IMPROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES
Year: 1885

page_text: I, JEFFERSON W. MATTESON of Hebron in the County of Potter and State of
ennsylvania, one of the United States of America, Mechanic, do hereby declare
he nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES, and in what manner
he same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
y the following statement :-
naminds in the improvements herein.
I, JEFFERSON W. MATTESON of Hebron in the County of Potter and State of
Pennsylvania, one of the United States of America, Mechanic, do hereby declare
the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
My invention has reference to tricycles, and consists in the improvemente herein.
after described and set forth, and then sought to be specifically defined by the
claims.
In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification,
Figure 1, is a side elevation of my tricycle.
Figure 2, is a rear, and
Figure 3, a plan view of the same.
Figure 4, is a sectional detail on the dotted line X-X, Figure 3.
Figures 5, 6 and 7 are detail views, and
Figure 8 is a perspective view.
The supporting frame of the machine consists of a rod A, which is projected at its
front end to form the horizontal portions a, which terminate in the loop b, designed
to receive the shank c, of the vertical yoke B, looped at its lower end to receive the
journals d, of the guide wheel C. The rod A, is bifurcated to provide the rear-
wardly extending portions A', A", each of which depends down from the horizontal
portion a, and is then bent upward and rearward, each terminating at its rear end
in a socket e.
D, D, represent the rear carrying wheels of the structure, the hubs of which are
mounted loosely on the stub shaft d", the inner end of which shaft bears in the
adjacent socket e, and is clamped therein by means of a screw d", which pierces
said socket and bites the end of said shaft. Each hub d', is provided on its inner
face with a ratchet wheel d""" which is adapted on the forward rotation of said
wheel to engage a pawl located on an adjacent sprocket wheel f', which is mounted
loosely on the shaft d", but is held in position thereon by being retained between
said ratchet wheel d" and a plate or guard F, which is pierced by said stub

page_text: shaft d", and is provided on its inner side with a collar f", which embraces said
shaft and bears against the adjacent socket e, thereby insuring the proper lateral
position of the several parts mentioned.
An arm g, is secured on each of the rear portions of the rods A, so as to bear
against the adjacent plate F, and re-enforce the same against pressure.
A strap g', depends from each rear portion A', A", adjacent to its socket e, and is
secured at its lower end to a horizontal plate or platform G.
A brace, is secured to each of the rods A, A near the front depressed portion
thereof, and each of the said braces extends inward toward the center of the
machine for the attachment of parallel rods ', the lower ends of which are secured
to the platform G, the centers being braced by a strap h", which is looped at its
ends to embrace said rod, so as to play vertically thereon.
A section strap h", is located near the bottom of said rods so as to play vertically
thereon.
A vertical rod H, is connected to the straps h", h", as shown in Figure 2, and
terminates at its upper end in a handle """, the front face of said bar being arranged
80 as to present a vertical row of rack teeth h"""".
A sleeve I, is located upon the depressed portion of each of the sections A', A"",
as indicated most clearly in Figure 4, and each of the said sleeves is designed to
form the end bearing for a transverse shaft J, which has loosely mounted on each
end a sprocket wheel J', provided on its inner face with a hub j, having a series of
teeth j'.
A gear wheel K, is mounted on the said shaft J, immediately opposite each
vertical rack bar H, so as to mesh with the teeth thereof. A sleeve K', is located
on the shaft J, adjacent to each of the gear wheels K, and the said sleeve is rigidly
secured to said shaft by means of a set screw k', one end of said sleeve K', being
arranged to present a ratchet face " designed to be engaged by a dog k" located
in a recess in the adjacent side face of the gear wheel K, when the said gear wheel
is rotated in a forward direction.
Two vertical series of parallel rods m, m', are located between and slightly in
advance of the rods h' and each pair is provided with a transverse series of straps
m", m", arranged on said rods similar to the straps h", h", and having secured
thereto, a vertical rack bar M, the rear rack face of which meshes with a gear
wheel N, mounted loosely on the shaft J, and designed to rotate said shaft by
means of a central sleeve K", provided at its ends with ratchet faces n, adapted to
be engaged by pawls on the adjacent gear wheels N, when said gear wheels are
rotated in a forward direction.
A spring o, embraces one of the rods of each pair m, m', so as to maintain the
straps of each pair about the upper portions of said rods.
The lower ends of each of the vertical rack bars M, carries a pedal O.
P, represents a stud located on the horizontal portions a, of the rod A, and
forming the pivotal bearing for a casting P', the front face of which is provided
with a series of rack teeth p, arranged in the form of an arc and adapted to mesh
with the teeth of a gear pinion P", bolted on the upper end of the shank c of the
yoke B.
The casting B', has pivoted at its rear portion, a hand lever p", which is
designed to engage one of the series of notches formed in a curved bar P", sup-
ported on the rod A, by means of a curved brace p"".
A, plate q, projects from each rod A', A", and forms the fulcrum on which to
pivot the front end of the pivot Q, provided with a pin on its under side designed
to engage one of the teeth j, in the adjacent wheel J'.
.
R, R', represent two plates which are pivoted on the upper side of the socket e,
as shown in Figure 3, and which when arranged as shown in said figure, form con-
jointly a double seat, each section R, R', being provided with a bent wire rod r, to
serve as a back for said seat. A spring brace 8, is secured at one end to the under-
side of each of the seat sections R, R', whilst its other end is perforated for the
engagement of a pin t, depending from the underside of each of the sockets e.

page_text: A suitable fastening device v, is designed to secure the seat sections together in
the positions illustrated in Figures 3 and 7.
A link chain serves to transmit motion from each wheel J' to each sprocket
wheel f'.
The operation of the device is as follows:
Two persons are each to manipulate one of the bars H, and M. It will be
obvious that as each bar M, is depressed it will rotate the adjacent gear wheels N,
so that the pawl of the same will engage the ratchet face of the sleeve K', and
revolve the shaft J, and consequently rotate the carrying wheels D, of the machine.
The successive lifting of the bar H, will effect the like rotation of the adjacent gear
wheel K, and continued revolution of shaft J, and carrying wheels D. The operator
effects the return of the bar H, to its first position by means of the handles h""",
thereof, the reverse revolution of the gear wheel K, resulting in a disengagement
of said wheel from the adjacent sleeve K', thereby preventing any reverse move-
ment of the shaft. "The springs o, effect the return of the bars N, to their first
position. Either or both of the carrying wheels may be thrown into and out of
engagement with the shaft J, and appliances by means of the levers Q, which shift
the wheels J', on the shaft J, into and out of engagement with a pin projecting
from said shaft.
It will be apparent that the machine can be easily operated by a single person,
in as much, as both feet can be readily placed upon the pedals whilst both bars H,
can be operated by the hands either of which can be released to manipulate the
lever P", so as to swing the casting and effect a partial turning of the guide wheel C,
in either direction. The guard plates F, serve as a protection against liability of
injury to the operator by contact with the revolving wheels D.
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
The combination in a tricycle, of a main frame, carrying wheels mounted loosely
upon shafts projecting from said frame, a drive shaft, a vertical bar or bars having
rack teeth, a gear wheel mounted on said shaft and clutch mechanism secured to
said shaft and adapted to be operated by said gear wheel when the same is rotated
by said bar in a predetermined direction, substantially as set forth.
2. The combination in a tricycle, of a main frame having stub shafts as described,
carrying wheels. mounted loosely thereon, a drive shaft suitably journalled at the
front of said machine and carrying a ratchet device, a gear wheel mounted loosely
on said shaft and adapted to engage said ratchet device when rotated in a forward
direction, a vertical rack bar engaging said gear wheel and guided between parallel
vertical bars and means for transmitting motion from said drive shaft to said
carrying wheels, substantially as set forth.
3. The combination in a tricycle constructed and operating as described, of a seat
consisting of pivoted sections R, R', and devices for securing said sections together,
as and for the purpose specified.
4. The combination in a tricycle constructed and operating substantially as
described, of a seat consisting of pivoted sections R, R', and spring brace secured on
the underside of said sections and pivotally attached to fixed portions of the
machine, substantially as set forth.
5. The combination in a tricycle, of a main frame carrying wheels mounted loosely
upon shafts projecting from said frame, a drive shaft, vertical parallel guide bars,
actuating rack bars located between the same, a spring for maintaining each rack
bar in a normal position, a gear wheel mounted on said drive shaft and clutch
mechanism secured to said shaft and adapted to be operated by said gear wheel
when the same is rotated by said rack bars in a predetermined direction, substan-
tially as set forth.

page_text: 6. The combination in a tricycle, of a main frame carrying wheels mounted
loosely upon shafts projecting from said frame, a drive shaft, sprocket wheels J'
mounted loosely thereon, link chains connecting said sprocket wheels to drive said
carrying wheels, gear wheels mounted on said drive shaft, ratchet sleeves rigidly
mounted on said shaft, means for throwing said sprocket wheels into and out of
engagement with the said sleeve, vertical rack bars meshing with the gear wheels
on the driving shaft and clutch mechanism adapted to permit said gear wheel to
operate said sleeves when rotated in a predetermined direction, substantially as set
forth.