Guessing, but what else could it be - the main spring lifts the shoe/foot/sole part, this brings the wheels closer making the string loose, which then gets rolled around the hub of the back wheel (by a second spring inside). When the smooth operator presses down with their weight, the string turns the rear wheel.
However, design like this would make for a fairly limited top speed that can be achieved by the mechanism alone. Needs gearing.
This is the clearest example I could image search (gif):
… actually:
This thing also operates in the same way, just without the gravity assist:
Here’s the patent, though I’m not sure I really understand it: https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/5d/0a/ca/37a6df64179256/US809980.pdf
Guessing, but what else could it be - the main spring lifts the shoe/foot/sole part, this brings the wheels closer making the string loose, which then gets rolled around the hub of the back wheel (by a second spring inside). When the smooth operator presses down with their weight, the string turns the rear wheel.
However, design like this would make for a fairly limited top speed that can be achieved by the mechanism alone. Needs gearing.
This is the clearest example I could image search (gif):
![](https://www.cyclingabout.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/StringDrive-Gif-Animation.gif)
… actually:
![](https://galleryroulette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/23.gif)
This thing also operates in the same way, just without the gravity assist:
![](https://activelinx.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/String-Handbike-Singlespeed-Docked-scaled.jpg)