CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1882

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Josiah Brookes Henry James Brookes
and Moses Green at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
15th May 1882.
JOSIAH BROOKES HENRY JAMES BROOKES and MOSES GREEN all of Smethwick
in the County of Stafford " CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND
ARRANGEMENT OF VELOCIPEDES
"
This invention relates to certain improvements in the construction and arrange-
ment of Velocipedes.
We will describe our invention as applied to tricycles, we propose to have a
driving wheel in front as in an ordinary bicycle, and with two side wheels, but the
framing of the machine is to be so geared up that the rider can throw the driving
wheel out of the centre, or vertical line at will, by means of a differential lock
gearing which is attached to the neck and framing. The end of the neck is to be
turned or fitted into framing and secured thereto so as to allow the lock gearing to
work properly. We also construct the framing with joints or slides in such a
manner that it shall fold up to enable the machine to pass through ordinary
doorways.
Instead of the forks being jointed on to the head as in the ordinary bicycle we
propose to groove, mill, or dovetail the head, so that the forks shall continue to top
of head. We also in some instances construct the head in two or more parts which
are fitted to the forks, suitably constructed recesses in the head being prepared for
the insertion or attaching of the forks thereto.
In the bottom of the head where the centre of the neck works we arrange for
the extreme centre to be convexed for the centre of neck, which is concaved to fit
and work in same so as to reduce the friction or wearing parts. We also arrange
for the neck to be bored out and the extreme centre or bottom of hole to be
convex, and the pin shaped to work therein.
We also propose to use a ball and socket joint which shall be secured to the
framing, the end of the spring to work or slide through same on balls or rollers so
that when the head is thrown out of centre it may carry spring and saddle with it.
The handle bar we propose shall work on the head, the neck pin passing through
same and being secured by nut and washer. It is also provided with bolts or

page_text: levers, throwing into slots, which are actuated by springs, so that it can be reversed
and placed in a line with the framing. We also propose to screw the handles on
to the handle bar with lock nut to secure the same.
We purpose using a differential hill climbing gear, the driven gear to be cast on,
or fitted to, the hub, the driving wheel gear to run loose on the spindle or tubing
or axle, with an intermediate wheel connecting the driving and driven gear wheels,
and so arranged that it can be thrown in and out of gear as required. We also
propose to cover same with a plate to protect from dust.
We also propose to fit the above mentioned hill climbing gear on some of our
machines in such a form as shall be suitable for the purpose of gaining extra speed
instead of increased power.
The hubs in some cases we make hollow in centre for a spindle to run inside
carrying on the ends the wheel gearing, bearings, and cranks. In some cases we
use a solid spindle in centre of hub fitted at each end with a casing or tube, the
latter carrying the before mentioned wheel gearing, bearings, and cranks.
We purpose using rollers for the bearings of a special shape, differing from the
ordinary rollers and balls, now in use. The castings for the roller bearings we
construct in two or more parts milled so that the rollers may work therein, the
same being made adjustable, where the above named rollers are fitted to wheels or
pedals the internal casings, and the axles, spindles, or pins, are milled to a suitable
shape to receive same, the said bearings being also fitted with adjustable pins.
The pedals are of a special construction, and are fitted. to crank axles or cranks.
They are made adjustable so that any size wheel can be made to suit any rider by
means of a pin working through adjustable cases the end of the pin carrying the
pedal.
The felloes we construct of a plain piece of steel so rolled that it shall present
nearly a crescent shape with a rib running along the centre of the inside, and with
a rib made of a separate piece of steel covering the above mentioned rib thus
forming a double section in centre and thereby preventing to a great extent all
"buckling" or failure of rims.
The rubber tyres we propose to construct with a hollow centre core running the
entire length of tyre thus increasing its elasticity, we also propose that the rubber
cushion fitted to pedals, for the foot, shall have the hole or core on the outside, out
of centre so that greater elasticity may result.
We further propose when the said Velocipedes are constructed to employ an
amalgam of tin and other metals, so that where the joints have been fitted together
they become doubly secure. This process of tinning or coating we would also
apply superficially to other parts of the said Velocipedes where a decorative or
ornamental surface is required, instead of or in addition to the ordinary plating or
painting.