Patent GB-190202557-A (GB)
Title: A New Kind of Velocipede.
Inventor: BLUNT ARTHUR HENRY PHILIP
Filed: 1902-01-31
Granted: 1903-01-29
Abstract: 2557. Blunt, A. H. P. Jan. 31. Convertible quadricyles, tricycles, and bicycles.-Relates to a treadle-actuated quadricycle, convertible into a tricycle or a bicycle, and capable of being driven, steered, or retarded by the feet alone, and comprises two similar frames A, A secured together, as shown in Fig. 4, by clamps A<63>, which carry the inner ends of the rear-wheel axles. The front wheels are mounted in trailing-forks A<8>, Fig. 1, connected by a suitable parallel motion and formed on steering-posts mounted in bearings A<78> in heads A" rigidly secured to the frames A, and provided with extensions A<80> each carrying half a handle-bar (not shown), which can be removed and secured to the same steering-post. In the case of a tricycle, only one front or trailing wheel is employed, the head supporting it being secured in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4. The vehicle is propelled by treadle-levers A<28>, A<29> pivoted, in the case of a quadricycle, to the tubes A<12>, and, in the case of a tricycle or bicycle, to a cross-bar secured to the steering-head. Each lever is provided with a treadle A<37> fitted with loops A<30>, A<31> to receive the rider's feet and pivoted at A<31> to a frame A<32> adapted to slide on the lever, so as to vary the velocity ratio. The treadles are supported in a horizontal position by springs A<33> connected to the frames A<32> by tension-adjusting arrangements A<35>. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, each pedal is connected to a chain A<39>; the chains pass upwards and drive chain-wheels A<41>, their ends being connected by a chain which passes over pulleys A<40> suspended from a lever A<72> pivoted at A<731> to a standard A<18> (see below), and supported at its other end by an upright A<74> passing through the top of the standard and surrounded by a spring A<76>; the tension of this spring is adjusted by a screwed handle A<85> having pivoted to it an eccentric disc which can be turned downwards so as to engage the standard A<18> and fix the lever A<72> rigidly. The wheels A<41> are mounted upon and connected to, by oppositely-engaging clutches, Figs. 10 and 11, an axle A<16> mounted in ball bearings A<17> in cups secured between the sides of the standard A<18> by screws A<87>. The clutches comprise rods A<44> sliding in sockets in the axle A<16> and pressed by springs against ratchet teeth A<46> formed in the wheels A<41>. A chainwheel A<14>, which can be secured by a screw in several positions on the axle A<16> to allow it to be altered when the cycle is converted into a bicycle, is connected by a chain A<13> with a chain-wheel secured on the hub of one of the rear wheels A<1>. To allow the tension of the chain A<13> to be adjusted when the wheel A<14> is exchanged for one of a different size, the standard is formed with hollow feet or mounted on an axle A<20> adjustably secured by clips to the cycle frame, the inclination of the standard being adjusted by means of a screw coupling A<24> connecting it to the head A<12> or to a rod A<27>secured across the two heads by clamps A<57> and supported by stays A<81> connecting it to the sides of the frames A. A rod A<82> connects the front ends of the frames A. In a modified form of driving-gear, the frames are connected by links to endless chains which connect wheels secured on the axle A<16> with other wheels mounted on the standard. In another form, the endless chains are pivoted to rods which slide in guides on the levers. Brake shoes A<66>, Fig. 1, adapted to engage the rear wheels, are carried by a rod A<70> carried by links A<68> pivoted on the feet of the standard and connected by a rod A<71> with the lever A<72>, so that, on resting the whole weight of the rider on the treadles, the spring A<76> is compressed and the brake is applied. By applying lateral pressure to the treadles, the vehicle can be steered by the feet alone. The direction of motion of the vehicle may be reversed by interchanging the frames A<32>, treadles, &c. The bearings for the front wheels comprise, as shown in Fig. 12, four rows of balls A<52> carried between grooves formed in cones A<48> and tapered surfaces formed in the hub, the cones being pressed together by springs A<50> which keep the bearings in adjustment. The springs bear on sleeves A<54> screwed on the axle A<51>. The rear-wheel bearings are similar, the hub and axle being longer.