IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF VELOCIPEDES, INCLUDING CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE GEARING WHEELS, ALARMS, SPANNERS, ROLLER BEARINGS, & WHEELS BELONGING THERETO, WHICH MAY BE USED INDEPENDENTLY."
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry John Lawson at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd June 1878.
HENRY JOHN LAWSON, of London Road Viaduct, Brighton, in the County of
Sussex, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF VELOCIPEDES, INCLUDING
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE GEARING WHEELS, ALARMS, SPANNERS, ROLLER
BEARINGS, & WHEELS BELONGING THERETO, WHICH MAY BE USED INDEPENDENTLY."
My Invention consists of certain improvements whereby advantages are obtained
as compared with the methods and arrangements usually employed in velocipedes
and their gearing wheels, spanners, roller bearings, alarms, and wheels. It relates
to the construction of tricycles in such a manner that the steering wheel is situated
behind, and the two larger (or generally termed driving) wheels in front, a back-
bone connecting them; the fulcrum for the lever for foot propulsion in front of the
rider. The backbone and other parts of the machine are all so arranged as to place
the material edgeways. The main crank is also turned by hand levers, the steering
being effected by the handle which turns round on its axis from right to left, and
the attachment rod being at the centre of fulcrum. The arrangement facilitates the
rendering of the machine double for two riders, with an extra set of levers for a
lady to use. The levers are attached by means of connecting rods to a secondary
axle, on which are arranged cog or toothed wheels in three different speeds. The
lever which changes the speeds may be removed at will and used as an ordinary
spanner, the adjustment being effected by a piece of metal, snail shaped, and attached
to side.
Instead of the secondary axle, the same may be performed with the main crank
by making it fixed or free to turn independently in wheel by means of a coned cup
in the side of hub, and a piece of metal sliding on the crank to accurately fit the
same. This latter arrangement can be worked by the guiding handle to assist in
mounting hills, &c.
The break is an ordinary spoon fitted with a number of rollers, and may be
applied to both wheels at once by a connection with rod, chain, or suitable
equivalent; a similar snail piece to that on the said wrench also being added to
gain leverage if necessary.

page_text: In the use of a saddle for this machine I propose adding to the block which is
covered with india-rubber four small flat rods with holes, and screws to fit the same,
swinging backwards and forwards so as to be adjustable to any part. Over the
top or rider I propose adding a cover to sheld him from the weather, the same
folding together at will. A rotary motion can also be added and connected to the
cranked shaft by means of rods, or their equivalents, effectually, by means of extra
crank placed at right angles to the rest and rod. To the machine is attached a
blade or blades of thin steel, which is acted upon at the will of the rider by pro-
tuberances set in motion by the wheels, causing it to ring and act as an alarm.
Beteen the axles and bearings rollers are placed, kept apart by slotted rings, which
are connected firmly and form a skeleton case. The rollers are tapered and form centres
at the extremities, revolving in the slots in rings and in grooves turned in the axle
and case; these grooves are rendered adjustable by means of combs. The rims of
the wheels are constructed of T iron or steel, the spokes, which are oval or flat,
being attached in nave by means of nipples or other equivalents at each end; the
rubbers are shaped nearly half round to suit the rims. A covering of suitable
material is also portably applied to cover in the spokes from the wind.
As will be easily observed, most or all of these improvements are applicable to any
other forms of velocipede, including bicycles, suitable alterations, for convenience,
being made.
The plan of placing the material edgeways gives great additional strength and
lightness by means of a doubled backed bone, so made as well as in other parts.
The construction of an adjustable fork is facilitated, as also a trycicle and
bicycle in one machine, the foriner being arranged by a swinging back fork, rendered
rigid at various angles, and the latter by the diverging of the said backbone so as
to take either two wheels or one at pleasure by means of a jointed axle.