Improvements in or appertaining to Cycles of every Nature and Description, Motor or otherwise.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Dec., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 6th Oct., 1898-Accepted, 6th Mar., 1899
Improvements in or appertaining to Cycles of every Nature and
Description, Motor or otherwise.
I, JAMES THOMAS ELLIS, of 21, Garville Avenue, Rathgar, Co. Dublin, Title
Investigator, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Improvements in and appertaining to reversable or turning cranks, brakes,
labels, and attaching of bells to cycles, the nature of such improvements being
hereinafter set forth.
In connection with cranks I make the following improvements my object
being to provide a crank that may be folded or reversed so as to have the pedal
in an inward, instead of an outward position, and in some cases, in so doing, to
so arrange that on such reversal, the chain wheel is put out of connection with
the axle, or the axle left free to rotate independently of the cranks. Such
objects may be attained by pivotally or swivelly attaching the crank to the axle
by a pin passed therethrough, or to a pin passed through or integral with a
shoulder on the chain wheel or to the cone, or by having slots in axle, cone,
or wheel shoulder, or to a collar on the axle, and having the crank head stirrup
shaped, or so shaped that a part thereof may be pivotally engaged and retained
in such slots; or the cone, wheel shoulder or axle, may have a collar thereon
having a stirrup shaped, or equivalently shaped, part thereto which pivotally
engages with slotted holes in the crank head. There may be locking or bearing
shoulders on the wheel or cone or to a separate collar on the axle.
In some cases the cone, wheel or collar may be loose on the axle, and locked
thereto, so as to rotate therewith on the reversal of the crank to its normal
position, and when loose may be secured against sliding by guiding projections,
pins, or nuts, or having a guiding channel to the axle and a coincident slotted
hole, or equivalent, in the shoulder, collar or equivalent, into which is passed
the pivotal pin, or stirrup head of the crank, or by other suitable means.
In some instances the crank in its driving position engages with the axle, or
pins or slots thereto, and is locked thereto or to the wheel shoulder, cone
or collar; but in every instance so as to efficiently drive the wheel and be easily
reversed or turned, and I may use any efficient means of locking, 'such as bolts
and nuts, flatted or screw pins, or eccentric catches, in combination with holes,
slots, or suchlike.
I may also have the pin or pins integral with either or both ends of the axle
and when at both ends have the axle split or divided and screwing into or
upon one another or otherwise suitably connected by collars or suchlike.
In some cases the first mentioned collar is keyed to the axle or has a flange
which takes into a slot therein.
The following are methods I may use: -One method is to have the inner side
of the crank head with a hollow shoulder, one side cut away, a pin passes from
the upper part of this shoulder through a hole in the axle, its end passing
into the opposite part of the shoulder and thereby pivoting it to the axle. The
inner part of the shoulder has two opposite holes through which a pin passes,

page_text: and when the crank is in riding position and this pin passed into the two holes,
the crank and axle are locked together.
In another method the crank head is forked. The axle passes between the
forks which are pivotally attached by a pin passing through holes in all, or by
pins integral with either, passing through slotted holes in the other. To the
bottom of the inner side of the crank is a shoulder, bearing against the axle and
preventing inward swinging. To lock crank for riding and to prevent outward
swinging a pin is passed through holes in the upper part of the forks, over and
on top of the axle.
In a further variation I have a collar having a radial slotted hole in its upper
part, the slot passing through wings which may be locked by a screw pin. The
axle passes through the body which terminates with a shank having a threaded
hole. The crank head is stirrup shaped and the upper part, or bar, is passed
through the collar slot until it rests within a circular slot on the axle, thereby
preventing the collar from sliding. The collar sides are cut away centrally,
showing the axle, which has flatted sides. The crank head has a circular axle
hole and from the upper part thereof a. slot, which engages the axle when the
crank is in riding position.
My improvements in brakes are carried out in substantially the following
manner. To one or both sides of the forks or wheel spindle I hinge or pivot a
brake piece or block, the inner side of which is suitably adapted to engage
against an enlargement of the hub or a dise or equivalent attached thereto. To
the forks, frame or spindle I also pivotally attach a lever of an angular, eccentrical,
or other suitable shape, one angle whereof engages against the brake piece, and
the other is attached to the usual brake piece or equivalent. In some cases I
may dispense with the brake piece and have the inner end of the lever to act
as a brake. I may have friction rollers to either brake piece or lever, or to both.
The handle may be operated in the usual way, or as follows. I have the
handle of the steering handle bar with a toothed ring to engage with serrations,
or teeth, or threads on the brake handle or equivalent, or instead of a toothed
ring have an eccentrically thickened or tapered ring, to engage against a ring
or projection on the brake handle. The end of the brake lever is eccentrically
shaped or tapered and engages with the head of the brake rod, which may have
friction rollers thereto. The rotation of the steering handle causes the brake
lever end to be pulled or pushed out of operative enragement with the rod head,
which is depressed or pulled up by such engagement, as may be necessary. I
may apply this mode of operating a brake to any form of brake, other than that
above described.
A further improvement refers to means of attaching and carrying, a direction
label, which is formed of any material, and may be slotted, flanged, or cut away
to retain a tablet. One end of such a label is bent and shaped with a socket, into
which the lamp bracket is passed and lockable thereto by a pin or other means,
or the label may be shaped so as to be carried on 'and attachable to the bracket
socket of the lamp. In some cases I may have the socket centrally, or so that
the label may have an arm, or be otherwise suitably adapted to carry a lamp.
In attaching bells my improvements consist in so attaching a bell to the
handle bar or brake lever that it may be rung by a slight movement of the
brake lever, without thereby putting on the brake. In one means the bell is
clipped to the brake lever so that its finger piece is brought into engagement
with the handle bar or equivalent, thereby causing it to be rung. Or, I may
attach the bell to the handle bar in such manner that it is rung by engagement
against the brake lever. In some cases I may have the bell lever so arranged
that it may slide or move to one side, so as to be operatable by the fingers when
the brake is being used.

page_text: Improvements in or appertaining to Cycles of every Nature and
Description, Motor or otherwise.
I, JAMES THOMAS ELLIS, of No. 21, Garville Avenue, Rathgar, Co. Dublin,
Title Investigator, 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:-
Improvements in and appertaining to reversable, or inwardly turning cranks,
labels and their holders, and attaching bells to cycles, the nature of such
improvements being hereinafter set forth.
In connection with cranks I make the following improvements, my object
being to provide a crank that may be folded or reversed so as to have the pedal
in an inward, instead of an outward, position, and in some cases in so doing, to
so arrange that on such reversal, the chain wheel is put out of connection with
the axle, or the axle left free to rotate independently of the cranks. Such
objects may be attained by pivotally or swivelly attaching the crank to the axle
by a pin passed there-through, or to a pin passed through, or integral with a
shoulder on the chain wheel or to the cone or by having slots in axle, cone,
or wheel shoulder, or to a collar on the axle, and having the crank head stirrup
shaped, or so shaped that a part thereof may be pivotally engaged and retained
in such slots, or the cone, wheel shoulder, or axle, may have a collar thereon
having a stirrup shaped, or equivalently shaped, part thereto which pivotally
engages with slotted holes in the crank head. There may be locking or bearing
shoulders on the wheel or cone or to a separate collar on the axle.
In some cases the cone, wheel, or collar, may be loose on the axle and locked
thereto, so as to rotate therewith on the reversal of the crank to its normal
position, and when loose may be secured against sliding by guiding projections,
pins, or nuts, or having a guiding channel to the axle and a coincident slotted
hole or equivalent in the shoulder collar or equivalent, into which is passed
the pivotal pin, or stirrup head of the crank, or by other suitable means.
In some instances the crank in its driving position engages with the axle, or
pins or slots thereto, and is locked thereto or to the wheel shoulder, cone,
or collar, but in every instance so as to efficiently drive the wheel and be easily
reversed or turned, and I may use any efficient means of locking, such as bolts
and nuts, Hatted or screw pins, or eccentric catches, in combination with holes,
slots, or suchlike.
I may also have the pin or pins integral with either, or both, ends of the axle
and when at both ends have the axle split or divided and screwing pins into or
upon one another or otherwise suitably connected by collars or such like.
In some cases the first mentioned collar is keyed to the axle or, has a flange
which takes into a slot therein.
The following are methods I may use. One method, as shewn by Fig. 1, is
to have the inner side of the crank head A with a hollow shoulder a¹, one side
cut away as at a², a pin a³ passes from the upper part of this shoulder through
a hole in the axle, its end passing into the opposite part of the shoulder,
and thereby pivoting it to the axle. The inner part a of the shoulder has two
opposite holes through which a pin a passes, and when the crank is in riding
position and this pin passed into the two holes, the crank and axle are locked
together. The side of the axle coincident to pin a may be flatted and the pin
may also be flatted and locked by a nut, or it may screw into the crank shoulder.
To reverse the pedal inwardly pin a is withdrawn, when the crank will turn on
the pivotal pin a³.
When the chain wheel is loose on the axle may have the inner part of

page_text: crank A with a wing, or spur, such as a¹0, which would pass into a slot or blank
part of the chain wheel when the crank would be in driving position. On the
pedal being turned inwardly this wing passes out of connection with the wheel
leaving it free to rotate independently of the axle.
To prevent longitudinal outward movement of the wheel when loose on the
axle I would have a stop, preferably such as a lock nut on the axle, or a pin
screwing therein.
In another method as shewn by Fig. 2 the crank head A is forked. The
axle passes between the forks a', which are pivotally attached by a pin a³,
passing through the holes at in all, or by pins integral with either, passing
through slotted holes in the other. To the bottom of the inner side of the crank
is a shoulder a, bearing against the axle & preventing inward swinging. To
lock the crank for riding and to prevent outward swinging, a pin a³ is passed
through holes as in the upper part of the forks, over and on top of the axle, which
preferably is flatted under the pin.
In in a further variation Fig. 3, I have a collar or lug a, having a slotted hole a¹5 ·
in its upper part, the slot passing through wings a, which may be locked by a
screw pin a. The axle a passes through the body a18, which terminates with
a shanka, having a threaded hole a8. The crank head a is stirrup shaped and
the upper part, or bar a', is passed through the collar slot a, until it rests within
a collar slot 2 on the axle, thereby preventing the collar from sliding along,
or off, the axle. The collar sides are cut away centrally towards the ends, as
at a20, showing the axle, which has flatted sides towards the ends a¹3. The crank
head slot al, engages the axle and collar when the crank is in riding position.
It is kept in that position by a pin or pins a passing through holes in the crank
and engaging with the holes as in the collar shank a¹. To reverse the crank
the pin a is withdrawn from the hole a8, and the crank pushed until the axle
end lies in the axle hole a², it may then be turned, (turning on the bar a¹),
until the pedal is reversed.
Instead of having the bar a¹ in one with the crank head I may have a pin all
passing to each side of the crank screwing into same or taking nuts.
The collar a18 may have its inner side shaped as a cone ball-bearing preferably
as shewn at the dotted lines a¹.. Fig. 4 shews a method by which the chain wheel
runs loosely on the axle when the pedals are reversed. The wheel a22, which
is loose on the axle, has a shoulder, one or more sides of which are cut away
as at a, forming a flatted part or parts: the outer end of the axle is also flatted
as a a. The crank head A has its upper part cut away forming forks, a', the
intersecting hollow a having flatted sides 26, which retain the flatted parts of
the axle and wheel shoulder 2, a. The crank head has pin holes at, one to
each fork, and the axle end has a coincident hole, a pin is passed through these,
thus locking or pivoting the crank to the axle. When in its normal position
the flatted fork sides a23 engage the flatted wheel shoulder, and flatted axle end,
and is kept so by a pin passed through holes as in the upper part of the fork
sides. This pin passing over and resting upon the axle. When this pin is
withdrawn the pedal may be reversed and the chain wheel rotated without
revolving the axle.
Another means of attaining same result is shewn by Fig. 5, the crank head A
being forked, and pivoted to a flatted axle end, by a pin passing through holes a*
into a coincident axle hole. The chain wheel boss has a shoulder a², slotted as
at a27, so as to retain the crank shoulder a. When the crank shoulder is in this
slot a pin is passed through the holes as thus locking the crank to both axle and
wheel.
In another method shewn by Fig. 6 I have the crank A with its back part cut
away, or forked, as at a², and having slotted holes a', and holes as, and a flatted
or squared axle hole, preferably triangular, to take an axle as at a³. The chain
wheel has a shoulder a23, having holes a. The crank is passed along the
axle until the slot a² engages with this shoulder, a pin is then passed through

page_text: the holes at, thus pivoting the crank and chain wheel together. The crank may
then be slid outwardly until out of connection with the axle, sliding on the
pivotal pin by the slotted hole a'. It may then be turned until pedal side is
towards the frame, and the chain wheel will not revolve with the axle. When
the crank is in normal position, or connecting with the axle, it is locked in that
position by a pin, such as a³, passing through hole as into the coincident hole a
in the chain wheel shoulder.
Fig. 7 shews crank A forked, each forked side being lengthened to form
shoulders a, each side a¹ has a slotted hole a', and the axle a coincident hole, a
pivotal pin connects crank and axle, but the crank being slotted may be slid
back and forth on the axle. The cone, or it may be the chain wheel a, has
to its boss slots such as a27, into which are slid the crank shoulders a', so that
wheel, crank, and axle, rotate together. The crank may be slid outwardly out
of connection with the wheel, and then reversed to bring the pedal inwardly,
leaving chain wheel free to rotate independently of axle. The axle I prefer to
have flatted as at a³. When crank and wheel are connected, they are locked so
by the tightening up of the pin or nuts a³. In cases where chain wheel or cones
are loose on the axle, I may have a stop such as a pin or nut.
In a further means as shewn by Figs. 8 & 9 I have the axle end as flatted,
on this I pass a lug, or collar, a, its axle hole having flatted sides a20, or secure
it thereto by a pin passing as shown by a into hole as therein into the hole as
in the crank A. One side of this lug has a shoulder a28 under which lies part
of the crank head a29. In the shoulder as I have a hole at which takes a pivotal
pin which passes into the crank head at a29 as shown at a³. The crank head is
slotted at a² to receive the lug, and has the shoulder a, the further end whereof
takes into the slot 27 in the loose chain wheel a, such slot being formed between
the shoulders 23 of the boss. When the crank is in working position, as in
Fig. 9, the pin a' is withdrawn from connection with the crank, and the latter
may then be turned around, and in so doing the shoulder a passed out of con-
nection with the chain wheel, (turning on its pivotal pin a³) and the pedal is
turned inwardly towards the frame.
In practice any method may be used to the further side of the axle in
conjunction with a different method to the chain wheel side, and any of the
methods described may be modified or varied so as to connect to a cone or
equivalent instead of the chain wheel as described.
Although I specificially mention the chain wheel it will be understood that I
only do so for the sake of clearness and that I mean thereby the wheel or
equivalent which is rotated by the crank axle, and I wish it to be understood
that I am aware of the methods described in Letters Patent No. 24067 of 1896 and
No. 24752 of 1897 and do not claim anything therein contained.
A further improvement refers to means of attaching and carrying a direction
label which is formed of any material and may be slotted, flanged, or cut away,
to retain a tablet. One end of such a label is bent and shaped with a socket into
which the lamp-bracket is passed, and lockable thereto by a pin or other means,
or the label may be shaped so as to be carried on, and attachable to, the bracket
socket of the lamp. In some cases I may have the socket centrally or so that
the label may have an arm or be otherwise suitably adapted to carry a lamp.
Some forms are hereunder mentioned:
By Fig. 10 I show label holder C in one with socket c¹. Fig. 11 shows
socket e, with holder C made much longer than in Fig. 10, so that such holder
may not only carry a label but also carry a lamp at its lower end c². Fig. 12
shows socket c' with two holders, C being label holder, and c² the lamp holder, Fig. 13
shows the lamp socket c¹, such as is usually attached to a lamp back but with
the addition of the label holder C, which is integral therewith, or permanently
attached thereto, the parts being for the attachment of the lamp arms. Fig. 14
shows form of holders which may be temporarily attached to, and carried in, the,
socket of any ordinary lamp.

page_text: The flanges C being part of the holder bent over on itself so as to retain
the label though I do not restrict myself to any especial means of retaining the
label to its holder. In some cases especially in form Fig. 14 the holder may be
dispensed with and the material used for a label be such as may be written upon.
Fig. 15 shows & tablet or holder C as at Fig. 14 inserted in the lamp socket c¹
In attaching bells my improvements consist in so. attaching. a bell to the
handle bar or brake lever that it may be rung by a slight movement of the
brake lever, without thereby putting on the brake. In one means the bell is
clipped to the brake lever so that its finger piece is brought into. engagement
with the handlebar or equivalent thereby causing it to be rung. Or, I may
attach the bell to the handle bar in such manner that it is rung by engagement
against the brake lever. In some cases I may have the bell-lever so arranged
that it may slide or move to one side so as to be operatable by the fingers when
the brake is being used.
1
In one means, as shewn by Fig. 16, I have the bell D clipped towards the centre
of the handle bar, as shewn, so that its lever d'engages under and against the
head of the brake rod d', (or end of the lever), the working of the lever de giving
movement to the bell lever and so ringing it.
•
Fig. 17 shews another method in which the bell D is clipped to the down tube
of the handle bar, its lever d being worked by contact against a projection on
the brake rod, such as a nut d³, or the adjusting nut, or the rod head.
By Fig. 18 I shew other modes of attaching the bell, in which its lever dis
worked by the upward pressure of the brake lever d².
It is of course evident that I may attach the bell to the brake lever or rod
and ring it by the contact of its lever against the handle bar or projections
thereon.
The levers of the bell would be so formed, shaped, or lengthened, so as to come
into effective contact with the operative parts of the lever, or bar, and in like
manner the bell clips would be so shaped, formed, or lengthened, as to support
the bell in the necessary position to be effectively rung.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1st. A reversable or inwardly turning eyele crank the upper inner side of which
engages with the chain wheel or equivalent, or the cone, and connected to its
axle by means of a pin extending through said crank and its axle.
2nd. Means and methods described, referred to, or in part illustrated, of so
attaching a pedal crank to its spindle, or the chain wheel or equivalent, or the
cone, that it may be reversed so as to bring its pedal inwardly towards the
machine, or the like substantially.
3rd. Means and methods (more particularly as described, referred to, or in
part illustrated) of so attaching a pedal crank to its spindle, or the chain wheel,
or equivalent, or the cone, that it may be reversed so as to bring its pedal
inwardly towards the machine and at same time be left in such manner that it
may not rotate with the chain wheel or equivalent, or the axle, or cone, as the
case may be, or the like substantially the means described by Letters Patent
No. 24067 of '96 and No. 24752 of 1897 excepted.
4th. Connecting a reversable inwardly turning cycle crank to a ball bearing
cone which is loose upon the axle (more particularly by the means described,
referred to, or illustrated).
5th. A reversable, or inwardly turning cycle crank, pivotally connected to a
lug which is attached to the axle by a pin passing through both (more par-
ticularly by the means described, referred to, or illustrated, or
substantially).
the like
6th. A reversable, or inwardly turning cycle crank, pivotally attached to a
lug, collar, cone, chain wheel or equivalent, and having thereto a slot which

page_text: engages the axle, and a hole in which such axle may rotate on being slidably
disengaged from the slot, (more particularly by the means described, or referred
to, or as in part illustrated, by Fig. 3, or the like substantially).
7th. A reversable, or inwardly turning cycle crank, pivotally attached to the
axle, or a lug thereon, and slidably connected to a cone, collar, chain wheel or
equivalent, by having a lengthened or slotted hole to either, within which the
pivotal pin may travel (more particularly by the means described, or referred
to, as in part illustrated by Figs. 6 & 7 or the like substantially).
Sth. In address or passenger tabets, or tablet holders for cycles, means and
methods of carrying same on a lamp or such like bracket (more particularly as
described, referred to, or illustrated, or the like substantially).
9th. In address or passenger tablets, or tablet holders for cycles, the means
and methods of carrying same, with, or on, a lamp or its socket (more
particularly described, referred to, or illustrated, or the like substantially).
10th. In labels, or their holders, the particular form, shapes, and constructions,
referred to, and described, or illustrated, or the like substantially.
11th. In cycles, attaching bells to the handle bar, or brake lever, or rod, in
such manner that they may be rung on the operation of the brake lever without
necessarily putting on the brake (more particularly by the means & methods
referred to, or described, or illustrated, or the like substantially).
12th. For cycles, so attaching, forming or shaping, a bell to its lever that such
lever may be operated so as to ring the bell by contact against the handle bar,
brake lever, or rod, or projections thereon (more particularly as referred to, or
described, or illustrated or the like substantially).
1000
JAMES THOMAS ELLIS,
Applicant.