An Improved Monocycle.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 18th May, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 18th Feb., 1890-Accepted, 29th Mar., 1890
An Improved Monocycle.
I SALATHIEL MEAL of Foxley in the county of Norfolk Builder do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my.invention is to produce a very speedy quite safe and extremely
efficient monocycle.
To carry out this object I form a wheel in the following manner.
The tyre and felloe of the wheel can be constructed and fitted in any usual and
convenient manner and are made of any desired size it may be so that the wheel
shall be seven or even ten or more feet in diameter. The hub of this wheel consists of
two rings which are connected together by a number of cross bars in such wise that
these rings are parallel with each other and are the desired distance apart and the
spokes of the wheel connect the outer peripheries of these rings with the inner
periphery of the felloe in the usual alternate or other manner being secured thereto
at their ends in any ordinary or convenient manner. Inside these rings that form
the hub of the wheel and concentric therewith are fitted two other rings which also
are connected together by cross bars in a similar manner at about the same distance
apart and in and between or on these two inner rings are mounted a desired number
of pairs of rollers or small wheels with flanges which can travel on the inner
peripheries of the two outer rings and thus the double inner ring can revolve in the
double outer ring that forms the hub of the wheel or vice versa. travelling very easily
on the rollers or wheels and being kept in their proper positions in respect of each
other by the flanges on these rollers or wheels.
On the double inner ring is mounted a saddle which can conveniently be a double
saddle near which is also erected on the ring a cross bar which can serve as an handle
and depending from the ring on both sides are suitable foot-rests and obviously it is
most convenient that one or more pairs of the rollers or wheels shall be immediately
below this saddle. The rider is seated on this saddle when the wheel is upright for
which cause it is obvious that the double inner ring that carries the saddle and
therefore also the double outer ring that forms the hub of the wheel and on or in
which the inner ring travels must be of such diameters that the rider can conveniently
so sit on the saddle. On the double inner ring also near the saddle can be fitted any
convenient luggage carriers or holders or valises or other similar appliances and also
on this ring in the proper positions on one or both sides can be fitted any suitable
holder or suspender for a lamp. On the cross bar preferably on each side is mounted
a spring handle or lever which through and by any suitable arrangements can
actuate a brake which may act either on the rollers or wheels or on the surfaces of
the ring that forms the hub of the wheel. When desired also to render the same
more easy and noiseless the rollers or wheels may be faced with india rubber or other
suitable material.
The rider as aforesaid is seated on the saddle and his feet can be supported
in and by the foot-rests. This monocycle can then be made to progress and
move forward by causing the wheel to revolve and the double outer ring that forms
the hub thereof to travel round the double inner ring that carries the saddle which is
effected by, the rider's hand or hands clasping the double outer ring or sbort studs
projecting therefrom or other parts of the wheel in front of him and drawing
the same towards himself and the steering is effected by putting a pressure on one
of the foot-rests or on one side of the handle or otherwise causing the wheel to be
inclined over to one side whereby the path of the monocycle is curved round towards
the same side while when the wheel is vertical this path is straight.
בזי
171
C
1000

page_text: An Improved Monocycle.
I SALATHIEL MEAL of Foxley in the county of Norfolk Builder 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:
The object of this my invention is to produce and provide. for use a very speedy
quite safe and extremely efficient monocycle.
In order the more clearly to explain this my invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed I refer to the accompanying drawing wherein Figure 1
is a side elevation of my monocycle and Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section of
the same.
The tyre A and the felloe B of the wheel of this monocycle can be constructed and
fitted in any usual and convenient manner and are made of any desired or necessary
size it may be so that this wheel shall be seven feet or even ten feet or more in diameter.
The hub of this wheel is annular and for the sake of combining strength with
lightness consists of preferably two rings of the required and necessary diameter as
is hereinafter explained which rings are rigidly connected together by a number
of peripheral cross or distance bars D in such wise that they are parallel with each
other and are the desired distance apart as also is hereinafter explained. The spokes
of this wheel connect the outer periphery of the annular hub C with the inner periphery
of the felloe B in the usual alternate or other manner being secured or attached or
connected thereto at their ends by any ordinary or convenient methods and thus this
wheel is rendered and created a rigid structure.
Inside the annular hub C of this wheel and concentric therewith is fitted and
arranged a ring F which also for the sake of combining strength with lightness
consists of preferably two rings which also are rigidly connected together by a
number of peripheral cross or distance bars G in a similar manner at about the same
distance apart and in or on this inner ring I preferably are or can be mounted any
desired number of rollers or small wheels H which are arranged in pairs when as
aforesaid there are two rings and are preferably provided with flanges which rollers H
can engage and bear on and against the inner periphery of the annular hub Cor
vice versa that is to say these rollers may be mounted in or on the annular hub and
engage and bear on and against the outer periphery of the inner ring but the former
arrangement is I consider the best and most convenient. Thus in and by and
according to this construction and arrangement of the wheel as hereinbefore described
the inner ring F can revolve in the annular hub C or vice versa that is to say the
annular hub C and therefore the wheel itself can revolve on and round the inner
ring F travelling very easily on the rollers H and being kept in their proper
positions in respect of each other by the flanges on these rollers H.
On the inner ring F is mounted in any usual and convenient manner and by and on
any suitable appliances and devices a saddle K which can very conveniently be a
double saddle as is shewn in the drawing near which saddle K is also crected on the
inner ring F a cross bar L in the proper position for use as an handle and secured
to and depending from the inner ring on both sides are also suitable brackets M in
the proper positions for use as rests or stirrups for the feet and it is most convenient
and most conducive to the aforesaid desired very easy travelling of the one ring in or
on and round the other ring that one or more similarly constructed but preferably
somewhat larger rollers or small wheels N shall when the rollers H herein before
described are mounted in or on the inner ring F be also mounted in a similar manner
in or on the inner ring F immediately below the saddle K as is shewn in the
drawing.
The rider is to be seated on the saddle K when the wheel is upright for which cause
it is obvious that the saddle ring F and therefore also the annular hub C of the wheel

page_text: must always be at the least of such diameters that the rider can comfortably and con-
veniently so sit on the saddle. It is obvious also that within reasonable limits the
broader the annular hub C is or that is to say according to the construction shewn in
the drawing the farther apart the rings composing the same are the stronger and
more rigid is the wheel but as the saddle ring F has to be about the same breadth
or that is to say according to the construction shewn in the drawing the rings com-
posing the same have to be about the same distance apart and as the rider has to be
seated on the saddle K the ring F supporting the same as also the annular hub C
are preferably so broad or the rings composing the same are proferably at such
distances apart that the rider can comfortably and conveniently so sit on the saddle.
On the saddle ring F also can be mounted any convenient luggage carriers P or
valises or other similar appliances and also on this saddle ring F in the proper positions
on one or both sides can be fitted any suitable brackets Q or holders or suspenders for
lamps. On and to the handle L preferably as is shewn in the drawing on each sido
can be fitted a spring rod R. or a lever which through and by any suitable arrange-
ments and appliances can act as or can actuate a brake which may engage and act on
either the annular hub C of the wheel as is shewn in Figure 2 or the rollers N. Studs S
can most conveniently be fitted on the outer sides of the annular hub C of the wheel
and preferably there are two of such studs S on each side of the annular hub C
arranged alternately and diametrically. A back rost T can also be provided for and
with the saddle K when desired at one or both ends.
This monocycle constructed and fitted as hereinhefore described can be used and
ridden in the following manner.
The rider as is aforesaid is seated on the saddle K and his feet can be supported in
and by the stirrups M. The monocycle can then be made to progress and move
forward by causing the wheel to revolve and the annular hub thereof to travel on and
round the saddle ring F and this can be effected by the rider's hand or hands grasping
the annular hub or other parts of the wheel or as is most convenient the studs S in
front of him and drawing the same downwards and towards himself while the steering
of the monocycle can be effected by putting a pressure on one of the stirrups M. or on
one side of the handle L or otherwise causing the wheel to be inclined over to one
side whereby the path of the monocycle is curved round towards the same side but
when the wheel is vertical this path is straight.
When desired to render the same more easy and noiseless the rollers and the inner
periphery of the annular hub of the wheel or the outer periphery of the saddle ring or
either of them may be faced with india rubber or other suitable material. Again
when desired to prevent any possible wearing away of the annular hub of the wheel
or of the saddle ring one or more thin and small rings of some suitable very hard
material can be inserted therein or can be applied thereto on which the rollers can
travel and which can be renewed when necessary.
I have thus described and I have shewn in the accompanying drawing what I con-
sider to be the best and most efficient for it is the strongest and lightest method of
constructing this monocycle and the several parts thereof more especially the annular
hub and the saddle ring but I would have it clearly understood and indeed it is
obvious that do in no wise limit myself exactly thereto for more especially the
annular hub of the wheel may be fashioned and constructed of such a style and shape
in cross section as may be expedient or desirable in each particular case and in each
and every case the saddle ring may be constructed in accordance with and similarly to
the annular hub or otherwise as may be convenient and the rollers interposed between
the annular hub and the saddle ring can be constructed and fitted and arranged as
may be suitable or necessary to allow them properly to perform their functions as
hereinbefore described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is
1. The monocycle consisting of a wheel with an annular hub within which is
mounted a ring to carry the rider substantially as herein described and set forth.

page_text: 2. In a monocycle a tyre A a felloe B hub rings with distance bars D and
spokes E between the rings C and the felloe B in combination with saddle rings F
with distance bars G rollers H and N interposed between the rings and F and a
saddle K mounted on the rings F substantially as herein before described.
3. In a monocycle a wheel with an annular hub C having studs S in combina-
tion with a saddle ring F provided with a saddle K an handle L with brakes R
and stirrups M and rollers H and N interposed between the hub C and the ring F
substantially as herein before described.
4. The monocycle substantially as hereinbefore described and shown in. the
accompanying drawing.
Dated this 18th of February 1890
HART & Co.