IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES AND TRICYCLES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Stanley Lewis, of Wolverhampton, in the County
of Stafford, Velocipede Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BICYCLES AND TRICYCLES."
Sealed the 2nd May 1879, and dated the 13th January 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Stanley Lewis at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th January 1879.
WILLIAM STANLEY LEWIS, of Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford,
Velocipede Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES AND TRICYCLES."
This Invention relates, first, to a cone bearing for the front axles of bicycles and
tricycles. The ends of the spindle have a flat formed along one side and the revol-
ving cones have holes through their axes correspondingly shaped so as to fit on the
spindle. The adjustable cone of each bearing is set up by means of a screw screwed
through the boss of the crank, its point pressing against the outer end of the cone.
The holes through the crank-bosses are shaped to fit over the flats aforesaid.
The
Second. To a combined conc and roller bearing for the above axles, which
consists in the arrangement before described, but having in addition thereto rollers
turned to roll in a space formed (in this case) between the cones before described
and a corresponding hollow in the boss of the framing supporting the axle.
central part of each roller is cylindrical, the ends being shaped to suit the cones.
Third. To a cone bearing for the hind wheels of bicycles which consists of a flat
formed on one side at each end of the axle having the revolving cones constructed
(as before described) to fit thereon, the adjustable conc being set up in the usual
manner by tightening together the framing which presses against the outer ends
of the cones.
By means of the flats described upon the axles the cones are prevented from
turning, and any danger of the adjustable cones locking the bearing is entirely
obviated. The adjustable cones are easily set up by means of the screw described.

page_text: Fourth. To a new construction of tricycle in which the front wheel is worked
and steered in the manner of a bicycle, and the hind axle is worked by treadles, the
hind passenger sitting upon a seat or saddle between the wheels to work the said
treadles. The front wheel is preferably different in diameter to the hind wheels,
thus almost entirely avoiding the liability of both pairs of treadles being "on centre
at the same time. The front and hind wheels are worked independently of each
other.
"
Two sets of treadles to be worked by two passengers may be used for the hind
axle if desired.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Stanley Lewis in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th
July 1879.
WILLIAM STANLEY LEWIS, of Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford,
Velocipede Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES AND TRICYCLES."
This Invention relates, firstly, to a cone bearing for the front or steering-wheel
axles of bicycles and tricycles. Each end of the axle has a flat formed along one
side, and the revolving cones have holes through their axes correspondingly shaped
Bo as to fit on the spindle. The adjustable cone of each bearing is set up by means
of a screw screwed through the boss of the crank, its point pressing against the
outer end of the cone. The holes through the crank bosses are shaped similarly as
those through the rovolving cones, so as to fit over the flats on the ends of the
axle.
This Invention relates, secondly, to a combined conc-and-roller bearing for the
above mentioned axles, which consists in the arrangement before described, but
having in addition thereto rollers turned to roll in a space formed (in this case)
between the cones before described and a corresponding hollow in the boss of the
framing supporting the axle. The central part of each roller is cylindrical, the ends
being shaped to suit the cones.
This Invention relates, thirdly, to a cono bearing for the hind wheels of bicycles,
which consists of a flat formed on one side at each end of the back axle, the cones
upon the axle being constructed (as before described for the front bearings) to fit
thereon. The adjustable cones are set up in the usual manner by tightening
together the framing which presses against the outer ends of the cones.
By means of the flats upon the axles herein before described the cones are
prevented from turning, and any danger of the adjustable cones locking is entirely
obviated.
This Invention relates, fourthly, to a new construction of tricycle in which the
front wheel is worked and steered in the manner of a bicycle wheel, and the back
axle is worked by treadles, the hind passenger sitting upon a seat or saddle
between the bind wheels to work the said treadles. The front wheel is preferably
different in diameter to the hind wheels, thus almost entirely avoiding the liability
of both pairs of treadles being "on centre" at the same time. The front and hind
wheels are worked independently of each other.
Two sets of treadles, to be worked by two passengers, may be used for the hind
axle if desired, in which case the axle is preferably divided at its middle, and each
of the hind wheels is driven independently of the other.
In any case if the axle is in one piece, one of the hind wheels is mounted in order
to be capable of turning thereon so as to admit of going round curves.
Having thus stated the nature of my said Invention, I will proceed to particularly
describe the manner of performing the same with reference to the accompanying
Drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon.
The 1st part of my Invention is illustrated by Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a
longitudinal section through the bearing. A is the axle; B, B, are the revolving
cones; C is tho crank; and D, a set pin screwed through the boss of the crank with
its end bearing against the outer or adjustable cone. Figure 2 is a cross-section
taken on line x, x, of Figure 1. The axle A is flattened as shewn at a for the
whole length of each end projecting beyond the hub of the wheel, and the holes
through the cones B, B, and the boss of the crank Caro shaped to fit over the flat-
sided ends of the axle. The adjustable cono is set up by the set screw D.
The 2nd part of my Invention is illustrated in longitudinal section by Figure 3.
The arrangement of this bearing is the same as that illustrated by Figures 1 and 2,
except that rollers E, E, having coned ends as shewn, are inserted between the
cones B, B, and the case or frame F as shewn. As many rollers are used as can be
conveniently got into the circle.

page_text: The 3rd part of my Invention is illustrated by Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is a
longitudinal section through the hind axle bearing of a bicycle. The hub and
concave cones being of the ordinary construction are omitted for simplicity. G, G,
are the bottom ends of the fork; H, the axle; J, J, the cones upon the axle. Figure
5 is a cross-section taken on line y, y, of Figure 4. The axle is flattened as shown
for its whole length to allow of being passed through one fork end and cone, and
the holes through both the cones J, J, and the bottom ends G, G, of the fork are
shaped to fit over the flat-sided axle. The cones J, J, are tightened up in the usual
manner by closing to-gether the ends G, G, of the fork.
The 4th part of my Invention is illustrated by Figures 6 and 7. The front axle
Kis worked by a rider upon the saddle M acting through the medium of the
treadles L, L, (one treadle and part of the front wheel being left out for convenience
of illustration). The hind axle N is worked by a rider upon the scat O acting
through the medium of the treadles P, P. The hind axle may be worked through
the medium of four treadles, actuated by two riders, in which case it is desirable to
make the hind axle in two independent lengths, each length with its wheel fixed
thereto being worked by a pair of treadles. In this case the inner ends of the
independent lengths of treadle are carried in a bearing midway between the
wheels.
Having thus stated the nature of my said Invention, and described the method of
carrying out the same, I declare that what I claim as my Invention and desire to
secure by Letters Patents is:-
1st. The front or steering-wheel axlo bearing for bicycles and tricycles having
the revolving cones fitting upon the flat-sided end of the axle, and with the
adjustable cone set up by the set-screw through the boss of the crank, substantially
as and for the purpose herein described, and illustrated by Figures 1 and 2 of the
accompanying Drawings.
2nd. The front or steering-wheel axle bearing for bicycles and tricycles having
the cylindrical rollers with coned ends E, E, in combination with the convex and
concave cones, substantially as and for the purpose herein described, and illustrated
by Figure 3 of the accompanying Drawings.
3rd. The back axle bearing for bicycles, having the cones J, J, fitting upon a flat-
sided axle, substantially as and for the purpose herein described, and illustrated by
Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying Drawings.
4th. The tricycle, substantially as herein described, and illustrated by Figures 6
and 7 of the accompanying Drawings, that is, with the front wheel worked as a
bicycle wheel in combination with the arrangement described and illustrated for
working the back axle.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Stanley Lewis, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifth day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-nine. :
Witness,
HENRY CHILTON,
Clerk to Stephen Watkins,
Assoc. Inst. C.E.,
Office for Patents,
Wolverhampton.
WILLIAM STANLEY LEWIS. (L.S.)