Year: 1878

page_text: "
I GEORGE SINGER of Coventry in the County of Warwick seck leave to amend
the specification of Letters Patent, No. 4265 of 1878, as shown in red ink in
the copy of the original specification hereunto annexed :-
Page 4 lines 27 to 31 to strike out the whole of the sentence commencing "This
arrangement" down to the word "bicycle."
"
<
To strike out the whole of line 32 same page.
"
Line 42 to strike out the letter 8 "the figure "2" and the word "and."
Line 44 to strike out the word "as."
Line 45 to strike out the following "in the arrangement shown at Figure 2."
Line 52 to alter the word "is" to as.
"
"
Page 5 line 8 to strike out the word " suitable" and to substitute therefor the
word "similar."
Same page line 27 after the word "I" and before the word "claim" to insert
the following "am aware that it has heretofore been proposed to propel veloci-
pedes by means of levers and links connected to the fork and to the crank in
a manner somewhat similar to that herein before described but not in connection
"with an inclined fork having the centre line of its steering centres meeting the
ground at that part of the wheel's circumference that touches the ground as
"herein before described with reference to Figs 1, 3, 4, 5, 67 and 8. I"
*
Same page line 32 to strike out the figure " 2."
To strike out the whole of the second claim.
Line 38 to strike out the word "Third"" and to substitute therefor the word
Second."
And to strike out Figure 2 of the drawings.
My reasons for making this amendment are as follows:-
:-
That I have been advised that it is doubtful if I can support those parts of the
Specification which are now struck out.

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Singer, of Coventry, in the County of Warwick,
for the Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH BICYCLES,
"
TRICYCLES, AND OTHER VEHICLES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Singer at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th October 1878.
GEORGE SINGER, of Coventry, in the County of Warwick.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
AND CONNECTED WITH BICYCLES, TRICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES."
Heretofore bicycles have been constructed with the bearings of the front wheel
in a straight line or nearly so with the steering centres, and if it were desired to
add to the safety in riding by inclining the fork backwards the proper control of
the steering was destroyed. Now according to my Invention I bend the fork in
such a manner that whatever inclination backwards is given to the fork the centre
line of the steering centres will meet the ground at that part of the wheel's circum-
ference that touches the ground. I thus obtain great safety and also control over
the steering, even though the inclination of the fork backwards be 12 inches or
more.
I transmit power to the driving wheel of a bicycle by pivotting a lever upon the
crank pin and I connect this lever with the fork or other suitable part of the
bicycle by a rod link or other suitable contrivance; the other end carries the
pedal its position being behind the centre of the wheel enabling the rider to sit in
a line above the pedal although some distance behind the centre of the wheel. This
mode of transmitting the power may be applied in various manners some of which
cause the foot notion to be circular or elliptical.
The next part of my Invention applies to tricycles and other velocipedes in which
two of the wheels are side by side (one or both being driven) and connected by an
axle. Heretofore tricycles have been made with their wheels fixed at a certain
distance apart and without the means of readily altering that distance. According
to this Invention I make the axle carrying the two side wheels of a tricycle in two
main parts one being a hollow axle with the wheel fixed on it and the axle for the
other wheel to fit and slide in it. When in the required position they may be
secured together. by lock nuts or other suitable means. To ensure the stability of
the movable axle when the wheels are drawn apart I form it in two parts by hinge
joints or screwing together or other suitable means so that when the tricycle is
contracted the movable joint of the movable axle will fold up outside or be removed,
and when the wheels are drawn together it will be contained within the hollow
axle and afford a long bearing; a sliding socket may be fitted on the outside of
the hollow axle to stiffen or support the inner axle.
I prevent the spokes of bicycles and other velocipedes from coming loose after
being adjusted as follows:-I divide the flange of the hub or nave in the direction
of its circumference into two parts which are capable of being tightened together
by screws or other means; when the spokes are adjusted the screws are tightened
so as to jam the spokes contained between them, or I may use a ring in two halves
fitting on the hub flange and nipping the spokes contained in between the two
halves.

page_text: To enable the foot rest of a bicycle or tricycle to fold closely to the fork of the
machine, and to be readily and safely brought into use when required I employ a
folding foot rest similar to those commonly used on bicycles but I make it to lie
closely against the side of the front fork and a small sliding piece with bevilled
ends.is.introduced beneath the part folded-on-the-fork. The foot of the rider can
be pressed on the top end of the sliding-piece-and the upper bevilled-end operates
on the foot rest which at once expands sufficiently for the rider's foot to press it
entirely open. When the foot is removed the foot rest rises pressing upward the
sliding piece by coming in contact with the lower bevilled end. According to
another mode-I-employ_a_double-jointed foot rest of a shape somewhat similar to
that heretofore usual on bicycles; the upper joint when closed projects from the
fork sufficiently to enable the rider to press it downward with his foot by which
means the lower joint is pressed-outwards and the foot finally rests on the upper
joint which is supported by the lower one; when the foot is removed a spring
causes the whole to resume its position against the side of the fork.
Hitherto the springs of bicycles have been attached to the backbone by means of
a pin, on which they have been hinged. The spring has also been made with the
hinge formed on it projecting on either side of the backbone. The objection to this
is that the pin and joint wear rapidly and become loose, and that the width of the
joint or hinge of the spring prevent the turning of the front fork of the bicycle as
far as required. To obviate this I form a circular horizontal recess in the front end
of the backbone extending through about 2/3 of the width in depth the top edge
of this recess is nearly level with the top side of the backbone at that part; in the
remaining part of the backbone not cut away by the recess a hole is made into
which a small stud may be screwed. The end of the spring is formed with a pro-
jecting piece underneath it corresponding with the recess in the backbone in
diameter and about half the length of the recess; a pin or stud is used the head
of which also fits the recess and is also about half its length; the remainder is
turned down smaller, and goes through the projection under the spring and screws
into the hole at the bottom of the recess. Thus the spring is prevented from
moving sideways and as it rests on the head of the pin and on the backbone it is
not liable to rapid wear; its total width does not exceed that of the backbone thus
enabling the fork to be turned well round while by screwing up the stud the slack
by wear is taken up. 1 sometimes cut the recess quite through the backbone and
make a corresponding projection on the under side of the spring. The spring may
also be adjusted when worn by placing a cap or projecting piece so that it bears on
the upper side of a boss formed horizontally on the spring and secured by screws or
other suitable means.
I fix the crank on bicycles and tricycles so that it may be easily detached when
required; for this purpose, instead of the usual parallel hole I use a conical circular
hole in the crank, and form the axle conical to suit; a key or feather prevents the
crank from turning on the axle and a screw bearing against the outside of the
crank and screwing into the end of the axle forces it tightly on the cone, or the hole
may be square or other suitable shape so as not to turn on the axle.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filod by
the said George Singer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 24th April 1879.
GEORGE SINGER of Coventry in the County of Warwick. IMPROVEMENTS IN
AND CONNECTED WITH BICYCLES TRICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES,"
"
Heretofore bicycles have been constructed with the bearings of the front wheel
in a straight line or nearly so with the steering centres, and if it were desired to
add to the safety in riding by inclining the fork backwards the proper control of the
steering was destroyed. Now according to my Invention I bend the fork in such
a manner that whatever inclination backward is given to the fork the centre line
of steering centres will meet the ground at that part of the wheel's circumference:
that touches the ground. I thus obtain great safety and also control over the
steering even though the inclination of the fork backwards be twelve inches or
Diore.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawing is a diagram in illustration of how the
centre line of the steering centres meets the ground at that part of the wheel's
circumference which touches the same; a shows in dotted lines this central line
and this same letter a indicates the corresponding line in all the illustrations which
follow where the same is admissable.
I transmit power to the driving wheel of bicycles by pivotting a lever upon the
crank pin and I connect this lever with the fork or other suitable part of the
bicycle by a rod, link, or other suitable contrivance so that the pressure of the foot
is exerted upon the crank pin without the intervention of a connecting rod or link;
the other end of the lever carries the pedal its position being behind the centre of
the wheel enabling the rider to sit in a line above the pedal although some distance
behind the centre of the wheel. This mode of transmitting the power may be
applied in various manners some of which cause the foot motion to be circular or
elliptical. This arrangement-of-driving-power-can-also-be-applied-to-an-ordinary
bieyele-having-little-or-no-"-rake-"-in-which-ease the saddle may be moved-back-
wards-and-the-handles only of the--bieyele bent backwards to enable the rider
to-obtain-the-proper-position-of the-body-while greater-safety-would be obtained
than-in-the-ordinary-bieyele.
Figure-a-shows-how-this-is-carried-into-effect.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of a bicycle with my improvements according to one
modification as before described applied thereto. b is the lever pivotted upon the
crank pin c and connected at one end to fork d by a lever rod e f is the pedal
behind the centre of wheel, as shown and at the other end of the lever b a shews
in dotted lines the central line as seen in the diagram Figure 1.
Figure 4 shews a portion of the fork, and the lever b jointed to the said fork by
an adjustable socket b₁ as shewn the said lever b being free to slide up and down
therein.
Figure 5 is a side elevation of a bicycle where a similar result is obtained as that
from the arrangements shewn at Figures--and 3 but in a somewhat modified way.
bis the lever with pedal f at one end and e the lever rod at the other connected to
fork d by bracket to which latter the rod c is jointed instead of to the fork direct as

page_text: in the arrangement shewn at Figure 2. The fork d is bent near its lower end
where it receives the crank axle.
which
Figure 6 is a side elevation of another modification shewing the lever b jointed
to the fork by lever rod c and in connection with crank pin c by the bar
may be adjustable-on-the-lever-b
to the
Figure 7 shews the lever-b-in-connection by crank e and bracket
upper end of fork d to the axle by crank pin c and by crank as before the fork
being curved at lower end as is shewn to bring it up to the crank axle.
Figure 8 shews the lower end of fork d carried down below the lever b the end
of the lever opposite the pedal being connected to fork by lever rod e. The axle is
connected to fork d by a bolt as shown.
The next part of my Invention applies to tricycles and other velocipedes in which
-two-of-the-wheels-are-side-by-side (one or both being driven) and connected by an
axle. Heretofore tricycles have been made with their wheels fixed at a certain
distance apart and without the means of readily altering that distance. According to
this part of my Invention I make the axle carrying the two side wheels of a tricycle
in two main parts one being a hollow axle with the wheel fixed on it and the axle
for the other wheel to fit and slide in it. When in the required position they may
be secured to ether by lock nuts or other similar suitable meaus. To ensure the
stability of the movable axle when the wheels are drawn apart I form it in two
parts by hinge joints or screwing together or other suitable means so that when
the tricycle is contracted the movable joint of the movable axle will fold up outside
or be removed, and when the wheels are extended it will be contained within the
hollow axle and afford a long bearing. A sliding socket may be fitted on the
outside of the hollow axle to stiffen or support the inner axle.
Figure 9 is a longitudinal section of an axle made according to my Invention for
tricycles and other velocipedes having two wheels alongside one another in its
extended form Figure 10 shews the same closed up Figure 11 shews also in longi-
tudinal section the movable axle with hinged or jointed strengthening piece out
of the hollow axle and hanging at the side and Figure 12. shews the same extended
is the hollow axle fixed to wheel ik movable axle carrying wheel ; sliding in
asle and set screw for securing the two together in any desired position
according to the distance the wheels are to be apart m Figures 11 and 12 shews
the strengthening piece jointed to the movable axle and hanging when not in
use at the side of wheel as shewn at Figure 11 or it may be arranged so as to be
removed altogether if required.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed I declare that I am aware that it has heretofore been
proposed to propel velocipedes by means of levers and links connected to the fork
and to the crank in a manner somewhat similar to that hereinbefore described
but not in connection with an inclined fork having the centre line of its steering
centres meeting the ground at that part of the wheel's circumference that touches
the ground as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs 1 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8,
I claim-
First. The construction and arrangement of the fork and treadles of bicycles so
that the rider can sit behind the centre of the driving wheel and that without
diminishing the control of the rider over the steering and driving power all sub-
stantially in the manner herein-before described and illustrated with reference to
Figures 13 4 5 6 7 and 8 of the accompanying Drawings together with any
mere modification thereof.
Second. The arrangement of driving apparatus by which the pressure of the
foot-is-exerted-upon-the-erank-pin-without-the-intervention of a-connecting rod-or
link-substantially-as-described-and-illustrated-with-reference-to-Figures 9-3-4-5-6
7-and-&-of-the accompanying Drawings.
Second Third. The construction and arrangement of the axles of tricycles and
other velocipedes having two wheels with the same axis in such manner that their

page_text: distance may be reduced or increased at pleasure all substantially in the manner
herein-before described and illustrated with reference to Figures 9 10 11 and 12 of
the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof I the said George Singer have hereunto set my hand and
seal this Twenty-fourth day of April in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-nine.
GEORGE SINGER. (L.S.)

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Singer, of Coventry, in the County of Warwick;
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH BICYCLES,
TRICYCLES, AND OTHER VEHICLES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Singer at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th October 1878.
GEORGE SINGER, of Coventry, in the County of Warwick. IMPROVEMENTS IN
AND CONNECTED WITH BICYCLES, TRICYCLES, AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES."
"
i
Heretofore bicycles have been constructed with the bearings of the front wheel
in a straight line or nearly so with the steering centres, and if it were desired to
add to the safety in riding by inclining the fork backwards the proper control of
the steering was destroyed. Now according to my Invention I bend the fork in
such a manner that whatever inclination backwards is given to the fork the centre
line of the steering centres will meet the ground at that part of the wheel's circum-
ference that touches the ground. I thus obtain great safety and also control over
the steering, even though the inclination of the fork backwards be 12 inches or
more.
I transmit power to the driving wheel of a bicycle by pivotting a lever upon the
crank pin, and I connect this lever with the fork or other suitable part of the
bicycle by a rod, link, or other suitable contrivance; the other end carries the
pedal, its position being behind the centre of the wheel, enabling the rider to sit in
a line above the pedal, although some distance behind the centre of the wheel. This
mode of transmitting the power may be applied in various manners, some of which
cause the foot motion to be circular or elliptical.
......

page_text: The next part of my Invention applies to tricycles and other velocipedes, in which
two of the wheels are side by side (one or both being driven) and connected by an
axle. Heretofore tricycles have been made with their wheels fixed at a certain
distance apart, and without the means of readily altering that distance. According
to this Invention Imake-the-axle-carrying-the-two-side-wheels-of-a-tricycle-in-two
--main parts, one-being a hollow-axle with the wheel fixed on it, and the axle for the
other wheel to fit and slide in it. When in the required position they may be
secured together by lock nuts or other suitable means. To ensure the stability of
the movable axle when the wheels are drawn apart I form it in two parts by hinge
joints, or screwing together or other suitable means, so that when the tricycle is
contracted the movable joint of the movable axle will fold up outside or be removed,
and when the wheels are drawn together it will be contained within the hollow
axle and afford a long bearing. A sliding_socket_may_be_fitted-on-the-outside-of-
the hollow axle to stiffen or support the inner axle.
I prevent the spokes of bicycles and other velocipedes from coming loose after
being adjusted as follows:-I divide the flange of the hub or nave in the direction
of its circumference into two parts, which are capable of being tightened together
by screws or other means. When the spokes are adjusted the screws are tightened
so as to jam the spokes contained between them; or I may use a ring in two halves
fitting on the hub flange, and nipping the spokes contained in between the two
halves.
To enable the foot rest of a bicycle or tricycle to fold closely to the fork of the
machine, and to be readily and safely brought into use when required, I employ a
folding foot rest similar to those commonly used on bicycles, but I make it to lie
closely against the side of the front fork, and a small sliding piece with bevilled
ends is introduced beneath the part folded on the fork. The foot of the rider can
be pressed on the top end of the sliding piece, and the upper bevilled end operates
on the foot rest, which at once expands sufficiently for the rider's foot to press it
entirely open. When the foot is removed the foot rest rises, pressing upward the
sliding piece by coming in contact with the lower bevilled end. According to
another mode I employ a double-jointed foot rest of a shape somewhat similar to
that heretofore usual on bicycles. The upper joint when closed projects from the
fork sufficiently to enable the rider to press it downward with his foot, by which
means the lower joint is pressed outwards, and the foot finally rests on the upper
joint, which is supported by the lower one. When the foot is removed a spring
causes the whole to resume its position against the side of the fork.
Hitherto the springs of bicycles have been attached to the backbone by means of
a pin, on which they have been hinged. The spring has also been made with the
hinge formed on it, projecting on either side of the backbone. The objection to this
is that the pin and joint wear rapidly and become loose, and that the width of the
joint or hinge of the spring prevent the turning of the front fork of the bicycle as
far as required. To obviate this I form a circular horizontal recess in the front end
of the backbone, extending through about 2/3 of the width in depth; the top edge
of this recess is nearly level with the top side of the backbone at that part. In the
remaining part of the backbone not cut away by the recess a hole is made, into
which a small stud may be screwed. The end of the spring is formed with a pro-
jecting piece underneath it corresponding with the recess in the backbone in
diameter, and about half the length of the recess. A. piu or stud is used, the head
of which also fits the recess, and is also about half its length. The remainder is
turned down smaller, and goes through the projection under the spring and screws
into the hole at the bottom of the recess. Thus the spring is prevented from
moving sideways, and as it rests on the head of the pin and on the backbone it is
not liable to rapid wear. Its total width does not exceed that of the backbone, thus
enabling the fork to be turned well round, while by screwing up the stud the slack
by wear is taken up. I sometimes cut the recess quite through the backbone, and
make a corresponding projection on the under side of the spring. The spring may
ر

page_text: also be adjusted when worn by placing a cap or projecting piece so that it bears on
the upper side of a boss formed horizontally on the spring, and secured by screws or
other suitable means.
I fix the crank on bicycles and tricycles so that it may be easily detached when
required. For this purpose, instead of the usual parallel hole, I use a conical circular
hole in the crank, and form the axle conical to suit. A key or feather prevents the
crank from turning on the axle, and a screw bearing against the outside of the
crank and screwing into the end of the axle forces it tightly on the cone, or the hole
may be square or other suitable shape so as not to turn on the axle.

page_text: centre line of the steering centres meets the ground at that part of the wheel's cir-
cumference which touches the same. a shows in dotted lines this central line, and
this same letter a indicates the corresponding line in all the illustrations which
follow where the same is admissable.
I transmit power to the driving wheel of bicycles by pivotting a lever upon the
crank pin, and I connect this lever with the fork or other suitable part of the
bicycle by a rod, link, or other suitable contrivance, so that the pressure of the foot
is exerted upon the crank pin without the intervention of a connecting rod or link.
The other end of the lever carries the pedal, its position being behind the centre of
the wheel, enabling the rider to sit in a line above the pedal, although some distance
behind the centre of the wheel. This mode of transmitting the power may be
applied in various manners, some of which cause the foot motion to be circular or
elliptical. This arrangement of driving power can also be applied to an ordinary
bicycle having little or no " rake," in which case the saddle may be moved back-
wards, and the handles only of the bicycle bent backwards to enable the rider
to obtain the proper position of the body, while greater safety would be obtained
than in the ordinary bicycle.
Figure 2 shows how this is carried into effect.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of a bicycle with my improvements according to one
modification, as before described, applied thereto. b is the lever pivotted upon the
crank pin c, and connected at one end to fork by a lever rod e; f is the pedal
behind the centre of wheel, as shown; and at the other end of the lever b, a shews
in dotted lines the central line, as seen in the diagram, Figure 1.
Figure 4 shews a portion of the fork, and the lever b jointed to the said fork by
an adjustable socket b¹, as shewn, the said lever b being free to slide up and down
therein.
Figure 5 is a side clevation of a bicycle where a similar result is obtained as that
from the arrangements shewn at Figures 2 and 3, but in a somewhat modified way.
bis the lever with pedal f at one end, and e the lever rod at the other, connected to
fork & by bracket d', to which the rod e is jointed, instead of to the fork direct, as
in the arrangement shewn at Figure 2. The fork dis bent near its lower end
where it receives the crank axle.
Figure 6 is a side elevation of another modification, shewing the lever b jointed
to the fork by lever rod e, and in connection with crank pin c by the bar 9. which
may be adjustable on the lever b.
Figure 7 shews the lever b in connection by crank e¹ and bracket to the
upper end of fork d to the axle by crank pin c, and by crank as before, the fork
being curved at lower end is shewn to bring it up to the crank axle.
Figure 8 shews the lower end of fork d carried down below the lever b, the end
of the lever opposite the pedal being connected to fork by lever rod c. The axle is
connected to fork d by a bolt, as shewn.

page_text: The next part of my Invention applies to tricycles and other velocipedes, in which
two of the wheels are side by side (one or both being driven) and connected by an
axle. Heretofore tricycles have been made with their wheels fixed.at a certain
distance apart, and without the means of readily altering that distance. According to
this part of my Invention I make the axle carrying the two side wheels of a tricycle
in two main parts, one being a hollow axle with the wheel fixed on it, and the axle
for the other wheel to fit and slide in it. When in the required position they may
be secured together by lock nuts or other suitable means. To ensure the stability
of the movable axle when the wheels are drawn apart I form it in two parts by
hinge joints, or screwing together or other suitable means, so that when the tricycle
is contracted the movable joint of the movable axle will fold up outside or be
removed, and when the wheels are extended it will be contained within the hollow
axle and afford a long bearing. A sliding socket may be fitted on the outside of
the hollow axle to stiffen or support the inner axle.
Figure 9 is a longitudinal section of an axle made according to my Invention for
tricycles and other velocipedes having two wheels alongside one another in its
extended form; Figure 10 shews the same closed up; Figure 11 shews also in lon-
gitudinal section the movable axle with hinged or jointed strengthening piece out
of the hollow axle, and hanging at the side; and Figure 12 shews the same extended.
h is the hollow axle fixed to wheel i; k, movable axle, carrying wheel j sliding in
axle h; and l, set screw for securing the two together in any desired position,
according to the distance the wheels are to be apart; m, Figures 11 and 12, shews
the strengthening piece jointed to the movable axle k, and hanging when not in
use at the side of wheel, as shewn at Figure 11; or it may be arranged so as to be
removed altogether if required.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,
First. The construction and arrangement of the fork and treadles of bicycles so
that the rider can sit behind the centre of the driving wheel, and that without
diminishing the control of the rider over the steering and driving power, all sub-
stantially in the manner herein-before described and illustrated with reference to
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the accompanying Drawings, together with any
mere modification thereof.
•
Second. The arrangement of driving apparatus by which the pressure of the foot
is exerted upon the crank pin without the intervention of a connecting rod or link,
substantially as described and illustrated with reference to Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
and 8 of the accompanying Drawings.
Third. The construction and arrangement of the axles of tricycles and other
velocipedes having two wheels with the same axis in such manner that their distance
may be reduced or increased at pleasure, all substantially in the manner herein-
before described and illustrated with reference to Figures 9, 10, 11, and 12 of the
accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Singer, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Twenty-fourth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-nine.
GEORGE SINGER. (L.S.)