IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1882

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edmund Hugh Hodgkinson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th October 1882.
EDMUND HUGH HODGKINSON of Wimpole Street in the County of Middlesex,
'IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES"
My invention relates to improvements in velocipedes and more especially in
regard to those in which all the weight is carried on the one large driving wheel
as described in the specification of my former Patent No. 1256 dated March 24th.
1880.
The fork of the front guiding wheel instead of turning in the front "backbone"
now fix in it and cause a portion of the "front bone" itself to turn coupling it
with the large driving wheel as before described but in an improved manner by
means of a short side lever and ball and socket or other suitable joints which allow
for the curved motion and are more easily tightened when worn. It can have also
regulating screws for adjusting the front wheel as before a "Stanley head" being
advantageously employed for turning the front wheel.
In accordance with another part of my improvements I employ a flat anti-
frictional ball head of novel construction in which the top of the fork turns between
two circles of balls each ball advantageously bearing only at two points the head
being capable of adjustment by a collar inside the head whilst the outside collar
forming the head also holds the "front" and "back-bones" and takes up scarcely if
any more room perpendicularly than the "front" and "back-bones" thus forming
a flat rigid head which I find it advantageous to place under the seat of the
rider.
A centre pin can be used if desired.
The top of the fork is retained inside the head by means of a collar which screws
into the inside of the head This collar supports the balls (the lowest circle where
there are two circles) and having to be smaller than that portion of the fork which is

page_text: between the balls this collar is split to get it on. Or the top of the fork may be
made smaller and screwed into a collar to go between the balls in which case the
outer collar should not be split..
This outer collar screws upwards into the head this head may be adjusted
advantageously as follows
By screwing up of this outer collar held by a tightening screw or again by the
tightening of a collar which acts as a wedge upon the balls.
Thus in this head there is the least friction as the top of the fork bears solely
between the two circles of balls.
If desired one circle of balls may be dispensed with.
I employ an arrangement in which the handles are brought from the top of the
inside of the head which is part of the fork as before stated and thence forwards
under the seat and upwards to any suitable position thus they are clear of the legs
of the rider and can be arranged if desired so that the handles bend outwards in
case of a fall.
A vertical head with two centres can be advantageously used if desired.
The turning of the large driving wheel can also be effected by means of two
levers from the handles to the fork having adjustable joints if it is desired to place
the fulcrum of the handles in front of the seat.
According to another part of my improvements 1 advantageously employ an
arrangement for holding the back wheel which I attach to the back-bone and
which can be so regulated as to lightly touch the ground whether the front guiding
wheel is down or not thus ensuring greater precision in steering.
The back-bone ends in a fork from the ends of which and working on two
pivots are two arms which hold the back wheel Supports are placed on the fork
to prevent the arms and back wheel from rising too far.
When the wheel meets with an obstacle it can thus rise backwards and upwards
thus offering the least resistance.
A light spring (or springs) is applied from the back fork to the arms..
The wheel can also be held in the following manner by being fastened to springs
the other ends of which are attached to the fork and which on rising meet the
ends of the fork. The wheel can thus rise easily for a given distanco as before.
These improved arrangements can be applied to the front wheel.
I vary the method of applying the side wheals to that described in the
specification before referred to.
I also employ. a seat with front guards to prevent the rider being joltod
forwards
The side wheels may be attached to the "back-bone" instead of to the "front-
bone" to which a lamp can be attached
The above mentioned improvements are chiefly applicable to velocipedes
constructed in accordance with the specification of Letters Patent before referred to
but some are also applicable to ordinary velocipedes for instance the flat ball head
also the method for holding the back which would in a bicycle lessen vibration.

page_text: thereto.
a is the small front guiding wheel A the driving wheel B B the side wheels
D the back wheel. The fork a¹ of the front wheel a is fixed to the front
"back bone" a³ which has a head a³ working on centres on a front neck of the
"back bone" a. This head is inclined about 60 degrees so that a straight line
through the centres if produced downwards would meet the point where the small
wheel touches the ground
The "front bone" a being coupled with the driving wheel A by the lever a
which has a socket at each end one enclosing a projecting ball as on the head a³ and
the other end enclosing a similar ball a7 on the main fork A¹. These ball and
socket joints.allow both for the upward and downward motion of the ball a on the
inclined head a³ as well as the lateral motion of both that head and the main
fork A Figure 2 is an enlarged view of this part.
The ball on the main fork Å¹ is farther from the centre of that fork than is the
ball on the head a³ from the centre of that head the ratio being about 17 to 10.
The lever a is in two parts so that one part can screw into the other for
If desired the forward ball
adjustment in case the wheels a and A become untrue.
and projection can be made in two pieces so that the ball can screw outwards or
inwards on the pin that holds it.
In accordance with another part of my improvements I employ a flat anti-
frictional ball head at of novel construction as shown by Figures 3, 4, and 5 in
which the top of the fork A' turns between two circles of balls b each ball
advantageously bearing at only two points the head a being capable of adjustment
by a collar b' inside the head a whilst the outside collar a forming the head also
holds the "front" and "back bones" a' thus taking up scarcely if any more room
perpendicularly than the front and back bones forming a flat rigid head so that the
seat when directly over it is not raised thereby enabling as large a wheel as possible
to ho riddan

page_text: Figure 3 is an end view Figure 4 a plan Figure 5 a side elevation of this head.
In the half section of Figure 3 the top of the fork A' is retained inside the head a
by means of the collar which screws into the head a. This collar b¹ supports
the balls band having to be smaller than that portion of the fork A¹ which is
between the balls b the top of the fork is made smaller and screwed and fixed into
a small collar which is between the balls. The outer collar screws upwards
into the head a and is held by a tightening screw b. Thus in this head there is
the least friction as the top of the fork bears solely between two circles of balls.
I employ an arrangement in which the handles o are brought in one piece from
the top of the inside of the head which is part of the fork as before stated and
thence forwards under the seat and upwards to any suitable position clear of the
legs of the rider and are rigidly bolted to the top of the fork A', this method
being simpler than that described in the specification of my former Patent
I also employ a vertical head A as shown in Figures 1 and 1* with two centres
open at the front and back to allow for the forward continuation of the back boue
which thus has two necks.
By employing this head working on centres the steering is greatly facilitated by
the decrease in friction a common socket head having been formerly employed as
described in the specification of my former Patent.
A nut u forming the top portion of this head screws on to the sides a³ of the head
on each side of the double neck at of the back bones. This nut u can be unscrewed
and the double neck a can thus be lifted out of the head a. The handle c being
fixed to one or both sides of the head as desired
According to another part of my improvements I advantageously employ an
arrangement for holding the back wheel which I attach to a back bone a and
which can be so regulated as to lightly touch the ground whether the front
guiding wheel is down or not thus ensuring greater precision in steering see
Figure 1 in which the guiding wheel a is shown just clear of the ground whilst the
back wheel D is touching with sufficient weight to steer by.
The back bone a ends in a fork e from the ends of which and working on two
pivots are two arms e² which hold the back wheel. Supports are placed on
the fork to prevent the arms e* and back wheel rising too far as the arms are
arrested by the supports or buffers e³ which can advantageously be made of rubber
or other elastic and silent substance
The wheel D as shown in Figure 1 is on the ground only by its own weight and
with the pressure applied to it by a light spring e which is applied from the back
fork to the arms.
On favourable roads this spring can be unhooked, the weight of the wheel being
sufficient. A stronger spring if desired can be applied acting just before the
arms e touch the buffers e thus assisting to keep the rider in his central position
over the large wheel A but which gives way to stones etcetera whilst it is not in
action usually thus not decreasing the ease in running
These improved arrangements can be applied to the front wheel a.
The method of applying the side wheels B B may be advantageously varied to
that described in the specification before referred to. I now for greater
simplicity place the side wheels B B on supports ff see Figure G which. form a kind
of fork having a head a³ with vertical centres which head is turned by a side lever a
as before described but in this case owing to the wheels B B not being so far
for word as the guide wheel a in Figure 1 they need not torn much more than the
large wheel A.
M
This amount can be easily found by turning the machine in a circle. first on the
back wheel D tlie side wheels B B being off the ground and then turning another
circle on these wheels B B. If the second circle when the front wheels B B are
down is larger the ball on the head a³ is too far from the centre of the head and
vice versa.
The wheels B B placed thus do not interfere with the steering whilst they are
placed sufficiently forward to prevent the rider going over in front and therefore

page_text: the guiding wheel a in Figure 1 can in this case be dispensed with whilst an
ordinary fork can be used for the large wheel A as it does not carry the side
wheels B B.
The wheels B B are usually carried off the ground as shown in Figure 6 the
machine travelling on the large wheel A whilst the back wheel D touches only for
steering as before described
In this case also the lifting apparatus for the side wheels B B as described in the
specification of my former Patent can be dispensed with owing to the back bone a
being able to descend freely, on to the arms e². The wheels placed thus carry very.
little weight when on the ground and usually only come into use to avert a
cropper or side fall.
The rider is in the centre of a triangle as shown in Figure 7.
Figure 8 is an end view of the supports ff and their head a³
The lower portion f of each support f can be bolted to the boss fº. the wheel.
turning freely on a spindle at the other end. The machine will thus readily
collapse or fold
In turning the inside wheel comes back and the outside goes forward if therefore
it is desired to retain the relative position of the wheels B B in turning this can
be done by having a double neck a see. Figure 9 and two heads a³ instead of one
head as in Figure and pointing the centres of these heads to the point where the
wheels B B touch the ground
The supports ffare in this case single but are coupled together by an extra
lever Z and ball and socket joints having this in addition to the lever a³ which
couples one head with the main fork A as before explained. In this case the
motion of the main fork A¹ is communicated to the left head a³ causing both
supports ffand wheels B B to turn by means of the extra coupling lever Z. In
this case the double neck can be placed nearer the main head a¹ than in Figure 6
the heads being pointed forwards as well as outwards as shown in Figure 10.
Where the front head a³ is parallel with the main head A' as in Figure 6 ordinary
knuckle joints can be employed with the side lever a³ instead of ball and socket
joints.
The side wheels B B can also be applied from the back bone a' as shown in
Figure 11 in which the back bone is split into two-supports ff one on each side
of the large wheel instead of to the front bone as described with reference to
Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 these supports ending in axles carrying the side wheels B B.
In this case the front wheel a and front bone a² are put on in the manner
described and shown in Figure 1 but are turned considerably more than the large
wheel A owing to the trailing side wheels B B being nearer a vertical line through
the axis of the large wheel A than is the front wheel a which can in this case be
placed on the automatic lifting arms e similarly to the back wheel D in Figure 1
In this case a quadricycle is formed in which the rider sits in the centre of a
triangle with its apex in front whereas in Figures 6 and 7 the base of the triangle
is in front.
The automatic lifting arms as described in combination with the back wheel D.
in Figure can also be applied to the side wheels B B in Figure 11. These wheels
can also be placed on forks rigid with or which can turn in sockets in the supports f
in this case the axles can be dispensed with
In the case in which the side wheels B B are applied from the main fork as
described in the specification of my former Patent, I now place them on spindles B¹
connected with arms f see Figure 12 hinged vertically near the main fork A'
to a neck working on centres on the main fork A¹ and which neck extends
outwards to prevent the arm f rising too far and also carries the cord or chain
which raises the side wheels B B clear of the ground as described in the specification
of my former Patent.
The spindle B' turns on centres at the end of the arm f as shown in Figure 12
and is made so that the portion B2 is parallel with the wheel B as in Figure 13.
This portion B² of the spindle B'. together with B are fitted with a parallel motion

page_text: as before described in the specification of my former Patent, but in this case the
rod r which holds the side wheel B out being connected to the arm frises and falls
with the side wheel B
By inclining the centres on the main fork slightly upwards as in Figure 1 the
wheels B in folding can rise off the ground.
When the machine is constructed as in Figure 1 with a guiding wheel a it is
especially suitable for bicycle riders as the side wheels and their supports can be
dispensed with owing to the perfect balancing and steering of the machine on the
central wheels alone.
There are various ways of differing the arrangements which have been described
thus the back wheel D can be attached directly to the back fork as shown in
Figure 16 without the armis e shown in Figure 1 but in this case there must be
a hinge K near the main head a to allow the back bone to rise and fall similarly
to the arms shown in Figure 1 so that the wheel can rise a few inches as
before.
This arrangement is suitable for racing machines in which the backbone is
very light.
It is evident also that two back wheels can be attached to the arms o² instead of
one back wheel as in Figure 1 also that two back wheels can be applied in place
of one as shown in Figure 16.
It is evident that machines einbracing part of the improvements described in the
specification of my former Patent No. 1250 dated March 24, 1880 can be con-
structed so that the weight is carried by the central driving wheel but using the
small supplementary wheels to steer and balance by thus the two side wheels B B
when in front of the driving wheel can be coupled to an inclined head working
a back bone and back wheel similarly to the manner in which the front wheel a
is turned as explained in Figure 1.
When however the back wheel is coupled to the front wheels it must turn in the
opposite direction to them. When they turn to the right it turns to the left the
lever in this case crossing the back bone as.shown in Figure 15.
a represents the front head a the main head a the lever and at the back bone
L. being the head in the back bone for turning the back wheel ID
This machine will run also with the single wheel in front all such machines
being modifications embodying some of the advantages of the improvements
described in my former specification.
In the specification of my Patent before referred to I showed a five wheeled
machine in the form in which it could run the easiest with the supplementary
balancing side wheels affixed from the main fork and capable of being raised to
allow the velocipede to travel on the central wheels thus making only one track.
Figure 17 shows a machine which is not a single track machine being a modification
in the position of the wheels. The front portion can be arranged as in Figure 6
whilst the back bone has a vertical hinge near the main head allowing the back
bone to rise and fall as before described whilst at its lower and it branches
outwards in the supports af holding the back wheels.. This machine has a central
driving wheel carrying the weight.
It will readily be seen that an essential feature in this and my former Patent is
the use of a central driving wheel over which the rider sits this wheel carrying the
weight but supplemented by balancing wheels the positions first shown being those
considered most advantageous
I advantageously use the central driving wheel for balancing and steering as in
a bicycle. The method of effecting this being the independent lateral movement
of the central driving wheel in combination with a front wheel or wheels so
arranged as to coincide with the direction given to the machine by the action of
the driving wheel and hind wheel or wheels. In other words placing the seat on
that which is rigid horizontally with the hind wheel which acts simply as a rudder
whilst the handle turns the driving, wheel and one or moro forward wheels for
steering and balancing. It is obviously advantageous to utilize the driving whoel

page_text: for steering and balancing as if the balancing wheels only can perform these
functions, the speed must be decreased
I would remark that any rider could easily balance on a bicycle were it rendered
perfectly safe at all times. This is accomplished in these machines in such a
manner that they run practically on one wheel only and yet cannot fall over.
Machines constructed as described in Figures 1, 6, 10, 11, and 16 have the following
good points they run practically on one wheel only having perpendicular action
direct crank action perfect safety and perfect brake power they close up taking
scarcely any more room than a bicycle
In conclusion as in the specification of my previous Patent I would draw
attention to the great advantage mentioned above the carrying of the weight on
one wheel only.
I am aware that in ordinary bicycles the back wheel has been placed on a
separate fork so arranged that by means of the tightening of a cord passing up the
back bone the rake of the front fork could be altered to place the rider more over
his work. I do not claim any old arrangements for ordinary bicycles, my arrange=
ments being novel and for a different purpose viz for the automatic steering of the
machine. I am also aware that a hinge has been introduced into the lower end of
the back bone of ordinary bicycles for lessening vibration but such a position
renders the arrangement useless owing to the acute angle at which the back wheel
in rising makes with the ground. In my improved arrangement the hinge is
placed at the upper end of the back bone and is efficient being applied for the
purpose of allowing the wheel to trail on the ground for steering
I do not claim any of the mechanical parts separately which are well known and
in common use
18
Having thus described the nature of my improvements in velocipedes and the
manner of performing or carrying the same into practice, what I claim is;
First, The improved arrangement and construction for turning the front guiding
wheel a by fixing it in the front bone thus turning the front bone itself which is
coupled in an improved manner with the driving wheel A by means of a short side
lever with ball and socket or other suitable joints arranged to act substantially in
the manner and for the purpose herein before described and represented in Figures 1
and 2 of the drawings hereto annexed.
Also the application in this class of machine of a head working on centres for the
purpose of turning the front wheel substantially in the manner and for the purpose
hereinbefore described and shown in the drawings annexed.
Second, I claim the improved arrangement and construction in combination
with a double back bone a of a ball head in which the top of the fork turns
between two circles of balls whilst the outside of the head can form the necks of
the front and back bones substantially as described and represented in Figures.3, 4
and 5 of the drawings annexed
I also claim the application of flat antifrictional ball heads to this class of
machine in which the rider sits directly over the head and over the centre of the
driving wheel substantially as described with reference to Figures 1, 6, 10, 11,
and 16 of the drawings annexed.
I also claim the application of handles c to these machines which are fixed direct
to the main head and brought forward clear of the legs of the rider being
underneath the seat arranged substantially in the manner hereinbefore described
and represented in Figures 1 and 1* of the drawings annexed.
Third, I claim the application to these machines of vertical main heads working
with centres arranged to act substantially in the manner hereinbefore described
and represented in Figures 1 and 1* of the drawings hereto annexed.
Fourth, I claim the application of a back wheel to velocipedes arranged sub-
stantially as described in reference to Figures 1 and 16 so arranged as to lightly
touch the ground for steering being free to rise upwards for a certain height
Fifth, 1 claim the improved arrangement and method of applying the side
wheels B B viz by coupling them with the large driving wheel A by means of

page_text: supports ff whilst they are able automatically to rise simultaneously or alternately
Bubstantially as and for the purpose herein before described and shown in Figures 6,
7, 8, 9, and 10 of the drawings annexed
I also claim the application and combination of the side wheels B B behind the
centre of the driving wheel A placed on supports ff from the back bone with a
front guiding wheel a substantially as and for the purpose herein before described
and shown in Figure 11 of the drawings.
I also claim the improved arrangement and construction of quadricycles with a
central driving wheel on which the weight is balanced but supplemented by
subsidiary wheels capable of independently rising coming into action only to avert
falls or for steering substantially as described with referenco to Figures 6, 7, 8, 9,
10, 11, and 16 of the drawings hercto annexed
I also claim the method of applying the side wheels B B from the main fork by
means of arins which can freely rise a given distance working on centres and
applied to the spindles of the side wheels B B substantially as described with
reference to Figures 12 and 13 of the drawings annexed.
Lastly I claim the improved general arrangement combination and construction
of velocipedes substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein before
described and represented in the drawings hereto annexed
In witness whereof I the said Edmund Hugh Hodgkinson have hereunto
set my hand and seal this sixteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
Witness
J. G. TONGUE
Patent Agent
34 Southampton Buildings
Chancery Lane
London W.C.
E. H. HODGKINSON. (L.S.)