IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1880

page_text: "
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Hillman at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd December 1880.
WILLIAM HILLMAN, of Coventry, in the County of Warwick, Machinist.
IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES."
My Invention relates to velocipedes, and comprises various improvements
hereinafter specified, whereby these vehicles are rendered more efficient and
convenient than heretofore.
The said Invention relates partly to velocipedes which have two large driving or
side wheels, between which the rider sits, and a guiding wheel at the front or rear,
or both at the front and rear of the vehicle. The main feature of this part of my
Invention is a novel contrivance for imparting or transmitting from the pedal or
crank shaft the power for driving or operating both driving or side wheels with
equal or different speeds, that is to say, can operate both wheels together at equal
or unequal speeds, or each wheel separately, and thereby provide for the easy
control of the vehicle with regard to the steering of the same without material
increase of its weight or complication of its parts. For this purpose I mount both
side wheels on one shaft; one of the said wheels is fixed and the other is loose on
the said shaft, so that it may turn freely thereon independently, the said shaft
being kept in place endwise by fixed collars or other suitable means. Near the
said loose driving wheel I mount on the said shaft a chain-wheel, which is also
loose, so that it may turn freely thereon, and this chain-wheel is connected by a
suitable chain with a similar wheel on the crank or pedal shaft, and serves as the
medium for the transmission of motion from the pedals to the chain-wheel on the
driving wheel shaft. At one side of the said chain-wheel I key or otherwise fix
on the said shaft an ordinary spur wheel, which gears with a small pinion fitted to
turn on a stud or pin projecting from the side of the aforesaid chain wheel. This
pinion gears with another small pinion also fitted to turn on a stud projecting from
the said chain-wbeel. This last named pinion is made of such a width on its
periphery that it gears not only with the first named small pinion but also with a

page_text: spur wheel which is central with the first named spur wheel, but is attached to or
formed on the aforesaid loose driving or side wheel.
Now as the chain pulley is not fixed upon either the shaft or side wheel, and has
no rotative connection with either except through the medium of the aforesaid spur
gearing, it will be obvious that the operation of the side wheels will be subject
to the action of this gearing, that is to say, when the said chain wheel is actuated
by means of the chain from the pedal shaft, and the guiding or steering wheel is
kept in a position in line or parallel with that of the side wheels, the rotative force
exerted by the two pinions upon the two spur-wheels will be equal, and will not
change the relative position of the said wheels and pinions, but will cause the
entire arrangement of gearing to rotate around the axis of the said shaft, and thus
impart equal motion to both side wheels, but the said wheels and pinions will act
in response to any movement of the steering or guiding wheel to the right or left
in such a manner that the inner side wheel for the time being, that is to say, the
wheel which moves in the curve of smallest radius in the operation of turning or
changing the direction of the vehicle will receive the least rotative movement from
the said gearing.
The aforesaid gearing may be arranged with the chain wheel between the two
spur wheels or otherwise as desired, and instead of using two ordinary externally
toothed wheels and pinions, as above described, I may employ the following
arrangement of gearing, that is to say :-I attach to the loose side wheel an
internally toothed wheel or toothed ring, and mount on the axle near the same
an externally toothed wheel or pinion which is geared with the said internal wheel
or ring by an intermediate pinion, mounted to turn upon a pin or stud projecting
from the side of the chain-wheel, which is fitted to rotate freely on the said shaft
side by side with the said external spur wheel. The action of this gearing will be
practically the same as but less advantageous than that of the gearing first above
described.
Another part of my Invention relates to self-adjusting bearings for velocipedes ;
these bearings are constructed as follows, that is to say:-The bush part through
which the shaft or axle passes has a central curved external portion over which I
fit two plates. One of these plates is an extension of a bracket, which is secured
to the frame of the vehicle and supports the bearing thereon; this plate fits one
part of the curved surface of the said bush; and the other plate forms a cap or
cover, which fits the other part thereof, and the two plates are united by screws or
bolts which permit the same to be tightened or slackened as desired. The curved
surfaces of the bush and plates allow the said bearing to adjust itself automatically,
according to the requirements of the shaft when the latter is mounted on the
framing.
My Invention also partly relates to velocipedes with two steering or guiding
wheels mounted on fixed studs at the front or rear of the vehicle; this part of my
Invention consists in a novel contrivance that will be very effective for guiding or
steering. For this purpose I make the frame of metal, and with its end or part
which is between the two guiding wheels in the form of a semi-circle. Below this
semi-circular end of the frame I place a separate semi-circular piece of the same
curvature, to which are secured the said fixed studs for carrying the guiding
wheels. This curved piece is formed of round metal, preferably of a tube bent into
the required form. Between the main frame and this curved piece I arrange a
series of small anti-friction rollers, which are grooved to fit and run upon the said
frame and curved piece, but which are secured to a light curved strip or plate of steel
or other metal to keep them in place. Rollers or other supports are also placed
below the said curved piece to prevent its detachment from the frame, and suitable
stops are arranged to limit the movement of the said curved piece and series of
anti-friction rollers. For operating this steering or guiding apparatus I may
employ a rack and pinion or series of levers connected with a handle near the
rider's seat or saddle or any other suitable means.
Another part of my Invention relates to the pedals of velocipedes, and consists in

page_text: the following novel construction thereof :-I construct the pedals with the usual side
plates or flanges united by three tubular bars, through each of which I pass a
spindle or shaft; these shafts are shouldered or reduced in size at both ends;
outside the said plates on these ends I fix anti-friction rollers, which have their
peripheries rounded or curved to run in grooves formed in and around the crank
shaft; if these pedals are applied to a bicycle, the said grooves will be formed in
the crank pins. There is a slot in the side plates of sufficient width to admit the
crank. Into this slot I fit a detachable and inovable piece of metal, which carries
one of the three said bars and its rollers by moving the said detachable piece
nearer to or farther from the centre of the pedal, the adjustment or compensation
for wear is easily effected.
Three solid bars extend across the pedal from one side plate to the other
alternately with those carrying the rollers; these are covered with india-rubber
or other suitable material, and should be so far distant from the centre of the
pedal that the foot may rest upon them without contact with the bars carrying the
rollers.
:

page_text: & side elevation, and
Figure 3, a front elevation of a tricycle provided with my improvements.
Figure 4 is a vertical section of the said tricycle on the line x, x, Figure 1, the
seat being removed, and
Figure 5 is a side elevation drawn to an enlarged scale of the chain wheel
mounted on the driving shaft, and the spur wheel and pinions carried by the said
shaft and chain wheel.
Figure 6 is a vertical section, also drawn to an enlarged scale, of a portion of the
said tricycle on the line x', x¹, Figure 2.
In these Figures a represents the framework of the tricycle, which is provided
with suitable bearings for the driving shaft band the vertical axis c¹ of the steering
wheel c; d, e, are the large or side wheels of the tricycle mounted on the shaft b;
fis the crank shaft or treadle axle supported upon the framework a, and provided
with the treadles f¹; g is the chain wheel upon this shaft f, which chain wheel
imparts motion through a chain to the chain wheel i upon the main or driving
shaft b; is the seat of the said tricycle; and is the steering gear of the same;
represents a back leg or support of the said tricycle.
The remaining parts are hereinafter described.
In carrying this part of my Invention into practice I mount the side wheels d, e,
on the one shaft b; one of the said wheels d is fixed, and the other wheel e is loose
on the said shaft b, so that it may turn freely thereon and independently of the said
wheel, being kept in place end wise by a collar and nut, as shewn at b¹, or by other
suitable means. Near the said loose driving wheel e I mount on the shaft b the
chain-wheel i, which is also loose upon the said shaft, so that it may turn freely
thereon, and this chain wheel is connected by the chain h with a similar wheel g
on the crank or pedal shaft f, and serves as the medium for the transmission of
motion from the pedals f' to the chain wheel on the driving shaft, as above stated.
At one side of the said chain wheel i, and within the brake-drum on the said
wheel, I key or otherwise fix on the shaft b an ordinary spur,wheel m, which
gears with a small pinion i, adapted to turn upon a stud or pin projecting from
22
the side of the aforesaid chain wheel ¿. This pinion gears with another small
pinion 23, also fitted to turn on a stud as shewn at it, projecting from the said

page_text: chain-wheel. This pinion ³ is made of such a width on its periphery that it gears
not only with the pinion ¹ but also with a spur wheel e¹, which is central with the
spur wheel m, but is attached to or formed on the aforesaid loose driving or side
wheel e. 10 represents a cover for the drum or box i*, which cover prevents the
entrance of dust to and the clogging of the spur wheels and pinions enclosed in
the said drum.
Now as the chain pulley or wheel is not fixed upon either the shaft 6 or the
side wheel e, and has no rotative connection with either except through the medium
of the aforesaid spur gearing, it will be obvious that the operation of the side
wheels will be subject to the action of this gearing, that is to say, when the chain
wheel is actuated by means of the chain h from the pedal shaft f, and the guiding
or steering wheel c is in a position in line or parallel with that of the side wheels d, e,
the rotative force exerted by the two pinions i, i, upon the two spur wheels m, e¹,
will be equal, and will not change the relative position of the said wheels and
pinions, but will cause the entire arrangement of gearing to rotate around the axis
of the said shaft, and thus impart equal motion to both the side wheels d, e; but
the said wheels and pinions will act in response to any movement of the steering
or guiding wheel to the right or left in such a manner that the inner side wheel
for the time being, that is to say, the wheel which moves in the curve or smallest
radius in the operation of turning or changing the direction of the vehicle will
receive the least rotative movement from the said gearing.
Another part of my Invention relates to an adjustable roller-pedal for velocipedes,
and is illustrated in Figures 7 to 9 of the Drawings, in which
Figure 7 is a plan or top view of my improved pedal mounted upon a portion of
the crank shaft, and
Figure 8 is an end view of the said pedal.
Figure 9 is a longitudinal section of the said pedal on the line y, y, Figure 8.
According to this part of my Invention I construct the pedals with the usual
side plates or flanges n, n, which are united by three tubular bars or rods o. In
each of these bars I arrange the spindles or shafts p', which are provided outside
the said plates n with anti-friction rollers p; these rollers have their peripheries
rounded or curved to run in grooves formed in and around the crank shaft f.
To permit the said treadle to be readily placed upon the crank and adjusted to
compensate for wear, I form the side plates or flanges n,'n, in two parts n¹, n²; one
part n of the said plates is pivotted to the other part n², as shown at n*, and
may be turned upon its pivot into the position shewn in dotted lines in Figure 8,
so that the said pedal may with great facility be placed upon the crank shaft. To
secure the two parts n', n², in position when placed upon the crank shaft, and also
to permit the movable part n' to be adjusted nearer to or farther from the centre
of the pedal.
To compensate for wear I provide the said parts n', n², with lugs q,
through which adjusting screws q¹ pass; by turning these screws the relative
positions of the said parts may be readily changed. Extending across the pedal from
one side plate to the other, and adjacent to the aforesaid tubular bars o are solid
bars 7, which are covered with india rubber or other suitable material for the feet
of the rider to rest upon. These bars r should be at such a distance from the
centre of the pedal that the foot of the rider may rest upon the india-rubber
without coming in contact with the bars carrying the rollers. Instead of attaching
each of the said rollers to a separate shaft or spindle, and arranging two of the
said shafts in each of the tubular bars or rods o, one shaft only may be inserted in
the said bars, and be provided with one of the said rollers at each end. Moreover,
instead of surrounding the bars with india-rubber, these bars may be dispensed
with, and the india rubber be placed around the tubular rods o.
When the above described pedal is to be applied to a bicycle the grooves for the
anti-friction rollers to run in are formed in the crank pins.
Another part of my Invention, which is shewn in elevation in Figure 10 of the
Drawings, relates to self adjusting bearings for velocipedes; these bearings are con-
structed as follows, that is to say :-The bush parts, through which the shaft or axle b

page_text: passes has a central external portion 81, in the form of a spherical segment, over which
I fit two plates tu. The plate t forms part of the frame of the vehicle, or is an
.extension of a bracket secured to the said frame, and supports the self-adjusting
bush parts; this plate t fits one part of the curved surface 8' of the said bush, as
shewn; and the other plate u forms a cap or cover which fits the other part thereof;
these two.plates t, u, are united by screws or bolts v which permit the same to be
tightened or slackened, as desired. The curved surfaces of the bush s and the
plates t, u, allow the said bearing to adjust itself automatically according to the
requirements of the shaft when the latter is mounted on the framing.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I wish it understood that I am aware that various arrangements of
gearing have already been applied to the axles of velocipedes for changing the
relative speeds of the two driving wheels and thereby facilitating the steering of
these vehicles; I therefore do not claim broadly or generally the application or
employment of wheel gearing for this purpose, but I claim,-
First. The combination with the driving shaft and the loose driving wheel
mounted thereon, and with the chain wheel which receives motion from the pedal
shaft, of the gearing consisting of the wheel m, pinions i, 3, and spur wheel e',
. enclosed within the brake drum, and arranged and operating as and for the purpose
specified.
'
Second. A velocipede pedal constructed with side plates united by tubular bars
or rods enclosing spindles which are provided at their outer ends with anti-friction
rollers to run in grooves in the crank shaft or crank of a velocipede, all substantially
as and for the purposes specified.
Third. Constructing the said side-plates in two parts hinged or pivotted together,
and provided with means for adjusting and securing the same, substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
Fourth. A self adjusting bearing for velocipedes, constructed substantially as
above set forth with reference to Figure 10 of the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Hillman, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-second day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
WILLIAM HILLMAN.
(LS.)