AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CONNECTING TWO OR MORE TRICYCLES TOGETHER TO FORM A TANDEM VELOCIPEDE
Year: 1884

page_text: I HENRY JOHN HUDSON of 227 Blackfriars Road in the county of Surrey
Designer do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for AN IMPROVED
METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CONNECTING TWO OR MORE TRICYCLES TOGETHER
TO FORM A TANDEM VELOCIPEDE to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to provide an apparatus by the use of which
after my manner two or more tricycles of any form can easily quickly and surely
be connected together to form an efficient tandem velocipede.
I carry out this object by removing the small wheels of the tricycles and con-
necting the frames of the said tricycles together by an horizontal backbone formed
as is hereinafter described.
I will first describe my invention as applied to tricycles of the kind that are
known by the name of the Humber type. In this case I remove the backbones
of the tricycles with their accompanying small wheels and I form an horizontal
back bone on one end of which is a neck similar to the neck of one of the backbones
that I have removed and this neck of my backbone is inserted in the proper
position in the head of one of these tricycles. The neck is preferably formed
separate from the backbone and is screwed into or otherwise fitted in a boss fixed
in the end of the backbone so that it can oscillate therein. A suitable distance.
behind the neck the backbone is bent to pass round the head of the second tricycle
which can be rigidly secured thereto by any suitable clamp and the backbone is
then prolonged and fitted to the third and following tricycles if any in the same
manner or if it is to be only applied to two tricycles the backbone is only
prolonged behind the second head far enough to allow a saddle to be mounted
thereon for the rear rider while the saddle for the front rider is mounted on the
backbone just behind the neck as is usual and thus a tandem four wheeled
velocipede is formed for two riders of whom the front rider steers the machine in
the usual manner.
To adapt this backbone to carry four riders on the same four wheels the forward
neck is formed in the same manner but the backbone is bent to pass round the
head in which the neck is supported and then continued in the same plane far
enough forward to allow a saddle to be mounted thereon before the head and
I prefer to fit the handles for this foremost rider on the head so that he can assist
in the steering the second rider who is seated as before just behind the neck. The
third rider's seat is fitted on the backbone just before the head of the rear tricycle
while the fourth rider is seated as before on the prolongation of the backbone

page_text: behind this head and the same manner would be followed with the third and
following tricycles if any and if required driving gear can be fitted for all of these
riders in any convenient manner.
To allow women to use this type of tricycle I form a semicircle or similar shape
horizontally in and by the backbone where the woman is to be seated and from
the rear part of this semicircle projects forward a short arm in line with the rest
of the backbone or thereabouts and on this short arm the saddle or seat is mounted
and thus a woman can be seated on this saddle or seat as the semicircular part of
the backbone passes round her.
If I want to make the other pair or pairs of wheels capable of steering instead
of rigidly securing the head or heads thereof to the backbone as before described
I can fit a neck on the backbone similar to that before described at every place
where the backbone is bent to pass round a head which neck would enter the
head in the usual manner and to prevent any erratic steering I can if I please
connect the axles of the wheels together by any suitable rod or rods or as is
preferable I can fit a short arm on the front head on one side and a corresponding
arm on the second head on the other side and so on and connect these arms
together by suitable rods which can conveniently be bent so as to pass along and
work inside the backbone.
This my connecting backbone as before described can be applied in the same
manner to all tricycles of this type whether with or without what are called open
fronts as herein before described except that in every case my backbone will bo
fitted with the same attachments or points of connection as are the backbones
which I have removed from the tricycles and in place of which my backbone
connects the two or more tricycles together instead of the necks aforesaid when
such variation is required.
To apply my invention to tricycles of other kinds I also remove the small
wheels and join the frames thereof together by a similar horizontal backbone fitted
as is hereinafter described.
To form two or more front steering tricycles into a tandem velocipede the front
wheels and preferably their forks also are removed and a head is fitted to receive
the neck of the frame of the rear tricycle to which head is connected my horizontal
backbone round the front end of which is loosely fitted a sleeve with three arms
two of which preferably are secured round the horizontal cross frame of the front
tricycle while the third arm clasps the standard of the seat or any part of the
frame above or below the horizontal cross piece thereof. A short arm is fitted to
the head of the horizontal backbone to which the steering rod is attached which
may be actuated by either or both of the riders.
To form two or more rear steering tricycles into a tandem velocipede I should
proceed in exactly the same manner except that the parts would be reversed and
my horizontal backbone would be secured to the frame of the rear tricycle.
To form a rear steering tricycle and a front steering tricycle into a tandem
velocipede the rear steering tricycle would be the leader and my horizontal
backbone would have a head on each end and I should then proceed as before
described.
In all these kinds of tricycles if I should not consider that their necks are strong
enough for my purpose I can enclose the same in other and longer necks or other-
wise strengthen them as may be convenient in each case.
I can also if I should so prefer allow the forks of the small wheels to remain in
position and secure thereon a vertical disc in front of and on which is centred
another vertical disc carrying my horizontal backbone with its three arms as
herein before described.

page_text: COMTEELE
DE POLICATION,
I HENRY JOHN HUDSON of 227 Blackfriars Road in the county of Surrey
Designer do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for AN IMPROVED
METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CONNECTING TWO OR MORE TRICYCLES TOGETHER
TO FORM A TANDEM VELOCIPEDE and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The object of my invention is to provide an apparatus by the use of which after
my manner as hereinafter described two or more tricycles of nearly any form can
easily quickly and surely be connected together to form an efficient tandem
velocipede.
I carry out this object in all those forms of tricycles to which I apply this my
invention by removing the small wheels of the said tricycles and connecting the
frames thereof by an horizontal backbone formed and fitted as is hereinafter
described.
.
In order the more clearly to explain this my invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed I have shewn in the accompanying drawing my said
invention as applied to or as capable of being applied to certain usual and common
forms of tricyles and I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the
Baid drawing.
I will first describe my invention as applied to tricycles of the kind or form that
is known by the name of the Humber type that is to say to those tricycles which
have a trailing wheel carried by a backbone on which the rider is seated the said
backbone terminating with a neck received in a head which head is carried by the
two front driving wheels whereby the steering is effected and from this kind
or form of tricycles I remove the backbones as well as the small wheels as
aforesaid.
In Figure 1 I shew an elevation of two tandem Humber tricycles fitted with
and connected by my backbone which backbone is also shewn in elevation in
Figure 2 as adapted for two single Humber tricycles. The backbone A which may
be made and formed in any usual or convenient manner has on one of its ends
a neck B similar to the neck of one of the backbones which I have removed as
aforesaid and this neck B is inserted in the proper position in the head C of one
of these tricycles. The neck B is preferably formed separate from the backbone A
and is screwed into or otherwise fitted in a boss fixed in the end of the said
backbone A as shewn in Figure 2 so that it can oscillate therein. The backbone A
may either be bent downwards behind the neck until it reaches a suitable level
and then be continued in an horizontal direction as shewn in Figure 1 or the Raid
backbone A may be formed entirely in a straight or right line as shewn in Figure 2.
At that suitable distance behind and from the neck B by which it is desired that
the two tricycles shall be separated the backbone A may be beut if necessary to
pass round the head D of the second tricycle which head D is or can be rigidly
secured to the said backbone A in this desired position by any suitable clamp E
and the said backbone A is then prolonged behind the second head D far enough
to allow a saddle to be mounted thereon for the rear rider while the saddle for the
front rider is mounted on the said backbone A just behind the said neck B as is
usual and thus an efficient tandem velocipede is formed either for two riders or

page_text: for two pairs of riders according as the tricycles so connected as aforesaid are
singles or tandems of which riders the front rider or riders steers or steer the
machine in the usual or other convenient manner. When it is desired to connect
by this my backbone more than two tricycles the said backbone may either be
prolonged or as is preferable another backbone may be hinged thereto behind the
second head and fitted in the same manner to a third and following tricycles if any
terminating as is hereinbefore described far enough behind the rearmost head to
allow a saddle to be mounted thereon for the rearmost rider.
In Figure 3 I shew a plan of this my backbone as formed and fitted to carry
four riders on the four wheels of two single tricycles in which case the forward
neck B is formed in manner as herein before described but the backbone A is
prolonged forwards and is bent to pass round the head C in which the said neck B.
is supported and is free and clear of the said head C being then continued a
certain desired distance in the same line as the rest of the said backbone A and in
the same or a different plane or level therewith far enough forwards to allow a
saddle F to be mounted thereon before the said head C and I prefer to fit the
handles G for this the foremost rider on the same head C as shewn in the drawing
so that the same can assist in the steering the second rider whose saddle is mounted
as is hereinbefore described just behind the said neck B. The saddle H for the
third rider is mounted on the backbone A just before the clamp E for the second
head D on which also the handles I for this the said third rider may be fitted
while the saddle for the fourth rider is mounted as is hereinbefore described on
the prolongation of the said backbone A behind the said head D. The driving
gear may either remain as is usual in single tricycles so that only the second and
the fourth riders can drive or supplementary driving gear may be fitted in any
usual or convenient manner so that all four riders can drive this tandem velocipede.
As is herein before stated this backbone formed and fitted in this manner may also
be prolonged and fitted in the same manner to a third and following tricycles if
any so as to allow six wheels to carry six riders and so on.
In Figure 4 I shew the plan of a method of forming and fitting this my back-
bone to allow women to use this type or form of tricycles according to which
method the backbone is formed into a semicircular or similar shape horizontally
in the position or place where it is desired to seat the woman and from the rear
part of this semicircle or somewhat similar figure projects forward a short arm in
line with the rest of the backbone or thereabout on which arm the saddle or seat
is mounted and thus a woman can be seated on this saddle or seat as the semi-
circular or curved part of the backbone passes round her. In the drawing I have
shewn this arrangement as adapted for the rear rider the clamp for the second
head hereinbefore described being shewn before this seat but I can also adapt this
aforesaid arrangement for the front rider as well by substituting the required neck
for the clamp and prolonging the backbone in the usual line as hereinbefore
described from the rear part of this aforesaid semicircle or similar figure.
In Figure 5 I shew a plan of my backbone as formed and fitted to render both
pairs of wheels capable of steering and in Figure 6 I shew a plan of a tandem
velocipede with two pairs of wheels connected by my said backbone in this
manner. According to this arrangement I fit a neck K on the backbone A similar
to the neck of the backbone that I have removed as aforesaid at the place where
the said backbone A is bent to pass round or passes by the second head D as
herein before described instead of the aforesaid clamp E which rigidly secures the
said head D to the said backbone A which clamp E is therefore dispensed with and
the said neck K enters the said head D in the usual manner and thus both pairs of
wheels are capable of steering but to prevent any erratic or contradictory steering
I can if I please connect the axles of the two pairs of wheels together by any
suitable rod or rods or as is preferable and as is shewn in the drawing I can fit a
short arm L on the front head C on one side and a corresponding arm M on the
second head D on the other side and connect these said arms L and M by a
suitable rod or other appliance N which can conveniently pass along and work

page_text: inside the said backbone A and thus the steering would always be effected in a
proper corresponding or relative manner as is desired and as is shewn in Figure 6.
As is hereinbefore stated this backbone formed and fitted in this manner may also
be prolonged and fitted to a third and following tricycles if any in the same
manner,
I have thus described and have shewn in the drawing the method of connecting
two or more Humber tricycles together to form a tandem velocipede and also very
convenient and suitable forms of the apparatus therefor and it is sufficiently
obvious from my aforesaid description and drawing that this my connecting back-
bone can be applied to all tricycles of this type whether with or without what are
called open fronts in the same manner as is herein before described except that in
every case this my connecting backbone will be fitted with the same attachments
or parts of connection as are the backbones that I have removed from the said.
tricycles and in place of which my said connecting backbone is used to connect the
two or more tricycles together instead of the necks hereinbefore described when
such variation is required and no further description or illustration is or can be
needed.
I will now describe my invention as applied to tricycles of other kinds such as
any type of front or rear steerers and from this kind or form of tricycles also
I remove the small wheels and connect the frames of the said tricycles together by
an horizontal backbone formed and fitted as is hereinafter described.
In Figure 7 I shew an elevation of two front steering tricycles fitted with and
connected by my backbone from which tricycles the front wheels and the forks
thereof are removed and a head P is formed to receive the neck of the frame R of
the rear tricycle to which head P is fitted the backbone S preferably in such a
manner that a stud or projection T formed on or attached to the said head P can
oscillate in a boss in the end of the said backbone S and from out of which boss
the said stud or projection T can be prevented from sliding by the bolt Q which
engages a groove formed round the said stud or projection T as shewn on an
enlarged scale in Figure 8. This form of joint can also if I should so desire be
conveniently used in place or instead of the screwing the neck into the backbone
for connecting two Humber tricycles hereinbefore described. The end of the back-
bone S or of an arm fitted thereon clasps or is secured to the standard V of the
seat of the front tricycle or to any part of the frame thereof above or below the
horizontal cross piece thereof and one two or more arms W are attached to the
said backbone S or to a sleeve thereon in suitable positions the ends of which
arms W clasp or are secured to the horizontal cross frame of the said tricycle or in
a loop framed tricycle the said loop frame as shewn in the drawing or in a central
geared tricycle the central frame in a similar manner. A short arm Y is fitted to
the head P to which the usual or other steering rod is connected which may be
actuated by one or both of the riders in the usual or other convenient manner and
thus an efficient tandem four wheeled velocidede is formed. A third and following
tricycles if any can also be connected in the same manner.
.
To form two or more rear steering tricycles into a tandem velocipede I should
proceed in exactly the same manner as is herein before described except that as is
indeed sufficiently obvious the parts would be reversed and my horizontal back-
bone or the arms thereof would clasp or be secured to the frame of the rear tricycle
or to some parts of the said tricycle while the head would receive the neck of the
frame of the front tricycle.
To form a rear steering tricycle and a front steering tricycle into a tandem
velocipede the said rear steering tricycle would be the leader and my horizontal
backbone would have a head similar to that hereinbefore described on each end and
I should then proceed as is aforesaid.
In all these kinds or forms of tricycles if and when I should consider that their
necks aforesaid are not strong enough for my purposes as hereinbefore declared
I can enclose the same in other and longer necks or otherwise strengthen the same
as may be convenient in each particular case. One very suitable method of so

page_text: strengthening the necks or of reducing the strain thereon is shown in Figures 7
and 8 where the head P hereinbefore described is lengthened and fitting round the
lower part thereof loosely or in such a manner that the said lower part of the
head P can revolve and turn therein is a band or strut Z the end or ends of which
are secured to the frame of the tricycle in suitable positions whereby the strain on
the upper part of the said head P and on the neck therein is reduced and this the
steering joint of the tandem velocipede is greatly stiffened as is required.
According to another method I can also if I should so prefer allow the fork of
the small wheel to remain in position in one of the tricycles and secure thereon a
vertical disc before or in front of and on which is centred another vertical disc
carrying my horizontal backbone as hereinbefore described and thus the head of
the fork of the small wheel is used as and for the head hereinbefore described.
In conclusion I would state that I consider the shapes and forms of my
apparatus and of the several adaptations thereof and of the different parts thereof
as shewn in the drawing and as hereinbefore described and the details and methods
of construction of the same as so shewn and described are extremely suitable and
convenient for carrying out my object as hereinbefore declared but yet I would
have it clearly understood that I do in no wise limit myself to the said shapes and
forms or to the said details and methods of construction for my apparatus and the
several adaptations thereof and the different parts thereof may be made of such
shapes and forms and constructed in such a manner as may be most desirable or
necessary in each particular case without departing in any degree from this my
invention.
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
1. The connecting backbone formed and fitted to two or more tricycles of the
Humber type substantially as herein before described in respect of Figures 1 and 2
of the accompanying drawing.
2. The connecting backbone formed and fitted to two or more tricycles of the
Humber type substantially as herein before described in respect of Figure 3 of the
accompanying drawing.
3. The method of forming and fitting the backbone for the use of women sub-
stantially as herein before described and shewn in Figure 4 of the accompanying
drawing.
4. The connecting backbone formed and fitted to two or more tricycles of the
Humber type substantially as and for the purpose herein before described and
declared and as shewn in Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawing.
5. The connecting backbone formed and fitted to two front or rear steering
tricycles substantially as hereinbefore described in respect of Figure 7 of the
accompanying drawing.
6. The method of strengthening or of reducing the strain on the necks of the
tricycles substantially as herein before described in respect of Figures 7 and 8 of
the accompanying drawing.
•
7. The methods of and apparatus for connecting two or more tricycles together
to form a tandem velocipede substantially as herein before set forth and declared.