IMPROVE- MENTS IN TRICYCLES, PART OF WHICH SAID IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO BICYCLES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Josiah Jackson at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 26th September 1877.
JOSIAH JACKSON, of Coventry, in the County of Warwick, Machinist. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN TRICYCLES, PART OF WHICH SAID IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO
BICYCLES."
The object of this Invention is so to construct a tricycle that it may be readily
and easily propelled and be thoroughly under the control of the rider or driver.
The principal feature of my Invention is so to construct a tricycle that all three
wheels run loose upon their respective shafts, and are either fitted with roller
bearings or otherwise. The front wheel runs loose upon an ordinary spindle, and
the two driving wheels are also loose upon the crank shaft, and are acted upon in
the following manner-Within their respective boxes both driving wheels are fitted
with suitable ratchets, which are acted upon by three or more catches; the said
catches being driven by means of a disc (affixed to the said crank shaft) having
suitable circular openings cut in its outer edge to form a knuekle, within which the
catches are fitted.
My improved ground brake is the next important feature in my Invention.
This I construct as follows:-It is in two parts, the upper part having a loop
formed at its lower end, through the sides of which loop the fulcrum pin passes,
the second or lower part of the lever being secured to the extreme lower end of the
loop of the first part by means of a pin or stud, and it is thus allowed to partly
turn thereon. It is extended above the said pin or stud, being suitably cranked to
avoid the fulcrum pin, and it is hammered out at its top so as to rest upon the
lower end of the upper lever, and so take the necessary bearing upon the brake
being applied. The lower part, which bears upon the ground, is secured to the said
lever by an ordinary pin and nut.
The next part of my Invention relates to the socket in which the shaft carrying
the front wheel works. I here provide two cones, one at the upper and the other
at the lower end thereof; these are for the purpose of securely holding the said
shaft steadily in its position, and of preventing it from rocking when the said shaft
becomes at all worn.

page_text: In some cases where the machine is designed to carry two or more persons I
provide a spring over the front wheel, fitted with an ordinary saddle; this spring is
caused to work upon links at the front thereof, and in shells or sockets at both ends
so as to save the wear on the pins, the back end being held in a bearing affixed to
the frame.
At the top of the guiding lever I provide suitable loops or bands, which may be
opened to admit the handle and to allow it to turn therein, and by this means the
cord (acting upon the brake) is tightened as desired.
In some cases I fit my improved tricycle with the ground brake already patented
by me, and numbered 60/76, either alone or in conjunction with an ordinary
strap brake, which acts upon the box of either one or both driving wheels.
I secure each of the bearings for the crank shaft (which are generally three in
number) to the frame of the machine by passing one pin through the frame.
The next part of my Invention relates to the treadle or foot piece; this is
constructed for the most part similar to that already patented by me, and
numbered 60/76, except that instead of affixing the india-rubber by means of
cement or employing tubing, as there explained, the rubber I now propose to use
consists of two solid round pieces, which are joined together on one side, and
when so connected represent the figure 8 supposing the figure to be a solid body.
The frame of the treadle is expanded or opened out at both its ends from the point
where they are jointed to the connecting rods to a sufficient degree, and at their
rear ends they are provided with two nuts, i.e., one on each side of the bracket
through which the fulcrum bar passes. The said fulcrum bar is set at a suitable
angle to the frame of the machine, extending backwards from the line of the crank
shaft.
The connecting rods are constructed so that they can be adjusted by means of a
link and right and left handed screws.
It will be understood that my improved tricycle is usually constructed to carry
one person, but in some cases I construct it to carry two or more persons; and in
the latter case it is fitted with a seat and an additional pair of treadles at the back
of the machine, and as before mentioned I sometimes provide a spring and seat over
the front wheel.
As mentioned in the title, part of my said improvements are applicable to bicycles;
these are the improvements relating to the ground brake, providing the spring
carrying a saddle with links at the front part thereof, and with shells or sockets at
both ends thereof, and the improved foot piece or treadle as herein-before described.