IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Carl Beger, of Berlin, in the Empire of Germany, at
present residing at Percy Street West, in the County of Middlesex, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Carl Beger at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd December 1881.
CARL BEGER, of Berlin, in the Empire of Germany, at present residing at Percy
Street West, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES."
This Invention relates to improvements in the arrangement and construction of
velocipedes actuated and guided by manual power.
For this purpose the main axis which supports the rider is divided or formed in
two parts, each part being formed with a crank or its equivalent, and actuated by
the rider independently of each other, so as to steer the vehicle in the direction
required, forwards or backwards to the right or left.
Travelling wheels are mounted on the outer ends of the divided axle, the inner
ends of the axles being supported in bearings mounted upon a curved or bent bar,
which is carried by or swings upon the divided axle.
The bent bar supports and carries a seat and foot board for the rider, who is
thus mounted pendulum fashion and buoyed in an upright position.
.
A back bar or bars may be applied to give support and rigidity to the parts if
required.
Supporting arms (with or without wheels) may be applied either to the back or
front to prevent the rider from falling backwards or forwards.
This improved velocipede may be constructed to carry two or more persons if
desired.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Carl Beger in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd June
1882.
CARL BEGER, of Berlin, in the Empire of Germany, at present residing at Percy
Street West, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES.”
This Invention relates to improvements in the arrangement and construction of
velocipedes actuated and guided by manual power.
For this purpose the main axis which supports tho rider is divided or formed in
two parts, cach part being formed with a crank or its equivalent, and actuated by
the rider independantly of each other, so as to steer the vehicle in the direction
required, forward or backward to the right or left.
Travelling wheels are mounted on the outer ends of the divided axle, the thinner
ends of the axles being supported in bearings mounted upon a curved or bent bar,
which is carried by or swings upon tho divided axle.
The bent bar supports and carries a seat and foot board for the rider, who is
thus mounted pendulum fashion and buoyed in an upright position.
A back bar or bars may be applied to give support and rigidity to the parts if
required.
Supporting arms (with or without wheels) may be applied either to the back or
front to prevent the rider from falling backwards or forwards.
This improved velocipede may be constructed to carry two or more persons if
desired.
Figure 1 of the Drawings shows a front view of a velocipede constructed with
these improvements, and Figure 2 a side elevation of same. The main axis is
formed, as before explained, in two parts, A and B, with cranks A', B', formed
therein, and so adapted that the rider can actuate each by hand independently of the
other; C, C, are travelling wheels secured respectively on the half axles A and B; D
is a curved or bent bar of sufficient strength and rigidity to carry the rider and his
seat without bending. This bar carries a pair of bearings E, E, in which the half
axle A turns, and another pair F, F, in which the half axle B turns. G is a seat and
foot board secured to the bar D, and H is a supporting arm extending arm extending
backwards or forwards, or both, to prevent the rider from falling backwards. This
arın may be furnished with a wheel I or not as preferred.
It will be readily understood that a rider occupying the seat G will be able to
turn the crank A¹, and consequently the wheel C, with his right hand, and the
crank B' and wheel C' with his left hand, either both in one direction at the same
or different speeds, in order to propel and steer the velocipede, or in opposite
directions to turn it round.
Figure 3 of the Drawing shows a front view of a velocipede constructed in a
manner similar to that above described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, but with
the addition of a crank shaft J adapted to turn in bearings K, K, formed in
prolongations of the curved or bent bar D. This crank shaft J is placed in such a
position with reference to the seat G that the person occupying the latter can
actuate the cranks of the crank shaft J with his feet at the same time that he
actuates the cranks A', B', with his hands.
The crank shaft J is connected with the crank axles A and B by means of
toothed gearing L by pitch chains or other suitable means, so that the action of the
feet on the cranks of the shaft J can be made to assist the action of the hands on
the cranks A¹, B', in turning the wheels C, C¹. Or the hands only or the feet
only may be employed, as preferred,

page_text: It will be understood that if the shaft J is in one piece, and is geared to both
the axles A and B, the wheels C, C, must both turn together, and one or other of the
ordinary means of steering must be provided, but if the shaft J is only geared to
one of the axles A or B, or is itself formed in two parts, the steering may be
effected by turning the wheels C, C, at different speeds or in opposite directions.
Figure 4 is an elevation of Figure 3, and Figures 5 & 6 are respectively plans
of Figures 1 and 3.
Similar letters of reference relate to like parts in all the Figures of the Drawings.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention and the manner in
which the same is to or may be carried into effect, I would have it understood that
what I claim is,-
C
First. The employment in velocipedes of the main axle divided or formed in two
parts, each with a crank or its equivalent, whereby the travelling wheels can be
actuated by hand each independently of the other, as hereinbefore described and
illustrated in the Drawing hereto annexed and for the purpose set forth.
In velocipedes the combination of the divided main axle A, B, with the curved
or bent bar D carrying the seat for the rider, arranged and adapted as hereinbefore
described and illustrated in the Drawings hereto annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Carl Beger, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Twenty seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord Ono
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.