GB449850A - Improvements in and relating to change-speed driving mechanism for cycles - Google Patents

Abstract

449,850. Variable - speed epicyclic gearing. STEIMANN, H., 5, Rue de la Paix, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. Oct. 21, 1935, Nos. 28968 and 28969. Convention dates, Oct. 23, 1934 and Oct. 9, 1935. [Class 80 (ii)] Two- or three-speed epicyclic gearing, mounted on the pedal-bracket 23 of a cycle and comprising a controlmember such as 2, Fig. 7, or 6, Fig. 10, slidable inside the hollow driving pedal-shaft 1, is characterized in that the annulus 16 of the train is secured to the pedal-shaft 1, whilst the planetcarrier is secured to the driven chainwheel 24. In Fig. 7 the control-rod 2 is operated by either heel of the rider, and carries with it, for axial movement only, a freely-mounted sunwheel 6, on which is also freely mounted a second sun-wheel 33, which constantly mesh respectively with stepped planets 13, 34 carried bv the driven chain-wheel 24, and the driving annulus 16. Movement of the control rod 2 towards the left of Fig. 7, first declutches the sun 6 from solid driving connection at 26 with the annulus, and holds the sun stationary at 29, giving second speed. Further movement first frees the sun 6 from the fixed teeth 29, and then causes it to abut against and push the sun 33, against spring resistance 35, into engagement with fixed teeth 25, giving the lowest speed. In a two-speed modification., the wheels 33, 34 are omitted, and the gear teeth of the sun 6 directly clutch the casing on one side and the annulus on the other. In Fig. 10, the internal control-member slides in a slot 47 in the shaft and carries an external collar 6, which is adapted to depress spring- loaded radial pins, two, 48, 48<1>, of which lock loose suns 51, 52 to the fixed casing, whilst a third 48<11> clutches a loose sun 53 to the driving annulus 16 for direct drive. The driven planetcarrier 11 carries three stopped planets 55, 56, 13 all rigidly connected together. The control.- collar 6 is oporated by a tension-cable 45, acting against an internal spring 46.