GB189708286A - Improvements in Cycles and other Similar Vehicles. - Google Patents

Abstract

8286. Beauchamp, F., and Colman, J. C. March 31. Driving-mechanism. - Figs. 3 and 5 show the application of the invention to a bicycle. A pinion A, mounted on a bracket B on the frame C, drives a face or other wheel I carried by the rear-wheel hub. A rod L connects the crank-pin J on the wheel A to a sleeve K<7> which slides on the treadle - lever K. The latter is pivoted to the frame at K', and has pivoted to it at K<2> a rod K<3> carrying a pedal K<4> and connected by a rod K<5> to the sleeve K<7>, as shown. The treadle leverage can be varied by placing the pedal axle in either of two sockets M, M<1> formed on the lever K. Moving the pedal from one socket to the other also causes the sleeve K<7> to slide on the treadle-lever, thus further altering the treadle leverage. The pedal can be secured in either position by a spring-actuated pin M', shown separately in Fig. 5, which enters holes M<5> formed in the sockets M, M<1>. It is released by pressing outwards a projection M<6> formed on the pin M<2>. Similar gearing may be placed on the other side of the bicycle, or a second treadle-lever may be connected to the lever K by a rocking lever or other mechanism which causes one lever to rise as the other falls. Fig. 6 shows a form suitable for a tandem tricycle. A second rod L<x> connects the wheel A to a rearwardly-extending lever K<x>. In this form, the points of attachment of the rods L and L<x> to the levers K, K<x> do not change when the position of the pedals is altered. A starting- device for moving the levers over the dead points may be provided. This consists of a lever P pivoted to the frame and having hinged to it a pawl Q which engages the teeth of the wheel A when pressure is applied to the end P' of the lever. Normally, the lever is turned up out of reach of the wheel A.