Improvements in or relating to Velocipedes and the like.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 20th June, 1892
Complete Specification Left. 20th Aug., 1892-Accepted. 24th Sept., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Velocipedes and the like.
I, ANNET TAITTE of Leigneux (Loire) in the Republic of France, Mechanical
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows
:-
This invention relates to a tricycle the driving wheels of which are arranged
comparatively close to each other, and situated in two inclined planes, diverging
towards the ground, being at an angle both to the vertical and to the longitudinal
axes of the machine.
This novel arrangement of closely connected driving wheels inclined towards each
other, ensures the stability of the mechanism while enabling, the wheels to turn
between the pedals, so that the rider is seated over the wheels, which move or may
move between his legs.
This tricycle therefore shares the principal advantages of bicycles. It enables
the rider as does also the bicycle, very readily to get on the saddle and to alight
from it, by simply passing his leg over the wheels. Owing to the arrangement of
the axles of the driving wheels, moreover, the machine is capable of easily turning
at the smallest possible radius or angle, practically without moving from the spot,
and this by reason of the short distance between the wheels, which need not exceed
about 35 centimetres. The risk of the tricycle being upset is exceedingly remote,
but should it happen to be, the rider need in no case become entangled in the wheels
or pedals. As this improved tricycle will stand upright firmly, the most inexperienced
persons may safely use it. Its operation is exceedingly easy and requires little or
no special practice.
The tricycle comprises driving wheels, a steering wheel, a frame, a fork with the
handle bar, a saddle on its support starting from the back-bone and connected by
two arms to the outer ends of the axles of the driving wheels. A suspended bracket
secured at a suitable point of the backbone carries the crank-shaft to which the
pedals are attached. Tubular or other rods or stays connect the bracket and
frame with the jointed axle or axles of the driving-wheels imparting increased
rigidity to the machine.
The steering-wheel, handle-bar, brake, and other accessory parts are of the
ordinary construction. The saddle also may be arranged in any suitable way.
The cranks are secured to the ends of the crank-shaft upon the centre of which
is keyed the chain wheel, which by means of a chain is adapted to drive a
pinion integral with the central portion of the jointed axle of the driving-wheels or
these parts may be otherwise suitably connected.
These wheels and their jointed axle may be constructed as follows.
Ordinary wheels may be used the hubs being loose upon the respective portions
of a special axle which, is adapted to turn in bali-bearings provided at the
supporting ends of the arms of the backbone or frame and also at, the ends of
the two stays already mentioned. A spring located within each of the driving-
wheel hubs is compressed between the hub and a shoulder limiting portions of the
axles.
The hubs are provided with coupling-teeth adapted to fit similar teeth formed
upon a clutch mounted on a square portion of the axle and retained in position
by means of a nut. Beyond the nut the axle of the wheel is extended and
forms a cylindrical portion which enters, trunnion-like, the bearing of the corre-
sponding arm or stay and a nut screwed on to the axle prevents any longitudinal
displacement thereof. Within the space between the hubs the axles are journalled
in the bearings provided on the respective arms of the framing. The said axles

page_text: then further extend inwardly and terminate each in arms or lugs together con-
stituting a universal joint.
The driving pinion which receives motion from the pedals is integral with two
journals terminating in shoulders which carry the lugs. These journals are adapted
to turn in ball-bearings provided in the arms of the frame and the projections or
lugs, set crosswise at the ends of the portions of the axle are provided with small
rollers.
These crosses have their arms situated in different planes so that two opposite
arms of one cross face two empty spaces in the other cross. The rollers of these
crosses respectively fit between the lugs with which the ends of the portions of
the axles of the wheels are provided as before stated. In this manner is formed
the central operating universal joint which serves to form the jointed axle of the
driving wheels of this improved tricycle.
The pedals impart motion to the pinion whose motion in its turn is conveyed
through the medium of the central joint to the double axle and its respective
couplings or clutches. As these under the action of the springs within, are coupled
with the teeth of the hubs, the motion is necessarily transmitted also to the wheels.
This provision for the transmission of motion by means of clutches enables the rider
to set the pedals in motion whatever their position and to steer in all directions
describing curves with very short radii at turnings and if necessary turning even on
the spot, without either difficulty or danger of overturning. When it is desired
to change the direction one of the hubs participating in the turning movement
moves nearer to the centre of the machine owing to the inclined position of the
corresponding wheel, with the result that the hub compresses its internal spring
sufficiently to disengage from its clutch, and as therefore the coupling is for the
time being severed, that wheel, will not be driven. After turning the spring
immediately throws the hub back into engagement with its clutch.
The distance to which the inclined wheels diverge should be such as to prevent
any cutting or scraping action on the ground.
The arrangement of the central pinion, axles, with clutches, hubs with internal
springs and external coupling teeth corresponding to those of the clutches are the
important features of this invention, and may also be applied to other apparatus
besides cycles, such as toy vehicles and the like.
Mud-guards or network of light texture may be provided for protecting the
wheels, the network covering part of the wheels in front and underneath the saddle.
Above the mud-guard there may be arranged a support or carrier of light con-
struction for carrying luggage if required.
Dated this 20th day of June 1892.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Velocipedes and the like.
I, ANNET TAITTE of Leigneux (Loire) in the Republic of France, Mechanical
Engineer, 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 a tricycle the three wheels of which are equal in
diameter and in which the closely arranged driving wheels mounted upon two
inclined shafts or axles, are operated by means of an endless chain, connecting the
gearing of the pedal shaft with the pinion on the central shaft ; whereby a double
connection is formed between the respective inclined wheels of the said driving
wheels.
This tricycle therefore shares the principal advantages of bicycles. It enables
the rider as does also the bicycle, very readily to get on the saddle and to alight

page_text: and this by reason of the short distance between the wheels when need not exceed
about 35 centimetres. The risk of the tricycle being upset is exceedingly remote,
but should it happen to be the rider need in no case be entangled in the wheels or
pedals. As this improved tricycle will stand upright firmly, the most inexperienced
persons may safely use it. Its operation is exceedingly easy and requires little or
no special practice.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a tricycle constructed according to my invention.
Fig. 2 is a plan thereof, and
Fig. 3 is a rear end elevation of the machine, with a portion on the left in section
through the bent axle of the driving wheels.
Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views of the central driving mechanism of the bent axle
of the driving wheels.
Figs. 6 and 7 are detail views of the end of the joint which connects the central
portions of the bent axle.
Figs. 8 and 9 show one of the toothed clutches for coupling the driving wheels
with the central joint of their bent axle.
The tricycle comprises driving wheels a b, a steering wheel c, a frame d, a fork, e,
with the handle bar, a saddle g on its support starting from the backbone d
and connected by two arms 2 g to the outer ends of the axle of the driving
wheels. A suspended bracket / secured at a suitable point of the backbone /
carries the crank-shaft o to which the pedals are attached. Tubular or other rods
or stays and jj connect the bracket and frame with the jointed axle or axles
of the driving-wheels, imparting increased rigidity to the machine.
The steering-wheel c, handle bar f, brake f¹ and other accessory parts are of
the ordinary construction. The saddle also may be arranged in any suitable way.
The cranks pp' are secured to the ends of the crank-shaft o upon the centre of
which is keyed the chain wheel which by means of a chain is adapted to drive
a pinion m integral with the central portion of the jointed axle of the driving
wheels ab or these parts may be otherwise suitably connected.
These wheels and their jointed axle may be constructed as follows,―
72
Ordinary wheels may be used the hubs being loose upon the respective por-
tions of a special axle which at n² and n³ respectively is adapted to turn in
ball-bearings provided at the supporting ends of the arms d¹ d² of the backbone or
frame, and also at the ends of the two stays 92 g³ already mentioned. A spring q
located within each of the driving wheel hubs a¹¹ is compressed between the hub
and a shoulder limiting portions n n¹ of the axles.
The hubs a bare provided with coupling teeth adapted to fit similar teeth formed
upon a clutch mounted on a square portion of the axle n and retained in
position by means of a nut . Beyond the nut the axle n of the wheel is
extended and forms a cylindrical portion which enters, trunnion-like, the bearing
of the corresponding arm or stay g²g and a nut screwed on to the axle prevents
any longitudinal displacement thereof. Within the space between the hubs a and b
the axles n n' are journalled in the bearings provided on the respective arms i¹ d²
of the framing d. The said axles then further extend inwardly and terminate
each in arms or lugs s, Figs. 6 and 7, together constituting a universal joint.
The driving pinion m which receives motion from the pedals is integral with
two journals mm² terminating in shoulders m³ m² respectively, which carry the
lugs t. These journals m² m² are adapted to turn in ball-bearings provided in the
arms 3d of the frame d, and the projections or lugs t, set crosswise at the ends
of the portions m³ m² of the axle are provided with small rollers t.
These crosses have their arms situated in different planes so that two opposite
arms of one cross face two empty spaces in the other cross. The rollers t¹ of
these crosses respectively fit between the lugs & with which the
ends of the

page_text: portions nn of the axles of the wheels a bare provided as before stated. In
this manner is formed the central operating universal joint m m² m² m³ and m¹
which serves to form the jointed axle n of the driving wheels of this improved
tricycle.
The pedals ppl impart motion to the pinion m whose motion in its turn is
conveyed through the medium of the central joint to the double axle n and its
respective couplings or clutches r. As these, under the action of the springs
within are coupled with the teeth of the hubs a, the motion is necessarily trans-
mitted also to the wheels. This provision for the transmission of motion by
means of clutches enables the rider to set the pedals in motion whatever their
position and to steer in all directions, describing curves with very short radii at
turnings, and if necessary turning even on the spot, without either difficulty or
danger of overturning. When it is desired to change the direction, one of the
hubs a or participating in the turning movement moves nearer to the centre
of the machine owing to the inclined position of the corresponding wheel a or b
with the result that the hub a' or 'compresses its internal spring sufficiently to
disengage from its clutch, and as therefore the coupling is for the time being
severed, that wheel a or b will not be driven. After turning the spring 7 immediately
throws the hub back into engagement with its clutch r.
The distance to which the inclined wheels
any cutting or scraping action on the ground.
diverge should be such as to prevent
The arrangement of the central pinion m, axles n, with clutches ", hubs a¹
with internal spring 7 and external coupling teeth corresponding to those of the
clutches are the important features of this invention, and may also be applied
to other apparatus besides cycles, such as toy-vehicles, and the like.
Mud-guards or network of light texture may be provided for protecting the
wheels, the network covering part of the wheels in front and underneath the saddle.
Above the mud-guard there may be arranged a support or carrier of light con-
struction for carrying luggage if required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is,--
1. A tricycle comprising a front or steering wheel and two back or driving wheels,
the three wheels being equal in diameter and connected by a suitable frame
supporting the pedal shaft so that the gearing of this shaft by means of an endless
chain imparts motion to a pinion on a shaft arranged in the frame in the vertical
plane of the two inclined axles of the driving wheels and connected with the inclined
axles by means of universal joints.
2. In a tricycle such as characterized in the preceding claim the construction
of the bent or double axle of the driving wheels consisting of three parts or
sections viz. the central section which through the medium of a chain and suitable
gearing receives motion from the pedals and two other symmetrical and identical
portions connected to the said central part by universal joints and upon each of
which is loosely mounted the hub of one of the wheels in addition to which each
carries a rigidly secured clutch adapted to engage with the corresponding hub
while the machine is in normal motion while when it is to be turned at a small
radius this connection is severed substantially as described.
Dated this 20th day of Ave 180
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.