US350995A - Velocipede - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W. G. RICH.

(No Model.)

VELOGIPEDE.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. G. RICH.

VBLOGIPBDB.

N0.-350;995. Patented Qot. 19, 1886.

6` on Zane yy 'WILLARD G. RICH, OF ROCHESTER, NEV YORK, ASSIGNOR TO TIIE II. B. SMITH MACHINE COMPANY, OF SMITIIVILIJIE, NEWY JERSEY.

VLOCEPDE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 350,995, dated October 19, 1886.

Application filed October 1T, i885.

(No model.)

To @ZZ whom it 71mg/ concertar Be itknown that I, VILLARD G. Rien, of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Bicycles, Trieycles, de, of which the following is a specitication.

This invention relates to those bicycles and trieycles in which the drivingwheel is turned through the medium of clutch mechanism from alternatelyaeting drums mounted loosely on its axle and rotated by straps connecting with the pedals or footievers. As these machines are most commonly constructed, a spring is mounted in each drum to turn it backward and lift the adjacentpedal independently of the other. This construction is attended with serious troubles, among which are the frequent breakage of the springs, rende-ring the driving devices on one sideinoperative, the weakening or settling of the springs, so that they fail to lift the pedal to the proper height, the waste of power in overcoming the springs to depress the pedal, and in lifting the limb by muscular power after each downstroke, and, more seri- 'ons than any of the others, the i'act that the weight oi" the rider is earrried largely and sometimes wholly in the saddle, instead oi" on the pedals, the result of which is great fatigue and the transmission of injurious vibrations to the hase of the spine and the gluteal regions,

The first part ofmy invention is directed to overcome these evils; and it consists in a peculiar manner of connecting the drums with each other and withlthe pedals by cords or equivalent iiexihle connections, as hereinafter fully explained, whereby the rotation of the drums is rendered positive in both directions, and the depression of each pedal caused to edect the elevation ot' the other iu order that the weight of each lever will be counterbalanced tion ofone ot' the drums,showing the mannerin which the cords are connected thereto and to the pedals. Figs. i and 5 are transverse sectional elevations of the clutch mechanism on the line x .fr of Fig. 6, showing the parts in and out of action. Fig. G is a cross-section onthe line g/ y oi' Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section through the combined tool-box and housing for the guide-pulley. Fig. S is arear elevation ot' the same. Fig. 9 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing the manuerin which the guide-pulley is applied to machines having a forward swiveled driving-wheel.

Referring to Fig. l, A represents the main or driving wheel ofthe Star machine; B, themaiu frame in which the wheel is mounted; C, the front steering-wheel; I), the swiveling barby which the steering-wheel is carried and eon trolled; E, one ot' the drums revolving loosely on the axle ot' the main wheel, and provided with the internal clutch mechanism for communicating motion thereto. rihis clutch mechanism is constructed ot' the ordinary type, or of the form hereinafter explained; F, one ot' the Vpedals or foot levers; C, the flexible strap or band extending` i'rom the foot-lever to the forward side of the drum and wound backward around the latter i'or the purpose of imparting a forward rotation thereto when the pedal is depressed.

rlhe levers, straps, and drums are arranged in duplicate on the two sides oi the machine, and, with the exception of the peculiarities hereinafter cXplai ned, they may 'ce constructed and arranged in the same manner, as in the machines now in common use.

In applying my improvements I omit from the interior ot' the driving-drum a spring commonly employed for el't'ecting its backward rotation, and in lieu thereotl I employ a ileXible cord, chain, strap,or other iexible connection, H, passing over the pulley I, or other proper guides at the top ot' the main frame, and eX- tending thence downward t'rom opposite sides of the main wheels to the respective drums, around which its ends are wound from thci'or ward side, as plainly shown in the drawings. rlhe arrangement is such that the depression of either lever causes a forward rotation of the adjacent drum, also causing the latter to draw down the attached end of the cord II,

IOO

the opposite end of which is thereby unwound from the opposite drum, turning the latter backward and lifting the second pedal. It will be observed that the -cord H serves not only to effect the positive backward rotation of the drum as the opposite drum is turned forward, but it also acts, through the drums and straps D, as a connection between the two pedals, causing one to rise as the other is depressed, and preventing them from both descending at one time. Under this connection the weight applied to either pedal Inay be counterbalanced by weight applied to the other, and thus the rider is relieved of the labor of lifting the weight of .his legs after the downstroke and enabled to place his entire weight at will upon'the two pedals for purposes of coasting. It will be seen that in this manner the rider is enabled not only to remove his entire weight, it' desired, from the saddle in coasting, but also to carry his weight principally on his feet in propelling the machine, thus giving the present style of machines that easeof action which is so well understood in connection with the ordinary crank-machine.

In order to permit the employment of connections which are sufficiently strong and iiexible without rendering them unnecessarily large, and to avoid the necessity which would otherwise arise of increasing the weight ofthe 'drums,I adopt the arrangement represented in Fig. 3, making use of a single connect1ng-cord, i

H, which winds upon themiddle of the drum, and of two connectingfcordaG, which wind on sides of the drum. I prefer to make use of steel or other metallic cord consisting of ne strands of wire twisted or braided together.

`Instead of using two separate cords doubled at the middle, as plainly represented in Fig. 3, the ends of the cords may be attached to the drum in any proper manner; but I recommend as a satisfactory device for the purpose a metal clip-such as shown at a in Fig. B-its upper edge being doubled to forma V- shaped socket to hold the end of the cord H, while its lower edge is provided with a lip, c, to re ceive the cord G.'

In order to prevent interference of the cords to guide them accurately to their places, and to support them in such manner as to prevent unequal wear, I prefer to provide the drums with peripheral grooves therefor, as shown in the drawings; but itis to be understood that these grooves are not a necessary feature. It is also to be understood that while I prefer to make use of the rounded cord, as shown in the drawings, dat straps of leather, metal, or Woven material, or straps of other forms in crossseetion, or metal chains or connections of other form may be used. f

The pulley I may be constructed in any appropriate form. I recommend the employment of a coveringsuch as shown at K, Figs. I, 7, and S-formed in one end of a stationary tool-box secured tothe top of the main frame immediately in rear of the seat. This box is provided with a longitudinal slide, d, adapted to be drawn backward over the top'of the pul ley.

Referring now to the facile type of machine represented in Fig. 2, A represents a drivingwheel, which in this instance is mounted in a fork Yswiveled in the forward end of a perch or backbone, which carries a small trailing wheel at the rear end, the general arrangement being identical with that of ordinary crankmachines. A

E represents the foot-levers,pivoted at their forward ends to the downward and forward extensions of the steering-fork and connected by straps or cords G with the drivingdrums E. These drums are mounted loosely on the axle and connected with the main wheel by a clutch niechanism,and are connected with each other by a cord, H, passing over the guide-pulley at the top of the fork I. rIhe arrangement of the drums and connections are identical with that in the first-describedV form. of machine, and needs therefore no explanation. In this form of machine I propose to mountthe guidepulley on the brakesupporting stud, which extends forward from the front of the fork, as usual, the stud being enlargedv and elongated, in order to extend through the pulley and receive the brake at its forward end, as shown in detail'in Fig. 9.

Vhile I have represented myimprovements as applied to two of the leading forms of machines, it is to be understood that they may be employed in like manner in all the leading machines in which levers and driving-clutches are employed on opposite sides, the only requirement being that the guide-pulley will be so located that the connecting-cord G will not interfere with the actions of the rider or the other moving parts.

While I have represented but two cords passing from the drums to each pedal, it is to be understood that four or more may be employed, provided they are divided and scpa` rated in such manner as to admit the connecting-cord II between them, and instead of a single cord, II, two or more cords may be employed. The application of the pedal-cords to the two edges of the pulley,instead of the one edge,is advantageous in that it avoids the side strain and friction which would occur iflthe pedal-cords were arranged to pull downward on one edge while the connectingcord would pull upward on the opposite edge.

Passing now to the construction of the clutch mechanism for imparting motion from the drums to the wheel,attention is directed to Figs. 4, 5, and 6, in which f represents the axle iixed to the wheel g, a pulley keyed firmly to the ends of the axle, its outer edge notched to receive a number of peripheral pawls or dogs, h, which are dovetailed or otherwise secured thereto in such manner as to slide outward and inward, their outer edges being provided with ratchet-teeth adapted to engage corresponding teeth formed on the interior of the IOO IIO

.IIS

surrounding pawl or drum E. The dogs may slide inward and outward, at any appropriate angle to a radial line, the only requirement being that they should be adapted to engage and disengage the teeth of the drum by their to-and-fro movements.

To the series ot' dogs Iconnect, by screws fi, or in any other appropriate manner a ring, k, which is acted upon by one or more frictional plates, Z, seated in the hub and urged downward by means of spiral springs m. friction devices tend to turn the ring forward and backward with the drum, and the ring in turn,aeting upon the dogs,causes them to slide inward and outward with reference to their carrying-pulleys G. Vhen the drum is turned forward,the friction devices turn'the ring ahead, and the result is, that the dogs are forced outward into engagement with the teeth of the drum, as shown in Fig. 4, therebylocking the drum rigidly to the wheel, which is compelled to turn forward therewith, when the reverse movement of the drinn causes the friction devices to urge the ring backward, causingit to retract the dogs,so that the drum and the main wheel may revolve independently ofthe pulley and axle in a noiseless manner.

XVhile it is preferred to employ the spiral springs fm', and to conne them, as shown in the drawings, by a tubular nut inserted through the side of the frame, it is to be understood that friction-springs of any other appropriate form may be employed to act upon the dogcontrolling ring.

In order that the dogs may be locked out of action, to admit of the machine being rolled forward and backward at will, I propose to apply to the side ot the pulley f/ a pivotal springlinger, o, having at one end a stud which may be seated in a hole in one of the dogs when the latter is retracted, as plainly shown in Figs. 6 and l0.

Having thus described my inventiomwhat I claim isl. In a bicycle or similar vehicle, the combination, substantially as shown, ot' the driving-wheel, the two driving-drums connected therewith by clutch mechanism, the flexible cord or connection H, passing over an intermediate pulley and attached at its two ends to the respective drums midway between their These edges, the foot-levers arranged one adjacent to each drum, and two cords, G, connected with each foot-lever and extending thence to the adjacent drum on opposite sides of the cord H, whereby side strains upon the drums are prevented and their tendency to tip sidewise avoided.

2. In a bicycle, the combination ot' the wheeled' driving-drums E, each provided with three peripheral grooves, the eonnectingcord H, passed over an intermediate pulley and seated in the middle grooves of the drums, the foot-levers, and the cords G, extending two from each lever to the outer grooves of the adjacent drum.

3. In combination with the driving-drum and the foot-lever for operating the same, the operating-cord G, doubled upon itself and secured to the plate a, connecting the cord at its middle with the drum, whereby t-he cord is secured in position and its two ends separated to admit the intermediate cord.

4. In combination with the independentlyrevolving internally-toothed drum, the pulley G, having peripheral notches therein, the toothed drivingdogs carried thereby, the ring connected to the dogs, and the frictional devices applied to the drum and acting upon the ring, substantially as shown.

5. In combination with the driving-drum D, toothed internally, the internal driving pulley, G, provided with peripheral notches, and the toothed dogs secured in said notches by a sliding connection and adapted to slide into and out of engagement with the teeth of the drum, as described.

(i. In combination with the drum, the movable dogs to engage the same, and the ring to control the dogs, the friction-plate Z, the spiral springs m, and the external nut to confine said springs.

7. In combination with the movable dogs and their connecting-ring, the latch 0,whereby the dogs may be held out of engagement.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 9th day of October, 1885, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

VILLARD G. RICH.

Vitnocses:

PHILIP T. DODGE, SIDNEY P. HOLLINGSWORTH.

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