Improvements in Velocipedes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 7th May, 1890-Accepted, 7th June, 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT "MERKUR" ROTHGIESSER
& Co., of Bergeborbeck, Germany, Manufacturers.]
Improvements in Velocipedes.
I, OLIVER IMRAY, of No. 28 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County
of London, Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to a construction of velocipede with four wheels and two
seats arranged side by side, which is composed of two bicycles connected together in
an articulated manner by a simple coupling bar.
This invention satisfies a want that has long been felt, but which has heretofore not
been satisfied, as the constructions proposed were on the one hand too complicated,
and on the other hand did not sufficiently comply with the requirements, as in all
these constructions the two opposite wheels were connected rigidly together.
The improved construction, which obviates these defects, is shewn on the accom-
panying drawing, in which Fig. 1 shews a perspective view of two bicycles combined
to form a four-wheeled velocipede according to this invention. Figs. 2 to 8 shew
separate views of different modes of effecting the articulated connection.
The invention consists mainly in the use of a bar A which is situated in a horizontal
transverse position, and is carried by sockets B and C which are attached to the parts
of the frames carrying the rear wheels. In order to allow of riding on uneven
ground, the connection must be articulated, that is to say, the one bicycle must be
capable of turning round on the longitudinal axis of the coupling bar ; this is effected
by the constructions shewn at Figs. 2 to 8.
In the construction at Fig. 2, the one end of the bar A is secured by a setting screw
or otherwise in the socket C fixed in any suitable manner on the one frame, whilo
th other end is mounted in a rotatable manner in the socket B on the other
frame.
At Fig. 3 the socket B, instead of receiving the end of the bar A, has two projecting
pins with pointed ends which are carried in lugs on the bar A.
As shown at Figs. 4 to 6, the bar A may be constructed of two separate parts
that can turn relatively to each other, and that have their ends fixed in the
sockets B C.
As shown at Figs. 7 and 8, both ends of the bar A are mounted in a rotatable
manner in the sockets B and C) as described with reference to the socket B Figs. 2
and 3.
From the above description it will be seen that by carrying such a coupling bar on
a bicycle, two of these may readily at any time be connected together to form a four-
wheeled vehicle.
Also, old bicycles can be permanently combined to form four-wheeled vehicles by
means of a coupling bar and sockets constructed as described.
The advantages of this invention consist in the great simplicity of the construction,
as a single bar attached to sockets on the frames is quite sufficient to afford the
requisite connection; and also in the capability afforded to each bicycle to adjust itself
to the unevenness of the ground independently of the other, so that no straining of
the frames, such as occur with present constructions, can take place.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what mannor the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
The use, for combining two bicycles to form a four wheeled velocipede with two
seats, of a horizontal transverse bar A situated at any part of the rear frames of the
bicycles such bar being connected to the said frames in such manner that the one
bicycle is free to turn independently of the other upon the longitudinal axis of the
said bar, substantially as herein described.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.