IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TRICYCLES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Benjamin Arthur Joule, of Sale, in the County of Chester,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TRICYCLES."
Sealed the 6th December 1878, and dated the 28th September 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Benjamin Arthur Joule at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th September 1878.
BENJAMIN ARTHUR JOULE, of Sale, in the County of Chester.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TRICYCLES."
"
IMPROVEMENTS
This Invention relates to the construction of that class of tricycle wherein a single
driving wheel is employed behind and two steering wheels in front.
$1
The seat for the rider is placed immediately above the driving wheel, so that his
weight assists the hold" of the driving wheel on the ground and prevents it
slipping, which is an essential point, especially in ascending hills.
The driving cranks are keyed (or forged) on the main or hinder axle, both on the
same side of the centre, so that they throw together.
They are connected by rods to the upper end of two vertical oscillating levers,
the centre of motion of which is on the maiu framing above the front axle. The
upper ends of these levers are level (or nearly so) with the hands of the rider when
seated, and are caused to oscillate to and fro so as to impart rotary motion to the
cranks by means of a hand rail, which the rider grasps with both hands, the outer
ends of the said rail being connected by horizontal side rods to the upper ends of
the levers.
It will thus be evident that by alternately pushing forward and pulling backward
the said hand rail (assisted by a rocking motion of the body as in rowing) the rider
will give an oscillating motion to the levers, and these, by means of the connecting
rods and cranks, will give a continuous rotary motion to the crank axle and driving
wheel.

page_text: The steering of the tricycle is effected solely by the feet, as follows:-
The front axle carrying the two steering wheels (which are by preference of
smaller diameter than the driving wheel) capable of turning a definite distance
to the right or left on a vertical pivot attached to the frame. On each side of the
footboard is a lever pivotted on the frame, and having on its upper end a treadle.
The lower ends of these two levers are connected by cords or other suitable
appliances to the front or steering axle, one on each side of the central pivot, and
thus by means of his feet the rider can either keep the front axle parallel with the
driving axle, and thus cause the machine to travel in a straight line, or by advancing
either foot he can steer the machine either to the right or left as he may desire.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Benjamin Arthur Joule in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th
March 1879.
BENJAMIN ARTHUR JOULE, of Sale, in the County of Chester.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TRICYCLES."
"IMPROVEMENTS
ور
This Invention relates principally to the construction of that class of " tricycles"
wherein a single driving wheel is employed behind and two steering wheels in the
front, but it may also be adapted to machines with two wheels on the hind axle and
one or two steering wheels in front.
For the sake of illustration I will now describe the Invention as applied to a
tricycle with one driving wheel on the hind axle and two steering wheels on the
leading axle.
In the accompanying Drawing, in which similar letters of reference indicate like
parts, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved velocipede, Fig. 2 is a plan view of
the same, and Fig. 3 is a partial front view showing more clearly the arrangement
of the steering axle.
The seat a, a, for the rider is placed almost immediately above the driving
wheel b, b, so that his weight assists the "hold" of the driving wheel b, b, on the
ground and prevents it slipping, which is an essential point, especially in ascending
hills..
The driving cranks c, c, are keyed (or forged) on the main or hinder axle d, d,
both on the same side of the centre, so that they "throw" together.
They are connected by rods e, e, to the upper end of two vertical oscillating
levers ff, the centre of motion of which is at g on the main framing h, h, above
the front axle i, i. The upper ends of these levers f. f, are level (or nearly so) with
the hands of the rider when seated, and are caused to oscillate to and fro so as to
impart rotary motion to the cranks by means of a hand rail k, k, which the rider
grasps with both hands, the outer ends of the said rail being connected by horizontal
side rods l, l, to the upper ends of the lever f, f.
It will thus be evident that by alternately pushing forward and pulling backward
the said hand rail k, k, (assisted by a rocking motion of the body, as in rowing) the
rider will give an oscillating motion to the levers f, f, and these, by means of the
connecting rods e, e, and cranks c, c, will give a continuous rotary motion to the
crank axle d, d, and driving wheel b, b.
The steering of the tricycle is effected solely by the feet as follows:-
The front axle i, i, carrying the two steering, wheels m, m, (which are by pre-
ference of smaller diameter than the driving wheel) is capable of turning a definite
distance to the right or left on a vertical pivot n, n, attached to the frame h, h.
On each side of the footboard o, o, is a lever p, p, pivotted on the frame h, h, and
having on its upper end a treadle q, q. The lower ends of these two levers P, P,
are connected by cords 7, r, or other suitable appliances to the front or steering
axle i, i, one on each side of the central pivot n, and thus by means of his feet the
rider can either keep the front axle i, i, parallel with the driving axle d, d, and thus
cause the machine to travel in a straight line, or by advancing either foot he can
steer the machine either to the right or left as he may desire.
.8, 8, is a box to contain luggage, &c. The footboard o, o, is also made to lift on a
hinge, and beneath it is a small box for oil can, tools, or other like articles.
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,―
First. The combination of the handle k, k; side rods 1, l; levers f, f; connecting
rods e, e; cranks c, c; axle d, d; and driving wheel b, b, whereby the rider is
enabled to drive the velocipedes by a rowing motion of the body and arms.

page_text: Secondly. I claim the combination of the treadles q, q, and levers p, p, and cords
or rods r, r, whereby the rider is enabled to steer by means of his feet, and,--
Thirdly. I claim the combination in one machine of the before-described pro-
pelling and steering devices, substantially as herein-before set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Benjamin Arthur Joule, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
B. A. JOULE. (L.S.)