An Improved Method of Propelling Velocipedes, Parcel Carts, and similar Machines or Vehicles by means of Hand Levers, which are also used for Steering the Machine.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Oct., 1892-Accepted, 21st Jan., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Propelling Velocipedes, Parcel Carts, and
similar Machines or Vehicles by means of Hand Levers, which
are also used for Steering the Machine.
I, LOUIS ALFRED WESTWICK of West Hill Drive, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire,
Architect and Surveyor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
My invention consists of an improved method of propelling velocipedes used on
land or water, including bicycles, tricyles, parcel carts, and all similar machines, or
vehicles by means of levers to be worked by the hands, and which are also used to
steer such machines.
This method of propelling velocipedes &c. is intended to be used as an addition
to the ordinary means of propelling such machines by the feet-or may be used
alone.
As will be seen on reference to the drawings attached hereto,
Fig. 1. Sheet 1. shews my appliance attached to an ordinary safety bicycle.
The handles or levers work on the cross head at A. A. and are independent of
each other, the distance between A. and B, or length of handle, being much greater
than the distance between A and C. A large amount of lifting power is obtained
at C. points C. C, are connected by rods X. to pins working in V slides at D. D.
From D. D. are connecting rods F. F. to chain wheel.
The motion of handles A. B. causes the chain wheel to make half a revolution,
and (if the chain wheel be the same diameter as the one to which the pedal cranks
are attached) this action, by means of the chain G. gives the front wheel, the same
motion as the back wheel, which is worked by the feet.
The front wheel is fixed in a forked head, working in sockets, as in the case of
ordinary machines, and is steered by a side motion of the lever handles, acting on
the cross head A. A.
Fig. 2. on Sheet 2. shews the front wheel of a bicycle as seen when standing in
front of the machine, with my combined lever and steering handles.
Fig. 3. on Sheet 2. shews a plan of front wheel, with my appliance attached as
before.
Fig. 4. on Sheet 2. shews a plan of the front wheel as before, but with the
addition of a fixed handle, for use when mounting, or when running down inclines,
if required.
The V slides D. D. may be omitted if desired, and the ends of levers C. C. be
connected directly with the chain wheel E, or the V slides may be replaced by
cylinders, in which the rods X would form the piston rods.
The head, above the fork for front wheel is bent from Z. to A. by which means,
the ends of levers C. C. work directly over the chain wheel E. and which, with the
cross head A. A. renders the steering of the front wheel very easy.
The levers may be made to work to follow the motion of the pedal cranks, or with
an intermediate motion, as desired.
By means of my appliance a much greater speed can be obtained, with less bodily
exertion, than is possible on any velocipede hitherto introduced.
The motion of the body, when working a machine, in which my appliance is
combined with the ordinary pedal motion, is much more natural, and healthy, than
when the machine is worked by the feet alone.
A machine, fitted with my appliance only, is better adapted for the use of persons
who have lost a leg or legs, than any yet introduced.

page_text: Machines fitted with my appliance only, are more suitable for the use of females,
than machines driven by the ordinary pedal motion.
Machines fitted with my appliance require no break, as the motion of the levers
can be easily controlled by the rider.
:
When my appliance is used in conjunction with the ordinary pedal motion, each
motion being entirely distinct, the dangers and inconvenience arising from a broken
chain are entirely avoided.
By means of my appliance, the process of climbing hills is rendered much easier,
than is the case with the ordinary pedal motion alone.
By lengthening the handles between A and B. and increasing the diameter of the
chain wheel-almost any speed may be obtained—and as the lifting power at C. C.
would be increased directly in proportion as the length of the handles A. B. it
follows, that the longer the handles A. B. the less the power required to drive the
front wheel.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is :-
"A new and improved method of propelling velocipedes used on land or water,
including bicycles, tricycles parcel carts, and all similar machines, or vehicles, by
means of levers to be worked by the hands, and which are also used to steer such
machines."
Dated this 12th day of October 1892.
LOUIS ALFRED WESTWICK.