Year: 1884

page_text: treadles K, K, provided with foot straps L, L. Connecting rods or bars I, are
pivoted at their lower ends to the treadles K, K, and at their upper ends to the
levers F, F, Springs N, N, are attached at their upper ends to the seat B, and at
the lower ends to the treadles K, K, so as to retract the pedals after they have
been pressed down by the feet. It will be seen that by pressing the pedals with
the feet the lever F, will be drawn downward causing the pawl 2, to turn the
ratchet 3.
When the treadles are released from the pressure of the foot they will be
retracted by the springs N, and the rod I,' and lever F, will rise causing the pawl
to ride back over the ratchet teeth to take another hold of the same.
The ratchet wheel 3, I propose to enclose in a cover as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.
This cover U, entirely encases the ratchet wheel except a space u, required for tho
lever F, and the pawl 2, to work in; the opening for the lever F, extends further
back than the space in which the pawl works, the object of this being that whon
the lover F, is drawn back sufficiently far the pawl will come in contact with the
projecting portion u³, and be raised out of contact with the teeth of the ratchet. and
ride upon the top of the cover until the lever comes in contact with the closed
portion of the cover. It will be seen that by means of this cover I am enabled to
disengage one lever so that the wheel will be free and by operating the other lever
the vehicle can be turned round in a very small space. Or if required to push the
vehicle backwards both levers can be pushed back so as to throw both pawls out of
gear, and the cover also serves to regulate the stroke.
O, O, are chains (or cords may be used) attached to the front and rear of the
seat respectively and to the treadles K, K, to limit the play of the treadles.
Small rollers M, M, are connected with the front ends of the treadles for
obtaining a purchase when applying the brakes, the said ends descending low
enough for the rollers M, M to touch the ground.
To the rear of the seat is attached a small wheel P, the object of which is
to obtain a purchase when starting the machine in heavy roads. Should the
wheels A, A, meet with an obstacle it will be, seen that by pressing on the
levers F, F, the seat will be thrown back until the wheel P, comes in contact with
the ground when the whole of the power exerted by the occupant will come upon
the wheels A, and cause them to start.
When only the hands are used for propelling the vehicle, the upper ends of the
rods or bars I, may be disconnected from the levers F, and affixed to catches 4, on
the arms C.
:
To bosses' on the outer sides of the arms C, C, are pivoted brakes H, H, which
are passed in a curved form over the inner portions of the hubs so that by pressing
down the handles of the brake the speed of the vehicle may be lessened or the
vehicle stopped. The brake may be operated by the feet by means of a rod or
cord m, attached to the handles and having a loop at the lower end to receive the
foot.
I prefer to guide the vehicle by increasing the speed of one wheel more than the
other or it may be guided by pressing either brako in turning.
By providing a hanging or suspended chair or seat in connection with two side
wheels propelled by hand or foot I produce a novel carriage which is not liable to
upset inasmuch as the seat bangs or swings from a bearing so placed that the
gravity of the occupant is below the axis of the wheels; again it is easy of
propulsion as the power is brought to bear at the centre of gravity of the occupant
and of the axis at one and the same time, and further the vehicle is easily guided
as it can be turned around within the space of its own length.
I also provide what I term an annex to be used in connection with the above
described vehicle when desirable for carrying more persons or for baggage. This
annex consists of a chair or seat R, supported upon one or more wheels T,
controlled by a steering apparatus x, y. When one wheel only is used I employ
a caster wheel and connect the annex to the main vehicle by means of two

page_text: shafts S, S, and when two wheels are used I provide a single shaft to be attached to
the main vehicle.
Fig. 7, shows a stand for supporting the chair by the axles when the wheels are
taken off. The stand consists of two side frames W, W, provided at their upper
ends with bearings and connected together at their lower ends by means of
bars w, w, To house the vehicle when used by an invalid the wheels are removed
and the chair is carried with him, and the axles placed in the bearings of the side
frames W. A set screw or pin can be used if desired to hold the chair in a
stationary position on the frame.
•
When desirable, the lever x, and bar y, may be connected to the axle of the
caster wheel by a crank so as to propel the same.
Ball bearings and rubber tires may be used when desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. In a two-wheeled vehicle essentially such as described, the combination of
the seat B, back B', the bars D, and the arms C, C, supported directly upon the
axles of the wheels A, A, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. The combination of the swinging seat B the bars E, and the independently
acting treadles K, connecting rods 1, I, levers F, F, and the pawls and ratchets 2, 3,
attached respectively to the levers F, and hubs of the wheels as set forth.
3. The chains or cords O, O, in combination with the treadles K, K, and the
seat B, as set forth.
4. The rollers M, M, in combination with the treadles K, K, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth..
5. The brakes H, partially encircling the hubs in combination with the arms C,
rods or cords m, the latter being provided with loops at their lower ends as and
for the purpose set forth.
6. The combination of the annex R, caster wheel T, rods y, and levers 2,.
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
7. A chain or seat B, B¹, having arms C, C, with axles affixed thereto substantially
as set forth.
8. The roller P, in combination with the swinging chair substantially as and for
the purpose described.
9. The ratchet wheel cover U, provided with an opening u, and a projecting
portion u², for throwing the pawl out of gear, in combination with the lever F,
pawl 2 and ratchet wheel 3, substantially as shown and described.
10. A stand provided with bearings on their upper ends in which the axles can
be placed so as to support a swinging seat when required to house the vehicle
substantially as shown and described with reference to Fig. 7.
11. A velocipede consisting of two large wheels A, A, between which is
supported a seat in combination with small wheels M, P, the periphery of the large-
wheels, at the bottom, being on a line below the periphery of the small wheels at
the bottom substantially as described and shown in Fig..1.
Dated this 18th day of March 1884
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
For the Applicant.