Improved Means for Balancing Two-wheeled Vehicles.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Balancing Two-wheeled Vehicles.
HENRY RATCLIFFE, Great Holland, Colchester, Essex, Machinist and Iron-
founder, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The two scroll irons on each side of vehicles, are combined in one, with slotted
holes, to take studs, for moving body of vehicle, upon scroll irons, to balance body
of vehicle, from centre of axle.
I, HENRY RATCLIFFE, of Great Holland, Colchester, Essex, Machinist, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:.
-
The main object is to construct in a simple manner, two wheeled vehicles so
as to obtain a perfect balance on horses backs for any number of persons, or any
weight of goods.
The invention consists essentially in attaching the body of the vehicle to the
springs, by means of through scroll irons, combined in one from front to back,
so that the whole body, with the shafts, can be moved on the said scroll irons,
each way over the centre of axle, by means of a screw, lever, or any other device,
the body to be secured in any position by guides fixed to the body of vehicle, to
allow the said scroll-irons to slide backwards and forwards.
In all 3 drawings the same letters are used to define each part in connection
with the invention and the attachment to the vehicle-the following list describes
the same-
A through scroll-irons.
B sills forming bottom of vehicle.
C cover plates or clips.
D tail nuts for securing & releasing scroll-irons.
E slotways in scroll-irons to permit adjustment.
F connecting link between scroll-irons and adjusting screw.
G bearings to carry adjusting screw I.
H metal nut on arrow T

page_text: J handle to work adjusting screw I.
K stud fixed to vehicle, passing through slotways in scroll-irons to guide the
same and secure them when adjustment is completed by the tail nuts D.
To adjust a vehicle to its load 1st slacken the tail nuts D then wind the
adjusting screw I by means of the handle J until the balance required is obtained,
then tighten the tail nuts D on to the cover plates C and the whole arrangement
is made secure.
Fig. 1 shews the through scroll irons A attached to the vehicle, also the screw
arrangement I H G & J.
Fig. 2 shews a plan of bottom of vehicle, with through scroll irons A in position
on sills B, also showing the attachment of screw I to the link F and through
scroll irons A.
Fig. 3 shews through scroll irons A as attached to springs and axle of vehicle.
Figs. 4 and 5 are enlarged views shewing attachment of through scroll irons A
to sill B, also showing slotways E and mode of fastening by clips C and tail
nuts D to stud K.
Fig. 6 is a sectional view of sill B and scroll iron A and the mode of fastening
the scroll iron A to sill B by a stud K and clip C and tail nut D.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
1. The combined scroll irons attached from front to back in one length, sub-
stantially as described.
2. Attaching the bodies of two wheeled vehicles to their springs by means, of
scroll irons, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 31st day of January 1898.