Improvements in Clutches.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Clutches.
I, JAMES WRIGHT ADAMS, Clerk, of Avondale Villa, Allen Road, Wolver-
hampton, in the County of Stafford. do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:
This invention relates to clutches having ball bearing working parts; it is
applicable to many different purposes, but I will describe it as applied to a back-
pedalling brake for a bicycle. The details of the invention may be varied
according to the circumstances of this application, but as applied to a back-
pedalling brake for a bicycle the following construction is suitable.
I apply the clutch to the crank axle of the bicycle, the axle being carried in
ball bearings of substantially ordinary construction in the bottom bracket or
equivalent part of the bicycle. The bracket has a slot to allow of the passage
of the lever which operates the brake, the slot being preferably arranged centrally
in relation to the length of the bracket.
The crank axle, besides the cones or surfaces of the ball bearing which carries
it, carries also cones or equivalent surfaces for a second ball bearing between
these latter cones and a sleeve carried concentrically upon the shaft upon rings.
of balls between the ends of the sleeve and the inner cones. Any or all of the
wearing parts may, if necessary, be provided with means of adjustment and also
of locking. Conveniently, the inner cones are screwed upon screwed portions of
the crank axle.
A portion of the crank axle between the inner cones is peripherally recessed
at intervals to carry the gripping rollers or balls, each recess being as usual
deeper at one part than at the other; the before mentioned sleeve lies outside
this portion of the crank axle and prevents the escape of the rollers holding the
working parts in their proper relative positions. The sleeve has an arm upon
it extending through the slot in the bracket, to which any suitable plate con-
nection may be jointed or otherwise connected in any desired manner.
In operation the crank axle when driving the bicycle rotates freely within the
sleeve, which is supported upon its appropriate ball bearings; when the move-
ment of the axle is reversed, the clutch rollers or balls operate, connecting the
sleeve with the crank axle and applying the brake.
I have above described the invention in the form of its simplest application
to a bicycle, but it will be understood that additions may be made to it if desired.
For example, should it be desired to apply a band or other brake inside the
bracket, the necessary additions can be made. Similarly, with other applications,
such as motor vehicles and the like, any necessary alterations or additions can
be made.
Doted this 16th day of November 1899
BOULT, WADE & KILBURN,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Clutches.
I, JAMES WRIGHT ADAMS, Clerk, of Avondale Villa, Allen Road, Wolver-
hampton, in the County of Stafford. do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:- 0.01
This invention relates to clutches having ball bearing working parts: it is
applicable to a back pedalling brake for a bicycle.
I apply the clutch to the crank axle of the bicycle, the axle being carried in
ball bearings of substantially ordinary/construction, into the bottom bracket or
equivalent part of the bicycle. The bracket (C) has a slot to allow of the passage
of the lever (D), which operates the brake, the slot being preferably arranged
centrally in relation to the length of the bracket. The crank axle (A) besides
the cones or surfaces of the ball bearing (E) which carries it, carries also cones or
equivalent surfaces (E) for a second ball bearing between these latter cones (E¹)
and sleeve (B) carried concentrically upon the shaft upon rings of balls (F)
between the ends of the sleeve (B) and the inner cones (E¹).
Any or all of the wearing parts may if necessary be provided with means of
adjustment and also of locking. Conveniently the inner cones are screwed upon
screwed portions of the crank axle. A portion of the crank axle (A) between
the inner cones (E) is peripherally recessed at intervals to carry the gripping
rollers (H) or balls, each recess being as usual deeper at one part than at the
other. The before mentioned sleeve (B) lies outside this portion of the crank
axle (A) and prevents the escape of the rollers holding the working parts in the
proper relative positions. The sleeve (B) has an arm (D) fitted upon it extend-
ing through the slot in the bracket.
in operation, the crank axle when driving the bicycle rotates freely within
the sleeve which is supported upon its appropriate ball bearings. When the
movement of the axle is reversed, the clutch rollers operate, connecting the sleeve
with the crank axle, and applying the brake by means of the lever (D). The
rollers can if desired be held up to their work by means of light springs.
I have above described the invention under the form of its simplest application
to the bicycle but it will be understood that additions may be made to it if
desired. For example; should it be desired to apply a band or other brake
inside the bracket, the necessary additions can be made. Similarly with other
application such as motor vehicles and the like, any necessary additions can be
made.
If it should be desired to apply the brake by means of the lever acting from
the side of the bracket instead of through a slot as before described, the sleeve (B)
fitting tightly within the bracket (C) may be carried outside the bracket until
sufficient surface is given to allow of the lever (1) being fitted to the sleeve, (see
Figure 3). Alternatively the cones (E¹) may be screwed into the bracket (C)
and the sleeve carried by means of rings of balls (E2) as in Figure 4.
With reference to the accompanying drawings:-
Figure 1, is a sectional elevation shewing working parts in position.
Figure 2 is an end view through centre.
Figure 3, is a sectional elevation shewing sleeve lengthened to carry the lever
to the side of the bracket.
Figure 4, is a modification shewing the cones forming bearing for sleeve
screwed into the bracket, instead of being carried on the axle.
N.B. Like letters denote like parts.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1st. The use of balls to carry the sleeve upon bearings, formed upon the axle,
substantially as herein before described,and illustrated.
2nd. The use of balls to carry the sleeve upon bearings formed on cones screwed
nto the bracket case, substantially as herein before described and illustrated.
Dated this 9th day of August 1900
J. W. ADAMS,
Applicant.