Treadle: Difference between revisions

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A treadle (from Template:Lang-oe, "to tread") is a mechanism operated with a pedal for converting reciprocating motion into rotating motion. Along with cranks, treadmills, and treadwheels, treadles allow human and animal machine power in the absence of electricity.

Before the widespread availability of electric power, treadles were widely used to power a range of machines. They may still be used as a matter of preference or in environments where electric power is not available.

Operation & uses

A treadle is operated by pressing down on its pedal with one or both feet, causing a rocking motion. This movement rocks a large crankshaft driving a flywheel.

Textiles

Treadles were once used extensively in creating textiles and clothing, powering spinning wheels, looms, and sewing machines. Elias Howe and Isaac Singer popularized their use and they became a fixture in households worldwide. Today the use of treadle textile machines is mostly relegated to hobbyists and historical re-enactors, but they remain in use in the developing world.

Industry & crafts

Treadles may be used to turn lathes for metal or wood, as in the pole lathe, or to power rotating or reciprocating saws.

Other uses

Treadle pumps are used to provide water for agricultural and domestic use in poor areas not served by water systems.

Dated uses

Treadles were used to power phonograph cylinders.

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 {{for|the device that detects that a train axle has passed a particular location|Treadle (railway)}}
 {{Unreferenced|date=March 2007}}
+[[File:1930s SINGER treadle table restored by 3FTERS.jpg|thumb|A table fitted with a sewing treadle ]]
-[[File:Dictation using cylinder phonograph.png|thumb|Dictation using a treadle-powered cylinder phonograph, circa 1897]]
+A '''treadle''' (from {{lang-oe|tredan}}, "to tread") is a [[mechanism]] operated with a [[pedal]] for converting [[reciprocating motion]] into [[rotary motion|rotating motion]]. Along with [[crank (mechanism)|crank]]s, [[treadmill]]s, and [[treadwheel]]s, treadles allow human and [[working animal|animal]] machine power in the absence of [[electric machinery|electricity]].
+Before [[Electric power industry|the widespread availability of electric power]], treadles were widely used to power a range of machines. They may still be used as a matter of preference or in environments where [[electric power]] [[Off-the-grid|is not available]].
-A '''treadle''' [from OE ''tredan'', to tread] is a part of a machine which is operated by the foot to produce reciprocating or rotary motion in a machine such as a weaving loom (reciprocating) or grinder (rotary). Treadles can also be used to power water [[pump]]s (as in the [[treadle pump]]), or to turn wood lathes (as in the [[pole lathe]]).  In the past, treadles have been used to power a range of machines including [[sewing machines]], [[loom]]s, wood saws, cylinder phonographs and metal lathes. Along with [[crank (mechanism)|crank]]s, [[treadmill]]s, and [[treadwheel]]s, they allowed human and [[working animal|animal]] power of machinery in the absence of [[electric machinery]].
-==Sewing machines==
+==Operation & uses==
+[[Image:Tailor in Chad.jpg|thumb|left|A tailor in Chad with a treadle sewing machine]]
-Many of the early [[sewing machine]]s were powered by a treadle mechanism.  The treadle was operated by pressing down on it with a foot, or both feet, to cause a rocking movement.  This movement spins a large wheel on the treadle frame, connected by a thin leather belt to a smaller driving wheels on the sewing machine.
+A treadle is operated by pressing down on its pedal with one or both feet, causing a rocking motion.  This movement rocks a large [[crankshaft]] driving a [[flywheel]].
-[[Image:Tailor in Chad.jpg|thumb|right|A tailor in Chad with a treadle sewing machine]]
+===Textiles===
+Treadles were once used extensively in creating textiles and clothing, powering [[spinning wheel]]s, [[loom]]s, and [[sewing machine]]s. Elias Howe and Isaac Singer popularized their use and they became a fixture in households worldwide. Today the use of treadle textile machines is mostly relegated to hobbyists and [[historical re-enactors]], but they remain in use in the developing world.
+===Industry & crafts===
+Treadles may be used to turn [[lathe]]s for metal or wood, as in the [[pole lathe]], or to power [[rotary saw|rotating]] or [[reciprocating saw]]s.
+===Other uses===
+[[File:Treadle pump, original.jpg|thumb|200px|A homemade treadle pump in use in Bangladesh]]
+[[Treadle pump]]s are used to provide water for agricultural and domestic use in poor areas not served by water systems.
+===Dated uses===
+[[File:Dictation using cylinder phonograph.png|thumb|Dictation using a treadle-powered cylinder phonograph, circa 1897]]
+Treadles were used to power [[Phonograph|phonograph]] [[Phonograph cylinders|cylinders]].
 ==See also==
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 [[Category:Mechanical engineering]]
 {{Tech-stub}}