IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Moss, of the City Bicycle Works, 46, Barbican, in
the City of London, Mechanical Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN VELOCIPEDES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Moss at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th January 1882.
GEORGE MOSS of the City Bicycle Works 46 Barbican in the City of London
Mechanical Engineer IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES.
The first part of my Invention consists in an improved method of steering by
canting the wheels of those velocipedes which have a wheel on each side of the
driver either opposite to one another in a parallel line or one wheel in advance of
the other.
This is effected by means of bell cranks pivotted to the frame of the machine one
arm of each crank forming the axle of each wheel, the other arms being pivotted to
a rod so that when lateral motion is communicated to this rod by means of a rack
and pinion or other suitable mechanism .the action of these bell cranks causes the
wheels to cant over in either direction. By a similar application of the same
mechanism I can cant either wheel independently.
Another part of my Invention consists in wheels of a new description.
This wheel is constructed as follows:-
To the hub is attached by wire or other suitable spokes a tyre forming a wheel
of smaller dimensions than required for the proper diameter. To this inner tyre is
attached by means of springs a second or outside tyre such as is ordinarily used in
velocipedes.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said George Moss in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th July
1882.
GEORGE MOSS of the City Bicycle Works 46 Barbican in the City of London
Mechanical Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES.
My Invention consists of a wheel of a new description for velocipedes which is
also applicable to other vehicles the object being to reduce the vibration and to
relieve the bearing parts of wear and tear caused by vibration.
This wheel is constructed as follows:-I make a wheel of the ordinary description
(according to the vehicle for which it is intended) but of a somewhat smaller
diameter than required, I surround this wheel at a distance varying from about
one inch upwards as most convenient with an outer tyre concentric with it-I
connect the outer tyre and the wheel with each other by a series of springs of any
suitable description and shape.
These springs are bolted or otherwise conveniently fastened or attached to the
outer surface of the wheel and to the inner surface of the outer tyre but so that
the springs are not rigidly fixed to one of the surfaces but are allowed to have
lateral play on it so that the whole forms a complete wheel.
The effect of a wheel of this description is greatly to reduce the vibration and the
wear and tear on the bearing parts.
Having now described the nature of my Invention and in what manner the
same is now carried out I am aware that wheels have been constructed formed of
concentric inner and outer tyres the tyres being connected together by bolts or
their equivalents which have been surrounded by springs but such wheels have
never proved practically successful and I do not confine myself to any particular
number of springs nor to the nature of the springs nor to the exact distance
between the wheel and the outer tyre, but I claim a wheel having a second or outer
tyre connected with it by springs which have a lateral play on the innner surface
of the tyre or on the outer surface of the wheel substantially in the manner
hereinbefore described.
In witness whereof I the said George Moss have hereunto set my hand and
seal this Twelfth day of June One thousand eight hundred and eighty
two.
GEORGE MOSS. (L.S.)