IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGE- MENT OF THE SEATS OF TRICYCLES, AND ALSO OF THE HANDLES THEREOF
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Adam Burdess, of Coventry, in the County of Warwick,
for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGE-
MENT OF THE SEATS OF TRICYCLES, AND ALSO OF THE HANDLES THEREOF."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Adam Burdess at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th January 1882.
ADAM BURDESS of Coventry in the County of Warwick "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF THE SEATS OF TRICYCLES AND ALSO
OF THE HANDLES THEREOF."
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction and arrangement of
the seats and handles of tricycles and has for its object Firstly-To impart ease
and comfort to the rider when seated in the vehicle and Secondly-To obviate the
unpleasant jarring sensation which is experienced in the hands when driving a
tricycle as ordinarily constructed.
In order to carry out my Invention I proceed as follows:-Upon each side of the
framework of the machine I mount a lever-The inner or front ends of such ievers
terminate in coiled springs which are attached to the framework by links or in any
other suitable manner.
I provide suitable fulcrums for such lovers which fulcrums are attached to the
frame of the vehicle in any convenient manner and are made either elastic or rigid
as circumstances may render preferable.
I place the seat between the hinder or outward ends of the levers and attach
the seat thereto by straps or otherwise in such a manner that the scat is suspended
between the levers and by this means a pleasant and easy movement is imparted
thereto when the vehicle is in motion which prevents the rider experiencing
discomfort or weariness.
The seat may be raised or lowered to suit the exigencies of the rider either by
lengthening or shortening the straps or their equivalents or by lowering the
fulcrums whereon the levers rest In order to keep the levers securely in position
their hinder or outward ends are united by means of a rod or stay by which they

page_text: are firmly held together. Or such levers may be made out of tubular steel and of
a circular form at the back so as to be in one piece while steel springs are brazed
or otherwise attached to their inner or front ends as before mentioned. In order
to prevent the rider experiencing the customary jarring sensation in the hands
when driving the vehicle I mount the handles thereof upon the spring levers
instead of upon the framework of the machine as ordinarily practised, that is to
say I place such handles between the fulcrums and the inner or front ends of the
two levers which carry the seat. By this improved arrangement the action of
the steel springs on the inner ends of the levers obviates the jarring sensation
which would be otherwise experienced in the hands when driving an ordinary
tricycle.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Adam Burdess in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 25th July
1882.
ADAM BURDESS of Coventry in the County of Warwick
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF THE SEATS OF TRICYCLES AND ALSO
OF THE HANDLES THEREOF."
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction and arrangement of
the seats and handles of tricycles and has for its object-Firstly To impart case
and comfort to the rider when seated in the vehicle and Secondly To obviate the
unpleasant jarring sensation which is experienced in the hands when driving a
tricycle as ordinarily constructed.
In order to carry out my Invention I proceed as follows:-Upon each side of
the framework of the machine I mount a slotted spring lever the inner or front
ends of which levers terminate in coiled springs which are attached to the frame-
work by links or in any other suitable manner.
Such levers are mounted upon suitable fulcrums attached to the frame of the
vehicle in any convenient manner and such fulcrums are made either clastic or rigid
as desired.
I place the sent between the hinder or outward ends of the lovers and attach the
seat thereto by straps or otherwise in such a manner that the seat is suspended
between the levers and by this means a pleasant and easy movement is imparted
thereto when the vehicle is in motion which prevents the rider experiencing
discomfort or weariness.
The seat may be raised or lowered to suit the exigencies of the rider either by
lengthening or shortening the straps or their equivalents or by lowering the
fulcrums whereon the lovers rest.
In order to keep the levers securely in position their hinder or outer ends are
unitod by means of a rod or stay by which they are firmly held together Or such
levers may be made out of tubular steel and of a circular form at the back so as to
be in one piece while steel springs are brazed or otherwise attached to their inner
or front ends as before mentioned.
In order to prevent the rider experiencing the customary jarring sensation in the
hands when driving the vehicle I mount the handles thereof upon the spring levers
instead of upon the framework of the machine as ordinarily practised, that is to
say; I place such handles between the fulcrums and the inner or front ends of the
two levers which carry the seat. By this improved arrangement the action of
the steel springs on the inner ends of the levers obviates the jarring sensation
which would otherwise be experienced in the hands when driving an ordinary
tricycle.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings shews a view in perspective of a tricycle
fitted with my improvements and Figure 2 a view in side elevation of the same
similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts. A is the frame of the
machine. B the slotted spring levers, B' the coiled front ends thereof. C the
fulcrum attached to the frame A upon which the spring levers B rest. D the links
by which the coiled front ends B' of the spring levers B are attached to the frame.
E the outer ends of the spring levers B to which the seat is suspended, F, F, the
handle of the machine placed on the spring levers B instead of on the frame to
prevent the vibration of the hands. G the seat of the machine which is suspended
from the spring levers B by straps or chains or other suitable means and H is the
stay attached to the outer ends of the levers B to prevent the said levers from
pressing inwards.

page_text: Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and the manner of carrying the same into effect I would have it
understood that what I claim and desire to secure by the hereinbefore in part
recited Letters Patent is
Firstly The improved construction and arrangement of seat for tricycles sub-
stantially as herein before described and illustrated whereby a pleasant and easy
motion is imparted thereto when driving the vehicle.
Secondly The improved arrangement of mounting the handles of the machine
upon the spring levers in the manner hereinbefore described and illustrated to
prevent the rider experiencing any jarring sensation in the hands.
In witness whereof I the said Adam Burdess have hereunto set my hand and
scal this Twenty fourth day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty two.