IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF THE POWER AND WEIGHT OF THE HUMAN BODY FOR DRIVING AND MOVING LOCOMOTIVE AND FIXED ENGINES OR APPARATUS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Victor Adolphe Mignot-Danton, Physician, in Paris (22,
Rue de Trévise), Republic of France, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE APPLICATION OF THE POWER AND WEIGHT OF THE HUMAN BODY FOR
DRIVING AND MOVING LOCOMOTIVE AND FIXED ENGINES OR APPARATUS."
Sealed the 31st July 1877, and dated the 14th February 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Victor Adolphe Mignot-Danton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th February 1877.
VICTOR ADOLPHE MIGNOT-DANTON, Physician, in Paris (22, Rue de Trévise),
Republic of France. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF THE POWER AND
WEIGHT OF THE HUMAN BODY FOR DRIVING AND MOVING LOCOMOTIVE AND FIXED
ENGINES OR APPARATUS."
My Invention consists in employing the human body which, seated and propped
or supported as in trotting, executes the movements. The seat or saddle upon which
the man sits and moves is analogous to the treadle of machines moved by the feet;
this seat, combined with connecting rods and wheel or fly, performs the same function
as the known mechanical arrangement composed of treadle connecting rods or levers
and fly wheel; what is novel is the power applied, which, combined with this system
and the bearings or fulcrums of equitation in the English trot, constitute à novel
motive power, or the novel application of a power.
The application or novel utilization which I make will serve to drive either fixed
or rolling machines, such as small vehicles.
I will first describe the application to a velocipede or bicycle, reference being had
to the accompanying Sheet of Drawing.
The effect is obtained by the aid of the following mechanical arrangement, the basis
of which is a board or seat analogous to the treadle of machines driven by the feet,
which board or seat may be termed the saddle, the saddle bearer, rod or lever bearer,
driving seat or otherwise :-This seat P (Fig. 1) has two bearings, a back one the
centre of motion, and a frontone baving an alternate downward and upward movement.
At the fore part of the driving seat a shaft A, A, (Fig. 2) is set by the aid of an
intermediary, or directly upon one or other of the faces of this seat by an axle a, a,
.
7

page_text: (Fig. 2), perpendicular to it and the seat, so that this shaft is not invariably fixed,
but may turn in the seat and be governed by the lateral or the rotary movements
given by the guide or rudder; each end of this shaft is connected by rods or
levers B¹, B, (Figs. 1 and 3) with the cranks M', M", (Fig. 1) of the driving wheel
of the bicycle (which cranks are in this instance placed in the same direction). In
the Drawing at Figure 1 one crank M¹ is seen, the other M¹¹ is on the other side of
the wheel as well as the connecting rod or lever B".
The back part of the driving seat is joined by a simple or a compound hinge to a
vertical or oblique rod, straight or curved, C (Fig. 1), simple or composed of several
pieces fixed upon the body of the bicycle, and forming part of it at x (Fig. 1), the
point where it is fixed.
The driving seat moving upon a hinge at its hinder part alternately lowers and
rises at its fore part under the movements of the man or rider, to give by means of
the connecting rods or levers and cranks a forward or a backward travelling motion
to the driving wheel.
I will now describe the apparatus completing this trotting movement of this
mechanical horse.
The rod C (Fig. 1), supporting the hinder part of the saddle may be extended,
dividing to the right and left, to carry suspended therefrom the following parts:-
To these two arms are fixed two boards or plates F (Fig. 1) and F1 (not shown
but similarly placed) of any suitable material set in an almost vertical plane; they
represent the flanks of the horse and are intended to give a bearing to the legs.
The rod C passing beneath the flanks F, F', carries on each arm the stirrups E (Fig. 1),
and E¹ (not shown), or fixed fulcrums or bearings for the feet set rigidly or sliding
on the extension of the rod C or upon the flanks F, F¹.
As the driving power acts by cranks placed in the same direction it acts only
during half a revolution of the cranks and driving wheel.
To aid in passing the dead points and ensure complete revolution of the driving
wheel I adopt the following arrangements :-A crank M1 (Fig. 1) will be placed
to the right or to the left of the driving wheel in inverse direction to the other
cranks. A portion B (Fig. 1), of connecting rod or lever will be jointed to this
crank, and will extend upward and pass through a ring A! (Fig. 1), carried directly
or by the aid of another piece upon the guide rod. The upper end of this part of
connecting rod or lever provided with a knob or any suitable handle may during
the relifting of the body be moved by one of the hands of the rider to give a half
turn to the driving wheel, this being the complimentary movement of that given by
the downward action of the body on the saddle.
Treadles not shown placed on each side upon the two cranks M², M¹¹¹, or M11
and M, or upon the connecting rod and the part of connecting rod or lever
corresponding therewith permit driving the bicycle with the feet either to start it
before using the trotting mechanism or by way of change of motion at pleasure.
To obtain a driving action from these treadles I use a fixed seat superposed upon
the aforesaid driving seat, and moving with it or independent of it at pleasure. This
seat P¹ (Fig. 1), is hinged at its hinder part near the back joints of the driving seat
or upon the end of this latter. This seat P¹, which may be raised in front at
pleasure, will rest by a hook x (Fig. 1), fixed so as to pivot on the seat upon the
guide rod either directly or by means of another piece.
The hinge arrangement of the driving seat might be placed in front instead of at
the back if desired.
A piece G (Fig. 3), fixed upon the guide rod and turning with it carries a hori-
zontal axle H (the end of which on the left side of the bicycle is seen ending in a
bolt, which secures the hinge, the bolt securing the opposite side in a similar
manner is not shown on the Drawing), which forms hinged support to the two seats
or saddles. The rods or levers B and B (Fig. 1), will in this arrangement be
carried to the back, and supported by a shaft fixed to the hinder part of the
driving seat.
One of the cranks M or M" and one of the rods B¹ or B¹¹ may in this case be

page_text: dispensed with as superfluous; they might also be dispensed with in the first
arrangement for the same reason.
The front bearing of the upper seat or saddle P¹ should be removed to the back
and fitted as follows:-The turning ring of the seat P¹ will be fixed on this seat
above and below, hidden in the thickness of the seat and of the stuffed cushion
covering it; a rod T (Fig. 3) will pass through it; this rod being bent on each side
of the saddle and ending in forks which embrace and rest upon the cross rod which
supports the flanks and stirrups F and E on each side of the bicycle, and may
when the saddle lowers incline forward or backward of this position.
Application of this Motive Power to Stationary Engines. To render my
system or trotting movement, treadle connecting rods, fly wheel, and fulcrums
applicable to stationary engines, it is only necessary that the axle of the fly wheel
should be carried in bearings in the ordinary way; in this way the fly may have a
direct action or a driving pulley may be used, the back part of the arrangement
resting on the ground. In this case the parts, which according to the above
description produce the rotations of the bicycle, may be dispensed with, the rods B
and B fitted by their upper end upon a shaft fixed to the driving seat, or directly
upon this latter without this shaft, or a single complete connecting rod may
be attached to the front of the seat in the ordinary way, and in both cases the
crank M and rod or lever B¹¹¹, as well as another similar crank and part of
rod on the opposite side for the complementary movement.
The hinder fulcrum of the system may, as described in reference to the second
arrangement, be done away with and brought forward, the entire fulcrum being
upon the bearings placed upon and firmly secured to a sufficiently broad and solid
support. Even the stirrup might be dispensed with, the feet of the driver bearing
upon the ground, and the lower part of the fly wheel being placed in a pit.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Victor Adolphe Mignot-Danton in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 14th August 1877.
VICTOR ADOLPHE MIGNOT-DANTON, Physician, in Paris (22, Rue de Trévise),
Republic of France. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF THE POWER AND
WEIGHT OF THE HUMAN BODY FOR DRIVING AND MOVING LOCOMOTIVE AND FIXED
ENGINES OR APPARATUS."
My Invention consists in employing the human body, which, seated and propped
or supported as in trotting, executes the movements. The seat or saddle upon which
the man sits and moves is analogous to the treadle of the machines moved by the
feet; this seat, combined with connecting rods and wheel or fly, performs the same
function as the known mechanical arrangement composed of treadle connecting
rods or levers, and fly wheel; what is novel is, the power applied which, combined
with this system and the bearings or fulcrums of equitation in the English trot,
constitute a novel motive power or the novel application of a power.
The application or novel utilization which I make will serve to drive either fixed
or rolling machines, such as small vehicles.
I will first describe the application to a velocipede or bicycle, reference being had
to the accompanying Sheet of Drawing.
The effect is obtained by the aid of the following mechanical arrangement, the basis
of which is a board or seat analogous to the treadle of machines driven by the feet,
which board or seat may be termed the saddle, the saddle bearer, rod or lever bearer,
driving seat or otherwise :-This seat P (Figure 1) has two bearings, a back one the
centre of motion, and a front one having an alternate downward and upward movement.
At the fore part of the driving seat a shaft A, A, (Figure 2), is set by the aid of

page_text: an intermediary, or directly upon one or other of the faces of this seat by an
axle a, a, (Figure 2) perpendicular to it and the seat, so that this shaft is not.
invariably fixed, but may turn in the seat and be governed by the lateral or the
rotary movements given by the guide rudder; each end of this shaft is connected
by rods or levers B1, B1, (Figures 1 and 2) with the cranks M¹, M", (Figure 1) of
the driving wheel of the bicycle (which cranks are in this instance placed in
the same direction). In the Drawing at Figure 1 one crank M¹ is seen, the
other M is on the other side of the wheel as well as the connecting rod or
lever Bu
The back part of the driving seat is joined by a simple or a compound hinge. to
a vertical or oblique rod straight or curved C (Figure 1), simple or composed of
several pieces fixed upon the body of the bicycle, and forming part of it at x
(Figure 1), the point where it is fixed.
The driving seat moving upon a hinge at its hinder part alternately lowers and
rises at its fore part under the movements of the man or rider, to give by means of
the connecting rods or levers and cranks a forward or a backward travelling motion
to the driving wheel. This being established and the seat or plate carrying the
connecting rods or levers representing the body or base of the saddle, I will now
describe the apparatus completing this mechanical horse or apparatuses for the
trotting motion.
1
The rod C (Figure 1) supporting the hinder part of the saddle may be extended,
dividing to the right and left to carry suspended therefrom the following parts:-
To these two arms may be fixed two boards or plates (as at F, Figure 3), of any
suitable material, set in an almost vertical plane, one on each side of the machine;
they represent the flanks of the horse, and are intended to give a bearing to the legs.
The rod C passing beneath these flanks F carries on each arm the stirrups E (Figure 1)
and E (not shown), or fixed fulcrums or bearings for the feet set rigidly or sliding
on the extensions of the rod C or upon the flanks.
As the driving power acts by cranks placed in the same direction, it acts only
during half a revolution of the cranks and driving wheel.
To aid it in passing the dead points and ensure complete revolution of the driving
wheel, I adopt the following arrangements:-A crank M (Figure 1) will be
placed to the right or to the left of the driving wheel in inverse direction to the
other cranks. A portion (B1, Figure 1) of connecting rod or lever will be jointed
to this crank and will extend upward and pass through a ring A¹ (Figure 1), carried
directly or by the aid of another piece upon the guide rod. The upper end of this
part of connecting rod or lever, provided with a knob or any suitable handle, may'
during the relifting of the body be moved by one of the hands of the rider to give
a half turn to the driving wheel, this being the complementary movement of that
given by the downward action of the body on the saddle.
Treadles placed on each side upon the two cranks M¹, M, or M¹¹ and M¹¹, or
upon the connecting rod and the part of connecting rod or lever corresponding
therewith, permit driving the bicycle with the feet either to start it before using
the trotting mechanism, or by way of change of motion at pleasure.
To obtain a driving action from these treadles I use a fixed seat superposed upon
the aforesaid driving seat, and moving with it or independent of it at pleasure.
This seat P¹ (Figure 1) is hinged at its hinder part near the back joints of the
riding seat or upon the end of this latter. This seat P¹ which may be raised in
front at pleasure will rest by a hook x (Figure 1), simple or compound, fixed
so as to pivot on the seat upon the guide rod either directly or by means of another
piece.
The hinge arrangement of the driving seat might be placed in front instead of at
the back if desired.
A piece G (Figure 3), fixed upon the guide rod and turning with it, carries a
horizontal axle H (the end of which on the left side of the bicycle is seen
ending in a bolt, which secures the hinge, the bolt securing the opposite side in a-

page_text: similar manner is not shown on the Drawing), which forms hinged support to the
two seats or saddles. The rods or levers B¹ and B" (Figure 1) will in this arrange-
ment be carried to the back and supported by a shaft fixed to the hinder part of the
driving seat.
One of the cranks M or MH and one of the rods B¹ or B¹¹ may in this case be
dispensed with as superfluous; they might also be dispensed with in the first arrange-
ment for the same reason.
Figure 3 shows a second arrangement; in this arrangement the front bearing
of the upper seat or saddle P¹ is removed to the back, and it is fitted as follows :-
A rod Thinged to the seat P¹ has at its lower end a friction roller grooved in its
circumference (this rod T is replaced in Figure 4 by a different rod bearing the
same letter of reference), and a railway curved in conformity with the circumference
described by the seat P₁ in its turning movements, and placed horizontally upon the
body of the bicycle serves to support and guide it. This rod may if desired be laid
between the two saddles P and P¹; the ordinary steering gear is insufficient for
turning this bicycle, and I therefore use a longish flat bar, fixed by an axle upon
the body of the bicycle extending from front to back, moveable horizontally, and
provided with a longitudinal slot f, through which passes a rod or bar fixed to the
hind part of the saddle, and another rod or bar Z jointed at its lower end upon the
axle of the hind wheel and serving as lever to turn the machine to the right or to
the left.
•
Finally, in a last arrangement shown, Figure 4, the front wheel carries treadles
and cranks, as in ordinary velocipedes, also one or two connecting rods B³ with
corresponding cranks to be worked by hand. The saddle P or driving seat has its
bearing forward, with its centre of gyration on the body I of the velocipede,
which connects the fore and hind carriages. The rod or lever by which this seat P
communicates motion is carried to the back of the machine, and by means of
the crank M³ drives the axle of the hind wheels. These hind wheels are keyed
on the axle, which turn in bearings C fixed upon the body or frame which joins
the fore to the hind carriage; the seat P¹ is arranged and acts as previously set
forth.
Application of this Motive Power to Stationary Engines. To render my system
or trotting movement treadle, connecting rods, fly wheel, and fulcrums, applicable
to stationary engines, it is only necessary that the axle of the fly wheel should
be carried in bearings in the ordinary manner; in this way the fly may have a
direct action, or a driving pulley may be used, the back part of the arrangement
resting on the ground. In this case the parts which, according to the above
description, produce the rotations of the bicycle may be dispensed with, the rods B¹
and B fitted by their upper end upon a shaft fixed to the driving seat or directly
upon this latter without this shaft, or a single complete connecting rod may be
attached to the front of the seat as is usual, and in both cases the crank M
and rod or lever B₁ as well as another similar crank M¹¹, and part of rod B1111 may
be placed on the opposite side to complete the movement.
The back fulcrum of the system may, as described in reference to the second
arrangement, be done away with, and brought forward, the entire fulcrum being
upon the bearings placed upon and firmly secured to a sufficiently broad and solid
support, even the stirrups might be dispensed with, the feet of the driver bearing
upon the ground and the lower, part of the fly wheel being placed in a pit.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is or may be performed, desire it to be understood that
I do not limit myself to the precise details herein-before set forth and illustrated
on the accompanying Sheet of Drawing, as such may be varied without departure
from my Invention, and that I claim as secured to me by the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent, the application and utilization of the weight of the human
body in combination with a treadle movement, connecting rods, driving wheel, and
fulcrums of equitation as of a horseman in trotting, substantially as herein-before

page_text: described and represented, Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, of the accompanying Sheet of
Drawing and for the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Victor Adolphe Mignot-Danton, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Ninth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
Witness,
ED. D'AUBRÉVILLE, C.E.
V. A. MIGNOT-DANTON. (L.S.)