IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES, THE SAID IMPROVEMENTS BEING IN PART APPLICABLE TO OTHER MACHINES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Hall, of Sandall Road, Camden Road in the
County of Middlesex for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES,
THE SAID IMPROVEMENTS BEING IN PART APPLICABLE TO OTHER MACHINES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Hall at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th November 1883.
SAMUEL HALL of Sandall Road Camden Road in the County of Middlesex
"IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES THE SAID IMPROVEMENTS BEING IN PART
APPLICABLE TO OTHER MACHINES "
.
My Invention relating to Improvements in. Velocipedes parts of which are
applicable to other machines has for its object to prevent the excessive vibration
of Velocipedes when ridden, at the same time preserving their rigidity and also to
improvements upon parts arranged according to a former invention of mine forming
the subject matter of Letters Patent No 4548 of 1881 with a view to cheapness and
lightness also to increase the rigidity of the forks of Velocipedes and to lessen the
vibration of the handles thereof and likewise to provide effective means for applying
the breaks and for driving or propelling the Velocipede, also certain of the
improvements may be applied to other machines as hereinafter stated.
In carrying out my Invention I apply helical springs to one or more of the
wheels of Velocipedes in the following manner-The springs are situated below or
partly below the axle and are contained in. two tubular prongs of a guiding fork
connected with the fork or frame of the Velocipede which are fitted to slide in two
tubular extensions of the bearing box or block or part in which the axle works (or
is fixed) which tubular-parts are brazed or otherwise secured to the said bearing
box and extend from the top of the axle on each side to a considerable distance
below it. The tubular prongs of the guide fork are preferably brazed on two pins
or pillars which are in one with the top of the fork and extend some distance down
the interior of the prongs so that when the fork is in its place in the tubes of the
bearing box the top ends of the springs bear against the ends of the said pins or
pillars. The lower ends of the springs rest on pieces screwed into the lower ends of
the tubes of the bearing box and having extensions which are smaller than the tapped
מ.
•

page_text: '
part and long enough to enter the prongs of the fork when the springs are not
compressed and as the fork descends with the compression of the springs the
extensions of the screwed pieces on which the springs rest slide freely up the
prongs The fork is prevented from coming out of the tubes by any suitable means.
Instead of the springs resting on the bottoms of the outer tubes they may rest on
cross pieces or pins fixed across the tubes, the prongs of the fork being provided
with longitudinal slots to admit of them sliding up and down When it is desired
to connect the sliding fork with the frames of Velccipedes below the axle the fork
may be reversed in the tubes of the bearing box and inserted from below the ends
of the fork near the axle having plugs screwed into them on the inside ends of
which the tops of the springs bear the springs resting on cross pins fixed in the
lower ends of the tubes of the bearing box as before, the prongs of the fork also
having slots provided for the purpose before described-In another mode of
applying helical springs to the wheels of Velocipedes in combination with tubular
extensions of the bearing box and a sliding guide fork, I place the Springs on the
outside of the tubes of the said bearing box so that the springs embrace them and
bear upon spreading flanges fitted to or formed on the lower ends of the tubes.
The upper ends of the springs which reach to about the level of the underside of
the bearing abut against cross pieces or pins fixed in the prongs of the sliding fork
with their ends protruding through slots in the tubes of the bearing box which
admit of the cross pins sliding up and down under the action of the springs which
may be enclosed in suitable covers to exclude dirt-As in the former arrangement
the fork may be reversed in the tubes of the bearing box and inserted from
below According to another modification I place the springs inside the tubes of
the bearing box which have brazed or otherwise secured in their upper parts pieces
of tube rather stouter in substance than the coils of the springs and extending
down to about the level of the underside of the bearing. Pieces of tube of the
same substance as those at the top of the tubes of the bearing box are screwed
into their lower ends extending some distance up them on the top of which the
springs rest. These pieces of tube at the top and Eottom of the tubes form surfaces
for the guide fork (which passes through the centre of the springs) to slide in.
Cross pieces or pins are fixed in holes in the prongs of the guide fork level with
the top ends of the springs being passed into their place through suitable openings
in the outer tubes, the ends of which pins project outside the prongs of the fork
and bear on the tops of the springs. Instead of pins or cross pieces bearing on the
springs, removeable collars or flanges may be fixed in a suitable way on the fork
to answer the same purpose The fork may also be reversed in the tubes of the
bearing box as before described In another modification I place the springs in the
tubes of the bearing box in the same situation as last described the springs resting on
similar bases, which bases instead of being removeable may be brazed or otherwise
secured in the tubes. The prongs of the sliding fork in this case are made larger
at the upper part than they are at the lower part and the upper and largest parts
are fitted to slide in the upper part of the tubes of the bearing box, the smaller
and lower parts of the pronge passing down the centre of the springs and sliding in
the smaller parts of the extensions of the bearing box on which the springs rest-
The difference in the two sizes of the prongs of the fork form shoulders against
which the top ends of the springs bear. The fork may be reversed in the tubes of
the bearing box as before in which case the largest parts of the prongs being at
their ends are made removeable in order to insert the fork at the lower ends of the
extensions of the bearing box. In a modification of the arrangement last described
instead of the lower guiding parts of the tubes of the bearing box being fixed
therein I make them a part of the sliding fork, but removable therefrom so that the
springs can be placed on the smaller part of the prongs The springs rest when the
fork is in its place in the tubes on cross pieces or pins fixed across the said tubes
the prongs of the fork being provided with slots in which the cross pieces slide as
before described. The fork may be reversed in the tubes of the bearing box as
before

page_text: In another modification I dispense with the lower guiding parts and arrange the
springs lower down in the tubes of the bearing box and resting on bottom pieces
fixed to their ends. The ends of the guide fork when it is in its place in the tubes
bear on the tops of the springs means being provided to prevent the fork coming
out of the tubes. The extensions of the bearing box are in this case preferably
longer so as to provide longer bearing surfaces to the guiding parts above the
springs The fork may be reversed in the tubes as in the modifications hereinbefore
described except that there are no lower guiding parts, the guiding part of the fork
above the springs being merely connected with the arch of the fork by the smaller
part of the prongs passing through the springs. According to another modification
I arrange the springs and sliding parts in exactly the same way as in the last three
modifications previously described except that the extensions of the bearing box
do not consist of tubes but are made in one with the bearing box the guiding parts
consisting of Cylindrical bores those parts of the said extensions between the upper
and lower guiding parts being cut away except on the sides next to each other
which are strengthened and made something in the form of an arch under the
bearing The springs being exposed may be provided with a suitable covering
In the various modifications herein before described (except in the case of the first
described arrangement) the prongs of the forks may be solid instead of tubular and
in one with the top of the fork. The bearing boxes and the tubular extensions
may also be formed in one the sliding parts being bored out. The exposed parts of
the fork may be covered by flexible tubes swelled slightly in the middle in the
form of a barrel, preferably of rubber or rubber coated with gutta percha one of
their ends being fixed to the fork and the other to the tubes of the bearing box so
that as the forks slide the covers will swell out and not touch the sliding parts.
The part of my Invention herein before described is a series of modifications of part
of a former invention of mine for which Letters Patent No 4548 were granted to
me as of the 18th October 1881 In applying the springs to the side wheels of
Velocipedes when the wheels are in pairs on the same axle or on axles that are
connected with each other I connect the guide forks by hinge joint or otherwise
with the frame of the machine in such a manner that when the springs yield more
at one end of the axle than at the other and the axle and frame are thereby not
parallel with each other, the joints or links will turn and prevent the sliding parts
from binding and also allows the free action of the springs. When the springs are
applied to the driving wheel of an ordinary bicycle I make the wheel rigid in the
fork in the following way I provide the wheel with a second or auxiliary fork of
lighter construction than the main fork the lower ends of which auxiliary fork I
connect to the bearing boxes the top terminating in a tubular part fitted to slide
on the outside of the head of the bicycle which is made straight or parallel for the
purpose The auxiliary fork rises and falls with the wheel under the action of the
springs the tubular part (which is made as long as possible to get a long bearing
surface) sliding up and down on the head.--In order to facilitate fitting the tubular
part of the fork onto the head it may be made in two parts and screwed or
otherwise fixed together-Instead of the tube of the auxiliary fork sliding on the
outside of the bicycle head it may be fitted to slide inside in which case the neck of
the backbone will be in the centre of the tube Whether the tubular part of the
auxiliary fork be inside or outside the head it is provided with an opening on one
side to admit the neck and allow of the motion of the backbone in steering the
machine. Each side of the fork is connected to the tubular part preferably at or
below the centre longitudinal slots being provided in the head when the tube is
inside through which each side of the fork is connected to it. the said slots being
ong enough to admit of the rising of the said fork Each side of the auxiliary fork
s preferably arranged to lay in a groove or hollow formed down the outside of the
main fork of the bicycle This arrangement may be applied to any forked wheel
of Velocipedes in combination with springs applied to the said wheel
My Invention of improvements in the construction of parts described in the
Specification of my former Patent hereinbefore referred to has reference to the

page_text: bearing boxes and their extensions described with reference to Figures 4, 5 and ʊ
of the drawings accompanying the same Specification and consists as follows:-
I take three or moro tubes and arrange them close together side by side on a
plate of a suitable size and shape and place a similar plate on the top of them and
braze the tubes and plates together. A hole is then cut through one end from
plate to plate for the reception of a tube to receive the bearing or the axle.
The spaces between the tubes and the plates at the top and bottom ends have
fitted in them pieces of a suitable shape which together with the tube for the
bearing are all brazed in position thus providing at the lower end a solid part to
which the bottom on which the spring or springs rest may be screwed. To increase
the rigidity of the forks I make the legs of the forks of Velocipedes of the following
sections in all of which an essential feature is the back and front sides that is to
say those sides facing towards the front and rear of the machine are made either
slightly convex or flat-In one section I make the fork convex on the inside and
outside in another convex on one side only the other side being flat. In another
section I make the fork concave inside and outside in another concave on one side
only the other side being flat. In another section I make the legs of the fork
concave on one side and convex on the other. The bulk of the fork as taken from
the inside to the outside I make preferably greater than usual to give as much
width as possible to the sides seen from the front and rear of the machine the bulk
or width in the other direction may be the same as usual-I also make the forks of
two or even three tubular parts each of a section similar to those herein before
described but of less bulk from back to front the bulk of each tubular part being
the same from the inside to the outside as the preceding sections but being
respectively one half and one third their bulk in the other direction The tubular
parts are laid flat to flat and brazed together when they form a double or treble
concave or convex and so on making up the same bulk from back to front as the
aforesaid sections
I lessen the vibration of the handles of velocipedes for steering and braking and
other purposes (other than those of the ordinary Bicycle) by means of the seat
spring by connecting the handles with the seats or saddles, this may be effected in
the following way:-Connected to the seat or saddle and extending therefrom in.
any required direction are arms or brackets in or on which are fitted to turn or
swivel the upper parts of the stems or rods to which the handles are attached--
The lower parts of the rods which are connected to the frame of the machine and
with steering or other gear are separate from the upper parts but have a vertical
sliding connection therewith either the upper or lower parts of the said rods or
stems being made tubular to admit of the one sliding over the other. The sliding
parts may be square or oblong in section or they may be made in any form that
will not admit of their twisting round in each other but will ensure the upper part
when the handle is twisted carrying the lower part round with it, for which
purpose also the sliding parts may be double or fork like in form. As the seat
rises and falls with the action of the spring the upper parts of the rolls or stems
with the handles will rise and fall with it by sliding up and down the lower parts.
When the handles are merely for gripping purposes for steadying the rider the
upper parts of the rods need not be made to twist round in the brackets
In carrying out improvements connected with the breaks as applied to a bicyclo
I employ a bieak to bear on the ground near the back wheel in the following
manner At the lower part of each side of the fork of the back wheel arms or
brackets project towards the rear to the ends of which arms a pair of double armed
levers is fitted to turn one lever being arranged on each side of the wheel These
levers the two arms of each of which are of different lengths and are at an angle
to each other are fulcrumed to the ends of the arms or brackets at the elbow
formed by the junction of the two arms The longest arms of the levers trail and
are joined together by the part which forms the sole or part of the break which
bears on the ground in the rear of the wheel and central with its track the sole
The short arms of the
being preferably broad to afford a good retarding surface

page_text: levers extend horizontally from the fulcrum to the inside of the fork where they
are connected preferably by wires passing up between the fork and wheel to the
two ends of a forked piece or its equivalent the centre or stem of which passes up
a hole bored through the centre of the top of the fork into the backbone. The
stem of the forked piece is connected preferably by a wire passing up the backbone
bearing on pullies suitably placed and fixed to revolve therein with a plate or flat
pin fitted to slide in longitudinal slots cut through the backbone from side to side
near the neck. The break lever on the handle bar which may be jointed in the
usual way on the front thereof is bent down from where it is jointed in a slanting
direction and terminates at a point directly in a line with the centre of the back-
bone where it is connected with a cross piece preferably of a crescent form the ends
of which are connected by rods to the projecting parts of the plate or pin which
slides in the slots in the backbone-Instead of the break being connected with the
wire in the backbone in the manner described the wires connected to the short
arms and which pass up between the fork and wheel may pass through holes in
the top of the fork on each side of the backbone and be connected with a short
tube fitted to slide thereon the part of the backbone which the tube embraces
having a longitudinal slot cut through it in which is fitted to slide a plate or pin
attached to the tube and to the wire inside the backbone. When pressure is put
on the lever on the handle bar to actuate the brake there will be a direct central
pull from the other end of the lever to the short arms of the break which on being
raised bring down the sole of the break on the ground and retards or stops the
Machine. Suitable springs are provided to raise the break off the ground and to
restore the lever on the handle bar to its position when the pressure is taken off
I also apply a break to the hub (or to friction discs fitted or formed thereon) of
the driving wheel of bicycles preferably to both sides thereof in the following
way At the front of the fork near the bearings short arms or brackets project
having projections on the inside which take an upward sloping direction towards
the hub. To the upper parts of these projections are jointed short levers which
depend in a slanting direction and terminate in broad faces next the hub which
faces are preferably covered with leather Between the sloping projections of the
brackets and the levers underneath and having a bearing on both are placed stout
pins having their ends connected to the ends of forked or stirrup shaped pieces to
which are connected rods or wires extending up the front of the fork and joined at
the top to the ends of a cross piece at the top of the wheel. The break lever on the
handle bar may be of an ordinary kind jointed in the usual way on the front the end
being connected with the upper end of a lever which extends down the head of the
bicycle and which is fulcrumed at its lower end to a projection formed by two
curved arms fixed to the lower part of the head; a space being left between the
arms behind the fulcrum of the lever admitting a short arm of the said lever about
at right angles with it, the end of which near the head is connected with the cross
piece before mentioned. When pressure is put on the lever on the handle bar the end
thrusts the top of the upright lever forward raising the short arm thereof which by
pulling the pins upward which bear on the slanting surfaces under the projections of
the brackets and the short levers forces the broad surfaces at the lower ends of the
levers against the hub of the wheel and retards or stops the machine. Instead of
connecting the wires to the pins which bear on the projections of the brackets and
the levers I may connect them to the levers themselves so that by pulling up the
said levers they will be forced against the hub. Suitable springs are connected to
the levers and the brackets to keep the break free of the hub of the wheel when
not in use. Instead of the brackets and break being in the front of the fork they
may be behind, the rods or wires pass them between the fork and wheel to the
front at the upper part. When it is desired to increase the power of the breaks
herein before described I employ two break levers on the handle bar one to be
operated by each hand I also apply breaks to the axles or wheels of Tricycles
and other Velocipedes as follows:-I fix to the axle or wheel a drum or pulley
(preferably provided with flanges) on which is fitted loosely a ring preferably of

page_text: wood with the inside covered with leather This ring is cut through at one side
the two ends having firmly fixed to them two metal blocks which project on the
outside of the ring and have a hole through each and corresponding one to the
other. These holes are tapped one for a right handed screw and the other for a
left handed screw-A rod or stem preferably vertical surmounted by a handle is
fitted to the frame of the Velocipede with a capability of twisting round and at
one part (which may be of greater bulk and removeable) is tapped with a right
handed and left banded quick screw which is screwed into the projecting blocks
on the ends of the ring. When the rod is turned one way the right and left
handed screw will draw the blocks together and cause the ring to bind on the
drum and retard or stop the machine the reverse motion of the rod effecting the
release of the drum. Instead of being in one piece the ring may be in two halves
hinged together at the side opposite the blocks or there may be one half the ring
only in which case one end is hinged to the frame of the machine and a screw
tapped one way only will be required on the rod for the block at the other end to
make the half ring bind on the drum. A screw tapped only one way on the rod
can also be used when the ring is whole or in two halves by being screwed into
one block only the rod passing freely through the other and being provided with
a shoulder to bear on the outside of it, thus bringing the blocks together when the
rod is turned one way-I also may use instead of the ring a leather strap or a
metal band the inside of which may be covered with leather in combination with
the drum and the same screw arrangement as hereinbefore described with reference
to the ring-I may also when the rod is screwed into one block only fix the other
The blocks when
end of the strap or metal band to the frame of the Velocipede.
bands or straps are used are provided with suitable guides connected with the
frame in or on which they slide to prevent them twisting and to steady them as
the rod is turned round. For driving I employ as applied to a bicycle an arrange-
ment of levers which I will describe with reference to one side of the machine only.
Projecting from the lower end of the fork at the front or from the bearing box is a
strong arm or bracket about the length of an ordinary bicycle crank to the end of
which is fulcrumed a lever extending back horizontally to behind the axle and
having at its end the pedal. Mounted loosely on the axle is another lever in
combination with a ratchet and pawl or an equivalent device that will enable the
lever when depressed to rotate the axle and when raised to turn freely thereon.
This lever is arranged between the bracket and the lever first mentioned to which
lever it is connected about midway between the axle and the end of the bracket
by a pin on the said lever fitted to work in a hole in a small block which is fitted
Instead of the block being
to slide in a longitudinal slot.cut in the long lever
fitted to slide in the slot it may run on small rollers fitted in recesses formed in
the block the rollers being provided if desired with a groove to receive a pin which
projects from each recess to prevent the rollers getting out of place When pressure
is put on the pedal the long lever descends bringing down the lever on the axle
with it and rotating the axle, the one lever carries the block along the slot of the
other lever towards its fulcrum until both levers are in a straight line then as they
are further depressed the block recedes from the fulcrum of the long lever until the
levers have reached their utmost point of depression the block being then in the
same part of the slot as when the levers were in their most elevated position. The
levers are raised after each depression by a suitable spring or by a chain or cord
passing over a pulley connecting the levers on each side of the machine so that the
depression of the levers on one side will raise those on the other or they may be
connected by wire or slight rods to each end of a lever fulcrumed at its centre to
the machine above with the same result. The levers may be arranged to rotate the
wheel instead of the axle in which case the said wheel is caused to revolve on a
fixed axle on bearings arranged in the hub. Part of the lever and the gripping
devices to rotate the wheel are contained in a recess in the hub between the bearing
and the spokes the face of the lever being provided with a projection to which is
fixed the pin which works in the block in the slot of the long lever the bracket

page_text: which is between the two levers being curved to provide room for the said projection
and its upward and downward play
In applying the levers to the axles of Tricycles and other Velocipedes they are
arranged in the way first described with reference to a bicycle the long lever being
fulcrumed to either a bracket or any convenient part of the frame and of a form
which will prevent its interfering with the axle.-In velocipedes that have a
separate driving shaft with the treadles low down, if the pedals are in the rear
of the axle of the driving wheels I preferably fulcrum a treadle lever to the frame
of the machine at a point immediately beneath that of the long lever and connect
them at the same distance from the fulcrum of each by a jointed vertical rod
the pedal being at the end of the lower lever. As the levers vibrate the connecting
rod will always be vertical the pressure on the treadles being transmitted thereby
to the levers above to the greatest advantage in respect to power-In velocipedes
where the pedals are in the front of the axle of the driving wheels I preferably-
arrange the lower lever in the manner last described but without the pedal, the
pedal being at the end of a longer lever which extends to the front of the axle and
is fulcrumed to the frame of the machine at a point some distance behind the
vertical connecting rod. This lever is provided with a longitudinal slot fitted with
a sliding block. The vertical rod is connected to the block by a knuckle joint on
the pin of which the end of the other lever is also fitted. As the levers rise and
fall the block will be carried backwards and forwards along the slot and the
connecting rod will thereby be always kept vertical. When it is desired to render
the Velocipede capable of being driven backwards as well as forward I mount
another gripping device on the axle a short distance from the other arranged to
grip the reverse way in combination with a short lever extending from the axle at
the back provided with a longitudinal slot and sliding block. The pin which
connects the top of the vertical rod with the other lever is preferably fixed in the
rod which is between the two levers and the levers may be cranked towards their
ends to bring them close to the rod one end of the pin working in the end of one
lever and the other end in the sliding block of the other lever. The gripping
devices are mounted loosely on the axle and are provided with projections or teeth.
on the sides next to each other with which gears a clutch having similar teeth on
both sides and fitted to slide on a projection or feather on the axle between the
gripping devices. A rod surmounted by a handle may be fitted to the frame of
the machine to turn round between the levers and provided with an arm projecting
into a groove formed on the sliding clutch which arm may either keep the clutch -
free of both gripping devices or may on the rod being turned one way or the other,
connect the clutch with the forward or backward driving gear as desired the arm
being kept in each of the three positions by a strong spring fixed to the frame and
forcing a projection or catch connected to it into notches in the edge of a segment
of a disc fixed on the rod Any other means may be adopted to connect and
disconnect the forward and backward driving gear with the axle. When both the
backward and forward driving gear are disconnected the axle will revolve freely
without affecting them enabling the machine to be wheeled backwards or forwards-.
On the rod being turned to connect the clutch with the backward driving gear
and when pressure is put on the treadle the connecting rod will pull down the
short lever at the back of the axle the sliding block being carried along the slot
towards the axle until the lever reaches the horizontal position when as it is
further depressed the block is carried back towards the end the same movements
being repeated when the lever is raised. While the machine is being driven
back wards the forward driving gear is rising and falling with the other being.
loose on the axle, the same being the case with the backward driving gear when
the machine is driven forward. Instead of using the single short lever for the
backward driving as described I may use the two levers same as for the forward
driving in which case the end of the long lever for backward driving is made to
extend as far in front of the axle as the one for forward driving does behind it. I
The vertical rod is connected with the lever for forward driving as herein before

page_text: described but the one for the backward driving is provided with a separate
connecting rod which is connected by a knuckle joint to a block which slides in a
second slot in the treadle lever the joint pin on one side having the end of a lever
fitted on it This lever is the same length as the lever connected to the top of
the rod and is fulcrumed to the frame immediately beneath the fulcrum of the
upper lever. I preferably arrange one connecting rod with its lower lever on one
side of the treadle lever and one rod and lever on the other side the treadle lever
being broad and divided down part of its length As the treadle rises and falls
the two blocks will be carried backwards and forwards along the slots by their
respective levers the two connecting rods alternately receding from and approaching
each other always keeping their vertical position. I may connect the lower end
of the connecting rod for backward driving direct to the treadle lever and dispense
with the sliding block and its lever in which case the rod will not always be vertical.
I may also dispense with the connecting rod for backward driving and place the
other immediately beneath the axle the length of the treadle lever and that of the
other lower lever and also the positions of their fulcrums being altered somewhat in
order to bring the slot and block beneath the axle also, or the sliding block and its
lever may be dispensed with the rod being connected directly to the treadle lever
beneath the axle-The top of the connecting rod does not reach up to the axle and
has two short rods jointed to it one being connected to the lever for forward
driving and the other to the lever for backward driving. As the rod rises and
falls with the treadle the small rods will raise and lower the levers to which they
are connected to. The treadles are raised after each depression in the hereinbefore
described driving gear for tricycles and other velocipedes in the same way as
herein before described with reference to a bicycle. When Velocipedes with the
hereinbefore described driving gear have the driving wheels side by side on divided
axles and may be steered by working only one treadle and applying the break
power to the other side of the machine and the forks of the small wheel or wheels
which are usually used for steering may be swivelled to the frame on the same
principle as a castor so that the wheel will turn freely to the position required to
any curve the velocipede may be traversing or they may be turned round on their
own centre by driving one wheel forward and the other backward I also provide
a. differential speed and power gear for Velocipedes in combination with the driving
gear hereinbefore described as follows:-I make the lever on the axle for forward
driving capable of being lengthened and shortened the parts of the lever being
fitted to slide telescopically one over the other. The short projection on the
edge of the disc that is to say the end of the lever is removed, and a lever arm
extending across the face from the centre of the outer edge of the disc is fixed
to or made in one with it. The lever arm is of a square section and is hollow
having another arm fitted to slide inside it the end projecting therefrom beyond
the edge of the disc and being connected with the sliding block in the long lever.
The outer arm of the lever has a projection on the side at about the middle of its
length and has a recess formed in it, which communicates with the inside lever
arm. A pinion mounted on a vertical rod surmounted by a handle is fitted to
turn in the recess so as to gear into teeth formed on the side of the inner lever
arm. Two holes are made in the top of the outer lever arm and a series of
corresponding holes are made in the inside arm into which are fitted the two
prongs of a fork shaped piece to fix one arm in the other and prevent them sliding
which piece is provided with a handle arranged to slide on the vertical rod just
described the two handles being near each other. When a change of speed or
power is required the fork piece is raised out of the holes in the inner arm
remaining in those in the outer arm the pinion is then turned by the handle of the
vertical rod when the inside lever arm will slide in or out and shorten or lengthen
the lever when the fork piece will be pressed by a spring into the holes in the
inside arm fixing it in the outer one. When the lever is lengthened the machine
will be driven at a slower speed with more power the lever not turning the axle so
far round with each depression but when the lever is shortened the machine is.

page_text: driven at a greater speed with less power the lever carrying the axle round further
with each depression the extent of the rise and fall of the treadles being the same
in each case and not being affected by the alteration in the length of the lever on
the axle. According to another mode of varying the length of the lever I arrange
the inside and outside arms as described but dispense with the projection on the
side the pinion and the forked piece. The inside arm has screwed into a hole
down the length of it a quick screw having on the end near the axle a bevel wheel,
the screw at a point near the wheel being fitted to revolve in a bearing in the
outside arm.
I mount a bevil wheel on the vertical rod in place of the pinion
which rod is fitted to turn round in the top of the outer arm the bevel wheel being
inside and gearing into the bevel wheel on the screw. When the vertical rod is
turned one way or the other. the bevel wheel thereon will turn the other beve!
wheel and with it the screw which will cause the inside arm to slide in or out, thus
making the lever longer or shorter, or instead of using the vertical rod and bevel
wheels I nay mount a pinion on the screw in the same position as the bevel wheel
occupied in the outside arm In a projection formed on the side of the outer arm
is a hole square or oblong in form which is cut through from the top side of the
lever arm to the under side. In this hole which communicates with the inside of
the outer arm is fitted to slide a straight piece having teeth down the length of it
which teeth gear into the teeth of the pinion on the screw. The piece or rack has
a handle at the top end which when pulled up or pressed down causes the rack by
sliding through the vertical hole in the outside arm to rotate the pinion and with
it the screw thus lengthening or shortening the lever. This arrangement for
varying the length of the lever may be applied as a differential speed and power
gear for bicycles when instead of there being a handle at the top end of the rack
piece it may be bent towards the foot of the rider forming an elbow under which
the toe may be placed to raise the rack or the foot may be placed on the top to
press it down I also arrange the hereinbefore described driving gear to be
operated by the hands instead of the feet of the rider by placing the levers
in a vertical or nearly vertical position the lower levers and the connecting
rod being dispensed with The long lever with the slot is fulcrumed
to the frame of the Velocipede under the axle, the lever on the axle for
forward driving being under the axle and that for backward driving being
above. The long lever is extended in length and provided with a handle
at the end to be grasped by the rider who propels the machine by pulling
back the levers In the driving gear hereinbefore described instead of the slot
and sliding block being in the long lever I may arrange them in the short lever
on the axle the pin which works in the block connecting the two levers being
fixed to the long one between its fulcrum and the axle. The long lever as the
levers vibrate carry the block backwards and forwards along the slot of the short
one the block nearing the axle end of the slot as the levers are depressed until
they are in a straight line then as they are further depressed the block approaches
the end of the lever reaching that position it occupied when the levers were
elevated. The differential speed and power gear is in this case applied to the long
lever, the pin connecting the two levers which works in the sliding block of the
short one being fixed in a sliding part of the long lever which sliding part is
arranged and actuated in a similar manner to the inside arm of the short lever in
the differential speed and power gear hereinbefore described When the sliding
part is brought nearer the fulcrum of the long lever the machine will be propelled
with less speed and more power the lever on the axle not turning it round so far
with each depression but when the sliding part in the long lever is brought further
away from its fulcrum the machine is driven at a greater speed with less power
the lever on the axle turning it round.further with each depression. Any
description of balance gear to facilitate steering may be used if desired in
combination with the driving gear hereinbefore described and any means may be
adopted to throw the wheel loose on the axle for the same purpose. The driving
gear herein before described or part thereof may be used in combination with chain

page_text: or other gear and may be mounted on a separate driving shaft instead of the axle
for propelling Velocipedes I may arrange a roller clutch for the purposes of my
Invention as follows:-I mount loosely on the axle or shaft a disc which is sunk
or hollowed out on one side to admit a part of the axle that is of additional bulk
which is shut in by a cover that is screwed on to the side of the disc or otherwise
fixed thereto, the cover fitting the axle in the same way as the disc itself. Inside
the rim of the disc next to the large part of the axle is formed a curved recess
about midway between the top and bottom the line of the curve as it descends
inclining towards the axle making the recess at the lower part shallower than at
the upper part. A smooth roller the diameter of which is preferably about one
balf the distance from the centre of the axle to the bottom of the recess is placed
therein the ends of the roller. being flat or slightly hollow and only being just free
of the insides of the cover and the disc so that each end of the roller will ensure
the said roller being kept perfectly parallel with the axle and the bottom of the
recess, which is also parallel with the axle. The roller is too large to go down to
the shallowest part of the recess and bears on the axle on the one side and on the
bottom of the recess on the other. As the disc is turned round on the axle or
shaft so as to cause the recess to take a downward direction the roller is revolved
by them in such a way as will incline it upward to the less confined part of the
recess allowing the disc and axle or shaft to turn freely the one on the other.
When the disc is turned in the opposite direction so as to bring up the recess, the
axle and disc make the roller to revolve in the direction that inclines it downward
to the shallower part causing it to grip or wedge the axle and dise and thereby
enabling the disc to carry the axle or shaft round with it.
Instead of the recess being in the disc it may be formed in the large part of the
axle or shaft when the recess may either be curved towards the circumference
thereof from the less confined part or may take a straight line from the deeper to
the shallower part. When the disc is turned on the axle in the direction of the
confined part of the recess the roller will be revolved and will grip the axle and
disc causing the disc to carry the axle round with it but by turning the disc in the
direction of the deeper part of the recess it will turn freely on the axle or shaft-
In order to ensure the roller always having a bearing on the axle or disc and the
bottom of the recess so that it may be in the position to instantly grip them and
not be liable to be put out of position by a sudden jerk or by the recesses being
reversed the roller may be kept in its place by a suitable spring fixed in the recess
The roller and the recess and the axle or disc may be serrated instead of smooth
and there also may be more than one recess each with a roller therein It will be
understood that the disc forms part of a lever or pulley. When these devices are
used to grip and rotate wheels they are either contained in the hub or are mounted
on a sleeve connected therewith. The hereinbefore described improvements or
some of them in the arrangements for driving or propelling may also be used or
driving or propelling the wheels of other machines such for example those of
sewing machines or the wheels or paddles of small boats propelled by the feet or
those of any other machines which are capable of being operated by the means
described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Samuel Hall in the Patent Office on the 30th May 1884.
SAMUEL HALL of Sandall Road Camden Town in the County of Middlesex
"IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES THE SAID IMPROVEMENTS BEING IN PART
APPLICABLE TO OTHER MACHINES
"
My Invention relates to improvements in Velocipedes parts of the said
improvements being applicable to other machines as hereinafter described. The
said Improvements as applied to Velocipedes have for their object to prevent the
excessive vibration of Velocipedes when ridden and at the same time preserve
their rigidity. The said Invention also relates to improvements upon parts of
velocipedes arranged according to a former invention of mine, forming the subject
matter of Letters Patent Number 4,548 of 1881, with a view to cheapness and
lightness and also to increase the rigidity of the forks of velocipedes and likewise
to provide effective means for applying the brakes and for driving or propelling
velocipedes. Certain of the Improvements may be applied to other machines as
hereinafter stated.
And in order that my said Invention may be clearly understood I shall now
proceed to particularly describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to the
several figures on the accompanying sheets of drawings wherein the same letters
and figures of reference indicate corresponding parts.
In carrying out one part of my Invention relating to the yielding axle boxes of.
velocipedes I apply helical springs to one or more of the wheels of the velocipedes in
the following improved ways. According to one arrangement shewn in Figure 1
the springs A are contained in two tubular prongs B of a guiding fork C connected
with the main fork or frame D of the velocipede and fitted to slide in two tubular
extensions E of the bearing box or block or part F in which the axle works (or is
fixed). The tubular extensions E which may be brazed or otherwise secured to
the bearing box F extend froin about the top of the axle on each side thereof to a
considerable distance below it as shewn clearly in the said Figure 1. The tubular
prongs B of the guide fork C are preferably brazed onto pins or pillars G formed in
one with or fixed to the fork, and extending some distance down the interior of the
prongs B so that when the said prongs are in their places in the tubes E the top
ends of the springs A bear against the ends of the said pins or pillars whilst the
lower ends of the springs have their bearing on pieces H screwed into the lower
ends of the tubes E These pieces H have extensions I of less diameter than the
tapped part and long enough to enter the prongs B of the fork when the springs
are not compressed. When the said prongs descend and the compression of the
springs takes place the said prongs slide freely over the extensions I The fork
may be prevented from coming out of the tubes by the screw pins or studs J or by
any other suitable means. Instead of arranging the springs so as to rest on the
bottoms of the outer tubes, or on the extensions I as hereinbefore described they
may have their bearing on cross-pieces or pins fixed across the tubes, the prongs of
the fork being provided with longitudinal Slots to admit of the said cross-pieces or
pins sliding up and down. When it is desired to connect the sliding fork with the
frames of Velocipedes below the axle as shewn in figure 2 for example, the fork C
may be reversed and inserted in the tubes E of the bearing box from below, the
ends of the fork near the axle having plugs K screwed into them, against which the
upper ends of the springs A, bear, whilst the lower ends of the said springs rest on
cross-pins L fixed in the lower ends of the tubes E, the prongs of the fork being
provided with slots M to admit of their sliding over the pins when the springs
are compressed. Another mode of applying helical springs to the wheels of
Velocipedes in combination, with tubular extensions of the bearing box and a

page_text: sliding guide fork, is illustrated in figure 3, the springs A, being placed on the
outside of the tubes E of the bearing box F, and bearing at their lower ends upon
flanges H fitted to or formned on the lower ends of the tubes, the upper ends of
the spring (which reach to about the level of the under side of the bearing F,)
abutting against cross-pieces or pins L, fixed in the prongs B, of the sliding fork.
The ends of the pins L protrude through slots, M, in the tubes E, which admit
of their sliding up and down under the action of the springs which may be
enclosed in suitable covers N, to exclude dirt. As in the arrangement illustrated
by Figure 1, the fork may be reversed in the tubes of the bearing box and
inserted from below. According to another modification as illustrated by Figure 4,
the springs A, are arranged inside the tubes E of the bearing box F, in the upper
ends of which tubes, are secured by brazing or otherwise other tubes O, stouter in
substance than the Coils of the springs A, and extending down the tubes E to
about the level of the under-side of the bearing F. Other tubes H, which
upon
the lower ends of the springs A, bear, are screwed into the lower ends of the
tubes, E, and extend some distance up them, forming with the tubes O, guiding
surfaces for the prongs B of the fork C, (which pass through the centre of the
springs) to slide in. Cross pièces or pins L, are fixed in holes in the prongs of the
guide fork level with the top ends of the springs A, the ends of which pins project
outside the prongs of the fork and bear on the tops of the springs A. Instead
of the pins L, or cross-pieces, bearing on the springs, removable collars or flanges
may be fixed in a suitable way on the fork, to answer the same purpose. The fork
may be reversed in the tubes of the bearing box as in the before described
arrangements. According to another modification as illustrated by figure 5, the
Springs A are placed in the tubes E, of the bearing box F, in the same situation
as in the arrangement last described, and have their bearings on similar bases but
instead of the bearings being removable they may be brazed or otherwise secured
to or formed in one with the tubes E,. The prongs B of the sliding fork are made
larger at the upper part, as shewn at O, than they are at the lower part, the
enlarged upper parts being fitted to slide in the upper parts of the tubes E of the
bearing box, the smaller and lower parts of the prongs passing down the centre of
the Springs A, and sliding in the smaller parts H of the extensions of the bearing
box on which the springs A rest. The difference in the sizes of the two parts of
the prongs of the fork form shoulders against which the top ends of the Springs
bear. The fork may be reversed in the tubes of the bearing box, as before, in
which case the largest parts of the prongs, being at their ends, are made removable,
in order to insert the fork at the lower ends of the extensions E of the bearing
box. Instead of the lower guiding parts H of the tubes E, being fixed to or made
in one therewith, it may be mado part of the prongs of the sliding fork, as shewn
in Figure 6, but removable therefrom to enable the springs to be placed in position
on the smaller part of the prongs. The springs rest when the fork is in its place in
the tubes E on cross pieces or pins L fixed across the said tubes the prongs B of the
fork being provided with slots P in which the cross pieces L slide as before
described The fork may be reversed in the tubes of the bearing box.
According to another modification as illustrated by Figure 7 I dispense with the
lower guiding parts and arrange the springs A lower down in the tubes E of the
bearing box with their lower ends resting on bottom pieces H fixed to the ends of
the tubes-The ends of the prongs B of the guide fork when inserted in the
tubes E bear on the tops of the springs means being provided to prevent the fork
coming out of the tubes-The tubes E are in this case preferably longer than in
the modifications hereinbefore described so as to provide longer bearing surfaces to
the guiding parts above the springs. The fork may be reversed in the tubes as in
the modifications herein before described except that there are no lower guiding
parts, the guiding part of the fork above the springs being merely connected with
the arch of the fork by the smaller part of the prongs passing through the springs
According to another modification illustrated by Figure 8 I arrange the springs A
and sliding parts in- exactly the same way as in the last three modifications

page_text: previously described except that the extensions E of the bearing box F do not
consist of tubes brazed on to the bearing box F but are made in one therewith the
extensions of the bearing box being bored out to receive the guiding parts of the
fork, the said extensions between the upper and lower guiding parts being cut away
except on the sides next to each other which are strengthened and made something
in the form of an arch under the bearing The springs A may be provided with
any suitable covering-In the various modifications hereinbefore described except
that illustrated by figures 1 and 2 the prongs B of the forks C instead of being
tubular as shown may be solid and formed in one with the top of the fork-The
tubular extensions E may also be formed in one with the bearing boxes F the
sliding parts being bored out-The exposed parts of the prongs of the forks may
be covered by flexible tubes Q preferably of rubber or rubber coated with gutta
percha, one of their ends being fixed to the fork and the other to the tubes of the
bearing box so that as the forks slide, the covers will swell out and not touch the
sliding parts In my drawings I have illustrated the springs on one side only of the
bearing blocks or axles but it will be understood that they will be arranged on both
sides thereof. The part of my Invention herein before described is a series of
modifications of part of a former invention of mine for which Letters Patent
N° 4548 were granted to me as of the eighteenth October One thousand eight
hundred and eighty one-In applying the springs to the side wheels of Velocipedes
when the wheels are in pairs on the same axle or on axles that are connected with
each other, for example by what is known as "balance gear" I connect the guide
forks by a hinge joint or links or their equivalent with the frame of the machine
in such a manner that when the springs yield more at one end of the axle than at
the other and the axle and frame are thereby not parallel with each other the
joints or links will turn and prevent the sliding parts from binding and at the
same time allow the free action of the springs.
This is illustrated in Figures 2 and 4; in figure 2 the part C of the tubular fork
is connected directly to the frame C₁ by a knuckle joint C² but in figure 4 the
fork C is shewn as being connected by means of links C³ to the frame C₁ Although
I have illustrated metal springs in the various figures it is obvious that india rubber
or other suitable yielding material may be employed in place thereof-When the
springs are applied to the driving wheel of an ordinary bicycle (that is to say
bicycles having a front driving wheel and a trailing wheel) to make the front wheel
rigid in the fork I arrange on the exterior thereof a second or auxiliary fork D'
figures 9 and 10 of lighter construction than the main fork D the lower ends of
which auxiliary fork I connect to the bearing boxes F as shewn in Figure 9-The
top of the fork D2 terminates in or is connected to a tubular part S, figure 10, fitted
to slide on the outside of the head T of the bicycle, which head is made straight
or parallel for the purpose-The auxiliary fork rises and falls with the wheel
under the action of the springs, the tubular part S (which is made as long as
possible to get a long bearing surface) sliding up and down the head T In order
to facilitate fitting the tubular part S on to the head it may be made in two
parts connected together by knuckle joints as shown or they may be screwed
or otherwise fixed together-Instead of the tube $ of the auxiliary fork being
fitted to slide on the outside of the head T it may be fitted to slide inside as
shewn in Figure 11, the neck U of the backbone being in the centre of the tube or
partial tube S-Whether the tubular parts S of the auxilliary fork be arranged
either inside or outside the head it is provided with an opening on one side to
admit the neck U and to allow of the motion of the backbone in steering the
machine Each side of the fork D is connected to the tubular part S preferably
at or below the centre thereof and when the tubular part is in the interior of the
head as shewn in Figure 11 longitudinal slots V are provided in the head, in which
slots projections on the top ends of the fork (by which it is connected to the tubular
part S) slide, the slots being long enough to admit of the rising of the said fork-
Each side of the auxiliary fork D' is preferably arranged to lay in a groove or
hollow formed down the outside of the main fork D of the bicycle-This arrange-

page_text: ment may be applied to any forked wheel of Velocipedes in combination with
springs applied to the said wheel. My Invention of Improvements in the
construction of parts described in the Specification of my former Patent herein-
before referred to has reference to the bearing boxes and their extensions described
with reference to Figures 4. 5 and 6 of the drawings accompanying the said
Specification and consists as follows. I take three or more tubes W, Figures 12
and 13, and arrange them close together side by side on a plate X of a suitable size
and shape and place a similar plate X¹ on the top of them and braze the tubes and
plates together A hole Y is then cut through one end from plate to plate for the
reception of a tube Z to receive the bearing on the axle-The spaces between the
tubes and the plates at the top and bottom ends thereof are filled in with pieces a
of a suitable shape which together with the tube Z for the bearing are all brazed
in position thus providing at the lower end a solid part to which the bottom on
which the spring or springs rest may be screwed-To increase the rigidity of the
forks of Velocipedes I make the back and front sides of the legs thereof (that is to
say those sides facing towards the front and rear of the machine) either slightly
convex or flat as shewn at b in the various sections illustrated in figure 14-In one
section I make the fork convex on the inside and outside, in another convex on
one side only, the other side being flat In another section I make the fork concave
inside and outside, in another concave on one side only, the other side being flat
In another section I make the legs of the fork concave on one side and convex on
the other The bulk of the fork as taken from the inside to the outside I make
preferably greater than usual to give as much width as possible to the sides b seen
from the front and rear of the machine; the bulk or width in the other direction
may be the same as usual I also make the forks of two or even three tubular
parts (as shewn at c figure 14), each part being of a section similar to those
herein before described but of less bulk from the back to the front side b but of the
same bulk from the inside to the outside as the preceding sections The tubular
parts are brazed together at the contiguous faces 6 so as to form a double or treble
(as the case may be) concave or convex section making up the same bulk from back
to front as the single tubular sections before described
Figures 15. 16 and 17 illustrate one mode of carrying out my improvements in
connection with the brakes as applied to a Bicycle. h is the brake block or sole
which is caused to bear on the ground near the back wheel in the following
manner At the lower part of each side of the fork Ds of the back wheel arms or
brackets i project towards the rear, to the ends of which arms two double armed
or bell crank levers k are fitted to turn, one being arranged on each side of the
wheel
The two arms of each of these levers are of different lengths-The longest of
which trail and are connected together by the part h which forms the brake block
or part of the break which bears on the ground central with the track of the wheel,
the sole or bearing part h being preferably broad to afford a good retarding surface
The short arms of the levers extend horizontally from their fulcrums to the
inside of the fork D³ where they are connected by wires passing up between the
fork and wheel to the two ends of a forked piece m the stem of which passes up
tbrough a hole bored through the centre of the top of the fork into the back bone-
The stem of the forked piece is connected by a wire n (passing up the backbone
bearing on pulleys suitably placed and fixed to revolve therein) to a plate or flat
pin o fitted to slide in slots p cut through the backbone from side to side near the
neck The break lever q on the bandle bar (which may be jointed in the usual
way on the front thereof) terminates at a point directly in a line with the centre
of the backbone where it is connected with a cross piece r preferably of a crescent
form the ends of which are connected by rods & to the projecting parts of the plate
or pin o
The wire n in the backbone may be connected to the wires hereinbefore
referred to connected to the short arms of the brake in the manner illustrated
by Figure 18; the wires instead of being connected to a forked piece pass through
l

page_text: noles in the top of the fork D³ on each side of the backbone and are connected
with a short tube t fitted to slide thereon, the part of the backbone which the
tube t embraces having a longitudinal slot cut through it in which is fitted to slide
a plate or pin u attached to the tube t and to the wire n inside the backbone.
When pressure is put on the lever q to actuate the brake there will be a direct
central pull from the other end of the lever to the short arms of the brake
which on being raised bring down the brake block or sole h of the brake onto the
ground and retards or stops the machine. Suitable springs are provided to raise
the brake off the ground and to restore the lever on the handle bar to its position,
when the pressure is taken off. Figures 19 and 20 are views at right angles to
each other representing my improved means for applying a brake to the hub (or
to friction discs fitted or formed thereon) of the driving wheel of a bicycle. It
is shewn in connection with a main fork, but it can of course be applied to an
auxiliary fork where one is used At the front of the fork D near the bearings,
arms or brackets w project, having projections x on the inside which take an
upward sloping direction towards the hub ². To the upper parts of these
.projections are jointed short levers y which depend in a slanting direction and
terminate in broad faces next the hub. These faces are preferably covered with
leather. Between the sloping projections x and the levers y are placed stout pins
having their ends connected to the ends of forked or stirrup shaped pieces 1 to
which are connected rods or wires 2 extending up the front of the fork D and
joined at the top to the ends of a cross piece 4 at the top of the wheel (see
Figure 19), The break lever q is connected at one end to the long arm 5 of a bell
crank lever which is fulcrumed at 6 to a forked piece 7 fixed to the lower part of
the head T. A space is left between the forked piece 7 behind the fulcrum of the
lever to admit the short arın 8 of the said lever, the end of which is connected to
the cross piece 4. When pressure is put on the lever q the top of the arm 5 of the
bell crank lever is moved forward and the short arm 8 raised, thereby pulling the
pins Z upward which by bearing on the slanting surfaces under the projections x
of the brackets wand the short levers y forces the broad surfaces at the lower
ends of the said levers against the hub of the wheel and retards or stops the
machine. Instead of connecting the wires to the pins Z I may connect them to
the levers y themselves as shewn in Fig 20 so that by pulling up the said levers
they will be forced against the hub Suitable springs are connected to the levers
and the brackets to keep the brake free of the hub when not in use. Instead of
arranging the brackets wand break in the front of the fork D they may be behind
and the rods or wires passed between the fork and the wheel to the front at the
upper part. In order to increase the power of the breaks herein before described
two break levers may be fitted to the handle bar one to be operated by each hand.
Figures 21 and 22 represent respectively a side elevation and a plan of a portion
of one side of a bicycle illustrating my improved arrangement of levers for driving
velocipedes. D is the lower part of one of the prongs of the fork of a bicycle to
the lower end of which fork or from the bearing box F is a strong arm or bracket 9
about equal in length to that of an ordinary bicycle crank. To the end of this
bracket is fulcrumed a lever 10 extending back horizontally to behind the axle 11
and carrying at its end the pedal 12. Mounted loosely on the axle 11 is another
lever 13 which is connected to a ratchet and pawl or an equivalent device 13ª that
will enable the lever when depressed to rotate the axle and when raised to turn
freely thereon in a similar manner to an ordinary ratchet drill brace. The lever 13
is arranged between the bracket 9 and the lever 10 to which lever it is connected
(about midway between the axle and the end of the bracket) by a pin 14 on the
ever 13 working in a hole in a block 15 which is fitted to slide in a longitudinal
lot 16 cut in the lever 10. Instead of the block 15 being fitted to slide on the sides
of the slot it may run on small rollers 10° as shewn fitted in recesses formed in the
block, the rollers being provided if desired with a groove to receive a pin which
projects from each recess to prevent the rollers getting out of place. The lever 10
being in its utmost elevated position when pressure is put on the pedal 12 the lever 10

page_text: descends bringing down the lever 13 with it and causing the axle 11 to rotate and
the block 15 to be carried along the slot 16 towards the fulcrum of the lever 10
until both levers 10 and 13 are in a straight line, then as the lever 10 is further
depressed the block recedes from the fulcrum of the lever until it has reached its
utmost point of depression, in which position the block will be in the same part of
the slot as when the levers were in their most elevated position. The levers may
be raised after each depression by a suitable spring not shown in my drawing or
by a chain or cord passing over a pulley connecting the levers on the opposite side
of the machine so that the depression of the levers on one side will raise those on
the other or they may be connected by wire or slight rods to each end of a lever
fulcrumed at its centre to the machine above with the same result. The levers
may be arranged to rotate the wheel instead of the axle in which case the said
wheel is caused to revolve on a fixed axle on bearings arranged in the hub. Part
of the lever 13 and the ratchet or gripping devices employed to rotate the wheel
may be contained in a recess in the hub of the wheel between the bearing and the
spokes, the face of the lever being provided with a projection to carry the pin
which works in the block 15 in the slot of the lever 10 the bracket 9 being
arranged between the levers 10 and 13 and curved so as to provide room for the
motions of the projection. In applying the levers to the axles of Tricycles and
other Velocipedes they may be arranged in the manner first described, the lever 10
being fulcrumed to either a bracket or any convenient part of the frame of the
machine and suitably shaped to prevent it interfering with the axle. Figures 23
and 24 represent in elevation and plan respectively an arrangement for driving
velocipedes that have a separate driving shaft, and in which the treadles are low down
and the pedals in the rear of the axle of the driving wheels. In this arrangement I
fulcrum the treadle lever 17 to the frame of the machine at a point 18 immediately
beneath the fulcrum 19 of the lever 10 which corresponds to the lever 10 in the
before described arrangement but is provided with an additional slot 20 to admit
of its clearing the axle 11. I connect the levers 10 and 17 at an equal distance
from their fulcra by a rod 18 which as the levers vibrate will always have a direct
or vertical pull, the pressure on the treadles 17 being transmitted to the levers 10
above with the greatest advantage in respect to power. In velocipedes where the
pedals are in the front of the axle of the driving wheels, I arrange the lever 17 in
the manner last described, but instead of providing it with a pedal the pedal is
carried on the end of a longer lever 21 as shewn in Figure 25 which extends to
the front of the axle and is fulcrumed to the frame of the machine at a point some
distance behind the vertical connecting rod 18. This lever 21 is provided with a
longitudinal slot fitted with a sliding block 26, the vertical rod 18 is connected to
the block by a knuckle joint 27 on the pin of which the end of the lever 17 is also
fitted. As the levers rise and fall the block will be carried backwards and
forwards along the slot and power very advantageously applied and the connecting
rod 18 will thereby always have a direct or vertical pull-It will be evident that
the combination of levers shewn in Fig 25 may be used for driving purposes
generally such as lathes or the like When it is desired to render the velocipede
capable of being driven backwards as well as forwards, I mount on the axle 11 an
additional gripping device 13b see Figure 24 at a short distance from the other
gripping device 13 the additional gripping device being arranged to grip the axle in
the reverse direction and is provided with a short lever 28 extending from the back of
the axle and provided with a longitudinal slot 29 and sliding block 30. The pin which
connects the top of the vertical rod 18 with the lever 10 is preferably fixed in the
rod 18, which is situated between the two levers 10 and 28. These levers may be
cranked towards their ends to bring them closer together and to the rod 18, one
end of the pin of the hinged joint working in the end of the lever 10 and the
other end in the sliding block of the lever 28. The gripping devices 13ª, 13b are
mounted loosely on the axle 11 and are provided with projections or teeth on the
sides facing each other with which teeth a clutch 31 having similar teeth on both
sides and fitted to slide on a projection or feather on the axle between the gripping

page_text: devices is caused to gear with one or other of the gripping devices according
to the direction the velocipede is required to travel. A rod surmounted by a
handle may be fitted to the frame of the machine between the levers and provided
with an arm projecting into a groove formed on the sliding clutch which arm may
either keep the clutch free of both gripping devices or may on the rod being
turned one way or the other connect the clutch with the forward or backward
driving gear as desired, the arm being kept in each of the three positions by a
strong spring fixed to the frame and forcing a projection or catch connected to it
into notches in the edge of a segment of a disc fixed on the rod, or any other
means may be adopted to connect and disconnect the forward and backward
driving gear with the axle. When both the backward and forward driving gear
are disconnected the axle will revolve freely without affecting them, enabling the
machine to be wheeled backwards or forwards. On the rod being turned to
connect the clutch with the backward driving gear and when pressure is put on
the treadle, the connecting rod 18 will pull down the short lever 28 at the back
of the axle, the sliding block 30 being carried along the slot 29 towards the axle
until the lever 28 reaches the horizontal position, when as it is further depressed
the block is carried back towards the outer end of the slot 29 the same movements
being repeated when the lever is raised. While the Machine is being driven
backward the forward driving gear is rising and falling with the other, being loose
on the axle, the same being the case with the backward driving gear when the
machine is driven forward. The treadles are raised after each depression in the
same way as hereinbefore described with reference to a bicycle. When the driving
gear hereinbefore described is applied to velocipedes having the driving wheels
side by side on divided axles they may be steered by working only one treadle
the break power be applied to the opposite side of the machine and the forks of
the small wheel or wheels which are usually employed for steering may be
swivelled to the frame on the same principle as a castor so that the wheel will
turn freely in any curve the velocipede may be traversing, or the velocipede
may be turned round on its centre by driving one wheel forward and the other
backward.
In order to provide a differential speed and power for velocipedes with the
driving gear herein before described, I make the lever 13 on the axle for forward
driving capable of being lengthened and shortened the parts of the lever being
fitted to slide telescopically one over the other. Figures 26, 27 and 28 represent
three different modes of extending and contracting the said lever, and which may
be applied for lengthening levers for driving purposes generally
The arm or lever 13 instead of projecting from the periphery of the driving
device 13 as hereinbefore described extends across the face thereof from the centre
to beyond the outer edge and may be made as shewn in Figure 26.or made hollow
or box like as in Figures 27 and 28. In the lever or arm 13 is fittled to slide
another arm 150 the end of which sliding arm projects beyond the edge of the disc
and is connected to the sliding block 15 in the lever 10. The sliding arm 15º is.
provided with rack teeth 32 on one side with which a pinion 33 mounted on a
vertical rod or spindle 34 is made to gear. The spindle 34 which is provided with
a handle 35 is fitted to turn in lugs or bearings formed on the side of the lever or
arm 13 A forked piece 36 is fitted to slide on the spindle 34, the prongs of the
forked piece working in two holes made in the top of the lever arm 13. A series
of corresponding holes are made in the sliding arm 15ª with which the two prongs
of the forked piece are caused to engage in order to connect the sliding arm to the
arm or lever 13. The forked piece is held down by a spring 37 and is provided.
with a handle to facilitate its being raised when required. When a change of
speed or power is required the forked piece is raised out of the holes in the sliding
arm 15 the pinion 33 is then turned by means of the handle 35 when the arm 15ª,
will slide in to or out from the arm or lever 13 according to the direction in which
the handle is turned and the forked piece is then under the action of the spring 37,

page_text: caused to enter the holes in the sliding arm 15ª fixing it in the adjusted position.
The compound lever 13 15ª may be thus lengthened or shortened as required;
when it is lengthened, the machine will be driven at a slower speed with more
power, the lever not turning the axle 11 so far round with each depression, but
when the lever is shortened the machine is driven at a greater speed with less
power, the lever carrying the axle round farther with each depression the extent
of the rise and fall of the treadles may be the same in each case and need not be
affected by the alteration in the length of the lever on the axle. Figure 27
illustrates another mode of varying the length of the compound lever 13, 15ª
According to this arrangement the sliding arm 15ª is provided with a screwed hole
extending throughout its length. In this hole is fitted to work a quick threaded
screw 38 having on the end near the axle a bevil wheel 39. The screw 38 is
mounted at one end in a bearing 40 on the arm 13. The lengthening and
shortening of the compound lever 13, 15ª is effected by means of a bevil wheel 41
in gear with the bevil wheel 39 and mounted on the vertical rod 34. When the
vertical rod is turned one way or the other the bevil wheel 41 through the other
bevil wheel 39 will cause the screw to turn in the arm 15° and slide the said
arm in or out according to the direction in which the handle 35 on the spindle 34
is turned thus making the compound lever longer or shorter as required.
According to another modification illustrated by Figure 28 I dispense with the
vertical rod and bevil wheels and mount a pinion 39 on the screw 38 in place of
the bevil wheel 39 in Figure. 27 and in a projection formed on the side of the
arm 13 (which in this modification is closed) I form a square or oblong hole or
passage extending from the top side of the arm to the under side thereof In this
hole which is open to the inside of the arm 15° is fitted to slide a rack 32 the teeth
of which gear into the teeth of the pinion 39 on the screw.
This rack is provided
with a handle 35 which when pulled up or pressed down causes the rack to slide
in the vertical hole in the arm 13 and rotate the pinion 39 and with it the screw
on which it is keyed the compound lever 13, 15° being accordingly lengthened or
shortened. This arrangement for varying the length of the lever may be applied
as a differential speed and power gear for bicycles by bending the top end of the
rack piece towards the foot of the rider under which the toe may be placed to raise
the rack or the foot may be placed on the top to press it down. The hereinbefore
described driving gear may be arranged to be operated by the hands instead of the
feet of the rider by increasing the length of the lever 10 and arranging it and the
levers 13 in a vertical or nearly vertical position. The lever 10 being fulcrumed
to the frame of the velocipede under the axle, the lever 13 on the gripping device
for forward driving being under the axle and that for backward driving being
above Then by means of the handle with which the lever 10 is provided the
rider may propel the machine by working the lever backwards and forwards. It
is obious that in the driving gear herein before described instead of the slot and
sliding block being in the lever 10 they may be arranged in the lever 13 and the
pin which works in the block connecting the two levers be fixed to the lever 10
between its fulcrum and the axle 11. In this case the differential speed and power
gear would be applied to the lever 10, the pin connecting the two levers and which
works in the sliding block being fixed in a sliding part of the said lever arranged
and actuated in a similar manner to the sliding arm 15° of the compound lever in
the differential speed and power gear herein before described. By bringing the
sliding part nearer the fulcrum of the lever 10 the machine will be propelled with
less speed and more power and when brought further away from its fulcrum the
machine is driven at a greater speed with less power as hereinbefore described.
. Any description of balance gear to facilitate steering may be used if desired in
combination with the driving gear hereinbefore described and any means may be
adopted to throw the wheel loose on the axle for the same purpose. The driving
gear hereinbefore described or part thereof may be used in combination with chain
or other gear and may be mounted on a separate driving shaft instead of the axle
L

page_text: for propelling velocipedes which will be clearly understood without further
description. Hardened steel, or other surfaces may be fitted to the sliding parts to
provide against wear
The hereinbefore described improvements or some of them as hereinbefore
described in the arrangements for driving or propelling velocipedes may also be
used for driving or propelling the wheels of other machines, such as for example
those of sewing machines or the wheels or paddles of small boats propelled by the
feet or those of any other machines which are capable of being operated by the
means described.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and the manner in which the same is or may be used or 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 hereinbefore in part
recited Letters Patent is :-
First-The several arrangements and constructions of combined yielding
devices and guiding surfaces applied to the axle boxes of velocipedes in the manners
herein before described and illustrated in Figures 1 to 8 both inclusive of the
accompanying drawings.
Second In connection with what are known as the forked wheels of velocipedes
having axle boxes capable of yielding, connecting the said axle boxes to the head
of the said fork by means of an auxiliary fork or its equivalent extending from
the said axle boxes, its upper end being provided with or having connected to it a
part capable of sliding on the exterior of the head, as shewn in figure 10 of the
accompanying drawings, or being provided with a part capable of sliding in the
interior of the head as shewn in figure 11 of the accompanying drawings, the
connection in the latter case being made between the upper part of the auxiliary
fork and the said sliding part by connections passing through long slots in the said
head.
Third In velocipedes having axle boxes provided with yielding and guiding
parts and wherein the wheels are in pairs on the same axle, or on the parts of &
divided and connected axle, connecting the yielding and guiding parts to the frame
of the velocipede in the manner and for the purpose hereinbefore described and
illustrated by Figures 2 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
Fourth Constructing the herein before mentioned description of bearing boxes of
velocipedes of tubes connected together substantially as herein before described with
reference to Figures 12 and 13 of the accompanying drawings.
Fifth Constructing the forks of velocipedes in the manner and for the purpose
herein before described with reference to Figure 14 of the accompanying drawings.
Sixth-The mechanism for operating the brake of bicycles the said mechanisin
being constructed arranged and operating substantially as herein before described
and illustrated in Figures 15 to 18 of the accompanying drawings.
Seventh-The mechanism for applying a brake to the hub (or to a disc fitted
thereto) of the driving wheels of bicycles, the said mechanism being arranged and
operating substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 19
and 20 of the accompanying drawings.
Eighth For driving velocipedes or other machines to which rotary motion is
imparted, the combination with a gripping device of levers connected together and
operating substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore explained under several
modifications and illustrated by the examples Figures 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25.
Ninth The driving gear herein before described and illustrated in Figures 21
and 22 of the accompanying drawings.
Tenth-The driving gear hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figures 23 and
24 of the accompanying drawings.
Eleventh For driving purposes the employment of levers combined and operating
ubstantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated in
Figure 25 of the accompanying drawinga.

page_text: •
Twelfth In driving gear for velocipedes or other machines; the combination of
means or mechanism by which the speed and power can be varied, substantially as
hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 26, 27 and 28 of the accompanying
drawings.
.
In witness whereof I the above named Samuel Hall have to this my Specification
set my hand and seal this thirtieth day of May One thousand eight hundred and
eighty four.