Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-10-17
A BICYCLE THAT FLIES.
1t Has Wings That Open and shut
Like n Bird,

~ hSs wings ThAt Open and Shut
Like n Bird.
From the st. Louis Republic
A flying bicycle rider Is no longer a figure
OF speech. for man in Oklahoma CITY has
Invented bicycle with wings. 1t Is a mar
Vicious affair, with great wings that open
and close like those of bird It is claimed
that bicyclist who is provided with one of
these flying machines need no longer wor.
ry about good or bad roads. When he comes
to bit of road that he does not like he
will simply fly over 1t. It will be the same
with rivers and lakes mountains and val
leys. for it Is proposed that the new flyer
shall carry rider from one mountain peak
to another.
There have been flying machines, some
with and some without a bicycle attach
ment, but this Is the latest and most unique
device Of all, and in every respect, it differs
from all previously devised machines for
carrying man on land as well as through
the air.
Although there Is not the slightest resem-
hlance between the flying bicycle and the
flying bird, the same degree of relative pro-
portion is maintained. Like some birds this
new bicycle Is adapted particularly for
ground locomotion, but like the common
fowl or turkey, the inventor claims his ma
chine will be able when necessity demands
1t, to rise above earthly distractions and
sail serenely away.
The bicycle part of the machine is con-
structed in the lightest possible manner con.
astent with strength 1t is somewhat long
er. but trifie lower than the ordinary ma
chine, the fork being replaced by triangu-
lar framework Of peculiar construction.
From the hub or axle of each wheel rises
metal post a third longer than the ma
chine itself, rising front and back at an
angie Ine upper ends Of these posts are
connected by a crossbar, and through them
just at the point where they are joined by
the crossbar a crank shaft runs parallel
with the axles of the wheels Attached TO
each shaft are eight triangular sails or
wings arranged on much the same plan as
the arms of windmill, but constructed at
closes as 1t Is raised, but on the downward
sweep presents an expanded surface to the
wind.
When in use as q bicycle the wings are
machine is operated by pedals, sprocket
wheel and chain. The sail or wings are
operated by the rider, who sits in the usual
saddle and works the pedals, which, when
the machine is in the air, causes the wings
to revolve by means of q chain and sprocket
wheel on the crank shaft to which the sails
are attached. Il n
A working model Of this machine 10Y feet
long and 6k feet wide has already been
completed and tried with success The in
ventor writes Of his machine as follows:
MY invention will, I think, revolutionize
the mode OF travel Of the present day.
What 1 claim for the new machine, which
Is now being constructed and Is "A feet @
inches broad by IL feet wide, is that 1t win
replace the bicycle and be practical flying
machine as we'll Ct IL
The machine is made Of steel tubing, the
wings OF canvas stretched on an aluminium
frame.
Ball bearings are used exclusively in the
machine. The wings can be extended as
far as required by lengthening the trtangu-
lar frame, which. owing to the lightness Of
aluminium, will not add materially to the
weight OF the bicycle Machines to carry
one person, II properly made, win weigh not
more than sixty pounds each. and possibly
rot over forty. These machines can be
turned out very rapidly and at a cost of
SIS each.
THE wings are concave, like an umbrella.
at the point nearest the crank shaft, so
THEY can take hold of the air. With 2SS
square feet Of wing surface, which is suf
ficient to hit the bicycle, the frame would
support $50 pounds, estimating from the
ratio OF the weight of q duck to its wing
surface.
Machines with a car and naphtha engine
for carrying six persons will weigh 600
pounds and have 3,2O0 feet Of wing surface.
with sufficient power to lift e,6OO pounds.
Il have applied for letters patent on nv
invention, and am satisfied Of its feasibility
ana usefulness from the number of expert
nents have made during the past three
years."