Improvements in Telescopic Folding Tricycles and other Velocipedes.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Feb., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 25th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 30th Nov., 1888
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Telescopic Folding Tricycles and other
Velocipedes.
We CHARLES TUCKER and EDWARD GADSBY, of No. 24 Bearward Stree
Northampton in the County of Northamptonshire, Engineers, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This Invention has referance to tricycles and other velocipedes so constructed that
they may be readily reduced in width to admit of their passing through the space of
any ordinary doorway, gate, or entrance. For this purpose we construct the axle in
two halves on the inner edges of which are formed toothed racks or other suitable
device. The same sliding in two tubes actuated by a toothed pinion in the centre
engaging with the two racks or toothed parts of the divided axle. Attached to the
toothed pinion is a handle which when turned to the right or left contracts or extends
the width of axle; By this arrangement the tricycle is perfectly rigid when extended
to its full width which is a great advantage over any other folding arrangement.
Dated this 28th day of February 1888.
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHES,
76, Chancery Lane, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Telescopic Folding Tricycles and other
Velocipedes.
We, CHARLES TUCKER, of Pitsford, and EDWARD GADSBY of 24 Bearward Street,
both in Northampton, in the County of Northamptonshire, Engineers and Bicycle
manufacturers, 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 has reference to tricycles and other velocipedes, so constructed that
they may be readily reduced in width to admit of their passing through the space of
any doorway, gate or entrance. For this purpose we construct the axle in two halves,
on the inner edges of which are formed teeth or serrations and which slide in two
tubes actuated by a toothed pinion in the centre engaging with the teeth or serrations
of the divided axle. Attached to the toothed pinion a handle which when turned to
the right or left contracts or extends the width of the axle; by this arrangement the
tricycle is perfectly rigid when extended to its full width which is a great advantage
over any other folding arrangement.
And in order that my invention may be more fully understood I have shewn the
same in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a plan of my improved axle,
and Figure 2 a longitudinal section thereof. Figures 3 and 4 show respectively an
underside view and an elevation of my improved key for expanding or contracting the
said axles. Figure 1. shows the axles in their extended positions, Figure 2 shows the
same contracted or collapsed. S S¹ are two external tubes or sheaths joined together
by the three straps e e¹ e² as shewn one at each end and the other in the centre.
Through these outer tubes S S¹ the axle A and the crank axle A¹ are both capable of
sliding under the action of the key k hereinafter more fully described. The frame F
fixed to the strap e' serves to carry the front or steering wheel but has no reference
to my invention.
As shewn in Figure 2 the two shafts are provided on their inner edges with teeth
or serrations a a¹ arranged in front of one another and in which gears the vertical
pinion or lower part of the shank t. of the above mentioned key k. The same is
composed as shewn in Figures 3 and 4 of the said shank t the lower part of which
provided up to a height equal to the diameter of the axles or thereabout with teeth
or serrations d. d. etc. The front end of this key carries a small stop piece C which
pivots upon a pin w passing through the handle of the key kand which is maintained
either in an open or closed position by one end of the spring blade b whose other end
is fixed to the handle v by a screw o as clearly shewn in Figure 4. This stop piece C
is bent and inserted when the axles are extended either in the frame F as shewn or in
the space between the two sheaths S and S¹ so as to firmly hold the key k in position
and thereby prevent the axles from having any lateral motion when travelling
ว

page_text: The said key k is passed through the central and circular part g of the strap e¹ and the
lower part of its spindle which is screw threaded is screwed by means of a nut n²
against the lower circular edge of g.
"
When this key is thus fixed, the tricycle can be extended by turning the handle of
the former in one direction until the edge of the last tooth of the axles A and A' has
been reached when the key ceases to operate any further and its stop piece C being
now bent as shown in Figure 1 or between the two sheaths as hereinbefore mentioned
the tricycle is ready to be started on the road. When the said tricycle has been
brought in front of the house or building wherein it has to be stored, the stop piece C
is raised, the key is turned in a reverse direction to the former and the axles are
collapsed or contracted as shewn in Figure 2 when the machine can be pushed
through a narrow passage as its width is now considerably reduced.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim, is:
1. The improved arrangement of axles and tubes for telescopic and collapsible
tricycles, combined and operating substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. The improved construction of key for operating the axles of telescopic and
collapsible tricycles substantially as and for the purpose described and shewn in
Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings.
1000
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHES,
76, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for Applicants.