Year: 1887

page_text: 1, JAMES DURELL GREENE, of Ypsilanti in the County of Washtenaw, and state of
Michigan, United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in Vehicles, and the inven-
tion consists in the peculiar construction and arrangement of a one wheeled vehicle,
adapted for use as a road cart, all as more fully hereinafter set forth.
Figure 1 is a general view of one of my improved vehicles, with horse attached, and
ready for use.
Figure 2 is an elevation of the road cart with a slight modification in the arrange-
ment of the seats.
Figure 3 is a plan view of the gear.
Figure 4 is a similar plan view of a cart constructed for two horses.
Figure 5 is a detail perspective showing the arrangement of the bow which con-
nects the forward ends of the shafts, and the surcingle.
In the accompanying drawings, A is the wheel of the cart; it is preferably of a
wider tread than ordinarily used for vehicles; B is the axle journalled in suitable
bearings C. E are side bars secured together by cross girts H, to form a rectangular
well I, large enough to allow the wheel to rotate within it; F are the shafts of the
vehicle they are made stiff, and are secured at their rear ends to the side bars in any
desired manner that will make, of the whole combination, a rigid frame. To this end
1 preferably bend the rear ends of the shafts inwardly, as shown, and secure them
firmly together by bolts or otherwise to the side bars, and by means of a cross girt G,
I connect the shafts and the forward ends of the side bars. J is a cylindrical casing
secured to the frame around the well, and covering the upper portion of the wheel, to
prevent the throwing of dirt upon the rider. K is the driver's seat; it is sufficiently
wide to seat a single person, and it may be placed either directly over the wheel or a
little forward thereof, as shown in figure 2; it is preferably supported on springs,
resting either on the casing or upon the side bars, a lateral support being given to it
by setting it astride the casing or partly so. L is a foot board conveniently placed
417

page_text: for the driver's feet, and a suitable step M, permits of mounting or dismounting
readily. A second seat N is arranged in rear of the wheel; this seat may be made a
counterpart of the front seat, as in figure 2, or it may be somewhat lower, as the
rear seat in figure 1, which can be reversed so as to make it face either to the front
or rear, as desired.
In use the vertical balance of the cart is maintained by the horse; to this end the
forward ends of the shafts are connected by a rigid bow O, to which a surcingle or
belly band is secured in any suitable way that will firmly hold the bow in position on
the horse's back, when the surcingle is buckled tightly under the horse's belly. The
bow makes the shafts more rigid, and acts as a brace to counteract any tipping of the
cart without impeding the free action of the animal. On a cart so constructed, the
driver, by judicious management, can maintain the equilibrium of the vehicle with
the greatest case. The vehicle is perfectly applicable to the needs of many classes of
persons, such as physicians, who are often compelled to travel over roads almost
impassable for other vehicles; and, besides, it will afford capital enjoyment to all
lovers of sport.
The vehicle can be built absolutely safe by constructing it for use with two horses,
as shown in figure 4, in which case the shafts are preferably spread wide enough apart
to receive the two horses between with a double bow connecting the shafts, and
carrying a surcingle for each horse, as already described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. In a one wheeled vehicle, a rigid bow joining the forward ends of the shafts, and
provided with a surcingle or belly band adapted to secure the bow over the back of
the horse, substantially as described.
2. In a one wheeled vehicle, the combination of a frame, a single wheel revolving
in said frame, an enclosing case over the wheel, and one or more seats in line with
the wheel, substantially as described.
3. In a one wheeled vehicle, the combination of a frame, a single wheel revolving
within said frame, an enclosing case over the wheel, a pair of shafts rigidly secured
to the said frame, a rigid bow connecting the shafts and having a belly band or
surcingle, and one or more seats secured in line with the wheel, all arranged
substantially as set forth.
Dated this Twenty sixth day of March 1886.