IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Carter, of Brixton, in the County of
Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES."
Sealed the 15th February 1876, and dated the 17th August 1875.
Firstly. To the "socket" which I make in one solid piece bent out
in the front to allow the driving or front wheel in steering to be moved
at a greater angle. The "pivot" is held between two centres, one at
top and the other at bottom, and detachable metallic discs with female
centres are provided at the ends of the pivot for the two centres to work
in, which discs are removable and can be renewed when worn. The

page_text: "socket
lamp.
"
is spread out in front to form a recess for holding the
Secondly. To an adjustable step which is formed with a flexible or
solid loop, which loop slides on the "back bone," and is provided with
a taper pin to adjust and fasten the step to any height on the "back
bonc."
Thirdly. To a brake which consists of two double arms forged with
eyes midway of the length to fit on the back wheel pin or any other
part of the bicycle, in such manner that when the brake cord is
tightened in the usual way, that part of the brake to which the cord is
attached is raised, and the opposite end is depressed and brought in
contact with the ground or road, thereby applying the required check
without acting upon, injuring, or wearing any part of the wheel.
Fourthly. To the construction of that class of driving or front wheels,
known as spider" or "phantom," so as to make them rigid and prevent
the spring of the treadles when pressure is applied. These wheels are
made in the usual way, but with the addition of three, four, or more
projections or arms fixed as a collar on the centre of the hub or forming
part thereof. From the said projections metal spokes or ties extend to
the felloc of the wheel at such an angle or angles that the treadle
pressure shall be as a direct pull or strain from the hub to the
felloe.
Fifthly. To the treadles which I form with a hollow and of an oval
shape to fit the ball of the foot.
Sixthly. To the back wheel, the pin of which I make to run between
two centres in the extremity of the back fork and to prevent said centres
opening I run a slight steel rod or bolt through the two centres, and the
wheel pin and fix same with nut and screw.

page_text: In Fig. 3 is represented the brake which is attached either to the
back fork or to the centre pin or hub E of the rear wheel itself, and
consists of two pieces or arms F of iron or steel joined at both ends,
the wheel being between the two pieces or arms F, and by pulling or
tightening the brake cord G the end H of the brake is raised, and the
end F¹ is depressed so as to bring a roller or drag in contact with the
ground or road, the position of the brake when in action being shewn by
the dotted lines; D¹ is the bottom of back bone; G', pulley of brake cord;
H', the part of brake which is mounted or works on pin or bolts
for attaching it to the back bone or wheel or centre pin or hub of
wheel.
In Figs. 4, 5, and 6, I arc arms or projections (three, four, or more, as
required), into which nipples are screwed for tension tics or spokes K
which serve to tighten the spokes of the wheel and resist the strain of the
treadle pressure; Lare the flanges on the hub into which the ordinary
spokes are screwed, and from which they extend to the felloe, thus the
ordinary spokes in the wheel will support the weight of the bicycle and
rider, and the ties K attached to the projections will serve to prevent
the straining of the supporting spokes and keep the wheel firm. The
projections or arms are shown attached in Figs. 5 and 6, to a collar
which fits on the centre of the hub of the wheel.
In Fig. 7 is shown the extremity of the back fork and centre or hub
of back wheel, said hub having a taper recess at each end, and being
formed hollow in the centre as represented by the dotted lines. The
end of the back fork has forged thereon at the extremities conical pieces
with shoulders or enlargements upon which the back wheel centre
revolves; N is a light steel rod which is run through the fork ends M
and hub, and fitted with a screw nut to keep the fork from opening with
the weight of the rider, but should this rod get broken the enlarged
picces at the ends of the cones would prevent the back fork opening for
a time and secure safety for the rider. By tightening the screw nut on
the end of the rod N compensation can be made for any wear that has
taken place in either the cones or the hub; L are the flanges of wheel
centre into which the spokes are screwed; O, screw plug in oil hole to
keep out dust from inside of hub. By these means I secure safety in
ce of breakage of back wheel pin, prevent looseness of the back wheel
and prevent dust and grit entering the working parts.

page_text: improvements in bicycles, as herein described and shown on the
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Carter, have hereunto
set my hand and scal, this Fifteenth day of February, 1876.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Carter, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of February, 1876.
CHARLES CARTER. (L.S.)