IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BICYCLES, TRICYCLES, AND OTHER MACHINES." SIMILAR PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph White, of the Coventry Machinists Company,
Limited, Coventry, in the County of Warwick, and George Davies, of
Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BICYCLES, TRICYCLES, AND OTHER
MACHINES."
SIMILAR
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph White and George
Davies at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th February
1881.
JOSEPH WHITE, of the Coventry Machinists Company, Limited, Coventry, in
the County of Warwick, and GEORGE DAVIES, of Manchester, in the County
of Lancaster. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BICYCLES, TRICYCLES,
AND OTHER SIMILAR MACHINES."
The first part of this Invention relates to the spring which supports the saddle
or seat of such machines (the object of the Invention being to dispense with metallic
concussion.or "jar" between the machine and the rider) and consists in interposing.
a thick bush of india rubber between the spring and its bearing at each end so
that the saddle or seat is entirely isolated by the india rubber from the "back
bone
or the metal framing of the machine and thus all metallic concussion is
prevented.
The second part of our Invention relates to both bicycles and tricycles and
consists of a noiseless clutch arrangement whereby the driving wheel can be
detached from the axle when desired.
In applying this arrangement to a bicycle we make the hub of the driving wheel
tubular and mount it loosely upon the axle. Inside the hub is formed a circular
recess or box. Keyed fast on the axle beside this recess is a disc or plate having
on its outer edge two or more curved inclined planes (four by preference) and
between the disc and the inside of the recess is a corresponding number of hardened
steel rollers of such a diameter that when the axle is turned forwards (as in driving
the machine) the rollers run up the curved inclines and become wedged between
them and the inner surface of the recess or box in the hub and thus the wheel
Paine 1

page_text: becomes locked fast to the axle. When it is required to throw the wheel loose on
the axle (as in descending a hill, for instance) the cranks are prevented from
revolving by back pressure of the feet, the rollers then run down the inclines and
the driving wheel runs free on the axle, and 'in this manner the rider can descend
a hill without the cranks revolving and without removing his feet from the
pedals.
This method of driving is also applicable to tricycles where both side wheels are
of an equal size and the steering wheel behind.
As long as the axle is driven forwards both wheels will drive, but the machine
will still answer to the helm or steering wheel.
"
On descending a bill or on turning a sharp curve to either right or left a slight
check of the foot on the cranks will throw both wheels loose, and as soon as the
cranks are driven forwards again they will both lock fast and become drivers.
It will be evident that this arrangement (whether applied to a bicycle or a
tricycle) will not allow of checking the speed of the machine by what is known as
back-pedalling." We therefore employ a direct acting break, and in the case of a
tricycle we have a double break acting on both driving wheels at once, and
therefore all danger of descending hills at too great a speed is obviated.
But in cases where it is thought desirable to apply the above roller-clutch
arrangement for driving and still to retain power to "back-pedal" when desired,
we employ a sliding clutch with ratchet teeth on the face which is usually held
out of gear by a spring or otherwise, but which can at any time be thrown into
gear whenever it is required so to connect the driving wheel with the axle or crank
as to allow of "back-pedalling."
The third part of our Invention relates to the same class of tricycles (with
two driving wheels of equal size) the object of the Invention being, instead of
throwing both wheels loose on turning a sharp curve, as in the preceding case, to
provide an arrangement which shall always throw the inner wheel loose (whether
turning to the right or to the left), leaving the outer wheel always fast, and hence
acting as driver. In this class of machines the steering wheel, whether at the front
or the back is turned to the right or left by turning a handle at the side of the seat
in the corresponding direction, and in order to effect the above object we mount
the driving wheels loosely and provide each with a sliding clutch.
To the spindle of the steering handle we fix a grooved cam in the groove of
which run three bowls or rollers; one of these is connected by levers and a link to
the steering wheel and the other two are similarly connected to the two clutches.
The groove in the cam is so formed that whenever the handle is turned to the
right to act on the steering wheel, the same movement throws the right wheel
loose and leaves the left or outer wheel fast, and whenever the handle is turned
to the left the left driving wheel is thrown loose, and the right (which then
becomes the outer wheel) is held fast, and drives. So long as the steering wheel
is held straight both driving wheels remain fast.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Joseph White and George Davies in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 5th August 1881.
JOSEPH WHITE, of the Coventry Machinists' Company, Limited, Coventry, in
the County of Warwick, and GEORGE DAVIES, of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BICYCLES, TRICYCLES,
AND OTHER SIMILAR MACHINES.”
25
The first part of this Invention relates to the spring which supports the saddle
or seat of such machines, the object of the Invention being to dispense with
metallic concussion or "jar" between the machine and the rider, and consists in
interposing a thick bush of india rubber between the spring and its pin or bearing.
at each end, so that the saddle or seat is entirely isolated by the india rubber from
the backbone, or the metal framing of the machine, and thus all metallic concussion
is prevented.
Fig. 1, Sheet 1, of the annexed Drawing illustrates this part of our Invention,
being a side elevation (partly in section) of a bicycle saddle spring made according
to our Invention, a, a, being the metal spring; b, b, the pins at each end for
securing the same, and c, c, the thick bush of india rubber.
The second part of our Invention relates to bicycles, tricycles, and other
velocipedes, and consists of a noiseless clutch arrangement, whereby the driving
wheel can be detached from the axle when desired.
In applying this arrangement to a tricycle we make the hub d, d, of the driving
wheel tubular (see sectional view Fig. 2), and mount it loosely upon the axle c, c.
Inside the hub is formed a circular recess or box f, f. Keyed fast on the axle inside
this recess is a disc or plate g, g, having on its outer edge two or more curved
inclines (four by preference), and between the disc and the inside of the recess is a
corresponding number of hardened steel rollers h, h, of such a diameter that when
the axle is turned forwards (as in driving the machine), the rollers h, h, run up the
curved inclines and become wedged between them and the inner surface of
the recess or box f, f, in the hub, and thus the wheel becomes locked fast to the
axle e, e, and drives the machine. When it is required to throw the wheel loose on
the axle (as in descending a hill, for instance), the cranks are prevented from revolving
by back pressure of the feet, the rollers then run down the inclines and the driving
wheel runs free on the axle, and in this manner the rider can descend a hill
without the cranks revolving, and without removing his feet from the pedals.
This method of driving is also applicable to tricycles where both side wheels are
of an equal size, and the steering wheel behind or in front.
As long as the axle is driven forwards both wheels will drive, but the machine
will still answer to the helm or steering wheel. On descending a hill or on turning
a sharp curve to either right or left, a slight check of the foot on the cranks will
throw both wheels loose, and as soon as the cranks are driven forwards again they'
will both lock fast and become drivers. .In this case the clutch may also be applied
to the hub of the driving wheels, but we prefer to apply it to the stud pulleys i, i,
on each end of the crank shaft k, k, as shown in the elevation of an improved
tricycle at Fig. 6 (Sheet 2), and plan view at Fig. 7, an enlarged section of one of:
the stud pulleys detached being shown at Fig. 4, Sheet 1.
We would here remark that this motion may be applied to one wheel only in
ricycles and other velocipedes having only one driving wheel, and either to one
or both sides of the wheel as may be preferred.
It will be evident that the arrangement shown (whether applied to a bicycle or

page_text: tricycle) will not allow of checking the speed of the machine by what is known as
"back pedalling," we therefore employ a powerful direct acting break, and in the
case of a tricycle we have a double break acting on both driving wheels at once, as
shown at 1, 1, Fig. 6 and 7, and therefore all danger of descending hills at too great
a speed is obviated.
But in cases where it is thought desirable to apply the above roller clutch
arrangement for driving, and still to retain power to "back pedal" when desired,
we employ a sliding clutch m, m, with ratchet teeth on the face (see Figs. 6 and 7,
Sheet 2, and enlarged detached view Fig. 5, Sheet 1), which is usually held out of
gear by a spring or otherwise, but which can at any time be thrown into gear when
it is required, so to connect the driving wheel with the axle or crank as to allow of
"back pedalling." With regard to this part of our Invention, we wish it to be
understood that we are aware that the details of this clutch may be varied without
departing from the main feature of our Invention, which is, its noiseless wedging
action. For example, the discs may be cylindrical and the curved inclines fixed
to or formed in the interior of the box or recess, or the wedging pieces may be
loose and may be wedged against the inside of the box or recess by rollers or
projections carried by the axle.
The third part of our Invention relates to the same class of tricycles (with two
driving wheels of equal size), the object of the Invention being instead of throwing
both wheels loose on turning a sharp curve, as in the preceding case, to provide an
arrangement which shall always throw the inner wheel loose (whether turning to
the right or left) leaving the outer wheel always fast, and hence acting as "driver."
In this class of machines the steering wheel, whether at the front or the back, is
turned to the right or left by turning a handle at the side of the seat in the
corresponding direction, and in order to effect the above object we mount the
driving wheels loosely, and provide each with a sliding clutch n, n. This is shown in
plan view as applied to a tricycle, at Fig. 8, in Sheet 1. To the spindle of the
steering handle we fix a grooved cam o, o, (see also full size view at Fig. 9) in the
groove of which run three bowls or rollers p, q, r, one of these, p, is connected by
levers and a link 8, 8, to the steering wheel t, t, and the other two q and rare
connected to the clutches n, n. The groove in the cam o, o, is so formed that
whenever the handle is turned to the right to act on the steering wheel, the same
movement throws the right wheel loose and leaves the left or outer wheel fast, and
whenever the handle is turned to the left, the left driving wheel is thrown loose
and the right (which then becomes the outer wheel) is held fast and drives. So
long as the steering wheel is held straight both driving wheels remain fast. In
applying ball pedals to our improved tricycles, we make them as shown in section
at Fig. 10, Sheet 1. We bore out the end plates u, u, sufficiently large to allow
of their being passed over the elbows of the cranks, and when they are in their
places we fix them together by means of the bolts v, v, and after inserting the
balls we
screw in filling pieces w, w, which are made in halves, as seen at
Fig. 10*.
Having now described the nature and object of our said Invention, together
with the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into
practical effect, we wish it to be understood that we claim as our Invention,-
First. The construction of the saddle or seat spring with an india rubber bush at
each end, substantially as herein described.
Secondly. The construction and application to bicycles, tricycles, and other
velocipedes, of a clutch working by means of inclines or wedge pieces acting inside
a box or recess in the hub, substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-
before set forth.
Thirdly. The application in combination with the roller clutch shown on the
Drawing of a sliding clutch to facilitate "back-pedalling."
Fourthly. The construction and application to the steering handle of a tricycle,
or other velocipede having two driving wheels of equal size, of a grooved cam so

page_text: constructed as to unlock the inner or corresponding wheel whenever the steering
handle is turned either to the right or left, substantially in the manner and for the
purposes set forth.
In witness whereof, we, the said Joseph White and George Davies, have here-
unto set our hands and seals, this Second day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
JOSEPH WHITE.
(L.S.)
GEORGE DAVIES. (L.S.)