IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES, TRICYCLES, VELOCIPEDES AND OTHER SUCH LIKE VEHICLES OR CARRIAGES
Year: 1884

page_text: I, FRANCIS BEAUCHAMP of Edmonton in the County of Middlesex do hereby
declare the nature of my Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES, TRICYCLES,
VELOCIPEDES AND OTHER SUCH LIKE VEHICLES OR CARRIAGES" and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement reference being had to the accompanying
Sheet of Drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
The first part of my Invention has for object the construction of tricycles or
velocipedes in such manner that they may be easily collapsed or folded when it is
desired to pass them through doorways or other comparatively small openings or
places, or to pack them into a comparatively small compass. For this purpose I
connect the two side frames A. A of a tricycle or velocipede (see Figure 1 of the
Drawings) by one or more connecting rods B pivotted or hinged at each end, as
at CC, to suitable bosses D D formed or fixed on the two side frames A A. The
connecting rod B has by preference a boss E in the centre thereof to receive the
spindle for carrying the saddle. The front wheel is carried by prolongations A' A¹
of the side fraunes A A bent round at right angles to such side frames, which
prolongations are connected together by a socket and tenon joint F with a pin or
screw G passing transversely through the same, or by a rod passing through the
said prolongations and screwed up by a nut, or they may be connected by any
other suitable or convenient means. The axle H H' is made in two parts connected
together by a joint H² shown to enlarged scale and in section in Figure 14, in
which H. H show the ends of the two parts of the axle which require to be
connected together, I is a tongue piece or key secured in or formed with the end
of the part H and taking into a slot formed in or across the end of the other
part H, J is a collar formed on the end of the part H, and K is a screwed
part secured to or formed with the part H, L is a screwed socket or union
screwing on to the screwed part K and bearing against the collar J. By
screwing up the socket L the two parts H and H' are firmly connected together.
When it is desired to collapse the tricycle or velocipede, it is only necessary to
disconnect the prolongations A¹ A¹ of the side frames at the joint F and the two
parts H H of the axle at their joint, when one of the side frames may be

page_text: drawn forward in advance of the other or drawn back behind the other and more
or less parallel thereto, the connecting rod B turning on its two pivots or hinges CC
in a manner somewhat similar to that of one of the connecting bars of a parallel ruler
whereby the two sides are made to approach each other so as to occupy less width
than when in use, as shown in Figure 1B which is a diagram showing the tricycle in
the folded or collapsed position. Figure 1 shows the arrangement applied to a
tricycle or three wheeled vehicle, but it will be obvious that similar arrangements
can be applied to a velocipede or other vehicle with four or more wheels.
The second part of my Invention has for object the more efficient and economical
application and distribution of the power exerted by the rider's feet on the pedal
cranks of a bicycle, tricycle, velocipede or other such like vehicle or carriage, and
consists in causing each of the said pedal cranks to revolve on a centre which is
eccentric with the shaft or shafts which imparts or impart motion, either directly
or indirectly, to the wheels of the vehicle. The pedal crank pin takes into a
slotted crank arm fixed on the said shaft, and by these arrangements the effective
length of each of the pedal cranks is increased and diminished at various portions
of the stroke or revolutions, and greater leverage is obtained at the outward and
downward or effective portion of the stroke or revolution of the pedal crank than
it is possible to obtain with the ordinary pedal crank of the same length, and the
leverage is reduced at the inward and upward portion of the stroke or revolution,
while the circle described by the foot of the rider is no greater in this arrangement
than in that of ordinary bicycles, tricycles or velocipedes.
The
This part of the Invention is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the Drawings.
M M' are the two pedal cranks which instead of being connected as usual direct to
the shaft or shafts N N carrying the pitch chain pulleys 0 0' are connected
respectively with straps P P1 encircling and capable of turning on discs or
rings QQ which are fixed to the side frames A. A with their centres eccentric to
the centres of the pitch chain pulley shafts N N¹. R and R' are slotted crank
arms formed on or secured to the shafts N N¹ respectively and the pins S S¹ of
the two pedal cranks M M' take into the slots T T of these crank arms.
centre of the discs or rings QQ¹ is shown in the illustration Figure 2 in a position
above the centre of the shafts N N and it may be with advantage placed
somewhat in advance of the said shafts as shown in Figure 4. In the position
of the pedal cranks shown in the said Figure 2 it will be seen that the pin S
of the pedal crank M is near the outer extremity of the slot T in the crank
arm R and therefore in the position to exert its greatest effect upon the shaft N to
which the pitch chain pulley O is connected. On the other hand the pin S' of the
pedal crank M is near the inner extremity of the slot T¹ in the crank arm R¹
and therefore in the position to exert its least effect upon the shaft N¹ to which
the pitch chain pulley O¹ is connected. When the pedal cranks have made a
semirevolution the pin S₁ of the pedal crank M will have assumed the same
position in relation to the slot T¹ in the crank arm R¹ that the pin S of the pedal
crank M is shown in the Figure as occupying with reference to the slot T in the
crank arm R, and the pin S of the pedal crank M will have assumed the
same position in relation to the slot T in the crank arm R that the pin S¹
of the pedal crank M' is shown in the Figure as occupying with reference
to the slot T in the crank arm R. It will thus be seen that during the
downward and forward part of the revolution of each pedal crank it exorts
a greater leverage through the slotted crank arm upon the pitch chain pulley
or other driving shaft than during the upward and backward part of its
revolution and that the rider obtains by this arrangement a much greater leverage
by the outward and downward movement of his foot than when using the simple
pedal crank only. This increased leverage is specially useful when going up hill
and over bad roads, and in stormy weather. The straps P P may either be
adapted to turn on their discs or rings Q Q¹ by sliding friction like an ordinary
bearing, or balls or rollers may be interposed between the straps and the discs Or

page_text: rings in a manner similar to that adopted for the ball bearings now so well known
in connection with bicycles and tricycles.
Figures 3 and 34 show a modification of the above arrangement in which the
same object is effected without the discs or rings QQ and straps P P¹ by simply
mounting the pedal cranks M and M' on one shaft which turns in a bearing on the
frame at V; the axis or centre of this shaft is placed eccentrically with reference
to that of the pitch chain pulley or other driving shafts N and N'as in the arrange-
ment above described in reference to Figures 1 and 2 and the action of the parts is
similar.
Figure 4 shows a similar arrangement applied to a bicycle; similar letters relate
to like parts in each of the Figures 1 to 4.
Instead of the slotted crank arms R R¹, a plain prismatic arm R³ (see Figures 6
and 7) may be secured to the driving shaft N and a boss or socket R3 swivelling on
the pedal crank pin S be adapted to slide on the beforementioned prismatic arm,
the action being similar to that described above in relation to the slotted crank
arm.
In Figure 4 the crank arms R R¹ are shown with straight radial slots; in
Figures 2 and 3 they are shown with the slots nearly or quite radial near the shaft,
but curved as they extend outwards from the shaft. Where the slots are straight
and radial throughout their length the two pedal crank pins and the centres of the
pedal crank axis and the pitch chain pulley or other driving shaft come in line at
a certain part of the revolution producing a dead point, but when the slots are only
radial near the shaft and are curved as they recede from the shaft, as shown in
Figures 2 and 3, the upper or leading pedal crank virtually turns the centre
before the lower or following crank reaches the centre, whereby dead points are
avoided.
Figure 5 shows a modification of the above described arrangements in which
toothed gearing is interposed between the pedal cranks and the driving shafts for
the purpose of increasing the speed of the vehicle. The pedal crank, the strap and
disc or ring, the slotted crank arm and driving shaft are respectively indicated by
the same letters of reference as in Figures 1 to 4. The disc or ring Q is fixed to
the frame as before, and the pedal crank travels in a circle the centre of which
corresponds to the centre of the said disc or ring Q. The slotted crank arm R is
mounted on an axis W which carries an internally geared wheel W' which gears
with a pinion X fixed on the driving shaft N. The other slotted crank arın R' is
mounted on a similar axis which carries a similar internally geared wheel driving a
pinion on the driving shaft at the other side of the machine, but these parts are not
seen in the Figure. It will now be understood that as the pedal cranks revolve
they act on the slotted arms R R in the same way as that described in reference
to Figures 1 to 4; these slotted crank arms cause the internally geared wheels to
revolve and they in their turn drive the pinions and driving shafts at a speed
proportioned to the ratio of the internal wheels to their pinions.
The third part of my Invention has reference to the steering mechanism and
consists in an arrangement of worm gearing and sector acting on an arm connected
by a rod to the steering arm on the steering wheel. This arrangement is illus-
trated in Figures 1 and 2. a is the steering handle the axis of which carries a
worm gearing into a worm sector c. On the axis of this sector is fixed or formed
a lover arm & which is pin jointed by a rod e to the arm f on the steering wheel g.
By turning the steering handle a in one direction or the other, the sector c is turned
upwards or downwards, the arın d is moved forward or backward, and the steering
wheel is acted on accordingly. The advantage of this arrangement over the
ordinary rack and pinion is that it acts more steadily and holds the steering wheel
more firmly in the required position, and that when the steering handle is turned
into any particular position and let go it will remain in that position until again
moved by band, as the worm gearing prevents its being moved by the action of
the steering wheel.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
claim is :-
First. The connection of the two sides of a tricycle or velocipede by a connecting
rod hinged or pivotted thereto in such manner that when the said frames
are disconnected at the parts by which they are held rigidly together when
in use, one of the said frames may be drawn forward in advance of the
other, or drawn back behind the other and collapsed or closed in nearer
thereto, as hereinbefore described, and illustrated in Figures 1 and 1" of the
Drawings, and for the purposes specified.
Second. The arrangement of the pedal cranks so as to revolve on a centre which
is eccentric to or does not coincide with the centre of the driving shaft or
shafts, the said pe lal cranks being caused to act upon crank arms, slotted or
not, connected directly or by intermediate gearing with the said driving
shaft or shafts, whereby increased leverage is obtained during the effective
portion of the stroke or revolution of the pedal cranks as compared with
that which can be obtained by the ordinary pedal cranks of the same length
heretofore in use, as hereinbefore described, and illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3,
34, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the Drawings.
Third. In the arrangement forming the subject of the second claim clause hereof,
the construction of the crank arms R R with curved slots for the purpose
of avoiding dead points in the action of the pedal cranks as hereinbefore
described, and illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 of the Drawings.
Fourth. The steering arrangement consisting of a worm on the axis of the
steering handle, gearing into a worm sector connected by arms and a
connecting rod with the steering wheel, the whole combined and acting as
herein before described, and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the Drawings.
Thi. Twelfth day of March 1884