Improvements in Water Velocipedes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Feb., 1896-Accepted, 8th Aug., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Water Velocipedes.
I, GEORGE FRANK CREMER, of 348 National Avenue, Milwaukee, in the
County of Milwaukee, and State of Wisconsin, United States of America,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention aud in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in water velocipedes its object being to
provide an improved construction thereof and simple, easily-operated means for
steering and propelling the same..
To this end my invention consists in providing a pair of similar bulls or shells
arranged parallel with each other and having a bicycle-frame secured intermediate
thereof. The vessel is driven by means of a screw-propeller operatively connected
with the foot-pedals by means of suitable gearing, and each hull is preferably
provided with a rudder which is connected with and actuated by the handle-bar.
The cross bars connecting the two bulls or shells and supporting the frame and
propelling connections are provided with means for adjustment longitudinally of
the shells and also for the adjustment of the hulls toward and from each other.
The propeller shaft is supported by means of vertically-adjustable hangers
depending from the cross-bars, the hangers being preferably provided with ball-
bearings in which the shaft turns. The propeller shaft is also adapted to be
adjusted longitudinally to compensate for different-sized gearing.
My invention further consists in the improved features of construction
hereinafter more particularly described, and pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification,
Figure 1 is a side elevation of my machine.
Fig. 2 is a plan view illustrating the steering and propelling attachments and the
adjustable connections between the hulls and cross-bars. Fig. 3 is a cross-section
of the same, taken on line x-z of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a sectional detail of one of the rear bearings for the propeller shaft,
and Fig. 5 is a similar view of the forward bearing.
Fig. 6 is a detail of the hanger for supporting the rear bearing for the propeller
shaft.
Fig. 7 is a detail of the bevel gear, sprocket and pinion at the front of the
machine, by which power is transmitted to the propeller.
Fig. 8 is a plan view of the supporting-plate for the gear and sprocket secured
to the underside of the front cross-bar.
Fig. 9 is a detail of one of the end hearings for the driving shaft.
Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section of the handle-bar standard, the inner inclosing
tube being broken away to show the inclosed bar, and
Fig. 11 is a detail of one of the clamps for securing the tube upon the bar.
In the drawings A represents the bicycle-frame provided with the necessary
seat, handle-bar, pedals etc. This frame is supported upon the cross bars 2 and 3,
which connect the hulls 4 and 5. These hulls are preferably of the form shown
in the drawings and are shown filled with air-tight cans, so that in case of puncture
the entire hull will not become filled with water. Secured to the tops of the hulls
are the plates 6 provided with longitudinal slots 7 passing through which slots and
similar slots 8 in the cross bars 2, 3, and 9 are bolts 10 to provide for the adjust-
ment of the cross bars longitudinally of the hulls and for the adjustment of the
bulls toward and from each other.

page_text: Running from the sprocket 11, upon the pedal-shaft 12, of the frame A to the
sprocket 13, mounted upon the driving shaft 14 is the sprocket-chain 15. The
shaft 14 is journaled in ball-bearings 16 in the downwardly-depending lugs 17 of
the plate 18, the plate 18 being secured to the underside of the cross bar 2 and
projecting rearwardly from the same forming support for rod 19 of the bicycle
frame. Meshing with the bevel-gear 20, also mounted upon the driving shaft is
the pinion 21 connected with the screw 22, at the rear of the machine by means of
the shaft 23. The propeller-shaft 23 is supported in the ball-bearings 24, 25,
and 26, the bearing 24 being supported by means of the hanger 27 connected to the
plate 18 and the bearings 25 and 26 being similarly supported from the cross-
bars 3 and 9 by the hangers 28 and 29. The hanger 27 as shown in Fig. 7 passes
through the slot 63 in the rearwardly-extending arm 64 of the plate 18 and is
connected upon the opposite side of the slot to the rod 19 of the bicycle-frame.
This rod 19 is provided with a turnbuckle 65 by which its length may be varied
in the adjustment of the parts.
In the bearing 25 (see Fig. 4) the propeller-shaft is enclosed by the tube 30
preferably brazed thereto. The end pieces 31 and 32 of the bearing and the
inner block 33 fit closely to the tube 30 and turn with it in the rotation of the
shaft. Between the block 33 and the collar 34 are placed the balls 35 of
the bearing. The collar 34 is pivotally connected to the hanger 29 projecting
downward from the cross-bar. The different parts of the bearing are held in
contact by means of the lug 36 upon one end of the tube engaging one end of the
bearing and the nut 37 screw-threaded to the tube and abutting against the other
end of the bearing.
In the bearing 24 (see Fig. 5) the end pieces 38 and 39 are secured to the
shaft and revolve therewith. The inner collar 40 and the outer collar 41 formed
by the bottom of the hanger 27, remain stationary in the turning of the shaft
and the other parts of the bearing bear against them. The balls 42 of the
bearing are placed between the fixed and turning parts. The pinion 21 and the
collar 43 separating the pinion from the bearing are also secured to the shaft by
means of the spline 44. The different parts of the bearing and the pinion are
held in contact by means of the nut 45 screw-threaded upon the shaft and engaging
one end of the bearing, and the nut 46 also screw-threaded upon the shaft and
abutting against the pinion.
The shaft is made in two pieces, the part 47 carrying the bearing and pinion
fitting into the body of the shaft so as to be easily removed therefrom for the
purpose of removing the bearing.
In Fig. 9 is shown a detail of one of the bearings 16 for the driving shaft 14.
In this form of bearing the parts 48 and 49 and the encircling collar formed by
the end of the lug 17 remain stationary, and the shaft revolves therein upon the
balls 50, traveling in the groove 51. The handle-bar standard of the bicycle-
frame extends down through the cross bar 2 and has secured to its lower end the
cross-piece 53. The ends of this cross-piece are connected with the tillers 54 of
the rudders 55 by means of the ropes or wires 56 in such manner that they can
both be operated simultaneously by the turning of the handle-bar.
I show in Fig. 10 an improved form of handle-bar standard for use with my
machine. In this form the standard is made in two sections 57 and 58 fitting
closely into the ends of the tube 59 which in turn is adapted to turn inside
the hollow sleeve or case 60 upon the interposed ball-bearings 61. The ends of the
tube 59 are slitted, so that they will give and are clamped upon the ends of the
standards by means of the clamps 62. The clamps 62 also hold the tube 59 from
vertical movement in the sleeve 60. With this form of standard the bar turns
freely in the outer sleeve and either section of the bar can be independently
adjusted by the loosening of the clamp.
While I show in the drawings and prefer to use a steering-rudder hinged to the
rear of each of the hulls it is evident that this arrangement can be modified and
one rudder instead be placed intermediate of the rear of the hulls.

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Feb., 1896-Accepted, 8th Aug., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Water Velocipedes.
I, GEORGE FRANK CREMER, of 348 National Avenue, Milwaukee, in the
County of Milwaukee, and State of Wisconsin, United States of America,
Gentleman, 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 :-
My invention relates to improvements in water velocipedes its object being to
provide an improved construction thereof and simple, casily-operated means for
steering and propelling the same.
To this end my invention consists in providing a pair of similar bulls or shells
arranged parallel with each other and having a bicycle-frame secured intermediate
thereof. The vessel is driven by means of a screw-propeller operatively connected
with the foot-pedals by means of suitable gearing, and each hull is preferably
provided with a rudder which is connected with and actuated by the handle-bar.
The cross bars connecting the two bulls or shells and supporting the frame and
propelling connections are provided with means for adjustment longitudinally of
the shells and also for the adjustment of the hulls toward and from each other.
The propeller shaft is supported by means of vertically-adjustable hangers
depending from the cross-bars, the hangers being preferably provided with ball-
bearings in which the shaft turns. The propeller shaft is also adapted to be
adjusted longitudinally to compensate for different-sized gearing.
My invention further consists in the improved features of construction
hereinafter more particularly described, and pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification,
Figure 1 is a side elevation of my machine.
Fig. 2 is a plan view illustrating the steering and propelling attachments and the
adjustable connections between the hulls and cross-bars. Fig. 3 is a cross-section
of the same, taken on line x-r of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a sectional detail of one of the rear bearings for the propeller shaft,
and Fig. 5 is a similar view of the forward bearing.
Fig. 6 is a detail of the hanger for supporting the rear bearing for the propeller
shaft.
Fig. 7 is a detail of the bevel-gear, sprocket and pinion at the front of the
machine, by which power is transmitted to the propeller.
Fig. 8 is a plan view of the supporting-plate for the gear and sprocket secured
to the underside of the frout cross-bar.
Fig. 9 is a detail of one of the end hearings for the driving shaft.
Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section of the handle-bar standard, the inner inclosing
tube being broken away to show the inclosed bar, and
Fig. 11 is a detail of one of the clamps for securing the tube upon the bar.
In the drawings A represents the bicycle-frame provided with the necessary
seat, handle-bar, pedals etc. This frame is supported upon the cross bars 2 and 3,
which connect the hulls 4 and 5. These hulls are preferably of the form shown
in the drawings and are shown filled with air-tight cans, so that in case of puncture
the entire hull will not become filled with water. Secured to the tops of the hulls
are the plates 6 provided with longitudinal slots 7 passing through which slots and
similar slots 8 in the cross bars 2, 3, and 9 are bolts 10 to provide for the adjust-
ment of the cross bars longitudinally of the hulls and for the adjustment of the
bulls toward and from each other.

page_text: Running from the sprocket 11, upon the pedal-shaft 12, of the frame A to the
sprocket 13, mounted upon the driving shaft 14 is the sprocket-chain 15. The
shaft 14 is journaled in ball-bearings 16 in the downwardly-depending lugs 17 of
the plate 18, the plate 18 being secured to the underside of the cross bar 2 and
projecting rearwardly from the same forming support for rod 19 of the bicycle
frame. Meshing with the bevel-gear 20, also mounted upon the driving shaft is
the pinion 21 connected with the screw 22, at the rear of the machine by means of
the shaft 23. The propeller-shaft 23 is supported in the ball-bearings 24, 25,
and 26, the bearing 24 being supported by means of the hanger 27 connected to the
plate 18 and the bearings 25 and 26 being similarly supported from the cross-
bars 3 and 9 by the hangers 28 and 29. The hanger 27 as shown in Fig. 7 passes
through the slot 63 in the rearwardly-exteuding arm 64 of the plate 18 and is
connected upon the opposite side of the slot to the rod 19 of the bicycle-frame.
This rod 19 is provided with a turnbuckle 65 by which its length may be varied
in the adjustment of the parts.
In the bearing 25 (see Fig. 4) the propeller-shaft is enclosed by the tube 30
preferably brazed thereto. The end pieces 31 and 32 of the bearing and the
inner block 33 fit closely to the tube 30 and turn with it in the rotation of the
shaft. Between the block 33 and the collar 34 are placed the balls 35 of
the bearing. The collar 34 is pivotally connected to the hanger 29 projecting
downward from the cross-bar. The different parts of the bearing are held in
contact by means of the lug 36 upon one end of the tube engaging one end of the
bearing and the nut 37 screw-threaded to the tube and abutting against the other
end of the bearing.
In the bearing 24 (see Fig. 5) the end pieces 38 and 39 are secured to the
shaft and revolve therewith. The inner collar 40 and the outer collar 41 formed
by the bottom of the hanger 27, remain stationary in the turning of the shaft
and the other parts of the bearing bear against them. The balls 42 of the
bearing are placed between the fixed and turning parts. The pinion 21 and the
collar 43 separating the pinion from the bearing are also secured to the shaft by
means of the spline 44. The different parts of the bearing and the pinion are
held in contact by means of the nut 45 screw-threaded upon the shaft and engaging
one end of the bearing, and the nut 46 also screw-threaded upon the shaft and
abutting against the pinion.
The shaft is made in two pieces, the part 47 carrying the bearing and pinion
fitting into the body of the shaft so as to be easily removed therefrom for the
purpose of removing the bearing.
In Fig. 9 is shown a detail of one of the bearings 16 for the driving shaft 14.
In this form of bearing the parts 48 and 49 and the encircling collar formed by
the end of the lug 17 remain stationary, and the shaft revolves therein upon the
balls 50, traveling in the groove 51. The handle-bar standard of the bicycle-
frame extends down through the cross bar 2 and has secured to its lower end the
cross-piece 53. The ends of this cross-piece are connected with the tillers 54 of
the rudders 55 by means of the ropes or wires 56 in such manner that they can
both be operated simultaneously by the turning of the handle-bar.
I show in Fig. 10 an improved form of handle-bar standard for use with my
machine. In this form the standard is made in two sections 57 and 58 fitting
closely into the ends of the tube 59 which in turn is adapted to turn inside
the hollow sleeve or case 60 upon the interposed ball-bearings 61. The ends of the
tube 59 are slitted, so that they will give and are clamped upon the ends of the
standards by means of the clamps 62. The clamps 62 also hold the tube 59 from
vertical movement in the sleeve 60. With this form of standard the bar turns
freely in the outer sleeve and either section of the bar can be independently
adjusted by the loosening of the clamp.
While I show in the drawings and prefer to use a steering-rudder hinged to the
rear of each of the hulls it is evident that this arrangement can be modified and
one rudder instead be placed intermediate of the rear of the hulls.

page_text: Secured to the tops of the hulls are the foot-rests 63 to be used in mounting to
prevent breaking through the tops of the hulls.
By means of the adjustable connections between the cross-bars and the hulls
the bars may be adjusted longitudinally of the hulls and the hulls adjusted
toward and from each other at will. The propeller also may be raised and lowered
by means of the nuts 64 upon the ends of the hangers supporting the propeller-
shaft.
It will be evident that on account of the adjustability of the forward hanger in
the slot 63 and of the cross-bars connecting the hulls which serve as longitudinally-
adjustable supports for the other two hangers, the propeller shaft can be adjusted
longitudinally to compensate for different-sized gearing upon the counter-shaft
when different relative speed is desired.
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. In a marine velocipede, the combination with the pair of similar hulls, of
means for adjusting said hulls toward and from each other, the bicycle-frame
carried by said hulls and means for adjusting said frame longitudinally thereof.
2. In a marine velocipede, the combination of the pair of similar hulls, the
connecting cross-bars and the connections between said bars and hulls whereby
the bars may be adjusted longitudinally of the hulls or the hulls adjusted toward
and from each other.
3. In marine velocipede the combination with the pair of similar hulls of the
connecting cross-bars longitudinally adjustable of said bulls, the bicycle-frame
supported upon said bars and the means for adjusting said frame thereon.
4. In a marine velocipede, the combination with the pair of similar hulls, the
connecting cross bars, and the pedal carrying frame supported thereon, of the
propeller, its shaft, the hangers depending from said cross bars and having ball
bearing support for said shaft, said hangers being vertically adjustable to adapt
themselves to the different angular positions of said shaft, and the operative
connection between said shaft and the pedals of the frame.
5. In a marine velocipede, the combination with the pair of similar hulls, their
connecting cross bars and the pedal-carrying frame supported thereon, of the
propeller, its shaft and the vertically and horizontally adjustable hangers for said
shaft.
6. In a marine velocipede, the combination with the pair of similar hulls, the
connecting cross bars longitudinally adjustable of said hulls and the pedal-
carrying frame supported upon said bars, of the counter-shaft arranged under-
neath one of said cross-bars, the sprocket wheel mounted upon said shaft and
operatively connected with the pedals of the frame, the propeller, its shaft, the
bevel gear upou said shaft meshing with a similar gear upon the counter shaft,
and the means for adjusting said propeller shaft longitudinally to compensate for
different sized
gear upon said shaft.
7. In a marine velocipede, the combination with the pair of similar hulls, and
the connecting cross bars, of the pedal-carrying frame supported thereon, the
propeller, its shaft, the vertically-adjustable hangers for said shaft, the supports
for said hangers adjustable longitudinally of said hulls, and the operative
connection between said propeller shaft and the pedals of the frame.
8. In a marine velocipede, the combination with the hulls and the connecting
cross har, of the lugs depending from said cross bar, the counter shaft having
ournal support in said lugs and operatively connected with the driving mechanism,
he projection extending rearwardly from said cross bar, the depending standard
djustable along said projection to and from said cross bar, the propeller shaft
aving journal support upon said depending standard, its bevel pinion and the
evel gear carried by said counter shaft and meshing therewith.
9. In a marine velocipede, the combination with the pair of similar hulls, the

page_text: connecting cross bars and the pedal-carrying frame supported thereon, of the plate
secured underneath the forward cross bar and serving as a support for the end of
the propeller shaft the lugs depending from said plate, the counter shaft having
journal support in said lugs preventing longitudinal movement of said shaft, the
propeller, its shaft, the vertically adjustable connection between said counter and
propeller shafts and between the pedals and counter shafts.
Dated this 4th day of February 1896.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.