Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Apr., 1887.
Specification Accepted, 20th May, 1887.
[Communicated from abroad by LEONARD B. GAYLOR, of Stamford, in the County of
Fairfield and State of Connecticut, United States of America, Inventor.]
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S. M.I.M.E. of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors 6, Lord Street Liverpool in the County of Lancaster and 323 High
Holborn in the County of Middlesex Civil Engineer, 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 improvements in that class of bicycles which are commonly
known as the "Star" machine-the characteristic feature of which is a small steering
wheel placed in front of the main or driving wheel, both wheels being united in proper
relation to each other by a suitably constructed frame.
The invention more particularly stated consists in devices whereby the wear in the
hinge or swivel device, between the reach of the machine and the frame to which it
is attached, may be taken up to avoid rattling, and also to improvements in the
construction of the frame and in the pedals or driving mechanism of the machine.
Heretofore all "Star" machines, so far as the inventor is aware, have been driven
by means of pivoted treadle levers, such, for example, as are shown in the United
States Patent No. 321,819, dated July 7, 1885, said levers being fulcrumed to some
suitable part of the frame of the machine, and which engaged by suitable mechanical
appliances with a clutch attachment, or its equivalent, located at or near the axis of
the main wheel, thus avoiding complete revolution of the treadles and substituting
therefor a reciprocating movement, and this construction was deemed essential, princi-
pally because of the fact that the saddle had of necessity to be placed somewhat
forward of a vertical line through the axis of the main wheel in order to avoid tipping
over backwards, and this was supposed to render the use of ordinary crank treadles
impossible because of the distance between the feet of the rider and the foot plate of
the treadles during a part of their revolution. This belief was considered erroneous
and not only that it was erroneous, but that a "Star" machine was even better

page_text: adapted to be driven by the ordinary crank treadles than the rear steering wheel
machines, and after a number of experiments and practical demonstrations of the
various lines of gravitation, relative to the axis of the main wheel, resulting from
the great variety of positions assumed by the body in riding, the fact has been ascer-
tained that if the wheel be not too large and if care be exercised when letting the
wheel run on down grades, that the "Star" machine can be driven with the ordinary
crank treadles better than with the pivoted lever treadles. These reasons are princi-
pally as follows: while working the crank treadles in the rear steering machine, the
body is always forwardly inclined. This position the rider assumes almost uncon-
sciously because he desires to get as far up on top of his wheel as he dares without
danger of tipping over forward, in order that he may apply his own weight in direct
lines on the treadles instead of propelling the machine by a pushing action only.
Now, inasmuch, as the power for the purposes of propulsion, is available only in the
forward half of the circle described by the cranks, and practically only in the most
forward one-third part of that circle, it follows that the best construction for a bicycle
is that in which the body can be so placed that its weight may be most advantageously
employed in that third part of the circle, in other words, forward of a vertical line
through the axis of the wheel. This could not be done in a rear steering wheel
machine, because it would immediately tip over forward-but in the "Star" machines
this is the very position in which the body must rest in order to prevent tipping over
backwards.
It has further been found that there is no difficulty whatever in keeping the feet in
contact with the foot plate of the crank treadles when used on the "Star" machine
during its entire revolution, because the natural movement or action of the leg after
making each tread, is to elongate slightly and to flex rearwardly, mostly at the knee.
And it has been found by actual experiment that the above stated facts enable a
skilled rider to use the ordinary crank treadles on the "Star" machine with very
satisfactory results, and the advantages resulting therefrom are not only greater power,
but also a very considerable reduction in the weight, the cost and repair account of
the machine, and in a more graceful and artistic appearance.
It has also been found that the swivel or hinge attachments now in use, which
enable the reach of the "Star" machine to be oscillated relative to the main frame
are peculiarly liable to wear, and when worn produce a very objectionable rattling
noise.
The invention also extends to means whereby the wear of these parts may be taken
up as often as desired, and also to improvements in break devices to be used in
connection with the swivel devices.
In the drawings like reference letters indicate like parts in all the figures.
Figure 1 illustrates a side plan view of the machine, with the parts in position.
Figure 2 illustrates an enlarged view partly in section of the take up swivel
attachment.
Figure 3 illustrates an enlarged view partly in section of a modified construction
of the take up swivel attachment.
Figure 4 illustrates the improved break device used in connection with the take up
swivel attachment illustrated in Figure 2.
Figure 5 illustrates another form of break device, used in connection with the swivel
attachment, illustrated in Figure 3.
Figure 5a illustrates the break detached.
Figure 6 illustrates a modified form of swivel attachment shown in section.
A is the main or driving wheel. It is preferably of the usual suspension type.
B is the small or front steering wheel. C, C, C, are the main frame; it is made
double or in other words like halves on either side of the main wheel A, but instead
of coming together at a point somewhat above the axis of the wheel as usual in the
"Star" machine, all the inner ends of the frame rods C, C, C, come together directly
at the centre of the hub of this wheel, and the axle or shaft thereof passes through
the flat disc-like part C¹ formed by the union of these several rods; D is a frame,

page_text: also made double as usual, which encloses the small steering wheel; B, E are the
treadle cranks, they are of the ordinary crank type, and are attached directly to
the ends of the axle of the main wheel A in any preferred manner. They are pro-
vided with any desired foot plates E'; F is the reach preferably hollow, which connects
the main wheel with the steering wheel. The frame D is rigidly attached to the
lower end of this reach. The reach is connected to the outer ends of two of the
rods C, C, C, constituting the main frame by two swivel, or hinge connections G G.
These are composed of a collar like part a (see Figure 2) which encircles the reach
and are rigidly attached to it, they are provided on one side with two projecting
lugs b, b', in the inside of one of which a suitable recess c is made, shown conical in
the drawings, which is adapted to receive one end of the swivel coupling piece d
which is rigidly attached to the ends of the appropriate rods C, C, C, of the main
frame.
The other lug b' is bored out and threaded to receive a screw plug e, the inner end
whereof is recessed similarly to the recess in the lug b, to receive the opposite end of
the swivel coupling piece d, the screw plug is provided with a jam nut whereby the
plug after being properly adjusted may be set firmly in place. By means of these
devices any wear on the ends of the swivel piece d can be readily taken up by simply
loosening the jam nut f, screwing up the screw plug e, until all wear is taken up, and
then setting up the jam nut again.
His the spring saddle bar; I is the saddle attached to the saddle bar in any pre-
ferred manner.
It is set slightly forward of a vertical line through the axis of the
main wheel.
J are the steering handles set on the ends of the handle bar K, which is attached
centrally to the upper end of the reach, L is the break lever, it is fulcrumed
to the handle bar and has a projecting end e¹ extending beyond the fulcrum and
into line with the reach; m is the break proper. It is made in the form of a
substantially right angled lever, one end terminates in the break plate n, and the other
end which turns upwardly toward the reach, terminates in an eye o. The break is
pivoted at o' to the saddle bar or to some other suitable part of the machine; p is a
conecting rod which is attached at one end by a pin q or its equivalent, to the end e¹
of the break lever and at its other end by a swivel joint to the eye o on the upturned
end of the break. S is a spring which normally throws the break away from the
wheel.
The eye o is located exactly in line with the centre of the swivel pieces d, d, so that
when the handle bar is turned to oscillate the reach, the connecting bar p, will turn
in the eye o and all the parts retain their proper positions without twisting or straining,
and still allow free action of the break.
The operation is obvious. The action of the cranks requires no explanation, being
well known.
The actions of the break, handle bar, and reach are also well known and require no
explanation, excepting to call attention to the fact that when the reach is oscillated by
the handle to move the front wheel to the right or left for the purpose of steering the
machine, the reach does not oscillate on its own axis, but on the axis of the swivels d
and d, and this construction although having some advantages has also somė
disadvantages, a modified form of swivel attachment and break has therefore been
devised which are respectively illustrated in Figures 3 and 5. As illustrated in these
figures the reach is cut away for about half its diameter as seen at M, and a steel
sleeve N is brazed on the reach at the point where it is thus cut away to supply the
necessary strength, a plug O is brazed in the hollow reach at the lower end of the cut
away portion, and at the upper end thereof, on the inside of the hollow reach, threads
are cut which mesh into externally cut threads on a screw plug P which is adapted
to be screwed into it, and a jain nut Q is supplied for the plug P whereby the
same operation of parts for taking up wear is attained, as in the other instances. Of
course the recesses for receiving the ends of the swivel piece R in these figures is
located centrally in the ends of the plugs O and P respectively. The reach is cut
away sufficiently to allow the needful oscillation of the reach and also so that a wrench

page_text: or other suitable tool may be introduced for tightening up the jam nut and for
manipulating the screw plug. If preferred the movable screw plug may be the lower
plug at the lower end of the reach and the upper plug at the upper end thereof, and,
being made long enough to extend to the respective ends of the reach, be manipulated
from the outside thereof. Such construction has been illustrated in Figure 6 as
applied at the lower end where the frame D for the small wheel, is attached.
same
does not
When the swivel attachment shown in Figures 3 and 6 are used, the oscillation of
the reach is on its own axis, since the axis of the swivel pieces R, and of the reach,
coincide; therefore a slight change has to be made in the connection between the
break and the break lever, and this is shown in Figure 5. All the parts are the
as in Figure 4 with the exception that the connecting rod P
engage with an eye o on the upper end of the break; but on the contrary the rod p
is connected at its lower end with a longitudinally movable sleeve p³, which slides on
the reach and is provided at its lower end with a flange against which the bifurcated
ends of the break rest, after the manner of a shipper and shipper sleeve, so that as the
sleeve is pressed downwardly by the break lever the power will be transmitted to the
break. Instead of the form of spring shown at s in Figure 4 for normally removing
the break from the wheel, a spiral spring, seen at s¹ may be employed coiled about the
reach. If such a spring is used a double flange had better be employed on the end of
the sleeve, as illustrated, and the upper end of the sleeve N, be squared or other
suitable means supplied to act as a stop for the lower end of the spring.
Although the construction of the several devices embodying the invention has been
described with some detail, and modified forms of certain parts thereof have been shown
still it is to be understood that the inventor does not limit himself to such details for
it will be obvious to any one skilled in this art, that many alterations may be made
therein and still the invention be employed.
A machine made in accordance with this invention is light, cheap, and durable, and
can be propelled with greater speed than an ordinary "Star" "machine. In this
machine a reach has been arranged and combined suitably secured to the frame, and
cranks and pedals attached to the main wheel, in such manner that one person can
propel the machine by revolving the pedals and at the same time have absolute control
over the steering mechanism; and also control of the machine on down grades
through the pedals, and is not dependent on the break as in the case with the old
"Star" machines, except the undesirable ones operated by a sprocket chain or its
equivalent. The safety to the rider is greater, because there are less parts liable to
fracture, and in the event of an upset there are less projecting metallic points, which
are liable to strike the rider. These advantages so far as the inventor is informed, have
never been successfully attained in a bicycle having the small steering wheel in front.
He is aware that it is not new, broadly stated, to propel a double or tanden machine
having the small steering wheel in front by cranks and pedals attached to the larger
driving wheel, and hence does not claim such combination broadly.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed; as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The combination in a bicycle, having a smaller steering wheel set in front of the
main wheel, of a reach suitably secured to the frame and connected directly with
the steering wheel, whereby the same is operated, and crank treadles attached to the
axle of the main wheel, whereby the machine is propelled by complete revolutions
thereof, substantially as set forth.
2. The combination in a bicycle, of a steering wheel set in front of the main wheel,
the main frame, the seat supported thereon over, and slightly forward of the vertical
line through the axle of the main wheel, a reach carrying the steering wheel frame
and arranged to be oscillated relatively to the main frame, a steering bar attached to
the reach and arranged to be conveniently operated by the rider, and revolving crank
treadles attached to the axle of the main wheel, substantially, as set forth.
3. The combination, in a bicycle, of a small front steering wheel, a rear driving

page_text: wheel, a reach connecting said wheel, a handle bar rigidly attached to the upper end of
said reach, swivels connecting the reach to the main frame, said swivels being
provided with adjustable bearings and set nuts, whereby a greater or less amount of
wear may be taken up without changing the position of the handle bar, substantially
as set forth.
4. The combination of a front steering wheel, the rear driving wheel, the main
frame, the oscillating reach connected with the steering wheel, swivel joints having
end bearings and set nuts interposed between the main frame and the reach, and
arranged with their axes co-incident with the axis of the reach, substantially as set
forth.
5. The combination in a front steering wheel bicycle, of a recessed reach, reinforced
by a sleeve fastened to the reach at the point of the recess therein and endwise
bearings for a swivel centrally located in the reach, and on the axial line thereof,
one of which bearings is movable toward and from the other bearing, whereby
wear on the swivel may be taken up, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
6. The described improvement in reaches for front steering wheel bicycles,
consisting in a swivel joint connected to the main frame of the machine, and located
in a recess made in the lower end of the reach, and a downwardly extending threaded
bolt, which is recessed at its upper end to receive the swivel, and which is extended
through the lower end of the reach, and is accessible for adjustment between the frame
pieces of the steering wheel, substantially as set forth.
Th: 1011 1 CA: 1007
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.