A treadle (from , "to tread") is a foot-powered lever

mechanism Mechanism may refer to: *Mechanism (economics), a set of rules for a game designed to achieve a certain outcome **Mechanism design, the study of such mechanisms *Mechanism (engineering), rigid bodies connected by joints in order to accomplish a ...

; it is operated by treading on it repeatedly. A treadle, unlike some other types of pedals, is not directly mounted on the crank (see treadle bicycle for a clear example). Most treadle machines convert

reciprocating motion Reciprocating motion, also called reciprocation, is a repetitive up-and-down or back-and-forth linear motion. It is found in a wide range of mechanisms, including reciprocating engines and pumps. The two opposite motions that comprise a single ...

into rotating motion, using a

mechanical linkage A mechanical linkage is an assembly of systems connected so as to manage forces and movement. The movement of a body, or link, is studied using geometry so the link is considered to be rigid. The connections between links are modeled as pro ...

to indirectly connect one or two treadles to a crank. The treadle then turns the crank, which powers the machine. Other machines use treadles directly, to generate reciprocating motion. For instance, in a treadle loom, the reciprocating motion is used directly to lift and lower the harnesses or heddles; a common treadle pump uses the reciprocating motion to raise and lower

piston A piston is a component of reciprocating engines, reciprocating pumps, gas compressors, hydraulic cylinders and pneumatic cylinders, among other similar mechanisms. It is the moving component that is contained by a cylinder (engine), cylinder a ...

s. Before the widespread availability of electric power, treadles were the most common way to power a range of machines. They are still widely used as a matter of preference and necessity. A human-powered machine gives the human operator close, instinctive control over the rate at which energy is fed into the machine; this lets them easily vary the rate at which they work. Treadle-operated machines are also used in environments where

electric power Electric power is the rate of transfer of electrical energy within a electric circuit, circuit. Its SI unit is the watt, the general unit of power (physics), power, defined as one joule per second. Standard prefixes apply to watts as with oth ...

is not available to power electric machinery. Other, similar mechanisms for allowing human and

animal Animals are multicellular, eukaryotic organisms in the Biology, biological Kingdom (biology), kingdom Animalia (). With few exceptions, animals heterotroph, consume organic material, Cellular respiration#Aerobic respiration, breathe oxygen, ...

muscle to power machines are cranks,

treadmill A treadmill is a device generally used for walking, running, or climbing while staying in the same place. Treadmills were introduced before the development of powered machines to harness the power of animals or humans to do work, often a type of ...

treadwheel A treadwheel, or treadmill, is a form of engine typically powered by humans. It may resemble a water wheel in appearance, and can be worked either by a human treading paddles set into its circumference (treadmill), or by a human or animal standing ...

s, and kick wheels like a potter's kick wheel.

Operation and uses

A treadle is operated by pressing down on it repeatedly with one or both feet, causing a rocking motion. This movement can then be stored as rotational motion via a

crankshaft A crankshaft is a mechanical component used in a reciprocating engine, piston engine to convert the reciprocating motion into rotational motion. The crankshaft is a rotating Shaft (mechanical engineering), shaft containing one or more crankpins, ...

driving a

flywheel A flywheel is a mechanical device that uses the conservation of angular momentum to store rotational energy, a form of kinetic energy proportional to the product of its moment of inertia and the square of its rotational speed. In particular, a ...

. Alternatively, energy can be stored in a spring, as in the pole lathe. Treadles were once used extensively to power most machines including

lathe A lathe () is a machine tool that rotates a workpiece about an axis of rotation to perform various operations such as cutting, sanding, knurling, drilling, deformation, facing, threading and turning, with tools that are applied to the w ...

s, rotating or

reciprocating saw A reciprocating saw is a type of handheld, small, machine-powered saw, in which the cutting action is achieved through a push-and-pull ("reciprocating") or back-and-forth motion of the blade. The original trade name, Sawzall, is often used in th ...

spinning wheel A spinning wheel is a device for spinning thread or yarn from fibres. It was fundamental to the textile industry prior to the Industrial Revolution. It laid the foundations for later machinery such as the spinning jenny and spinning frame, ...

loom A loom is a device used to weaving, weave cloth and tapestry. The basic purpose of any loom is to hold the Warp (weaving), warp threads under tension (mechanics), tension to facilitate the interweaving of the weft threads. The precise shape of ...

s, and

sewing machine Diagram of a modern sewing machine Animation of a modern sewing machine as it stitches A sewing machine is a machine used to sew fabric and materials together with thread. Sewing machines were invented during the first Industrial Revolutio ...

s. Today the use of treadle-powered machines is common in areas of the developing world where other forms of power are unavailable. It is also common among artisans, hobbyists and historical re-enactors. Some treadle looms in Africa and South Asia use toggles on a string as treadles. The toggles are held between the weaver's toes. Dictation using cylinder phonograph

References

Mechanical engineering Human power Foot Mechanical hand tools {{Tech-stub

Operation and uses

See also

References