IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES
Year: 1884

page_text: I PHILIP ARTHUR NEWTON of the Office for Patents, 6 Bream's Buildings
Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent do hereby declare
the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES," to be as
follows:-
The invention relates to the class of bicycles in which the large driving wheel is
journalled in and supports a fixed frame or fork from which extends a tubular
back bone curved to correspond approximately to the circumference of the driving
wheel and having concealed within it and extending through it connections for
controlling the smaller steering-wheel which is at the lower end of the backbone.
The invention is applicable to machines of this class whether the backbone is
composed of a single tube or two or more tubes and whether the small steering
wheel is in front of or behind the driving wheel, which latter may be operated by
cranks or by a suitable treadle and ratchet movement.
In carrying out the invention the connections which are employed to transmit
power from the steering-shaft or steering spindle at the upper end of the backbone
to the steering wheel shaft or fork at the lower end of the backbone, are of a
flexible character in order to accommodate themselves to the curvature of the
back bone and such connections may be composed of chain, wire-rope, or metal rods
or wire, or of any combination of these materials.
The invention consists in the combination with the driving wheel and steering
wheel and a fixed frame for the driving-wheel of a tubular curved back bone
capable of being elongated or contracted to properly fix its length, a steering shaft.
or handle at the upper end of the backbone and connections extending through
said curved backbone and serving to transmit power from the steering shaft or
handle for controlling the steering wheel. By elongating or shortening the backbone
provision is afforded for producing and maintaining a proper degree of tension in
the connections which extend through it, thereby facilitating the assembling and
adjustment of parts in new machines and the adjustment in old machines to
compensate for wear.

page_text: The invention also consists in the combination with the driving wheel and
steering wheel, tubular curved backbone and fixed frame for the driving-wheel, of
a steering shaft or spindle at the upper end of the backbone,-a steering wheel
shaft at the lower end of the backbone a box or frame secured upon the lower end
of the backbone and in which a thrust bearing is provided for the aforesaid
steering wheel shaft, wheels upon the steering shaft or steering spindle and
steering-wheel-shaft, and flexible steering connections extending through the
backbone and serving to transmit power from.the said wheel on the steering shaft
or steering 'spindle to the said wheel on the steering wheel shaft.
The invention also consists in the combination with the driving wheel and
steering wheel, the fixed frame for the driving wheel, a curved backbone composed
of or comprising two tubes and a steering shaft or bandle at the upper end of the
backbone, of rods, chains or other flexible connections extending one through each
of said tubes for transmitting power from the steering shaft or handle for controlling
the steering wheel.
The invention also consists in the combination with the driving wheel and
steering wheel, fixed frame for the driving wheel, curved tubular backbone and
steering connections extending through the same, of a tubular steering shaft or
steering, spindle surmounted by a handle, a brake for acting on the driving wheel,
a brake operating rod or push piece movable within said tubular shaft or spindle,
and a brake-applying lever adjacent to the steering handle for actuating said rod
or push piece to apply the brake; also in combining with the foregoing a spring,
whereby the brake and its operating rod or push piece are raised or returned after
operation by the brake-applying lever.
The invention also consists in the combination with the driving wheel and
steering wheel, the fixed frame for the driving wheel, the curved tubular backbone
and steering connections extending through it, of a box or frame of novel. con-
struction at the upper end of the backbone; and a steering-shaft or spindle journalled
in said box or frame. This box or frame has connected with it the upper end of
the tube or tubes which compose the backbone. It has a circular cavity in its top
end, and is closed at the top by a cap or plate provided with an outwardly
extending sleeve or tubular bub. The steering shaft or steering spindle is journalled
in said sleeve or hub and carries within the said box or frame a wheel to which the
steering connections are attached, and by. which they are operated.
The steering shaft projects slightly below the said wheel and forms a journal
which has a bearing in the bottom of the said box or frame. The aforesaid plate.
or cap for closing the top of the said box or frame may be screwed thereinto, and
may have a circular projection extending beyond the screw thread, and on which
impinges a set screw inserted through the side of the box or frame to prevent the
accidental unscrewing of the cap or plate.
The invention also consists in the combination with the driving wheel and
steering wheel, the curved tubular backbone and steering connections extending
through the same, and the box or frame at the upper end of the backbone closed
by a cap or plate provided with a sleeve or hub as above described, of a fixed frame
for the driving wheel comprising arms or braces which extend upwards and are
secured by a clamp to the sleeve or hub of said cap or plate..
The invention also consists in the combination with the driving wheel and
steering wheel, the fixed frame for the driving wheel, the curved tubular backbone
and steering connections extending through the same, of a saddle mounted on the
fixed frame over the driving wheel, a steering shaft or spindle inclined forwardly
relatively to the saddle and provided with handles at the top and a box or frame
at the upper end of the backbone and in which the steering shaft or spindle is
journalled. By the forward inclination of the steering shaft or spindle, the handles
thereof are caused to rise when they are moved towards the rider in steering and
hence clear or pass over the knees of the rider,
The invention also includes a novel construction of the box or frame in which the
steering wheel shaft or fork is journalled, and a novel construction and combination

page_text: of the power transmitting wheels or gearing in said box or frame through which
the flexible steering connections operate the steering wheel shaft or fork; the
construction and manner of combining the referred to, parts being as follows:-
The box or frame at the lower end of the backbone, comprises upwardly
extending sockets which receive the tube or tubes of the backbone, and an
outwardly extending portion containing a circular cavity open at the bottom. This
cavity is closed by a cap or plate having a downwardly extending sleeve or hub
and which may be screwed into the open bottom of the box or otherwise secured
therein. The forked steering wheel shaft is journalled in the sleeve or hub pro-
jecting from said cap or plate, and is held against movement lengthwise therein by
a pulley or chain wheel fixed on the upper part of said shaft above the cap or plate
and a collar on the shaft bearing against the lower end of the sleeve. or hub and
forming a thrust bearing. In the sides of the box or frame are circular cavities in
which are journalled wheels or idle pulleys over which the flexible connections are
deflected towards the pulley or chain wheel which is on the upper end of the
steering wheel shaft, and to which the connections are attached. The cavities
containing these idle pulleys are closed dust-proof by caps. In the closed top of
the box or frame is a set screw which forms a stop to limit the inward movement
of the cap or plate carrying the steering wheel shaft. This set screw. bears against
the upper end of said shaft and in assembling the parts the cap or plate is screwed
into its box until arrested by the end of the shaft striking the set screw. By
adjusting the set screw the wheel on the steering wheel shaft may be brought into
proper relation to the idle wheels or pulleys to cause the proper working of the
flexible connections. In lieu of the pulley or chain wheel on the upper end of the
steering wheel shaft and the two idle wheels or pulleys over which the flexible
connections are deflected, I may employ a bevel gear wheel on the upper end of the
shaft and journal in the box or frame a second bevel wheel, gearing into and driving
the first, and having formed with or rigidly secured to it a pulley around which
the flexible steering connections pass, and to which they are attached. In such
case the set screw above described would serve to adjust the bevel on the steering
wheel shaft into proper relation with the bevel wheel which drives it. The collar
on the steering wheel shaft which bears against the end of the bearing therefor, and
forms a thrust bearing may be omitted, and the aforesaid set screw may constitute
a thrust bearing for said shaft. The box or frame at the lower end of the backbone
may be constructed in a single piece providing for a definite and invariable inclina-
tion of the steering wheel shaft, or it may be constructed in two pieces swivelled
together and providing for adjusting and securing the steering wheel shaft at any
inclination desired.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION,
I PHILIP ARTHUR NEWTON of the Office for Patents, 6 Breams Buildings
Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent do hereby declare
the nature of the invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
The invention relates to the class of bicycles in which the large driving wheel is.
journalled in and supports a fixed frame or fork from which extends a tubular or
channelled backbone curved to correspond approximately to the circumference of
the driving wheel and having concealed within it and extending through it,
connections for controlling the smaller steering wheel which is at the lower end of
the backbone..
The invention is applicable to machines of this class whether the backbone
is composed of a single tube, or two or more tubes and whether the small steering
wheel is in front of or behind the driving wheel, which latter may be operated by
cranks or by a suitable treadle and ratchet movement.
•
In carrying out the invention the connections which are employed to transmit
power from the steering shaft or steering spindle at the upper end of the backbone
to the steering wheel shaft or fork at the lower end of the backbone are of a
flexible character in order to accommodate themselves to the curvature of the
backbone and such connections may be composed of chain, wire-rope, or metal rods,
or wire or of any combination of these materials.
The invention consists in the combination with the driving-wheel and steering-
wheel and a fixed frame for the driving wheel of a tubular or channelled curved
backbone capable of being elongated or contracted to properly fix its length, a
steering shaft or handle at the upper end of the backbone and connections extend-
ing through said curved backbone and serving to transmit power from the steering
shaft or handle for controlling the steering wheel. By elongating or shortening
the backbone, provision is afforded for producing and maintaining a proper degree
of tension in the connections which extend through it, thereby facilitating the
assembling and adjustment of parts in new machines and the adjustment in old
machines to compensate for wear.
The invention also consists in the combination with the driving wheel and
steering wheel, tubular or channelled curved backbone and fixed frame for the
driving-wheel, of a steering shaft or spindle at the upper end of the backbone, a
steering wheel shaft at the lower end of the backbone a box or frame secured upon
the lower end of the backbone and in which a thrust bearing is provided for the
aforesaid steering-wheel-shaft, wheels upon the steering shaft or steering spindle
and steering-wheel-shaft, and flexible steering connections extending through the
backbone and serving to transmit power from the said wheel on the steering shaft
or steering-spindle to the said wheel on the steering wheel shaft.
The invention also consists in the combination with the driving wheel and
steering wheel, the fixed frame for the driving wheel, a curved backbone composed
of or comprising two tubes or channels and a steering shaft or handle at the upper

page_text: end of the backbone, of rods, chains or other flexible connections extending one
through each of said tubes for transmitting power from the steering shaft or handle
for controlling the steering wheel.
The invention also consists in the combination with the driving-wheel and
steering wheel, fixed frame for the driving wheel, curved tubular or channelled
backbone and steering connections extending through the same, of a tubular
steering shaft or steering spindle surmounted by a handle, a brake for acting on
the driving wheel, a brake operating rod or push piece movable within said tubular
shaft or spindle and a brake-applying lever adjacent to the steering handle for
actuating said 'rod or push piece to apply the brake, also in combining with the
foregoing, a spring whereby the brake and its operating rod or push piece are raised
or returned after operation by the brake-applying-lever.
The invention also consists in the combination with the driving wheel and
steering wheel, the fixed frame for the driving-wheel, the curved tubular or
channelled backbone and steering connections extending through it, of a box or
framo of novel construction at the upper end of the backbone, and a steering shaft
or spindle journalled in said box or frame. This box or frame has connected with
it the upper end of the tube or tubes which compose the backbone. It has a
circular cavity in its top and is closed at the top by a cap or plate provided with
an upwardly extending sleeve or tubular hub. The steering shaft or steering-
spindle is journalled in said sleeve or hub and carries within the said box or frame
a wheel to which the steering connections are attached and by which they are
operated.
The steering shaft projects slightly below the said wheel and forms a journal
which has a bearing in the bottom of the said box or frame. The aforesaid plate or
cap for closing the top of the said box or frame may be screwed thereinto and may
have a circular projection extending beyond the screw thread and on which
impinges a set screw inserted through the side of the box or frame to prevent the
accidental unscrewing of the cap or plate.
The invention also consists in the combination with the driving wheel and
steering wheel, the curved tubular or channelled backbone and steering connections
extending through the same and the box or frame at the upper end of the backbone
closed by a cap or plate provided with a sleeve or hub as above described, of a fixed
frame for the driving wheel comprising rods or braces which extend upwards and
are secured by a clamp to the sleeve or hub of said cap or plate.
The invention also consists in the combination with the driving, wheel and
steering-wheel, the fixed frame for the driving wheel, the curved tubular or
channelled backbone and steering connections extending through the same, of a
saddle mounted on the fixed frame over the driving wheel, a steering shaft or
spindle inclined forwardly relatively to the saddle and provided with handles at
the top, and a box or frame at the upper end of the backbone and in which the
steering shaft or spindle is journalled. By the forward inclination of the steering
shaft or spindle, the handles thereof are caused to rise when they are moved
towards the rider in steering and hence clear or pass over the knees of the rider.
The invention also includes a novel construction of the box or frame in which
the steering wheel shaft or fork is journalled and a novel construction and combi-
nation of the power transmitting wheels or gearing in said box or frame through
which the flexible steering connections operate the steering-wheel shaft or fork;
tbe construction and manner of combining the referred to parts being as follows:-
The box or frame at the lower end of the backbone comprises upwardly
extending sockets which receive the tube or tubes of the backbone and an
outwardly extending portion containing a circular cavity open at the bottom.
This cavity is closed by a cap or plate having a downwardly extending sleeve or..
hub and which may be screwed into the open bottom of the box or otherwise
secured therein. The forked.steering wheel shaft is journalled in the sleeve or hub
projecting from said cap or plate and is held against movement. lengthwise therein
by a pulley or chain wheel fixed on the upper part of said shaft above the cap on

page_text: plate, and a collar on the shaft bearing against the lower end of the sleeve or hub
and forming a thrust bearing. In the sides of the box or fraine are circular cavities
in which are journalled wheels or idle pulleys over which the flexible connections
are deflected towards the pulley or chain-wheel which is on the upper end of the
steering-wheel shaft and to which the connections are attached. The cavities
containing these idle pulleys are closed dust proof by caps. In the closed top of
the box or frame is a set screw which forms a stop to limit the inward movement
of the cap or plate carrying the steering-wheel shaft. This set screw bears against
the upper end of said shaft and in assembling the parts the cap or plate is screwed
into its box until arrested by the end of the shaft striking the set screw.
By
adjusting the set screw the wheel on the steering-wheel-shaft may be brought into
proper relation to the idle wheels or pulleys to cause the proper working of the
flexible connections. In lieu of the pulley or chain-wheel on the upper end of the
steering-wheel-shaft and the two idle wheels or pulleys over which the flexible
connections are deflected there may be employed a bevel gear wheel on the upper
end of the shaft and journal in the box or frame, a second bevel wheel gearing into
and driving the first, and having formed with or rigidly secured to it a pulley
around which the flexible steering connections pass and to which they are attached.
In such cases the set-screw above described would serve to adjust the bevel wheel
on the steering-wheel-shaft into proper relation with the bevel wheel which drives
it. The collar on the steering-wheel-shaft which bears against the end of the
bearing therefor and forms a thrust bearing, may be omitted and the aforesaid set-
screw may constitute a thrust bearing for said shaft. The box or frame at. the
lower end of the backbone may be constructed in a single piece providing for a
definite and invariable inclination of the steering-wheel-shaft, or it may be
constructed in two pieces swivelled together and providing for adjusting and
securing the steering-wheel-shaft at any inclination desired.
In the accompanying drawing Fig: 1 is a side elevation of a bicycle embodying
this invention, a portion of the tubular or channelled backbone being in section;
Fig: 2 is an end elevation of the machine; Fig: 3 is a vertical section showing the
box or frame at the upper end of the backbone; the steering shaft and handle and
the brake operating devices combined therewith; Fig 4 is a partially.sectional plan
of the parts shown in Fig: 3; Fig: 5 is a vertical section of the box or frame at
the lower end of the backbone showing also the steering wheel and shaft, connec-
tions for operating the same; Fig 6 is a horizontal section upon the plane of the
dotted line of Fig: 5; Fig. 7 is a vertical section upon the same scale as Fig:5
of the box or frame at the lower end of the backbone showing the backbone as
consisting of a single tube or channel; Fig: 8 is a plan of the box or frame shown
in Fig 7 adapted to be secured to a backbone consisting of a single tube or
channel; Fig: 9 is a vertical section of the box or frame at the lower end of the
backbone showing a modification of the gearing whereby power is transmitted
from the flexible connections to the steering-wheel-shaft; Fig. 10 is a transverse
section upon the plane of the dotted line y y Fig: 9; Figs 11 and 12 are respectively
a vertical section and a front elevation of the box or frame at the lower end of the
backbone and the steering-wheel-shaft illustrating the same gearing for transmit-
ting motion from the flexible connections to the steering-wheel-shaft as is shown
in Figs 9 and 10 in connection with the backbone consisting of a single tube or
channel; Figs 13 and 14 are transverse sections of curved tubular or channelled
backbones of modified construction, and Fig 15 is an elevation partly in section of
a machine having a curved tubular or chanuelled backbone which is capable of
elongation or contraction to properly fix its length and which contains steering
connections.consisting of rod or shaft sections united by universal or flexible joints
so that the rod or shaft as a whole is enabled to adapt itself to the curvature of the
tubular or channelled backbone.
All the figures except Figs: 1, 2 and 15 are made upon a uniform larger scale to
more clearly illustrate the invention; and the same letters of reference designate
corresponding parts in all the figures,

page_text: A designates the main driving wheel having a driving axle A', and B designates
the smaller. steering wheel which is mounted upon an axle or pivot B. These
wheels may be of any ordinary or suitable construction and there is shown nothing
but the rims or felloes as the invention in nowise relates to their construction.
The main driving wheel A is journalled in or supports a fixed or main frame C
which as here shown comprises braces or rods a extending upwards and connected
as hereinafter described, other braces or rods a¹ extending upwards and connected
with a spring a whereon the drivers seat D is supported and braces or rods aª
extending to the lower portion of the frame and connected therewith as hereinafter
described. The frame also comprises an upper box or frame portion E and a lower
box or frame portion F and a curved tubular or channelled backbone G uniting
said box or frame portions and corresponding approximately in shape to the
curvature of the wheel A and other braces or rods.a extending from the braces or
rods a³ and connected to the box or frame portion E. The curved backbone G may
consist of one or two tubes or channels. In figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10 the
backbone is represented as consisting of two tubes or channels G and in Figs 7, 8,
11, 12 and 15 it is represented as consisting of a single tube or channel G.
The main driving axle A¹ may be operated by a crank and pedals or it may have
any suitable construction of ratchet and lever movement for operating it. There
are here represented levers b provided at. their upper ends with pedals b¹ and
fulcrummed at to the main frame C. These levers may be connected with the
main axle by straps bands or flexible connections and operate through a suitable
clutch mechanism thereon. No such mechanism is shown as it forms no part of
the present invention and may be of any of the ordinary constructions heretofore
used.
The construction of the box or. frame E at the upper end of the backbone will
now be described and the manner of combining the steering shaft and the brake-
operating devices therewith, those features being shown most clearly in Figs. 3
and 4 but also in Figs 1 and 2. This box or fraine E is provided with rearwardly
extending nipples which are externally screw threaded and the ends of the
tubes G composing the backbone are also externally screw threaded and are
connected therewith by nuts or sleeves c¹ having internal left and right hand
serew threads fitting corresponding threads on the necks or nipples and the tubes.
By turning these nuts or sleeves c¹ in one or other direction the length of the
tubular or channelled backbone may be varied and properly fixed thereby affording
facility in adjusting the parts when first assembled together and also for taking up
lost motion and to compensate for wear after use.
The box or frame E has an internal cavity c² open at the top and there closed by
a cap or bonnet c³ which may be screwed thereinto and this cap or bonnet may
have an inwardly projecting cylindric rim c* beyond its.screw thread and bo
secured against accidental turning by a set-screw c' bearing against said rim as
shown in Fig: 3. The cap or bonnet has an upwardly projecting sleeve or
hub cs around the top of which is a clamp collar c whereby the upper ends of the
rods or braces a comprised in the frame, are secured to the box or frame E.
H designates the steering shaft which is surmounted by a handle Hand is
journalled in the sleeve or hub c and in the bottom of the box or frame portion E
and has within the cavity of the box or frame portion a wheel or hub d to which
the steering connections are attached as hereinafter described. Through this
steering shaft H extends a brake operating rod or plunger d' with the upper end
of which is connected a brake applying lever de fulcrummed at d³ to the steering
handle H' as shown in Fig 2. and the lower end of this rod or plunger d' which
may be provided with a roller bears upon the brake H which operates upon the
rim of the driving wheel A. This brake is fulcrummed at d and is pressed against
the wheel by the action of the lever d². In order to remove the brake from the
wheel when the lever is released the rear end of the brake is represented as
formed with a spring which has a tendency to lift the brake from the wheel
and which acts for this purpose when the lever d' is released: As here represented

page_text: this spring is formed in the same piece with the brake but it may be otherwise
constructed and applied thereto.
The construction of the box or frame portion F which is at the lower end of the
backbone G will now be described. As here represented this box.or frame portion
¡comprises a cavity e which is closed at the lower side by a cap or bonnet e¹ having
a long hub or sleeve e in which is journalled the steering-wheel-shaft I This
cap or bonnet e may be screwed or otherwise secured into the lower open side of
the frame portion F and it may be additionally secured by a set screw e³ to prevent
its accidental turning. The steering-wheel-shaft I has secured upon its lower end
or formed integral with it and projecting downward, a steering-wheel fork I in
which is journalled the axle or pivot B₁ of the steering wheel B; and contained
within the cavity or chamber e and secured to the upper end of the shaft I is a
wheel or hub e' around which the steering connections pass in the manner to be
described.
In the top of the box or frame portion F is a set screw e which bears against
the end of the steering-wheel-shaft I The box or frame F has also constructed
with it, upwardly projecting pockets or cylindric holders in which are cavities es
and which are closed by caps or bonnets e** as best shown in Fig 6.
Within these cavities or chambers e are contained pulleys or idle wheels e
which are journalled upon pins or studs e secured in the cavities or chambers e6 and
the caps or bonnets e¹* may be secured in place by the same studs or pivots e³ and
nuts eº.
The box or frame portion F has upwardly projecting sockets co wherein are
screwed or otherwise secured the lower ends of the tubes or channels which
constitute the backbone G.
The end portions of the braces or rods a³ are secured to the lower box or frame
portion F by a clamping collar ell which embraces the hub or sleeve e² as shown
in Figs 1 and 5. The fork I forms or may form a shoulder bearing against the
lower end of the hub or sleeve e as shown in Fig 1. and this shoulder may form a
thrust bearing for the steering wheel shaft I and fork I or if desired the set
screw e inserted in the top of the box or frame portion F may constitute such
thrust bearing and serve to take up such lost motion. The set screw also serves
to adjust the wheel or hub e' so that the bottom of its groove will be tangential
to the bottoms of the grooves in the idle pulleys or wheels e*.
_ The steering connections whereby motion is transmitted from the steering
shaft H to the steering wheel shaft I extend through the tubular or channelled
backbone G. As here represented these steering connections consist of curved rods
or wires J which are arranged within the tubes G and have their ends connected
by chains or analogous flexible connections J' passing around the wheels or hubs d
and e and passing under and deflected by the idle wheels e. The chain or flexible
connection at the upper end of the steering connections may be attached by a
bolt or otherwise to the wheel or hub d and a similar chain or flexible connection
at the lower end of the steering connections may be similarly attached to the hub
or wheel e Hence it will be seen that when the steering shaft H and the hub or
wheel d are turned in one or' other direction, one of the steering connections will
be pulled or drawn upwards and the other will be paid out, and a corresponding
turning movement will be transmitted to the steering wheel-shaft I and its
fork I¹.
The arrangement of the steering connections within the hollow backbone
removes them from sight and allows of the employment of connections which may
be concealed and covered by the tubular or channelled backbone, and the backbone
may then be made to conform in shape to the curvature of the wheel A.
It will be understood that the elongation or contraction of the backbone G by
means of the sleeves or nuts c¹ provides for the proper regulation of the tension of
the flexible steering connections which operate by pulling only or by tensile strain
upon the steering-wheel shaft I,

page_text: The idle wheels 67 which are arranged in the lower box or frame portion F serve
simply to change the direction of the steering connections J and J' as they pass to
and from the wheel or hub e upon the steering wheel shaft I and the chains or
flexible connections J and the wheels e et constitute gearing whereby power from
the steering connections is transmitted to the steering-wheel-shaft I.
The construction shown in Figs. 7 and 8, does not differ from that above
described except that the box or frame F is constructed with a single upwardly
extending socket or projection e¹0 to receive a single tube G which constitutes the
tubular or channelled backbone and in this construction the idle wheels or pulleys e'
are arranged in positions of divergence from the tube or backbone G towards the
steering-wheel-shaft I as shown in Fig: 8 so that the flexible steering connec-
tion J which is deflected around these wheels and passes around the wheel or
hub e at the upper end of the steering-wheel-shaft I may be properly directed
into the single tube G and connected to the two rods or wires J which form the
remaining portion of the steering connections.
In the construction shown in Figs 9 and 10 the steering-wheel-shaft I has
secured upon its upper end a bevel wheel e¹ with which engages a bevel wheel els
formed in the same piece with the sheave or pulley ¹ as best shown in Fig 9. In
this example of the invention the box or frame portion F has a cavity or chamber e
formed in the same plane with the steering wheel shaft and closed by a bonnet e²*
secured in place by a stud e and a nut eª.
The sheave or pulley e" and the bevel wheel e¹³ rotate as one piece upon the
stud or pin e and the chain or flexible connection J¹ which is connected with the
rods or wires J passes around and is connected with the sheave or pulley els and
by the latter and the bevel wheel e¹³ effects the turning of the bevel wheel e¹ and
the steering-wheel-shaft I and fork I.
The construction shown in Figs 11 and 12 differs from that shown in Figs 9
and 10 and just described only in having but a single socket or projection e¹º in
which a single backbone tube G is secured as in Figs 7 and 8.
In all the examples of the invention, before described the backbone has consisted
of a tube or tubes which constitute the channel or channels through which the
flexible steering connections are carried and in which they are concealed and
shielded from view. Instead of making this backbone of a round tube or tubes it
may be composed of two channelled bars G¹ arranged face to face as shown in
Fig: 13 and secured together by bands g or in any other suitable way.
By this construction is formed a tubular or channelled backbone in which the
steering connections J are arranged and by which they are wholly or partially
concealed from view. The tubular or channelled backbone may indeed consist of a
piece of flanged and rolled metal in the form of an I beam Gas is shown in
Fig 14 and in this case the opposite sides of the backbone would form channels
wherein the steering connections J are arranged and partially, concealed from
view.
In all the examples of the invention above described the steering connections
have been arranged to operate by tension or longitudinal pull but in lieu of such
connections a flexible shaft or rod arranged within the tubular or channelled
back bone G may be employed as shown in Fig 15 and composed of shaft or rod
sections h connected with each other by universal joints h³ and operating by turning
or torsional movement instead of by a direct pull. In this example of the
invention the construction of the frame work and the arrangement of the seat D
are all as before described:
The tubular backbone G has at its upper end a frame portion E* in which is
journalled the steering shaft H surmounted by a handle H¹. This steering shaft
has upon its lower end a bevel pinion or wheel f which engages with a corresponding
wheel or pinion f¹upon the upper end of the flexible shaft h h and by turning
the steering shaft H a turning movement will be transmitted through the shaft h h₁
to the steering-wheel fork I' which is secured to the lower end of the shaft hh.

page_text: In this example of the invention the lower end of the backbone G is provided
with a tube or sleeve G³ through which the lower section of the flexible steering
connections h his passed and by which it is supported; and this sleeve or
bearing G³ is connected by a nut or sleeve G with the main portion of the back-
bone G. This nut or sleeve G' is provided with right and left hand screw threads
which engage with the correspondingly threaded portions of the backbone G and
the sleeve or bearing G3 and by adjusting this sleeve or nut G the backbone may
be extended or contracted so as to fix its length relatively to the flexible steering
shaft or rod h h¹ The lower end of the sleeve or bearing G³ forms a thrust
bearing g¹ for the steering wheel fork I'
In both the machines shown in Figs 1 and 15 the saddle D is arranged
immediately over the large driving wheel A and the steering wheel B is in front
and in both these machines the steering shaft H is inclined forwards and upwards
This is
from the saddle or is approximately radial to the main axle A¹
advantageous because when either end of the steering handle H is moved towards
the rider it will rise so as to pass over his knees, and hence the knees of the rider
will not interfere with the free movement of the steering handle and shaft. If.
desired the saddle D may be placed as shown by dotted lines in Fig: 1 and the
wheel A will then be in front.
“Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is
1. The combination with the driving and steering wheels and a fixed frame for
the driving wheel, of a tubular or channelled curved backbone capable of being
elongated or contracted to properly fix its length, a steering shaft or handle at the
upper end of the backbone and connections extending through the tubular or
channelled backbone and serving to transmit power from the steering shaft or
handle for controlling the steering wheel; substantially as herein described:
2. The combination with the driving wheel, steering wheel, tubular or channelled
curved backbone and a fixed frame for the driving wheel, of a steering shaft at the
upper end of the backbone, a steering-wheel shaft at the lower end of the back-
bone, a box or frame for the steering wheel shaft in which a thrust bearing is
provided for the said shaft, wheels upon the steering shaft and the steering wheel
shaft and flexible steering connections extending through the backbone and serving
to transmit power from the wheel of the steering shaft to the wheel on the steering
wheel shaft; substantially as herein described.
3. The combination with the driving wheel and steering wheel, the frame and
the curved tubular or channelled backbone composed of or comprising two tubes or
channels, and a steering shaft at the upper end of the backbone, of rods, chains or
other flexible connections extending one through each of said tubes or channels
for transmitting power from the steering shaft for controlling the steering wheel;
substantially as herein described.
4. The combination with the driving wheel and steering wheel, the fixed frame
for the driving wheel the curved tubular or channelled backbone and steering
connections extending through the same, of a tubular steering shaft surmounted by
a handle, a brake and a brake operating rod movable within the steering shaft,
and brake applying lever adjacent to the steering handle for actuating the rod or
push piece; substantially as herein described.
5. The combination with the driving wheel, steering wheel and frame, of a
tubular or channelled backbone and flexible connections extending through the
same for operating the steering wheel, the hollow steering shaft and handle H H¹,
the brake H2 and spring do for lifting the same and the push rod and lever d¹ d³
for applying the brake; substantially as herein described.
6. The combination with the driving wheel and frame and the tubular or
channelled backbone, of the box or frame E, the cap or bonnet c³ with its hub c²

page_text: for closing the box or frame, and the steering shaft H with its hub or wheel.d
journalled in the box or frame and serving to operate the flexible steering
connections which extend through the backbone; substantially as herein described.
7. The combination with the box or frame E, of the cap, plate or bonnet c³
screwed into said box or frame and having a cylindric rim extending- beyond its
screw thread, and a set screw inserted through the box or frame and bearing
against the cylindric rim of the cap, plate or bonnet; substantially as herein
described.
°
8. The combination with the driving wheel A the steering wheel B the tubular
or channelled backbone G having at the upper end a box or frame portion E with
the sleeve or hub e, of the fixed frame comprising rods or braces a which extend.
upwards to the box or frame portion, E and are secured by a clamp c or otherwise
thereto; substantially as herein described.
9. The combination with the driving wheel and steering wheel, the fixed frame
for the driving wheel, the tubular or channelled backbone and steering connections
extending through the same, of a saddle mounted on the frame over the driving
wheel, the steering shaft inclined forwards relatively to the saddle and provided
with handles at the top and a box or frame portion at the upper end of the
backbone in which the steering shaft is journalled; substantially as herein
described.
10. The combination with the tubular or channelled backbone G and steering
connections extending through the same, of the hollow box or frame portion F at
the lower end of the backbone, comprising upwardly projecting sockets el⁰ a cavity
or chambers and a cap, plate or bonnet e closing the same and having a long bub
or sleeve wherein the steering wheel shaft I is journalled and a steering wheel fork
secured to the lower end or carried by the lower end of said shaft substantially as
herein described.
11. The combination with the box or frame F, of a closing cap or plate and
hub e e, the fork and shaft I 1' wherein the steering wheel B is journalled and the
set screw e substantially as herein described.
12. The combination with the driving wheel and its frame the tubular or
channelled backbone and the box or frame portion arranged at the upper end
thereof and containing the steering shaft, of steering connections passing through
the tubular or chanuelled backbone and the lower box or frame portion F wherein
the steering wheel shaft and fork I I' are journalled and in which is contained
gearing through which the flexible steering connections operate the steering wheel
shaft substantially as herein shown and described with reference to Figs 5, 6, 7, 8,
9, 10, 11 and 12 of the drawing as and for the purpose set forth.