Improvements in and connected with the Chain Gear of Bicycles, Tricycles and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 7th July, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 6th Apr., 1898-Accepted, 7th May, 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with the Chain Gear of Bicycles,
Tricycles and the like.
GEORGE NEWMAN, 21, Cross Lane, Earlestown, in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer, and JAMES MATHER, 75, Market Street, Earlestown, in the County of
Lancaster, Roller, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:
This invention relates to the chain gear of bicycles and tricycles.
The object of the invention being to allow for the stretching of the chain and
also to gain speed with the same power. The invention is best described. by aid of
the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 shows in elevation our improved gear the
spokes in the big wheel being omitted in order not to obscure the working parts
both this wheel and the hub are cast in two halves but when fastened together there
is formed in the centre of hub and wheel a groove and also recesses or beds are
formed around their peripherys as shown at D so that all the straight links of the
chain fall into these recesses or beds as the wheels revolve while all the curved links A
work in the groove in the centre of both hub and wheel which is also a guide to the
chain. There are two straight links one on each side of the curved links and forming
pivot joints with them in order to allow for the stretching of the chain we prefer a
suitable amount of play in these recesses or beds so that when the chain stretches
all that is required is to adjust the back wheel as in the ordinary way whereas on
the present system the teeth of the wheels catch into the links and the space between
each tooth is filled by another intermediate link so that when the chain-stretches
this intermediate link bas a tendency, to ride upon the teeth and interferes with the
motion of the machine but it will be seen from an inspection of the drawing that
this intermediate link is done away with and therefore a great deal of friction is got
rid of which means in any considerable distance a gain in speed with the same
power.
Improvements in and connected with the Chain Gear of Bicycles,
Tricycles and the like.
GEORGE NEWMAN, 21, Cross Lane, Earlestown, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer,
and James Mather, 75, Market Street, Earlestown, in the County of Lancaster, Roller,
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 the chain gear of bicycles tricycles and the like.

page_text: The object of the invention being to allow for the stretch of the chain and also
to gain speed with the same power: The invention is best described by aid of the
accompanying drawings in which
Fig. 1 shows in elevation our improved chain gear, the spokes of the' big wheel
being omitted in order not to obscure the working parts both this wheel and the
hub have recesses or beds formed around their..peripherys. as shown at D so that all
the links D are carried round by these beds as the wheels revolve the links A drop
into a groove cut through the centre of each wheel for the purpose of allowing the
links A to hinge freely in space so that the chain can get to the radius of each
wheel with less friction. -
There are two links D'one on each side of A and forming pivot joints with them,
the guide E is for the purpose of keeping the chain in line, this will be seen from
an inspection of Fig. 2 which represents a section of hub through B E. To allow
for the stretch of the chain, the links D have a suitable amount of play in these
beds so that when the chain is on the drive it may clear the tooth and drop on to the
next. This will be seen from Fig. 1 which shows the chain at tension as it would
appear when the machine is in motion. All that is required when the chain becomes
slack due to the wearing of the pivot joints is to adjust the back wheel in the.
ordinary way. (Whereas on the present system the teeth catch into the links and
the space between each tooth is filled by another intermediate link, these intermediate
links are very strong but the side links which link them together are very thin and
stretch considerably causing them to ride on the teeth interfering with the motion
of the machine). But it will be seen from an inspection of Fig. 2 that all the
links of this chain are one uniform thickness and is both a lighter and stronger
chain and will not stretch.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we claim is :_
A chain gear, for bicycles, tricycles and the like comprising two wheels both of
which have a groove cut through the centre of the teeth for the purpose of taking
the binding friction off every alternate link, so that the chain may get to the radius
of the wheels with less friction, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set
forth. The herein described improvements in the chain gear of bicycles, tricycles
and the like in which the binding friction of the chain is reduced for the purpose of
gaining speed with the same power as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 4th day of Anvil 1000