Improvements in Monocycles or Unicycles.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 30th May, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 10th Feb., 1893-Accepted, 15th Apr., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Monocycles or Unicycles.
I, GUSTAVE EUGÈNE BOURGOIN, of. impasse St. Ambroise, No. 5, Paris, in the
Republic of France, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in monocycles or unicycles.
In carrying out the invention I employ a wheel of suitable diameter provided
with a tire of indiarubber, cork or other suitable material either solid or hollow.
The wheel is formed with radial arms or spokes arranged at suitable distances
apart connecting the wheel to a ring having a groove of angular shape in cross
section, the inner surface of which ring causes by the frictional contact therewith
of a roller rotary movement to be given to the monocycle.
A frame carries rollers which serve as guides and supports.
The first named roller is caused to rotate by means of pedals for which purpose
a chain wheel is fixed on the crank shaft and drives a pinion on the shaft of which
is a sprocket wheel which drives another pinion keyed on the spindle of the said
roller which spindle also carries a brake. This arrangement is given by way of
example as other suitable means may be employed for driving the roller. A wind
guard is placed between the steering head and the grooved ring. A mud guard is
provided which can be placed in any desired position.
The means for stopping or steering the machine are arranged in connection with
each handle.
For stopping the machine, in connection with the right hand handle a lever,
which is operated by closing the right hand, communicates movement in a down-
ward direction to a rod which acts directly on the lever of the brake pulley. The
saddle being fixed at a normal height the cyclist can quickly descend from his
machine.
For steering purposes a lever is employed fixed to the left hand handle and
operated by closing the left hand. In this case also a rod is moved by the lever in
a downward direction and a long lever causes an auxiliary wheel to touch the
ground when by turning the steering head to the right or left hand the line of
movement of this auxiliary wheel will be changed and also that of the monocycle.
The rod of the steering head is provided with a pin and operates in one direction
or the other, bevel pinions whereby other bevel pinions are operated and an arm
carrying the auxiliary wheel is caused to describe an arc of a circle. The auxiliary
wheel will thus be brought into the position in which it should touch the ground to
cause the monocycle to take the required direction. A slide guides the long lever
and a spring facilitates its return to its normal position.
Dated thie 30th day of May 1892.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Monocycles or Unicycles.
I, GUSTAVE EUGÈNE BOURGOIN, of impasse St. Ambroise, No. 5, Paris, in
the Republic of France, Engineer, 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 improvements in monocycles or unicycles.

page_text: In carrying out the invention I employ a ring or travelling wheel of suitable
diameter provided with a tire of india-rubber, cork or other suitable material either
solid or hollow. The rim of the wheel is of angular or V-shape in cross section,
and the frictional contact of a wheel or roller on the inner surface of such rim
causes rotary movement to be given to the monocycle. This wheel or roller is
mounted in a frame carrying a seat for the rider and other wheels or rollers which
serve as guides and supports.
The first named wheel or roller is caused to rotate by means of pedals and
suitable gearing.
To enable my invention to be fully understood I will describe how it can be
carried into practice by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which :-
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a monocycle or unicycle constructed according to
my invention.
Figure 2 is a plan of the same, and
Figure 3 is a transverse section drawn to an enlarged scale of part of the rim
and tire of the travelling wheel.
Similar letters in all the figures indicate similar parts.
a, Figures 1 and 2, is the ring or travelling wheel of my monocycle or unicycle,
which wheel is composed of a tire b and a rim e made hollow for the sake of
lightness and part of which as shewn in Figure 3 is of angular or V-shape in cross
section while the other part is half round or concave to adapt it to receive the
tire b.
Before bending the hollow rim c, I find it advantageous to insert a very
light tube d therein in order to increase the rigidity of the outer walls of the
rim.
e is the wheel or roller which by its frictional contact on the inner surface of the
rim c causes the rotary motion to be given to the monocycle, the said wheel being
to this end grooved to correspond with and receive the V-shaped portion of the
rim c.
This angular construction of the rim of the wheel a and grooved form of
wheel e allows of obtaining a maximum of adherence without detracting from the
power exerted by the rider upon the pedals of the machine. The wheel e is
mounted in a fork f, g, of the frame h carrying the seat or saddle i for the rider
and forked at j, j to receive the guiding and supporting wheels or rollers k, k
similarly grooved to the wheel e and running over the V-shaped portion of the
rim c.
The diameter of the wheel e may be smaller or larger according to the speed at
which it is desired to work the machine.
1,1 are the pedals and m is the pedal shaft revolving in bearings at the junction
of extensions m, n, n of the fork f, 9 and frame h. The rotary motion of the pedal
shaft m is communicated to the wheel e, through the medium of chain wheels o
and
P and a chain 1.
For stopping the machine I provide a lever in connection with one of the
handles s of the machine, which lever when operated by pressing it towards the
handle with the hand in a well known manner communicates movement in a down-
ward direction to a rod t which acts directly on the brake so as to cause it to enter
and press in the groove of the wheel e.
The saddle is at such a height from the ground as will enable the rider to
quickly mount and dismount from the machine.
A small wheel u is mounted in the part g of the fork f, g, for the purpose of
preventing the rider from being thrown forward in case of a sudden stoppage of
the machine, but if it is desired it may be dispensed with.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A monocycle or unicycle consisting essentially of a ring or travelling wheel
the rim of which is of angular or V-shape in cross section and a grooved wheel or

page_text: roller mounted in a frame and driven by pedals and running in frictional contact
with such rim, substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. The improved monocycle or unicycle hereinbefore described and illustrated
in the accompanying drawing.
Dated the 10th day of February 1893.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.