IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES." A communication from abroad by Francis
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th May 1880.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent
Agents, Southampton Buildings, London. " IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES."
[A communication from abroad by Francis Fowler, of New Haven, Connecticut,
United States of America.
This Invention relates chiefly to improvements in tricycles, in which the curved
or sloping reach or back bone of the bicycle is used, and in which the front wheels
form both the driven and the steering wheels. The objects of these improvements
are to provide means for easily and quickly effecting the guiding of the front
driven wheels; to adapt the saddle for vertical adjustment to suit riders having
different lengths of limbs, with effective action upon the foot-rests of the crank-
axle; to obtain a durable pivotal connection of the yoke-frame with the back bone
in connection with a free lever action upon the yoke-frame and upon the back-bone
in front of said yoke-frame; to facilitate the steering of the traction-wheels; to
render the driven wheels and their ratchet connections with the crank-axle very
effective as supporting and steering wheels; and to afford facilities by which the
tricycle can be adapted for use upon land and upon ice without affecting the
organization of the tricycle as such.
In carrying the said Invention into practice the driving and steering wheels are
secured upon the ends of the crank-axle, and a small wheel supports the back-bone,
which is of a curved form, while the supporting yoke frame is mounted upon the
axle between the crank-foot rests. The wheels are driven by the crank axle by
means of the foot rests upon the cranks, and in order to allow the tricycle to make
a short turn upon the front wheels they are fitted loosely upon said axle. These
wheels are adapted for travel on land and upon ice, and their several parts are of
metal, the rim or rolling part being formed with an outside deep circumferential
groove to receive the usual cylindrical india-rubber tyre for land travel, and which

page_text: .
is made removable in order that steel chisel-blades may be fitted within said
groove, so as to project beyond the circumference of the wheel and at suitable
distances apart. These chisel blades have their edges standing crosswise of the
groove and are equal in width thereto, so as to give a firm hold in the ice as
contradistinguished from a mere point. They are formed with screw-shanks which,
passing through perforations in the bottom of the groove, are secured by'nuts on
the inner side of the said grooved rim, the base of the chisel-blades being formed
with projecting wings which, lying within the groove and upon its bed, serve to
brace the chisel-blades firmly in their seats. They are easily removable to replace
the rubber tyre. The hub is formed of two hollow heads with an intervening
recess for lightness, the outer head being provided with a cap which fits over a
rabetted rim on the outer hollow side of the said head, and to which rabetted rim the
cap is secured by screw-bolts. The cap is also fitted over a central projection
which passes through a central opening in said cap, and besides giving a long
bearing for the wheel, and thereby greater steadiness of motion, forms an end
bearing for the nut, which being screwed upon the screw end of the axle confines
the wheel thereon and turns with the axle and wheel, so that the wheel-confining
muts are not liable to come off. The inner hollow head has ratchet teeth formed on
its inner circular edge, which matches with a corresponding ratchet formed on a
head from which a sleeve projects inward upon the axle. Within this sleeve a
spiral spring is placed around the axle, so as to bear upon a shoulder thereon and a
shoulder on the interior of the sleeve, and constantly press the sleeved ratchet head
in position to make a close engagement with the ratchet head of the hub. but not
to press against it, being prevented from such pressure by a stop-pin passing
through the axle, and against which the hollow face of said sleeved ratchet-head
presses. This sleeved ratchet-head is therefore free to be pressed inward upon the
axle by the action of the wheel to allow the latter to revolve independently of
said axle in making short turns, but this sleeved ratchet head is prevented from
turning upon the shaft by a stud projecting from the inner side of said sleeve into
a groove in the shouldered part of the axle. This relieving of the wheels from the
pressure of the sleeved ratchet heads is important in preventing pressure upon the
axle nuts when the shaft and wheels are being driven together. The spokes are of
wrought iron rods and are arranged in two series, the inner ends of one series
passing through perforations in the inner hollow ratchet hub-head, and the outer
series passing through perforations in the outer hollow hub head, so as to give the
spokes an extended base or hub connection. These spokes terminate in screw ends
within the hub-heads, and are secured by nuts so that these nuts are covered
and enclosed by the cap of the outer hub head and by the inner sleeved ratchet-
head, excluding dust therefrom. This arrangement besides strengthening the
wheel against lateral strain serves the more important purpose of suspending the
crank-axle and the rider by the upper spokes, and relieving the under spokes from
all unnecessary vibration. The perforations in the grooved part of the treading rim
of the wheel are made flaring outward, so as to hold the ends of the spokes which
have conical heads to fit these perforations.
The back-bone supporting yoke frame is mounted by suitable boxes centrally
upon the crank-axle, and its lower ends are braced by one or more cross bars. The
upper end of the curved back bone extends through the upper part of the said yoke
frame, and is pivoted thereto between its top and a cross bar by steel pointed screw
bolts, upon which the said yoke-frame turns to guide the driven wheels. The
pivoted end of the back-bone terminates in an open lever part, which extends in
front of the yoke-frame, and it is within the upper and lower plates of this open
part that the back-bone pivot bolts are secured. The lower one of these pivot bolts
is screwed into and through the lower plate, and has its bearing in a steel step or
socket secured in the cross bar; while the upper pivot bolt is screwed into and
through the top of the yoke frame into a steel step or socket in the upper
plate of the open back bone end. While these pivot bolts connect the back-bone and
yoke, yet the strain and concussion upon the back-bone are borne principally by a

page_text: curved brace pivoted to a cross-bar of the yoke, and firmly connected to the back-
bone by a clip at a point back of the saddle, so that the weight of the rider and
the force of concussions upon the back-bone are borne by the lower bearing bolt and
this upwardly curved brace. This brace relieves the pivot bolts from injury, prevents
the danger of snapping the back-bone, and transfers the force of the concussions to
the yoke-frame at a point between the pivot bolts and the crank axle or near said axlo.
This construction gives three pivotted bearing points for the back-bone upon the
yoke-frame, two of which are adjustable in the yoke-frame to maintain their proper
bearing with the back-bone, and these pivot bolts fit with pointed ends within the
steel steps to give the easiest action in guiding the front driven wheels, which
guiding is effected by a construction specially designed to turn quickly and with
the least power.
For this purpose the open end of the back-bone which extends in
front of the yoke frame is utilized as a lever, the fulcrum of which is formed by
the pivot bolts, and it is connected with the top of the yoke-frame by a strong
lever-arm through a lever or crank arm of the steering post, which is supported at
the front end of the back-bone and rises through a slot formed in the lever arm
concentric with the back-bone pivot bolts. This lever arm extends horizontally
over the open end of the back bone and is provided with a radial slot, within
which is fitted an anti-friction roll on the end of the lever or crank arm, which
latter extends forwards from the steering post above the yoke-frame lever-arm.
This construction gives in effect the action of three levers, by which the steering
post effects the guiding of the driven wheels, and in which the united action of the
steering post lever or crank arm, the yoke lever arm, and the back bone extension
or open part co-operate to bring the steering of the front wheels within easy and
immediate control of the rider.
A double handle steering bar is secured upon the top of the post, and in turning
it to, the right or to the left the lever crank acting by its roll within the radial slot
of the lever arm of the yoke will cause the latter to be vibrated accordingly over
the steering post by reason of the concentric slot, and the front wheels will thus be
caused to make a short turn if desired, and in which the outer wheel will slip upon
the crank-axle by reason of the ratchet connection, thus allowing of quick turning
while under high speed. In this action the back-bone is supported by its small
wheel, which may co-operate to a certain extent in guiding the tricycle under the
action of the back bone through its open end or lever part, and in which
co-operation the said back-bone lever part would be carried in a direction opposite
to that of the yoke-lever-arm; but it is obvious that the united lever action which
I have described renders comparatively easy the steering of a tricycle in which the
front driven wheels serve also as the steering wheels.
The saddle is secured upon a long plate-spring the front end of which terminates
in a short sleeve, which embraces the steering post and rests upon a coiled or india-
rubber spring placed upon said post and supported upon a shoulder formed by the
lever crank, so as to bring the seat and the position of the rider centrally over the
yoke-frame, and consequently directly over the crank-axle, bringing his weight in
vertical line therewith, and thereby obtaining to the fullest extent the advantage
of the highest speed in a tricycle in which the front wheels are mounted upon a
crank-axle driven by the action of the rider's feet upon oppositely arranged cranks
provided with foot-rests. The rear end of the saddle spring is connected by means
of a link to an upwardly curved hanger secured to the back-bone by a screw-bolt
and the clip, which, embracing both the hanger and the backbone, is secured to the
upper end of the curved back-bone brace, and thus these three parts are firmly
bound together by the same clip. This construction gives the advantage of a
vertically adjustable saddle to suit riders having limbs of different length, and
gives full action upon the foot-rests. This adaptation for long or short limbs
is obtained by the manner in which the saddle-spring is connected to the steering
post, to allow the saddle to be raised or lowered upon the steering post, and
supported upon a longer or shorter spring, which may be changed by removing
the steering bar and lifting the sleeved end of the saddle spring off the post, when

page_text: a spring of the proper length can be put upon the post and the saddle spring and
steering bar replaced. For this purpose the steering post must be of a length
sufficient to allow the saddle spring to be supported at a point thercon to suit the
sweep of the crank foot-rests and the length of the rider's limbs. This feature of
the said Invention may be applied to any velocipede in which the wheels are
operated by foot rests upon a crank-axle between front driving wheels. The foot-
rests are secured upon the cranks by suitable boxes connected by a top plate, so as
to support the feet above the cranks, and these foot-rests are provided with
pendent weights or balls, by which to keep them always in position to receive the
rider's fect. They are also provided with leather lifts, by which the rider may use
his feet both by pressure and upward pulling.
In adapting the tricycle for use upon ice, a brake is applied to the axle of the
back-bone supporting wheel so as to act with claws upon the ice in rear of said
wheel. It is formed of two arms curved to form claw-points, and joined at their
upper ends over the wheel and at the rear side of the divided end of the back bone
with the arms pivoted on each end of the short axle, and therefore at each side of
the wheel. In the normal position of the brake its claw points are held up by a
spring or springs connecting the joined ends of the arms with the back bono,
A cord connects the
against which the said arms rest at a point above the wheel.
top of the brake with a spool upon the steering bar, which is adapted to be turned
in its bearings to wind and release the cord, which passes over rolls on the
underside of the reach and on a bracket projecting therefrom over and back of the
connected ends of the claw-arms, so that the winding of the cord pulls out the top
of the brake and depresses the claw-points into the ice on each side of the wheel.
Placing the claw-points on each side of the back bone supporting wheel and joining
them at the top, so that both the claws act at once, renders the brake very
effective. Its attachment to the axle of the wheel renders it easily removable, and
the joining of the claw-arms forms a bearing upon the back-bone when the brake
is not used. For land travel a brake for the back bone supporting wheel may be
used in any suitable way.
The rider sits upright upon the saddle with the tiller bar in front, by which he
guides the tricycle and controls the brake while driving the front wheels by treadle
action upon the crank-foot rests.
By this construction the yoke-frame and the back bone are connected near the
axle and are adapted for free action thereon, and they stand below the tops of
the front wheels, thereby lessening to a great extent the liability of the back bono
being thrown over when under high speed by the striking of the back bone wheel
upon a stone, or from other cause.
In using the tricycle for ice travel the circumferential india-rubber tyre of
the back bone supporting wheel is removed, leaving a double edged rolling tread
like the gutter of a skate. The front driven wheels will also have such edge
rolling treads, which, in connection with the chisel-blades, give the required
traction upon the hard smooth surface of ice.
The seat extends forward of the yoke-frame, so as to allow the rider to sit
forward of the propelling axle in ascending hills, in which position the rear wheel
will be relieved of much friction, and rendering the ascent less laborious.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Scal Patent Office on the
11th November 1880.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltino, Lako, & Co., Patont
Agents, Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES."
A communication from abroad by Francis Fowler, of New Haven, Connecticut,
United States of America.
This Invention relates chiefly to improvements in tricycles in which the curved
or sloping reach or backbone of the bicycle is used, and in which the front wheels
form both the driven and the steering wheels. The objects of these improvements
are to provide means for easily and quickly effecting the guiding of the front
driven wheels, to adapt the saddle for vertical adjustment to suit different riders,
and permit effective action upon the foot-rests of the crank-axle, to obtain a
durable pivotal connection of the yoke-frame with the back bone in connection
with a free lever action upon the yoke-frame and upon the back bone in front of
the said yoke-frame; to facilitate the steering of the traction-wheels; to render the
driven wheels and their ratchet connections with the crank-axle more effective than
heretofore as supporting and steering wheels, and to afford facilities by which the
vehicle can be adapted for use upon land and upon ice without affecting its
organization as a tricycle.
The said Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, in which,--
Figure 1 represents a view in perspective of the said tricycle as adapted for
travelling on icc.
Figure 2 is a vertical section on a line at right angles to the crank-axle and
through the adjustable pivot bearings of the back bone.
Figure 3 is a top view shewing the front driven wheels in position for turning
short, as indicated by the arrow 2, the line of the road being indicated by the
arrow z¹.
Figure 4 is a section through one of the driven wheel hubs.
Figure 5 is an end view of the hub with the outer cap removed.
Figure 6 shews one of the chisel-blades of the driven wheels.
Figure 7 shews the claw-brake of the supporting wheel of the back bonc.
Figure 8 is a sectional view shewing the seat adjusted to a high position upon the
steering post.
Figure 9 is a section of one of the foot-rests of the crank-axle,
Figure 10 shews one of the adjustable steel pivot bearings of the back bone, and
Figure 11 a section of the wheel-rim, showing the rubber tyre for travelling on
land.
The driving and steering wheels are secured upon the ends of the crank-axle,
and a small wheel supports the back bone or reach, which is of a curved form, while
the supporting yoke-frame is mounted upon the axle between the crank foot-rests.
The wheels are driven by the crank-axle by means of the foot-rests upon the
cranks, and in order to allow the tricycle to make a short turn upon the front
wheels they are fitted loosely upon said axle. These wheels are adapted for
travelling upon land and upon ice; their several parts are of metal, the rim or
rolling part a being formed with an outside deep circumferential groove b, to receive
the usual cylindrical india rubber tyre c, Figure 11, for land travelling, which tyre
is made removable in order that steel chisel blades & may be so fitted within the
said groove as to project beyond the circumference of the wheel, and at suitable
distances apart. These chisel-blades have their edges standing crosswise to
the groove, and are equal in width thereto so as to give a firm hold in
the ice. They are formed with screw shanks e, Figure 6, which passing through

page_text: a
perforations in the bottom of the groove are secured by nuts f on the inner
side of the said grooved rim, the base of the chisel-blades being formed with
projecting wings g, which lying within the groove and upon its bed serve to brace
the chisel-blades firmly in their seats. They are easily removable to replace the
india-rubber tyre. The hub, Figure 4, is formed of two hollow heads h, h¹, with an
intervening recess, the outer head being provided with a cap i which fits over a
rabbeted rim on the outer hollow side of said head, and to which rabbeted rim the
cap is secured by screw bolts. The cap is also fitted over a central projection j,
Figure 4, which passes through a central opening in said cap, and besides giving a
long bearing for the wheel, and thereby greater steadiness of motion, forms an end-
bearing for the nut k, which, being screwed upon the screw end of the axle confines
the wheel thereon and turns with the axle and wheel, so that the wheel-confining
nuts are not liable to come off. The inner hollow head h' has ratchet-teeth
formed on its inner circular edge, which head matches with a corresponding ratchet m
formed on a head from which a sleeve m¹ projects inward upon the axle. Within
this sleeve a spiral spring n, Figure 4, is placed around the axle so as to bear upon
shoulder thereon and a shoulder on the interior of the sleeve, and constantly
press the sleeved ratchet-head m into position to make a close engagement with
the ratchet-head of the hub, while not pressing against it, such pressure being "
prevented by a stop-pin o passing through the axle, against which pin the hollow
face of said sleeved ratchet-head presses. This sleeved ratchet head is therefore
free to be pressed inward upon the axle by the action of the wheel, to allow the
latter to revolve independently of said axle in making short turns, but this sleeved
ratchet-head is prevented from turning upon the shaft by a stud o' projecting from
the inner side of said sleeve into a groove in the shouldered part of the axle. This
relieving of the wheels from the pressure of the sleeved ratchet-heads is important
in preventing pressure upon the axle-nuts when the shaft and wheels are being
driven together. The spokes p are of wrought iron rods, and are arranged in two
series, the inner ends of one series passing through perforations in the inner hollow
ratchet hub-head ', and the outer series passing through perforations in the outer
hollow hub-head h, so as to gives the spokes an extended base or hub-connection.
These spokes terininate in screw-ends within the hub-heads, and are secured by
nuts q, Figure 5, which are covered and enclosed by the cap i of the outer hub-
head, and by the inner sleeved ratchet-head, excluding dust therefrom. This
arrangement, besides strengthening the wheel against lateral strain, serves the
more important purpose of suspending the crank-axle and the rider by the upper
spokes, and relieving the under spokes from all unnecessary vibration. The perfora-
tions in the grooved part of the treading rim of the wheel are made flaring outward
so as to hold the ends of the spokes, which have conical heads to fit these
perforations.
The back bone supporting-yoke-frame A is mounted by suitable boxes centrally
upon the crank-axle B, and its lower ends are braced by one or more cross-bars.
The upper end of the curved back bone C extends through the upper part of said
yoke-frame, and is pivotted thereto between its top and a cross-bar a¹ by steel
pointed screw-bolts upon which the said yoke-frame turns to guide the driven
wheels. The pivotted end of the backbone terminates in an open lever part C¹
which extends in front of the yoke-frame, and it is within the upper and lower
plates of this open part that the backbone pivot-bolts c¹, c, are secured. The
lower one c², Figures 2 and 10, of these pivot-bolts is screwed into and through the
lower plate, and has its bearing in a steel step or socket c³ secured in the cross-bar
a', while the upper pivot-bolt c' is screwed into and through the top of the yoke-
frame, and into a steel step or socket c* in the upper plate of the open backbone
end. While these pivot bolts connect the backbone and yoke, yet the strains and
concussions upon the backbone are borne principally by a curved brace D pivotted
to a cross-bar d¹ of the yoke, and firmly connected to the backbone by a clip
a point back of the saddle, so that the weight of the rider and the force of
concussions upon the backbone are borne by the lower bearing-bolt c³, and this
at

page_text: upwardly curved brace. This brace protects the pivot-bolts from injury, prevents
danger of snapping the backbone, and transfers the force of the concussions to tho
yoke-frame at a point between the pivot-bolts and the crank-axle, or near the said
axle.
This construction gives three pivotted bearing points for the backbone upon the
yoke-frame, two of which are adjustable in the yoke-frame to maintain their
proper bearing with the back bone, and these pivot-bolts fit with pointed ends
within the steel steps to give the easiest action in guiding the front driven wheels.
This guiding is provided for by a construction specially designed for turning
quickly and with the least power. For this purpose the open end C¹ of the back
bone which extends in front of the yoke-frame is utilized as a lever, the fulcrum
of which is formed by the pivot bolts, and it is connected with the top of the yoke-
frame by a strong lever-arm E through a lever or crank-arm F of the steering
post G, which is supported at the front end of the backbone and rises through a slot e²
formed in the lever arm E concentric with the backbone pivot-bolts. This lever-
arm E extends horizontally over the open end C" of the backbone and is provided
with a radial slot e, within which is fitted an anti-friction roll f¹ on the end of
the lever, or crank-arm F, which latter extends frontward from the steering post
above the yoke-frame lever-arm. This construction, affords the action of three
levers, by which the steering post effects the guiding of the driven wheels, and in
which the united action of the steering post lever or crank-arm F, the yoke-lever
arm E, and the back bone extension or open part C co-operate to bring the
steering of the front wheels within easy and immediate control of the rider.
A double-handled steering bar H is secured upon the top of the post G, and in
turning it to the right or to the left the lever-crank F acting by its roll fi within
the radial slot es of the lever-arm E of the yoke, will cause the latter to be vibrated
accordingly over the steering post by reason of the concentric slot e¹; the front
wheels will thus be caused to make if desired a short turn, in which the outer wheel
will slip upon the crank-axle by reason of the ratchet-connection, thus allowing
quick turning while the vehicle is running at a high speed (see Figure 3). In
this action the backbone is supported by its small wheel I, which may co-operate
to a certain extent in guiding the tricycle under the action of the backbone
through its open end or lever part C₁; in this operation the said backbone lever-
part C would be carried in a direction opposite to that of the yoke-lover-arm E,
as shown in Figure 3, but it is obvious that the united lever-action above described
renders comparatively easy the steering of a tricycle in which the front driven
wheels serve also as the steering wheels.
The saddle J is secured upon a long plate-spring K, the front end of which
terminates in a short sleeve k³, Figures 1, 2, and 8, which embraces the steering
post G and rests upon a coiled or india-rubber spring L placed upon the said post,
and supported upon a shoulder formed by the lever crank F so as to bring the
seat and the rider centrally over the yoke-frame, and consequently directly over
the crank-axle, the weight being then in a vertical line therewith. I thereby
obtain to the fullest extent the advantage of a very high speed with a tricycle, in
which the front wheels are mounted upon a crank-axle driven by the action of the
rider's feet upon oppositely arranged cranks provided with foot-rests.
The rear
end of the saddle-spring is connected by means of a link to an upwardly curved
hanger M secured to the backbone by a screw-bolt and the clip d', Figure 2,
which embracing both the hanger and the backbone is secured to the upper end of
the brace D, and thus these three parts are firmly bound together by the same
clip. This construction gives the advantage of a vertically-adjustable saddle
to suit different riders, that is to say, to suit limbs of different length, and
gives full action upon the foot-rests. This adaptation for long or short limbs
is obtained by the manner in which the saddle-spring is connected to the
steering post to allow the saddle to be raised or lowered upon the steering
post and supported upon a longer or shorter spring, Figure 8, which may be
changed by removing the steering bar and lifting the sleeved end of the saddle-

page_text: spring off the post, when a spring of the proper length can be put upon
the post, and the saddle-spring and steering bar replaced.
For this purpose
the steering post must be of a length sufficient to allow the saddle-spring to
be supported at a point suitable for the sweep of the crank-foot-rests and the
length of the rider's limbs. This feature of the said Invention may be applied to
any velocipede in which the wheels are operated by foot-rests upon a crank-axle
between the front driving wheels. The foot-rests are secured upon the cranks by
suitable boxes P connected by a top plate r, Figure 9, so as to support the feet
above the cranks, and these foot-rests are provided with pendent weights or balls s
by which to keep them always in position to receive the rider's feet. They are also
provided with leather lifts by which the rider may use his feet both by pressure
and upward pulling.
In adapting the said tricycle for use upon ice, a brake is applied to the axle of
the back-bone supporting-wheel to act with claws upon the ice at the rear of the
said wheel. It is formed of two arms u curved to form claw-points u¹ and joined
at their upper ends over the wheel, and at the rear side of the divided end of the
backbone, the said arms being pivotted on each end of the short axle and therefore
at each side of the wheel. In the normal position of the brake its claw points are
held up by a spring or springs v, Figure 2, connecting the joined ends of the arms.
with the backbone, against which the said arms rest at a point above the wheel.
A cord w connects the top of the brake with a spool x upon the steering-bar H,
which is adapted to be turned in its bearings to wind and release the cord that
passes over rolls on the underside of the backbone, and on a bracket y projecting
therefrom over and behind the connected ends of the claw-arms, so that the winding
of the cord pulls out the top of the brake, and depresses the claw-points into the
icc on each side of the wheel. By placing the claw-points on each side of the back
bone supporting-wheel and joining them at the top, so that both the claws act at
once, I ronder the brake very effective. Its attachment to the axle of the wheel
renders it easily removable, and the joining of the claw-arms forms a bearing upon
the backbone when the brake is not used. For land travelling a brake for the
backbone supporting-wheel may be used in any suitable way.
The rider sits upright upon the saddle and has in front of him the tiller bar H,
by which he guides the tricycle and controls the brake, while driving the front
wheels by treadle action upon the crank-foot rests.
By this construction the yoke-frame and the backbone are connected near the
axle, and are adapted for free action thereon, and they stand below the tops of the
front wheels, thereby lessening to a great extent the liability of the backbone to be
thrown over when the vehicle is running at a high speed, by the striking of the
backbone-wheel upon a stone, or from any other cause.
In using the tricycle for travelling on ice the circumferential india-rubber tyre c.
of the supporting wheel is removed, leaving a double-edged rolling tread like the
gutter of a skate. The front driven wheels will also have such edge rolling
treads, which, in connection with the chisel-blades, afford the required traction
upon the hard smooth surface of the ice.
The seat extends in front of the yoke-frame, so as to allow the rider to sit in
advance of the propelling axle in ascending hills, in which position the rear wheel
will be relieved of much friction, and the ascent will be less laborious.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. The combination in a tricycle of the yoke-frame supported upon the
crank-axle between the driven wheels, and the curved backbone supported by a
rear wheel, with the adjustable pivot-bolts in the yoke and in the backbone, and
their step bearings forming the pivot-bearings for the said backbone, substantially
as and for the purpose herein set forth.
Second. In a tricycle the combination of the yoke-frame supported upon the
crank-axle between the driven wheels, and the curved backbone supported by a
!

page_text: rear wheel, with the adjustable pivot-bolts and the curved brace pivotted to the
yoke-frame in a vertical line with the said pivot-bearings, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
Third. The combination in a tricycle of the yoke-frame and the backbone
pivotted thereto, and projecting in front thercof with the steering-post provided
with a crank-lover arm F, and the front projecting yoke-lever-arm having a free
connection with the said crank-lever-arm, whereby the steering of the front driven
wheels is effected through, the united and co-operating lever action of the steering-
post, the pivotted backbone, and the yoke-frame, substantially as herein set
forth.
Fourth. The combination of the yoke-frame, the backbone pivotted thereto, and
the steering-post carried by the backbone in front of its pivots with the forwardly-
projecting yoke lover-arm provided with the radial slot and the segmental slot,
and the forwardly projecting steering post lover-arm, the said post and its lever
arm having a free connection with the said yoko-lever-arm through the said slots,
all substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
Fifth. The combination of the backbone pivotted to the yoke-frame, and
extending in front thereof with the steering-post, having a free lever-connection
with said yoke-frame and the backbone, and operating to guide the front driven
wheels through the yoke-frame and the backbone, substantially as herein set
forth.
Sixth. The combination of the driven wheels operated by a crankaft through
the medium of the foot-rests thereon with a vertically adjustable saddle support
having a free sleeved connection with the steering post, and resting upon a spring
thereon, whereby the saddle may be adjusted upon the said post in relation to
the foot-pads to suit the length of the rider's limbs, substantially as herein set
forth.
Seventh. The combination of the steering post, arranged in front of the yoke-
frame, and connected therewith and to the pivotted backbone, with the saddle
extending over the said yoke-frame and over the pivot-bearings of the backbone,
and supported by a spring upon said post, whereby the weight of the rider is
brought directly over or in advance of the crank-axle of the driven wheels,
substantially as herein set forth.
Eighth. The combination of the backbone pivotted to the yoke-frame and
carrying the steering-post in front thereof with the saddle supporting spring K
connected to the said post by a free sleeve bearing, and to the backbone by the
link and hanger, substantially as herein set forth.
Ninth. The combination in a tricycle of the yoke-frame supported upon the
crank-shaft between the driven-wheels and the curved backbone supported by a
rear wheel with the sleeved heads, the springs, the stop-pins, the studs, and the
ratchet-wheel-hub-heads, whereby the said wheels are relieved from the pressure
of the driving ratchet-heads, and the outer wheel is allowed to turn short
independently of the axle, all substantially as described.
Tenth. The combination in a tricycle of the driven and steering wheels loose
upon the crank-axle, and having hollow hub-heads, the inner one of which is
provided with ratchet-teeth, with the sleeved ratchet-heads having only a sliding
movement upon the said axle, the outer hub-heads being provided with a cap and
a centrally-projecting hub-part passing through the said cap and forming the
bearing for the axle-nut, the spokes of the said wheels being secured by the nuts
within the hollow hub-heads, all substantially as and for the purpose herein set
forth.
Eleventh. The combination of the front wheels provided with circumferential
grooves for india-rubber tyres, and operated by foot-rests upon a crank-axle, with
removable chisel-blades having side bracing wings clamped within and upon the
bottom of the grooves, the said chisel-blades being arranged across the said grooves,
all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Twelfth. A tricycle constructed with front wheels provided with circumferential

page_text: grooves for india-rubber tyres, and operated by foot rests upon a crank-shaft, the
.chisel-blades removably clamped and braced within said grooves, and the claw-arms
pivotted upon the axle of the backbone supporting-wheel, substantially as and for
the purpose herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Tenth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred, and eighty.
AD
TITT
W. RODT. LAKE.
YY
(IN.)