IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES AND OTHER WHEELED VEHICLES, PART OF WHICH INVENTION IS APPLICABLE TO AXLE AND OTHER BEARINGS To Reduce FRICTION
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Henry Seymour Hawker, of Dalston, in the
County of Middlesex, Thomas Puutis, of Upton Park, in the County of Essex,
and Charles John Boyce, of Wandsworth, in the County of Surrey, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES AND OTHER WHEELED VEHICLES,
PART OF WHICH INVENTION IS APPLICABLE TO AXLE AND OTHER BEARINGS
To Reduce FRICTION”
Sealed the 23rd December 1879, and dated the 9th October 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Henry Seymour
Hawker, Thomas Puntis, and Charles John Boyce at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 9th October 1879.
THOMAS HENRY SEYMOUR HAWKER, of Dalston, in the County of Middlesex,
THOMAS PUNTIS, of Upton Park, in the County of Essex, and CHARLES JOHN
BOYCE, of Wandsworth, in the County of Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES
AND OTHER WHEELED VEHICLES, PART OF WHICH INVENTION IS APPLICABLE TO
AXLE AND OTHER BEARINGS TO REDUCE FRICTION."
This Invention relates to several improvements in the arrangement, construction,
and propulsion of velocipedes, such as bicycles, tricycles, and other wheeled vehicles,
part of such improvements being applicable to axle and other bearings to reduce
friction, which improvements we will now proceed to describe.
Our improvements in apparatus for the reduction of friction and wear at the
points of contact between mechanical parts and surfaces moving at unequal velocities
or in different directions afford the following advantages:-
No lubrication is necessary, there being rolling contact at all parts which sustain
weight. The working parts traverse their courses or orbits slower than the
opposed surfaces, hence the wear is minimised at all parts, and the friction is reduced
to the smallest amount. Being practically self adjusting, any slight loss by wear
can be easily compensated for by adjustment. Leverage aids the motive surface to
overcome any slight friction. All side shake, or lateral displacement is prevented.
The bearings are grit and dust proof. The dragging contact as in other arrange-
ments is here replaced by rolling or frictionless contact.
This apparatus is of such general utility in mechanism generally, that it may in
various modifications be advantageously applied to the axles of all rotating or
oscillating parts, the fixings of curved plate springs, the guides of engines, and
Price 717

page_text: especially to the axles of bicycles and other vehicles propelled by muscular
exertion.
Our improved apparatus for reducing friction consists of several parts combined,
the principal of which are:-The bearing case or fixed body or support, the
construction and arrangement of rollers which form the rotating and traversing
supports, and the moving and rotating body whose friction on or in the fixed centre
or support it is necessary to reduce.
A description of the bearing as applied to prevent the friction at the axle of a
bicycle or other wheel will suffice to illustrate the general principles of this part of
our Invention.
The rollers employed for this purpose (and for all purposes where the friction is
the result of the rotation or oscillation of a body about its figural axis) are of two
different forms and sizes; the larger of these rollers are of a reel-like form in section,
somewhat like the letter H, and thus possess a lesser and greater diameter, each of
which is coned or bevelled. These lesser diameters are coned at an angle to
correspond with the hollow cone of a projecting ridge or flange which runs round
the interior sides of the bearing case. The larger diameters support the spindle or
rotating shaft. In the ordinary ball or roller bearings much power is wasted by
the balls or rollers grinding together, or against the stationary (not axially revolving)
partitions by which they are separated. Therefore, to obviate this defect, we insert
a series of small cylinders between the rollers, thus effectually insulating or keeping
them apart by a rotating partition whose surface keeps pace with the revolving
movement of their surfaces. The extremities of these cylinders are coned or bevelled
and run in slots in the interior of the case.
This arrangement produces an almost frictionless rolling contact at all parts except
where the bevelled surfaces of the small cylinders rest on the edges of the slots.
But as there is no weight to support at these points, the friction is almost nil.
This system or arrangement of rollers has two principal motions, for not only
are the rollers individually rotated on their own axes by the rotation of the spindle
or shaft which they support, but also they possess collectively a progressive motion
along their orbit in the case in a direction similar to the axial rotation of the
spindle. The larger rollers may thus be considered as rolling along the hollow
coned ridge of the flange on their smaller diameters. Their progression and
rotation is caused by the rotating spindle applying its force to their larger diameters.
Now as the friction, if there be any, must be centered at the surface of the smaller
diameter, it is evident that on the wheel and axle principle that there must be an
increase of power in overcoming it, and a corresponding decrease of speed, bringing
with it the attendant advantages of diminished friction and wear.
In order to give facilities for adjustment, and to enable compensation to be made
for wear, we form the outer cap in two parts, the edges of which form one of the
lateral slots in which the cone ended cylinders rotate and traverse, guided by the
motion of the larger rollers.
We render the bearing dust and grit proof, and at the same time prevent lateral
displacement by the coned rings whith screw on the spindle, and which the greater
diameters of the rollers are bevelled to fit. Any adjustment of the cylinders
necessitated by wear can be effected by screwing the outer cups further into the case,
while the rollers can be similarly tightened by more or less screwing the coned rings
on the spindle.
As in the majority of cases a difficulty would be experienced in having a thread
cut on the axles to suit these coned rings, each bearing is fitted with a steel tube,
which possessing the proper size and thread of screw to suit the coned rings can be
easily fitted to any ordinary spindle.
Another part of our improvements relates to the arrangement and construction of
the hubs and spokes of velocipede wheels, by which the tension of each spoke
can be regulated by turning a single nut, thus obtaining the following advantages,
viz.,―
All the spokes can be loosened or tightened simultaneously. Each spoke can be

page_text: regulated to tension separately. The wheel can be put in truth in a few seconds
by any amateur with a simple spanner. The spokes being partially tangential, the
tension of the wheel can be adjusted at will.
"
The extreme tension which can be applied to the felloe renders the wheel
5 perfectly rigid. In case of breakage or injury the screwed ends of the spokes can
easily be removed and fresh spokes inserted. The tension equally effects each hub,
and therefore the wheel cannot "buckle or twist when increasing the tension.
This arrangement consists of a metal spindle or shaft having two lateral flanges
or hubs, one of which is fixed thereto, while the other is fitted to a metallic tube
and is capable of rotation about the spindle as an axis. A series of recesses are
bored in the flanges near their outer edges, and in these fit a like number of small
cylinders, one end of each of which is hammered to a head, and the other transversely
bored and tapped to receive the screwed ends of the spokes. Two or more short
radial arms project from the shaft of the spindle at right angles to its surface directly
subtending, a similar number of radials projecting from the tube which carries the
movable flange. These radials are connected in pairs (one from each flange) by a
screw bolt and nut or other arrangement by which their distance apart and tension
can be regulated. The radials belonging respectively to the two flanges are moved
apart till separated by an angle of about 30°, when the spokes previously attached
to the rim or felloe are inserted in those cylinders to which they are directly opposed.
After a gentle tension has been communicated separately to each spoke by the
ordinary method of screwing round its own axis the arrangement for tightening the
radials is inserted, and the radials thereby braced towards each other. The tension
of each spoke is thus simultaneously increased, but as the twist exerted upon the
felloe by each flange is in different directions to the other, the rim is merely brought
to a high state of tension, which makes it very inflexible, and is not twisted as
might otherwise happen. An equal strain is exerted on each hub and on each
spoke of those hubs, the wheel is thereforo kept perfectly straight and in "truth."
If however an accidental shock should bend the felloe and strain the spokes, throwing
the wheel still out of truth, it can easily be re-trued in a few seconds. The radials
are relaxed and the tension of the spokes equalized by separate treatment. When
the tension is again applied the wheel will resume its straightness.
Another part of our improvements relates to the arrangement and construction
of the felloe and tyre of velocipedes so as to render the spokes detachable without
removing the rubber tyre, and thus enabling any damaged or broken part to be
easily replaced by an eyelet arrangement in the felloe. Our improved felloe is
formed of a plate of steel rolled so as to form a groove around its outer circumference.
It possesses the great advantages that it offers the greatest possible resistance with
the least and simplest arrangement of metal, and while very rigid as a whole it
gives an elasticity and springiness to the felloe, which greatly reduces the oscillations
caused by uneven roads. In order to give the wheel a better "foothold" on
slippery or loose tracks we construct the rubber with two parallel ribs or divisions
bound together at the part within the felloe. This arrangement spreads apart when
subjected to the pressure of the machine, and takes a firm grip of the ground. It
however closes together on leaving the ground, and only occupies the same space as
an ordinary rubber. To prevent the accumulation of dirt and grit in the division
of this rubber tyre, we attach a blunt tooth or peg to a splash-guard in the front of
the bead of the machine; this arrests and extracts the collected matter as the wheel
revolves.
Another part of our improvements relates to the arrangement and construction
of an automatically adjusting rake for bicycles; this improvement affords the
following advantages:-
On mounting on the step the rake is increased, thus rendering the saddle easier
of access. The sliding into the saddle is aided by the simultaneous decrease of rake.
In riding down hill the natural inclination to lean back increases the rake. and thus
adds to the safety of the deseent. All jolting up and "riching" of the back or

page_text: trailing wheel is prevented, as also the oscillations caused by a rough road. It can
easily be adjusted, and is not liable to get out of order.
The straight part of the back-bone near the hind wheel is made cylindrical, hollow,
and smoothly bored inside. In this slides a smooth cylinder to which the back
fork and wheel is attached. The top of the sliding cylinder rests on a spring
formed of a series of india rubber pads with metal discs between them. It will be
seen that any increase of the weight resting on the back wheel causes the inner
sliding cylinder to penetrate further into the hollow of the back-bone, and by thus
shortening it increase the rake. A suitable arrangement prevents the slide from
slipping quite out of the tube. The sliding cylinder, as previously described, is
hollowed and receives the shaft of the hind fork as a pivot within it. The trailing
wheel is thus enabled to turn in unison with the driving wheel, which it does
automatically. To give the pivot arrangement greater ease of action, and to
diminish the friction, hollow coned ridges are turned in the sides of the pivot center,
and are subtended by corresponding hollow coned ridges (in this case adjustable)
on the interior of the sliding cylinder. These adjustable ridges are removed, and a
number of hardened steel spheres are inserted, the adjustable parts being then
screwed tightly down upon them. The pivot is thus free to rotate, while prevented
from moving longitudinally. A similar arrangement of ball bearings can be used
for the steerage at the head of the machine.
By this improved arrangement the back or trailing wheel no longer "hops" or
ricochets round when turning sharply, but automatically follows in the track of its
predecessor; much sharper curves may therefore be safely turned.
Another part of our improvements relates to the application of a volute shaped
spring support to the saddles of bicycles, for the purpose of giving greater case and
elasticity to the spring which supports the saddle. Wo use the following device:-
One ond of the usual "bow" spring is firmly fixed (by a screw and nut) to the
back-bone, the other end opens out into two prongs, which encircle the ends of
a rod attached to the central extremity of a strong spring consisting of a steel
plate rolled into a loose volute. The outer terminal of the volute is fixed to the
back-bone.
Another part of our improvements relates to the arrangement and application of
an adjustable step to bicycles.
In order to obtain the advantage to be derived from an adjustable step we
employ the following arrangement :-
Å serrated band is attached to the near side of the lower part of the backbone;
over this and round the cylindrical part of backbone slides a ring or collar
which carries the hinged step. At the hinge is a small tooth or stop which,
catching in the serrated plate, holds the step in any position to which it is moved.
Another part of our improvements relates to the application of improved speed
gear to bicycles. This apparatus, while allowing a great speed to be obtained,
enables either a much higher machine to be ridden than otherwise possible or a
much smaller; in the latter case, having the advantages of equal speed with a large
machine, greater safety, greater safe step, and extreme lightness.
This apparatus consists of a wheel or drum keyed on the spindle and having|
transverse grooves or recesses on its periphery. A larger wheel, having a
mechanically fixed india rubber tyre, is so situated (rotating on a fixed spindle
projecting from the fork) that its tyre is pressed into the grooves in the smaller
wheel. The crank is keyed on to the larger wheel, and on rotating the latter the
driving wheel is rotated at a speed proportionate to the difference between their
diameters. In small machines the spindle of the large wheel is attached to an
extension of the fork below the axle of the driving wheel. In the large machines a
gravitating pedal or "stirrup" is used to translate the motion lower down.
According to another part of our improvements we construct bicycles suitable
for ladies' use. A light and strong machine, suitable for ladies or elderly gentlemen,
is constructed in the following manner :-
The driving wheel runs on a fixed spindle which terminates close beside the

page_text: wheel in a socket steering centre, at which it is pivoted to the frame. This
consists of a curved steel tube supporting the soat (which is at the side of the
machine) and terminating in a pivot or centre, in which the trailing wheel,
relatively in the same position as in au ordinary bicycle, is free to oscillate. A
couple of standards projecting from the frame carry the bearings, in which rotate
the pedals (both on the same piece); the shaft of the pedals carries a wheel having
a tyre similar to that of the speed gear, and a grooved wheel to correspond is
keyed on the boss of the driving wheel hub. The machine is simply mounted by
walking at its side till momentum is attained, and then sitting down on the seat
and working the pedals. A rod fitted with a suitable handle projects from the
driving wheel, by which the machine is steered.
According to another part of our improvements we apply air compressing
apparatus to velocipedes, in order to store up power lost on the treadles in
descending hills, to be used to assist the rider in ascending hills or on any part of
his journey; also for storing up power upon ordinary roads, to be used for pro-
pulsion upon such roads or at the will of the rider.
For this purpose an air chamber, which may form the frame of a velocipede, of
best iron, steel, or other metal tube, about one inch internal diameter, proved to a
pressure of, say, 500 pounds to the square inch, or other required pressure, is
employed. Or the air chamber may be placed under the seat of the velocipede.
An air pump of simple construction, such as is used for charging air guns, about
3/4 of an inch internal diameter, 10 inch stroke, bored true and accurately, fitted
with a solid piston and valve kept in position by a spring, is combined with the
velocipede. The air pump may be screwed into tee piece in air chamber, and tho
piston fitted with rod and connecting rod to be worked by right hand treadle crank
of machine.
As it is necessary that the piston should go to the bottom or nearly to the
bottom of the pump at each stroke, the connecting rod may be in halves, one
screwed right and the other left handed, and fitted with a sleave for easily
lengthening or shortening the rod so as to make up for wear in the joints and
brasses.
A double acting engine of simple construction, with cylinder about 2%, inch
diameter, 5 inch stroke piston, connecting rods, slide valve, and eccentric, may be
mounted on the end of velocipede crank. Both air pump and engine are securely
fastened to the frame in such manner that the design of the velocipede will admit
of, and both engine and pump are provided with guide rods to keep pistons parallel
with cylinders. A small pipe with tap connects the cylinder of engine with the
air chamber, and a small safety valve may also be applied thereto.
At each round of the wheels the pump forces its contents of air into the chamber,
and whenever the rider finds this too hard work (owing to the resistance of the air
under great pressure), as well as to propel the velocipede, he will only have to open
the cylinder tap, little or much, and allow the air to escape through the cylinder,
doing work, not to waste. When riding down hills, and even on good level roads,
he can by closing the cylinder tap store up a considerable amount of power to be
used at will through the engine.
The compressed air will always give back the amount of power expended in
compressing it (less a small percentage for friction of the simple machinery
employed); he can use the auxiliary power when required, and either by degrees
or rapidly. The mode of application may be considerably varied.
Another part of our Invention relates to improvements in the construction of
accelerating apparatus applied to bicycles, of the character described in the Speci-
fication of Letters Patent granted to Josiah Puntis and Thomas Puntis, dated
15th February 1879, No. 621.
For this purpose we attach or connect the revolving weights to bent metal or
other springs, so as to govern and regulate the momentum of such weight when in
action.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Henry Seymour Hawker, Thomas Puntis, and Charles John
Boyce in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th April 1880.
THOMAS HENRY SEYMOUR HAWKER, of Dalston, in the County of Middlesex,
THOMAS PUNTIS, of Upton Park, in the County of Essex, and CHARLES JOHN BOYCE,
of Wandsworth, in the County of Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES AND
OTHER WHEELED VEHICLES, PART OF WHICH INVENTION IS APPLICABLE TO AXLE
AND OTHER BEARINGS TO REDUCE FRICTION."
The
This Invention relates to improvements in velocipedes and wheeled vehicles, part
of which Invention is applicable to axle and other bearings to reduce friction, and,
firstly, to apparatus for the reduction of friction and wear at the points of contact
between mechanical parts and surfaces moving at unequal velocities or in different
directions. This part of our Invention as applied to axles is illustrated at Figs. 1,
2, 3, & 4 of the accompanying Drawings, reference being had to the letters and
figures marked thereon, and in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an axle bearing
designed for use on a bicycle; Fig. 2, a sectional elevation thereof at the centre line,
and Fig. 3 is a front or face view with the front plate or cap removed, and showing
the interior of the bearing. Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation at the centre line of a
modification designed for use where the bearing revolves round the axle, as with
the hind wheel of a bicycle. A (Figs. 1, 2, & 3) is the axle. The weight of and on
this is taken by rollers B. These rollers have each two diameters, that is, are
shaped somewhat like a reel, as seen best at at Fig. 2, the inner part or that of lesser
diameter being by preference double coned, as shewn. The axle A rests on the
greater diameters of these rollers, whilst the lesser diameters rest on a circular ridge
O projecting from the bearing case F. The rollers B do not touch one another at
their circumferences, but are separated by smaller rollers D which exactly fit into
the spaces between rollers B on their line of orbit. The ends of rollers D travel in
annular grooves E formed in the front and back plates of the bearing case.
action is as follows:-The revolution of shaft A causes rollers B in contact there-
with to revolve on their axis, which they do by rolling in their orbit along or around
the ridge C which supports them at their lesser diameters. Rollers B are all of one
diameter, and rollers D are also all of one diameter. Rollers B are therefore
separated, and all rubbing contact between their oppose surfaces avoided by axially
rotating partitions (rollers D), the surface motion of which is always at the same
rate and in the same direction as the surface in contact with it. A perfectly com-
plimentary rolling motion is thus established between all the working parts, and
friction thus reduced to a minimum. The only rubbing action that can occur may
take place between the ends of rollers D and the annular grooves in which they
travel, but as rollers D bear no weight the friction here can be only nominal. I
provide for adjustment or wear (if any) ridge C is made of two parts with a space
between, one of which parts c can be screwed up towards the other part. This
action presses rollers B forward, and therefore up the inclined surface of C, raising
the roller to the surface of the axle, the moveable part c at the same time main-
taining its bearing against the roller. The bearing described is also dust and grit
proof by reason of a space left at the lower part between the working parts and the
casing, into which any dust or grit that may enter into the shell of the bearing falls.
The front or face plate G of the bearing case is made in two parts G and g, the
space between the two forming one of the annular channels in which rollers D
work. H is a lug with two screw holes to enable the bearing to be fixed to the
fork of the bicycle.
A similar bearing to this will be found applicable to oscillating shafts, as well as
to ordinary machinery axle bearings. In applying the principle to straight rubbing
surfaces, as to the guides of a steam engine cylinder, the rollers B and D would

page_text: travel backwards and forwards, and should be kept in close contact by suitable
spring or weight combination applied at the end of their series.
In Fig. 4 there is a slight modification of parts, the bearing revolving around the
spindle. In this case the greater diameter of rollers B is bevelled as well as the
lesser, and they bear against corresponding bevelled surfaces within the case of the
bearing, which surfaces communicate the weight to rollers B, one of such surfaces I
being screwed in, and so enabling adjustment of rollers B to be effected against the
bearing surfaces. Ridge C is in this case screwed onto the spindle; J is a lock
nut; K, a plate to keep out dust.
Another part of our Invention relates to the hubs and spokes of bicycles wheels,
and is illustrated at Figs. 5, 6, & 7 of the accompanying Drawings, Fig. 5 being a
side elevation partly in section of the hubs and spindle of a bicycle wheel, and
shewing the hub attachment of the spokes; Fig. 6 is a front or face view. The
object of the Invention is to enable any desired tension to be put on all the spokes
readily and simultaneously without interfering with the arrangement to individually
tense the spokes before or after the simultaneous tensing. A (Figs. 5 & 6) is the
axle of the wheel; B, B', the hubs into pins C in which the spokes are screwed.
One hub B is fixed to the spindle, and the other B' to a metallic tube D, and so
capable of rotation about the spindle as an axis. Two or more radial arms E
project from the spindle A immediately subtending, a like number of similar arms F
projecting from tube D. These arms are connected in pairs (one from each hub)
by a screw bolt and nut G or other contrivance by which their distance apart
and tension can be regulated. Thereby forcing these apart, as seen at Fig. 6, 'any
desired tension may be put on the spokes, and the two hubs and the wheel remain
firmly bound together as a whole. Fig. 7 is another method of accomplishing the
same object. In this case the simultaneous tension is put on by forcing the hubs
apart. In this case also one hub B is fixed to the axle A, and one B¹ to a tube D;
but the tube is keyed onto the axle so that it may slide thereon but not turn. The
axle has also cut upon it a screw thread H. A nut I enables tube D to be forced
outwards any required distance, thus putting a simultaneous tension on all the
spokes; J is a lock nut.
Another part of our Invention renders the rake of bicycles automatically
adjusting, and also renders the rear wheel wheel castor-like, or capable of following
the direction of the front wheel, and turning with same when round curves instead
of, as it were, hopping round, as is the case with ordinary bicycles. This part of
our Invention is illustrated at Fig. 8 of the accompanying Drawings. The straight
part of the back bone A of the velocipede is bored out concentrically true, and the
fork B of the rear wheel is turned to fit this truly, but does not reach up to the top
of the bore, between which and it a spring composed of a series of indiarubber
dises with metal plates between them is placed. From this it will be seen that any
increase of weight resting on the back wheel will cause the vertical part B to pene-
trate further into the hollow of the back bone A piston wise, and by thus shortening
the back bone increase the rake; the weight being removed the spring recovers
itself, and the backbone and the rake resume their normal conditions. This enables
the bicycle to be more easily mounted. Tail fork B being free to oscillate in back
bone A naturally follows the leading wheel castor-like. The tail fork is prevented
from falling out by pin C taking into slot D.
Another part of our Invention relates to an adjustable step for bicycles, see Fig. 9
of the accompanying Drawings. A serrated band A is attached to the near side of
the lower part of the backbone B. Over this and round the backbone slides a ring
or collar C which carries the binged step D. At the hinge is a small tooth or stop
E which catches into the serrated plate, and holds the step in any position into
which it is moved.
Another part of our Invention relates to an improved speed excellator for
bicycles. Weights have for this purpose been hereto for attached to the driving
wheels of bicycles by radial arms. This method has the two objections of pro-
ducing great strain on such arms, and of giving much weight to be overcome in

page_text: Thus
starting the bicycle. To obviate these defects by placing the weights A (see Fig. 10
of the accompanying Drawings) attached to spring arms B, which curve naturally
inwards towards the axle of the wheel. As speed is being got up centrifugal force
gradually opens the arms by forcing the weights away from the centre.
there is little weight to start with whilst it increases as the speed increases.
Another part of our Invention relates to a speed excellerating gear for bicycles.
This part of our Invention is illustrated at Fig. 11. A small milled wheel A is
fixed to the axle of the driving wheel, and above this gearing into it is is clamped
to the fork a larger wheel B having an indiarubber tyre. From the axle of this
wheel an arm extends of the length of an ordinary bicycle crank, and from this
depends a gravitating treadle C, bring the stroke to a similar position in relation
to the driving wheel that the ordinary treadle would occupy. The advantages
gained are the ordinary speed of the driving wheel with a slower action than usual
of the foot, or an increased speed of the driving wheel for the usual action of the
foot,
Another form of our Invention relates to an improved form of bicycle well
adapted for ladies or elderly men. This part of our Invention is illustrated at
Fig. 12 of the accompanying Drawings, the upper view being an elevation and the
lower a plan. The backbone A instead of passing over the top of the wheel E
passes to the side thereof, the axle B on which the wheel turns being jointed to
the back bone A by a vertical pin C fixed to the spindle, and by which the
wheel may be turned to steer the bicycle by band lever D. The backbone after
passing wheel E curves inwards to take the rear wheel as shewn. The seat is
attached to the backbone, which by a branch or branches supports a driving
wheel G, to the axle of which is attached a double crank H with foot pedals for
driving this wheel, which is provided with an indiarubber tyre, and gears into a
milled wheel I fixed to the axle of the main wheel. This form of bicycle may be
run along the ground, and the seat then be readily taken, when the motion can be
continued by the pedal action.
Another part of our Invention relates to improvements in the tyres of velocipede
wheels. A plate of steel perforated with eyelet holes, as shown at Fig. 13 of the
accompanying Drawings, is rolled into the form shown in the transverse section.
This gives great longitudinal rigidity and transverse springiness.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Henry Seymour Hawker, on behalf
of myself and the said Thomas Puntis and Charles John Boyce, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Ninth day of April, One thousand eight
hundred and eighty.