GB190304846A - Improvements in connection with Driving Gear for Cycles and the like purposes. - Google Patents

Abstract

4846. Wandless, W. March 2. Driving-mechanism for bicycles, tricycles, and other manually-propelled vehicles, motor cycles, and other motor vehicles, and for like purposes is operated by pinions carried on oscillating cranks. When applied to a bicycle, a sleeve a is fitted at its ends with spur-wheels b, one of which is preferably integral with the chain-wheel c. A spindle d passes through the sleeve and carries the cranks e, one crank being fixed to the spindle by the cottar q while the other is loose thereon. The pedals f fit adjustably in slots in the cracks, and carry stops g to ensure their being in the most advantageous position at the commencement of each stroke. A pinion i is mounted on each crank so that it can rotate only during the upward stroke thereof ; this is preferably effected by forming an internal ratchet on the boss of the pinion in connection with a doable-ended pawl carried by the crank. The pinion drives the wheel b during the downward stroke, but travels over its teeth on the return movement. To ensure a continuous driving motion being imparted to the chain-wheel, a chain or cord l, passing over a pulley m, is adapted to wind alternately on segments k, k<1> on the loose crank and the spindle d respectively. The cord may be attached to the segment by loops n, or its ends may be passed through holes therein and enlarged. The segments k, k<1> and the cord l may be replaced by wheels fixed on the loose crank and spindle d, and having teeth on their faces which gear with pinions s on arms t secured to the framing, so that the wheels move in opposite directions and maintain the reciprocal action of the cranks. The pinions i may be adapted to engage internal teeth on the wheels b. A free-wheel clutch, similar to that described in connection with the pinion i, may be provided on the rear axle, and gearing may be interposed between the chain-wheel c and the rear axle to increase the speed of the latter. The Provisional Specification states that the reciprocal movement of the cranks is provided for by connecting an arm on one of them, by means of a chain or cord passing over a pulley, with a lever on the crank spindle, or by connecting rods or links to the vibrating arms.