IMPROVEMENTS IN PROPELLING MECHANISM FOR VEHICLES
Year: 1885

page_text: партотешение ід стороцше шосполющ
"
I, WILLIAM LLOYD WISE, of No 46 Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature
of said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PROPELLING MECHANISM FOR VEHICLES
(a communication to me from abroad by Baron Franz von Palstring, of Kötitz near
Coswig, Saxony, in the Empire of Germany,) to be as follows:-
According to this invention vehicles are propelled by the action of oblique or
inclined rods or surfaces, resting at one end upon the ground and at another part
upon the vehicle, and subject to the action of a load which tends to depress them.
The invention is principally applicable to vehicles of the velocipede type. In such
case the load applied to the inclined rods or surfaces is the weight of the rider,
who by a series of step-like motions, applies his weight alternately to two of the
said inclined rods or surfaces and thus effects the propulsion of the machine.
According to one arrangement the vehicle consists of a suitable framing provided
with two driving wheels and one steering wheel. The axes of the driving wheels
can be adjusted both vertically and longitudinally relatively to the framing by
means of screws and slots. Within the framing there are two movable rods
provided with wheels or rollers at their lower ends, and resting against other
rollers at their upper parts. The lower rollers are scored, corrugated or roughened;
they run on the road, and can rotate only in one direction. The upper rollers cau
be adjusted both vertically and horizontally to suit the convenience of the rider.
The lower parts of the inclined rods are each forkshaped, and are so connected to
the pedals that the height of the step of the rider can be adjusted at will. Upon
the extremities of the axis of each pedal there are placed elastic pads or buffers
which stop the motion at the end of the tread without shock, the pedals being
guided up to that point by sliding pieces running in slots in the framework.
Both pedals and inclined rods are connected by a belt or chain running over pulleys
so that they move simultaneously (in relation to the framing) the one advancing
as the other retreats. The one which is moving forward may be arranged to be
raised off the ground to reduce the friction if desired.

page_text: In order to increase the efficiency of the apparatus, independently of the inclined
rods the pedals are arranged on the said rods so as to be capable of turning upon
their axes, and the rods are moreover provided with pins to assist in imparting
a step-like action to the machine as if the rider were walking upon the ground.
After the rider has exerted, by means of the india rubber pads, a pressure with
his foot, such pressure can be intensified by his also exerting a small pressure with
the toe upon the pin whereby an increased action is produced.
Upon the inner extremity of the axle of the driving wheels is arranged a brake
disc which can be brought into action by means of a spindle provided with a hand
wheel. On either side of the frame is arranged a hollow rod capable of rotating
and carrying at its front extremity a disc upon which is attached a strap or chain
one extremity of which is fixed to a bar secured to the axis of the steering wheel.
This chain can be operated by two handles connected to rods moving inside the
above-mentioned hollow rods.
A movable india-rubber pad which may he replaced by a spiral spring enables
the propelling power obtained from the body of the rider to be transmitted without
shock to the apparatus, and movable stepping boards afford a support to the
rearmost foot at the end of each stroke.
The apparatus may also be provided with a removable saddle; upon which the
rider may sit when riding over hills.
The above described propelling mechanism is not merely applicable to velocipedes
and the like but also to other vehicles.
It will be evident that the method of its application may be modified in various
ways without departure from the essential features of the invention, and it is to
be noted that although in allusion to applications of this improved propelling
mechanism other features have been referred to, yet the invention intended to be
hereby claimed is restricted to propelling mechanism and its various applications.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Propelling Mechanism for Vehicles.
I, WILLIAM LLOYD WISE, of N° 46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention, (a communication to me from abroad by Baron Franz von
Palstring of Kötitz, near Coswig, Saxony, in the Empire of Germany) and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained,
in and by the following statement :—
According to this invention vehicles are propelled by the action of oblique or
inclined rods or surfaces, resting at one end upon the ground and at another part
upon the vehicle, and subject to the action of a load which tends to depress them.
The invention is principally applicable to vehicles of the velocipede type. In such
case the load applied to the inclined rods or surfaces is the weight of the rider,
who by a series of step-like motions, applies his weight alternately to two of the
said inclined rods or surfaces and thus effects the propulsion of the machine.
According to one arrangement the vehicle consists of a suitable framing provided
with two driving wheels and one steering wheels. The axes of the driving wheels
can be adjusted both vertically and longitudinally relatively to the framing by
means of screws and slots. Within the framing there are two movable rods
provided with wheels or rollers at their lower ends, and resting against other
rollers at their upper parts. The lower rollers are scored, corrugated or roughened;
they run on the road, and can rotate only in one direction. The upper rollers can
be adjusted both vertically and horizontally to suit the convenience of the rider.
The lower parts of the inclined rods are each forkshaped, and are so connected to
the pedals that the height of the step of the rider can be adjusted at will. Upon
the extremities of the axis of each pedal there are placed elastic pads or buffers
which stop the motion at the end of the tread without shock, the pedals being
guided up to that point by sliding pieces running in slots in the framework.
Both pedals and inclined rods are connected by a belt or chain running over pulleys
so that they move simultaneously (in relation to the framing) the one advancing
as the other retreats. The one which is moving forward may be arranged to be
raised off the ground to reduce the friction if desired.
In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 is a side elevation, Fig. 2 a plan, and Fig. 3
a front elevation partly in cross section of a vehicle fitted with propelling apparatus
according to this invention.
The said apparatus consists of a body or frame A constructed of suitable
material, such as wood, steel tubing or wrought steel and carried by two main
wheels and a third wheel serving as a steering wheel.
also
The axle a of the main wheels is moveable in the horizontal slots a' of the
frame A in order to allow for changes in the centre of gravity. The frame
capable of displacement in a vertical direction, the axles a resting then upon the
piece A as shewn in figs. 4 and 5. The said piece A* is provided with a vertical
slot a² in which the bolts a³ are fixed, the latter being moveable in the slut a¹ and

page_text: provided with straps or bands, so that by loosening the necessary screw, the main
wheels may be displaced either in a horizontal or in a vertical direction. The
various pieces above mentioned as well as others hereinafter to be described may
instead of being rendered moveable be arranged in fixed positions. The propulsion
by means of oblique or inclined rods is accomplished in this apparatus by the
application of the weight of the rider to the oblique rods B B. The upper parts
of each of the said oblique rods rest against a roller C while their lower parts rest
on the ground by means of the small wheels D D which have a roughened surface.
These wheels are arranged upon their axes in such a manner that they can only
turn in the direction of the arrow, fig. 6, and consequently they produce sufficient
resistance to enable the oblique rods when depressed to propel the apparatus. The
two rollers C and their axes are moveable in the arms E which can turn upon e
and likewise move in a horizontal direction in the slot e' so that the point of
application of the tread can be adjusted as required. The arms E E are prevented,
by the moveable toothed and arched rods F, F from yielding to the pressure of the
oblique rods B B against the rollers C. The lower parts of the oblique rods B B
as shewn in Figs. 2 and 3 are fork shaped and rest upon the sliding pieces of the
pedal G, an arrangement which permits of the height and the length of the steps
being regulated. Above the pedal, the oblique rods B B are adjustable lengthwise,
in order to provide for the regulation of the expenditure of power and for the
lengths of the steps. Upon the extremities of the axis of the pedal are placed the
india rubber pads g which prevent in the downward stroke, a too violent shock of
the said pedal upon the longitudinal beams of the frame A. The forked extremity
of the rod B is provided with a slot in which is secured the extremity of a pin c
the other extremity of which is likewise fixed in a slot b¹ of the longitudinal
beam A so that in their motion through the latter, the rods B may be safely
guided. The two oblique rods B B are connected together at their lower part by
means of a strap or chain passing over the guide rollers i i, so that when the rider
places his foot upon the front pedal that is to say upon the pedal which occupies
the highest position, while the other foot is at the same time raised from the rear
pedal occupying the lowest position, the rear oblique rod comes in front, while the
then front oblique rod which was at rest is now depressed and assumes a rearward
position. The oblique rods B B may also be guided through the beams A' in such
a manner, that the oblique rod which is being pushed foward may not during such
forward motion be capable of rolling by means of its wheel upon the ground, the
In order to
friction resulting from such rolling motion being thus avoided.
increase the efficiency of the apparatus, independently of the inclined rods, the
pedals G are arranged on the said rods so as to be capable of turning upon their
axes, and the rods B B are moreover provided with pins / to assist in imparting
a step like action to the machinery as if the rider were walking upon the ground.
After the rider has exerted by means of the india rubber pads a pressure with his
foot upon the beam A³, such pressure can be intensified by his also exerting a
small pressure with the toe upon the pin h whereby an increased action is produced.
Upon the inner extremity of the axle of the driving wheels is arranged a brake
disc K. which can be brought into action by means of a spindle L provided with
a hand wheel. On either side of the frame A is arranged a hollow rod M capable
of rotating and carrying at its front extremity a disc N upon which is attached
a strap or chain one extremity of which is fixed to a bar O secured to the spindle
of the steering wheel. In the hollow rod M is arranged a solid rod P provided
with a handle P¹ and capable of moving in a longitudinal direction, so that
whatever may be position of the apparatus the rod M can always be rotated, that
is to say the steering wheel can always be acted upon by means of the handle P¹.
A moveable india rubber pad P' which may be replaced by a spiral spring,
enables the propelling power obtained from the body of the rider to be transmitted
without shock to the apparatus-Upon the longitudinal beam A¹ are arranged the
moveable stepping boards R which afford a support to the rearmost foot at the end
of each stroke. The apparatus may also be provided with a removeable saddle, as

page_text: shewn in dotted lines in fig. 1, upon which the rider may sit when riding over
hills and from which he may steer the machine by means of the handle P³.
The arrangement of the inclined or oblique rods can be variously modified.
Figs. 7 to 11 show two vehicles with the inclined rods modified in different views
whilst Figs. 12-18 show in a less detailed fashion several other modifications of
the inclined or oblique rods, on its under side. It is to be understood that, in all
the Figs. 7 to 18, the upper side of the inclined rod always acts in the same manner
in propelling the machine.
Figs. 7, 8 and 9 show in side elevation, plan, and end elevation, a vehicle in
which the shaft a is free to swivel in relation to the frame A, in such a manner,
that by turning the bar X; which is furnished with handles, the vehicle can be
steered by swivelling the large wheels.
The inclined rods B each press with their top part against a pulley C, and at the
same time their bottom parts (which may either be blunt or pointed) rest on the
ground, in order that the weight of the body, transmitted by means of pedals G,
may propel the apparatus.
:
In order to restore the inclined rods B to their former positions, at the end of a
step or stroke two levers B³ are used, each of which is at its free end loosely con-
nected by suitable means to one of the inclined planes. These levers are fixed on
the shaft B2 in such a manner that when the pressure is taken off the pedals the
spirals which surround this axle, bring the levers B³ back into their raised attitude,
so that the inclined rods are lifted back into their former position without touching
the ground.
Another arrangement for bringing back the inclined rods, which work against
the ground, is given in Figs. 10 and 11. The inclined rods B are here shown as
connected with the elastically constructed arms of double levers B5, which have
free movement in bearings on the bar B' in the frame A and are each loaded at the
other end with a weight, by means of which, the inclined rods, when the pressure
is taken off the pedals, are pushed back into their former positions. The rods are
at the same time lifted off the ground by the springs in the double lever.
Figs. 12-18 of the drawings show in diagrammatic representation, several
arrangements of the inclined rods, by means of which a very great propelling
force can be attained.
In Fig. 12 the inclined rod B is connected by means of a rod d¹ with a double
lever d² which is free to oscillate in bearings at 1 in the frame A.
The other arm
of this lever is connected by a slot with a double lever d³ pivotted to the frame
at 2 and carrying the pedal Ġ at one end. On pressure being applied to the pedals,
the inclined rod B is forced against the ground by the rod d, and presses then
against the pulley C.
One
In Fig. 13, a pedal lever fi pivotted at 3, is connected at one end with a double
lever pivotted at 4. This latter is connected with the inclined rod B. Under-
neath the pedal lever f' a second double lever f³ is fixed in bearings at 5.
arm of this lever is loaded with a moveable weight, whilst the other arm carries a
small pulley which rests against the inclined rod. When the pedal lever f¹ in its
descent strikes the end of the lever f³ this latter lifts the inclined rod, which is
then brought back to its former position by means of the weighted end of the pedal
lever f¹.
In Fig. 14 the pedal G is fixed to the inclined rod B, and the lower end of the
latter is connected to a wheel g¹ in such a way, that it has a propelling effect on
the apparatus during the descent of the inclined rod. This wheel g₁ therefore cannot
make more than an oscillation of about 90° backwards and forwards.
In Fig. 15 the inclined rod B does not engage with the wheel g¹ directly, but
with the intermediate wheel h¹, which transmits by means of band or chain the
rotation to the wheel h³, which is fixed on the same axis as g¹.
Instead of transmitting the motion from the inclined rod by means of the
wheels h¹ h² to the axis of the wheel g¹, such motion can be transmitted according
to Fig. 15 to the axle of the big wheels, whereby g¹ becomes the steering wheel.

page_text: '
In Fig. 16 the inclined rod B is connected with a crank ¹, which transmits the
motion to the wheel g¹, by means of band or chain pulleys.
The inclined rod B is actuated by a rod 23 which is fixed to the pedal lever i².
Instead of the band or chain pulleys in Fig. 15 and 16, toothed wheels may of
course be employed also. In Fig. 17 the inclined rod B, which is furnished with a
pedal, has an elastic support on the spring n', and presses with its top part against
the pulley C, whilst its bottom part is guided by the pulley C¹. In Fig. 18 the
inclined rod B is constructed as a wheel. On the axle of this wheel is a crank O¹
which is pivotted to the pedal lever 0³.
·
The wheel axle is also connected with the frame A by a joint 0³ so that when
pressure is applied to the pedal G, the wheel B has a pushing action against the
pulley C and thus propels the apparatus.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
i 1. Propelling apparatus for vehicles on wheels or runners comprising an oblique
or inclined rod or rods or surface or surfaces the arrangement being such that the
propelling power acting upon the said oblique or inclined end or surface or ends or
'surfaces in such a manner that the same (or each) in its alternate or successive
motion is supported at one extremity either directly or indirectly upon the ground
while its other extremity presses against the apparatus to propel it.
2. In apparatus such as referred to in claim 1 the arrangement of the lower
'extremities of the oblique or inclined rod or rods or surface or surfaces, which at
the upper end rest against the vehicle to propel it, in the form of wheels, capable
of turning in one direction only substantially as shewn in figs. 1 to 6.
3. In apparatus such as referred to in claim 1 the arrangement of the lower
extremities of the oblique or inclined rod or rods or surface or surfaces which at
'the upper end rest against the vehicle to propel it as blunt or pointed ends
substantially as indicated in figs. 7 to 13.
:
4. The use of a spring or springs in connection with weights for replacing or
returning the inclined rods to their initial position after the pressure against them
has ceased, substantially as described.
5. The use of pedal levers in connection with the incline rod or rods substantially
as described.
6. In propelling apparatus of the kind referred to in claim 1, the combination of
the frame A mounted upon running wheels and a steering wheel, in which the
point of support a as well as the point of support e can be arranged so as to be
adjustable with the moveable oblique surfaces or inclined rods B B the lower
extremities of which are bifurcated and which are guided in their motion through
slots 6 of the beam A¹ and are supported on the ground by means of the wheels D
their upper extremities resting against the roller C.
7. In combination with the arrangements mentioned in claim 1 the pushing off
mechanism H h and the foot support R.
8. In a vehicle propelled by the means referred to in claim 1 the india rubber
or spiral spring P which when pressed by P¹ assists the forward motion of the
apparatus.