Improved Fork End and Chain Adjuster for Velocipedes and other Vehicles.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Fork End and Chain Adjuster for Velocipedes and other
Vehicles.
ALFRED PERICLES Maxfield, of 46, Railway Terrace, Nechills, Birmingham,
in the County of Warwick, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
This invention consists of this herein described improved means of adjusting
the back wheel spindle of a chain driven cycle, nearer to or further from the
driving crank spindle so as to adjust the driving chain to the required tension.
My invention is similarly applied to other vehicles which are driven by an
endless chain or band where the spindle has to be adjusted as stated above.
In carying out my invention the said fork end is formed by placing two metal
stampings together, one of the said stampings to be pierced with a longtertidunal
hole or slot to admit of the wheel spindle. Stamping No. 2 to be pierced with
a large round hole. By placing said stampings together and thereby forming a
recess, in which works the circular adjustment which is a plain circular metal disc
in which is pierced eccentrically to its diameter a hole large enough to admit of
the said metal disc being turned completely round the spindle, the movement of
said disc forcing the spindle nearer to or further from the center of the said
longtertudinal hole or slot in a parrell motion, the whole is then made secure by
tightening up the nut on spindle in the ordinary way.
Date this 22ed day of March 1898.
Improved Fork End and Chain Adjuster for Velocipedes and other
Vehicles.
I, ALFRED PERICLES MAXFIELD, formerly of 46, Railway Terrace, Nechills,
Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Engineer, now of 353, Nechills Park
Road, Birmingham, 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 an improved construction of a fork end or bracket
for velocipedes fitted with eccentric chain adjusting mechanism of the type

page_text: described in Wiles' Specification No. 6983, A.D. 1898. My invention is similarly
applied to other vehicles which are driven by an endless chain or band where the
spindle has to be adjusted.
I will describe my invention as applied to the back wheel of a safety bicycle
and will refer to the accompanying drawings on which Fig. 1, is a side elevation
of the fork end and adjuster. Fig. 2, shows a sectional view thorough line A¹,
Fig. 1. Fig. shows the bracket or fork end in which Fig. 4, rotates. Fig. 4,
is a front view of the disc adjustment. Fig. 5, and 6, are front and sectional views
of shouldered or double washer as hereinafter described.
The same letters of reference indicate the same as corresponding parts in all
the figures of the drawing. In Fig. A, is a circular disc of metal pierced eccen-
trically with a hole sufficiently large that it can be turned right round the
spindle when in place in recess C, without moving spindle when in centre of
slott. The small holes shown are for the use of a pin spanner or other instrument
for the purpose of adjustment. B, is a double or shouldered washer pierced with
hole, S, to fit on spindle, the bottom portion of washer fits loosely in the large hole
in A and is eccentric with the top portion which is for the purpose of taking
the pressure of the nut on spindle.
These parts form substantially the same arrangement as that described in
Wiles' Specification before referred to, and form no part of my invention. My
invention consists in making the fork end or bracket C¹ in two portions of sheet
metal both of a similar outline, but one marked C with a large circular hole,
and the other with a straight slot marked C. By placing these two parts
together they will form a bracket to all intents and purposes, the same as if
made in one piece. Fig. 1, is a side elevation of the complete bracket and
adjuster, with the ends shown for brazing or otherwise fastening the back fork
tubes and back stay tubes marked D, and E. Fig. 2, is a section of Fig. 1,
thorough line A¹, Fig. 3, is a side elevation with the disc A, and washer B,
removed. Fig. 4, is a side elevation of disc A, and washer B, Fig. 5, is a side
elevation of washer B, and Fig. 6, and sectional view of same.
When in use the complete brackets are made in pairs right and left hand, on
the spindle is then placed in the straight slott and the discs are then put in
place and the washers sliped over spindle with the eccentric portion in the large
hole of disc A, the nuts are then screwed up close but not tightened then by
the use of a pin spanner or other instrument the discs may be turned round
by this turning round it brings the position of the large hole closer to or further
from the end of the straight slott and by tightning up the nuts on spindle are
firmly fixed in any position required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would have it under-
stood that I make no claim to the use of eccentrics for adjusting the driving
chain, but I declare that what I claim is: --
The formation of a fork end or bracket of two separate pieces, or stampings
as herein described.
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ALFRED PERICLES MAXFIELD.