IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF VELOCIPEDES, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS APPLICABLE TO OTHER WHEEL CARRIAGES " PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Nahum Salamon of Holborn Viaduct in the City of
London and Arthur George Meeze of Redhill in the County of Surrey for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF VELOCIPEDES, PART
OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS APPLICABLE TO OTHER WHEEL CARRIAGES
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Nahum Salamon and
Arthur George Meeze at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
22nd November 1883.
NAHUM SALAMON of Holborn Viaduct in the City of London and ARTHUR
GEORGE MEEZE of Redhill in the County of Surrey "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF VELOCIPEDES, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS APPLICABLE
TO OTHER WHEEL CARRIAGES,"
The chief object of this invention is to improve the construction of Velocipedes
in which central three-throw cranks are used for driving the machine.
To this end, instead of dividing the axle of the travelling wheels as has been
heretofore proposed, and transmitting the motion of the three-throw crank through
gearing to the divided axle, we now propose to form the axle in one with its three-
throw crank, and to provide a pair of bearings for the axle on the carriage frame
at either side of the three-throw crank. This frame we construct of steel tubes,
which will in plan view take the form of a T, the transverse part or head of the T
having the bearings affixed thereto. This transverse tube is connected to the stem
or main tube by a coupling piece suitably formed to make a firm joint, and the
stem is bent upwards at its extremity to receive the fork of the steering wheel
Immediately below the stem or main portion of the carriage, a forked frame is
provided to carry the treadle wheel axle, the cranks of which are coupled by
connecting rods to the cranks of the travelling wheel axle. These rods it is
proposed to cover (when the vehicle is intended for ladies use) by a longitudinal
shield pendent from the carriage frame. The seat may be fitted to the carriage
frame by inserting the stem of the seat in the vertical or bent up part of the
tubular stem.

page_text: To provide against the running back of the vehicle when on a hill side, we fit
two of the bearings of the travelling wheel axle with an arrangement of clutch
that will not interfere with the forward travel of the vehicle; but will, if a back
movement occurs, instantly come into action. In these bearings we fit a metal
ring which is gripped in place by a set screw; and within this ring we insert a
disc which is keyed to the axle, and has inclined recesses cut in its perimeter, say
three or more, each to receive a ball or roller. When the vehicle is moving
forward the ball or roller will remain at or near the deepest part of the recess, and
just in contact (like the balls of an ordinary bearing) with the encircling ring.
When however the motion is reversed, the balls or rollers of the bearings will jam
between the recessed discs and their encircling rings, and immediately arrest the
backward motion of the vehicle.
To enable the vehicle to be moved about freely when not in use, it is only
necessary to slacken the clamping screws, and the rings will then be free to turn
in their bearings under the action of the clutch.
It will be obvious that the above described clutch may be applied to all carriages
which are liable to run backwards on uneven ground. Similarly the central three-
throw crank may be applied to velocipedes in which the axle of the travelling
wheels is made to pivot in order to provide for the steering of the vehicle.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Nahum Salamon and Arthur George Meeze in the Patent Office on
the 22nd May 1884.
NAHUM SALAMON of Holborn Viaduct in the City of London and ARTHUR
GEORGE MEEZE of Redhill in the County of Surrey
" IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF VELOCIPEDES, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS APPLICABLE
TO OTHER WHEEL CARRIAGES
"
The chief object of this Invention is to improve the construction of Velocipedes
in which central three-throw cranks are used for driving the machine
To this end instead of dividing the axle of the travelling wheels and
transmitting the motion of the three-throw crank to the divided axle as 'was
proposed in the specification of a patent granted to us in conjunction with Robert
Edward Phillips and bearing date second February One thousand eight hundred
and eighty two, we now form the travelling wheel axle in one with its three-throw
crank, and provide two pairs of bearings for the axle on the carriage frame, one
pair at either side of the three-throw crank.
In the accompanying drawing Fig 1 is a plan view of a Tricycle constructed
according to our Invention, the seat being removed to expose to view the parts
beneath and Fig 2 is a side elevation of the same, partly in section.
A is the carriage frame constructed of steel tubes and taking in plan view the
form of a T
The transverse part or head of the T has the bearings for the travelling wheel
axle B attached thereto in the usual manner. This transverse tube is connected, to
the stem or main tube by a coupling piece suitably formed to make a firm joint,
and the stem is bent upwards at its forward extremity to receive the fork C of
the steering wheel. Immediately below the stem or main portion of the carriage.
a forked frame is provided to carry the treadle axle D the cranks of which are
coupled by three connecting rods d to the cranks of the travelling wheel axle.
The bearings of the treadle axle D are pivotted as usual to allow of their adjusting
themselves to the axle, and the pivot pins which supports them are extended
rearwards to form stay rods ff. The rear ends of these stay rods are formed with
eyes to receive the pivot pins of the bearings F F of the axle B, which pivot pins,
being screw bolts, hold them fast to their respective bearings. By this means the
tendency of the crank axle B to vibrate will be diminished. By this arrangement
the two axles B and D are materially stiffened and the tendency for them to
spring is to a great. extent removed. These stay rods f f, and also the crank rods
it is proposed to cover (when the Vehicle is intended for ladie's use) by a
longitudinal shield pendent from the carriage frame. The seat E (see Fig 2) is
fitted to the carriage frame by inserting the stem of the seat in the vertical or bent
up part of the tubular stem.
The three-throw crank of the pedal shaft is constructed in a precisely similar
manner to that of the pedal shaft in the above mentioned specification, but to give
firmness to the travelling wheel axle we no longer use the clutch arrangement of
the Patent of One thousand eight hundred and eighty-two for connecting the
severed parts of the travelling wheel axle with their three-throw crank, but
construct this axle in the same manner as the pedal axle. In order however to
render such a crank axle applicable to its new use we fit to either end thereof, a
Bourdin or equivalent clutch which runs within an extension of the hub of the
adjacent travelling wheel, and carries loose gripping rollers. This arrangement
provides, as in the above mentioned patent, for the gripping of the wheels to the

page_text: axle during the forward motion of the same, but leaves the wheels free to over-run
when descending a hill, and the off wheel free to move round the pivot wheel when
the Vehicle is being steered, while at the same time a firm travelling wheel axle is
secured.
To provide against the running back of the vehicle when on a hill side, we use
the arrangement of clutch shewn at Figures 3 and 4; Figure 3 being a section
taken in the plane of the axis of the travelling wheel shaft, and Fig 4 a transverse
section of the same.
In these Figures F* is the bearing-box, of which a pair will generally be used, as
indicated in the plan view Fig 1. Fitting in a seat in this box and capable of
turning freely therein when so required, is a ring G which by means of a clamping
screw G¹ is held fast in its bearing. This ring is intended to receive the clutch H
which is keyed to the travelling wheel axle B. This clutch consists of a disc
which has inclined recesses cut in its perimeter, say three or more, each to receive
a ball, I, which balls enter an annular groove cup-shaped in cross section made in
the ring G to receive them. If rollers are used in place of the balls, the groove
may be dispensed with. When the Vehicle is moving forward the balls will
remain at or near the deepest part of the recess, and just in contact (like the balls
of an ordinary bearing) with the encircling ring. When however the motion is
reversed the balls of the bearings will jam between the recessed discs and their
encircling fixed rings and immediately arrest the backward motion of the vehicle.
To enable the vehicle to be moved about freely when not in use it is only
necessary to slacken the clamping screws G' and the rings G will then be free to
turn in their bearings under the action of the clutch.
It will be obvious that the above described automatic back clutch arrangement
may be applied to all carriages which are liable to run backwards on uneven
ground.
Similarly the central three-throw crank may be applied to velocipedes in which
the axle of the travelling wheels is made to pivot in order to provide for the steering
of the vehicle.
Having now set forth the nature of our Invention of Improvements in the
construction of Velocipedes, part of which improvements is applicable to other
wheel carriages," and having explained the manner of carrying the same into
effect we wish it to be understood that under the above in part recited Letters
Patent We claim
First The three-throw crank travelling wheel axle constructed and fitted in the
manner above described with reference to the drawing for transmitting motion to
the driving wheels of velocipedes.
Secondly The construction of automatic back clutch arrangement described with
reference to Figures 3 and 4, which admits of being readily thrown out of action
for the purpose above set forth.
In witness whereof I the said Nahum Salamon have hereunto set my hand and
seal the twenty-second day of May in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty four.
AT
CATAMON