IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES OF TWO OR MORE WHEELS, PART OF WHICH IS APPLICABLE to OTHER VEHICLES.”
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Harrison, Mechanic, 128, Portland St., & 69, Hyde
Grove, Manchester, Lancaster, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
VELOCIPEDES OF TWO OR MORE WHEELS, PART OF WHICH IS APPLICABLE to
OTHER VEHICLES.”
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Harrison at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th October 1881.
WILLIAM HARRISON, Mechanic, 128, Portland St., & 69, Hyde Grove, Manchester,
Lancaster. "IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES OF TWO OR MORE WHEELS, PART
OF WHICH IS APPLICABLE TO OTHER VEHICLES."
The object of my Invention is to prevent the cross binding of all velocipede
bearings; also to prevent the extra friction of the bearings by the constant cross
binding caused by the twisting of the forks of velocipedes; also to enable the
rider to raise or lower the handle bar of the velocipede; also to enable the rider to
steer more easily; also to ring or whistle an alarm; also to secure the rubbers
more firmly upon the velocipede wheels; also to make the spring more easy for
the rider; also to make a velocipede or tricycle to work by utilising all the force
of the body more easily, and to carry one or more persons.
I construct a ball and socket joint at the lower end of the front forks of the
velocipede. The socket I make either upon the upper cap of the bearing at the
lower end of the fork. The ball I make at the bottom ends of the fork or at
the upper end of the front wheel bearing cap which oscillates with the twisting
of the forks, whilst the bearings remain unaffected.
I construct an adjustable handle bar by making an eccentric disc. At the
centre of the handle bar I fix the handle bar out from the centre, which when
turned round by the rider moves it to any desired point, a circle which is stopped
by a spring, stud, or catch; I also make two links and place one end of each upon
studs at the T part of the velocipede head, and put the handle bar through the
other ends of the links.
I make an arc toothed or with holes and a spring and stud to secure the handle
bar at any point of the circle. I construct at the top and bottom of the centre

page_text: steering of the velocipede of balls and V and U grooves; this said centre steering
is placed inside the head of the velocipede (which is usually made conically).
I make an alarm for velocipedes which I secure to the handle bar. I construct a
tube and bed plate, the plate I screw to the handle bar. I fix a bell dome upon
the upper part of the bed plate, and a sliding bolt as spring hammer curved at the
ends. I place a vertical spindle jointed in the middle inside the tube, which is
adjustable upon the upper end of the spindle. I place an eccentric or cam and a
spiral spring, above which I fix a thumb cap for pressing down the spindle. At
the bottom end of the spindle I fix a pulley with a rubber ring fixed on as n
toothed pulley, tapered so that when the spindle is pressed down by the thumb or
the lever, which is conveniently placed, then the wheel at the end of the spindle
comes in contact with the rubber or metal tyre of the velocipede wheel, and when
it is in motion causes the pulley at the bottom end to revolve with the spindle;
the cam or eccentric at the top is thus caused to revolve, which as it revolves
strikes the bolt or hammer, and at every return of the bolt the bell done is
struck.
I make a rubber bag with a tube to it, and I fix a whistle or a horn into the
tube and when the rubber bag is pressed the whistle alarm is made. I attach this
upon the velocipede in some convenient place to the hand. I make a small flat or
round spring with a hole in the centre slightly bent U shape. The ends of the
spring are either shaped like a barbed fish hook, or only pointed at the ends and
bent into the rubber tyres so as to grip the rubber inore firmly into the felloe or
metal tier of the velocipede wheels. I hold the said spring down by putting the
spoke through the centre hole of spring firmly to the bottom of the velocipede rim
or felloe. I make a velocipede spring coiled at both ends. I place a rubber through
the centre of the centre or inner coil. I place the studs through the centre of the
rubber which lessens the vibration. The upper or top end of coils are received
into the forked end of the flat part of the spring and secured to the top end of coil
by a nut and bolt. The other end of coil spring is secured to the neck of the
velocipede. I construct a velocipede or tricycle to carry one or more persons.
1 make two curved or bent bearing rods and fix them in a parallel position to
allow of space for the riders to sit between them, which are secured at the four
bottom ends by two cross stays, and upon these two stays I place two or four
cranks which are connected at one end with foot or hand levers. I also fix double
or single cranks upon the same cross stays, which at either end of the cranks
I place foot pedals. 1 also place upon the cross stays two foot levers to be con-
nected by two rods coming froin the axle cranks, both of which are adjustable, to
be worked by the rider from behind. I fix the axle which carries the two driving
wheels to the upper part of the two curved parallel bearing rods. I make two
cranks at right angles upon the axle. I fix lever connecting rods and two or four
hand levers to the axle cranks to be worked from front and behind, and I connect
the bottom ends of the hand levers to the swivelling cranks placed upon the
bottom cross stays. At the lower end of the levers I place a bracked, upon which
I place a foot pedal, so that the machine can be worked by foot or band levers or
with both by one or more riders. I place a cross rod or stay near the front axle
which I connect to the two curved parallel side rods which supports the axle and
the rider, and to this cross rod I connect midway another rod which I curve sharp
downwards from this cross rod and upward to a connection to the fork of the hind
wheel for the purpose of providing free or open space for the legs of the riders
sitting behind facing either way. I connect hand levers to the hind wheel. I place
a seat over the hind wheel, and I place cranks at the two ends of the axle and
work the same as a bicycle. I arrange adjustable seats behind the front rider,
facing each other or otherwise. I steer by the hind wheel.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Harrison in the Great Soal Patent Office on the 14th April
1882.
WILLIAM HARRISON, Machinist, 128, Portland Street, and 69, Hyde Grove,
Manchester, in the County of Lancaster. "IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES OF
Two OR MORE WHEELS, PART OF WHICH IS APPLICABLE TO OTHER VEHICLES."
The object of my Invention is to prevent the cross binding of all velocipede
bearings; also to prevent the extra friction of the bearings by the constant cross
binding caused by the twisting of the forks of velocipedes; also to enable the
rider to raise or lower the handle bar of the velocipede; also to enable the rider to
steer more easily; also to ring or whistle an alarm; also to secure the rubbers
more firmly upon the velocipede wheels; also to make more easy for the rider;
also to make a velocipede or tricycle to work by utilising all the force of the body
more easily, and to carry one or more persons.
I construct a ball and socket joint at the lower end of front fork, as shewn on
Sheet 1, Fig. 1, No. 1. The ball I make at the bottom ends of the fork or at the
upper end of the front wheel bearing cap which oscillates with the twisting of the
forks, whilst the bearings, Sheet 1, Fig. 1, 1 A, 1 A, remain unaffected. I construct
an adjustable handle bar by making an excentric disc at the centre of the handle
bar. I fix the handle bar out from the centre, Sheet 1, Fig. 2-1, which when
turned round by the rider moves it to any desired point of a circle, as shewn
Fig. 2 A to 1, 2, 3, 4, which is stopped by a spring, stud, or catch, as shewn
Sheet 1, Fig. 2-2. I also make two links and place one end of each upon studs,
shewn Sheet 1, Fig. 3 B-1, at the T part of the velocipede head and put the
handle bar through the other ends of the links, as shewn Sheet 1, Fig. 3B, 1 A,
which can be adjusted to the four points, Sheet 1, Fig. 3 B, 1, 2, 3. Fig. 3, Sheet 1,
adjusts to any point of a circle; this handle bar is made in two halves and is
secured by right and left hand screw in the centre of the T of the velocipede head,
numbered 1, 1, as at the two outsides of the head with right and left hand screws,
numbered 2, 2 A.
I make an are toothed or with holes and a spring and stud to secure the handle
bar at any point of the circle, as shewn Sheet 1, Fig. 3 A, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. I construct.
at the top and bottom of the centre steering of the velocipedes of balls and V and
U grooves; this said centre steering is placed inside the head of the velocipede, as
shewn Sheet 1, Fig. 4, 1-2, 1-2, which is usually made conically.
I make an alarm for velocipedes and which is applicable to other vehicles.
For the velocipede I secure the alarm to the handle bar. I construct a tube
partly open at one side and bed plate. The plate I screw to the handle bar, as
shewn Sheet 2, Fig. 5 and Fig. 5 A. . I fix a bell dome upon the upper part of the
bed plate and a sliding bolt or spring hammer curved at the ends, as shewn
Sheet 2, Fig. 5, Fig. 5 A, Fig. 5 E, Fig. 5 G. I place a vertical spindle jointed in.
the middle inside the tube which is adjustable, Sheet 2, Fig. A 1-1. Upon the
upper end of the spindle I place an excentric or cam, Sheet 2, Fig. 5 E 2, Fig. 5—2,
Fig. 5 C 2, Fig. 5 F 2, and a spiral spring above which I place thumb cap for
pressing down the spindle, Sheet 2, Fig. 5-3, 3 A. At the bottom end of the
D shaped spindle I slide the pulley to its convenient position to suit the different
height of head, and fix it with a rubber ring fixed on a toothed pully tapered,
part of which is shewn Sheet 2, Fig. 5-4-5, so that when the spindle is prossed
down by the thumb. The spring or lever, as shewn Sheet 2, Fig. 5 A 2 and,
Fig. 5 B 2-2, which are suitably placed, then the wheel at the end of the
vertical spindle comes in contact with the rubber or metal tier of tho velocipede or

page_text: other wheels, and when the wheel is in motion it causes the pully at the bottom
end to revolve with the spindle; the cam or excentric at the top is thus caused to
revolve, as shewn on Sheet 2, Fig. 5 E 2 and 3, 4, Fig. 5 C 2 and 3, Fig. 5 F 2
and 3, Fig. 5 L 2 and 3, which as it revolves strikes the bolt or hammer, and at
every return of the bolt the bell dome is struck. The excentric or cam carries also
their bolt, and at every return while revolving the bolt shoots out by its centrifugal
force and so strikes the dome, Sheet 2, Fig. 5 H 1 and 2, Fig, 5 J 1 and 2. Sheet 2,
Fig. 5 F 1-3, shews a worm and pinion. Fig. 5 K 2-3 shews two pinions.
Both of the two latter Figures shews an arrangement for making the hammer
strike the dome fewer times than the revolution of the spindle which regulates the
ringing of the bell.
I make a rubber bag with a tube to it, and I fix a whistle or a horn into the
tube, and when the rubber bag is pressed the whistle or horn alarm is made.
I attach this upon the velocipede in some convenient place to be pressed by hand
or foot, Sheet 1, Fig. 6, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1A, 2A, 3 A, 4 A. I make a small flat or round
spring with a hole in the centro bent U. The ends of the spring are either shaped
like a barbed fish hook or only pointed at the ends and bent into the rubber tyres
so as to grip the rubber more firmly into the felloe or metal tyre of the velocipede
wheels. I hold the spring down by putting the spokes through the centre hole,
Sheet 1, Fig. 7-1, of spring firmly to the bottom of the velocipede rim or felloe.
Sheet 1, Fig. 7 B 1-2 shows the spring clip grasping the rubber down. I make a
velocipede spring coiled at both ends. I place a rubber through the centre of the
inner coil, Sheet 1, Fig. 8 1-2 and Fig. 8B, 1, 2, 3. I place the stud through the
centre of the rubber which lessens the vibration. The upper or top end of coils,
Sheet 1, Fig. 8-3, are received into the fork end of the flat part of the spring,
and secured to the top end of coil, Fig. 8, 2, by a nut and bolt. The other end of
coil, Sheet 1, Fig. 8-4, spring is secured to the neck of the velocipede.
I construct a velocipede or tricycle to carry one or more persons, Sheet 3, Fig. 10.
I make two curved or bent bearing rods 1, 2, and I fix them in a parallel position
to allow of space for the riders to sit between them, which are. secured at the four
bottom ends 3, 4, and upon these two stays I place two or four cranks 5 A, 5 A,
and 5 B, 5 B; last two are shewn in Drawing, Fig. 9 5 B, at one side only, which
are connected at one end with foot or hand levers, Fig. 10, Sheet 3, 6-6. I also
place double or single cranks upon the same cross stays, which at either end of the
cranks I place foot pedals, Sheet 3, 6-6, 5 A, 5 A.
I also place upon the cross stays two foot levers to be connected by two rods
coming from the axle cranks, both of which are adjustable, to be worked by the
riders from behind, Sheet 3, Fig. 9, and Sheet 3, Fig. 10, 5 B, 5 B.
I fix the axle which carries the two driving wheels to the upper part of the two
curved parallel bearing rods. I make two cranks at right angles upon the axle.
I fix lever connecting rods and two or four hand levers to the axle cranks to be
worked from front and behind, as shewn Sheet 3, Fig. 10, 7, 7, and I connect the
bottom ends of the hand levers to the swivelling cranks placed upon the bottom
cross stays, Sheet 3, Fig. 10, 8-8. At the lower end of the levers I place a bracket
upon which I place a foot pedal, Sheet 3, Fig. 9 and 10, 5 A, 5 A, 5 B, so that the
machine can be worked by foot or hand levers or with both by one or more
riders.
I place a cross rod or stay near the front axle which I connect to the two curved
parallel rods, and to this cross rod I connect midway another rod which I curve
sharp downwards, Sheet 3, Fig. 9, 6, from this cross rod and upward to a con-
nection to the fork of the hind wheel for the purpose of providing free or open
space for the legs of the riders sitting bebind facing each other or both looking
forward.
I connect hand levers to the hind wheel. I place a seat over the bind wheel,
and I place cranks at the two ends of the axle and work the same as a bicycle,
as shewn Sheet 3, Fig. 9. The rider from behind steers the same as a bicycle.
. I arrange adjustable seats behind the front rider facing each other or otherwise.

page_text: I steer by the hind wheel with connecting rods and levers when one is riding
shewn on Sheet 3, Fig. 10, 7, 7; when 7 is pushed out it causes lever 7 B to swivel
backwards and forwards and directs the steering wheel.
Having now set forth the nature of my Invention of improvements of
velocipedes of one or more wheels, part of which is applicable to other vehicles,
and explained the manner of carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be under-
stood that under the above in part recited Letters Patent, I claim,―
Sheet 1, Fig. 2 A, 1, 2, 3, 4, and Fig. 2-1; Sheet 1, Fig. 3A1; Sheet 1,
Fig. 3 A, 1A, IA, Fig. 3B 1; Sheet Fig. 3C2 and 2A and 1-1; Sheet 1,
Fig. 1, No. 1, Fig. 1 A, No. 2, as described; Sheet Fig. 6, 1, and 1A 4, and 4 A,
and 2 and 3, 2A, 3A; Sheet 1, Fig. 7, 1, and 2, as described; Sheet 1, Figs. 8 and
8 A, 2, and 1, as described.
Sheet 2. Fig. 5—4—3 and 3 A ; Fig 5 A 1 and 1; Fig 5 R9 and 2; Fig 50 9
аци д
Fig. 5 E 2; Fig. 5 G 3; Fig. 5 K 2 and 3.
Sheet 2, Fig. 5 H 1 and 2; Fig. 5 J 1 and 2.
The tube and spindle vertically revolving above the handle bar in combination
with all the other arrangements described for applying the same to the front wheel
are claimed.
Sheet 3, Fig. 9, in its combination 7-3, 2, 4, and 5 B and B, B.
Shoet 3, Fig. 10, G-6, 5 B, 5 B, 8 and 8, 5 A and 5 A 7, and 7 B.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Harrison, live hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Thirteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty two.
WILLIAM HARRISON. (L.S.)