Supplementary Apparatus with the Frame in One Piece, or Portable in Several Parts, for Transforming a Single Seat Ordinary Bicycle into. One with, Two, Seats, Placed Side by Side.
Year: 1895

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Date of Application, 21st Sept., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 11th Oct., 1895-Accepted, 11th Oct.. 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Supplementary Apparatus with the Frame in One Piece, or Portable
in Several Parts, for Transforming a Single Seat Ordinary
Bicycle into. One with, Two, Seats, Placed Side by Side.
ROMEO, GRILLI permanent residence Kharkoff Russia, provisional residence
Johnston's Hotel 12 and 13 Craven Street Charing Cross S.W. London do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The ordinary bicycle now in use does not permit two riders to mount at the
same time. Where two, riders wish, to go together they are obliged to buy a
tandem, which, generally speaking, is not constructed in such a manner as to be
withstand rough usage, at the same time as being very expensive. The latter is to
be considered a great obstacle, especially in the case of such persons who already
possess an ordinary single-seat bicycle.
1 have invented a simple supplementary apparatus by means of which, in about
10 minutes' time, an ordinary single-seat bicycle can be. transformed into one with
two seats, side by side. If the two saddles are properly adjusted on my apparatus,
the two riders will make no further difference as regards their machine, than if a
single rider, of a heavier. weight, were mounting it, which, as a matter of fact,
frequently happens in ordinary practice, because the cyclist ou, the one side serves
as a counterpoise to the other one at the side of him, so that the centre of gravity
of the two cyclists taken together falls exactly as in the case of the ordinary, cycle,
into the centre of the section of the driving wheel.
To explain this fact, the following examples may be quoted: Taking a wheel (i)
(Fig. 22) fixed perpendicularly upon a surface. Trace the horizontal (a b c) upon
the wheel, and adjust upon (a) a weight of say 2 kilos., and upon (e) again 2 kilos.,
the result will be that if (ab = bc) the centre of gravity falls upon the line (big).
If the weight, or the cyclist (c) (Fig. 23) is greater than that of cyclist (a), in
order to re-establish the centre of gravity upon the line (bg) it is only necessary
to shift the saddle for cyclist (c) from the left to the right, and to fix it in its new
place. The two cyclists mounting after adjustment of the saddles, Fig. 23, they
balance one another. I therefore balance in my apparatus two cyclists of different
weights, either by shifting the saddle of the heavier weight towards the wheel, or
by shifting the lighter weight away from it; or, in the case of the difference in
the weight being very great, the heavier side can be shortened and the lighter one
prolonged at one and the same time.
Of this apparatus of my invention I now present the following description and
design of the various constructions, for the Patents of which I now apply.
CONSTRUCTION No. 1.
A tube (a b) (Fig. 1.) is soldered in (a) in a bracket (c), in point (d) it is
soldered in bracket (de) and in (d) a tube (ef) is soldered. In the hole (9)
(Fig. 2.) a tube (d c) is passed and soldered in such a fashion that the part (gc)
is longer than (d g). Fig. 3. represents a double bracket, and Fig. 4. gives the
profile. Two such brackets are soldered in their ends (Fig. 5.) (d) and (c) of the
tube (d c) and in the holes (e) and (f) are soldered the tubes (9) and (h).
Figures 6 and 7 represent a tube, frout and profile, the end (1) being collapsed and
butted, and in point (o) a hole (o) is pierced. The ends (p p¹) (Figs. 6 and 7) 01
the tubes (p 1) and (pi (1) are inserted and soldered into the openings (e) and (f)

page_text: Fig. 8. In points (h) and h¹) the tubes (1) and (c ) are soldered into the
brackets (h) and (h'). In holes (") and (m¹) of the same are soldered the
tubes (mr) and (m).. Fig. 9. represents the botton-bracket, which carries
the brackets (s) (s). These bottom-brackets are provided as usually, with balls
and cones upon the axle, which axle is shorter than usual. The cranks are also
fixed in the ordinary way, namely by means of cotter-pins (7) and ('); in the
holes (s) (s) are soldered the ends of the tubes (Fig. 8.) (se) (rm) and (d¹ƒ) (r' m²).
The axles of the pedals (1) (t) Fig. 8. are longer than usual and are shown in
Fig. 10. The two extremities (a) (b) are wire-threaded upon which the cones (c)
(d) are passed. The end (a) must be screwed in point () or (v) Fig. 8, of the
crank (vu) or (v u¹), which are the cranks of the ordinary bicycle. The other
end (b) (Fig. 10), of the axle of the pedal which is part of my apparatus, is to be
loosely fitted on to the crank (k) or (z¹ k¹) Fig. 8, on the point (2) or (¹); the
axle to be fixed by means of a screw (e) Fig. 10. The pedals (c) (l), Fig. 8, are
the pedals pertaining to the ordinary cycle, brought from the points (v) (v) to
the points () (¹). Fig. 11. represents my frame in profile. The tube (p¹) (!)
Fig. 7, is shown in Fig. 8. by the tube (ld), and likewise in Fig. 11. by the
tube (d). The tube (e s) Fig. 8, is shown in Fig. 11. by the tube (ds); the
tube (mr) Fig. 8. is shown in Fig. 11. by (hr).
Therefore take off from the ordinary bicycle the saddle with the seat-pillar, and
in the hole (g) of the tube of the frame, Fig. 11. where the seat-pillar drops in, let
the tube (ef) of my frame drop in. Take off from the axle of the driving-wheel
the screws (a) by which it is fixed to the cycle and fit in the ends of the axle
into the holes (a) of my frame; fasten down the whole with the screws taken off
from the cycle. After that there is only left to arrange the saddles in proper form
and the machine is ready for being mounted, by two cyclists.
The tube (gc), Fig. 8. is represented in section in Fig. 13. by (v), and the
brackets (M) (M) Fig. 8. which carry the seat-pillars fixed to tube (v) Fig. 13.
by means of rivets (c g). In the hole (e). of the bracket (M) the seat-pillar is let
in and fixed by the rivet (s). It is clear that this construction permits the
brackets (M) (M1) Fig. 8. which support the saddles, to be shifted about at will
and fixed upon the tube (d g c) and thus to produce the balance. As soon as the
equilibrium has been established between the two riders by means of this shifting
of the saddles, the machine is as easily to be handled as an ordinary single-seat
cycle, with the only difference that for guiding the machine there are four hands at
⚫ disposal instead of two. In consequence, the hands of one of the cyclists are left
free and can either be employed for other purposes, as for instance, shooting, taking
instantaneous photos, etc., or they can lay hold of the handle. In the latter case
the arms of both cyclists next to each other are crossed. It is very easy and
simple to mount this machine when fitted with my apparatus; when there is a
lady she should take the left saddle; the gentleman standing on the right and
inclining the machine towards the lady as much as necessary so that she can take
her seat in the saddle as easily and comfortably as in a chair. The cyclist then
inclines the machine slightly in the opposite direction, i.e., towards himself, and
takes his seat, supporting the machine with his right foot which is still on the
ground. Then the lady begins to work the pedal; the cyclist brings up his right
foot and the machine is started.
It is equally simple to get off the machine. The cyclist stops the machine by
means of the brake and takes his left foot down first, while holding up the machine
with his hands; he then inclines the machine on the lady's side until she can easily
put her feet on the ground.
It is evident that the construction of the apparatus leaving the space perfectly
free in front of the saddles, the lady's dress falls treely, and for this reason the
machine is equally suitable for two men as for two ladies wearing their ordinary
dress, which advantage is not offered by other bicycles. The machine when fitted
with the apparatus does not require any additional chain; it runs smoother than
the tanden, because the weight rests chiefly on the driving wheel, thus rendering

page_text: e cycle less subject to lateral deviations, without making it less easy
ecause the distance between the two wheels remains the same as with the ordinary
cle. It is less subject to shaking on account of the balance being maintained by
e cyclists and because the latter are not seated immediately upon the driving
heel.
CONSTRUCTION No. 2.
This construction permits of the apparatus being adapted to any bicycle,
whatever its date or make. For this purpose only the following slight
nodifications are to be made in the preceding construction. Fig. 14. represents
he one half of my frame which is the exact counterpart of the other. The
tube (a b) is represented in profile by Fig. 15, and the end (b) is slipped into
brackets (d) Fig. 14. (not soldered) and (o), and fixed by rivets (c) (s). The
At the two ends of this tube are
tube (d d) is shown in profile by Fig. 16.
soldered the brackets (dd). The tube (of), Fig. 14, is made in two pieces,
slipped into one another, which permits its being shortened or lengthened as the
bicycle to which it is to be adapted, may require it. The tube (t q) Fig. 14. is
also made in two pieces. At the end (2) is let in and soldered a small coue tube
The tube (t) slipped into tube (q) Fig. 14,
which is slit and wire-threaded:
can be fixed at the required length by means of the screw (m). On the other
end (t) of the same tube is soldered the bracket (t) Fig. 14, which at both ends is
slit; conic and wire-threaded; thus permitting the tube (of) to be fixed at any
required length by the two screws carried by bracket (t). The two bottom-
In (a) the tube (c b) is
brackets in this construction are shown in Fig. 12.
'screwed. The tube (c b) Fig. 12. enters into the bracket (n) Fig. 14, and by
screwing down the piece (a) Fig. 12. the two brackets (n), Fig. 14. are fixed and
held in position.
In all other respects the construction is the same as in No. 1. Fig. 14. shows
clearly that the apparatus can be taken to pieces, which permits of its being carried
'about comfortably.
CONSTRUCTION No. 3.
This design is also portable and can be taken to pieces. It is shewn in Fig. 21
The brackets are not soldered, but attached by bolts. The brackets, as will be seen
in the drawing, are double.
All my constructions have the tube (o B) as shown in Fig. 20, which serves the
5 purpose that, after the transformation of the machine, it is still suitable for a single
cyclist. In such case one, of the two saddles is to be fixed on the tube (o B) as
shown in Fig. 11, and the cyclist only uses the inside pedals (t) (¹), Fig. 8, as with
a bicycle that has not been transformed.
Up to the present there is no bicycle in existence which permits of the lady being
10 'seated at the side of the gentleman and it may be assumed that this advantage will
spread the use of the bicycle by ladies.
31
of Sentember 1895.
BOY.CRILLI
ROMEO GRILLI
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
15 Supplementary Apparatus with the Frame in One Piece, or Portable
in Several Parts, for Transforming a Single Seat Ordinary
Bicycle into One with Two Seats Placed Side by Side.
ROMEO GRILLI Kharkoff Russia Mechanical Engineer do hereby declare. the
to be performed,
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is
50 to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-.
The ordinary bicycle now in use does not permit two riders to mount at the same

page_text: r (2) Fig. 8, on the point (2) or (¹); the axle to be fixed by means of a
crew (e) Fig. 10. The pedals (x) (¹), Fig. 8, are the pedals pertaining to the
ordinary cycle, brought from the points (v) (v) to the points (j) ('). Fig. 11.
epresents my frame in profile. The tube (p) (1) Fig. 7, is shown in Fig. 8. by
the tube (d), and likewise in Fig. 11. by the tube (d). The tube (e s) Fig. 8,
s shown in Fig. 11. by the tube (ds); the tube (mr) Fig. 8. is shown in Fig. 11.
y (hr).
Therefore take off from the ordinary bicycle the saddle with the seat-pillar, and
in the hole (g) of the tube of the frame, Fig. 11. where the seat-pillar drops in, let
the tube (ef) of my frame drop in. Take off from the axle of the driving-wheel
the screws (a) by which it is fixed to the cycle and fit in the ends of the axle
into the holes (a) of my frame; fasten down the whole with the screws taken off
from the cycle. After that there is only left to arrange the saddles in proper
form and the machine is ready for being mounted, by two cyclists.
The tube (dg), Fig. 8. is represented in section in Fig. 13, by (v), and the
brackets (M) (M') Fig. 8. which carry the seat-pillars fixed to tube (v) Fig. 13..
by means of rivets (c g). In the hole (e) of the bracket (M) the seat-pillar is let.
in and fixed by the rivet (s). It is clear that this construction permits the
brackets (M) (M1) Fig. 8. which support the saddles, to be shifted about at will
and fixed upon the tube (d g c) and thus to produce the balance. As soon as the
equilibrium has been established between the two riders by means of this shifting
of the saddles, the machine is as easily to be handled as an ordinary single-seat
cycle, with the only difference that for guiding the machine there are four hands.
at disposal instead of two. In consequence, the hands of one of the cyclists are
left free and can either be employed for other purposes, as for instance, shooting,.
In the latter
taking instantaneous photos, etc., or they can lay hold of the handle.
case the arms of both cyclists next to each other are crossed. It is very easy
and simple to mount this machine when fitted with my apparatus; when there
is a lady she should take the left saddle; the gentleman standing on the right
and inclining the machine towards the lady as much as necessary so that she
can take her seat in the saddle as easily and comfortably as in a chair.
cyclist then inclines the machine slightly in the opposite direction, i.e., towards
himself, and takes his seat, supporting the machine with his right foot which is
still on the ground. Then the lady begins to work the pedal; the cyclist brings
up his right foot and the machine is started.
The
It is equally simple to get off the machine. The cyclist stops the machine by
means of the brake and takes his left foot down first, while holding up the machine.
with his bands; he then inclines the machine on the lady's side until she can easily
put her feet on the ground.
It is evident that the construction of the apparatus leaving the space perfectly
free in front of the saddles, the lady's dress falls freely, and for this reason the
machine is equally suitable for two men as for two ladies wearing their ordinary
dress, which advantage is not offered by other bicycles. The machine when fitted
with the apparatus does not require any additional chain; it runs smoother than
the tandem, because the weight rests chiefly on the driving wheel, thus rendering
the cycle less subject to lateral deviations, without making it less easy to steer,
because the distance between the two wheels remains the same as with the ordinary
cycle. It is less subject to shaking on account of the balance being maintained
by the cyclists and because the latter are not seated immediately upon the driving
wheel.
CONSTRUCTION No. 2.
This construction permits of the apparatus being adapted to any bicycle,
whatever its date or make. For this purpose only the following slight modifica-
tions are to be made in the preceding construction. Fig. 14. represents the one
5 half of my frame which is the exact counterpart of the other. The tube (a b).
is represented in profile by Fig. 15, and the end (b) is slipped into brackets (d)