CERTAIN NEW OR IMPROVED APPLICATIONS OF MANUAL POWER
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Abbot, of the City and County of Bristol, for the
Invention of "CERTAIN NEW OR IMPROVED APPLICATIONS OF MANUAL
POWER"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Abbot at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th March 1877.
THOMAS ABBOT, of the City and County of Bristol. "CERTAIN NEW OR IMPROVED
APPLICATIONS OF MANUAL POWER."
My Invention relates to the adaptation of the mechanical action known as the
sliding seat, as now used in rowing boats, racing skiffs, or wherries, for the propul-
sion of vehicles of all and overy description on land; the aforesaid sliding seat to
be used either in conjunction with certain levers, to be herein-after described, or
apart from such levers or mechanical action.
I also propose to apply the aforesaid mechanical action to stationary machinery,
such as lifts, hoists, cranes, or any other machinery worked, moved, or propelled by
manual power, or any other kind or class of machinery.
I will now describe an application of the mechanical action of the sliding seat to
drive a three-wheeled vehicle or tricycle.
I propose to place on each end of a cranked axle connecting the two driving
wheels a crank working outside of driving wheels connecting rods leading from
these cranks to guides oscillating on brackets fixed to the frame of the vehicle.
A central crank on the axle of the driving wheels will be attached by a con-
necting rod to and be worked from or acted upon by the sliding seat.
I propose to use an adjustable footboard attached to supports, which may be
moved backwards or forwards upon the frame to suit the convenience of the operator,
and when placed in position be fixed by a set screw or other contrivance. This
footboard may also be used as a steering apparatus by means of guide rods extending
to a cross head carried by the fork or frame between which the front or guiding
wheel revolves, and which also supports the lower frame of the machine. On the
upper frame I propose to fix bearings or fulcrums in which the levers or the seat
works, a strap or cap coming over the lever to prevent its slipping out of position,
or falling when in action.

page_text: I propose to provide a strap or toe guard in which the operator may fix his
foot to steady himself, and to connect the upper and lower frames together by tie-
bars for the purpose of giving strength to the said frame.
I may also use a reticulated netting, covering the space between the two frames,
and which is used for the purpose of supporting the levers or sculls when thrown
out of gear.
I may make the footboard to revolve on its base, in order to guide or steer the
machine, and I propose to place within easy reach of the rider a break to act upon
one or both of the driving wheels.
The levers connected by rods with the cranks outside the driving wheels are to
be used similarly to a scull in a rowing boat, that is to say, the operator sitting in
the sliding seat holds the levers or sculls in the same manner as he would an
ordinary rowing scull, the said levers resting in or supported by the rowlock or
fulcrum, as above described, and having a free action therein. The end of each
lever or scull operates by its connecting rod upon the crank outside of each driving
wheel, the power being communicated or applied by the operator moving the
sculls to and fro similarly to the operation of rowing, which motion of operator
causes the wheels (which are keyed firmly on axle of machine) to revolve. The
operator may use these lovers apart from or in conjunction with sliding, the ends
of the levers are not being permanently connected with or fixed to connecting
rods, but fitting loosely on a pin or stud working in a slot in the end of the
lever.
I may modify or alter the shape of any or either part of the scull or lever and
its connections with the connecting rod and driving crank, as I may in practice find
most advantageous.
The sliding seat, which is to enable the operator on the machine to move forward
to get the benefit of the full length of the sculls or levers, is as aforesaid also
attached by means of a connecting rod to a central crank on the axle of the driving
wheels.
The operator sitting in the sliding seat fixes or plants his feet on the footboard,
and using this as a base or fulcrum works the seat to and fro by the action of his
legs, causing the cranked driving axle to revolve. The said central crank and the
cranks outside the driving wheels having a simultaneous action communicated to
them by means of the levers, as above described, the machinery is set in action.
The sliding seat will have rollers or runners attached to it for the purpose of
lossening the friction.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Abbot in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th Sep-
tember 1877.
THOMAS ABBOT, of the City and County of Bristol. "CERTAIN NEW OR IMPROVED
"APPLICATIONS OF MANUAL POWER."
My Invention relates to the adaptation of the mechanical action known as the
sliding seat, as now used in rowing boats, racing skiffs, or wherries, for the propul-
'sion of vehicles of all and every description on land; the aforesaid sliding seat to
be used either in conjunction with certain levers, to be herein-after described, or
apart from such levers or mechanical action.
I may also apply the aforesaid mechanical action to stationary machinery, such
as lifts, hoists, cranes, or any other machinery worked, moved, or propelled by
manual power, or any other kind or class of machinery.
On the accompanying two Sheets of Drawing I have illustrated an application
of the mechanical action of the sliding seat to drive a 'three-wheeled vehicle, or

page_text: tricycle, Figure 1 being an elevation or side view of a tricycle embodying my
Invention with sliding seat in position, and Figure 2 a plan view of same.
Similar letters of reference are placed upon and denote similar parts where such
parts appear or may be seen in each of the Figures respectively.
.
A is the sliding seat, sliding, by means of friction rollers B, on frame C.
B, friction rollers, by means of which the sliding seat A slides backwards and
forwards on frame C.
C, the frame on which seat A. slides.
D is a foot board against which the rider places his feet, inserting them in the
shoes E, by pulling upon which with his fect he draws the sliding seat forward,
driving it back again by thrusting with his feet against the foot board, thereby
obtaining a reciprocating movement of the sliding seat for driving the tricycle.
E, the shoes on foot board D, enabling the person riding to draw the sliding seat
forward.
F are connecting rods, which, by the aid of the cross piece or pin q, connect the
seat A to the cranks, so that as the seat A slides backwards and forwards it causes
these cranks to rotate.
G, cranks of the main axle K, on which axle the front part of frame C rests.
H are connecting rods connecting levers I to cranks G.
I are the levers which the person driving the machine thrusts forward as he
slides forward with the seat A, and by which he thrusts round the cranks G of axle
K by the motion of his hands.
K is the main axle attached to the driving wheels L, as shown, or in any suitable
manner.
L, the driving wheels attached by the clutches M to the main axle K which is
made to rotate by means of the connecting rods F of the sliding seat A and the
connecting rods H of the levers I, both attached to the cranks G of axle K.
M, the clutches which attach main axle K to driving wheels L; in order that the
tricycle may turn easily these clutches are withdrawn from the wheels L, as the
tricycle is required to turn, by means of the levers X, operated by the connection V
from the foot board G, as herein-after described and shown in the plan, Figure 2.
N is the frame which supports the fulcrum of lever I.
O is a fork in which the steering wheel P runs, and which also supports the back
end of frame C.
P is the steering wheel, which is turned by means of the fork O, operated from
the upright rod Q by means of the cross head R and steering rods S.
Q, upright rod to which the foot board is attached by means of the collars 8;
this upright rod Q passes through the end of frame C, and is fitted to steering rods
S by means of the cross piece U which is parallel with the cross head R on fork O.
When the person driving the machine desires to turn or diverge from a straight line
he presses more heavily with the right or with the left foot, as the case may be,
upon the foot board D, thereby causing the upright Q, to which it is attached, to
turn in the direction required, carrying with it the cross piece U, thereby operating
the rods S attached to the cross head R, which turning the fork O causes the steer-
wheel P to take the direction required.
R is the cross head in fork O connected to upright Q by means of rods S and
cross piece U.
S, the steering rods worked by upright rod Q by means of cross piece U.
T is a rod attached to the lower end of the upright rod Q; when the foot board
D is turned to the right or to the left to cause the steering wheel P to take the
required direction, the rod Q turning with it also causes this rod T to strike the
connecting rod V from point 2 to point 3; at point 3 the rod T clears rod V, and
the rod V is held by a catch Y; by this means the lever ✗, working on its fulcrum
W, throws back the clutch M from either wheel, and thus allows the machine to
turn with more freedom. The rod T returns to point 2 when the foot board D
strikes the wires Z, these wires Z then lifting the catch and permitting the springs
6 to thrust the clutches M back into the wheels.

page_text: U is the cross piece attached to the bottom of the upright rod Q and connected
to cross head R by means of steering rods S.
V are the connecting rods of the levers X; they are driven by rod T from points 2
to 3, where rod T clears end of rod V. This rod V passes through frame Ñ under
latch Y, and is connected to lever X.
✗, levers connected to rods Vand resting on fulcrum W; they take the clutches M
off the wheels 2 by means of a steel point at their end working in a groove of the
clutches M.
W, the fulcrums or brackets carrying levers X.
Y is a latch or catch that drops into a recess or notch in rod V, and holds the
rod V when it has thrust lever X so as to strike off clutch M from driving
wheel. The clutch M is thus held back from driving wheel, and one or other of
the driving wheels L runs free, accordingly as one or other of the levers X may
have been thrust by rod T.
As above stated the latch Y is withdrawn from the recess in connecting rod V
when the wires Z are struck by the footboard D, when the footboard D returns to its
place; then latch Y is lifted, and the clutch M is driven into the wheel L by the
springs G.
Z, the wires that connect latch Y with end of footboard D; when the footboard
is turning these wires remain slack, and when the footboard has returned to its
normal position the wires Z draw up the latch Y and allow the rod V to be free.
J are stiffening rods connecting axle K to fork O.
Garo the springs that thrust clutches M. into wheels L when the rod V is free.
8, collars to which the footboard is secured.
9 is a cross piece connecting sliding seat with rods F.
The action is as follows:-The driver sitting in the sliding seat A, with his feet
in the shoes or loops E, alternately draws himself by his feet towards and pushes
himself from the footboard D, thus giving to the seat A. and its connecting rods F
a reciprocating motion, which throws the cranks G and causes the axle K to revolve
with the driving wheels L, held fixed thereon by the clutches M. At the saine
time that the driver is thus working the axle K by his feet ho may apply additional
driving power to it by grasping the levers I, and moving them to and fro with the
driving seat as if he were sculling in a boat, the connecting rods H attached to
these levers I and to the cranks G being thus made to assist the rods F of the
sliding scat in throwing the cranks and driving the tricycle,
The sliding seat bringing the driver close up to the footboard D, he obtains a
thrust with his feet which gives him the full benefit of the stroke of the levers I.
When the driver desires to turn this tricycle he simply, by the pressure of one of
his feet, causes the footboard D to pivot to the right or left, whereby the proper
direction is communicated by the steering rods S to the steering wheel P, and at
the same time one or other of the driving wheels L is freed to run loose on axle K,
as herein-before described in reference to the Drawings.
The levers I may be so connected with the driving gear that they may be
removed at pleasure, and the tricycle be driven by the action of the sliding seat
only.
The sliding seat A and the levers I, or the sliding scat alone, are so connected
with the driving axle K that this axle revolves without any dead point.
I make the several parts of this tricycle of any suitable metal or material.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is or may be performed, I would have it understood that I
do not limit myself to the applications of the mechanical action of the sliding seat
to a tricycle or three-wheeled velocipede, but may apply it to the propulsion of
other kinds of vehicles on land, and to the driving of stationary or fixed machines,
in combination with the levers I, or separate therefrom, and with modifications of
driving gear suitable to each particular application; nor do I confine myself to the
particular shape or proportion of the several parts, and the precise details shown on
the Drawings, as such may be varied while retaining the principle of my Invention;

page_text: and that what I claim as secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent is,―
Firstly. The adaptation, substantially as described, of the mechanical action of
the sliding seat for propelling vehicles on land and for driving fixed engines.
Secondly. In combination with the sliding seats the use of levers worked by
hand, substantially as and for the purpose herein-before specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Abbot, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Third day of September, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven.
THOMAS ABBOT. (L.S.)