Improvements in Velocipedes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 13th July, 1897-Accepted, 4th Sept., 1897
Improvements in Velocipedes.
I, BOHN CHAPIN HICKS, Engineer, of 53 Dexter Building, Chicago, Cook County,
Illinois, United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of my invention,
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 provide a simple, economical and efficient
velocipede of the tricycle type, or one that is adapted to remain in an upright
position when the velocipede is at rest; and the invention consists in the features,
combinations and details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a complete
velocipede embodying my improvements; Fig. 2 a plan view of the same, looking
at it from the top; Fig. 3 a rear end elevation of a portion of the velocipede; and
Fig. 4 an enlarged view of the seat supporting clip, taken on line 4 of Fig. 2.
In the art to which this invention relates, it is well known that it is with great
difficulty that beginners or heavy persons can maintain their equilibrium, so that
resort has been had to the use of velocipedes of the tricycle type. The use of these
wheels, as ordinarily constructed, is objectionable, in that they are quite cumber-
some and heavy. Further, differential gear mechanism has to be provided for the
driving wheels, so that the same may take curves or turn corners properly, with
the least expenditure of force. My invention is designed principally to overcome
these objections and provide a light, simple and economical velocipede of the
tricycle type.
In constructing a velocipede in accordance with my improvements, I make
a main frame A, of the desired shape and size to support and hold the ordinary
parts in position. In the drawings I have shown it constructed in accordance
with what is known as the "diamond" type, having a front steering fork a,
carrying the steering wheel a¹, and a rear driving wheel a adapted to be driven in
the usual manner-all of such parts being so well understood by those skilled in
the art as to need no further explanation here.
In order to maintain the equilibrium of the velocipede, absorb shocks incident
to riding the same, and take curves properly, I use a supplemental frame portion
comprising two heads B, BI joined together by a cross-bar b, and vertical links B³
that are pivotally secured to the cross-bar and head portions, so as to form a
flexible connection. These heads are provided with independently pivoted por-
tions carrying trailing supporting-wheels 2. The flexible part of the supple-
mental frame portion is connected to the main frame by means of a fork C,
which is pivoted to the main frame at a point adjacent to the axle of the
driving wheel, so that it may properly rise or permit the driving wheel
to rise when passing over obstructions. This supplemental frame is further
flexibly connected to the main frame at a pivot c, in front of the seat portion,
by means of a V-frame or connecting rod, having two legs D, I), which are given
a proper curve so as to connect with the heads B, B' to which they are rigidly

page_text: It will thus be observed that the minimum amount of shock is imparted to the
rider when the vehicle is passing over obstructions. Further, that the vehicle can
be held in an upright position while at rest, and as each of the trailing supporting-
wheels are mounted so as to have independent pivotal and rotary movements,
they can take the proper curve without interfering with the operation of each
other.
In taking some curves the machine will incline to the proper side, and it is
desirable that the seat should remain perfectly horizontal, or that its supporting
rod should be made truly perpendicular to the ground. In order to accomplish
this result, I provide a clip which is made of two horizontal parallel bars E, having
perforations e through both of the bars and in line with each other. These clips
are secured to the connecting bars D, D¹ by means of bolt mechanism d, and the
saddle is supported thereon by means of a supporting post G, which is provided
with a collar g that rests on the lower bar of the clip. The openings in the clip
are slightly larger than the diameter of the saddle post, and also preferably
rounded, so that the post can remain perpendicular when the clip is slightly out of
a horizontal plane and maintain the saddle G¹ in its horizontal position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. In a velocipede of the class described, the combination of a main frame
provided with a steering wheel and a driving wheel in line with each other, a
supplemental frame consisting of two heads flexibly secured together, a trailing
supporting-wheel in each head portion arranged opposite each other and having
independant rotary and pivotal motions, a fork for flexibly securing the flexible
connection of the supplemental frame to the main frame at a
the driving axle, and a bar or bars rigidly secured to the head portions of the
point adjacent to
supplemental frame and pivotally secured to the main frame and arranged to
support the saddle or seat portion thereof, substantially as described.
2. In a velocipede of the class described, the combination of a main frame pro-
vided with a steering wheel and driving wheel in line with each other, a supple-
mental frame consisting of two head portions secured together by means of a
cross-bar and vertical pivotal links, a trailing supporting-wheel in each head
portion arranged opposite each other and having independant pivotal and rotary
motions, a fork portion flexibly securing the cross-bar of the supplemental frame 3
to the main frame adjacent to the driving wheel, a substantially V-shaped bar
rigidly secured to the head portions and pivotally secured to the main frame in
iront of the seat portion, and a seat portion arranged thereon, substantially as
described.
In a velocipede of the class described, the combination of a main frame pro- 4
vided with a steering wheel and a driving wheel in line with each other, a
supplemental frame provided with two trailing supporting-wheels, a V-shaped
bar rigidly secured to the supplemental frame and flexibly secured to the main
frame, a saddle clip consisting of two parallel bars secured to the V-shaped frame
and provided with a central aperture, and a seat post carrying a saddle or seat 4
portion passed through such apertures and loosely supported on the lower clip,
substantially as described.
Dated thi. 19h
P T "
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.