IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TRICYCLES OR OTHER SIMILAR MACHINES
Year: 1882

page_text: E
LETTERS PATENT to James Gow Smith, of Eccles, in the County of Lancaster,
for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TRICYCLES
OR OTHER SIMILAR MACHINES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Gow Smith at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th February 1882.
IMPROVEMENTS IN
JAMES GOW SMITH of Eccles in the County of Lancaster
THE CONSTRUCTION OF TRICYCLES OR OTHER SIMILAR MACHINES."
This Invention relates to the construction of tricycles or other similar machines
and is designed to enable the rider to uso both hands and feet at the same time in
propelling the machine in order to obtain greater power and speed.
The Invention consists principally in lengthening the rods of the pull handles
and attaching them by connecting rods to the cranked shaft of tho machine. This
may be effected in a variety of ways according to the different constructions of
machines in use but as an example I will here describe the Invention as applied
to what is known as the "Dreadnought" tricycle.
On each end of the cranked axle is fixed a short crank arm to the end of which
is jointed a connecting rod which is attached to the handle rod. This handle rod
slides up and down in bosses or bearings in brackets attached to the framing of
the machine; the right hand or steering handle slides through a pinion which is
keyed thereto, through a groove in the rod; this pinion acts upon the steering
wheel in the usual manner. Thus it will be seen that both hands and fect act
upon the pedals at the same time which has the effect of greatly increasing the
power of the machine which is particularly useful in ascending' hills.
It will be evident this arrangement may readily be disconnected from or
connected to the cranked axles when required and can be driven separately or
combined with the podal action.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said James Gow Smith in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
8th August 1882.
JAMES GOW SMITH of Eccles in the County of Lancaster.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF TRICYCLES OR OTHER SIMILAR MACHINES."
This Invention relates to the construction of tricycles or other similar machines
and is designed to enable the rider to use both hands and feet at the same time in
propelling the machine in order to obtain greater power and speed.
The Invention consists principally in lengthening the rods of the pull handles
and attaching them by connecting rods to the cranked shaft of the machine.
This may be effected in a variety of ways according to the different constructions
of machines in use, but as an example I will here describe the Invention as applied
to what is known as the "Dreadnought" tricycle.
The construction and application of my Invention will be readily understood
on reference to the annexed Drawing and the following explanation thereof.
Fig. 1. in the Drawing is a longitudinal section of the machine through the
line A-B. in Eig. 2. and Fig. 2. is a transverse section of the same through the
line C.-D. in Fig. 1. a, a being the main frame, b, b the main axle c, c the side
wheels, d, d'the steering wheel and c, e the crankshaft.
On each end of the cranked axle is fixed a short auxiliary crank arm ƒ ƒ to the
end of which is jointed a connecting rod g, g which is attached to one of the handle
rods hh.
These handle rods slide up and down in bosses or bearings i, i in brackets
attached to the framing a, a of the machine: the right hand or steering handle h
slides through a pinion k, which is fitted with a key working in a groove in the
rod, or the lower part of the rod may be squared as shown in the Drawing; this
pinion acts upon the steering wheel d, d in the usual manner.
Thus it will be seen that both hands and feet act upon the crank-shaft c, e at
the same time which has the effect of greatly increasing the power of the machine,
which is particularly useful in ascending hills.
It will be evident that this arrangement may readily be disconnected from or
connected to the cranked axles when required, and can be driven separately or
combined with the pedal action.
For example; the crank arms instead of being keyed on or otherwise rigidly
attached to the ends of the crankshaft, may be connected thereto by means of a
ratchet and pawl or a friction clutch, so arranged that the up and down motion of
the handles will assist in turning the cranks, but the revolution of the crank shaft
will not communicate any up and down motion to the handles so that the latter
will always remain stationary excepting when the rider requires their assistance in
driving the machine.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical
effect I wish it to be understood that I claim as my Invention
Connecting the pull handles of a tricycle or other similar machine to the crank-
shaft or to the pedal lovers by connecting rods in such a way that the rider can at

page_text: any time work the cranks by hand, and thus assist in driving the machine
whenever additional power is required.
In witness whereof I the said James Gow Sinith have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Fourth day of August in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty two.
JAMES GOW SMITH. (L.S.)