GB190112805A - Improvements in Cycles. - Google Patents

Abstract

12,805. Willoughby, F. S. June 24. Driving-mechanism; cranks.-Relates to driving- mechanism in which the cranks oscillate instead of rotate. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, the crank-axle is formed in two parts 1, 1<a>, the inner ends forming ball races for balls 4, which allow the axles to move independently. The axles 1, 1<a> are fitted with cranks 6, 6<a> and with chain-wheels 5 connected by chains to wheels mounted on freewheel clutches on the rear-wheel hub. The cranks are raised to their upper positions either by springs connecting them to the top bar, or by coiled springs secured to the axles and to a fixed bracket, or by an elastic cord passing over a pulley on the frame and secured at its ends to the cranks. In a modification, the axles 1, 1<a> are mounted in separate bearings in the bottom bracket. Fig. 3 shows a modification, in which one chain only is used. The axle 1 is mounted in ball bearings in a hollow axle 1<a>, mounted in the bottom bracket, the axles 1, 1<a>, being fitted with cranks 6, 6<a> respectively. A chain-wheel 5, loosely mounted on the axle 1<a>, is formed with a flange 5<b> which is engaged on its outer side by a forward driving-clutch carried by a boss on the crank 6 and on its inner side by a similar clutch secured to the axle 1<a>. Discs 5<e> and 6<m> support the clutches as shown.