Improved Means and Apparatus for Additional Aid in the Propulsion of Velocipedes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Feb., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 9th Dec., 1891-Accepted, 23rd Jan., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means and Apparatus for Additional Aid in the Propulsion
of Velocipedes.
I, NATHAN SMITH of 1 Sutton Street, Kingston-upon-Hull in the County of
York, Joiner and Builder do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of my invention is to provide an auxiliary means for propelling and
steering velocipedes which may be used either in place of the usual pedals and
gearing so as to rest the feet and legs or together with the same so as to increase
the power of propulsion on steep grades or rough ground or to increase the
speed.
In carrying out my invention say as applied to a geared bicycle I use in place of
the A forked head a forked head of inverted flat on the top and resembling a
tuning fork; upon the crown of this I pivot the steering head carrying the handle
bar and backbone.
The arms of the fork which is wider than the ordinary fork thus depend
vertically instead of at an angle and are carried down to receive the cranks and
usual geared wheels.
The axle of the driving wheel is longer than the usual type and carries on one
or both sides of the wheel a small toothed wheel engaging by means of a chain or
chains with a chain wheel or wheels mounted on a spindle carried in suitable
bearings in the upper part of the fork and just above the wheel. Cranks and
handles are attached to the spindle and when turned by the hands which (one or
both) leave the handle bar for the purpose communicate motion to the driving
wheel through the chain and geared wheels.
The usual toothed wheels are mounted on the extreme ends of the axle, and
outside of the fork. Foot rests may also be fixed in convenient positions.
Thus the bicycle may be driven by the feet alone or by the hands alone or by
the hands and feet in combination.
Provision is made for throwing the handles and apparatus for auxiliary aid in
and out of gear.
POPPLEWELL & Co.,
17 & 18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means and Apparatus for Additional Aid in the Propulsion
of Velocipedes.
I NATHAN SMITH of 1 Sutton Street, Kingston-upon-Hull in the County of
York, Joiner and Builder do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
The object of my invention is to provide an auxiliary means for propelling
velocipedes which may be used in addition to the usual pedals and gearing actuated
by the feet of the rider, for the purpose of increasing the speed or for ascending
inclines or so as to rest the feet and legs.
My apparatus is attached to the upper part of the machine the usual ^ shaped
forked head being dispensed with and a head of inverted form somewhat
resembling a tuning fork being used in place thereof and my additional apparatus

page_text: being mounted therein or thereon in such a manner that it is within the reach and
control of the hands of the rider, by which it is worked, the hands being transferred
from the ordinary handle bar for the purpose.
During the use of the auxiliary mechanism the velocipede may be steered by the
handles attached thereto and by which it is actuated.
I will now proceed to describe my invention as applied to a geared bicycle, but
it will be seen that it is equally applicable to tricycles of suitable type, and with
reference to the accompanying sheet of drawings whereon
Figure 1. is an elevation and
Figure 2. a back view of the front wheel of a geared bicycle fitted with my
auxiliary propelling apparatus.
Figure 3. is an enlarged perspective view of the fork head laid down to shew the
apparatus more distinctly.
Figure 4 is a section shewing the method of mounting the auxiliary chain
wheel.
I form in place of the ordinary forked head a head shaped such as A the top of
which is shewn in detail in Figure 3 and upon the top of this either in the centre
as in Figures 1 and 2 or at one side as shewn in Figure 3 I pivot the steering head
carrying handle bar and also the backbone or equivalent.
The arms of the fork A' A' depend vertically and are carried down to and
receive the usual cranks, gearing and pedals. The axle of the driving wheel C is
made longer than usual and on this I mount one or more (one, as shewn in drawings)
extra toothed wheel (or wheels) B round which passes an extra chain (or chains) D
engaging with the teeth thereon and with those of a chain wheel E mounted on
the upper portion in the following manner. In the upper part of the forked head A
and as shewn in enlarged Figure 3. is carried in suitable bearings a spindle or extra
handle bar F the extremities of which passing through the sides of the fork carry
auxiliary cranked handles G G Figures 1 and 2 omitted in Figure 3. and on one
side are two grooves or notches H. H¹ Figure 4 in one of which rests the
lever J.
The spindle F carries a projecting pin K and upon said spindle F I place a
sleeve or hollow axle L. upon which is mounted the chain wheel E (or wheels) this
sleeve or hollow axle L is of less length than that part of the spindle F which lies
between the two arms of the fork and has indents or slots N at one end to engage
with the pin K when in gear.
Near the crown I pivot a spring controlled lever O the handle of which is within
reach of the rider, this lever is notched at P and falls into one or other of grooves
or notches H or H' on the outer end of spindle F. so retaining the spindle in the
position required.
The action of the apparatus is as follows. The extra chain being passed over
the wheels B and E the sleeve L being clear of the pin K and the lever resting
in notch H the wheel E is free to revolve with wheel B the machine being propelled
by pedals only. If it is now desired to make use of the auxiliary apparatus, the
lever O is raised from the notch H and the axle or spindle F is pulled through
the bearings until the pin K falls into the slot N and the lever O into the second
notch H so retaining the sleeve L and axle F in position and the auxiliary
apparatus in gear.
The hands may now leave the ordinary handle bar and be used for actuating the
auxiliary wheels E and B and thereby adding to the propelling power exerted by
the feet and pedals.
The bicycle may be steered by the additional handles. A thin metal collar R
protects the hollow and solid axles L and F.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner it may be performed I declare that what I
claim is-
In apparatus for assisting in the propulsion of velocipedes of a suitable type the

page_text: use of a forked head such as A carrying a spindle or axle such as F capable of
engaging and disengaging with a loose sleeve or hollow axle such as L riding upon
it and on which is mounted an extra chain wheel (or wheels) such as E for the
purpose of actuating by chain (or chains) an extra toothed-wheel such as B
mounted upon the main axle of the machine said spindle F terminating in cranked
handles by means of which the auxiliary gearing is worked, substantially as herein-
before described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated 9th December 1891.
POPPLEWELL & Co.,
17 & 18, Southampton Buildings, Agents for Applicant.