AN IMPROVEMENT IN OR APPLICABLE TO CERTAIN VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Augustus Lea Bricknell of Brixton in the county of
Surrey Civil Engineer for an Invention of AN IMPROVEMENT IN OR APPLICABLE
TO CERTAIN VELOCIPEDES
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Augustus Lea Bricknell at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th April 1883.
AUGUSTUS LEA BRICKNELL of Brixton in the county of Surrey Civil Engineor
"AN IMPROVEMENT IN OR APPLICABLE TO CERTAIN VELOCIPEDES
This invention has for its object another improvement of bicycles tricycles or
other velocipedes of the class for certain improvements on which I was granted
Letters Patent No 2613 of 1881. though it may be applied to other velocipedes
operating the driving wheel or wheels by pedal levers.
In the class of velocipede above mentioned a ratchet or other clutch is operated
by a strap or other flexible connector passing over a drum or pulley and connected
to the treadle lever. To alter the leverage the strap must be placed on another
part of the treadle lever by detaching and replacing it by hand or by the foot (in
some cases without dismounting) but requiring special and unstable devices for the
purpose, or by gearing operated by the rider's hands, of more or less costly or
cumbersome description and liable to get out of order.
Now I obviate all this by fixing the pedal on a short arm or lever jointed on the
main treadle lever end, the pivoted end of the treadle lever being placed either
forward or rearward of the saddle or seat as desired.
The short lever folds inward on the main treadle lever when driving normally
but when required to obtain greater power it can be kicked over by the toe or heel
and resting on the main treadle lever (or its further forward movement can be
arrested by a "rule-joint or similar device) forms an extension of it equivalent
to shifting the strap upon the treadle lever without the trouble, weight cost. friction
and necessity for attention more or less incurred by other less simple and effective
methods.
Or the pedal can be attached to a weighted or vertically spring-maintained rod
capable of being depressed in either direction or I may retain the pivoted pedal in
any desired position by a toothed segment and pawl or other device. Or I can
arrange the pedal to slide on the treadle lever

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Augustus Lea Bricknell in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
6th October 1883.
AUGUSTUS LEA BRICKNELL of Brixton in the County of Surrey Civil Engineer
"AN IMPROVEMENT IN OR APPLICABLE TO CERTAIN VELOCIPEDES
This invention has for its object another improvement of bicycles, tricycles or
other velocipedes of the class for certain improvements on which I was granted
Letters Patent N° 2613 of 1881 though it may be applied to other velocipedes
operating the driving wheel or wheels by pedal levers. In the class of velocipedes
above mentioned a ratchet or other clutch is operated by a strap or other flexible
connector passing over a drum or pulley and connected to the treadle lever.
To alter the leverage the strap must be placed on another part of the treadle
lever by detaching and replacing it by hand or by the foot (in some cases without
dismounting) but requiring special and unstable devices for the purpose, or by
gearing operated by the riders hands of more or less costly or cumbersome description
and liable to get out of order.
Now I obviate all this by fixing the pedal on a short arm or lever jointed on the
main treadle lever end, the pivoted end of the treadle lever being placed either
forward or rearward of the saddle or seat as desired.
"
The short lever folds in ward on the main treadle lever when driving normally
but when required to obtain greater power it can be kicked over by the toe or heel
and resting on the main treadle lever (or its further forward motion can bo
arrested by a rule-joint" or similar device) forms an extension of it equivalent
to shifting the strap upon the treadle lever without the trouble, weight, cost, friction
and necessity for attention more or less incurred by other less simple and effectivo
methods.
Or the pedal can be attached to a weighted or vertically spring-maintained rod
capable of being depressed in either direction or I may retain the pivoted pedal in
any desired position by a toothed segment and pawl or other device.
And in order that my invention may be understood and carried into practical
effect I have caused to be annexed to this Specification the accompanying sheet of
Drawings and to the figures and letters of reference marked thereon I now refer.
Figure 1 shews side elevation of a treadle as may be used in my well known
"Merlin" tricycle N° 2613 of 1881 or which may be applied to that class of tricycle
patented N° 4790 of 1882 by George Wells Quatremaine.
Figure 2 shews a section of the same.
In the Drawing the treadle lever A is formed of hollow tube, having a pivot
bracket B brazed into it or otherwise secured. The front end of the tube carries a
similar bracket C brazed to it or otherwise secured. This bracket is forked and
carries the pedal arm D by means of a pin E passing through it and through the
pedal arm D. The arm D carries a lug or projection F which abuts on C like a
rule joint. I find it advantageous to place a split ring washer on the spindle of the
pin carrying the pedal arm to prevent the same working too loosely.
13
The dotted lines show the pedal in the position for " power or as before
mentioned it may be maintained in various positions by the aid of a segment, or
pawl or such like device.
The flexible connector may be attached to the treadle lover in any desired
manner preferably by a saddle and rocking nut as shewn.
The principle may be also applied to that class of lever velocipedes having
Oscillating treadles driving the wheels by connecting rods and cranks or to the

page_text: "Omnicyle" or velocipedes of such description. It will be found that though the
alteration of speed to power will necessarily involve a slight change in the position
of the rider's foot still such change is a great relief on a long journey.
Having now described my Invention and the best methods known to me of
performing the same I would have it understood that what I claim as my said
Invention is:—
In velocipedes driven by or through oscillating levers, the pivoting or hinging of
the pedal to the end of the treadle lever so that it can be made to assume different
positions for "power" or speed substantially as described.
In witness whereof I the said Augustus Lea Bricknell have hereunto set my
hand and seal this fifth day of October in the Year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and eighty three.
Witness
E GARDNER COLTON Assoc. Soc. T E.
Patent Agent
Victoria Chambers
Chancery Lane W C.
AL BRICKNELL (L.S.)