screw 43, may also be provided to assist in retaining the crank on the
said axle. In the space between the circumferences of the crank flange and box
a pawl 26 is pivotted to the box on an axis parallel to the crank axie.
This pawl
is impelled towards the crank flange 23 by a spring 27 and its movements may
be limited by a suitable stop or stops 28. The abutment 44 relieves the axis of
the pawl of the driving strain.
We provide the crank flange with a rack which may consist of a circular
series of horizontal pegs 29 projecting from the said flange towards the back of
the box, and a flat spiral wire spring 30 is secured by one end 31 to the axle 2 or
to the box 20. The other end 32 of the said, spring is adapted to engage with
the pegs 29 or equivalent rack on the crank in such a manner that, while the
cycle is running and the rider's foot rests on the pedals 33, the spring 30 will be
wound up to a certain degree and then the said other end 32 of the spring will
commence to trip over the said rack. But when the rider removes the weight
of his foot from the pedal the spring ceases to trip and at the same time rebounds,
thus rotating the pedal crank on the crank axle until stopped by the notch 34

page_text: of the cam flange engaging with the pawl 26. This engagement of the flange
and pawl makes a positive connection between the crank and crank axle in
the one (forward) direction, and the parts of the respective clutches are so
arranged that the two pedal cranks 21, 22 are immediately brought into effective
pedalling position and into line with each other on the rider relieving the pedals
of the weight of his feet. So that to start or assist the motor he has only to lift
his feet enough to allow the pedal cranks to take their effective positions when
he may proceed to pedal forward, forthwith. In ordinary riding both pedals
are held at their lowest positions in a much more comfortable and elegant manner
than the diametrical position at present usually necessary.
Although we have described our invention as applied to a motor bicycle it
will be obvious that it may be applied to other suitable motor cycles in a similar
manner and that modifications may be made without exceeding the fair scope of
our invention. For example, the spring 30 may be carried on the crank flange
and the rack be on the crank axle or box.
:
The two parts of our invention may be used separately.
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. A motor cycle in which the crank shaft of the motor serves also as the crank
axle of the pedal driving gear, substantially as set forth.
2. A motor cycle in which the cranks of the pedal driving gear are secured to
the crank shaft of the motor, substantially as set forth.
3. A motor cycle in which the piston rod of the motor operates directly on
the pedal crank axle.
4. A motor cycle having a frame in which the lower members are laterally
duplex, and the motor secured by its crank casing between such duplex members.
5. A motor cycle in which the bolts securing together the lateral parts of the
crank case also serve to secure the motor to and between the laterally duplex
members of the frame.
6: In a motor cycle of the kind herein referred to, the combination with the
motor of shields secured at a short distance from the sides of the said motor for
the purposes set forth.
7. A motor cycle constructed, arranged_and_adapted to operate substantially
as herein described, and as illustrated in Fig. I of the accompanying drawings.
8. In a motor cycle, the combination with the pedal crank axle of a circular
box fixed thereto, a crank loosely mounted on the said axle, a rack and a cam
flange on the crank boss, a trip spring engaging the rack, and a pawl pivotted
to the box and adapted to engage with the shoulder of the cam, all arranged
and adapted to operate substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
9. In a motor cycle, means for allowing the rider to turn both pedals to their
lowest position while the machine is running, such means also providing for the
pedals taking an effective diametrical position for rotating the pedal crank axle,
substantially as herein described, and as illustrated in Figures III and IV of
the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 15th now at KAMI
DOUGLAS LEECHMAN, M.Cy.E.I.,
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents,
18, Hertford Street, Coventry,
9, Exchange Chambers, New Street, Birmingham, and
.75, Chancery Lane, London, WC.,
Patent Agent for the Applicants.