IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES.
Year: 1880

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Hillman at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th February 1880.
WILLIAM HILLMAN, of Coventry, in the County of Warwick, Machinist.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES.".
My Invention relates to velocipedes, and chiefly to that class of these vehicles
termed tricycles, and the said Invention is designed to improve such vehicles in
various respects, as hereinafter set forth.
One part of the said Invention relates to tricycles which have a large driving
wheel and two guiding wheels, supported by or upon a frame in such relative
positions that one guiding wheel will be in advance and the other in arrear of the
main or driving wheel. I prefer that the rear guiding wheel should be considerably
smaller in diameter than the fore guiding wheel. The latter is arranged at one
side of the vehicle, the driving wheel at the other side, and the rear wheel at about
the centre of the frame. The latter has a cross or transverse bar to which are
attached the bearings for the driving or crank shaft.
The most important feature of this part of my Invention is the treadle apparatus,
which is arranged as follows :-The aforesaid frame extends from the seat or saddle
in a curved form to a lower straight portion, which carries the rear guiding wheel.
At the point where the curve meets or merges into this straight portion I fix
bearings for the fulcrum of two vibrating arms. To the lower or free extremities
of these arms I hinge or pin joint the rear ends of two foot levers or pedals whose
forward ends extend forward into a convenient position to be operated by the
occupant of the seat or saddle. I construct these pedals in the form of triangular
frames of light iron or steel bars. At the apex of the triangle each pedal
nected with one of the cranks. This manner of forming the pedals enables me to
combine the requisite strength and rigidity with extreme lightness in their
construction.
con-
Another important feature is a novel manner of supporting the vertical shaft or
spindle whereon the said rear guiding wheel swivels," whereby I dispense with tho
fork heretofore used for this purpose. For this purpose the aforesaid straight rear

page_text: portion of the frame of the vehicle is arranged, but very slightly, above the nxis
of the said wheel, and is with its extremity in the required position to support the
aforesaid vertical shaft or spindle, while leaving ample space for the movement or
adjustment of the said wheel for guiding the vehicle. At this extremity of the
said frame I provide two bearings to receive the said vertical shaft, which is fitted
to turn freely therein. Between these bearings this vertical shaft has projecting
at a right angle a horizontal shaft or rod which forms the journal or bearing for the
wheel.
I also provide in like manner for the support of the other guiding wheel, that is
to say, to the forward extension of the framework I fix projecting pieces or lugs
for the reception of the upper and lower ends of a vertical shaft, which has between
its two bearings a horizontal arm or shaft that forms the journal for the wheel. J.
prefer that for both of the said wheels the vertical or swivelling shaft should have
conical steel pointed ends, and that one of the bearings therefor should be a screw
provided with lock nuts, whereby the said bearing may be properly adjusted to
compensate for the wear of the bearing points or surfaces. I prefer to connect
both of the aforesaid guiding wheels with one guiding handle near the seat or
saddle, so that both may be operated or adjusted by one movement. For this
purpose I extend a light rod or spindle upward from the vertical shaft of the fore
guiding wheel, and provide the upper end of this rod with a crank from which a
light connecting rod extends to a rack geared with a pinion on the shaft or spindle
of the aforesaid guiding handle. The outer end of the horizontal shaft or journal
of the rear or small guiding wheel is also connected by a light rod which extends
to the other end of the said rack.
simultaneously.
It will be obvious that by turning the said guiding handle the rack will bo
moved in one direction or the other, and will move or adjust both wheels
According to another part of my said improvements I provide a tricycle for
children's use which is very light and portable, while at the same time it is not
liable to be overturned, and moreover it is equally suitable for the use of boys or
girls.
The said tricycle has two driving wheels fixed on opposite ends of the crank or
driving shaft which extends across the vehicle below the seat, and the guiding
wheel, which is of smaller diameter than the said driving wheel, is arranged at the
front of the vehicle.
This part of my Invention comprises a very advantageous arrangement of the
treadle mechanism whereby the vehicle is very easily propelled, and a peculiar
construction of the frame for conveniently supporting this mechanism and the other
parts of the vehicle. This frame is very strong and simple in construction. It
consists of a bar of steel or iron bent horizontally at the rear into a rectangular
form, preferably with the corners rounded, its two sides being united by a trans-
verse portion which forms the back of the said frame. One of its sides terminates
under the seat, while the other side is extended forward to support the guiding
wheel. The seat is supported on light but strong springs attached to the frame.
To the sides of the latter are secured the bearings for the aforesaid crank shaft.
The transverse bar which forms the back of the frame carries two arms or brackets
for supporting a small shaft or rod, on which I mount two vibrating or rocking
levers or arms. To the lower or outer extremities of these lovers I pivot the rear
ends of the pedals or foot levers. Those levers are fitted to work upon the cranks
and extend beyond the same, so that their free or forward ends are in a convenient
position to be operated by the feet of a child in the aforesaid sent. In both foring
of my improved treadlo apparatus the motion of the pedals is elliptical
The forward end of the frame is curved laterally to bring its extremity into the
proper position to support the vertical spindle or shaft of the guiding wheel, and
its said extremity is provided with a boss or sleeve which forms the bearing for the
said vertical spindle. To the lower end of the latter I attach a short horizontal
shaft which projects at one side of the said vertical shaft and forms the journal of

page_text: the said wheel. To the upper end of the said vertical shaft or spindle I attach the
guiding handle, which extends into a convenient position to be manipulated by the
occupant of the seat.
According to another part of my said Invention I construct a seat for a
velocipede as follows, that is to say:-I form a frame of iron or other suitable
metal extending around the front, back, and sides of the seat. The space within
this frame is filled with spring slats or strips of thin steel arranged with spaces
between them. Each slat or strip is bent into a suitable shape for the bottom and
back of the seat. The said strips are rivetted or otherwise secured to the top or
upper bar of the frame, and terminate at the front in a coil which is secured to the
front bar of the frame. This manner of forming and securing the said strips gives
great clasticity to the seat. When constructed in this manner the seat will be
sufficiently elastic, and I am thus enabled to dispense with the springs ordinarily
used for the support of these seats.
Another part of my Invention relates to improved means for attaching lamps
or lanterns to the shaft or journal of a bicycle or other velocipede. For this purpose
I provide a device consisting of a spring coiled in the manner of a watch spring,
and provide the same with two small rollers at a short distance from the inner
extremity of the said spring. The said spring is attached to the shaft of the
velocipede by passing the spring over the same until the two rollers rest on the
upper side of the said shaft, and the inner end of the spring presses upon the lowest
side of the same. This device forms an anti frictional support for the lamp or
lantern, which is attached to the outer extremity of the said spring. The said
lamp may be readily removed when desired, either by taking the spring from the
axle or by detaching the lamp from the said spring.

page_text: WILLIAM HILLMAN, of Coventry, in the County of Warwick, Machinist.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES."
My Invontion relates to velocipedes, and chiefly to that class of these vehicles
termed tricycles, and the said Invention is designed to improve such vehicles in
various respects, as hereinafter set forth.
My Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawings in which,-
Figure 1 is a plan or top view, and
Figure 2 is a sido clevation of a tricycle.
Figure 3 is a front elevation of a portion of the same detached.
Figuro is a plan, and
Figure 5 is a side elevation of a tricycle for children's use.
Figure 6 is a front view, and
Figure 7, a side view of my improved lamp applied to the shaft of a velocipede.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawings.
One part of the said Invention relates to tricycles which have a large driving
wheel a and two guiding wheels b, c, as shewn in Figures 1 and 2 of the Drawings;
these wheels are supported by or upon a frame d in such relative positions that
the guiding wheel c is in advance, and the other wheel b is at the rear of the main
or driving wheel a, as shewn. I prefer that the rear guiding wheel b should be
considerably smaller in diameter than the fore guiding wheel c, and it will be seen
that the latter is arranged at one side of the vehicle, the driving wheel at the
other side, and the rear wheel at about the centre laterally of the frame d. This
frame has a cross or transverse bar & to which are attached the bearings d² for
the driving or crank shaft e.
The most important feature of this part of my Invention is the treadle apparatus
which I will now describe. The aforesaid frame d extends from the scat or
saddle fin a curved form to a lower straight portion which carries the rear
guiding wheel b. At or near the point where the curved portion meets or merges
into this straight portion of the frame I fix a nearly vertical bar d' with a cross
bar at its lower end which forms the bearing or fulcrum for two vibrating arms g.
To the lower or free extremities of theso arms I hinge or pin joint the rear ends of
two foot levers or pedals which extend forward into a convenient position to be
operated at their forward ends by the occupant of the seat or saddle f. I construct
these pedals in the form of triangular frames of light iron or steel bars, as clearly
shewn in Figure 1. At the apex of the triangle each pedal is connected with
one of the cranks i. This manner of forming the pedals enables me to combine in
their construction the requisite strength and rigidity with extreme lightness.
In this treadle apparatus, and also in the form or modification thereof shewn in
Figures 4 and 5, the movement of the pedals will be in an elliptical path. The
aforesaid straight rear portion of the frame of the vehicle is arranged but very
slightly above the axis of the rear wheel, and its extremity is in the required
position to support the vertical shaft or spindle j of the rear guiding wheel, while
leaving ample space for the movement or adjustment of the said wheel for guiding
the vehicle. At this extremity of the said frame I form a boss d³ for supporting
the vertical spindle j, as shown. Or I may adopt the following arrangement, that
is to say-I provide two bearings to receive the said vertical shaft, which is to
be fitted to turn freely therein. Between these bearings this vertical shaft has
projecting at a right angle a horizontal shaft or rod which forms the journal or
bearing for the wheel,

page_text: I also provide in like manner for the support of the other guiding wheel c, that
is to say, to the forward extension do of the frame I fix projecting pieces or lugs d'
for the reception of the upper and lower ends of a vertical shaft k, which has
between its two bearings a horizontal arm or spindle k' that forms the journal for
the wheel c. I prefer that the vertical or swivelling shaft should have conical
steel pointed ends, and that one of the bearings therefor should be a screw provided
with lock nuts, whereby the said bearing may be properly adjusted to compensate
for the wear of the bearing points or surfaces.
I prefer to connect both of the aforesaid guiding wheels with one guiding handle
near the seat or saddle, as shewn at l, so that both wheels may be operated or
adjusted by one movement. For this purpose I extend a light rod or spindle or a
bar m upward from the vertical shaft of the fore guiding wheel, and provide the
upper end of this rod with a crank or bent portion m, from which a light connecting
rod extends to a rack n geared with a pinion o on the shaft or spindle 1 of the
aforesaid guiding handle . The arm j of the vertical shaft or spindle j of the rear
or small guiding wheel b is also connected to the rack n. by a light rod p, as
shewn.
It will be obvious that by turning the said guiding handle the rack n will be
moved in one direction or the other, and will move or adjust both of the wheels
b and c simultaneously.
According to another part of my said improvements I provide a tricycle, as
shewn in Figures 4 and 5, for children's use, which is very light and portable,
while at the same time it is not liable to be overturned, and moreover, it is equally
suitable for the use of boys or girls.
The said tricycle has two driving wheels a fixed on opposite ends of the crank
or driving shafte which extends across the vehicle below the seat, and the guiding
wheel C₁ which is of smaller diameter than the said driving wheels, is arranged at
the front of the vehicle, as shown.
This part of my Invention comprises a very advantageous arrangement of the
treadle mechanisin whereby the vehicle is very easily propelled, also a peculiar
construction of the frame for conveniently supporting this mechanism and the other
parts of the vehicle. This frame d is very strong and simple in construction; it
consists of a bar of steel or iron bent horizontally, at the rear into a rectangular
form, preferably, with the corners rounded, its two sides being united by transverse
portions, all as clearly shewn in Figure 4. One of these transverse portions d³
forms the back of the said frame; one of its sides terminates under the scat,
while the other side do is extended forward to support the guiding wheel c. The
seat fis supported on light but strong springs q attached to the frame d. To the
sides of the latter are secured the bearings d for the aforesaid crank shaft c. The
transverse bar ds, which forms the back of the frame, carries two arins or brackets 7°
for supporting a small shaft or rod s, on which I mount two vibrating or rocking
levers or arms t. To the lower or outer extremities of these levers I pivot the rear
ends of the pedals or foot levers u. These levers are fitted to work upon the cranks
and extend beyond the same, so that their free or forward ends u¹ are in a
convenient position to be operated by the feet of a child occupying the aforesaid
scat.
The forward end of the frame d is curved laterally, as shewn at d*, to bring its
extremity into the proper position to support the vertical spindle or shaft j of the
guiding wheel c, and this extremity is provided with a boss or sleeve d³ which
forms the bearing for the said vertical spindle, as shown. I may use a fork for.
supporting the wheel c, as shewn, or I may attach to the lower end of the spindle
a short horizontal shaft which projects at one side of the said vertical shaft and
forms the journal of the said wheel. To the upper end of the said vertical shaft or
spindle I attach the guiding handle v, which extends into a couvonicnt position to
be manipulated by the occupant of the seat.
Another part of my Invention, illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, relates to improved
means for attaching lamps or lanterns to the shaft or journal of a bicycle or other

page_text: velocipede. For this purpose I provide a device consisting of a spring or springs w
coiled in the manner of a watch spring, and provide the same with two or more small
rollers at a short distance from the inner extremity of the said spring. The said
spring is attached to the shaft w¹ of the velocipede by passing the spring over the
same so that the rollers rest on or are in contact with the said shaft, and when two
rollers only are employed the inner end of the spring presses upon the lowest side
of the said shaft. This device forms an anti frictional support for the lamp or
lantern which is attached to the outer extremity of the said spring. The said
lamp may be readily removed when desired, either by taking the spring from the
axle or by detaching the lamp from the said spring. Or in some instances I provide
the spring with a tube of leather or other suitable material, as shewn at w* instead
of providing the same with rollers.
Having thus fully described my said Invention and the manner of performing
the same I wish it understood that I claim,--
First. The improved treadle mechanism constructed and arranged in combination:
with the frame and cranks of a velocipede, substantially as shewn in Figures 1, 2,
and 3 of the Drawings, and as above described, and operating as set forth.
Second. Supporting the guiding wheel of a velocipede on a rod or spindle
projecting at a right angle from a vertical shaft which is supported with a capa-
bility of turning or swivelling in bearings attached to the frame of the vehicle,
substantially as above set forth.
Third. A three wheeled velocipede or tricycle consisting of the parts constructed
and combined substantially as shewn in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the Drawings, and
operating as set forth.
Fourth. The novel construction of the frame of a velocipede, as described with:
reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the Drawings for the purpose specified.
Fifth. The treadle mechanism, constructed and arranged in combination with
the said frame and with the cranks, substantially as shewn in Figures 4 and 5, and
operating as set forth.
Sixth. A velocipede or tricycle, consisting of the parts described with reference:
to Figures 4 and 5 of the Drawing, constructed and combined as shewn, and
operating as above set forth.
Seventh. The novel means for attaching a lamp or lantern to the shaft or
journal of a velocipede, substantially as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Hillınan, have hereunto set my :
hand and seal, this Twenty first day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
117 DITIMAN
W. Bu
HILLMAN
(L.S.)