IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES PARTLY. APPLICABLE TO OTHER VEHICLES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Charles Frederick Otto of Peckham in the
County of Surrey for an Invention of " IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES
PARTLY. APPLICABLE TO OTHER VEHICLES,"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Charles Frederick
Otto at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th November
1883.
EDWARD CHARLES FREDERICK OTTO of Peckham in the County of Surrey
"IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES, PARTLY APPLICABLE TO OTHER VEHICLES
"
According to this invention I construct tricycles in such a manner as to possess
some of the valuable qualities of the best tricycles and of the Otto bicycle
such as the power of balancing the seat, of having two disconnectible driving
wheels, of the facility for going down hill with ease without pedalling and of very
convenient application of good brake power, while at the same time it is not
required to learn to balance the seat as is now required in the Otto bicycle. This
construction of tricycle also includes the important feature that the steering
handle which is arranged in front of the rider like that of an ordinary bicycle or
a "Humber" tricycle is constructed in such a manner that the rider in turning is
always compelled to incline his body towards the inner wheel thus steadying the
machine so that when the machine is turning to the left the handle on the right of
the rider is pulled towards him and vice versa.
The seat is by preference so placed on a tubular rib or bone that the steering
wheel is in front of the rider (but the position of the seat and steering handle may
also be so placed that the steering wheel is behind the rider). The seat is fixed on
a bracket which is connected to the bars carrying the treadle spindle and both the
bracket and the spindle are swivelled, moving in concert in such a manner
(somewhat similar to that of the Otto bicycle) that their position relatively to the
ground is changed as required for the work or comfort, the seat moving forward
and the treadle spindle backward or vice versa. I prefer to swivel the seat to the
hollow bone or rib which at its front end carries the steering wheel. The pedal
spindle carrying rods are firmly connected together and hang freely from two

page_text: sleeves on the driving wheel axle which sleeves also carry the rib or bone for the
steering wheel. The pedal spindle is provided with a pulley which by steel
driving band or chain or otherwise transmits motion to a pulley fixed on the
driving wheel axle between the aforesaid two sleeves. The two main or driving
wheels are each connected to the axle by one or two clutches by preference of the
friction cone form; they are held in gear normally by springs but one or the other
is partly or wholly released when the steering wheel is turned one way or the
other, but so that the inner wheel is released partly or wholly when the vehicle is
turned, thus making the outer wheel the driving wheel. The hubs of the driving
wheels are connected to the rims by three sets of spokes, the middle set of spokes
is kept in a comparatively great tension while the two outer sets have only a
comparatively alight tension thus ensuring a straight pull towards the centre and
great stiffness and on the other hand preventing the wheel from buckling, whereas
in the case of ordinary bicycle wheels where there are only two outer sets of
spokes these act against each other forming a balance which is easily disturbed by
any lateral blow thus causing the rim to buckle. The spokes may be straight, or if
I desire to make the wheel more elastic I make them of a wavy or slightly helical
form ensuring elasticity and of the best elastic material such as steel or phosphor
bronze. The rim is by preference made hollow. By this construction the blows or
shocks coming on the wheel rim are absorbed by the elastic spokes. Wheels
constructed as described can also be made much narrower in the hub thus making
the machine appreciably narrower for doorways. These wheels are also applicable
to other velocipedes or vehicles.
The releasing of one of the aforesaid clutchés is effected by screw lever or other
suitable connection to the steering gear. On the steering bar I provide two levers
with handles for actuating the brake or brakes which is or are arranged on the
side of the driving axle pulley. The said levers are by rods connected to a sleeve
that is movable up and down on and also movable with a tubular stem which
turns on an upright spindle fixed on the bone or rib. The sleeve is prevented from
turning on the tubular stem by means of a guide bar working in a slot and is also
provided with a rod which can be held fast in an eye or staple by means of a
screw handle so as to keep the brake on as required when going down hill. On
the said sleeve I provide a loose collar which though it partakes of the up and
down movement of the sleeve through the brake levers is kept from turning by a
guide or stop through which is passed the rod which connects the collar with a
lever that actuates the brake. The aforesaid handles for actuating the brake or
brakes will effect the braking action whichever direction they are moved and
whether separately or together. The brake is by preference a band brake and in
order to prevent the band from touching the brake drum' when it is out of use I
provide a support or guard for the lower part of the band to rest upon. The brake
band forms a spring which keeps the brake handles in their normal position.
The tubular stem is at its lower end provided with a bevel wheel which gears
with a bevel sector wheel on a rod which passes through the rib or bone and which
near the steering wheel passes out of the tube and is there by swivelled levers and
connecting rod forming a kind of universal joint connected to the steering wheel
fork: The movement of the steering bar or handle is thus transmitted to the
steering wheel fork.
.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Edward Charles Frederick Otto in the Patent Office on the
17th May 1884.
:
EDWARD CHARLES FREDERICK OTTO of Peckham in the County of Surrey
"IMPROVEMENTS, IN VELOCIPEDES PARTLY APPLICABLE TO OTHER VEHICLES
According to this invention I construct tricycles in such a manner as to possess
some of the valuable qualities of the best tricycles and of the Otto bicycle such as
the power of balancing the seat, of having two disconnectible driving wheels, of
the facility for going down hill with ease without pedalling and of very convenient
application of good brake power while at the same time it is not required to learn
to balance the seat as is now, required in the Otto bicycle. This construction of
tricycle also includes the important feature that the steering handle which is
arranged in front of the rider like that of an ordinary bicycle or a "Humber".
tricycle is constructed in such a manner that the rider in turning is always
compelled to incline his body towards the inner wheel thus steadying the machine
so that when the machine is turning to the left the handle on the right of the rider
is pulled towards him and vice-versa.
And in order that this invention may be fully understood and readily carried
into effect I will describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which
Figure 1 is a part sectional side elevation of tricycle.
Figure 2 is a part sectional back view of part of the "bone" or framework
showing also the wheel axle on which it is mounted.
Figure 3 is a vertical section through the bone or framework showing it especially
in connection with the swinging frame.
Figure 4 is a side view of the upper pulley of the swinging frame and of the
clutch gear connected therewith.
Figure 5 a vertical sectional view of same and of the parts connected therewith
and
Figure 6 is a vertical transverse section through the steering handle and gear,
Figure 7 horizontal part section through a lever connected thereto.
Figure 8 is side view of front part of the frame with front wheel fork and
Figure 9 a plan view of same
Figure 10 is an end or face view and Figure 12 a sectional view of my elastic
velocipede wheel constructed according to my invention.
Figure 11 is a detail view of part of an elastic spoke,
Figure 13 is a sectional view of a wheel with two sets of elastic spokes.
Figure 14 is a sectional view of another form of wheel with two sets of elastic
spokes and
Figure 15 is a sectional view of a form of wheel with three sets of spokes.
The seat A is by preference and as here shown so placed on a tubular rib or
bone B that the steering wheel C is in front of the rider (but the position of the
seat and steering handle may also be so placed that the steering wheel is behind
the rider). The seat A is fixed on a bracket D which is swivelled on the tubular
rib or frame B and by means of levers d d and links d', d' is connected to the
bars E or swinging frame carrying the treadle spindle or crank shaft F. The
bracket D and the swinging frame E with treadle spindle F are swivelled moving
in concert in such a manner (somewhat similar to that of the Otto bicycle) that
their position relatively to the ground is changed as required for the work or
comfort, the seat A moving forward and the treadle spindle F backward or

page_text: vice versa. I swivel the seat A as stated to the hollow bone or rib B which at its
front end carries the steering wheel C. The swinging frame or pedal spindle
carrying rods E are firmly connected together by cross bars e Figure 3. The bars E
are at their upper ends formed with eyes E¹ which hang freely from two sleeves B'.
These latter are mounted freely on the driving wheel axle which sleeves form part
of the rib or bone B for the steering wheel C. The pedal spindle or crank shaft F
is provided with a pulley F¹ which by steel driving band I or chain or otherwise
transmits motion to a pulley G on the driving wheel axle between the aforesaid
two sleeves B¹. The main axle is made in two parts viz: an inner or central part H
and an outer part H', the former free to turn in the latter. The two main or
driving wheels K are fixed as follows viz one, in this case the right hand one is
fixed on the inner part H, and the other, in this case the left hand wheel is fixed
on the outer part H': The wheels are held in gear with the pulley G by two
clutches L, L, or one or the other wheel is disconnected therefrom by means of the
two clutches Land L¹ by preference of the friction form as here shown see
Figures 4 and 5. These clutches are in this case fixed one on the inner part H of
the axle and the other on the outer part H₁ of the axle and are held in gear
normally by springs M which are adjustable as shown. Each clutch is also as here
shown made in the form of an elastic rim which when contracted is disconnected
from the pulley G. One or the other clutch is thus partly or wholly released when
the steering wheel C is turned one way or the other but so that the inner wheel is
released partly or wholly when the vehicle is turned thus making the outer wheel
the driving wheel
The driving wheels I make with elastic spokes, and with two or three such sets
of spokes as will now be described with reference to Figures 10 to 15.
The main object of this part of my invention is to construct a velocipede wheel
in which the deleterious effect of lateral and other blows is greatly diminished and
which shall also possess great lightness, strength and elasticity so as to permit of
greater speed especially over rough roads, afford greater comfort to the rider and
less wear and tear to the machine, while at the same time in one form or
construction admitting of being made narrower at the nave than those now in use.
The hubs 1 of the driving wheels may as shown in Figures 12 and 15 be
connected to the rims 2 by three sets of elastic spokes, the middle set of spokes 4
being kept in a comparatively great tension while the two outer sets 5, 5 have only
a comparatively slight tension thus ensuring a straight pull towards the centre and
great stiffness and on the other hand preventing the wheel from buckling,
whereas in the case of ordinary bicycle wheels where there are only two outer sets
of spokes and no central set of spokes the said outer sets of spokes act against each
other forming a balance which is easily disturbed by any lateral blow thus causing
the rim to buckle. The spokes are of a wavy or slightly helical that is to say
either as shown at A¹ Figures 10, 12 and 14 of an undulating form in one direction
only or as shown at A' Figures 10 13 and 15 of a helical form, more clearly in
Figure 11 which is an enlarged part view of one such helical spoke.
Figure 14 shows a velocipede wheel with two sets of spokes A¹ of an undulating
form. Figure 15 shows a wheel with three sets of spokes of a helical form and
Figure 13 a wheel with two sets of spokes A* of helical form.
The spokes being of a wavy or slightly helical form and of the best elastic
material such as steel or phosphor bronze great elasticity and strength are ensured.
By this construction the blows or shocks coming on the wheel rim are absorbed by
the elastic spokes. Wheels constructed with three such sets of spokes as described
can also be made much narrower in the hub thus making the machine appreciably
narrower for doorways. These wheels are also applicable to other velocipedes or
vehicles, such as perambulatora.
The releasing of one of the aforesaid clutches L or L' is, effected by screw. lever
or other suitable connection to the steering gear as will be described further on.
On the steering bar N. Figure 6 I provide two levers O fitted with handles Q' for
actuating the brake or double brake which is arranged on the side of the driving

page_text: axle pulley G. The said levers O are by rods P connected to a sleeve P¹ that is.
inovable up and down on and also movable with a tubular stem P' which turns on
an upright spindle P³ fixed on the bone or rib B. The sleeve P¹ is prevented from
turning on the tubular stem P³ by means of a guide bar Q see Figure
working
in a slot Q¹ or staple and can be held fast therein by means of a screw handle Q' so
as to keep the brake on as required when going down hill. On the said sleeve P'
I provide a loose collar P which though it partakes of the up and down movement
of the sleeve P¹ through the brake levers P is kept from turning by a guide or
stop R Figure 1 through which is passed the rod R₁ which connects the collar P4
with a bell crank lever R2 that actuates the brake S which acts on the outer rim of
the pulley G. Figures 1, 4 and 5. The aforesaid handles O¹ for actuating the
brake or brakes S will effect the braking action whichever direction they are
moved and whether separately or together The brake S is by preference a band
brake as hero shown and in order to prevent the band from touching the brake
drum when it is out of use. I provide a support or guard T Figure 4 for the lower
part of the band S to rest upon. The brake band forms a spring which keeps the
brake handles in their normal position.
The tubular stem P³ is at its lower end provided with a bevel wheel P³ which
gears with a bevel sector wheel U Figure 1 on a rod U which passes through the
rib or bone B and which near the steering wheel C passes out of the tube B see
Figures 1, 8 and 9 and is thereby swivelled levers V and V₁ and connecting
rod V forming a kind of universal joint, connected to the steering wheel fork W.
The levers V and V and the rod V2 each consist of two parts which screw one into
the other and thus permit of turning slightly to give the desired freedom for the
universal joint The movement of the steering bar or handle N is thus transmitted
to the steering wheel fork W.
In order to release one or both of the aforesaid clutches by the movement of the
steering bar and simultaneously with the corresponding movement of the steering
wheel C I provide on the lower end of the tubular stem P2 a double ended lever L³
Figures 1 and 6 and one of the ends of which is shown separately in part section at
Figure 7. The two ends of this lever are transversely to the rider in the normal
position and are by ball and socket joints and rods connected to the brake bands L³
and L on the outer rims of the clutches L and L' respectively and thus serve to
actuate the clutches L L' and the main wheels fixed on the corresponding parts H
and H of the driving wheel axle.
If the rider desires to turn to the right he pushes the right hand handle N forward
thus causing the steering wheel C to turn to the right and releasing at the same
time by the pull of the brake band L³ the right hand clutch L. from the grip of the
centre pulley G and retarding the right hand driving wheel of the machine, for it
will be seen that as soon as the brake L³ is forced against the clutch L it tends to
contract the latter against the force of the spring M and disconnecting itself from
the opposite driving wheel. As will be seen on Figure 4 the clutch ring can only
contract so far as the spokes which form stops will admit. The rider may also at
the same time apply the brakes S by means of the handles O¹.
The aforesaid mode and means for driving braking and steering are obviously
also applicable in velocipedes not provided with the swinging frame.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed I, declare that I Claim
Firstly-The swinging frame having its fulcrum on the driving wheel axle and
carrying the crank at its lower end in combination with the seat swivelled on the
framing of the machine and moving in unison with the swinging frame substantially
as set forth.
Secondly-The mode of driving and steering by means of clutches and brakes in
connection with the driving wheels which are also steering wheels in such manner
that the machine is made a true double driver and double steerer and causing the
outer wheel to be the true driver when turning substantially as described.

page_text: Thirdly: The mode of connecting the clutch and brake driving and steering
mechanism with a steering wheel so as work in unison therewith when turning
substantially as set forth.
Fourthly: In a velocipede wheel the undulating or helical tensional spokes of
highly elastic steel or other suitable metal substantially as set forth.
In Witness whereof I the said Edward Charles Frederick Otto have hereunto set
my hand and seal this Seventeenth day of May in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty four.
E C F OTTO (L.S.)