Patent GB-190801857-A (GB)
Title: A New or Improved Quadricycle.
Inventor: GARDE BERNARD EMILE ROBERT
Filed: 1908-07-24
Granted: 1909-07-22
Abstract: 1857. GardÚ, B. E. R. July 24. Sociable and tandem quadricycles; frames; driving- mechanism; steering-mechanism.-Quadricycles are formed with frames of steel angle-bars mounted on two pairs of equal wheels and carrying two transverse seats with backs. The front steering- axle has pivoting ends, while the rear axle, provided with a variable-speed gear, is driven by chain gearing from pedal driving-mechanism furnished for all the riders. The vertical web of the frame members is disposed on the inner side and projects downwards. The spindle of each front wheel is carried by a pivot pin H, Fig. 5, mounted in bearings in the forked extremity of the fixed axle X, the steering being effected by a part L', curved arms L, and a cross-stay M. The part Ll is actuated from a crank, hand-wheel, or handle-bar at the upper end of a bar or tube mounted in a socket which is secured against the edge of the angle-piece of the frame, the pedal bracket, or the front seat. The hub bearings N, Fig. 4, of the driving-wheels are mounted upon the reduced ends of the rear axle which are preferably in the form of truncated square pyramids, so that compensation for wear is effected by the tightening of nuts O at the extreme ends of the axle. A two-speed gear for use with some of the forms of the quadricycle is of the kind employing two chains and comprises collars Q which carry sprocket-wheels and are connected by lateral cams or notches to collars Q<1> sliding over pins or studs fixed to the axle. These collars are pressed outwardly by springs, the arrangement being such that the sprocket-wheel of the low gear acts as a free-wheel and only comes into operation for driving when the collar Q<1> of the high-speed sprocket-wheel is moved out of engagement by means of a fork received by a flange upon the collar. A grooved pulley for a band brake may be keyed to the driving-axle. The pedal brackets are formed as flanged tubular members which rest on wooden blocks S, Fig. 8, and are secured to the framework by two U-shaped straps or collars T. To provide means for adjusting the tension of the driving-chain, the screwed ends of the collars pass through elongated holes U and carry fixing-nuts. In positions where the framework is not double a strengthening-piece is provided at each point at which a bracket is mounted. The pedal mechanisms on opposite sides of the vehicle may be coupled transversely by the replacement of the inner pedal pins by a doublybent coupling-piece, the ends of which are screwed into the cranks and carry the pedals ; or both the cranks and pedal pins on the inner sides may be replaced by a coupling-piece with four bends as shown in Fig. 10. The frame of a quadricycle for two riders is formed of two steel angle-bars which towards the front lie together and carry the front axle and the two pedal mechanisms, while at the rear they spread out and then run parallel to one another, the driving - axle being mounted by a cross-spring suspension at the ends. The driving- mechanisms are connected tandemwise by means of chains. In the quadricycle for three riders shown in Fig. 2, the frame is formed of angle-bars bent at A, A', B, B', C, C<1>, a seat D with pedal mechanism E is provided for a front rider, while a double seat D<1> with pedal mechanisms E<1> is arranged at the rear. The front driving-mechanism is geared tandemwise to a central shaft E' to which the inner cranks of the rear mechanisms are connected. For four riders, the frame of the quadricycle is made rectangular and the pedal mechanisms may either be coupled in tandem with one change of speed for each pair, or they may be coupled transversely. To convert this form of quadricycle into a machine for three riders, the front seat is replaced by a seat for a single rider, the outer cranks of the two front pedal mechanisms are removed and the inner cranks connected transversely. To diminish the overhang of the axle the rear leaf springs of the quadricycles for three or four riders may be arranged parallel to the side sills of the framework. The scrolls may then be reduced to strips which are bolted to the flanges of the angle-bar and arranged to support either the ends of the springs themselves or the shackles. To reduce the wear and tear of the ball bearings of the driving-axle any two points of the rear springs are connected by a light bar or a tube of aluminium. A small motor may be mounted upon the machine to facilitate the propulsion by the riders.