Improvements in Apparatus for Indicating the Speed of Revolving Wheels, Drums, and other like Structures
Year: 1895

page_text: Improvements in Apparatus for Indicating the Speed of Revolving
Wheels, Drums, and other like Structures
A communication by TURNEY CLARK & COMPANY, of Chicago in the County of
Cook, and State of Illinois, United States of America
I, WILLIAM PHII IIPS THOMPSON FCS MIME, of The Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool and 6, Bank Street,
Manchester both in the County of Lancaster, 118 New Street, Birmingham in
the County of Warwick and 31 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex Civil
Engineer, 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
-
The
This invention relates to mechanism or devices for indicating the surface speed
of revolving wheels, drums and other like structures, to which the said mechanism
may be applied, at any time during the revolution of the wheel or other structure
to which it is attached The invention may be appropriately termed a pace
indicator, and for convenience it will be so designated in this Specification
primary object of the invention is to provide means whereby a person riding on a
bicycle, or any other vehicle, may ascertain, readily and accurately, the speed at
which he is moving at any given time, thus placing information within easy reach
whereby he may change his advancing movement to any degree of speed desired
and within his power, by either increasing or diminishing the expenditure of power
by which the wheel structure is driven
The invention consists in certain combinations of mechanism or devices applicable
to a variety of wheel structures, and certain specific devices whereby the said
application is practically effected A full description of the construction,
organization, and application to wheel structures of a mechanism embodying the
said improvements, and its practical operation will now be given, with reference to
drawings the figures of which will be described a little further along
In the preferable form of the structure embodying the invention as now known
to the inventor, the improved pace indicator comprises an actuating mechanism or
motor, which in construction and method of operation is substantially the same as
an ordinary centrifugal governor, which is attached rigidly to one end of a
revoluble shaft while its opposite end, although mounted on the same shaft, is
freely movable lengthwise thereof a diving wheel or pinion, of any suitable
construction, fixed on one end of the said shaft, and a circular ring or disc, secured
to the revoluble wheel or drum on one side thereof, and concentric with its axis of
rotation, with which the said wheel or pulley is arranged to make contact, a hand
or index finger, to which movement is imparted by the sliding of the movable
bearing, to which the governor balls are connected in one direction through the
medium of suitable gearing and a lever hinged or pivoted at one end to a suitable
support connected with the slide on the shaft and at its opposite or free end
arranged to contact or operate the indicating device, through the swinging move-
ment of the lever, produced by the lateral movement of the slide on the shaft
spring arranged to act upon one or the other of the said movable parts to resist
the action of the indicating device until the vehicle reaches a certain rate of speed,
when it yields and permits the indicating finger to be moved, means to adjust the
a

page_text: tension of said spring, and a dial arranged underneath the index finger and
suitably graduated to indicate different rates of speed, all of these parts being so
constructed and relatively organized that, when the vehicle is roving forward at a
given rate of speed, the index finger will accurately indicate this rate on the dial
In the diawings,
Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a portion of a bicycle with the pace
indicator applied
Figure 2 a plan view of the top or dial portion of the indicator,
Figure 3 a similar view, with the index finger and dial removed,
Figure 4 a vertical section of the casing or receptacle for the motor mechanism,
taken lengthwise thereof, on the line 4, 4, of Figure 1, and,
Figure 5 a cross section of the same, taken on the line 5, 5 of Figure 4
In these drawings, A represents a cylindrical or barrel casing which is adapted
to be rigidly secured to a suitable support on one side of a revoluble wheel, or
other like device, and is designed to receive and enclose the motor devices which
are mounted therein A shaft a, is mounted in Journal bearings in the respective
ends or neads of this cylinder, and the latter is arranged relatively to the wheel so
that this shaft will be parallel with the wheel axle oi journal beating
At the end
of the casing next to the wheel the shaft a extends beyond the head towards the
wheel, and there is fixed upon this projecting end a wheel or pulley, a', which is
preferably of rubber or other like material
A portion of a wheel L is shown in the drawings, which, as here illustrated, is_a
part of a bicycle wheel e, indicating the hub and e' the spokes A metallic ring D,
is secured to the spokes of the wheel on the side next to the indicator mechanism,
and is constructed with a rim flange about the width of the wheel a¹ The
indicator, as shown in the drawings, is mounted in a fixed position by means of an
upright or standard A', to which the casing A is secured and which at its lower
end is fastened by a fixed connection to some portion of the frame of the vehicle
In the drawings this is indicated as one of the inclined side bars of a bicycle frame
The relative arrangement of the ng D, and the wheel a¹ is such that, when
mounted as described, the two will be in contact, the said rim just below the drum,
and of course, as the ring takes the motion of the wheel, the rotation of the latter
will communicate a rotation to the shaft a
Within the circular casing A there is mounted a motor or actuating device very
similar in general features to a centrifugal governor This consists of balls a
which are connected by arms a³ and a to supports on the shaft a The arms a³
are at the inner end of the casing and are secured to the balls by a fixed connection,
while at their other ends they are hinged or pivoted to a collar aº, which is
fastened to the axle a, just inside the inner head of the casing Ihe arms a are
pivoted respectively at one end to the respective balls and extend outward there-
from to a collar, aº, to wh ch they are also hinged or piroted at their said outer
ends This collar a is mounted loosely on the shaft a, so that it may be moved
freely lengthwise thereof
Pins a are secured by a fixed connection to the shaft a being arranged opposite
to each other These pins are in pans on each side of the shaft and are arranged
near the ball ends of the arms a³, each pair embracing one of the said arm
The
pins extend some distance outward from the shaft and will counteract the lateral
thrust of said arms due to the rotation of the motor shaft and thus prevent a
binding of the aims at their pivotal connections A like result will also be secured
upon the pivoted arms a', which are held against lateral movement, through the
arms a³, and their enclosing pins
A lever B, is hinged or pivoted at one end to short studs b, at the bottom of the
casing A, and inside thereof
These are located near the outer end of the said
casing, and the lever is extended upward through the casing and at its upper end
passes through a slot in the upper portion of the casing and running lengthwise
thereof The upper extremity of the lever extends a little above the casing, as
seen in Figures 4 and 5, the slot permitting a swinging movement of the lever upon

page_text: its pivot
Near the middle of its length this lever is divided into two parts, which
are turned outward on each side of the lever in the arc of a circle, thereby forming
a circular yoke or ring b¹ which embraces the collar a which is mounted loosely
on the shaft a, so as to slide thereon as described above On the inside of the
yoke or ring are short pins standing opposite each other and in a plaue
substantially horizontal The inner ends of these pins enter or engage with a
groove cut around the periphery of the collar, so that the sliding movement of
the collar on its shaft will necessarily impart a swinging movement to the lever B,
in one direction or the other Obviously however this connection does not in any
way interfere with the rotation of the shaft a, and the actuiting or motor balls
carried thereby, for the connection between the yoke and the collar is loose, thus
leaving the collar fiee to rotate with the shaft
A circular plate or disc c is secured to the upper side of the casing, extending
the full length of the latter and preferably a little bevond I his plate is also
provided with a slot c³ corresponding to and registering with the slot in the top
of the casing
A similar plate or disc c is arranged a short distance above the
disc c, and the two are secured together by suitable screws and collars through
which the screws pass and against the respective ends of which the plates abut
A toothed wheel, C, is pivotally mounted between the sud plates, its teeth being
ordinary, straight projections around the edge, and it is also tuinished with a
short pin, c, projecting from the under side and near the edge thereof A lever C+
is pivotally mounted between the said two plates, the pivot pin c being set between
the plates near the outer edges and on the side of the slot in the lower plate
opposite to the gear wheel C This lever 1 of angular form, being provided with
one long arm, extending inward toward the said gear wheel, with its free end
passing across the slot in the lower plate just in front or inside of the upper end of
the pivoted lever B, as seen in Figure 3, and far enough bevond the same to lie in
the plane of the depending pin c² on the gear wheel C The other arm c¹0 of this
lever is shorter, curved inward and then outward slightly, as seen in Figure 3
A mutilated or partial disc E, is also pivotally mounted between the plates and
at one side of the lever C pivot This disc is cut away on the inside, pioviding
an outer, straight, radial edge, and has a short pin f extending upward at the
opposite corner of the disc, as seen in Figure 3 A spring G is coiled at its
centre around the pivot pin c of the lever One arm g extends from the coil
along the long arm of the lever and at its outer end passes in front of a short
pin on the upper side thereof The other arm gi bianches off in another
direction, at an angle to the former, and passes in front or inside of the pin
on the mutilated disc This spring is constructed so that, normally, these arms
will stand away from each other at an angle of considerable size The end of
the short curved arm of the lever is arranged to contact with the outer
straight edge on the mutilated disc, the action of the sping arm g' agunst the
pin making and preserving this contact A small gear pinion C is pivotally
mounted between the two plates at the axis thereof, and the upper end of its pivot
pin €8 passes up through the upper plate and carries a pointer or finger C³ fastened
thereto The gear wheel C is arranged to engage with the teeth of this small
pinion C', so that a rotary movement of the former will impart a like movement to
the latter A small spring coil, II, something like the hair spring of a watch is
secured at one end to the journal pin of this pinion and above the latter, while its
outer end is carried outward a little way and is fastened to a short stud or pin h,
depending from the under side of the upper plate This is a rear action spring
which operates to turn the index finger back into normal position when released
from the action of the motor
The upper plate is provided with a dial suitably graduated for indications by the
index finger, the mechanism being so constructed relatively that the latter will
stand at zero point until a certain determined rate of speed in the revolution of
the main wheel or drum is attained A cap, C³, provided with a glass top c7 is
adapted to be placed over the two circular discs, the depending edge flange passing

page_text: down to close the edge space between said discs and secured to the lower one by a
suitable, threaded connection
The flanged ring D is secured to the wheel by means of a second plain flat
ring D, arranged on the other side of the wheel spokes Apertures d and d
are made in these rings respectively, and the two are secured together by screw
bolts d by means of which the two rings are firmly climpel upon the wheel and
at the same time secured to each other The driving ring D is provided with an
outwardly projecting flange d' and the contact between this ring and the pullev on
the ball shaft is effected by this flange
The operation will be readily seen As the wheel revolves, rotation is imparted
to the shaft a on which the balls are mounted, and as the speed increases the
centrifugal action of the balls will of course increase and their outward movement
will have the effect of drawing the slide, to which the lever B is connected inward
The upper end of this level acts upon the end of the lever C, and when the speed
reaches a point where the centrifugal force of the balls will overcome the
resistance of the springs, this level will be turned inward, coming in contact with
the pin on the wheel C, thereby turning it, which transmits a like motion to the
small pinion on the pointer shaft, and the pointer will be moved around with the
increase of power due to the increase of speed, indicating at any time the speed at
which the bicycle or any other vehicle or wheel to which it is attached, is travelling
As explained in this action, the spring between the mutilated disc and the long
arm of the actuating lever will be compressed or rendered more tense in this
movement, so that whenever the speed is lowered, the effect of this spring will be to
throw the parts back towards noimal position of starting As in different
structures the relation of the wheels and driving mechanism differ it will be found
necessary in each case to adjust and regulate the operating devices, ind particularly
the springs, to each particular machine to which the device is applied
But once
the mechanism is adjusted and graduated to any particul machine, it may be
transferied to and used upon any other machine in which the initial devices or
starting forces are of the same relative size Obviously the rider upon the
bicycle can at any moment determine at just what rate of speed he is progressing,
by simply taking a look at the dial which is conveniently located for this purpose
Mechanical changes or modifications may be made in some of the parts of the
mechanism herein shown and described, and are intended to be included, so long as
the main features of the device and mode of operation are retained It has been
stated above that the device is believed to be applicable to different wheels and not
aloue to bicycles
Having now particularly descubed and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is
-
1 In a pace indicating mechanism for whcels and other like devices, a wheel, in
combination with a circular rim secured to one side thereof, a frame or casing
mounted on the supporting frame, a shaft journalled in said cising and projecting
at its inner end through the case head toward the wheel, a hub or collar, of
suitable material, fixed on the projecting end of said shaft and making contact
with the rim on the wheel, motoi weights or balls pivoted respectively to one end
of connecting arms or links and carr ed by a pair of arms hinged or pivoted to a
support fixed on the shaft, a collar mounted loosely on the motor shaft, free to
slide thereon and connected by pivots to the outer ends of the arms which are
pivoted to the balls, a disc mounted above the motor shaft, an index finger pivoted
above said disc, and mechanism, connecting the Journal of said index hoger with
the motor, whereby the index finger is operated through the motor duven by the
wheel, substantially as described
2 in a pace indicating mechanism for wheels and other like devices, a wheel, in
combination with a circular rım secured to one side thereof, a frame or casing
mounted on the supporting frame, a shaft jouinalled in said casing and projecting

page_text: at its inner end through the case head toward the wheel, a hub or collar, of
suitable material, fixed on the projecting end of said shaft and making contact
with the rim on the wheel, motor weights or ball pivoted respectively to one end
of connecting arms or links and carried by a pair of arms hinged or pivoted to
support fixed on the shaft, a collar mounted loosely on the motor shaft, free to
slide thereon and connected by pivots to the outer ends of the arms which are
pivoted to the balls, an upright arm or lever pivoted at its lower end within the
case, at its upper end projecting through a slot in the upper portion of the case and
connected to the sliding collar on said shaft, a dial mounted above the upper end of
said arm, an index finger pivoted to the dial, and mechanism, between the said
finger and the free upper end of the arm, whereby the swinging of the latter,
produced by the operation of the motor, imparts a turning movement to the index
hnger substantially as described
3 In a pace indicating mechanism for wheels and other like devices, a wheel,
the combination of a shaft mounted so as to rotate freely in a suitable frame or
casing, a drive wheel on said shaft, adapted to engage a circular tread formed on
the wheel or drum to which the device is applied, motor weights, each secured to
one of two pivotally connected arms or links which are pivoted at their other ends, one
to the motor shaft and one to a collar freely movable longitudinally of said shaft,
pins or rods firmly secured in the motor shaft, which embrace the motor weight
supporting arms at a considerable distance from said shaft, a dial and an index
finger pivoted above the same and operative connection between the staff of said
index finger and said motor, said connection comprising a pinion on the staff of the
index finger, a gear or train of gears meshing therewith, a lever pivoted at one end,
a yoke in which embraces the loose collar of the motor and pins inserted through
which engage a groove formed in the periphery of said loose collar and the free
end of aid lever being applied to the gear or train of geais meshing with the
index finger pinion, who reby pivotal movement of said lever, under the influence
of said motor, will impart rotary movement to said gear or train of gears, and a
spring, the tension on which may be adjusted, applied so as to resist the action of
the motor, substantially as described
4 In a pace indicating mechanism for wheels and other like devices, a wheel,
the combination of a driven shaft, motor weights, each secured to one of two
pivotally connected arms or links which are pivoted at their other ends, one to the
motor shaft and the other to a collar freely movable longitudinally of said shaft,
and pins firmly secured in said motor shaft, which embrace the motor weight
supporting arms at a considerable distance from said shaft, substantially as
described
5 In a pace indicating mechanism for wheels and other like devices, a wheel, 10
combination with a ring, provided with a bearing rim on one side of the wheel and
a flat ring on the opposite side of said wheel, clamped to the latter by fastening
bolts, a motor case mounted at one s de of the wheel, a motor shaft journalled in
said case with one end projecting beyond the same toward the wheel and provided
with a hub-like collar arranged to contact with the said ring rim on the wheel,
centrifugal motor weights or balls connected to a rigid support on the shaft by arms
linked to the latter, a sliding collar mounted loosely on the opposite end of the said
shaft and connected by jointed links to the said weights or bills, an upright lever
pivoted at its lower end to a support within the case, extending up through a slot
in the top of the latter and provided with a yoke, between its respective ends,
constructed to engage with the said sliding collar, a dial mounted above the uppe
end of aid lever and an index finger journalled in the dial plate and provided with
a small gear pinion fixed on its journal, a gear wheel, C, journalled below the dial
plate, engaging with said pinion and provided with a short, depending pin, an
angular lever C, one arm of which passes in front of the upper free end of the
upright lever and extends in front of the said pin on the wheel C, a disc section F,
cut out at one side to provide a straight edge, with the outer edge of the cut in
contact with the short arm or finger 10 of the angular lever C', and a spring G,

page_text: with a central coil set at the pivot of the lever C and having expanding ends
esting respectively against pins on the disc F, and long arm of lever C,
substantially as described
Dated this 2nd day of May 1895
WM P THOMPSON & Co,
Agents