IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TRICYCLES
Year: 1876

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Rowles and Charles Rose at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th July 1876.
GEORGE ROWLES and CHARLES ROSE, both of Uxbridge, in the County of Middle-
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TRICYCLES."
sex.
This Invention relates to certain improvements in the construction of that class
of velocipedes known as "tricycles," and whereby the same are propelled with great
ease by the use of the hands alone, whilst by the arrangements employed they are
made available for use by females.
The main body of the tricycle as constructed in accordance with this Invention
consists of an iron frame, the rear or hinder portion of which is so formed and
arranged as to support the scat for the rider above the axle of and between the
two large or driving wheels. To the lower end of the forward portion of the main
body or frame is attached a vertical forked bar projecting downwards, and which
forked bar is provided with suitable bearings for the journals of the small front or
steering wheel, the same being so arranged as to rotate between the respective sides
of the said forked bar, and so pivoted as to be capable of being turned to the right or
left by means of a steering rod provided for that purpose, and which is within reach
and under the controul of the rider for the purpose of guiding and steering the
tricycle as may be desired. In order to obtain the requisite propulsive power a
wheel is mounted on or affixed to the axle of the driving wheels, the periphery of
such wheel being furnished with teeth or spikes in the nature of a "rag" wheel.
A similar toothed or rag" wheel is mounted above the last-mentioned wheel in
suitable bearings for the reception of its journals in a curved bar which forms part
of the main body or frame of the machine. The periphery of the last-mentioned upper
wheel is also provided with teeth or spikes in the nature of a "rag" wheel. The
said wheels are respectively connected with each other by means of an endless
chain, which passes over their respective peripheries, the teeth or spikes on which
successively take into the links of the chain upon the wheels being caused to
revolve. The axle of the upper toothed or rag" wheel is provided with crank
winch handles, one on each side of the wheels, which upon being actuated by the
rider cause the lower toothed or "rag" wheel to rotate, thereby effecting the
revolution of the axle of the driving wheels to which it is affixed, the latter being
consequently rotated and the tricycle propelled.

page_text: <
Instead of employing one lower and one upper toothed or
before mentioned, two pairs of wheels similarly arranged may be used, the upper
rag" wheel only, as
wheels being respectively actuated by the respective hands of the rider by means of
cranks and handles provided and arranged for that purpose, as will be well under-
stood, and thus giving motion to the lower toothed or "rag" wheels, and thence to
the driving wheels.
The seat for the rider is made of a chair-like shape, or of any other desired form
calculated to afford comfort and ease to the rider, and also enabling the tricycle to
be employed by and to afford enjoyment combined with utility to females.