The Bicycle Bell: A Hammer That Strikes Twice for Every Press

"The object of my invention is to produce a bicycle-bell of light and compact construction, that by a very simple and inexpensive contrivance is adapted to produce a double stroke for each pressure and to bring out of the gong its best possible tone." The frame 1 is fixed to the steering-head "by means of the bridge 2 and screws 3"; a standard 4 carries the gong 6. A lever 7 pivoted to the base has a hook 8 for a chain 9 that turns a hub 10 on the standard; a coiled spring returns the hub. A spring-arm 15 on the hub carries a hammer 16 near the inside of the gong: working the lever swings it round until it "strikes the lug 17, formed on the inner face of the gong", and on release "the hammer, by the force of the spring arm, will swing in the opposite direction and strike the lug on the other side." The hammer thus "will swing around the entire inside of the gong before each stroke". Stops 18 and 19 limit the lever. A modification uses a pinion and segmental gear instead of the chain.

Unscrew the gong of a bicycle bell and find the striker, its spring and the lever or thumb wheel that drives it. Count how many strikes one press gives. Ring it outdoors while a helper walks away along a quiet path and stops when they can no longer hear it; measure the distance with a tape. Repeat beside a busy road and compare with the notebook.

**Edward D. Rockwell** of Bristol, Connecticut, assignor to **The New Departure Bell Company**, filed US 483,084 on 9 March 1892; it is dated 20 September 1892. **Honest limits.** The bell's sound level and the background noise in the notebook are examples; real hearing distance depends on wind, walls and attention.