Improvements in Unicycles.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 25th June, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 29th Aug., 1892-Accepted, 8th Oct., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Unicycles.
We, JAMES IMLAH and GEORGE PATTERSON both of Barre, Washington
County, State of Vermont, United States of America, Granite Cutters, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This improved unicycle is provided with an inner non-rotating wheel formed with
a suitable framework and a double rim, the two rims being side by side with an
intervening space and connected with the forked ends of the framework. These
two rims rest on ball bearings in the broad inner rim of the outer rotating wheel,
said inner rim being connected by spokes with the tire of the exterior annular
wheel. By this arrangement the outer wheel can travel with its tire on the ground
while the inner wheel rolls off on the inner rim of the outer wheel so that the rider
seated on a seat in the framework holds the latter in a normal position so that the
inner wheel does not rotate.
In order to impart motion to the exterior wheel by the exertions of the rider
seated on the seat, the following device is provided :-Through the space
between the double rim of the stationary wheel passes a spur wheel which gears
with an internal rack on the inner rim of the outer wheel, said spur wheel being
secured on a transverse shaft mounted in bearings in the framework and driven by
a sprocket chain from a treadle shaft mounted in bearings directly below the rider's
seat.
In order to brake the unicycle, a brake wheel is fastened on the spur wheel shaft
and is acted on by a braka band fastened by one end to the framework and after
encircling part of the brake wheel connected at its other end with a rope passing
up to a brake lever pivoted on the steering lever. The steering lever is pivoted to
the framework in front of the rider's seat and is provided with two arms extending
forward and connected by links with arms pivoted on a common pivot in the
framework. The free ends of the said arms extend to the sides of the inner rim of
the outer wheel and in the free ends are journaled friction rollers adapted to bear
against opposite sides of the rim, so as by exerting a pressure on the said rim to
change the direction of the entire unicycle.
Instead of the steering mechanism described a steering wheel running on the
ground and journaled in a steering fork, may be used, the spindle of the fork being
pivoted in the frame and the limbs of the forked part passing at opposite sides of
the rim of the unicycle.
T
1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Unicycles.
We, JAMES IMLAH and GEORGE PATTERSON, both of Barre, Washington
County, State of Vermont, United States of America, Granite Cutters, 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 invention is to provide a new and improved unicycle which is

page_text: simple and durable in construction and easily manipulated both for steering and
propelling purposes.
The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts
hereinafter described and claimed.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this
Specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in
all the figures.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improvement.
Figure 2 is a sectional plan view of the same, on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional plan view of part of the improvement, on the
line 3-3 of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is an enlarged side elevation of part of the brake-mechanism.
Figure 5 is a side elevation, with parts in section, of a modified form of the
improvement.
Figure 6 is a sectional plan view of the same on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional plan view, showing the connection between the
rim of the exterior wheel and the inner wheel.
The improved unicycle is provided with an inner wheel A formed with a suitable
framework B and a double rim C C' connected with the forked ends B of the
framework B. The two rim parts C and C¹ engage ball bearings D and D¹
respectively, formed in an inner annular flange E connected by spokes F with the
tire G of the exterior wheel H. By this arrangement the outer wheel H can
travel with its tire G on the ground while the inner wheel A rolls off on the annular
flange E' so that the rider seated on the scat B32 in the framework B holds the latter
in a normal position, so that the inner wheel does not rotate.
In order to impart motion to the exterior wheel by the exertions of the rider
seated on the seat 13, the following device is provided:-Between the two annular
ball bearings D and D' is arranged in the rim E an internal gear I in mesh with a
gear wheel secured on a shaft J¹ extending transversely and mounted to turn in
suitable bearings in the framework B. On this shaft J' is secured a sprocket
wheel K over which passes a sprocket chain L also passing over a sprocket
wheel N secured on a shaft O extending transversely and mounted to turn in
suitable bearings directly below the seat B of the rider. On the ends of the
shaft are secured the usual treadles P extending in opposite directions and
engaged by the feet of the rider so that by the exertion of the latter a rotary
motion is imparted to the shaft O. The movement of the latter is transmitted by
the sprocket wheel N chain L and sprocket wheel K to the shaft J¹ carrying the
large gear wheel J and as the latter is rotated and meshes in the gear I a rotary
motion is given to the exterior wheel H.
In order to brake the unicycle a brake wheel Q is fastened on the shaft J¹ and
is engaged by a brake band Q fastened by one end to the framework B and after
encircling part of the brake wheel Q is connected at its front end with a rope Q
extending vertically and connected at its upper end with a brake lever Q³ pivoted
on the steering lever R. The rope Q also passes over a friction roller Q₁ so as to
properly guide the rope. When the lever Q3 is pressed a pull is exerted on the
rope Q so that the brake band Q1 is drawn with more or less force into frictional
contact with the brake wheel Q thus braking the shaft J and consequently the
entire machine. The steering lever R is arranged in front of the rider's seat B³
and is pivoted to the framework B and arranged to swing horizontally. The
steering lever R is provided with two arms R1 and R2 extending forward and
pivotally connected by links S and S₁ respectively, with arms T and T respectively
pivoted on a common pivot arranged in the framework B. The free ends of the
arms T and T extend to the sides of the rim E and in the free ends are journaled
friction rollers T and T3 respectively, adapted to engage the opposite edges of the
rim E as will be plainly understood by reference to Figure 3. When the lever R
is in a normal position, the friction rollers T2 and T³ are out of contact with the
edges of the rim E but when the lever R. is turned one of the arms T or T¹ swings

page_text: with its friction roller T2 or T3 respectively, inward into contact with the edge of
the rim E thus exerting a pressure on the said rim so that the direction of the
entire unicycle will be changed. For instance if the wheel T is pressed against
the left side of the rim E, then the unicycle will turn to the right and by pushing
the lever R in an opposite direction so that the other friction roller T presses
on the right-hand side of the rim E, then the unicycle will turn to the left.
Instead of the steering mechanism described the steering mechanism illustrated
in Figures 5 and 6 can be employed, this steering mechanism consisting of a
wheel U journaled in the forked end U₁ of a shaft U mounted to turn in suitable
bearings in the framework B. On the inner end of the shaft U is arranged a
handle Us within convenient reach of the operator seated on the seat B' so that
when the handle U³ is turned the steering wheel U will guide the unicycle either
to the right or left according to the direction in which the handle U³ is turned.
The space between the double rim C C can be covered by a suitable cover C²
with the exception of that part through which passes the wheel J.
It will be seen that a unicycle arranged in this manner is very simple and
durable in construction, can be readily manipulated both for steering and propelling
purposes, at the same time, enabling the rider to impart a high rate of speed to the
wheel.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is.
1. A unicycle comprising an inner wheel having a double rim and a framework
carrying the seat, an exterior wheel formed with an annular flange connected by
spokes with a tire, ball bearings arranged in the said annular flange and engaged
by the double rim of the inner wheel, and propelling mechanism supported in the
said framework and provided with a large gear wheel in mesh with an internal gear
on the said rim, substantially as shown and described.
2. A unicycle comprising an inner wheel having a double rim and a framework
carrying the scat an exterior wheel formed with an annular flange connected by
spokes with a tire, ball bearings arranged in the said annular flange and engaged
by the double rim of the inner wheel, a propelling mechanism supported in the said
framework and provided with a large gear wheel in mesh with an internal gear on
the said rim and a treadle mechanism adapted to be actuated by the rider seated on
the said seat and connected with the said large gear wheel, substantially as shewn
and described.
3. A unicycle comprising an inner wheel having a double rim and a framework
carrying the seat, an exterior wheel formed with an annular flange connected by
spokes with a tire, ball bearings arranged in the said annular flange and engaged
by the double rim of the inner wheel, a propelling mechanism supported in the said
framework and provided with a large gear wheel in mesh with an internal gear on
the said rim, and a brake mechanism under control of the operator, substantially as
shown and described.
4. A unicycle comprising an inner wheel having a double rim and a framework
carrying the seat, an exterior wheel formed with an annular flange connected by
spokes with a tire, ball bearings arranged in the said annular flange and engaged
by the double rim of the inner wheel, a propelling mechanism supported in the said
framework and provided with a large gear wheel in mesh with an internal gear on
the said rim, and a steering mechanism, substantially as described.
Dated this 27th day of August. 1892.
J. IMLAH,
G. PATTERSON,
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.