Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Jan., 1887
Complete Left, 25th Oct., 1887
Complete Accepted, 25th Nov., 1887
F
I GEORGE JAMES CHAPMAN London Road, Enfield Town N., Civil Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:―
My invention relates to the general arrangement and steering of Bicycles.
The objects of my invention are to assist the rider's control over the steering of
rear driving bicycles with the aid of the feet as well as the hands by steering the
driving wheel; and also by steering both wheels to cause the back wheel to follow
the front wheel continuously in the same track, the latter method permitting the
bicycle to be used by a lady rider.
In Fig. 1 I construct a bicycle in which the driving wheel a is steered by means
of a steering rod and fork a¹ containing steering centres pointing approximately to
Attacher to the steering rod
the point of contact of the wheel with the ground.
and fork a' is a bracket a² from which the driving gear is operated by the rider's.
feet. The front wheel bis attached to a fork and backbone 6 which latter is connected
by means of a neck with centres to the aforesaid steering rod a¹. To the backbone b¹
is fixed an adjustable bracket to support the saddle over the wheel a.
This arrangement allows the driving wheel and steering rod to be moved inde
pendently of the front wheel and saddle.
In Fig. 2 I construct the bicycle in which the front wheel c is connected to a
fork c and steering rod c² to which is attached vertical centres about midway between
the wheels. The driving wheel d is connected by a fork d to a head which receives
Below the head d¹ is fixed
the centres attached to the fork c¹ and steering rod c².
a bracket from which the driving gear is operated by the rider's feet. Above the
fork d is fixed a bracket and the saddle.
In some cases however I prefer to extend the front fork c¹ beyond the vertical
steering centres and to attach to the former the seat bracket at the same time
I fix the steering rod to the head and rear fork d¹.
In the last method therefore the fork with the steering rod
hinged to the fork of the front wheel and saddle instead of as in
fork with steering rod and front wheel being hinged to the fork
gear and seat.
and driving gear is
the former type the
carrying the driving

page_text: The arrangement shewn in Fig. 2. and the modification of same permits the two
wheels to be simultaneously deflected which not only steers the bicycle but causes
the back wheel to follow the front wheel continuously in the same track, and is also
adapted for a lady rider by slightly increasing the distance between the steering rod
and seat.
Where preferable I form the steering rod in two parts and connect same by
toothed pinions links or other equivalent which gives reverse action to each part.
This has the effect of causing the handle bar portion of the steering rod to be operated
in the same direction as when the front wheel is steered instead of the driving
wheel.
Dated this 10th
1007

page_text: I GEORGE JAMES CHAPMAN 32 Pembury Avenue Tottenham Engineer do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to the general arrangement and steering of Bicycles, and
similar vehicles.
The object of my invention is to assist the riders' control over the steering of
rear-driving bicycles and similar vehicles with the aid of the feet as well as the hands
by steering the driving wheel.
My improved system is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which
Figures 3 & 4 and 5 & 6 represent alternative arrangements of rear driving bicycles
& tricycles which allow the driving wheel or wheels and steering rod to be moved
independently of the front wheel and saddle.
In Figures 3 & 4 and 5 and 6 I construct bicycles and tricycles in which the driving
wheel (or wheels) a is steered by means of a steering rod and fork a¹ containing
steering centres pointing approximately to the respective points of contact of the
wheels a and with the ground. Attached to the steering rod and fork a¹ is a
bracket a from which the driving gear is operated by the rider's feet. The front,
wheel (or wheels) is attached to a fork and backbone 6 which latter is connected
by means of a neck with centres to the aforesaid steering rod at. To the backbone b¹
is fixed an adjustable bracket to support the saddle over the wheel a.
Where preferable I form the steering rod in Figs. 3 and 5 in two parts, and connect
same by toothed pinions links or other equivalent which gives reverse action to each
part. This has the effect of causing the handle bar portion of the steering rod to be
operated in the same direction as when the front wheel is steered instead of the
driving wheel.
I wish it understood that I abandon that portion of my Provisional Specification
which is described in reference to and illustrated by Figure 2 therein.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is-
1. In rear-driving bicycles the arrangement which permits of the driving wheel and
steering rod or handle bar being moved independently of the front wheel and saddle
for the purposes specified.
2. In rear-driving tricycles the arrangement which permits of the driving wheel or
wheels and steering rod or handle bar being moved independently of the front wheel
or wheels and saddle for the purposes specified.
G. J. CHAPMAN.