IMPROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES AND FOUR- WHEEL VELOCIPEDES, THE SAME BEING IN PART APPLICABLE TO BICYCLES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Monteith, of Carstairs, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES AND FOUR-
WHEEL VELOCIPEDES, THE SAME BEING IN PART APPLICABLE TO BICYCLES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Monteith at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th June 1876.
JOSEPH MONTEITH, of Carstairs, in the County of Lanark, North Britain.
"IM-
PROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES AND FOUR-WHEEL VELOCIPEDES, THE SAME BEING IN
PART APPLICABLE TO BICYCLES."
The first part of this Invention, which relates to improvements in tricycles, four-
wheeled velocipedes, and bicycles, has for its object to facilitate the propulsion of
the same by means of a novel construction of the treadles. The treadles are so
constructed that their upright parts, or those which connect with the cranks, are
rigid with the lower parts or those on which the feet operate, and the hind parts
of the treadles are attached to links suspended from the body or framing of the
carriage which vibrate backwards and forwards correspondingly with the movement
of the cranks which carry the treadles backwards and forwards.
The treadle arrangement now described may constitute the entire propelling gear
of the tricycle or four wheeled velocipede, but in addition thereto levers operated
by the hands may be centred in the framing, and whose lower parts are coupled by
connecting rods to the vibrating links from which the hind ends of the treadles are
suspended. This arrangement is used for obtaining additional propelling power
when necessary.
When hand levers are fixed to a velocipede an ordinary guiding
handle can be fixed as well, so, that when the hands are not wanted for propelling
they may guide without going backwards and forwards.
The second part of this Invention has for its object to facilitate the turning of
tricycles and four-wheeled velocipedes round curves, so as to avoid the grinding
action and strain which arise on such occasions by virtue of the inner and outer
wheels of a pair rigidly fixed to the axle running at different rates as well as to
facilitate the travelling of such machines generally. This object is effected by
arranging the wheels so that they may each rotate independently of one another,
that is to say, they are carried loosely on the crank axle, but are also provided with

page_text: ratchet wheels and pawls. The pawls are carried by the crank axle, and as it is
rotated they enter the teeth of the ratchets on the driving wheel and propel them
forwards, or this arrangement of the ratchets and pawls may be reversed. When
running the velocipede round a curve, as the outer wheel has a greater distance to
pass over than the inner one, the pawl and ratchet permit that outer wheel to
accommodate its extent of rotation to the greater extent of the curved surface over
which it has to pass, and thus all strain and the grinding action due to a rigid
system of wheels and axles is avoided.
As herein-before described the ratchet and pawl arrangement may be adapted
to both wheels on the driving axle, but it is sufficient to apply it to one wheel
or to make one wheel rigid with the axle, in which case the other wheel running
loosely becomes a carrying wheel only and may be of less diameter than the driving
wheel.
The third part of this Invention, or that which is applicable to four-wheeled
velocipedes as well as to tricycles and bicycles, consists in dispensing with the
treadle or foot blocks which are carried on the crank pins, and in providing the
boots of tricycle or bicycle riders with metallic blocks to be let in level with the
sole of boot, in which a circular hollow is made transversely corresponding in size
to the crank pins and which rest upon the crank pins when riding. By means of
these blocks being fixed to the boots the foot is at all times able to act upon the
cranks with a maximum of efficiency, as the shifting of the centre of effort inherent
to the existing practice of the foot resting upon the flat surface of the treadlo blocks
is avoided.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Joseph Monteith in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th December
1876.
JOSEPH MONTEITH, of Carstairs, in the County of Lanark, North Britain.
"IM-
PROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES AND FOUR-WHEELED VELOCIPEDES, THE SAME BEING IN
PART APPLICABLE TO BICYCLES."
The first part of my said Invention relates to improvements in tricycles and
four-wheeled velocipedes, and has for its object to facilitate the propulsion of the
same by means of a novel construction of the treadles. The treadles are so con-
structed that their upright parts, or those which connect with the cranks are rigid
with the lower parts or those on which the feet operate and the hind parts of the
treadles are attached to links suspended from the body or frame of the carriage,
and which vibrate backwards and forwards correspondingly with the movement of
the cranks which carry the treadles backwards and forwards.
And in order that this and other improvements embraced by my said Invention
may be properly understood, I have hereunto appended an explanatory Sheet of
Drawings, on which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a tricycle, and Figure 2 a side
elevation of a four-wheeled velocipede with the treadles A constructed in the
manner herein-before set forth, B being the upright rigid portions connected
to the cranks C, and D the suspension links to which the hinder parts of the
treadles A are attached. This treadle arrangement may constitute the entire pro-
pelling gear of the tricycle or four-wheeled velocipede, or in addition thereto
levers E to be operated by the hands may be centred on the framing of the
carriage, and coupled at their lower ends by connecting rods F to the vibrating
links D, from which the rearward ends of the treadles are suspended.
arrangement of hand levers is used for obtaining additional propelling power when
necessary, and when these levers are employed ordinary means for guiding the
velocipede are provided as well, so that when the hands are not wanted for pro-
pelling they may hold the guiding handles or cords.
This

page_text: The second part of my said Invention has for its object to facilitate the turning
of tricycles and four-wheeled velocipedes round curves so as to avoid the grinding
action and strain which arise on such occasions by virtue of the inner and outer
wheels of a pair rigidly fixed to the same axle running at different rates, as well
as to facilitate the travelling of such machines generally. This object is effected by
arranging the wheels so that they may each rotate independently of one another,
that is to say, they are carried loosely on the crank axle and are provided with
ratchet wheels and pawls, as seen at Figure 3 of the Drawings, which is a horizontal
section of a pair of wheels situate on the same crank axle I; Figure 4 of the
Drawings is a vertical section of the arrangement.
As shewn by these Figures pawls a are carried by the crank axle I, and as it
rotates in the direction of the arrow, Figure 4, these pawls enter the teeth of the
ratchet wheels b, formed on or fixed to the bosses of the driving wheels J, and
propel the said wheels forwards, or this arrangement of the ratchet wheels and
pawls may be reversed, that is to say, the ratchet wheels may be fixed on the crank
axle I and the pawls centred on the hubs or bosses of the driving wheels, as seen
at Figures 5 and 6 of the Drawings. Under either arrangement the pawls are kept
in contact with the teeth of the ratchet wheels by means of springs e or the
equivalents thereof. When running the velocipede round a curve, as the outer
wheel has a greater distance to pass over than the inner one, the pawl and ratchet
permit that outer wheel to revolve faster and so to accomodate its extent of
rotation to the greater extent of the curved surface over which it has to pass, and
thus all strain and the grinding action inherent to a fixed or rigid system of wheels
and axles is avoided.
As herein-before described the ratchet and pawl arrangement may be adapted
to both wheels on the driving axle, but in the case of four-wheeled velocipedes it
may be adapted to the wheels on the other axle as well; or the said arrangement
may be adapted to a single wheel on each axle, the other wheels being rigid with
the axles. In the case of tricycles the same arrangement of applying the ratchet
and pawl to one wheel only may be adopted. It is however to be here understood
that I do not confine myself to employ the said ratchet wheels and pawls with the
tricycles and four-wheeled velocipedes otherwise constructed, in accordance with my
said Invention, as in some cases the same may be entirely dispensed with, both
wheels on the crank axle being then rigid as heretofore.
The third part of my said Invention is applicable to bicycles as well as to the
classes of velocipedes herein-before mentioned, and it consists in dispensing with
the foot blocks of bicycles and the treadle blocks of tricycles and four-wheeled
velocipedes which are respectively carried on the crank pins and treadles of such
carriages, and in providing the boots of the riders on such vehicles with metallic
blocks which are let in level with the soles of the boots; Figures 7 and 8 of the
Drawings are respectively a detailed longitudinal section and a plan of one of these
blocks, each of which is formed with a transverse groove or hollow x, which rests
when riding upon the crank pin or upon a pin fixed in the treadle. By means of
these blocks being fixed to the boots the feet are at all times able to act upon the
cranks with a maximum of efficiency, as the shifting of the centre of effort inherent
to the existing practice of the feet resting upon the flat surface of the foot or treadle
blocks is avoided.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the system, mode, or manner in or under which the same is or may be used
or practically carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider
to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First. The improved treadle arrangement (for tricycles and four-wheeled veloci-
pedes) herein-before described and shewn at Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying
Drawings or any mere modification thereof, wherein the upright parts of the treadles
which connect with the cranks are rigid with the parts on which the feet operate

page_text: the latter parts at their rearward ends, being attached to vibrating links as set
forth.
Second. The hand lever arrangement, shown at Figures 1 and 2 of the Drawings
hereunto annexed, and the employment thereof to increase the propelling power
in tricycles and four-wheeled velocipedes, substantially as herein-before described.
Third. Placing one or both of the driving wheels loosely on the driving axle of
tricycles and four-wheeled velocipedes, and gearing it or them with the said axle by
means of a ratchet and pawl arrangement, substantially as and for the purpose
herein-before described with reference to Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the appended
Drawings.
Fourth. Providing the boots of velocipede riders with metallic blocks constructed
with transverse grooves or hollows in them, as and for the purpose described with
reference to Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Monteith, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Eleventh day of December One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-six.
JOSEPH MONTEITH. (L.S.)