IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS FOR WORKING VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Marrett Taylor of Seer Green in the County of
Bucks Clerk in Holy Orders and George Wethered of Maidenhead in the
County of Berks for an invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS FOR
WORKING VELOCIPEDES."
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Marrett Taylor and
George Wethered at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
7th March 1882.
JOHN MARRETT TAYLOR of Seer Green in the County of Bucks Clerk in
Holy Orders, and GEORGE WETHERED of Maidenhead in the County of Berks.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS FOR WORKING VELOCIPEDES."
The object of this invention is to apply the action of rowing to the working of
tricycles and similar machines in a more efficient manner than heretofore.
In carrying out our invention with reference to a tricycle the steering wheel is
placed in front, and it supports the front and lower end of an inclined rectangular
frame the rear end resting on the axle of the driving wheels.
The seat is situate between the wheels, and in front of the axle, and it is
arranged to slide or roll (in the manner of the sliding seats in a boat) on suitable
ways carried by the frame. The seat may be connected with the back of the
frame by an elastic spring which will assist in drawing it back after it has been
slidden forwards by the rider. At a suitable point in rear of the steering wheel
is placed a foot-board or its equivalent against which the rider sets his feet.
The machine is driven by lines straps or chains, which are connected to and take
a turn round suitable pulleys mounted loosely on opposite ends of the axle and
inside the driving wheels. These pulleys are fitted with a suitable silent pawl
arrangement which will lock therewith the driving wheels to drive and allow the
pulleys to run free at the end of the stroke, preparatory to the lines, straps or
chains being wound up again on the pulleys. This winding up motion will be
effected by the forward motion of of the seat which is connected by elastic springs
with smaller pulleys made fast to the driving pulleys.

page_text: The lines straps or chains pass on either side of the rider round guide pulleys
carried by the framing and are attached to a crossbar or handle so that the rider
by pulling on the bar or handle will pull the pulleys round and thus drive the
machine. In addition to the hand power the lines may be prolonged and attached
to a hinged back connected with the seat, or to shoulder harness so that the whole
weight of the riders body may if desired be used to drive the machine.
The steering is effected from the foot board by one foot of the rider, certain
portions of the footboard being arranged to rock on centres, such rocking being
caused by the forward and backward movement of the foot from the ankle.
The steering levers are connected to the movable parts of the footboard. In
some cases the toe portion of the foot board for the other foot may be attached to
an arm projecting from the steering fork. This will be found useful for steadying
the steering wheel. The driving pulleys may be mounted centrally or excentrically
on the axle, or cams or levers may be used if desired.
The brake which will be a trailing brake will be pivotted to the frame, and
will be worked by the foot of the rider, springs being employed to keep it out of
action.
Below the seat a guard plate may be arranged so as to preserve the dress when
the machine is to be used by ladies.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Marrett Taylor and George Wethered in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 7th September 1882.
JOHN MARRATT TAYLOR of Seer Green in the County of Bucks Clerk in Holy
Orders and GEORGE WETHERED of Maidenhead in the County of Berks.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS FOR WORKING VELOCIPEDES."
The object of this Invention is to apply the action of rowing to the working
of tricycles and similar machines in a more efficient manner than heretofore.
In carrying out our Invention with reference to a tricycle the steering wheel is
placed in front and it supports the front and lower end of an inclined rectangular
frame the rear end of which rests on the axle of the driving wheels.
The seat, which is situate between the wheels and in front of the axle, is arranged
to slide or roll (after the manner of the sliding seat in a boat) on suitable ways
carried by the frame.
In the accompanying drawings we have shown at Fig: 1 sheet I. a side elevation
of a tricycle constructed according to our Invention with the sliding seat in the
position preparatory to making a stroke. Fig: 2 sheet II. shows a similar view of
a tricycle with the position of the seat at the end of a stroke, and Fig. 3 sheet III.
is a plan view of the machine.
A is a rectangular frame the rear end of which is supported by the axle a of the
driving wheels B, the front end being supported by the steering wheel C.
D is the sliding seat which is provided with runners or rollers b to slide or roll
in ways c formed in or secured to the frame A. E is a foot board which is secured
to a fixed axle d carried by brackets e bolted to the underside of the frame A and
is further supported by stays f bolted to the front of the frame A.-The curved
bracket g which connects the front of the frame A with the fork of the steering
wheel c is forked near its rear end, the arms being prolonged to form additional
stays to the footboard and to support part of the steering gear and carry a trailing
brake as will be hereafter more fully explained.
Fare grooved snail cam pulleys one of which is mounted loosely on the hub of
each of the driving wheels B-These pulleys are fitted with a suitable silent pawl
arrangement which will lock them to the wheels when it is intended to make a
stroke Motion is communicated to the driving wheels B through these pulleys
by means of lines, straps or chains h which are attached to the pulleys.
The position of these pulleys at the beginning of a stroke is shown at Fig: 1
and that at the end of the stroke at Fig 2. The object in view in using pulleys
of the form shown is to obtain power at the beginning of the stroke when the
power of the rider is weakest and the resistance of the machine is greatest, and to
give speed as the riders power increases, but any other form of cam pulley or a
circular pulley may be employed if desired.
To return the pulleys F after a stroke to the position of Fig 1, we fix onto each
pulley Fa small circular grooved pulley round which we pass a cord or chain j
one end of which is secured to the pulley i the other end being attached by
preference to the sliding seat D The forward motion of the sliding seat unwinds
the cord or chain from the pulley i, the winding up of this pulley being effected
during the stroke by the unwinding of the pulley F.-In order to ensure that the
hauling lines and the cords ; shall be kept taut, and also to wind up the pulley i
should the rider not care to slide. We may attach each cord j to a spring drum
or an india rubber spring carried by or attached to the seat.
It is while the carriage is running with the momentum conveyed to it by the
last stroke (or as soon as the rider slides forward and relaxes the hauling lines)
that the driving pulleys F are reversed and the hauling lines rewound upon them.
The hauling lines h pass forward round guide pulleys G mounted on stud
axles G¹ carried by the front framing A, and are attached to a cross bar H which

page_text: is grasped by both hands of the rider, or to a pair of handles, one on either side, so
that by pulling on the bar or the handles the machine is driven. To assist in
carrying the seat D up the inclined ways the springs D¹ may be employed.
The machine will admit of being used with this arrangement alone and to those
desirous of exercising the arms only, as in boating, no addition to the motive
machinery is needed, but the lines should be connected to india-rubber springs
attached to the back of the machine, or to scroll arms or springs to keep the
hauling lines taut.
It is however proposed to relieve the arms and hands by transferring the heavier
part of the work to the shoulders and back of the rider, for which purpose the
hauling lines h are prolonged beyond the cross bar H and attached either to a
hinged or rocking back connected with the seat, or to shoulder harness. The points
of attachment to the rocking back should be at the height of the rider's shoulder,
and a little behind it, and the rocking back should project far enough laterally to
leave the shoulders free from hamper.
This prolonged portion of the hauling lines consists of a leather strap I which is
adjustable by means of a buckle to the length of the arm so that when the arms
are at full stretch this strap will relieve them from the strain of the driving.
The arms however in the act of stretching out are capable of exercising great
force which force is stored up by the aid of a pair of india-rubber springs
attached to each strap These springs are hooked onto hooks rivetted to the
When the
straps near the shoulders at one end, and near the hands at the other.
l
arms are stretched out the straps I are pulled taut and the springs are extended so
that they are at their full tension while the rider is driving with his back-―Then
as the arms shorten up at the end of the stroke to add to the momentum imparted
by the body work these springs act like an extra set of muscles and contribute
greatly to the effect of the arm force.-These springs also serve to keep the rocking
back against the riders back during the slide forward.
The rocking back consists of a pair of rods m hinged to the back of the seat D.
These rods are inserted into a pair of tubes m' which are connected at their upper
ends to a cross bar m³ to which is attached a back plate m³ and shoulder
plates m. The tubes m¹ at their lower ends bear against coiled springs mounted
on the rods m and these springs allow for the lengthening or shortening of the
back of the seat due to the changes in the rider's position while working. The
leather straps are attached to the ends of the cross bar m².
A modification in the arrangement of the rocking back is shown in Sheet IV of
the drawing; Fig: 1 being a side view of a seat with the back attached, Fig: 2 a
front view and Fig: 3 a plan view of the same.
In this form of back a steel strap n well padded is pivotted to the sides of the
Beat D as near as possible in line with the thigh joints. This arrangement causes
any differential motion between the riders back and the rocking back to be the
least possible.
"
To the back of the strap n and on opposite sides thereof are hinged a pair of
tubular rods n¹ which " telescope into tubes n forming the sides of the back
frame. A hole is formed at the bottom of each tube n² and a series of holes are
formed in the tubular rods n¹ to receive a pin. By this means the rider can set
the length of the rocking back approximately to that of his own back. The double
set of hinges gives flexibility enough to make this approximate adjustment perfect.
The upper ends of the tubes n³ are connected by a cross bar as in the former case,
which carries the padded back plate and shoulder plates against which the
shoulders press in driving the machine.
The seat is provided with an adjustable pommel n³ which with the back strap
keeps the body steady in sliding.
The steering is effected from the footboard E or its equivalent, certain portions
of which are fixed and others made to rock for that purpose. The rider steers
principally with the right foot. For this purpose a portion of the right hand end
of the foot board E is separate from the rest of the board, and is mounted and

page_text: rocks on the axle d, such rocking being caused by the forward and backward
movement of the foot from the ankle.
The toe portion of this rocking piece presses against one end of a rock lever o
which has its fulcrum at ot on the front bar of the frame A. The ends of this
rock lever o are connected by link rods o' to a pair of arms o³ projecting one on
either side from the steering wheel. An india rubber spring of maintains the
rocking foot board in contact with the lever o.
The steering is assisted and steadied by the action of the left foot on another
moveable portion of the foot board viz: that on which the toe of the left foot
presses.
This portion of the foot
action of which is steadied
turntable.
board is attached to the other end of the lever o, the
by the horizontal portions g¹ of the bracket g as on a
The right foot being able to steer right and left, the left foot may be removed
from the foot board, and set on the ground to control the machine when required,
or to back it, or it may be applied to the trailing brake.
When however the left foot is planted against the fixed footboard E and the toe
presses on the left end of the lever o, the steering is virtually locked and the amount
of steering by the toe of the right foot is always controlled by the seuse of feeling
of the left foot. The left arm of the lever o may also be provided with a curved
block o³ or metal stirrup, which will be found most useful to assist in going round
sharp curves to the right hand. Slight changes in the direction of steering to the
right hand may also if desired be effected with the utmost precision and steadiness
by the moveable portion of the left hand foot board. By these arrangements the
steering is so thoroughly subjected to the senses of feeling and sight as to give
complete security to the driver.
The lever o answers another very useful purpose. It strengthens the attachment
of the steering wheel to the front framing by means of the two links o in addition
to the curved bracket g which holds the head of the fork. We are thus enabled to
use a much larger steering wheel than is usual and the extra weight thrown on the
steering wheel by the forward slide of the rider becomes of little moment if that
wheel is large and well supported.
The brake K of this machine is a trailing brake which is pivoted at K' to the
prolonged ends of the curved bracket g, and is intended to be worked by the left
foot of the rider, an india-rubber spring K being used to keep it out of action.
Band or spoon brakes may however be employed instead of or in addition to the
trailing brake.
In the earlier part of this Specification reference is made to an inclined rectangular
frame which carries the sliding seat
By this arrangement of the frame the rider is enabled to slide forward by
gravitation instead of baving to pull himself forward with his toes; and he has
thus more perfect rest between the strokes and exercises no disturbing action on
the steering
The inclination of the frame must be sufficient to enable the rider to swing much
5 further back in making a stroke than is usual or desirable in boats. He should in
fact straighten his whole body and thus bringing into the rowing action that force
by which the gymnast raises from the ground a weight placed on either side of him
by the combined action of the legs, thighs, back, and arms.
The sliding seat as used in a boat is arranged so that the horizontal plane in
O which the seat works shall cut the upper part of the footboard or thereabout. In
our velocipede we arrange the slide ways to curve downwards below the horizontal
plane, as will be seen from the diagram fig 1ª.
This change, in addition to the inclined frame above mentioned is suggested by
the natural action of the gymnast's body in the exercise of the enormous force
5 above mentioned, from which we learn that a perfect sliding arrangement should
divide the work between the hip joints and the knees instead of leaving it to the
knees only. We accomplish this by the curve of our ways, and thus keep the

page_text: knees down and at an angle much more suitable for a full exercise of their force
than the boat slide admits of.
We may use straight line ways if we please instead of curved without losing this
advantage, provided we make them dip equally with the curved ways below the
plane above mentioned, but the curved ways are more easily made in one with
the side framing with due regard to elegance of form and strength and simplicity
of construction.
The result of these arrangements of the slide ways is that we get rid of muscular
effort between the strokes, and bring into the working of our machine the largest
amount of combined force of all the members from the toes to the shoulders which
they can produce and without exhaustive strain on the knees.
The seat D may be attached to the back of the frame by elastic springs D¹ or be
made to impinge upon springs which act from a state of compression and are fixed
at the front ends of the ways. These will assist the rider to drive back the seat
after it has been slidden forward.
We have shewn in diagram at fig: 2a sheet II a modification in the arrangement
of the seat. In this arrangement the seat is carried by a rocking arm 1 which
rocks on an axle 2, supported by brackets or their equivalent 3, bolted or otherwise
secured to the frame A, and steadied by stays 4.
The position of the axle 2 will be such that the seat as it swings shall
take about the same course as the sliding seat described with reference to the
other figures.
Having now set forth the nature of the said Invention of "Improvements in
means for working Velocipedes" and explained the manner of carrying the same
into effect, we claim :-
First In a velocipede provided with a sliding seat, mounting the sliding seat
on an inclined frame so that the forward slide may be effected by gravitation and
the body may swing well back at the end of a stroke without the need for muscular
nction in the recovery, substantially as herein shown and described and for the
purpose set forth.
Second A velocipede provided with a sliding or rocking seat, the line of motion
of which is at an angle to and below the horizontal plane cutting the top of the
footboard as herein described and shown more particularly in the diagram Fig: 1ª,
for the purpose set forth.
Third In a velocipede provided with a sliding seat the line of motion of which
is at an angle to and below the horizontal plane, arranging the frame by which
the sliding seat is carried at an inclination in addition to the angle of inclination
of the sliding seat substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth
Fourth-The combination in a rowing action velocipede of the hauling lines h, I,
with either a rocking back secured to the sliding or rocking seat or shoulder
harness substantially as herein shown and described for the purpose set forth.
Fifth The combination with the hauling lines h, I, and rocking back or
shoulder harness of the india-rubber springs 7 substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
Sixth—The arrangement of the steering gear substantially as herein shewn and
described.
Seventh A velocipede arranged constructed and operated substantially as herein
shown and described.
In witness whereof I the said John Marratt Taylor have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Sixth day of September in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
JOHN MARRATT TAYLOR (L.S.)