IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO VELOCIPEDES, PARTLY APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1881

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Mill Frederick Molesworth
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th September 1881.
GEORGE MILL FREDERICK MOLESWORTH, of Northdown Hall, Bideford, in the
County of Devon. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO VELOCIPEDES, PARTLY
APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES."
These improvements relate chiefly to tricycles or three wheeled velocipedes, and
although I can if I like employ a larger number of wheels I generally prefer the
fewest number, and I shall proceed to describe a three wheeled machine.
Two large wheels connected by a horizontal axle are placed one on each side of the
machine, and their shaft carries a central pulley, the periphery of which may be flat,
round, flanged, toothed, or grooved, according to the kind of driving band employed.
Below and generally a little in front of this pulley is the driving pulley, which
may be larger, smaller, or the same size, according to the size of the large wheels
and the results to be attained; the driving pulley is secured upon a short crank
shaft running in suitable bearings in the framework, and carrying at each end an
outside crank like a bicycle. A chain or other band of special or ordinary con-
struction passes round both pulleys, and I prefer to use means to alter the relation
of the pulleys to suit the circumstances of driving, so as to gain speed at the
expense of power, or vice versa; this may be accomplished by forming each pulley
like a speed cone of a lathe, or by employing adjustable cranks.
The steering wheel I prefer to place in front for convenience, but by a slight
alteration of the framing it could be placed behind.
The framing may be made of the ordinary steel tube, and may be described as
a fork commencing at the steering wheel, opening out to admit the driving pulley
and then rising to the driven pulley, suitable bearings being of course provided for
each axle and crossstays for strength where required. An ordinary bicycle saddle
(or a seat if preferred) is placed just above the driven pulley and perhaps a little
in front, so that the rider may sit vertically above the pedals and be able to utilize
his weight, and also to have his legs straight as in a bicycle. A convenient form
of springs for the saddle is something like that of a sickle, the handle end of each
being attached to the framework at or near the top bearings and the other end to
the saddle or seat, or frame supporting it.

page_text: Any suitable form of brake may be used and applied to the driven pulley, its
axle, or to the periphery of the large wheels, but a useful form is made by
attaching to the framework or crossstay something like a pair of scissors, the
"handle" ends being spread out so as to be capable of compression by the knees or
legs of the rider, and the short ends being arranged to grip when compressed on
each side of the driven pulley.
The special driving band, which is also applicable to some other purposes, such as
some kinds of machinery, is composed of a band or backing, say of steel, carrying
on its inner side a number of blocks with bevelled sides to take into grooves in the
pulleys. In place of the flat backing I sometimes employ one or more wires
threaded through the blocks and secured to them, the blocks I prefer to make of
a skeleton of metal into or upon which is run guttapercha, lead, etcetera, which
may be moulded so as to readily take the form of the groove. For the present
purpose guttapercha is preferable on account of its lightness.
The steering handle is placed so as to be conveniently grasped, and if preferred,
held on to whilst working, and other handles secured to the frame-work can of
course be used if desired.