IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ARRANGEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION OF ROWING VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1884

page_text: I, WILLIAM HENRY THOMPSON, of 4 Finsbury Circus, London do hereby declare
the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ARRANGEMENT AND
CONSTRUCTION OF ROWING VELOCIPEDES" to be as follows: ==
This invention has for its object, improvements on the Patent No. 2372 bearing
date June 14th and granted to me in the year 1879, by means of which the rowing.
velocipede is rendered simpler to manufacture, lighter in weight, more convenient
in use, less complicated and inore compact in its dimensions, and is provided with.
a better arrangement and construction of the rowing or propelling parts, which.
more fully attain the objects to be achieved; at the same time that a simpler mode
of steering, and brakeing or stopping the machine, is obtained.
In carrying out my invention, I employ a framework of metal or steel tubing,.
consisting of a lower part with straight sides, to which the axles of the driving or
carrying and steering wheels are attached, formed with a bow, round, or other
suitable arrangement in the front for carrying the steering wheel, and rising from:
this said lower frame, at a suitable angle or angles on the front and hinder ends,
are two or more projecting parts-also tubular-which at their upper ends are
bent or cranked horizontally outwards to carry the straight upper parts, or top, or
side frames-also tubular-which straight parts form the guide bars for the
propelling pullies, sheaves, or rollers to work on, and these pullies, sheaves, or
rollers, round which are passed the cords or flexible materials used for propelling,
work on and against the inside of the straight parts when the rowing levers are
operated.
On the front end of the framework of the machine I place and attach the rowing
parts, as obtaining thereby more satisfactory results, by which means and my
improved arrangement of the radius rods, propelling rods carrying the sheaves,
pullies, or rollers, and the rowing levers, I am enabled to considerably shorten the
radius and propelling rods, without diminishing the lengths of the rowing levers, or
increasing the width of the machine as by the bent out or cranked arrangements of
the framing, and placing the sheaves so as to work against and on the inside of the
framing, I am enabled to widen out the upper part of the framing without increasing
the width of the machine, thus utilising what has hitherto been waste space,
between the wheels and the framing.

page_text: The friction or guiding pullies, at the front and back of the machine over which
the driving or propelling cords pass, may be attached to forked studs, made
adjustable, and fitted with a spiral or other suitable spring or springs, so as to keep
up the tension of the driving or propelling cords.
"
As in the act of thrusting forward the rowing levers when working the machine,
no actual work in propelling is done, I provide what I term "accumulator springs
in connection with the rowing gear to store up power during the thrusting forward
of the levers, for assisting the rowing action when the levers are pulled or drawn
towards the operator, by which means a more even exertion of the force of the
rider in rowing is secured, as well as greater smoothness in the propulsion, and the
objects sought to be attained by the use of the moving action more readily
achieved.
The handles or those parts of the rowing levers which are grasped by the hands
of the rider, I make capable of rotating on the ends of the levers in order to give
the rider the power of working with a feathering or freer action, than would be the
case if the grip or handle parts were fixed.
The pins or parts on which the radius rods of the rowing arrangements work,
may be made adjustable, so as to take up any spring in the parts.
Attached by their ends to the front and hinder projecting parts which carry the
top frame, and connect the same with the lower one, are two flat blades or
springs, one on each side, which carry the seat for the rider, which seat may be so
arranged as to be readily shifted and adjustable to suit requirements.
For steering or guiding the machine I provide a small pedal or pedals placed in
the front of the machine in such position as to be readily operated by the feet of
the rider, and connect the same by means of rods or links, with the steering wheel
whereby the rider on pressing on the pedal or pedals with either foot may cause the
machine to turn, or be guided in the required direction.
I arrange the brake for retarding or stopping the machine, so as to be actuated
by hand, and for this purpose I employ a shaft placed across the machine, which
works in bearings attached to the lower frame, and on the outer ends of this cross
shaft I place the parts which come in contact with the wheels, and stop or retard
their motion. Between the frame and the wheels I place a lever or levers firmly
attached to the cross shaft, and from the end of this lever or levers, I carry a link
or connecting rod, to a part attached to the flat spring or part carrying the seat, so
that on the rider desiring to retard or stop the machine, he applies one of. his hands
to the part fixed to the flat spring or blade, and by pressing on, or gripping the
same, at once causes the brake to come into action, and retard or stop it according
to the force or power exerted.
I may sometimes attach the propelling cord, band or other suitable propelling
medium to the end of the propelling rods carrying the propelling rollers, sheaves or
pullies and thus dispense with the use of the said rollers, sheaves, or pullies for
working the propelling medium.

page_text: WILLIAM HENRY THOMPSON 4 Finsbury Circus London Engineer do hereby
declare the nature of my 'invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ARRANGEMENT
AND CONSTRUCTION OF ROWING VELOCIPEDES " and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
This Invention has for its object Improvements on the Patent No 2372 dated
June 14th 1879 by means of which the Rowing Velocipede is rendered more simple
of manufacture, lighter in weight, less complicated, and more compact in its
dimensions and is provided with a better arrangement and construction of the
rowing or propelling parts which more fully attain the objects sought to be
achieved at the same time that a simpler mode of steering and braking or stopping
the vehicle is obtained.
In carrying out my Invention I employ a framework of metal or steel tubing
consisting of a lower part with straight sides to which the axles of the carrying or
driving and steering wheels are attached formed with a bow, round, or other
suitable projecting part in the front for carrying the steering wheel and rising from
the said lower frame or part at a suitable angle or angles on the front part and at
the hinder ends are two or more projecting parts-also tubular which at their
upper ends are bent outwards horizontally or cranked to carry the straight upper
parts, or top or side frames, also tubular, on the outside of which straight part the
sheaves round which are passed the cords, or flexible material used for propelling
work when the rowing levers are operated. On the front end of the frame work
of the machine I place or attach the rowing parts as affording thereby moré
satisfactory results by which means and my improved arrangement of the crankš
or radius rods, propelling rods, carrying the sheaves or pulleys and the rowing levers
I am enabled to considerably shorten the radius rods without diminishing the
lengths of the rowing levers, or increasing the width of the machine as by the
arrangements of the framing and placing the sheaves so as to work against and on
the inside of the framing in place of on the outside I am enabled to widen the
upper part of the framing without increasing the width of the machine by utilising
what has hitherto been a waste space between the wheels and the framing.
In those cases where it is desired to further reduce or diminish the weight of the
machine I employ in place of the bottom frame arranged as herein before described
a single piece or part, placed on the centre line of the machine and from the top
frame in, or as a continuous length, by causing the projecting parts at the front end
of the top frame to slope down or incline to and join the central piece or part to
which they are firmly attached whereby I am enabled to save the weight of
one side of this underframe and correspondingly reduce the weight of the whole
machine,
The friction or guiding pulleys at the front and back of the machine over
which the driving or propelling cords or parts pass, may be attached to forked
studs made adjustable and fitted with a spiral or other suitable spring or springs,
so as to keep up the tension of the driving or propelling cords or parts;

page_text: "
As in the act of thrusting forward the Rowing levers when working the machine,
no actual work in propelling is done I provide what I term "accumulator springs
in connection with the rowing gear to store up power during the thrusting forward
of the levers for assisting the rowing action when the levers are pulled or drawn
towards the Operator, by which means a more even exertion of the force of the
rider in rowing is secured as well as greater smoothness in the propulsion and
the objects sought to be attained by the use of the rowing action more readily
achieved whilst the pins on which the cranks or radius rods of the rowing
arrangements work, may be made adjustable so as to take up any spring in
the parts.
Attached by their ends to the front and hinder projecting parts which carry the
top frame and connect the same with the lower one may be placed two flat blades
or springs one on each side which carry the seat for the rider, which seat may be
arranged so as to be readily shifted and adjusted or shifting to suit requirements
or the spring or springs on which it is supported may be otherwise arranged so
as to give the required results.
For steering or guiding the machine I provide a small pedal or pedals placed
in the front of the machine in such position as to be readily operated by the
feet of the rider, and connect the same by means of rods, links, or other suitable
connection or connections, with the steering wheels whereby the rider by pressing
on the pedal or pedals with either foot may cause the machine to turn or be guided
in the required direction.
I arrange the brake for retarding or stopping the machine so as to be actuated
by hand and for this purpose in one arrangement I may employ a shaft placed
across the machine which works in bearings attached to the lower frame or other
suitable and convenient part, and on the outer ends of this cross shaft I place the
parts which come in contact with the wheels and stop or retard their motion.
Between or below the parts of the framework and the wheels I place a lever or
levers firmly attached to the cross shaft and from the end of this lever or levers
I carry a link or connecting rod or an equivalent part to a point on a portion
attached to the flat spring or blade carrying the seat so that on the rider desiring
to retard. or stop the machine he lets go of one of the rowing levers and applies
his hand to the part fixed to the flat spring and by pressing or gripping on the
same at once causes the brake to come into action and retard or stop it according
to the power exerted, or the brake may be actuated by a hand lever.
The handles of the rowing lever or parts which are held by the hands of the
rider I make capable of rotating on the ends of the levers, in order to give the rider
power of working with a feathering or freer action than would be obtained if the
grip parts were fixed.
In those cases where it is desired that this improved velocipede should be used as
a "sociable" to carry two or more riders each of whom shall assist in the pro-
pulsion of the same, I, by preference, adopt the arrangement in which the central
bar is employed and place one of the parts used as side frames, on the middle
line over, and connected at each end with, the central bar, and place the propelling
apparatus radius rods &°, on each side of the same with the guide rods on which
the propelling sheaves work attached to or connected with, this central portion,
the driving sheaves, friction pullies, and flexible propelling connections being
adapted to meet this arrangement.
The steering of the velocipede may be arranged so as to be actuated by any, or
all, of the riders as desired or preferred and the brake may be similarly arranged.
When desired "sliding seats may be fitted or they may be made adjustable for
"
. position simply, or both modes may be combined.
Suitable means for lubricating the working parts and adjusting and taking up
the wear of the same may be provided, and ball or roller bearings may be fitted.or
employed if desired.
Having now described the nature and object of my invention and the manner in
which the same may be carried into practical effect I will now proceed to give. an

page_text: Figure 2a plan,
Figure 3 an end view looking at the front.
Figure 4 An enlarged view of the rowing gear hereinbefore described.
The same letters of reference denote like parts in each of the Figures.
AA the top frame or guide bar to which radius rods and rowing levers are
attached.
B B The inclined or sloping projecting parts for joining top and bottom
frames.
D. D. Driving or carrying wheels.
EE The flat springs or parts to which the seat is attached.
FF The foot board with steering pedals.
HH Propelling sheaves on driving axles.
K Pilot or steering wheel.
a a Cranks or radius rods marked by similar letters in the Specification 2372
of 1879 carrying the rowing levers bb to which they are attached by the hinges cc
in my improved rowing velocipede instead of having the hinges formed as shewn
in the herein before mentioned Specification they are made with a socket through
which a shank formed on the hinge c passes and to which is attached the pro-
pelling rod or bar e carrying the driving or propelling pulley f which actuates the
driving or propelling mechanism this last mentioned rod or bar being substituted
for the quadrant n. cc the hinge of rowing levers. d. d rowing levers.
The propelling or guide bar pulley f which traversing to and fro with the rowing
levers operates the driving cord h one end of which is attached to the front end of
the machine and passed around or connected with the pulley f from which it is
carried by and over a guide pulley and around the propelling sheave H. The
cord h¹ is attached to the back end of the machine and is also passed around the
pulley and carried by and over a pulley at the back end of the machine and
wound round the driving sheave H in an opposite direction to the cord h so that
the pulley f in traversing to and fro takes up and pays off the cord to and from
the driving sheave H and so imparting motion to the driving wheels D in the
manner described in my specification No 2372-1879 herein before mentioned.
Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view of the guide-bar and the rowing gear in which
the rowing lever d is continued to C but is shown broken off near the handle so as
to more clearly show the connection between the guide bar A the radius rod a the
propelling rod e and the propelling or guiding bar pulley f. This view also shows
the application of the accumulator spring g (which although shown as a plain
indiarubber may be a spiral or other suitable spring) which is distended when the
pulley is moved towards the front of the machine by the forward thrust of the
rower and by its tendency to return to its normal condition assists the back stroke
as herein before described.
The arrow shewn at figure 4 indicates front end of machine.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
First. The improved arrangement of rowing gear whereby the radius rods
carrying the rowing and propelling levers are attached to the front end of the
framing or guide bars A. A and the arrangement of the guide rollers propelling
sheaves or pulleys f so that they work against or on the inside of the said guide
bars as shewn in figure 4.
.
Second. The arrangement of accumulator spring or springs for storing up the
power from the forward thrust to assist the propelling action of the backstroke.
Third. Arranging the handles of the rowing levers or parts grasped by the hand
BO as to rotate or partially rotate and enable a feathering or freer action of the
hands in working to be obtained,
-
---

page_text: Fourth. Employment of the Inclined or Sloping or Projecting parts B B con-
necting the top and bottom parts of the framing A A and C. C.
Fifth. Fitting the friction pullies or sheaves over which the propelling cord belt
or other flexible propelling medium passes in a fork provided with a spring or
springs for the purpose of keeping a uniform tension on the propelling medium
whilst at work.
F