The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-05-10
UP AND DOWN ON A BIKE.
New Quadricycle Introduces n Novel
Method Of Riding.

A new and unique cycling sensation Is the
seesaw quadricycle. 1t is a combination of the
old and nearly forgotten tricycle. with the
modern bicycle, and the result is a curious
looking affair, which is now attracting wide
spread attention from wheelmen and wheel
women throughout the country.
This ssesaW quadricycle is essentially a
family affair. 1t is built for four riders, with
an additional seat for a steersman or gov
ernor. The construction is Of the simplest.
There are no complicated joints, gearing or
one or make an ordinary breakdown a SER
ious matter. and no previous experience is
necessary in order for che to ride with the
speed and skill of an expert.
This machine is particularly intended for
use in parks and at the beaches and summer
resorts, where parties can easily be made
up. The sensation of riding is unlike any
thing else. The up and down, or seesaw mo-
ton, is decidedly celebrating, as anybody
knows who remembers the lettering of child
hood, while onward motion adds to the
combination of curious, but not unpleasant,
sensations. which can only be approximately
described as nearer the sensation Of flying
than anything else.
The seesaw quadricycle is a f~our-whee.ed
affair. The rear set of wheels are slightly
larger in circumference than the forward or
guiding wheels. Motion is given the machine
by the weight of the riders, who sit upon
seats differing very considerably from the
ordinary bicycle seat. These seats, of which
there are four, two in front and two in the
rear, are fixed at the ends of long levers,
WnlCQ are hot Unlike the Walking DedHl Ol
the ordinary sidewheei steamboat. The end
Of each lever not occupied by the seats for
the riders is connected by an upright driving
rod with a large sprocket wheel in the center
of the machine.
Over this sprocket wheel is passed a sprock-
ct chain which is carried around the rear
axle of the machine. As the riders move
themselves up and down in a SeeSaW sort OF
fashion the opposite ends Of the levers WORK
the driving rods, forcing the sprocket wheel
around, and so motion is given to the ma
chine.
The fitting or seesaw levers at either end
of the machine are supported over the axies
by upright supports or standards, strongly
braced and working on five roller bearings
The seats for the riders at the two extreme
ends CT these levers are comfortably uphol-
stored affairs, and below them are adjustable
fortress which allow riders of different
heights to secure at all times a comfortable
footrest or brace.
The framework of the machine. which is
oblong. is made of cold drawn seamless tub
ing, exactly like that used in the construc-
l.on of the ordinary bicycle. The rear whee-s
are thirty inches in diameter, while the front
Cnes are two inches smaller. The rims are
CT wood, while the spokes are made OF heavy
wire.
Directly over the front axle and behind the
front riders is placed an ordinary bicycle
handle bar. connecting with the axle, which
turns like the front axle of a carriage, and a
single saddle. This is for the attendant or
governor of the machine. He has nothing to
do with driving it, his duties being confined
to steering the contrivance and applying The
powerful brake, like the ordinary cycle brake,
to the machine when its speed becomes to
rapid for safety, or when it IS desired to come
to a complete stop.
While intended to accommodate four riders
and the attendant. it is in nowise essential
that there be that number Oh the machine,
nor is It necessary for them to be of equal
weight. The quadricyc.e works exactly upon
the seesaw principle, and when once the lev
ers are set in motion the machine is of nee
essity forced forward. 1t can be used with
one person on each seat, or with one on one
seat and two on the others.
This Quadricycle is the invention of a Bos-
ton Mass.) inventor.