Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 16th May, 1887.
Complete Left, 19th July, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 23rd Aug., 1887.
I, JAMES THOMAS FORD, of No. 6 Outram Road, Havelock Park, Southsea,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
This invention relates to improvements in Velocipedes, and is intended to give the
Machine the necessary stability to enable the rider to mount or dismount when
standing perfectly still, and also, if used for Military purposes to enable the rider to
use a rifle from the saddle. The machine to be constructed with a double driving
wheel standing as shewn in elevation Fig. 1 in the drawings hereto annexed. These
wheels stand at an angle sufficient to cause them to be eight inches apart at the
ground line, and close to the centre at the top, thereby giving the machine the
required stability. a. a. Fig. 1 the double driving wheels which are attached to hubs
and spindles in the usual way.
b. Figs. 1 & 3 is an ordinary universal joint for the purpose of connecting the
axles of the double wheels. c. Figs. 1 & 2 is a fork or column fitted with an
improved roller or ball bearing as shewn in Fig. 4. This bearing is fitted with 3 metal
blocks d. d. d. carrying 5 metal rollers or balls e. adjusted by the three set screws f.
As it may be necessary in some cases to give the rider the power to raise one wheel
for the purpose of turning quickly, I attach the main bearing g, Fig.6 to a plate h. by
means of a stud k which travels in a quadrant slot, and will be attached to the head by
rod and lever.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Velocipedes.
JAMES THOMAS FORD, Engineer, 6 Outram Road Havelock Park, Southsea
Portsmouth, County of Hampshire, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This Invention relates to improvements in Velocipedes and is intended to give the
Machine the necessary stability to enable the rider to mount or dismount whilst
standing perfectly still. It can also be used for Military purposes, enabling the rider
to use the field-glass or rifle from the saddle. This machine is constructed with double
driving wheels standing as shown in elevation Fig. 1 in the drawings hereto annexed.
These wheels stand at an angle sufficient to cause them to be eight inches apart at the 1
ground line, and one inch and a half each side of the centre at the top thereby giving
the machine the required stability.
A A Fig. 1 The two driving wheels are fitted with one metal hub in the centre of
each wheel instead of two as in the ordinary way the rims and tyres being smaller
than usual round the circumferance, which makes them lighter than generally used
B Fig. 3 is an ordinary universal metal coupling or joint pinned or screwed to each
spindle, which opens and closes at each revolution, owing to the spindles or axles not
intersecting in a direct line. Fig. 5 a half joint showing the pin passing through the
centre of the other with a small screw between the edge of pin and frame to prevent it
coming out (see Fig. 5 in drawing).
Fig. 3 is the sectional drawing of Coloumn fork and main bearing with universal
joint in position, Fig. 4 is a vertical side view of fork and main bearing and cap in
position with screw attached, to take the coloumn c c Fig. 3 the main bearings have
studs screwed to fit in the fork plate. In describing the sectional coloumn Fig. 1 I
purpose making the coloumn of hydraulic tubing of the required sizes securing the
same by pinning screwing or brazing them together. The head is made Bicycle
pattern and fitted with handles to guide the machine in the ordinary way which takes
the backbone centres In the inside of the head is fitted a piece of round steel (see D
Fig. 1) with a female centre which is hardened and fastened with rivets,. each side of
this round steel the tubing is dovetailed vertical with a piece fitted to slide, each piece
is screwed to receive a pin or spindle which carries a metal sheave (see E E Fig. 1)
to revolve and with handles close fitted to the sheaves and pressed upon answer as
breaks and support to the coloumn F F Fig. 2 Elevation showing the head and neck
of male centres with roller bearings these being the improved boxed roller bearings
as showen in plan Fig. 6 and are composed of hardened steel rollers five in number
revolving round the same number of pins. Each box has a hole through the bottom to
allow the head centre as in F F Fig. 2 to pass through, so as to fix it in proper
working position. The screwed female bolt centre Fig. 2 when screwed down forces
the opposite male end down in the female head centre as shown in D Fig. 1. The
7

page_text: plan Fig. 6 show the blocks or carriages made in three seperate parts with rollers
secured to each of them, and placed in a round box with three ajusting screws
tightened from the outside diameter of the head which forces the carriages or blocks
to the head centres attached to the backbone thereby reducing the friction. This
machine as two driving wheels and fitted with backbone and trail wheel which
necessarely requires to be driven simular to a Bicycle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inventio
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is―
1st. The principle of using two wheels in front and close together at the top and
open at the bottom to ensure the necessary stability in standing still to mount or
dismount or for any other purpose whatever.
2nd. The application of the universal joint to connect the spindles or axles of the
wheels and keep the cranks in their relative positions.
3rd. The method of adjusting the roller bearings where the backbone head centres
connects with the column head.