IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TRICYCLES
Year: 1882

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Arthur Henry Alldridge at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th October 1882.
ARTHUR HENRY ALLDRIDGE, of 54 Edward street, Parade, Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, Manufacturer, "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
TRICYCLES,"
The objects of my said invention are to so construct tricycles that they may be
capable of being folded up, or reduced in width, when it is desired to reduce the
space which they occupy, for purposes of transport or packing up, and when not in
use; and to improve some of the fittings thereto as herein after mentioned.
I provide and fit to folding tricycles a transverse sliding bar, the centre whereof
is suitably secured to the main framing, and the clip which secures such bar has a
provision made thereto in such a manner that the seat for the Rider can be more
advantageously placed than hitherto, for the purpose of imparting additional
driving power or leverage.
The above mentioned sliding bar may be of any suitable sectional form to fulfil
the purpose of its construction being square, hexagonal, elliptical, triangular,
circular with a feather or with a groove, or otherwise formed.
The side frames, which are made to slide upon the bar, are fitted with spring
jaws or clips which fit the bar when screwed up, and are capable of freely sliding
thereupon, when not screwed up. The ends of these jaws or clips are fitted with
bolts and nuts, or their equivalents, for the purpose of forcibly drawing them
together when the tricycle is being prepared for use; and when it is necessary to
pack up the tricycle these nuts are slacked and the side frames are caused to slide
along the bar towards each other.
My improvements also relate to the bearings and revolving wearing surfaces, which
I construct with A or U shaped raised surfaces or collars upon the axles of the
wheels, or spindles, and also upon the pedal cranks; and the bearings which are
attached to and fit upon such collars have V or U shaped grooves therein, fitting
such collars in such a manner as to greatly reduce the wearing surface and
consequently the friction, the remaining surfaces of the spindles and bearings being
so made as not to be in contact with each other.
Lastly, my improvements relate to a novel mode of constructing the cranks and
crank pins, in order to afford greater facilities for attaching the same to the crank

page_text: arms. In the boss at the end of the crank arm I cut a square hole,, and I form the
end of the spindle square to fit such hole. I also fit in the boss of the crank arm
n spring pin, the spindle having a suitable hole for this pin to enter, when fitted.
The pin therefor keeps the spindle in its place, and prevents its removal until
the pin is drawn out of the spindle by its head which projects beyond the boss of
the crank arm. The pin is prevented from falling out of the boss by a spiral
spring which surrounds a portion of it in a suitable recess, and tends to press it
inwards.
My said improvements are especially applicable to folding tricycles, but some of
such improvements may be advantageously applied to other tricycles of various
forms and construction.