IMPROVEMENTS IN SOCIAL ATTACHMENTS FOR BICYCLES
Year: 1885

page_text: "s
I, JOHN ALEXANDER KIRK residing at No 903, Fourth Street in the City of
Washington, District of Columbia and United States of America, gentleman, do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN SOCIAL
ATTACHMENTS FOR BICYCLES," and in what manner the same is to be performed
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention has for its object the provision of a monocycle and devices for
connecting the same with bicycles.
The terms monocycle and bicycle are herein used in the following senses:-
bicycle, indicating a two wheeled vehicle, provided with a suitable frame-work,
saddle, steering and driving mechanism, the little wheel being located either in
front or at the rear of the large or driving wheel, while monocycle is intended to
indicate a single wheel having a suitable frame work, seat or saddle and with or
without driving mechanism.
Heretofore tricycles have been constructed in such a manner that they could be
transformed into machines adapted for the use of a single rider or operator or for
use and operation by two or more riders which latter form has become to be known
as a "social machine" but I am not aware of any instance of the assemblage with
a bicycle of a monocycle in order to render it a " social." I am aware that the drive
wheel of a bicycle has been provided with a duplicate saddle and driving mechanism
and that two bicycle drive wheels, have been arranged in line with each other and
connected by a common back bone each of the drive wheels being provided with a
saddle and driving mechanism but I am not aware of any instance of the detachable
connection at the side of a bicycle of a monocycle, and my invention consists
broadly in the means whereby such a result is secured.
My invention further consists in certain features of construction hereinafter
described and specifically set forth in the claims.
Referring to the drawings
Fig 1 is a side elevation of a social bicycle constructed in accordance with my
invention.
Fig 2 is a front elevation of the same and
Fig 3 a modification the construction illustrated by Figs 1 and 2 being an
adaptation of my invention to the well known "Star" bicycle and that in Fig 3
being its adaption to a vertical fork machine.
Fig 4 is an enlarged detail of the clamp.
Like letters indicate like parts in all the figures.
A represents the drive wheel, B the saddle C the treadles, D the backbone and
E the small wheel of a bicycle, all of the elements being of the usual construction

page_text: and the steering rod tube of the "Star" is considered as a part of the backbone of
the frame work of said machine.
The monocycle as herein illustrated comprises the main wheel F, a vertical fork G,
a back bone H supporting a seat I the backbone and fork being connected by a
suitable frame work or braces J. A guard K is placed over the wheel F and
supported in that position by means of a frame work and the fork. A foot rest L
is arranged on the back bone on the front end of a platform M. which may or may
not be employed, and if desired the foot rest may be placed or adjustably secured
at any desired point on the back bone as shown by dotted lines at N. The back
bone is extended laterally as at H¹ for connection to the back bone D of the bicycle
while a brace O is extended from the backbone and near the seat standard I¹ to a
suitable portion of the frame work of the bicycle as for instance to that extension
of the frame work about on a line with the axle to which one of the levers C is
pivoted, or said brace may be extended in a substantially horizontal direction from
the back bone H to one of the uprights C¹ of the frame work as shown by dotted
lines O¹.
These braces in connection with the contact of the monocycle wheel with the
ground gives three points of support which are all that are essentially necessary to
maintain the monocycle in an upright position, and so as to be carried along with
the bicycle as a social attachment whereby a person may ride the monocycle, while
another person may ride the bicycle and propel both.
Although it is not absolutely essential yet, it is preferable that the connections
of the braces with the monocycle and bicycle should be pivotal and I therefore
show one form of such connections at H2 the backbone H being constructed as an
eye and connected to a hinged clasp H³ having lugs H through which a pin H5
passes thereby constituting a hinge joint, the clasp itself being of any desired
construction adapted to be opened so as to be passed around the back bone D and
to be securely bound thereon by any suitable means, as a screw or bolt H, Although
thus specifically describing the construction of the connections, I do not wish to
be limited to the exact details set forth as any attaching devices pivotally connected
with the back bone and braces will perform the function, specified as preferable.
With this pivotal connection of the monocycle with the bicycle curves are more
easily and gracefully taken by reason of the mutual inclination of both machines.
To add further strength I may employ a brace P running from the platform M
to an upright P¹ arranged as a part of the frame work of the bicycle, said brace P
being adapted at its upper end to embrace the standard P¹ and to reciprocate thereon
between two stops P₁ formed on the standard.
Although not essential the monocycle may be provided with driving mechanism
of any desired character for instance with a pawl and ratchet mechanism con-
nected by a cord band strap or chain Q¹ to suitable treadle levers in which
case both riders may assist in propelling the machine Any suitable devices for
adjusting the elevation of the seat I or any suitable spring for the same may be
employed In this instance I illustrate handles R arranged in proximity to the
seat I and so I may employ other well known accessories for comfort and
safety.
In adapting my invention for use with a vertical fork machine the back bone H
is at its forward end lengthened so as to be connected either with the fork C or it
may be with the back bone beneath the saddle B the lateral bend H¹ permitting the
side movements of the wheel A when steering the machine, In this instance the
back bone H is extended rearwardly with the lateral bend H¹ which is connected
with the backbone D at a point near the small or rear wheel of the machine (see
Fig 3 it being a rear view). By this locality of the points of connection and
arrangement of the back bone, which is similar to the arrangement and performs the
functions of the braces I am enabled to provide most, if not all of the popular forms
of machines with a "social attachment" and in the case of vertical fork machines
I may construct the forward lateral bend H¹ telescopically as shown at H8 in order
to adapt it for use with machines of varied heights a set screw HP serving to retain

page_text: the parts in position after adjustment. Although I have shown the monocyle
slightly in rear of the centre of the drive wheel of the bicycle yet I do not limit
my invention in regard to their relative position in this respect but may alter said
position within the limits of the diameter of the wheel, preferring that the position
of the monocycle should be at the side of the bicycle and near the centre of its
drive wheel.
If desired a monocycle may be attached to each side of a bicycle in order that
three persons may jointly use the machine and for this purpose the bent
portions H H of the back bone of the monocycle can be turned to the right or to
the left.
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. The combination with a bicycle of a monocycle and of devices for maintaining
the latter in operative position at the side of the former substantially as
specified.
2. The combination with a bicycle and a monocycle, of suitable braces extending
from the frame-work of the one to that of the other and arranged to maintain the
two machines side by side substantially as specified.
3. The combination with a bicycle of a monocycle a portion of the frame work
of which is pivotally connected to the frame work of the bicycle and of braces
pivotally connected at their ends with the frame works of both machines sub-
stantially as specified.
4. The combination with a bicycle of a monocycle having independent driving
mechanism and connecting devices for maintaining the monocycle at the side of the
bicycle substantially as specified.
5. The combination with a bicycle of a monocycle the back bone of which is
extended and bent laterally and pivotally connected with the back bone of the
bicycle substantially as specified.