Improvements in Monocycles.
Year: 1887

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Monocycles.
We ZARRAH JETHRO FRANCIS, Potter's Printer and CHARLOTTE FRANCIS, Widow,
both of 6 Stone Terrace, Storer Street, and FREDERICK DOUGLAS BARRITT,
Ironmonger, of 93 Carlton Road, all of the Town and County of the Town of
Nottingham, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
This Invention relates to monocycles of the kind described in Letters Patent
No. 4628 of 1885 and it has for its object the improved construction and arrangement
of such monocycles whereby they are rendered more convenient and effective.
The Invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings
in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation, Fig. 2 a plan of the outer wheel, Fig. 3 a section
of the outer wheel, Fig. 4 a section showing modification thereof, and Fig. 5 is a
vertical section of the upper portion of the inner framing.
In carrying out the Invention the outer wheel D is of special construction and
comprises the use of an outer metal circle D' and three inner metal circles, the three
inner metal circles A B and B', see Fig. 3, are connected together by bars Carranged
at a convenient distance from each other and the outer wheel D provided with a
rubber tyre is secured to the inner circles by spokes E screwed alternatively into Band
B thus forming a rigid outer wheel. The upper portion of the inner framing F is
made in a circular form, the lower portion being bent to admit the driving wheel G
which is carried in a fork H secured to the framing F, the fork H is provided with
downward extensions H on which are fixed adjustable bearings I carrying pitch
wheel and pedals J' there being a separate pitch wheel to each pedal; the pitch
chain J connects the pitch wheels J to the hub of the driving wheel G. The driving
wheel G runs on the metal circle A of the outer wheel and is held in position by two
or more guiding wheels attached to the framing F. We find it however preferable to
use only two and place one guiding wheel K immediately behind the driving wheel,
it is carried in a fork of usual consiruction and will turn freely on its axis the
second guiding wheel M is placed at the upper portion of the framing F in which an
opening is formed for it to run. This wheel Mas best seen in Fig. 5 is carried in two

page_text: bearings N which work freely up and down on the vertical pins 0, suitable springs P
being placed on the pins and under the bearings N to keep the wheel a pressed
firmly on the inner circle A of the outer wheel, by this arrangement the inner framing
is prevented from jamming and sufficient pressure is placed on the driving wheel G to
ensure its biting the outer wheel.
A saddle R is placed on the framing Fat a suitable height above the pedals and
immediately in front of it is placed a handle bar S provided with steering handles.
In front of the handle bar S is fixed a lever T actuating a bell crank lever T; by
pressing the lever T, the lower end of the bell crank lever T¹is pressed on the driving
wheel G and acts as a brake.
To prevent the inner framing from jumping out of the outer wheel when the
machine is allowed to fall small trucks U are so placed on the framing F as to run
clear of the rims B and B¹.
If preferred the inner metal circle A of the outer wheel can be dispensed with as
shown in Fig. 4; when the outer or travelling wheel is thus constructed the driving
wheel G and guiding wheels K and M. are arranged in duplicate so as to travel or run
upon the two rims B and B. For working the two driving wheels it is preferable to
arrange a pitch wheel for chain gearing between them and connect them to a crank
and pedal arrangement fitted conveniently to the framing of the machine for the rider
to work.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we claim is :-
1. In a velocipede wheel such as described the combination with an outer or
travelling rim or circle such as D₁ of inner rings or circles such as A. B. B
constructed or connected substantially as described and shown in the accompanying
drawings.
2. In a velocipede the combination with the framing F of a guide wheel such as M
carried in adjustable bearings N for insuring proper contact between the wheel M and
the circle A upon which it works substantially as specified.
3. The complete velocipede substantially as specified.
ZARRAH JETHRO FRANCIS.
CHARLOTTE FRANCIS.
FREDERICK DOUGLAS BARRITT,