Improvements in Velocipedes.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Dec., 1887
Complete Specification Left, 27th Aug., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 9th Nov., 1888
Improvements in Velocipedes.
I CHARLES EDWIN BURTON of 149 High Street Bromley in the county of Kent
do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a novel construction of velocipede the propelling power
being augmented by the slight backward and forward motion of the seat, imparted to
it by the movement of the body of the rider simultaneously with the movement of the
treadles, such motion being effected by means of rods, cranks, wheels and chains or
some equivalent, conveniently arranged and situated for the purpose.
The seat which in this case is in form of a chair having two back legs, is mounted
above the axle of the machine, and near the centre of the driving wheels.
The two legs of the chair are connected at their lower ends by a rail or rod, in or
near the centre of the axle of the machine is a toothed or chain wheel, and below this
wheel is another of larger diameter secured by any suitable method to the lower
portion of the main tube of the machine, over these two wheels and endless chain
passes in the usual manner.
Or I can dispense with these wheels and chains and substitute therefor, cranked
axles and rods. In this case the axle of the driving wheels is cranked and
connected by rods with a similarly cranked axle below, on which the treadles are
mounted.
•
From the centre of the axle beneath the chair, and sloping to the centre of the rail
connecting the two legs is a rod or tube to which the main tube is connected.
Beneath the fore part of the chair, and connected to it by a joint is another capable
of being raised or lowered for regulating the height of the chair as may be required;
from the lower end of this rod to the leg rail another or bent rod is connected, and
from this latter another rod descends perpendicularly, the lower end of which is
connected to the propelling crank situated on one side of the lower chain wheel, and to
a slotted treadle bar or lever on the other side of this wheel, this bar is worked up and
down by the feet in opposite directions to the movements of the chair.

page_text: The treadles are capable of adjustment on the treadle bar to suit the convenience of
riders by shortening or extending them on this bar.
From the foregoing description therefore it will be understood that by the alternate
to and fro movements of the riders body, in conjunction with the motion of the
treadles, both which movements occur simultaneously, but in opposite directions the
power of propulsion is duplicated.
The brake consists of a vertical rod screw threaded to a certain distance for working
in a screw socket in the brake support, the lower end of this rod terminates in jointed
clutch jaws gripping on, or releasing a plain wheel or roller conveniently mounted on
the axle of the machine, so that by turning the brake handle to right or left, the brake
is brought into play for either gripping or releasing its hold on the fixed wheel on the
axle above alluded to.
These two jaws are united in the centre by a forked joint, and bolt, whilst at the
upper end they are united by a swivel joint and two short bars, which in turning the
brake handle are either extended cr closed for operating or effecting the grip and
release of the jaws on the wheel on the axle as above mentioned.
These jaws are or may be faced with some sort of hard wood or other suitable
substance.
The handle of the handle bar is of novel form, the object being to admit of its up
and down movement to accommodate the rider and facilitate access to the seat, and at
the same time assist his movements by drawing on it and so aiding the motion of the
chair.
Spiral or other springs are placed in some cases under the seat or seats as the case
may be when there is more than one rider, on the legs of the chair, and on the treadle
bar, which form adjuncts to the propelling powers of the machine.
The machine can be made to accommodate two or more riders sitting either side by
side, face to face or back to back.
In this latter case the backs of the seats would meet in the centre, and the treadles
would be worked in a similar manner as before stated both riders working the same
treadle bar which is extended in rear for this purpose. The position of the seats
. would be arranged so that the driving gear should be in the centre.
Dated this 1st December 1887.
A. C. HENDERSON & Co.,
46, Southampton Buildings,
Agents for the Inventor.

page_text: 1 CHARLES EDWIN BURTON of 149, High Street, Bromley in the county of Kent,
Joiner do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCI-
PEDES" and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to a novel construction of velocipede, the propelling power
being augmented by the slight backward and forward (or vice versa) motion of the
seat of a chair, or saddle, imparted to it by the movement of the body of the rider,
simultaneously with the movement of the treadles, such motion being effected by
means of rods, cranks, wheels and chains, or some equivalent, conveniently arranged
and situated for the purpose.
In the accompanying drawings a machine constructed on the principles of my
invention, is illustrated, some of the Figures also showing modifications of some of
the parts.
Fig. 1 sheet 1 is a side view of a three wheeled and front steering machine
embodying my invention one of the rear wheels removed to show the mechanism.
Fig. 2 sheet 1 is a side view of a three wheeled machine having two front
wheels and a rear or driving wheel one of the front wheels removed to show the
mechanism.
Fig. 3 sheet 1 is a side view of a machine for two riders back to back, with one
rear wheel removed.
Fig. 4 is a front view of a machine for two riders side by side.
Fig. 5, represents in detail the brake employed with the machine shown in
Fig. 2.
Fig. 6, represents a handle bar seen in detail which I employ in some cases.
Fig. 7, shows the chair in detail, this chair has a double movement so arranged that
the saddle thereon always maintains a horizontal position.
Fig. 8, represents a modification of this chair, in this case the saddle is dispensed
with.
Fig. 9, sheet 2 represents a machine with the movements of the chair and treadles
reversed or occupying a position opposed to that shown Fig. 1.
Fig. 10, shows a slight modification in the driving mechanism of the treadle.
The same letters of reference indicate like parts shown in the several Figures.
The seat is in form of a chair A, having two back legs, in some cases however the
legs are placed in front, in this case the motion is reversed as shown Fig. 10.
This chair is mounted above the axle of the machine and near the centre of the
driving wheels.
In or near the centre of the axle C, of the machine is a toothed or chain wheel E.
Figs. 1, 3, and 4; below this is another F, of larger diameter secured by any suitable
method to the lower portion of the main tube H, of the machine, over these two
wheels. E, and F, an endless chain G, passes in the usual manner.
Beneath the chair in front, and working on a pivot K, is a rod L, capable of adjust-
ment for regulating the height of the chair.
The lower end of this rod is connected to a cranked axle A¹, which also bears the
rod P,. to which the treadle lever J, is articulated.
The legs B, of the chair in Fig. 1, are shortened, and united to the rear arm of a
bell crank lever D, pivoting at D¹, on the main tube H.

page_text: To the fore arm of this lever a rod D2, is attached whose lower end is connected to
the same cranked axle A¹, on which the lower chain wheel F, is fixed, and on the
opposite side of the rods I and P.
Or I can dispense with the chain wheels E and F and chain G, vide Fig. 1, and
substitute therefor either cranked axles O, vide Fig. 2, to the rear driving wheel 72, or
in certain cases where increased speed is required I employ a sun and planet gear in
conjunction with the cranks 0, and rods.
In this Fig. 2 the machine has two steering wheels in front (one only is shown in
the drawing that the mechanism.may appear, more distinctly) and one driving wheel
in the rear Z²
The main tube H, which is forked at II³, extends from the axle and cranks O, to the
steering post D³, and turns on centres at H².
The chair A, which is also forked or having two back legs one on each side of the
rear wheel works on pivots at D.
The rod L, (which is adjustable for raising or lowering the seat is connected to the
chair A, by a joint K, and also to the lever M, by a similar joint.
The lever M, works on a pivoted joint M, on the post J, the rear end being
attached to the rod N by a joint N¹, the rear end of the rod N, being united to the
cranked axle O, at 0¹.
This lever M, works on one side of the rear wheel Z².
While the treadle bar J, which has two pedals works on the opposite side to the
lever M, of the rear driving wheel 72, pivoting at J².
The arms or posts at J³, (one set of which only is shown in the drawing are
situated one on each side of the rear driving wheel Z2, connected to the main
tube H, at J4.
One of the treadle bars J', as will be seen does not continue to the axle on one of
the sides but stops at the pivot J2, but the two treadle bars are united by a plate, bar
or stay at Xº
The treadle bar J, is connected at the rear (by a joint P¹) to the rod P, which latter
is attached by a joint 02, to the cranked axle O, therefore the rider sitting on the
saddle places his feet on the treadles at J₁, J, and presses the chair backwards at Z',
this has the effect of putting the rods L, M, N slotted cranks 0 (one on each side of
the driving wheel) rod and treadle bar J, in motion. By a continued repetition of the
to and fro motion of the body in conjunction with the up and down movement of the
treadles the machine is propelled.
The jaws of the brake R, R, as shown in detail Fig. 5 clutch on a roller S, situated
on the axle O, which works as before described by bringing the rod Q, into action by
pressing the hand lever at Q.
In Figs 1, 3 and 4 the rods M and N, are dispensed with, but situated on one side of
the lower chain wheel F, is a bent or straight bar or lever P, which latter is connected
to the lever J, on which the treadle bars J J are borne these being mounted on a rod
or spindle J, passing through the end of the arm J³, suspended to the main tube H of
the machine.
The lever J, is worked up and down by the feet in opposite directions to the move-
ments of the chair.
In Fig. 3 two of these bars P are connected to the treadle Jever J, one on each side
of the chain wheel F.
The treadles are capable of adjustment on the treadle bars J¹ J¹, for shortening or
lengthening the tread to accommodate the rider.
From the foregoing description it will be understood that by the alternate to and fro
movements of the riders body in conjunction with the motion of the treadles, both
which movements occur simultaneously but in opposite directions the power of pro-
pulsion is duplicated.
On referring to Fig. 1 it will be observed that the saddle is mounted at the rear, the
rider occupying this sent can assist the motion of the chair, by aid of the bar Z on the
chair back holding this bar in his hands he assists in pushing the chair to and fro.
The saddle in this machine can be dispensed with if so desired, by removing the

page_text: saddle bar Y (with its accessories) from the socket at the rear of the main tube H.
By this means the machine is converted to a single one.
In Figs. 1, 2, and 7 adjustable back rests Z' are made to slide either on the saddle
bar as in Fig. 1, which is lengthened and extends vertically above the saddle, or on
the chair back.
In Fig. 7 the chair back A, consists of a rod bent at the lower end at an angle, and
here the saddle bar is mounted, this portion of the chair rocks on forked or other
suitable joints Z, connected to this and the lower part of the chair.
The rider seated on the seat or saddle Y, takes hold of the horizontal bar Z with
his hands, this bar is fixed at the rear of the chair B, and assists in working it to and
fro, or rocking it, by thrusting it from him, or drawing it towards him. His feet
would be placed on rests X³, fixed to the bell crank D, which he would put pressure on
with the feet, and so assist the rocking movement of the chair B vide Fig. 1.
In Fig. 7 the seat with the rider thereon maintains nearly a horizontal position, the
lower part B only rocking to and fro.
1
The machine can be made to accommodate two or more riders sitting either side by
side vide Fig. 4, back to back as in Fig. 3, or face to face.
When back to back the
seats would meet in the centre. In this machine Fig. 3 the bars or levers J, work on
joints or pivots X³, the rods P, also working on pivots X'. These rods P, are con-
nected to the cranks F' on each side of the chain wheel F. The levers J, work up
and down in opposite directions, being connected to the back to back chair A, by the
front and rear rods L, the chair working on a pivot D. When this chair is in rocking
motion the rods L. L. move the levers J up and down, setting the cranks F¹ in motion
which are connected to the lower chain wheel F by aid of the chain G, passing over
the wheels E and F, thus the machine is propelled without the aid of treadles J¹,
these merely serving as rests to the feet-A double and three wheeled machine can be
so adapted, that one rider can drive with the pedals in front vide Fig. 9, whilst the
other works with the chair and treadles in the rear, or these movements may be
reversed. The treadle and treadle bar J are connected at one end to the driving
cranks, and at the other to the rod J5, which is suspended to the main tube H.
In Fig. 10 the action of the chair is shown reversed, that is to say the legs are in
front and the rod L, in the rear, the mechanism for actuating the pedal lever J, is the
same as before. It is obvious by this arrangement that when one or other of the
riders is tired they can change their position.
The brakes may in some cases be of the ordinary description, or as shown in detail
Fig..5, in this case it consists either of a vertical or horizontal rod, screw threaded
to a certain distance for working in a screw socket in the brake support, or worked
by a lever Q, vide Fig. 2 and 5 the lower end of this rod terminates in jointed clutch
jaws R faced with some hard substance such as wood leather or other material V.
gripping on, or releasing a plain wheel or roller S, conveniently mounted on the axle
of the machine, so that by grasping the brake handle, the brake is brought into play
for either gripping or releasing its hold on the fixed wheel S, on the axle of the
machine as previously described.
If a screw and socket arrangement is employed then by turning the brake handle
to the right or left the grip or release of the brake is effected.
The two jaws R, R, are united in the centre by a forked joint T, and bolt, whilst
at the upper end they are united by a swivel or other joint, and two short bars U,
which in turning the brake handle, are either extended or closed by aid of a spring
for operating or effecting the grip or release of the jaws R, on the roller S, on the
axle as above described.
The handle of the handle bar is of novel form vide Fig. 6, the object being
to admit of its up and down movement being for this purpose provided with a loose
joint at X to accommodate and facilitate access to the seat, and at the same time
assist the rider in his movements by drawing on it.
Spiral or other springs W, are placed in some cases under the seat or seats, as the
case may be, when there is more than one rider, these are intended to assist and
steady the chair in its movements.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. The novel method of propelling velocipedes either by the combined and
simultaneous to and fro motion of a chair and pedals, these two movements being
in opposite directions, or by the simple backward and forward motion of the chair
alone, such machine being constructed to carry either one or more riders side by
side, back to back, face to face, or tandem fashion.
2nd. In a machine such as herein described and as illustrated Fig. 1, the method of
actuating the driving mechanism by connecting the rear legs B, of the chair A,
either to a bell crank lever D, oscillating in bearings D', on the main tube H, the
front of the chair being supplied with a vertical rod L, (constructed for adjustment)
connected at its lower end either to the cranked axle A¹, also bearing the rod P, to
which the lever J, is articulated, or to the jointed rods M, N, slotted bar O, rod P, and
single treadle lever J, suspended to the main tube H, I claim also the method of
constructing the chair with the two legs in front and the vertical rod in rear.
3rd. The method of mounting the treadle bars J, J', on a spindle or axis J2,
passing through and supported by a single treadle lever J.
4th. The novel construction of the brake consisting of either a vertical rod J³,
cranked to a horizontal rod Q, whose end terminates in jointed clutch jaws R, R,
faced internally with some hard substance such as wood, leather, or other suitable
material V. The said jaws being united in the centre by a forked joint T, and pin
or bolt, beyond this point the brake is furnished with a swivel or other joint and two
jointed bars U, U, which on the break handle being gripped or released produces a like
action of the jaws R, R, on a simple roller S, fixed on the axle.
5th. In machines such as herein described the method of constructing the chair in
two parts A, and B, the part A, rocking on forked or other bearings Z2, for preserving
the horizontal position of the seat at all times, being furnished with adjustable back
rests Z', 7.
6th. The method of mounting the saddle on the rod Y, adjustable for raising or
lowering it on the chair as in Fig. 7 or for mounting it on the end of the main tube
in a socket vide Fig. 1, so that it can be removed if required.
7th. The construction of the chair which may be of any desired form with either
front legs or rear legs supported and oscillating on the main tube and a vertical rod
either front or rear connected by rods and cranks to the pedal lever J, as in
Fig. 2. Or in duplicating these parts in case of a double machine as in
Figs. 3 and 4.
Sth. The method of construction admitting of one rider driving the machine with
the pedals, and the other with the chair, for which purpose the lever bar J, is
suspended to the main tube by a rod or bar J³, in front, the rear end of the bar J,
being connected to the crank as in Fig. 10.
9th. The method of construction by which the riders positions are reversed, the
treadles being in the rear and the chair in the front.
10th. The method of extending or shortening the pedal bars for different riders
by adjusting the pedals on these bars which are provided with screws and nuts for
this purpose.
Dated th: 07th 2
A. C. HENDERSON & Co.,
46, Southampton Buildings, Holborn,
Agents for the Applicant.