Improvements in Unicycles.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Aug., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Nov., 1891-Accepted, 5th Dec., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Unicycles.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of the firm of A. M. and Wm. Clark, of
53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent
Agents, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communication to me
from abroad by Frank Charlie Ross, of Ipava, in the County of Fulton, and
State of Illinois, United States of America, Druggist) to be as follows:-
This invention relates to unicycles, and the object of the invention is to produce
a machine with a single wheel which may be easily and rapidly propelled and which
may also be safely ridden.
The main portion of the machine consists of a large single wheel having an outer
rim provided with a rubber tyre and connected by diverging spokes with inner
parallel circular rims connected together by cross-braces. Attached to the inner
rim are curved arms bent outward and extending diametrically across each side of
the wheel and at the intersection of these arms are hubs each comprising a sleeve
which sleeve is provided at each end with a ball bearing and the outer end of the
sleeve terminates in radial lugs to which the curved arms are securely bolted. An
axle extends through each sleeve and the sleeve will turn easily on the axle owing
to the ball bearings. The inner end of each axle is squared and the outer end is
bent laterally and screw-threaded, to enter sockets in the upper ends of legs which
are long enough to reach the ground and terminate in tempered points whereby
when the axles are turned into a position to bring the points of the legs into the
ground, the wheel will be maintained in a stationary position and if the legs are
arranged so as to drag or touch lightly upon the ground they will serve as brakes.
Mounted on each of the sleeves is an arm which extends above and below the sleeve
and has its ends bent inward each arm being mounted on the sleeve in a ball-
bearing so as to prevent friction, and held in place by a collar. The upper ends of
the arms terminate in handles which are grasped by the hands of the rider and by
means of which the wheel is guided and the lower ends of the arms terminate in
horizontal sockets to receive and support the sides of a horizontal frame. This
frame is of an approximately U-shape with the bent portion in the front part of
the wheel and provided with depending side braces which are arranged at the front
portion of the frame a cross-bar which connects the opposite sides of the frame
and a depending U-shaped frame which is secured to the cross-bar and which
serves as a support for the seat-perch and also limits the movement of the pedal
levers. The said side braces which are arranged on each side of the frame and
near the front end of the same, extend diagonally downward from the frame and
are pivoted on an axle having collars or shoulders near each end and serving also
as a pivot for the pedal levers which extend rearwardly from said axle and through
the depending U-shaped frame, the forward ends of the pedal levers and the lower
ends of the said braces being held in place by nuts on the threaded ends of the
said axle. A curved bar or perch is pivoted on the front portion of the horizontal
U-shaped frame and extends rearward through the centre of a cross-bar which
connects the two sides of the depending U-shaped frame and the rear end of this
perch supports the saddle. On each side of the machine is a ratchet mechanism for
driving the wheel which consists of a hollow circular case which is mounted loosely
on the inner end of each main axle and sleeve, a ratchet wheel secured to the
sleeve within the said case, pawls to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel, said
pawls being pivoted on the inner wall of the case, a main spring one end of which
is secured to the case and the inner end of which is fixed to a collar secured tightly.
on the said axle and a strap for turning the case. The case is provided with a

page_text: peripheral groove and a strap is attached to and lapped round the grooved
periphery of the case for turning the same said straps passing over guide pulleys
and connected to the respective pedal levers. The pedals are alternately operated
and when one is depressed it pulls down one of the straps turns the ratchet case and
the pawls in engagement with the ratchet wheel, turning the latter and the
sleeve to which it is affixed, thus imparting movement to the main wheel. A
curved brake rod is secured to the squared ends of the axles and the rod is arranged
at a convenient point and in front of the seat. The rod is normally pressed downward
by a spring and in that position raises the legs from the ground but when the rod
is raised it will tilt the axles and throw the legs down so that their points will
stick into the ground. A. mud guard is arranged above the seat and supported by
the main frame. It is preferably made of perforated cloth but it may be made of
wire or of any suitable material which will shield the rider from mud but which will
allow the wind to pass through without too much resistance.
1
Dated this 7th day of August 1891.
A. MELVILLE CLARK.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Unicycles.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of the firm of A. M. and Wm. Clark, of
53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent
Agents, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communication to me
by Frank Charlie Ross of Ipava, in the County of Fulton and State of Illinois,
United States of America, Druggist) and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in unicycles and the object of the inven-
tion is to produce a machine with a single wheel which may be easily and rapidly
propelled and which may also be safely ridden. To this end the invention
consists in a unicycle constructed substantially as will be hereinafter described and
claimed.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this
Specification, in which
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the unicycle and Figure 2 is a sectional plan view
of the same.
Figure 3 is an enlarged detail vertical section of one of the hubs and the con-
nection between the hub and the inner frame.
Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the ratchet attachments for the
hubs.
Figure 5 is a broken detail sectional view of one of the hubs, shewing the
connection between it and the side arms of the wheel.
Figure 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the support for the pedal levers
and the braces of the inside frame, and
Figure 7 is a detail view of the U-shaped frame which supports the seat perch
and limits the movements of the pedal levers.
Similar figures of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.
The main portion of the machine consists of a large single wheel having a rim. 10
which is provided with a suitable rubber tire 11 and extending inward from the
rim are diverging spokes 12 which spokes are secured to inner parallel rims 13
which rims are circular and are connected and strengthened by suitable braces 14
and 15. The braces 14 are simply clamped to the rims and the braces 15 are
secured in clips 16 which clips are secured to the rims and the clips also support

page_text: the ends of curved arms 17 which arms are bent outward and extend diametrically
across each side of the wheel there being four arms on each side and at the inter-
section of these arms are the hubs 18 of the wheel each hub comprising a sleeve 19
which sleeve is provided at each end with a ball-bearing 20 and the outer end of
the sleeve terminates in radially extending lugs 21 which enter the arms 17
and are securely bolted thereto. An axle 22 extends through the sleeve 19 and
the sleeve will turn easily on the axle owing to the ball-bearings. The inner end
of each axle is squared, as shewn at 23, and the outer end is bent laterally and
screw-threaded, as shewn at 24. The outer ends of the axle are adapted to enter
sockets in the upper ends of rods or tubes 24" which rods or tubes are long enough
to extend to the ground and terminate in tempered points. It will thus be scen
that when the axles are turned into a position to bring the points of the rods or
tubes into the ground the wheel will be maintained in a stationary position and if
the rods or tubes are arranged so as to drag or touch lightly upon the ground they
will serve as brakes.
Mounted on each of the sleeves 19 is an arm 25 which extends above and below
the sleeve and has its ends bent.inward, as best shewn in Figure 3, and each arni
is mounted on the sleeve in a ball-bearing so as to prevent friction and is held in
place by a suitable collar. The upper ends of the arms 25 terminate in handles 26
which are grasped by the hands of the rider and by means of which the wheel is
guided, as hereafter described, and the lower ends of the arms terminate in
horizontal sockets to receive and support the sides of the frame 28. This frame 28
is of an approximately U-shape with the bent portion in the front part of the
wheel and provided with the depending side braces 29 and 30 which are arranged.
at the front portion of the frame, the cross-bar 31 which connects the opposite sides
of the frame 28, and a depending U-shaped frame 32 which is secured to the cross-
bar 31 and which serves as a support for the seat perch and also limits the
movement of the pedal levers. The braces 29 and 30, which are arranged on each
side of the frame 28 and near the front end of the same, extend diagonally
downward from the frame 28 and are pivoted as shewn at 33 on an axle 34 which
axle has collars or shoulders, 35 near each end and serves also as a pivot for the
pedal levers 36 which extend rearwardly from said axle and through the U-shaped
frame 32, as best shewn in Figures 1 and 7. The forward ends of the pedal levers
and the lower ends of the braces 29 and 30 are held in place by suitable nuts
which are secured on the threaded ends of the axle 34. The pedal levers 36
extend rearward as described and each lever is provided with a pedal 37, any
approved form of pedal being used. A curved bar or perch 39 is pivoted on the
front portion of the U-shaped frame 28 and extends rearward through the centre
of a cross-bar 38 which cross-bar connects the two sides of the U-shaped frame 32
and the rear end of this perch supports the seat 40 which may be of any suitable
description.
On each side of the machine is a ratchet mechanism for driving the wheel, which
consists of a hollow circular case 41 which is mounted loosely on the inner end of
the axle 22 and sleeve 19, a ratchet wheel 42 secured to the sleeve 19 within the
case 41, pawls 43 to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel said pawls being pivoted
on the inner wall of the case 41, a main spring 44 one end of which is secured to
the case, as shewn at 45, and the inner end of which is fixed to a collar 46' which
collar is secured tightly on the axle 22, and a strap 48 for turning the case.
The
case 41 is provided with a peripheral groove 47 and each case is provided with a
strap 48 which is held in the groove and one end of which is secured to the case.
On each side of the machine a little below and a little in advance of the case 41
is a grooved pulley 49 which is pivoted to the arm 32ª mounted on cross-bar 32,
and the outer face of which pulley aligns with the groove 47 in the case 41.
Guide pulleys 50 are also pivoted to the cross-bar 31 being held in suitable
supports on the cross-bar and these pulleys 50 are arranged above each side of the
U-shaped frame 32. The straps 48 of the ratchet cases extend downward over the
pulleys 49 and 50 and thence down to the pedal levers 36 to which they are
-

page_text: secured. The pedals and levers are alternately operated and when a lever is
depressed it will pull downward on one of the straps 48 and this will turn the
ratchet case 41 and the pawls 43 which are in engagement with the ratchet
wheel 42, will turn said ratchet wheel and sleeve 19 to which it is affixed, thus
imparting movement to the main wheel and when the pressure is removed from
the pedal the spring 44 will reverse the movement and raise the pedal lever.
This ratchet mechanism is not claimed in detail as a part of the invention as it
is similar to the ordinary ratchet mechanism for propelling bicycles.
A curved brake rod 51 is secured at its ends to the squared ends 23 of the
axles 22 and the rod is arranged at a convenient point and in front of the seat 40
so that it may be easily reached and operated by a rider. The rod is normally
pressed downward by a spring 52 one end of which is secured to the upper central
portion of the rod and the lower end of which is secured to the perch 39 and when
the rod is bent downward in this way it will raise the rods or tubes 24" from the
ground but when the rod is raised as shewn in Figure 1 it will tilt the axles 22
and throw the rods or tubes 24" downwards so that their points will stick into the
ground.
A mud-guard 53 is arranged above the seat, its lower end being secured to the
rear ends of the bent rod 28 and the upper end of the guard being connected by
means of rods 54 with the forward portions of said bent rod. The mud-guard is
preferably made of perforated cloth but it may be made of wire or of any suitable
material which will shield the rider from mud but which will allow the wind to
pass through without too much resistance.
To operate the machine the rider places himself upon the seat 40 between the
two hubs 18 and with his hands grasps the handles 26 of the arms or handle bars 25
and then by bearing with his feet alternately upon the pedals 37 the levers 36 will
be operated and the ratchet mechanism connected with the levers will impart a
rotary movement to the wheel. When the machine is to be stopped or slowed
the rider tilts the curved rod 51 so as to bring the lower ends of the rods or
tubes 24 into contact with the ground, and to steer the machine he twists upon
the handle bars 25 by means of the handles 26 and the wheel may thus be turned
so as to give it a desired direction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is ;
1. A unicycle comprising a wheel formed of the main rim 10, the smaller
rims 13 13 at opposite sides thereof, the braces connecting the side rims and the
spokes 12 connecting the main and side rims, the cross-arms 17 17 secured at their
outer ends to the respective side rims and having hubs at their centres or points
of intersection, a seat and operating mechanism suspended from said hubs, sub-
stantially as shewn and described.
2. A unicycle comprising a wheel formed of the main rin 10, the smaller
rims 13 13 at opposite sides thereof and connected therewith by spokes 12, the
clips 16 on the smaller rims, the braces 15 secured on the adjacent inner ends of
said clips, the curved cross-arms 17 17 connected at their curved outer ends to
the outer sides of the clips and at their inner ends to radial projections 21 on
central hubs 18, the seat and operating mechanism suspended within the wheel from
said hubs, substantially as shewn and described.
3. A unicycle the wheel of which is provided with hubs having inward extending
sleeves, collars having ball-bearings on said sleeves, a frame suspended horizontally
from said sleeves and carrying the seat and operating mechanism, substantially as
shewn and described.
4. A unicycle comprising a main wheel having two hubs secured thereto and
provided with inward projecting sleeves having loose collars thercon, a ratchet
mechanism for turning the hubs, a horizontal n-shape frame suspended from the
collars on said hubs and supporting a seat pedal levers pivoted in the frame and

page_text: extending beneath the seat and straps connecting the pedal levers with the hub
ratchet mechanism, substantially as described.
5. In a machine of the character described, the combination, with a main wheel
having a hub on each side, of axles extending through the hubs and having their
outer ends bent laterally, rods or tubes secured to the bent ends of the axles and
having pointed lower ends to contact with the ground, a brake rod connecting the
inner squared ends of the axles, and the spring 52 normally pressing the said rod
downward to hold the rods or tubes raised, substantially as described.
6. In a machine of the character described, the combination, with a main wheel
having a hub on each side, of arms or handle bars having collars between their
ends rocking loosely on the hubs, said arms having their upper ends provided
with steering handles, a frame suspended from the lower ends of the arms and a
scat supported by the frame, substantially as described.
7. The combination, with a main wheel having a hub on each side and ratchet
wheels secured to the hubs of arms provided between their ends with collars having
ball bearings on the hubs, said arms being at their upper ends provided with
steering handles, a frame suspended from the lower ends of the arms and carrying
a seat, pedal levers pivoted in the frame and arranged beneath the seat, and a strap
extending over suitable guide pulleys and connecting the ratchet mechanism of the
hubs with the pedal levers, substantially as described.
8. The combination, with the wheel having hubs provided with inward extending
sleeves, of the loose collars on the sleeves provided with depending arms 25 the
horizontal-shape frame 28 extending through the lower ends of said arms, the
depending braces 29, 30, the cross-bar or axle 34 at the lower ends of said braces,
the cross-bar 31 connecting the sides of the frame 28, the bracket or frame 32
depending from said cross-bar, the treadles extending through said frame 32 and
pivoted at their front ends on the bar or axle 34, and the operating ratchets
connected with said treadles, substantially as shewn and described.
9. In a machine of the character described, the combination, with the seat
frame, of a perforated mud guard secured to the frame and arranged above the
seat, substantially as described.
Dated this 2nd day of November 1891.
A. MELVILLE CLARK.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.