Improvements in or relating to the Propulsion of Vehicles and Boats.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Aug., 1890-Accepted, 27th Sept., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to the Propulsion of Vehicles
and Boats.
1, GEORGE QUICK, of Mountain Ash Villa, Ashville Road, Leytonstone, in the
County of Essex, Merchant, 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 :-
My invention relates to an improved means of and apparatus for propelling light
vehicles and boats by manual power, and a novel an economic method of utilizing
the energy stored in the momentum of the machine as a brake power for bringing the
same to a position of rest, and has for its object the utilization of the weight of the
operater, or operaters as the source of the motive power employed.
I wish it distinctly understood that the apparatus according to my invention may be
adapted with equal facility to the propulsion of either vehicles or boats, and by the
use of suitable and well known gearing, may, in the latter case be used for driving a
stern propeller, but I have elected to describe my invention as adapted to a velocipede,
and in order that the apparatus and the manner of manipulating the same may be
clearly understood I have appended the accompanying five sheets of drawings, and
have adopted the use of similar letters of reference throughout to indicate corre-
sponding parts.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a velocipede or quatuor cycle constructed according to
my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view. and Fig. 3 is a front elevation, of the same.
Fig. is an enlarged view of part of the driving mechanism, to be hereinafter more
fully explained, and Fig. 5, is a sectional view of Fig. 4 upon the line A. B. Figs. 6,
7. S and are details of Figs. 4 and 5. Fig. 10 is an enlarged side elevational view
of the break mechanism forming one of the salient points of my invention, and also
part of the driving gear, and Fig. 11 is a back elevation of Fig. 10, while Fig. 12 is
à view of one of the details of Figs. 10 and 11.
[t
My invention is adaptable to the working of machines requiring but limited
power, but is more applicable to the propulsion of boats, or small light vessels and
wheeled vehicles, but may be duplicated or modified so as to be suitable for the
propulsion of larger craft and vehicles, such as tram cars and the like.
embodies certain and novel features, the first and principle of which is the means
employed for utilizing the weight of the worker or workers as the propelling
force, or source of motion, instead of direct muscular power, and secondly, the
brake device is essentially a storage of the momentum contained in the moving
vehicle, or boat, and may be used to overcome the vis-inertia in restarting the
same.
In carrying my invention into effect I construct, a frame A, the vertical sides of
which are connected at the upper ends by a transverse bar A' which acts as a bearing
or purchase bar for driver or drivers, the lower or bent parts of A are constructed to
form bearings for the driving axle arms H, and by means of the supplementary
brackets N, the oscillatory spindle N, and also carries the stud D¹ upon which
revolves the duplex wheel D, E. The lower extremities of the frame A are connected
to the bottom part of the spiral springs a. A second, or body frame B, constructed
in the manner shewn by the accompanying drawings, is connected by the projections B¹
formed thereon, to the upper ends of the springs a, and so attached at its lower
extremities to the frame A. Said fraune B may be constructed so as to form a seat B
and a foot board B for the accommodation of non-working riders, or luggage.
The upper extremity of B is connected to A by means of the projections c which
carries a vertical roller passing between two parallel horizontal transverse
rollers supported by brackets attached to a transverse rail, or stretcher,

page_text: connected to the sides of the frame A.
The vertical roller c¹ is free to move
laterally between c and d by its own action, so as to accommodate itself to any
lateral motion that may occur in the machine, and also free to move vertically by the
action of ell and c and so provide for the play of the springs a, and at the same
time retains the frames A and B in their relative positions. It will be seen upon
reference to Fig. 2 that B has been partly broken away for the purpose of permitting
the internal mechanism to be seen in plan, and the outline of B" is continued by
dotted lines. A hollow standard B provided with an internal screw thread is placed
in a vertical position upon the frame B in the manner shewn by the side elevation
Fig. 1 and broken off in Fig. 2 sheet 2 for the purpose of shewing the formation of B
at this part of the machine. A seat f for the accommodation of the driver is provided
with a screw f' which fits within the standard B and can be adjusted to any height
to suit the comfort of the driver. The standard B may be provided with suitable
supports when necessary to retain it in a vertical position. The axle 1 of the rear
wheels 2 is connected by spiral springs 3 to a transverse har 4 pivotted at 5 to the
frame B. Suitable bevel gearing attached by a bracket to the back of B is
actuated by a handle e, said gearing is connected to a vertical rod e¹ cranked at its
lower end, and from this crank extends a rod e" which being connected to the axle of
the rear wheels provides an easy and efficient means for steering the machine by the
movement of the handle e.
The propelling part of the mechanism is constructed as follows, that is to say. I
have before mentioned that the sides of the frame A carry by means of the bracket Ni
the oscillating spindle N. I term this the oscillating spindle because its action is
oscillatory when the machine is in motion. Upon the centre of the spindle N1 fix a
grooved pulley U, to which is connected one end of a cord, the opposite end of which
is connected to the periphery of a spring box J mounted upon a transverse spindle
supported by brackets connected to the frame A. Upon each side of the pulley U
at a suitable distance therefrom is a composite wheel 1 fitting loosely upon the
spindle N. For the construction of this wheel reference must be made to Figs. 1, 5,
6, 7, 8 and 9 sheets 3 and of the accompanying drawings. Referring to Fig. 4
sheet 4 and the sectional view thereof Fig. 5 sheet 4 1 is a triple grooved pulloy
preferably made of hard wood, the difference in the circumferential measurement of
the two outside grooves, is in order that a greater or lesser degree of speed may be
attained according to which groove is brought into use. The Figs. 4 and 5 shew the
construction of the composite wheel used on the left side of the machine, but both
wheels are exactly alike in every particular, saving, that the parts that occur on the
left side of the illustration Fig. 5 as representing the left hand wheel, would be
exactly opposite in the right hand wheel. On the outer side of the pulley 1 and
firmly fixed to the spindle N is a wheel X with an annular groove formed in the
periphery thereof, within this groove are a certain number of reels or rollers
equadistant apart and retained in position by suitable pins upon which they freely
revolve. A covering platen shaped as shown at Fig. 5, and larger in diameter than
the wheel X fits loosely upon N, and when in position fits close up to the hub of X,
and is firmly attached to I by means of screws or the like passing through the
flangen formed upon the outer circumference thereof. A similar plate o but of
lesser diameter than n and without the flanges n' is attached to the opposite side of 1
by means of screws or the like o¹. A suitable recess is formed in n and o to recieve
the roller bearing plates and o", one of these plates is shewn in elevation and
section by Fig. 8 sheet 3. Within the spaces left between n" and n and o" and 1
place a suitable number of rollers b which revolve upon and are held in position by
screws or pins passing through suitable holes in the plates n" and o" and engaging
with the plates a and o at a point which enables the rollers b to ride upon and around
the spindle N and form a roller or ball bearing for the composite wheel for the
purpose of minimizing friction. A suitable hollow capp Fig. 6 sheet 3 provided with
an internal or female screw thread, is screwed upon the outer or projecting faces
of nando and in close contact with the flange formed upon " and " as shewn by
the drawings. The before mentioned screws for holding in position the rollers b and

page_text: 77.
the plates and o" are provided with a longitudinal groove as shown by Fig. 9
sheet 3 for the admittance of lubrication to the rollers internally, a suitable cavity
left in the plates n" and o" as shewn by Fig. S and a corresponding slot in and o as
shewn by Fig. 7 sheet permits the introduction of suitable lubrication, which flows
within the cell or space between the outer cap pant the bearing plates and ". A
catch P, pivotted at by means of a screw passing through P into the flange n³ of the
cap n.
Attached to one end of P is a suitable spring the tension of which keeps P
in contact with the reels a, a suitable opening 7 in the plate n being provided for that
purpose. In Fig. 4 sheet 4 the plate n is partly broken away to shew the position of
the opening 7, and in the same view part of the wheel X is removed to shew the
manner in which P engages with . A slotted arm R pivotted to nat » engages with
the opposite end of P and kept in sliding contact therewith by the pin s. It will be
easily understood that the depression of the handle of the arm R also depresses that
end of P and consequently disengages P from a. A cord 8 fixed to one of the outer
grooves of I is carried in an upward direction and connected to the periphery of a
spring box fitted upon the transverse spindle J' in the same manner as J. A
stout cord 9 is fixed to the centre groove of I and passes in a downward direction, and
is connected to one of the footboards L. Figs. 1, 2 and 3, sheets 1, 2, 3 I have
before mentioned that a composite wheel such as I have just described is on each side
of the wheel U, and upon the spindle N, consequently there would he two footboards
on the machine, one for each wheel, or when a larger number than two of such
composite wheels are employed (and any number may be so employed according to
the size of the machine or the number of working riders) a corresponding number of
footboards are provided. Upon one or both of these footboards the operator stands
when giving momentum to the machine, or may partly rest his weight upon the
seat and the footboards, or wholly upon the seat and off the footboards according
to the gradient of the road and the consequent greater or lesser weight needed to
propel the machine. The footboards L are connected, each to a lever or rod M, the
opposite end of which is pivotted to a transverse bar y which takes its bearings on the
lower side bars of the frame B. Each footboard is provided with roller bearings,
upon its under surface at the opposite end to that connected to the lever M. Two
enclined planes K are provided for each footboard, or where two footboards only, are
used, as in the case in point, a centre encline plane wide enough to act for both boards
may be employed as shown by Figs. 2 and 3 sheet 2 and 3. The enclined planes K
are fixed to the frame B at their lower ends by bolts or the like, the upper being either
supported upon brackets as shewn by Fig. 1, sheet. 1 or by a transverse rail or bearing
arranged upon the frame B as may be desired. It will be easily understood from the
foregoing description that a weight placed upon one of the footboards L sufficient to
produce depression would cause said board to travel down the face of the enclined
plane K, and by reason of its connection with the lever M. remains always in an
horizontal position whether at the top of the enclined plane in its position of rest, or
at the bottom as shewn by the dotted lines Fig. 1, sheet 1.
Upon each end of the oscillatory spindle N, or approximately so,
is fitted a co
wheel F, recessed on its outer face as shewn by Fig. 12, and provided with
internal ratchets, said wheel F being arranged to revolve freely upon the spindle N.
Within the before mentioned recess in F and firmly fixed to the spindle N is a
projecting arm h pivotted upon which is a catch g arranged in such a manner that
the thickness of and y collectively do not exceed the depth of the recess in the
wheel F. The free end of the catch y engages with the before mentioned internal
ratchets and is kept in close contact therewith by a suitable spring i. The arm h
being firmly attached to N it will be understood that N may revolve in one
direction without carrying round the wheel F as g would slip idly over the ratchets
whereas if N revolves in the opposite direction, shewn by the arrow, it must
carry Fround with it as g would be kept in close contact with the ratchets by
the tension of the spring i and so force round the wheel F.
I have before described that the driving axle H has its bearings upon the frame A,
this is shewn drawn to an enlarged scale by Fig. 11 sheet 5. The arm or hub

page_text: extension of the.axle-El carries the main or driving track wheels of the machine, upon
the inner end of the box of which is a cog wheel G which engages with the
wheel F.
Upon a transverse rail 10 connected to the side of the frame A and slightly
above the axial line of the spindle N are crank pieces, each having two broad
feet or extensions T and T', the said cranks are so placed upon the rail 10 as to
be each behind one of the composite wheels before described and in sufficiently
close proximity there to that T or T is always in a position to engage with the
handle of the arm R as will be hereinafter more fully described.
The propulsion of the vehicle is performed in the following manner.
The driver
places his weight upon I which in its depression pulls the cord 9 and revolves I which
by means of the catch P engaging with a revolves the wheel X, and this being fixed
upon N revolves that also, the motion thus given to N revolves the wheel F by means
of the caich g and the arm 7, and as the cogs of the wheel Fengago with the cogs of
the wheel upon the box of the track wheels, thereby gives momentum to the
machine. By the time the footboard L has completed its journey to the bottom of K,
the handle has come in contact with T by reason of its having made nearly one
revolution. The pressure of Tupon R releases P from and thus leaves the
wheel free, and the spring J having been wound up by the wheel U in the
revolution made by the spindle N to which it is attached exerts its tension and
revolves and consequently N and X in the opposite direction, back to their normal
position ready to be operated upon in a similar manner by the depression of the other
footboard L on to which the rider would now transfer his weight. It may be here
mentioned that the traverse L from top to bottom of K equals the circumferential
traverse of I.
I have found in practice that the impetus thus given to the machine by the
depression of the one footboard in the manner described is more than sufficient to
continue propulsion until the second board is depressed even upon a slight incline,
notwithstanding that in starting the machine from a position of rest the cis-inertia
has to be overcome in giving momentum to the machine.
The second footboard L upon receipt of the weight of the driver acts in a precisely
similar manner to that described, and actuates the second composite wheel in the
same way as the first and thus imparts further momentum to the machine, and so on
ad lib. The revolving of I during the depression of L winds up the spring J by
means of the cord 8 so that immediately the drivers weight is removed from L the
spring brings L to its original elevated position ready to be acted upon again in a
similar manner.
It is obvious that by supplementing the number of composite wheels before
described upon the oscillating spindle N, and a corresponding number of footboards L
and the accessories in connection therewith that any number of drivers can be at work
at the same time, each one imparting to the machine an amount of impetus equal to
his weight, each one contributing an amount of propelling force equal to the amount
of work imposed upon the machine by his presence thereon, less the friction.
The manner of applying the brake and arresting and storing the momentum of the
machine for use in restarting is as follows.
The spindle N extends beyond the length necessary to carry the wheel F, and
carries freely upon this extension a cog wheel C shewn drawn to an enlarged scale
by Figs. 10 and 11 sheet 5 of the same diameter as F. The cogs of C engage with a
small wheel D fixed upon the face of, or forming part of a cog wheel E, revolving
upon the stud as previously described. The cogs of E engage with the cogs of G,
(the width of G being sufficient to engage with E as well as F as previously
described). The wheel C carries upon its outer face a circumferential flange C¹ so
that an annular space or channel is provided thereon, within this aunular space and
equadistant apart are a certain number of reels or rollers j, similar to those in the
wheel X, these are kept in position by suitable pins or screws passing through holes in
the flange C and fixed to the wheel C. The wheel C is prevented from leaving the
spindle N, by a terminal arm or plate 11 fastened by screws or their equivalent to the

page_text: face of the end of N. The plate 11 carries on its back face a catch which engages
with the recls or rollers; in a similar manner to P and a Fig. 4 sheet 4. Upon the
outer face of the plate 11 and supported horizontally by projecting brackets k is a
short spindle ¹ one end of which projecting beyond the bracket k, has a right angular
hend so as to form an arm, the extremity of which comes beneath the catch j¹.
From the spindle & descends a central leg the foot of which is slotted to admit
therethrough a pin projecting from the spindle N through the plate 11.
A rod or
brake armd having a hole at the bottom end through which projects the pin l, is
pivotted at the upper end to A at the point d'. A knob or head formed on the end
of prevents d from coming off. A spiral spring m attached at one end to the face of
the plate 11 and at the opposite en 1 to a pin on the catch projecting through a slot
formed in the plate 11 for that purpose. The brake arrangement herein described
being duplicated at the opposite side of the machine, the two rods or brake arms dare
kept in close contact with the leg by the tension of the springs "connected to d
and the frame A, or by any other means whereby close contact is maintained
between d and when the brake is off. The inward pressure thus imparted to
the brake arms d keeps the leg close up against the face of the plate 11 said
pressure being in excess of the strength of the tension of the spring m, and acting in
opposition thereto causes the angular bend upon the spindle to keep the
catch out of contact with the reels ; when the brake is off. The wheel C can
revolve freely upon the spindle N and as the cogs of engage with the cogs of D,
and D being attached to E, the cogs of which engage with the cogs of G, it follows
that when the machine is in motion and the box of the track wheels revolving, upon
which the wheel G is fixed, that G must revolve therewith and consequently D, E
and C must have their relative motion.
When it is desirable to apply the brake the brake handle 12 is turned which acting
upon the two parallel rods 13 and 14 longitudinally, press ontwardly the brake rods d
against the tension of the springs d". The rods 13 and 14 being pushed by the brake
handle in opposite directions relatively to each other, it follows that the tongs 15 are
each parted by the action of 13 and 14 to which they are attached, the opening of 15
raises the rods 16 attached thereto, the rod 16 being connected to the crank T T
(more particularly shewn by Fig. 4 sheet 4) withdraws T out of the path of R. so
that it does not engage therewith in the manner previously described when the motion
of the machine was to be continued, and at the same time places T in connection
with R which acts upon it in a similar manner to T but at the opposite end of the
cycle thereof, this action of T being applied to the handle R when the corresponding
footboard is at the top of the enclined plane K. 1 have previously mentioned that the
turning of the brake handle acting upon 13 and 14 presses outwardly the rods d,
which releases the leg which immediately leaves the plate 11 and follows d to the
limit of the pin by the tension of m pressing upon the catch j', and upon k₁, the
catch being released by the removal of falls and engages with the reels of
the wheel and is carried round therewith by the momentum of the machine. The
catch being attached to the plate 11 which is fastened to the spindle N it follows
that the wheel carries with it the spindle N and by reason of the removal of the
crank T and the interposition of T the spinillo N carries with it the composite wheels
thereon and as one of the boards L would, at the moment, be sustaining the weight
of the rider and be at or near the bottom of its downwards journey, the composite
wheel corresponding thereto would by the cord 9 connecting them raise the board L
with the driver thereon, by this means the weight of the driver would be used to
arrest the momentum of the machine, and become the brake power used for that
purpose. Upon the release of the brake handle the mechanism resumes its norinal
position and the weight of the driver again starts the machine, consequently the
inomentum of the machine which was the power that raised the weight of the driver,
is not wasted or lost but is used again to start the machine. I may where needed or
desired provide a band brake as a supplementary brake power, in this case I may use
any type of band brake in general use without departing from the principle of my
invention.

page_text: 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
First In an improved method of and means for propelling vehicles and boats by
manual power the construction and use of the various parts, forming the subject of
my invention, in combination with each other, substantially as and for the purposes
herein set forth and shewn by the accompanying drawings.
Second In an improved method of propelling vehicles and light vessels, the
means employed for utilizing the weight of the driver or drivers as the source of
motive power employed, substantially as and for the purposes herein described and
shewn.
Third In a machine, vehicle or vessel propelled by manual power, the construction
and use of an oscillatory spindle N, carrying a combination wheel consisting of a
grooved pulley I, roller wheel X, supported by plates n and o, and " and ol, carrying
roller bearings benclosed by a cap p, and the method of lubricating the same, substan-
tially as and for the purposes herein described and shewn, reference being had to
Figs. 4. 5. 6. 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.
Fourth In a machine vehicle or boat propelled by manual power, the construction
and use of foot-boards L, with wheels L', and lever rods M, with enclined planes K in
combination with the parts described in the preceding claims substantially as and
for the purposes herein described and shewn in the accompanying five sheets of
drawings.
Fifth In a machine vessel or vehicle propelled by the weight of the operator or
oporators, the construction and use of the wheel C and rollers and catch j', the
spindle and the brake rod d operated by the handle 12, and the rods 13 and 14 in
conjunction with the rod 16, for the purpose of arresting and storing the momentum
in the machine, substantially as and for the purposes herein described and shewn
reference being had to the accompanying drawings and more fully particularized by
Figs. 10 and 11 sheet 5.
Dated this 11th day of August 1890
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
4, Moorfields, Fore Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.