Boneshaker with freewheel - A.Boeuf, France (System NICOLET), 1869

A.Boeuf, Tarare Rhone, France - Systeme NICOLET Breveté S.G.D.C. Drawing associated with patent No. 85439, taken out on 15 May 1869 by Nicolet, for a velocipede with independent pedals. The ratchet wheel (R) is directly attached to the pedal axis and therefore turns with it when the rider pedals in the same direction as the arrow (F). As the pawl (G) is directly attached to the wheel, it engans the notches of the ratchet wheel and the rotational movement of the pedals is communicated to the driving wheel. If the rider stops pedalling, the wheel continues to turn in the direction of the arrow (G), thus disengaging the pawl from the notches of the ratchet wheel.