Improvements in and relating to Sledges.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Mar., 1893-Accepted, 29th Apr., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Sledges.
I, HEINRICH ROEBER of Druxberge in the German Empire, Brick Maker, 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 sledge which is propelled by means of pedal-mechanism
similar to that in use on velocipedes.
A sledge so constructed is especially adapted for use by children but is also
applicable for use by adults. It is not of excessive weight and possesses great
stability. The construction of the sledge is illustrated by the accompanying
drawings reference to which is hereinafter made.
Figure 1 illustrates a front end elevation.
Figure 2 represents a side elevation.
The body of the sledge consists essentially of the frame a furnished with front
stays a a and back stays a² a². The frame and the stays may be constructed of
wood, iron, or other suitable material.
The driving wheel b is placed between the front stays and may be made extremely
light as the pressure upon it is but very slight.
Suitable teeth e are arranged upon the rim of the wheel b in such a way as to
either form one solid piece with the rim of the wheel or to be detachable
therefrom so as to allow defective teeth to be removed and replaced by new ones
with ease.
If the sledge is principally intended for use on snow surfaces the teeth at their
extreme ends are preferably provided with sharp paddles somewhat inclined to the
direction of the revolution of the wheel, whereas the arrangement of simple sharp
teeth or points is the most suitable for ice surfaces.
To enable the sledge being used for both purposes the driving wheel may be
arranged in such a way that it can easily be exchanged.
The length of the teeth must be such that while their rigidity is not affected yet
they must be long enough to grip upon the snow or ice. Since the ground upon
which the gliding rails of the sledge and the driving wheel move, are not always of
the same hardness, the axis d of the driving wheel is mounted so as to be capable of
vertical motion and to be pressed down constantly by a spiral spring f. By this
pressure the teeth of the wheel are compelled to constantly grip the ground. The
pressure exerted by the spring upon the driving wheel can be altered or varied as
desired by means of the regulating screws g. To afford a firm guide for the driving
wheel which as described is only loosely mounted and to avoid any lateral movement
the wheel rim moves between two guide rollers fitted to the stays a' a' in any
suitable manner. These rollers may if desired have an elastic mounting so as to
give to the lateral pressure of the driving wheel.
The rider who is seated upon the adjustable saddle o arranged upon the upper
part of the frame, turns the chain wheel by the pedals m. This wheel is carried
by a rod n stayed at n' and its motion is transmitted by a chain s to the chain
wheel i upon the axis of the driving wheel. A rudder 9 controlled by the handle
either constantly glides lightly upon the ground or by means of a special
arrangement can be pressed on to the ground whenever it is intended to alter the
direction of the sledge.
bar
If it should be found necessary, the position of the seat and driving wheel may
be reversed.

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-
1. In a sledge the combination with the frame of pedal mechanism and a driving
wheel furnished with teeth or paddles all constructed and arranged substantially as
herein before described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
2. In a sledge constructed as before described the combination with the driving
wheel of suitable rollers or equivalent devices for preventing lateral motion,
substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
3. The combination with a sledge constructed as before described of a rudder
-arranged and operated as herein before set forth and as illustrated by the
accompanying drawings.
4. A sledge constructed arranged and operated substantially as hereinbefore
described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 2nd day of March A.D. 1893.
WILLIAM E. HEYS,
Agent for the Applicant.