IMPROVEMENTS IN CYCLES OF THAT CLASS KNOWN AS SOCIABLES
Year: 1885

page_text: I JOHN ICELY WARMAN, of 16 Stephen Street, Coventry, in the County of
Warwick, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention
IMPROVEMENTS IN CYCLES OF THAT CLASS KNOWN AS SOCIABLES" to be as
66
for
follows:-
A sociable cycle constructed according to my invention may be called a
quadricycle as it is provided with four wheels. The machine has a light framing
with but one driving wheel but so constructed that two or more persons may
drive or ride it.
I form the framework of tube "loop" shape as in what is known as the Victoria
front steerer, one side of this loop frame comes on each side of the driving wheel
which is as usual the large wheel of the machine. Upon the hub of the driving
wheel I fix two chain wheels, one on each side, I use a short axle for the driving
wheel which takes its bearing on either side of the "loop" frame. The frame is
continued, as in the "Victoria", to accommodate a handle bar on the inside about
opposite to the centre of the driving wheel, I attach a piece of tube framing at
right angles to the plane of the driving wheel, one on each side of the frame. These
carry a seat bracket for each rider, that is one rider on each side of the driving
wheel. They also each carry a bearing for crank shaft to be presently described.
At the outer end of each seat tube frame piece I form a socket which carries a
vertical fork which can rotate freely in the socket each of these forks carries a
wheel of suitable size. Smaller than the driving wheel and running on the
ground. These wheels are controlled to run parallel with the driving wheel and
they form the supporting wheels to enable the machine to maintain its equilibrium.
I insert in the sockets for the forks of these side wheels, spiral springs, and on
the top of the framing I place levers by which in combination with cams or
eccentrics or any other convenient method I may raise one or both supporting side
wheels from the ground for a purpose to be hereafter described. The framing is
continued from the centre of the loop and immediately in front of the driving
wheel sufficiently to carry a guiding wheel (when used as a front steerer) of con-
venient size. This wheel is fitted into a fork rotating in a socket in the usual
way, the partial rotation of the fork being accomplished by a lever with a rod and
handle placed convenient to the right hand of the left hand rider of the machine
by any method most acceptable. At the bottom of the loop frame at a convenient

page_text: point I fix a bearing on either side which is intended to support one end of each
crank, the other ends to be supported by tube frame pieces projecting from the
seat tube herein before referred to.
On each inner end of these crank shafts is a chain wheel connected by a pitch
chain to the corresponding chain wheel on the hub of the driving wheel. The
inner crank and pedal on each side is made as an ordinary tricycle crank and pedal,
and the outer one that is the one beyond the bearing on each side is made like an
ordinary bicycle crank and pedal, this being best adapted for a narrow machine.
It will be seen that both riders drive the same driving wheel. The tube support
for the outer end of cranked shaft is connected with the seat tube framing and
curved or brought at an angle to successfully fulfil its purpose. The power given
to both riders to raise the outer or supporting wheels from the ground is to afford
the opportunity for two or more riders to be able to run a machine only having
two wheels in one line as in a tricycle, that is to say a single track machine so
that when the side wheels are raised the rider who is steering to be responsible for
the maintenance of the balance as in a tricycle.
I may make the framing so that the right hand side with its appurtenances
may be removed and the machine converted into a two track single machine.
I may also add framing to the back of the machine so that four riders may use it
and each drive the one driving wheel. I may also if desirable place the guiding
wheel at the back,
The system of brake power I employ is the shoe-brake actuated by a lever at
the side of the machine in connection with a cam or eccentric.

page_text: Improvements in Cycles of that Class known as Sociables.
I, JOHN ICELY WARMAN, of 16 Stephen Street, Coventry, in the County of
Warwick, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
"
A sociable cycle constructed according to my Invention may be called a
quadricycle as it is provided with four wheels. The machine has a light framing
with but one driving wheel, but so 'constructed that two or more persons may
drive or ride it. I form the framework of tube "loop" shape as in what is
known as the Victoria front steerer, one side of this loop frame comes one each side
of the driving wheel which is as usual the large wheel of the machine.. Upon the
hub of the driving wheel I fix two chain wheels, one on each side. I use a short
axle for the driving wheel which takes its bearing on either side of the "loop
frame. The frame is continued as in the Victoria to accommodate a handle bar on
the inside about opposite to the centre of the driving wheel. I attach a piece of
tube framing at right angles to the plane of the driving wheel, one on each side of
the frame. These carry a seat bracket for each rider, that is one rider on each side
of the driving wheel. They also each carry a bearing for crank shaft to be
presently described. At the outer end of each seat tube frame piece I form a
socket which carries vertical fork which can rotate freely in the socket; each of
these forks carries a wheel of suitable size, smaller than the driving wheel and
running on the ground. These wheels are controlled to run parallel. with the
driving wheel, and they form the supporting wheels to enable the machine to
maintain its equilibrium. I insert in the sockets. for the forks of these side wheels,
spiral springs, and on the top of the framing I place levers by which in combination
with cams or eccentrics or any other convenient method, I may raise one or both
supporting side wheels from the ground for a purpose to be hereafter described:
The framing is continued from the centre of the loop and immediately in front of
the driving wheel sufficiently to carry a guiding wheel (when used as a front
steerer) of convenient size; this wheel is fitted into a fork rotating in a socket in
the usual way, the partial rotation of the fork being accomplished by a lever with
a rod and handle placed convenient to the right hand of the left hand rider of the
machine by any method most acceptable. At the bottom of the loop frame, at a
convenient point, I fix a bearing on either side, which is intended to support öne
end of each crank, the other ends to be supported by tube frame pieces projecting
from the seat tube herein before referred to.
On each inner end of these crank shafts, is a chain wheel connected by a pitch
chain to the corresponding chain wheel on the hub of the driving wheel.. The
inner crank and pedal on each side is made as an ordinary tricycle crank and
pedal, and the outer one, that is, the one beyond the bearing on each side, is made
like an ordinary tricycle crank and pedal; this being best adapted for a narrow
machine. It will be seen that both riders drive the same driving wheel. The

page_text: When the machine is running at its usual speed it is intended that that the side
wheels g. g should be lifted from the ground by means of the screw f³ and handle j
as previously described, then the cycle runs as a single track machine. When
however it is not desired to lift the side wheels from the ground by means of the
screw gear, the spiral springs h in the socket e will allow the forks ff to rise when
the side wheels g. g pass over any inequality in the road. t is a back piece and t¹
a small wheel carried by it to prevent the machine from tipping backwards;
usually this runs clear of the ground.
I do not confine myself to the exact shape or configuration of parts or to the
precise arrangement as shewn on the accompanying sheet of drawings or described
in this Specification as I may vary them to some extent while not departing
essentially from my said Invention, as for example I may add framing to the back
of the machine so that four riders may use it and each, drive one driving wheel.
I may also if desirable place the steering at the back of the machine.
I am fully aware that it has been proposed to construct a bicycle driven by
two riders one on each side of a driving wheel driven by both but such bicycle
was not provided with spring or other supported side wheels as set forth in my
invention.
I am also aware of the employment of forks carrying spring supported side
wheels in connection with an ordinary bicycle for one rider.
I am also aware of the construction of a velocipede having a central driving
wheel driven by two chains by two riders sitting on either side of it and with
small side wheels mounted in forks but without means for allowing the wheels to
be raised from the ground so as to allow the machine as in my invention to run in
a single track or to allow the side wheels in this type of machine to yield to
inequalities of ground surface; also I am aware that it has been proposed to render
the type of machine illustrated in the accompanying drawing (always saving the
employment of spring supported side wheels or wheels capable of leaving the
ground) convertible by removing one of the side wheels and so convert the machine
into a two track machine for one rider or two if used in tandem form and I do not
claim broadly making this class of machine convertible I am also aware that in
this type of machine it has been proposed to make the axle or frame d d as shewn
in my drawings jointed or flexible at points intermediate between the central
driving and side supporting wheels so that the points of contact of.the central
driving wheel and side supporting wheels can yield to the inequalities of road
surface but such machine makes three tracks as the rise and fall of the side wheels
from irregularities of road surface is allowed by fulcra on the frame itself at points
close to the large driving wheel and the riders rise and fall with the side wheels.
My invention is very different as my riders sit on a rigid framing and the side
wheels can be pulled off the ground by them as the machine runs.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
"
1st The construction of a "Sociable" cycle which will in ordinary running be a
Single track" machine by using a central driving wheel which is driven by one
or more riders on each side of it, the machine to be capable of running on four
wheels when required as described in the foregoing specification and illustrated by
the annexed sheet of drawings.
2nd In velocipedes having a central driving wheel and one or more steering
wheels placed in line therewith applying sockets or supports with springs con-
tained therein, to receive the upper part of the forks carrying small side wheels,
placed on either side of the driving wheel, so as to allow these wheels to rise and
fall with irregularities of road surface, substantially as described.
3rd In velocipedes of the kind, hereinbefore described, means, such as a screw
or other convenient appliance for raising either of the forks or bearings side wheels
or both from the ground when desired for the purpose described.

page_text: 4th The general arrangement and combination of parts forming a "Sociable
Cycle" that is a machine ridden or propelled by more than one rider with a
central driving wheel which carries most of the weight, a steering wheel or wheels
and two side wheels which are capable of being raised from the ground, so that
this said Cycle may run as a "Single track " machine as hereinbefore described and 5
illustrated on the accompanying sheet of drawings.