Improvements relating to Aeronautical Machines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Aug., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 3rd May, 1897-Accepted, 19th June, 1897
I, EDWARD JOEL PENNINGTON, of the City of Racine, in the County of Racine
and State of Wisconsin, United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to aeronautical machines comprising a cycle similar to an
ordinary road cycle but driven by an engine applied to rotate an air propeller
preferably at the rear end of the machine. In combination with the cycle I provide
an aeroplane or two or more aeroplanes which or one of which is provided with a
rudder connected by cords or otherwise to the handle bar of the cycle in such
a manner that a rotary movement of the handle bar will produce a corresponding
movement of the rudder.
When the cycle is rapidly propelled in a horizontal direction by the motor which
drives the propeller the aeroplane or aeroplanes will operate to raise the machine and
rider from the ground. The steering of the cycle will be effected by means of the
rudder which is operated through the handle bar. In some instances I provide a
propeller or propellers in the aeroplane arranged to rotate about a vertical or nearly
vertical axis to assist in raising the machine. These propellers may be driven by the
same motor as that which drives the stern propeller or they may be driven by an
independent motor.
1800
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements relating to Aeronautical Machines.
I, EDWARD JOEL PENNINGTON, of the City of Racine, in the County of Racine
and State of Wisconsin, United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to aeronautical machines comprising a cycle similar to an
ordinary road cycle but driven by an engine applied to rotate a propeller preferably at
the rear end of the machine, in combination with an aeroplane or two or more
aeroplanes for raising the machine from the ground and a rudder for steering the
machine.
In the accompanying drawing, I have illustrated in perspective an aeronautical
bicycle constructed according to my invention.
The substructure of the machine resembles an ordinary road bicycle which is
furnished with a motor A supported by tubular stays A'. At the rear end of the
machine is a propeller B carried by a shaft C which is supported by struts C¹ and is
ID 1

page_text: driven by the motor through a vertical shaft D and bevel wheels E. F is a clutch
controlled by a bandle F¹ by which the shaft C can be thrown in and out of gear when
required. The propeller is suitably stayed by wires B'. G, G are aeroplanes carried
by extensions of the bicycle frame and suitably stayed by wires G'. The aeroplanes
are shown fixed, but they may be made adjustable, so that their angle of inclination
may be changed when desired. H is the rudder for steering the machine, the same
being mounted to turn on a spindle H¹ which is carried at its lower end by extensions J
of the front fork and at its upper end by the extensions J' of the bicycle frame. His
a cross head fixed to the rudder and connected by side rods K to the steering handle L
which is loose on the front fork and by means of which the position of the rudder is
adjusted as required.
When the cycle is rapidly propelled in a horizontal direction by the motor which
drives the propeller the aeroplanes will operate to raise the machine and rider from the
ground. The steering of the cycle is effected by turning the handle bar. In some
instances I provide a propeller or propellers in the aeroplane arranged to rotate about
a vertical or nearly vertical axis to assist in raising the machine. These propellers
may be driven by the same motor as that which drives the stern propeller or they may
be driven by an independent motor.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. The combination with a road cycle of aeroplanes, a propeller and motor, and a
rudder; for the purpose specified.
2. An aeronautical machine constructed substantially as described with reference
to the accompanying drawings and operating as, and for the purpose, specified.
Dated this 3rd day of May 1897.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.