Year: 1897

page_text: I, AUGUSTE MARIE JOSEPH KELLER of 23-25 Rue des Serruriers Colmar,
in the Empire of Germany Merchant, 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 an improvement in cycles by means of which the
muscles of the arms and chest are to be employed for propelling the cycle so as to
relieve the muscles of the legs and of the lower part of the body. The invention
is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a view in side
elevation, and Figure 2 is a front elevation.
The steering post a carries in a cross piece ban axle c which is provided at its
ends with the two crank handles d, d. Upon the axle c, the position of which is
unalterably fixed relatively to the post a there is mounted a toothed wheel e the
rotary motion of which is transmitted by means of a chain f to a toothed wheel g.
The toothed wheel g is mounted on the axle of the front wheel and causes the
latter to rotate. The proportion between the two toothed wheels e and g is about
the same as that between the ordinary or usual toothed wheels e¹ and g¹ which are
operated by the pedals. In order to provide the upper part of the body (which
comes in action by the movement of the arms in rotating the cranks d,) with a
point of support, and also for the purpose of steering the cycle, there is arranged
upon the upwardly extending post a a cross bar on the two ends of which
stirrups are arranged which are so formed as to enable the rider to place himself
with his shoulder joints or shoulder blades into the stirrups. The front arm of the
stirrup thus bears against the shoulders, whilst the rear arm passes through underneath
the armpit. By means of these two stirrups, the upper part of the body of the
rider is supported, and his hands are at liberty. Further, by turning the body,
the bar h and with it, the steering post a are rotated, so as to steer the cycle. The
advantage of this invention consists in the fact that one sided strain on the body as
in the case with existing cycles is obviated, whilst the muscles of the arms, and
chest, and of the back are utilised to propel the cycle and are thus exercised.
Further the speed of the cycle can be increased also by this means.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
A cycle constructed for the purpose of utilising the arm power of the rider in
which there is mounted in a cross piece on the steering post an axle c which is
provided with crank handles d and which transmits its motion by means of the
toothed wheel the chain, and the toothed wheel g, to the front wheel axle,
whilst for the purpose of supporting the body and for steering the cycle, the cross
bar h which is mounted on the prolongation of the post a carries two stirrups i
which embrace the shoulder joints or shoulder blades of the rider, as set forth.
e,
Dated this 10th day of February 1997.
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E., M.I. Mech. E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Associate Agent.