IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BICYCLES AND IN MEANS FOR LOCKING THE WHEELS OF SAME, AND IN ALARMS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREWITH PARTS OF WHICH PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Atkins Rudling and John Ford Coffin both
of Southsea in the County of Hants for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BICYCLES AND IN MEANS FOR LOCKING THE WHEELS
OF SAME, AND IN ALARMS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREWITH PARTS OF WHICH
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Atkins Rudling
and John Ford Coffin at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
14th July 1883.
WILLIAM ATKINS RUDLING and JOHN FORD COFFIN both. of Southsea in the
County of Hauts, "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BICYCLES AND IN
MEANS FOR LOCKING THE WHEELS OF SAME AND IN ALARMS TO BE EMPLOYED
THEREWITH PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER VEHICLES
OR MACHINES."
The object of this invention as applied to bicycles is to lower the position of the
rider so that his feet shall always be within a few inches of the ground thereby
facilitating the mounting into the saddle thus lessning the height from which a
man would fall.
According to the first part of our improvements we propose to construct the
main framing horizontal with the ground and to extend it beyond the circum-.
ference of the wheel both ways.
:
On that side of the wheel where the saddle is placed the frame plate which
carries the bearings on either side of the wheel is bent so as to embrace within its
two ends a stouter plate say of double thickness which is depressed to within about
eight or ten inches of the ground thus affording a step or platform for the rider to
mount upon. This part of the framing is carried further aft and is there bent
upwards so as to receive the behind small wheel.
Forward of the driving axle of the machine a horn plate descends from the main
framing on either side and there is a distance stud passed through which forms the

page_text: •
fulcrum for two levers or treadles about three feet six inches long the other end of
which is terminated by a swinging pedal and is attached about midway of its
length by a suitable connecting rod to the crank. The main framing of the saddle
end has two horizontal parallel slots for the purpose of adjusting the horizontal
distance of the rider from the pedals. The vertical distance is obtained by the
saddle bar or support having holes drilled at intervals corresponding to the vertical
distance of the centre line of the two slots.
Another method of constructing bicycles in accordance with our improvements
is as follows;
The arrangement is the same as that previously described with the difference
that the rider faces the other way that is with his back to the driving wheel and
steers with the small wheel.
According to another arrangement of this improved machine the parts of the
main frame plates proceed from end to end parallel with each other and are not
connected together as in the arrangement previously described.
In the depressed part of the framing there is a suitable bearing on each side in
which is placed a shaft with cranks and pedals and a spur chain wheel running
between the framing. There is a chain band imparting motion to a similar wheel
on the main axle of the machine.
In this arrangement the treadles are dispensed with and the machine is driven by
chain gear
According to another part of our improvements the machine is driven by toothed
gear having an idle or carrying wheel between the toothed wheel keyed on the
driving axle and that attached to the pedal axle.
In this arrangement of machine slow purchase gear can be introduced for.
ascending hills or use on heavy roads.
According to another part of our improvements the machine is driven by
treadles same as in the arrangement first described but the framing is horizontal
from end to end and is not depressed to form a step. The rider can tip toe the
ground when in the saddle
Another improved arrangement is the same as that last described except that
the rider will have his back to the driving wheel.
We will now describe our improved apparatus or means by which the owner can
lock fast the wheel of his machine without padlock and chain which are liable to
bend the spokes of the machine if it be moved when so locked.
Along side the hub of the wheel and cast with it is a concentric disc slightly less
in diameter and distant from it about a 1%, of an inch. This disc has eight or ten
notches cut in like teeth of a wheel into which it is intended for the bolt of a lock
to engage when desirable. The bolt is slotted at the end and strides the disc.
The object of this is that when the machine is locked by its owner it shall be
impossible to strain the bolt or locking plate. The bolt is to be urged forward by
a spring and is to be held locked or unlocked by a detent moved by a key
We will now describe the various improved arrangements of alarms wherein we
make use of the motion of the driving wheel to actuate a small wheel which can
be brought when required into rolling contact with the tyre of the driving wheel
On the axis of the small wheel aforesaid is fixed a rotating arm at either end of
which is attached by a joint or by a piece of stranded wire cord (similar to that used
in magneto electric machines for conductors) a hammer or clapper. When the
small wheel aforesaid is brought to bear, upon the driving wheel the arm rapidly
revolves and the hammers or clappers fly out by centrifugal force, and strike upon
. a four or six inch or other suitable gong,
We propose to substitute where desired instead of the revolving arm clapper or
bell a small fan which by its motion shall supply wind to a whistle or horn or
shall cause one or more reeds (such as are used in harmoniums) to sound.
We also propose to actuate in place of either bell whistle or reed a small pump
which shall compress air into a suitable reservoir or into the backbone of existing
bicycles for the purpose of alarm by whistle or reed as aforesaid. Two ways

page_text: may be mentioned by which either the bell or fan may be attached to existing
bicycles.
The first is where the usual spoon brake is attached to head stock the joint
which contains the bell crank lever of the break can be made wide enough in the
jaws or opening to contain the lever of the bell or fan the break lever and bell
lever will thus be side by side and working on the same pin or fulcrum. The bell
can be brought into play in the same manner as the break, is operated by a lever!
whose fulcrum is on the steering handle
The second method of applying the aforesaid bell or whistle to existing bicycles
is by temporarily removing one of the horn or ebonite handles from the steering.
bar and sliding over the steering bar a tube or sleeve of suitable length and of
such internal diameter as to permit of a steel wire say twenty four Birmingham
wire gauge making two or more helical convolutions round the steering bar without
its being pressed upon by the tube
.
The tube is supported and held in its place by two metal shouldered collars
with set screws to pinch them fast to the steering bar one end of the spring is
attached to one of these collars and the other end to the inside of the further end
of the tube.
The action of this spring is not by distension or compression but coiling around
the steering bar through a small space. The requisite tension to lift the bell from
off the driving wheel is obtained by rotating the collar.with the spring attached
to it through such a distance before pinching it to the bar as shall give sufficient
force to sustain the weight of the bell.
0
The bell is attached to the tube or sleeve by a cranked lever cast or wrought
in one piece with the tube. To apply the. bell it is only necessary to raise the
thumb or finger from the steering handle and press upon a stud rivetted into the..
tube at that end of it nearest to the hand of the rider the moment the finger is
removed the spring uncoils and lifts the bell clear of the wheel. A stop prevents
uncoiling of the spring more than is sufficient to lift the bell from off the driving.
wheel. This bell whistle or compressing pump is applicable, to tricycles and other
vehicles.
↑
In accordance with our improvements the steering handle is externally similar;
to the ordinary type but differing somewhat from it the upper part at least being
tubular inside of this hollow part are two bars of iron or steel of semicircular
section and fitting loosely but without play inside the tube. These rods are
attached each to a separate loose grooved collar by screws from the outside vertical
narrow slots being cut in the tube to permit of their being moved up and down
which movement is affected by a lever of the first order superposed on the
transverse steering handle on either side of the head
A forked rod (similar to those of the ordinary governor of a steam engine)
engages into the groove of the 'collar aforesaid one of which moves the break the
other actuates the bell either of which are brought into operation by pressing upon
the levers aforesaid say the break lever leading to the right of the steering handle.
and the bell lever to the left

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Atkins Rudling and John Ford Coffin in the Patent
Office on the 14th January 1884.
WILLIAM ATKINS RUDLING and JOHN FORD COFFIN both of Southsea in the
County of Hants "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BICYCLES AND IN
MEANS FOR LOCKING THE WHEELS OF SAME AND IN ALARMS TO BE EMPLOYED
THEREWITH PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER VEHICLES
OR MACHINES
"
The objects of this invention are to reduce to a minimum the dangers of bicycle
riding by seating the rider so that when his feet are on the pedals they shall come
to within about three inches of the ground also to obtain a very short low and
extremely light machine so that its cost of production may be considerably less
than that of ordinary bicycles. And secondly that by its shortness and "lowness it
shall require less room for storage and be capable of moving in curves of smaller
radius than bicycles in general use. And thirdly that owing to its lightness the
balancing power of the rider may be easily attained owing to the inconsiderable
weight of the machine as compared with the riders or in other words that the
centre of gravity of the mass (namely man and machine) may in falling describe
as large an arc as possible so that the weight of the man shall predominate and
command the machine and not the machine control the man.
Other parts of this invention relate to improved and continuous ringing bells
and methods of locking the wheels of machines instead of using a detached padlock
and chain as now used.
The first two of our improved bicycle machines differ from ordinary bicycles in
as much as the hind wheel is the driving wheel to which motion is imparted by a
spur wheel and endless chain band whilst the front wheel is the steering wheel.
The sizes of the wheels range from 30 inches downwards they are never larger in
diameter but may be smaller as the front wheel can range as low as 10 inches.
Both wheels may be of the same diameter but never under any circumstances is
the hind driving wheel smaller than the front steering wheel..
And in order that our improvements may be clearly understood and readily
carried into practice we will proceed to describe the same with reference to the
drawings hereto annexed.
In one form of our improved bicycles as represented by Figures 1. 2 and 3 both
wheels A. B are advantageously about 25 inches in diameter the hind wheel B has
a pinion bcast in one piece with the hub b¹ to which motion is imparted by an
endless chain b² connected with a pedal shaft and endless_band wheel 6 situated
about mid-way between the two wheels A. B.
An ordinary vertical fork a with "Stanley head" connects the steering wheel A
with the back-bone C which curves downwards round the top part of the circum-
ference of the wheel A it is then bent outwards and proceeds in an inclined
direction terminating in the fork C₁ which embraces the driving wheel. The
steering is effected by bridle rods c connecting a steering post d with the head
stock of the front wheel.
We will now describe another arrangement of our improved construction of
bicycle.
In Figures 4, 5 and 6 the fork C¹ is attached to the hub b¹ of the hind wheel B
and the main framing in a horizontal direction the backbone C proceeding in the
same straight line to the headstock of the small steering wheel A. Both carrying
wheels A B are brought as close together as possible so that they overlap the

page_text: central driving wheel which actuates a pulley 6ª on the axis of the hind wheel B
by means of an endless band 62 as shown.
The front wheel A being small sufficient room is afforded between the plane of
the endless band driving wheel and the plane described by the crank furthest from
it for the lateral angular motion required for steering:
The bicycles as represented by Figures 1. 2. 3. 4. 5 and 6 can be driven by
adapting a set of cog wheels in place of the endless band wheel and chain previously
described.
The arrangement for regulating the driving chain is as follows; shown in detail
by Figures 6* 7 and 8.
The support which carries the pedal shaft bª is formed. with an elongated narrow
foot (1) with a slot at either end and a rabbet on its under side the part carrying
the bearings and shaft 63 has a projection (2) on its upper side which fits into the
rabbet and a bolt at either end passed through the slots which thus limits its play
backward or forward in the rabbet. When the holes and pins of the chain have
worn so as to cause undue slackness it is only necessary to slack the two nuts of
the bolts and to advance the under part which carries the pedal shaft b³ through a
short distance until the requisite tightness of chain is obtained.
The cross section of the rabbet may be of the form known as dovetail with its
widest part uppermost. When this form is adopted one of the lugs or projections
with the slot in it may be dispensed with.
We will now describe another arrangement of bicycle constructed in accordance
with another part of our improvements. We would remark that in this improved
construction of bicycle the rider has the driving wheel in front of him which may
be fifty inches in diameter. In this.machine the hind wheel is the smallest. The
fork is turned downwards in an angular or oblique direction terminating a few
inches from the ground where it is attached by a suitable joint to the backbone
which runs along close to the ground forming a platform or step for the rider to
elevate himself above the saddle it then joins the fork of the hind wheel. On
either side of the fork embracing the front wheel a gudgeon projects which vibrates
a treddle with the pedal at one end and a suitable connecting rod at the other for
attaching it to the crank.
We will now describe our improved method of locking and securing the wheels
of velocipede and other like vehicles or machines by attaching a suitable locking
apparatus to a convenient part of the machine, the said locking apparatus thus
forming part and parcel of the said machine.
By this means we are enabled to do away with the detached lock and chain,
which are generally not at hand when required, whilst the spokes of the wheels
are liable to be bent when the said detached lock and chain are used.
We wish it to be understood that we do not confine ourselves to the locking
arrangement as herein described and represented in the drawings, as any suitable
attached locking arrangement may be employed in accordance with this part of
our improvements.
One method by which the owner can lock fast the wheel of his velocipede or
other vehicle in accordance with our invention without detached padlock and
chain is as follows and is represented by Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings.
Alongside the hub of the wheel and cast with it is a concentric disc e slightly
less in diameter and distant from it about 1/, of an inch. This disc e has four to
six notches cut in it similar to the spaces between the teeth of wheels into which
it is intended for the bolt f of a lock to engage when required.
The bolt fis slotted at the end and strides the disc e the object of this is that
when the machine is locked. by its owner it shall be impossible to strain the bolt
or locking plate. The bolt is forced backwards by a spring and is held locked or
unlocked by a suitable detent moved by a key.
We will now describe the various improved arrangements of alarms in which we.
make use of the motion of the driving wheel to actuate. a small wheel or disc g
represented by Figures 11. 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16. which can be brought, when

page_text: required into rolling contact with the tyre of the driving wheel. On the face of>
the disc gare attached by shouldered screws forming joints two hammers g¹ g¹
when the small wheel or disc aforesaid is brought to bear upon the driving wheel.
the disc revolves and the hammers or clappers fly out by centrifugal force and
strike upon the bell . Instead of the bell a small fan may be substituted which
by its motion blows a whistle or horn or may cause one or more reeds (such as are
used in harmoniums) to sound.
In place of either bell whistle or reed a small force pump may be employed to
compress air into a suitable reservoir or into the backbone of existing bicycles for
the purpose of alarm by whistle or reed as aforesaid.
Two methods may be employed by which either the bell or fan may be attached
to existing bicycles. The first is where the usual spoon brake is attached to head
stock, the joint which contains the bell crank lever of the break can be made wide
enough in the jaws or opening to contain the lever of the bell or fan the break
lever and bell lever will thus be side by side and working on the same pin or
fulcrum as shown in Figure 11-The bell can be brought into play in the same
manner as the break is operated by a lever j whose fulcrumi is on the steering
.handle.
Another method of applying the aforesaid bell or whistle to existing bicycles is
by temporarily removing one of the horn or ebonite handles & from the steering bar
and sliding over the steering bar a tube or sleeve ¹ of suitable length the tube ¹
is supported and held in its place by two metal shouldered collars with set
screws to pinch them fast to the steering bar one of these collars k² has a projection
with a slit in it into which is rivetted a flat steel spring k³ similar to a knife blade
any other suitable form of spring may be used. The bell is attached to the tube
or sleeve by a cranked lever cast or wrought in one piece with the tube.
To apply the bell it is only necessary to raise the thumb or finger from the
steering handle and press upon a stud rivetted into the tube at that end of it
nearest to the hand of the rider (the movement of the stud 5 is limited by a notch
in the collar) the moment the finger is removed the spring lifts the bell clear of
the wheel. This bell whistle or compressing pump is applicable to bicycles and
other vehicles.
The steering handle is externally similar to the ordinary type but differing
somewhat from it being tubular to permit the rods that actuate the band or other
brake and bell passing down the centre of it.
Having thus described the nature of our invention and the manner of carrying
the same into practice we would remark that we make no claim to any of the
parts separately which are well known and in common use, But what we
claim is;-
First. The improved arrangement and construction of bicycles whereby the feet
of the rider are brought from one to five inches from the ground the machine being
arranged and combined substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein-
before fully described and represented by Figures 1, 2 3 4 5 and 6 of the drawings
hereto annexed.
.
Second. We claim the improved arrangement and construction of bicycles in
which the outer circumference of the front and kind [sic] wheels A B overlap the
circumference of the intermediate endless band driving wheel b³ the whole being
arranged and combined substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein
before fully described and represented by Figures 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings hereto
annexed.
"
We also claim. The improved arrangement and application of a suspended endless
band driving wheel with chain and pulley (or a set of cog wheels) when used for
driving the hind carrying wheel of that class of bicycle wherein the front carrying
wheel is smaller than the hind wheel or when both carrying wheels are the same
size substantially as described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the
drawings hereto annexed.
We also claim the improved arrangement and construction of bicycles, in which

page_text: the hind part of the steering wheel oscillates between the plane of the suspended
driving wheel b³ and the opposite crank, as represented in figures 4, 5 and 6 of the
drawings annexed.
We also claim the improved method of regulating adjusting and tightening the
driving chain 62 substantially in the manner herein before described and represented
by Figures 6+, 7 and 8 of the drawings hereto annexed.
Third. We claim in bicycles wherein the driving wheel is in front of the rider
and the hind wheel is the smallest, the improved method of turning the fork down-
wards in an oblique direction and joining it by a suitable knuckle or joint to the
backbone very near the ground and we further claim the novel method of making
the backbone a low platform or step for the rider to elevate himself above the
saddle, the whole being arranged substantially in the manner and for the purposes
herein before described.
Fourth. We claim the improved method of attaching suitable locking apparatus
to any convenient part of velocipedes or other vehicles so as to form part and
parcel of the machine for the purpose hereinbefore described with reference to
Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings hereto annexed.
"
Fifth. We claim the improved arrangement and combination of apparatus for
sounding alarms on bicycles and other wheeled vehicles the whole being arranged
to act substantially in the manner and for the purpose hereinbefore described with
reference to Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 of the drawings hereto annexed.
Sixth. We claim the improved general arrangement and construction of
bicycles and apparatus combined therewith substantially in the manner herein-
before described and represented in the drawings hereto annexed.
In witness whereof I the said John Ford Coffin have hereunto set my hand and
seal this Eleventh day of January in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty four.