IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1886

page_text: I EDWARD PORTER HOWE, of Northborough in the County of Worcester and
State of Massachusetts one of the United States of America, Machinist do hereby
declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention has for its object to construct a velocipede which may be cheaply
made and capable of carrying out such results as materially aid in effectually
producing a machine combining speed and easy operation.
The invention consists in the combination with pivoted pedal-levers a moveable'
block located upon each pedal-lever at an intermediate point, and a connecting-rod
or strap attached to each moveable block by which the power is transmitted to the
machine, of an auxiliary connecting rod for each pedal-lever and pivoted at one end
to the frame-work of the machine eccentric to the pivot of said pedal-levers, the
opposite ends of the connecting-rods being connected with the moveable blocks, to
thus cause the moveable blocks to move back and forth upon the pedal-levers as
the latter are raised and lowered, substantially as will be described.
Also in the combination with pedal-levers, a moveable block located upon each
pedal-lever at an intermediate point, and a connecting-rod or strap attached to each
moveable block by which the power is transmitted to the machine, of an auxiliary
connecting-rod for each pedal-lever adjustably pivoted at one end to the frame-
work of the machine eccentric to the pivot of the said pedal-levers, the opposite
ends of the connecting-rods being connected with the moveable blocks, to thus
cause the said moveable blocks to move back and forth upon the pedal-levers as the
latter are moved on their pivots, substantially as will be described.
Also in the combination with pivoted pedal-levers, moveable blocks mounted
upon said pedal-levers, and connecting-rods or straps by which power is trans-
Ditted to the machine, of an auxiliary connecting rod for each pedal-lever, one end
of each auxiliary connecting-rod being adjustably pivoted to the frame-work of the
machine eccentric to the pivot of the pedal-levers, and means for adjusting the
auxiliary connecting-lever, and locking devices therefor, substantially as will be
described.
ง
Also in the combination with a main rotating shaft, of ratchet clutch mechanisms
mounted thereon to which connecting-rods or straps operated by pedal-levers are
attached. said ratchet clutch mechanisms each consisting of a hub secured to the

page_text: main shaft and having V-shaped notches cut therein, V-shaped pawls placed in
said notches said pawls being of such size as to move freely in the notches, and a
ring enclosing the hub and pawls and having ratchet teeth to be engaged by the
pawls, substantially as will be described.
Also in the combination with a main rotating shaft, of ratchet clutch mechanisms
mounted thereon to which connecting-rods or straps operated by pedal-levers are
attached, each of said ratchet clutch mechanisms consisting of a hub secured to the
shaft and having V-shaped notches extending tangential to its centre, and V-shaped
pawls pivoted in said notches, and a ratchet toothed ring enclosing both said hub
and pawls, substantially as will be described.
Also in the combination with a main rotating shaft, of ratchet clutch mechanisms
mounted thereon, to which connecting-rods or straps operated by pedal-levers are
attached, each of said ratchet clutch mechanisms consisting of a hub secured to the
shaft and having notches cut therein, pawls arranged to move freely in the notches
and friction devices consisting of spring controlled studs placed in the sides of the
pawls, a ratchet toothed ring and two side plates enclosing said hub and pawls,
substantially as will be described.
Also in the combination with a main rotating shaft, of ratchet clutch mechanisms
mounted thereon, to which connecting-rods or straps operated by pedal-levers are
attached, each of said ratchet clutch mechanisms consisting of a notched hub
secured to the main shaft, pawls placed in the notches of the hub and cushions
located in the sides of the notches against which the pawls strike, and an enclosing
ratchet toothed ring, substantially as will be described
"r
Also in the combination with a pair of pivoted pedal-levers, of a pair of ratchet
clutch mechanisms, and connecting-rods or straps operated by the pedal levers for
actuating the ratchet clutch mechanisms, a divided axle, each part of which carries
one drive wheel and a set of diagonally arranged gears connecting the two parts,
two sleeves upon which the ratchet clutch mechanisms are mounted, one of the
said sleeves surrounding each part of the axle, and a shell or case enclosing the
gearing connecting the divided axle, to which the sleeves are secured, substantially
as will be described.
Also in the combination with a frame and hand-lever pivoted thereto and a
rock-shaft, of a curved lever connected with the said rock-shaft, and means con-
trolled by the hand-lever for raising and lowering the curved lever to turn the
rock-shaft, substantially as will be described.
Also in the combination with a frame and hand-lever pivoted thereto, a rock-
shaft and curved lever mounted thereon, of spring controlled engaging devices,
controlled by the hand-lever to move the curved lever and rock the shaft
substantially as will be described.
Also in the combination with a frame, and hand-lever pivoted thereto, a rock-
shaft and curved lever or arm thereon, combined with a spring controlled engaging
device controlled by the hand-lever for moving the curved lever and a braking
device operated by the rock-shaft, substantially as will be described.
Also in the combination with a rock-shaft, and braking device operated by it, of
a lever connected with said rock-shaft to rock it, and means controlled by the rider
to move the lever, substantially as will be described.
Also in a rock-shaft and braking device operated by it, combined with a curved
lever connected with the said rock-shaft to operate it, a hand-lever turning on a
pivot eccentric to the said curved lever, and engaging devices carried by the hand-
lever to raise and lower the curved lever, and also retain the hand-lever in any
position that it may be set, substantially as will be described.
Also in a velocipede, a steering-rod connected with and controlling the movement
of the steering-wheel, combined with a slide-rod to which said steering-rod is
pivotally connected about midway of the length of said slide-rod, a chain mounted
on pulleys and connected to said slide-rod, and a hand-wheel on one of said pulleys
for moving the chain and thereby the slide-rod and steering-rod, substantially as
will be described.
..

page_text: Also in a velocipede, a steering-rod connected with and controlling the movement
of the steering-wheel, and a chain or cord with which the steering-rod is connected,
combined with wheels about which the said chain or cord passes, one wheel being
fast to the hand-rod, and the other wheel being mounted upon an adjustable pivot,
substantially as will be described.
Fig. 1. shows in side elevation a velocipede embodying this invention.
Fig. 2 a top view with the seat and several of the adjacent parts removed.
Fig. 3. a side elevation of one, of the clutches, its side plate being removed.
Fig. 4 a vertical section of the clutch.
Figs. 5, 6 and 7 details of the clutch to be referred to.
Figs. 8 and 9 details of the mechanism employed for driving one wheel faster
than the other.
The framework A, comprising several rods or arms, is of suitable construction to.
support the main axle a, drive-wheels a³, a³, and steering-wheel a³.
The main shaft is driven by two ratchet clutch mechanisms c, c¹, each mounted
fast upon a sleeve c³ enclosing a portion c³ of the main axle, to which latter the
drive wheels are secured.
The two portions of the main axle each carry a toothed gear c*, which in turn
mesh with toothed gears c³ mounted upon shafts c having their bearings in posts or
standards secured within the shell or case C, the said shafts clying diagonally
with relation to the axis of rotation of the main axle, and having toothed gears o?
which mesh with each other.
The shell or case C consists of two hollow shells provided with suitable flanges
and bolted together.
At each side of the shell or case C is fixed a collar c³, which is secured to the
sleeve c by suitable bolts, so that as one or the other clutch mechanism is operated
the sleeve to which the other clutch mechanism is attached will be correspondingly
rotated by the shell or case C rigidly connecting the two sleeves together.
As the shell or case C-is rotated in the axis of rotation of the axles c³, the gears
contained therein will lock with each other and thereby cause the axles c³ to
revolve and consequently the drive wheels, but when desired to turn a corner, and
the steering-wheel of the machine is moved, one of the driving wheels immediately
commences to revolve faster than the other thereby causing one of the toothed
gears to rotate the series of gears contained within the case or shell C and to
retard the progress of the other gear c'.
The ratchet clutch mechanism, of which there are two in number, and fixed to
the sleeves o as previously stated, consists of a hub B fast to the sleeve and
provided with a series of V-shaped notches b, extending tangentially towards the
centre of the hub.
The notched hub B is enclosed in a ring 63 having ratchet teeth 63 cut around its
interior.
The notches b receive V-shaped pawls 6, one of which is shown separate in
Fig. 7, the broad ends of the said pawls being smaller than the notches to thereby
permit them to move freely in said notches.
3
Each of the said pawls balso has a tooth 65 which engages with the ratchet
teeth b of the ring b³.
The pawls b, one for each notch cut in the hub B, have lugs 66, located at the
apex thereof, which pass through holes bored through a collar 67 fixed to the hub B,
thereby pivoting the pawls, and the pawls being smaller than the notches bare
thereby permitted to move back and forth striking the opposite sides of the notches,
by being engaged by the ratchet teeth of the ring 6* as the said ring is moved in
one direction, thereby rotating the sleeve c³, and disengaging the ratchet teeth as
the ring 6 is turned in the opposite direction.
To prevent the pawls rattling or clicking as the ring 6' is reciprocated suitable
friction devices berein shown as studs 2, 3, are employed normally projecting
slightly from the sides of the pawls b' by a spiral spring 4 placed between them,
said studs as the pawls b* are moved on their pivots bearing against the interior of

page_text: the two side plates 6º, 6º, secured to the opposite sides of the ratchet toothed ring b³
by suitable screws or other fastenings.
To further prevent rattling of the pawls b' suitable cushions, herein shown as
pieces of cork 610, or other suitable yielding material, are interposed and held in
place in recesses in one side of the notches b.
A strap & surrounds the ring b³, one end of which is connected with a pivoted
pedal-lever so that as the pedal-lever e is depressed and the strap d drawn the
ratchet teeth of the ring 62 will engage one or more of the pawls 6' and thereby
rotate the hub B and sleeve c³.
The companion clutch c¹ is similarly constructed and provided with a strap d¹
connected to the other pedal-lever s¹.
A band dis wound about the rings of the ratchet clutch mechanisms passing
6ver two pulleys & secured to the frame-work, the said band serving as a retractor
for one clutch mechanism as the other clutch mechanism is moved forward.
The two pedal-levers e, e¹, are pivoted to rearwardly inclined bars e³ e* connected
with the frame-work of the machine.
The two pedal-levers e, e¹, and their connecting parts are substantially alike so
one only need be described, as e for instance,
A moveable block e³ is located at an intermediate point along the pedal-lever to
which the strap d connected with and operating the ratchet clutch mechanisms is
attached by a suitable loop 6".
An auxiliary connecting-rod e³, one end of which is pivoted to the rod e³, connects
the bars e, e, near their ends, while its opposite end is loosely connected with the
moveable block e*.
The block e consists of a loop astriding the pedal-lever e and having arranged
upon its under side a friction-roll so that a free and easy movement may be
obtained.
It will thus be seen that as the auxiliary rod e' is pivoted eccentric to the pivot
of the pedal-lever as the latter is depressed the block e is caused to travel back
and forth upon the pedal-lever to thus vary the power required to operate it.
Normally the pedal-lever e being in elevated position, the block e is nearest the
fulcrum thereof, and by the auxiliary-rod e' is gradually moved away from the
fulcrum as the lever is depressed therefore the power necessary to start the lever
will be comparatively less than the power required to continue to downward
movement.
'
The rodes to which the auxiliary-rods e' are pivoted may be adjusted in slots e¹º
cut in the lower end of the bar e by a connecting-rod e¹ attached to an arm 6¹³,
operated by a hand-rod e pivoted to the frame-work, a spring-controlled dog e¹
engaging one or another of a series of teeth upon a rack-bar e¹³, being employed to
lock the lever e's in any desired position.
As the rod e is moved toward and from the fulcrum of the pedal-lever the power
required to operate the said pedal-lever will be increased and diminished, or in
other words the speed of the machine may be increased or diminished by moving
the rod es toward or from the pedal-lever.
The bars e³, e, are connected together at their lower ends by a cross bar e¹6, and
are connected with the frame-work of the machine by side bars 17e18 to thus form
â rigid support.
The pedal-levers thus described are operated first one and then the other in
usual manner by the rider.
The brake, herein to be described, consists of a cross-bar f, extending parallel
with the main shaft or axle of the machine, and connected with the frame-work of
the machine.
A rock-shaft f¹ is provided, located beneath the shaft f and extending parallel
therewith, a curved lever f³ is connected rigidly with one end of the rock-shaft c
at an angle, thereto and in juxtaposition with the depending frame f³ forming part
of the main portion of the machine,

page_text: The frame f³ is bent at its lower end at right angles and a lever f¹ is pivoted
thereto by a suitable swivel connection.
A spiral spring f³ is also attached to the depending frame f³ near the pivot of
the hand-lever f₁, said spring extending upward and connected with the lower end
of a hook f, the engaging end of which passes over and moves upon the top of
the curved arm or lever f², a suitable friction roller being interposed if desired.
A loop or strap f" is connected with the top portion of the hook f passing
around the hand-lever f*, a suitable pin f8 passing through the loop f" to retain the
hand-lever fin position at one end of the loop.
The top surface of the lever fa, may if desired, be roughened or scalloped.
A cross-piece is secured upon the rock-shaft fat a point intermediate of its
length, and a band i', passing around a grooved flange g of the shell or case C,
fixed to the main shaft, is connected with the opposite ends of the said cross-piece i,
so that as the said cross-piece is turned in one or the other direction upon the rock-
shaft, or in other words if the rock-shaft is rocked in one or the other direction,
the band will be drawn taut upon the shell or case C to thereby retard the
progress of the machine.
The brake is operated as follows:-supposing the machine to be in motion, the
hand-lever f is turned on its pivot, in the direction of the arrow Fig. 1, carrying
with it the hook fo by means of the loop or strap f7, and by the direction of
the curved lever f', which is pivoted eccentric to the hand-lever f*, the said
curved lever is depressed thereby rocking the shaft f¹ and moving the cross-piece 2,
tightening the band about the grooved flange of the shell or case C to thereby stop
the machine.
As the spring f at all times draws upon the hook f* to a more or less extent,
the curved lever f is at all times under the control of the said spring that tlie
hand-lever f* may remain in any position placed until again positively moved by
the rider.
Thus it will be seen the rider may by one movement of the hand-lever f* set the
brake as desired and need not again touch the lever until desired to again move it.
The steering device consists of the bent arm n, forming part of the main frame-
work, supporting at its end a hand-rod n¹ having a hand-piece n³ by which it may
be rotated.
A curved bar or frame n³ is attached to the arm n projecting at each side
thereof.
The forward end of the said bar or frame n³ serves as a bearing for the hand-
rod ni.
A sprocket-wheel n* is mounted fast upon the hand-rod n¹, and a grooved
pulley is mounted loosely upon a pivot or stud n adjustably held in the rear
end of the frame n³, the said pulley n³ lying in a plane with the sprocket-wheel n',
and a chain n' is passed around the said sprocket-wheel and pulley.
The frame or bar n³ has projecting from one side two arms 6, 7, which constitute
bearings for the slide-rod ne connected with the chain 7 by a pin n³ at a point
between the sprocket-wheel and grooved pulley so that as the hand-rod n¹ is
rotated in either direction the chain n' is moved thereby moving the slide-rod n³.
The steering-rod 10 is connected at one end with an arm or lever n¹ attached
to the usual fork n¹s astriding the steering-wheel, the opposite end of the said
steering-rod no being connected with the slide-rod n³, so that as the slide-rod is
moved back and forth by the chain the steering-rod will be correspondingly moved
and by means of the arm n" will move the steering wheel.
It will thus be seen that a very simple and positive movement is obtained for
moving the steering-wheel, one which is not liable to get out of order and which
can be readily repaired should it become accidentally injured.
It is obvious that instead of employing a sprocket-wheel and chain, two drums,
connected by a suitable cord to which the slide-rod is attached, could be employed
and the results herein set forth obtained.

page_text: .
It will be noticed that while the machine constructed as above described may be
modified in many ways as to details and yet capable of carrying out the same
results above set forth.
It is obvious that the main axle instead of being divided as herein shown, for
the purpose stated, may be a single shaft, but such construction will not be
preferable.
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:-
1. The combination with the pivoted pedal levers, a moveable block located upon
each pedal lever at an intermediate point and a connecting rod or strap attached to
each moveable block by which the power is transmitted to the machine, of an
auxiliary connecting rod for each pedal lever and pivoted at one end to the frame-
work of the machine eccentric to the pivot of said pedal levers, the opposite ends
of the connecting rods being connected with the moveable blocks, to thus cause the
moveable blocks to move back and forth upon the pedal levers as the latter are
raised and lowered, substantially as described.
2. The combination with the pivoted pedal levers, a moveable block located upon
each pedal lever at an intermediate point, and a connecting rod or strap attached
to each moveable block by which the power is transmitted to the machine, of an
auxiliary connecting rod for each pedal lever, adjustably pivoted at one end to the
frame work of the machine eccentric to the point of the said pedal levers, the
opposite ends of the connecting rods being connected with the moveable blocks, to
thus cause the said moveable blocks to move back and forth upon the pedal levers
as the latter are moved on their pivots, substantially as described.
3. The combination with the pivoted pedal levers, moveable blocks mounted
upon said pedal levers, and connecting rods or straps by which power is trans-
mitted to the machine, of an auxiliary connecting rod for each pedal lever, one end
of each auxiliary connecting rod being adjustably pivoted to the frame-work of the
machine eccentric to the pivot of the pedal levers, and means for adjusting the
auxiliary connecting lever, and locking devices therefor, substantially as described.
4. The combination with the main rotating shaft, of ratchet clutch mechanisms
mounted thereon, to which the connecting rods or straps operated by the pedal
levers are attached, said ratchet clutch mechanisms each consisting of a hub secured
to the main shaft and having V-shaped notches cut therein, V-shaped pawis placed
in said notches said pawls being of such size as to move freely in the notches, and
a ring enclosing the hub and pawls and having ratchet teeth to be engaged by the
pawls, substantially as described.
5. The combination with the main rotating shaft, of ratchet clutch mechanisms
mounted thereon to which the connecting rods or straps operated by the pedal
levers are attached, each of said ratchet clutch mechanisms consisting of a hub
secured to the shaft, and having V-shaped notches extending tangential to its
centre, and V-shaped pawls pivoted in said notches, and a ratchet toothed ring
enclosing both said hub and pawls, substantially as described.
6. The combination with the main rotating shaft, of ratchet clutch mechanisms
mounted thereon to which the connecting rods or straps operated by the pedal
levers are attached, each of said ratchet clutch mechanisms consisting of a hub
secured to the shaft and having notches cut therein, pawls arranged to move freely
in the notches and friction devices consisting of spring controlled studs placed in
the sides of the pawls, a ratchet toothed ring and two side plates enclosing said
hub and pawls substantially as described.
7. The combination with the main rotating shaft, of ratchet clutch mechanisms
mounted thereon, to which the connecting rods or straps operated by the pedal
levers are attached each of said ratchet clutch mechanisms consisting of a notched
hub secured to the main shaft, pawls placed in the notches of the hub.and cushions

page_text: located in the sides of the notches against which the pawls strike, and an enclosing
ratchet toothed ring, substantially as described.
8. The combination with a pair of pivoted pedal levers, of a pair of ratchet
clutch mechanisms, and connecting rods or straps operated by the pedal levers for
actuating the ratchet clutch mechanisms, a divided axle each part of which carries
one drive wheel and a set of diagonally arranged gears connecting the two parts,
two sleeves upon which the ratchet clutch mechanisms are mounted, one of said
sleeves surrounding each part of the axle, and a shell or case enclosing the gearing
connecting the divided axle, to which the sleeves are secured, substantially as
described.
9. The combination with the frame f³ and hand lever pivoted thereto and a rock
shaft f', of a curved lever f' connected with the said rock shaft, and means con-
trolled by the hand lever for raising and lowering the curved lever to turn the
rock shaft, substantially as described.
10. The combination with the frame f³ and hand lever pivoted thereto, the rock
shaft f¹ and curved lever mounted thereon, of the spring controlled engaging
devices controlled by the hand lever to move the curved lever and rock the shaft,
substantially as described.
11. The combination with the frame f³ and hand lever pivoted thereto, the rock
shaft f¹ and curved lever or arm thereon, combined with a spring controlled
engaging device controlled by the hand lever for moving the curved lever and a
braking device operated by the rock shaft, substantially as described.
12. The combination with the rock shaft f¹ and braking device operated by it,
of a lever connected with said rock shaft to rock it, and means controlled by the
rider to more the lever, substantially as described.
13. The rock shaft f¹ and braking device operated by it, combined with the
curved lever connected with the said rock shaft to operate it, the hand lever turning
on a pivot eccentric to the said curved lever, and engaging devices carried by the
hand lever to raise and lower the curved lever, and also retain the hand lever in
any position that it may be set, substantially as described.
14. In a velocipede, the steering rod connected with and controlling the move-
ment of the steering wheel, combined with the slide rod n to which said steering
rod is pivotally connected about midway of the length of said slide rod, a chain
mounted on pulleys and connected to said slide rod, and a hand wheel on one of
said pulleys for moving the chain and thereby the slide rod and steering rod,
substantially as described.
15. In a velocipede, the steering rod connected with and controlling the move-
ment of the steering wheel, and a chain or cord with which the steering rod is
connected, continued with the wheels about which the said chain or cord passes,
the wheel n being fast to the hand rod, and the wheel n³ being mounted upon an
adjustable pivot, substantially as described.