Improvements in Riding Harness, Attachments, and Appliances, by Means of which Cyclists may Exert an Increased Motive Power when Riding Bicycles, Tricycles, and the like Velocipedes.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Aug., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 28th Nov.. 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 12th Feb., 1889
Improvements in Riding Harness, Attachments, and Appliances, by
Means of which Cyclists may Exert an Increased Motive Power
when Riding Bicycles, Tricycles, and the like Velocipedes.
I, JOHN RICHARD HUDSON, 175 Sheffield Moor, Sheffield, in the County of York,
Provision Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for "IMPROVE-
WHICH
MENTS IN RIDING HARNESS, ATTACHMENTS AND APPLIANCES, BY MEANS OF
CYCLISTS MAY EXERT AN
RIDING BICYCLES,
INCREASED MOTIVE
WHEN
POWER
TRICYCLES, AND THE LIKE VELOCIPEDES," to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to enable the cyclist to exert an increased power in
propelling his machine when ascending hills, or when on heavy roads, or in racing
or under other circumstances.
I effect this object by the employment of a suitable riding dress or harness to be
worn by the cyclist in combination with special appliances connected to the frame of
the velocipede, by means of which the rider can easily attach himself to, or detach
himself from the machine. When so attached by the means herein described, a cyclist
may in addition to his weight, exert a large amount of muscular force in driving or
propelling the machine.
The dress or harness (hereinafter for convenience called the waistcoat) I make in
form resembling that garment, either in strong cloth such as jean, or in other suitable
material.
The waistcoat by preference I make open fronted so as to dispense with all
unnecessary material, the back may also be hollowed out or scalloped at the waist and
made somewhat lower in the neck than an ordinary waistcoat. To the bottom front
corners I attach rings or eyelets, so that when worn by the rider such eyelets or rings
would occupy a position on either or both sides about level with, or a little higher
than the hip joints, and about in line with the front braces of the breeches as
ordinarily worn.
To the frame of the velocipede I attach suitably formed connecting rods or links
which stand up convenient, one on each side the saddle, so that when the rider wishes

page_text: to attach himself to the vehicle, he can slip the ends of the last named connecting
rods or links through the eyelets or rings in the waistcoat, and when so attached he
will be enabled to exert a considerably increased motive power on the pedals of his
machine, his arms being left comparatively free.
The connecting rods or links which are attached to the frame of the machine
may be so constructed that their length may be varied or adjusted to suit the rider,
or the eyelets or rings may be made adjustable by laces or other equivalent means,
the ends of the connecting rods or links are also so formed that they can be easily
slipped in and out of the eyelets or rings in the waistcoat or harness at the will
of the rider.
By use of the appliances herein described a more uniform distribution of muscular
power may be attained in hard riding than is ordinarily the case. As may be seen
many professional riders appear to be greatly distressed in their endeavours to
transmit force through their arms from the steering handles of the machine and in
doing so increase the difficulty of steering.
Th: noth dose of Anot thes
R. HEBER RADFORD,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Riding Harness, Attachments, and Appliances, by
Means of which Cyclists may Exert an Increased Motive Power
when Riding Bicycles, Tricycles, and the like Velocipedes.
I, JOHN RICHARD HUDSON, 175 Sheffield Moor, Sheffield, in the County of York,
Provision Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN RIDING HARNESS, ATTACHMENTS AND APPLIANCES, BY MEANS OF
WHICH CYCLISTS MAY EXERT AN INCREASED MOTIVE POWER WHEN RIDING BICYCLES,
TRICYCLES, AND THE LIKE VELOCIPEDES," 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 my invention is to enable the cyclist to exert an increased power in
propelling his machine when ascending hills, or when on heavy roads, or in racing or
under other circumstances.
I effect this object by the employment of a suitable riding dress or harness, to be
worn by the cyclist in combination with special appliances, connected to the frame of
the velocipede, by means of which the rider can easily attach himself to, or detach
himself from the Machine. When so attached by the means herein described, a
cyclist may in addition to his weight exert a large amount of muscular force in driving
or propelling the Machine.
The dress or harness (hereinafter for convenience called the waistcoat,) I make in
form resembling that garment, either in strong cloth such as jean, or
suitable material.
in other
The waistcoat by preference 1 make open fronted, so as to dispence with all
unnecessary material, the back may also be hollowed out or scalloped at the waist and
made some what lower in the neck than an ordinary waistcoat. To the bottom front
corners I attach rings or eyelets, so that when worn by the rider such eyelets or rings
would occupy a position on either, or both sides about level with, or higher than the
hip joints, and about in line with the front braces of the breeches as ordinarily
worn.
To the frame of the velocipede I attach suitably formed connecting rods or links,
which stand up convenient, one on each side the saddle, so that when the rider
wishes to attach himself to the vehicle, he can slip the ends of the last named
connecting rods or links, through the eyelets or rings in the waistcoat, and when so
attached he will be enabled to exert a considerably increased motive power on the
pedals of his machine, his arms being left comparatively free.
The arrangement herein previously described although applicable to various classes
of Machines, is more particularly applicable to tricycles or Machines with more
than two wheels, but in applying my invention to bicycles, I by preference, adopt the
following modifications.
In lieu of Connecting Rods or links to stand up on each side of the saddle, one
connecting rod link or set of links, chain, cord or other equivalent connecting
medium or appliances, may be used in a central position in combination with a
metallic bow bar or bridle the latter being attached to eyelets in the corners of the

page_text: waistcoat in a similar manner to that described for attaching the connecting rod or
links. The connection from the last named bow bar or bridle, to the frame of the
machine, being effected as already stated by means of one connecting rod link, or set
of links chain, cord, or other equivalent connecting medium, or appliances. In this
way the attachment being made in line with the centre of the body of the rider, his
movements are less restrained than would be the case in some machines if side
connections were used.
In combination with the appliances herein previously described, I employ a metallic
clip or clips of convenient form for attaching to the frame or back bone or other
convenient part of the machine, this clip is secured to the machine by means of a
bolt, set pin, thumb screw, or other equivalent fastening.
This bolt also serves the purpose of securing or holding in a position a suitably
formed hook to which the rings or links of the connecting appliances may be attached
in such a manner, that if the rider was to be thrown forward from the Machine,
they would detach themselves or could be easily detached by the rider leaning forward
so as to slacken the chain.
When the modified form of connecting appliances is used as in bicycles the ring
or rings of the link or set of links, chain, cord, or other equivalent connecting
medium or appliances, is slipped loosely on the bow bar or bridle on which under
ordinary straight running it would occupy a central position, but it would be free
to slide along the bow bar or bridle, from one side to the other so as to accom-
modate its position to the lateral motions of the body of the rider when rounding
curves or under other circumstances. The connecting appliances which are attached
to the frame of the Machine, may be so constructed that their length may be varied
or adjusted to suit the rider, or the eyelets or rings may be made adjustable by laces
or other equivalent means, the ends of the, connecting rods, links, bow bar or bridle
are also so formed that they can be easily slipped in and out of the eyelets or rings
in the waistcoat or harness at the will of the rider.
By use of the appliances herein described a more uniform distribution of muscular
power may be attained in hard riding than is ordinarily the case. As may be seen
many professional riders appear to be greatly distressed in their endeavours to transmit
force through their arms from the steering handles of the Machine and in doing so
increase the difficulty of steering.
The nature of my Invention will be better understood on reference to the
acompanying sheet of drawings in which
Figs. 1. 2 and 3 represent a back, front, and side view of the riding dress, with
eyelets (called the waistcoat).
Figs. 4 and 5 represent one form of connecting Links and attachments adapted for
use on each side of the waistcoat.
Fig. 6 represents a bow bar or bridle with connecting link or links as described in
the modification.
Figs. 7. and S represent a side view and plan of the metallic clip with hook and
bolt applicable to either form of attachment, two being employed when a connecting
link is used on each side, and one being employed where a central connection
only is used.
The same letters refer to similar parts thoughout the several views.
a, is the riding dress or waistcoat.
b, is the armhole in the same.
c, c, are the rings or eyelets.
d, d, are side links or connections.
e, e, are suitably formed hooks for attachment through the eyelet or rings c, c.
f, is the bow bar or bridle provided with suitably formed books g, g, for attachment
through the rings or eyelets, c, c, previously named.
h, is a central link or connecting medium.
i, is the metallic clip.
j, is the suitably formed hook in the same."
k, is the bolt, thumb screw, or other equivalent fastening.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed. 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
(1) In a Cyclists Riding Harness, the combination of parts and appliances, com-
prising a riding dress (herein called the waistcoat) with rings or eyelets attached
thereto, together with suitably formed connecting rods or links, attachments, and
appliances, constructed and arranged in the manner and for the purposes, substantially
as herein described.
(2) In a cyclists riding Harness the combination of parts and appliances comprising
a riding dress (herein called the waistcoat) with rings or eyelets attached thereto,
together with suitably formed connecting rods, or links, or set of links, chain, cord or
other equivalent connecting medium, or appliances, and also a metallic bow-bar or
bridle, a metallic clip, with a bolt, set pin, thumb screw or other equivalent fastening
and hook, constructed and arranged in the manner and for the purposes substantially
as herein described.
(3) Improvements in riding harness, attachments and appliances, by means of
which cyclists may exert an increased motive power when riding bicycles, tricycles,
and the like velocipedes, in the manner and for the purposes substantially as herein
described.
Dated this 26th day of November 1888.
R. HEBER RADFORD,
Agent for the Applicant.