IMPROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES, BICYCLES, AND OTHER WHEELED VEHICLES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Weatherill, of Number 33, Beech Street,
Cheetham, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Commercial Traveller,
for an Invention of
66
IMPROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES, BICYCLES, AND OTHER
WHEELED VEHICLES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Weatherill at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th November 1880.
HENRY WEATHERILL, of Number 33, Beech Street, Cheetham, Manchester, in the
County of Lancaster, Commercial Traveller. "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES,
BICYCLES, AND OTHER WHEELED VEHICLES."
To
My Invention relates in the first place to the axles and bearings of vehicles.
keep the wheel in place upon the axle I arrange for a surface in the interior of a
metal hub, or of a bush, or a part secured in such hub or bush, to run against one
side of a collar on the axle, and I form a ring to screw into or upon a part of the
hub or bush, the end of the said ring running against the other side of the said
collar. The end of a screw in one part enters into one of a number of slots or
recesses in the other part when the said ring is adjusted. In modifications of the
arrangement a part of the hub or bush runs between a collar formed upon the
axle, and an adjustable collar screwed upon the axle. To check the access of dust
to an axle bearing, I fix, form, or mount upon the axle at one end or at each end of
the bearing an oil catcher, which in some cases enters a recess in the hub or bush,
and is formed with an annular mouth, into which projects a ring upon the hub. In
some cases I employ split bearing bushes, which are exteriorly of conical formation,
and are screwed so that the bore of the bearing may be contracted by screwing
such bushes further into the hubs, or by turning nuts which are upon such bushes,
or by drawing or forcing the bushes into conical holes, the said bushes or nuts being
locked or secured by means of lock nuts or screws, or removable parts engaging
with recesses. In some cases the said bushes may have an exterior bearing surface
and be screwed internally. In the second place I form and apply conical friction
brakes in or upon and to the hubs, and in some cases I use such brakes in

page_text: conjunction with driving clutches. I form upon or in the hub, or upon or in a
part attached thereto, a turned or bored conical surface, and I arrange a part to
slide upon the axle, and to be put into frictional contact with such surface. The
said sliding part may be actuated by means of a lever, or of levers, or of a screw,
or of screws, or by suitable appliances. When combined with a driving clutch, as
in the case of a tricycle, I prefer that the sliding brake piece shall be actuated in
unison with the driving clutch, so that when the brake is applied the driving
mechanism is disengaged. The driving clutch may have single or double conical
surfaces. In some cases the one sliding part is actuated by turning a hollow screw
which is tapped or cut to act as a nut upon a second screw which actuates the
other sliding part. In some cases I arrange for the driving clutches to act in
concert with brake blocks applied exteriorly to turned surfaces upon the hubs by
means of levers. Toothed clutches may be substituted for the friction clutches.
When applied to carriages the brake clutches are slid upon the axles right and left.
to brake the two wheels upon the axle by means of a hand lever and connecting
links, or of toggle joint levers and links, or by means of a screw and links, or of a
suitable arrangement of levers and links connected with a hand or foot lever. A
third part of my Invention relates more particularly to bicycles or velocipedes, and
consist in the application of a foot brake or of foot brakes to the hub or hubs. A
turned surface is formed upon the hub or upon a part applied thereto. A brake
block or brake blocks or parts is or are applied to the said surface when the foot is
pressed upon a lever which is sustained out of action by means of a spring, the
said lever also serving as a foot rest when the rider is descending an incline.
A remaining part of my Invention relates to the actuating parts of tricycles or
velocipedes. I employ a ". four throw" crank shaft, which is connected by pitch
chains and wheels, or other gearing or appliances with the driving wheels. The
cranks or two of the cranks on the said shaft are connected by means of treddle
links with a second crank-shaft, or with crank arms which are formed or fixed
upon a shaft, and which are employed to sustain the ends of the said links and to
maintain the parallelism of movement of the same. When two riders are actuating
the vehicle, one rider acts upon two treadle cranks upon the main crank shaft, and
the other upon the said treddle links. The arrangement of the various cranks is
calculated to produce regularity of action, one set of cranks assisting the other set
over the dead points. The said treddle links may be made of such a length as that
two or more riders may act upon them simultaneously. In some or in all cases I
arrange for the treddle links and other parts to be disconnected or removed when
it is desirable to use the main crank-shaft alone. The vehicle may be provided
with the driving clutches and brakes hereinbefore referred to, and be constructed
in accordance with other parts of my Invention, and when so provided the driving
wheels can be separately disconnected and braked, and thereby be employed to
some extent as means for steering the vehicle. I prefer to attach the axles to the
framing by means of conical sockets and screws in order that the driving wheels
may be readily removed when desirable.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Weatherill in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th May
1881.
HENRY WEATHERILL, of Number 33, Beech Street, Cheetham, Manchester, in the
County of Lancaster, Commercial Traveller. "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES,
BICYCLES, AND OTHER WHEELED VEHICLES."
My Invention relates in the first place to the axles and bearings of vehicles. To
keep the wheel in place upon the axle I arrange for a surface in the interior of a
metal hub or of a bush or a part secured in such hub or bush to run against one
side of a collar on the axle, and I form a ring to screw into or upon a part of the
hub or bush, the end of the said ring running against the other side of the said
collar. The end of a screw in one part enters into one of a number of slots or
recesses in the other part when the said ring is adjusted. In modifications of the
arrangement a part of the hub or bush runs between a collar formed upon the axle
and an adjustablo collar screwed upon the axle. To check the access of dust to an
axle bearing I fix, form, or mount upon the axle at one end or at each end of the
bearing an oil catcher, which in some cases enters a recess in the hub or bush, and
is formed with an annular mouth into which projects a ring upon the hub. In
some case I employ split bearing bushes, which are exteriorly of conical formation,
and are secured so that the bore of the bearing may be contracted by screwing
such bushes further into the hubs, or by turning nuts which are upon such bushes,
or by drawing or forcing the bushes into conical holes, the said bushes or nuts being
locked or secured by means of lock nuts or screws or removable parts engaging
with recesses. In some cases the said bushes may have an exterior bearing surfaco
and be screwed internally. In the second place I form and apply conical friction
brakes in or upon and to the hubs, and in some cases I use such brakes in
conjunction with driving clutches. When combined with a driving clutch, as in
the case of a tricycle, I prefer that the brake piece shall be actuated in unison with
the driving clutch, so that when the brake is applied the driving mechanism is
disengaged. In some cases I arrange for the driving clutches to act in concert with
brake blocks applied interiorly to turned surfaces upon the hubs by means of levers.
When applied to carriages the brake clutches are slid upon the axles right and left
to brake the two wheels upon the axle by means of a hand lever and connecting
links, or of toggle joint levers and links, or by means of a screw and links, or
of a suitable arrangement of levers and links connected with a hand or foot
lever.
A third part of my Invention relates more particularly to bicycles or
velocipeds, and consists in the application of a foot brake or of foot brakes to the
hub or hubs.
A. remaining part of my Invention relates to tricycles or velocipedes. I attach
the axles to the framing or crank axle by means of conical sockets and screws in
order that the driving wheel may be readily removed when desirable.
In order that the following description of my Invention may be fully understood
I have attached hereunto two Sheets of Drawings, marked with letters of reference.
Referring to the said Drawings, Fig. 1, drawn about half the full size and partly in
section, represents one axle of a tricycle and some parts of my Invention applied
thereto. In the said Fig., a is the axle, upon which is formed a fast collar a¹, and
is the wheel hub. In the outer end of the bore of the said hub is formed a screw
thread, and a ring b₁ is screwed into the hub, and is secured in position by means
of a set-screw, or is otherwise secured so that it will not turn round within the
hub. The said ring runs against one side of the said collar, and the inner end of a

page_text: bush c, which is bored to revolve upon the axle, runs against the other side thereof.
The said bush is cast or formed as a cap adapted to be turned by means of a key,
whereby the bush can be adjusted so that the wheel can run upon the axle without
any shake between the collar and the said bush and ring. In some cases the ring b¹
would be cast or formed in one piece with the hub, or with the metal bush, which
is bored to run upon the axle. A number of recesses are cut or formed in the
interior of the bush c, as indicated in the cross section, Fig. 2, and when the
adjustment has been effected the end of a set screw c' is caused to enter one of the
said recesses, whereby the bush is prevented from turning within the hub. In
Fig. 3 a modification is illustrated. In this example the ring runs between the
collar which is fast upon the axle and a collar which is formed upon an adjustable
ferule d, which is screwed upon the axle, and is kept from turning thereon by
means of a pin d, which enters one of two or more holes which are drilled or
cut in the axle. The ferule d is turned to revolve in the bearing bush d', which is
split, as indicated in Fig. 4, and is externally of a conical form. The exterior of the
ferule is screwed, and a conical bush e is formed to screw on to the said ferule and
into the end of the hub, which is tapped to receive the said bush. When through
wear the bush becomes too loose a fit upon the ferule, the bush e is screwed
further in and contracts the bush by reason of the conical formation of the
parts. The bushes are kept in position by means of a screw e¹ which enters slots
in the two bushes or by other suitable means. The split conical bush may be
applied to axles for any kind of vehicles and be used without the ferule d, as
represented in the case of the example illustrated by Figs. 9 and 12. In the latter
Fig. two split bushes d' and d² are fitted to screw into conical cavities formed in the
hub, and ferules d and d³ are fixed to the axle and revolve in the said split bushes.
The split bushes are tightened by screwing then further into the conical cavities,
and are kept from working loose by means of catches d, each of which when
secured by means of a set-screw enters one of a number of slots formed in the
interior surface of the cavity in the hub. In some cases I may make the exterior
of the split bush cylindrical and the interior conical, and arrange for it to work in
a bearing, or for the hub or bush to revolve upon it and expand it by means of an
inner conical ferule to tighten the bearing. In Fig. 5 an arrangement better suited
for carriages and vehicles drawn by horses is represented. In this example the
bushf which is fixed in the hub is bored to fit against one side of the fixed collar a',
and the screwed bush c is formed with recesses, as indicated in Fig. 2, so that when
adjusted the end of a set screw may enter one of the recesses. The exterior of the
end of the bush f is screwed to receive a cap f', and is formed with recesses as in
case of the bush c, so that when the parts are adjusted the bush f may also be fixed
in position by means of a set-screw. This Figure also illustrates the application of
the aforesaid oil-catcher, which is represented by g. The said oil-catcher is secured
to the axle, and the end of the bush enters within it to a suitable extent, so that any
oil which may run out of the axle bearing is caught by the catcher g, which also
assists in checking the access of dust to the bearing. The accumulated oil can be
removed at intervals by withdrawing a screw plug g'. Fig. 6 represents the oil
catcher as applied to an ordinary Collinge axle; Fig. 7 represents a modification of
the arrangement illustrated by Fig. 6. The bush c is formed with a notched
collar, as indicated by Fig. 8, with which a suitably forined key may engage in
order to tighten up the said bush. A cap h is secured by bolts to enclose the end
of the bearing, a washer of leather or other suitable material being interposed
between the outer end of the bush c and the inner end of the cap in order to keep
in the oil. The said cap is provided with one, two, or more teeth or projections,
and when the cap is secured in position one of these teeth is caused to enter one of
the notches in the collar on the bush c, as indicated at h¹, so that the bush is
prevented from working loose. In any of the examples washers may be interposed
between the collars and the bushes if thought to be desirable. One arrangement
whereby I carry into effect the second part of my Invention appears in Fig. 1.
Upon the axle is mounted a screw i, which is bored to fit the axle, and is prevented

page_text: from sliding thereon by means of a collar i which is formed upon a bush which is
secured to the axle. The said screw works within a nut k which is formed at one
end with a cone ¹, which is bored to slide upon the shaft, and is prevented from
turning thereon by means of studs or of a fast key. Upon the other end of the
said nut is mounted a second cone 7, which is free to revolve upon the nut, but is
compelled to move with the nut when it is caused to slide upon the axle. The
chain-wheel, or the part which receives the driving power, is formed or fixed on to
the cone . The screw can be turned in one direction or the other by means of a
hand-lever m or by any other suitable means, whereby the nut is caused to slide
upon the axle in one direction or the other. When the nut is moved in one
direction the cone is forced tightly into a conical recess in the hub, which then
receives motion from the cone, but when the said nut is moved in the contrary
direction the said cone is withdrawn so as to arrest the driving action, and by
continuing the movement the cone is forced into contact with a hollow cone
formed in the hub, and acts as a brake to check the rotation of the hub, and, as a
consequence, of the driving wheel. One of my improved oil catchers is screwed
upon the outer end of the nut, and in the example serves as one of the collars which
retain the cone 7 upon the nut. A modification is represted in Fig. 3, wherein
a hollow screw m¹is cut with an external thread which works in a sliding nut n, and
with an internal thread which acts as a nut upon a sliding screw o, both the nut n
and the screw o being prevented by means of studs from revolving upon the axle.
Upon one end of the said screw is formed the brake cone k', and upon the nut n
is mounted the driving cone b. The screw threads in and upon the screw m¹ are
cut right and left hand, so that when the said screw is turned the two cones are
caused to move in opposite directions, the result being that when the driving cone
is moved into " gear the brake cone is drawn out of action, and on the contrary,
when the driving cone is drawn out of gear the brake cone is moved into contact
with the hollow cone formed in the hub. Another modification appears in Fig. 9.
In this example the brake cone is formed upon the inner end of a sliding
sleeve o¹, upon which is mounted the driving cone 7, which is free to revolve upon
the sleeve but is prevented from sliding thereon. The said sleeve can be slid in
either direction by means of a hand lever p, or by any other suitable means,
in order to move the one cone into action and the other cone out of action,
as in the case of the same parts in Fig. 1. A further modification is illustrated
by Figs. 14 and 21 in Sheet 2. In each of these examples an exterior brake
is used in connection with the driving cone l, which is arranged to be slid upon
the axle by means of a lever p', which is mounted upon a fulcrum q which
is attached to the framing of the vehicle, as indicated in Fig. 23. A view of
the lower end of this lever taken on a plane at right-angles to Fig. 14 is
represented by Fig. 15. Upon the said lever is formed a curved brake piece q',
which is designed to act upon a cylindrical surface which is formed upon. the
exterior of the hollow cone upon which the driving cone acts. When the said
driving cone is withdrawn by means of the lever to arrest the driving action the
same movement of the lever may be used to press the brake upon the said
cylindrical surface. In Fig. 21 the cone 7 is kept in "gear" by means of a spiral
spring, excepting at the times when the lever p¹is acted upon to arrest the driving
action, and the brake and driving clutch are provided with separate levers p
and p2, the lever 22 being used when the brake is to be applied without
disconnecting the clutch, and the lever p' when it is desirable to disconnect the
clutch, and also to brake the wheel. In any of the examples toothed clutches or
other suitable forms of friction clutches may be substituted for the cones. The
examples of this part of my Invention as so far described are adapted more
particularly for application to tricycles and other manumotive vehicles. Figs. 10
and 11, Sheet 1, illustrate the application of my conical brake to vehicles drawn
by horses. In Fig. 10, r, r, represent the bushes which are fixed in the wheel
hubs; one of the said bushes is shown in section on a larger scale in Fig. 1. Each

page_text: bush is formed with a projecting flanch which is turned in the interior to form a
conical seating for the conical brake piece 7' which is fitted to slide upon the axle.
The two brake pieces are connected by links 8, 8, with a lever s¹ which is fixed
upon a shaft which is mounted in or upon the axle, and is connected by any
suitable combination of levers and parts with a hand or foot lever which is acted
. upon to put on the brakes. It will be seen that when the lever s' is moved in one
direction both the pieces will be forced into the conical recesses in the hubs, and
will act as retarding brakes. In the example the shaft of the said lever is fitted to
slide slightly in order that it may adjust itself to the strain so as to obtain an
equal pressure upon both brakes. In Fig. 13 is represented an arrangement for
connecting the said shaft with the actuating parts in such a manner as will permit
of the inevitable variations in the relative positions of the axle and the carriage
body. The shaft t is jointed to a piece t¹, in which is formed a square socket into
which enters the lower end of a shaft which is connected with the brake lever. In
some cases the brake pieces may be formed as hollow cones, as indicated by the
dotted lines in Fig. 7, and as represented in Fig. 16 in Sheet 2, wherein the said
brake-pieces are directly connected with the brake-lever u, which is hinged at u¹ to
an arm which is secured the axle. The connection of the lever with one brake
piece is above the fulcrum, the other connection being below the fulcrum, so that
the two brake-pieces are moved in opposite directions. Figs. 17 and 18 illustrate
the application of the brake which appears in Fig. 14 to traction vehicles. Curved
brake blocks vare attached to or formed on a shaft which is mounted in bearings
When the said lever is
carried by the axle, and is provided with a foot lever w¹.
pressed downwards the blocks vare pressed against turned surfaces upon the hubs
to brake the wheels. Figs 19 and 20 illustrate the application of the third part of
my Invention to an ordinary bicycle. In Fig. 19 w is a lever which is hinged to
the "fork," and is made suitable in shape to serve as a rest for the foot when
going down hill, there being such a rest on each side of the machine. To a point
in the lever just below the fulcrum is jointed one end of a curved strap which is
secured by the other end to the fork. Fig. 20 is a diagram of the lever and strap.
The said strap about encircles a turned portion of the wheel hub, and when the foot
is pressed upon the lever the strap is, tightened upon the hub so as to act as a
brake. When not in use the lever or foot rest is kept up by means of a spring. In
lieu of the said strap any suitable form of brake block, or combination of brake
blocks, acted upon by the foot-rest lever may be used, as, for example, a curved
block may act upon a vee
groove turned in the hub.
"
"
Figs. 21, 22, and 23 illustrate the remaining part of my Invention. Fig. 23 is a
front elevation of a tricycle constructed in accordance with parts of my Invention.
The said tricycle is fitted with a cranked axle, which is formed in three parts,
namely, a central cranked portion, which is separately represented by Fig. 22, and
two end portions upon which the wheels are mounted. Each end a² of the central
portion of the said axle is bored and chambered, the inner end of the chamber
being of a conical form to suit a conical collar a3 which is formed upon each end
portion a of the axle, as seen in Fig. 21. The end a of the axle is reduced to pass
through a hole which is bored through the bottom of the conical chamber, and the
said end is screwed to receive a nut x. A portion of the end a² is turned to revolve
in a bearing formed in the frame a³, and is formed with collars which keep the
said parts in the said bearing. It will be seen that when the two nuts x are
removed the axles a carrying the two wheels can be at once removed, thereby
Jessening the width of the vehicle so that it can be passed through an ordinary
door-way.
This part of my Invention is also applied in the example illustrated by
Fig. 14, but the conical formation of the joint is dispensed with, and the ends of
the central cranked portion are fitted to run in ball bearings.
Having now fully set forth and indicated the nature of my said Invention, and
the methods whereby I carry the same into practical effect, I would have it to be
understood that I claim.—

page_text: First. The methods of securing wheels upon their axles, substantially as set
forth and indicated hereinbefore when describing the first part of my Invention
with reference to the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. The combinations of parts for securing the wheel upon the axle,
substantially as set forth and indicated with reference to Figs. 2, 5, 7, and 8 of the
Drawings.
Thirdly. Arranging for an annular surface in the wheel hub to run against one
side of a collar upon the axle, and for an adjustable screwed bush or ferule to run
against the other side thereof, and securing the said bush or ferule when adjusted,
substantially as set forth and indicated.
I
Fourthly. The oil catchers y formed and applied substantially as set forth and
indicated.
Fifthly. The split bearing bushes adjusted to fit the axle or bearing by means of
screw threads of conical formation, substantially as set forth and indicated.
Sixthly. The combination of the driving clutches and brakes so that the brake
is put in action by the same movement which disconnects the driving mechanism,
substantially as set forth and indicated.
Seventhly. The conical brake and the conical driving clutch, both worked by
means of a screw, substantially as set forth and indicated with reference to
Figs. 1 and 3 of the Drawings.
Eightly. The brakes applied to the hubs of traction vehicles, substantially as
set forth and indicated.
Ninethly. The application to bicycles of foot rests which are arranged to act
also as brake levers, substantially as set forth and indicated.
Tenthly. Forming the crank axle of a tricycle in three parts which can
readily be disconnected, substantially as and for the purpose set forth and
indicated.
And, Lastly. The tricycle constructed substantially as set forth and indicated
with reference to Figs. 21, 22, and 23 of the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Weatherill, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty-one.
HENRY WEATHERILL. (L.S.)