IMPROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert John Haddan, of the Firm of Herbert and
Company, Solicitors of Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster,
Civil Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES."
A communication from abroad by James A. McKenzie, of Galesbury,
Illinois, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Herbert John Haddan at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th May 1881.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert and Company, Solicitors of
Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN TRICYCLES." A communication from abroad by James A. McKenzie, of
Galesbury, Illinois, United States of America.
The Invention has for its object securing increase of power without obstruction
to the rider in mounting or dismounting, also in more efficient steering. The
improvements consist in combining with two large front wheels and a small rear
steering wheel treadles and devices connected to the inner ends of the front wheel
hubs, and adapted to be locked thereto and disengaged therefrom for propelling the
vehicle, the parts being constructed to form an unobstructed space between the
foot pedals and front wheel spindles. Also in combination with the above improve-
ments, of mounting the large front wheels on independent spindles, and of a
rearwardly curved connecting piece or axle having the front wheel spindles secured
on its ends. The various parts are of metal, and the locking or device fitted to the
hubs of the front wheel consist of a toothed wheel with pawls fitting therein
mounted on the axle, and which can be readily engaged or disengaged by a lever
mechanism attached to the wheel, by which it is caused to slide on the axle and
become engaged with or disengaged from the wheel hubs.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Herbert John Haddan in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 11th November 1881.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert and Company, Solicitors of
Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN TRICYCLES." A communication from abroad by James A. McKenzie, of
Galesbury, Illinois, United States of America.
This Invention relates to an improvement in tricycles, the object being to
provide a tricycle of such construction that the weight of the rider shall be disposed
in such a manner relative to the large forward wheels and rear guiding wheel that
the minimum resistance and friction will be imposed upon the propelling devices,
whereby the vehicle shall be adapted to be driven at a high rate of speed with
slight expenditure of power. A further object of this Invention is to arrange the
rider's seat and propelling mechanism in such a manner that the power may be
applied in a direct and natural manner, without offering any obstruction to the
rider in mounting or dismounting from the vehicle. A further object of this
Invention is to provide simple and efficient means for guiding and braking the
vehicle. With these several ends in view, this Invention consists in certain
features of construction and arrangement of parts in a tricycle as will hereinafter
be described and pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying Drawings,-
Figure 1 is a view in perspective of my improvement in tricycles; Figure 2 is a
vertical section; Figure 3 is a plan view; Figure 4 is a detached view of the pawl
and ratchet propelling devices; and Figure 5 is a detached view of the rear steering
wheel. A, A¹, represent the large forward wheels, which may be of any approved
construction, but those illustrated in the Drawings are considered as being well
adapted for the desired purpose. These wheels are each composed of an axle
box A, upon the opposite ends of which are rigidly secured or formed integral
therewith the hub sections a, a¹, into which are inserted and secured the inner ends
of the inner and outer series of light steel wire spokes a², the outer ends of which
are secured to the rim a³ of the wheel, said rim a³ having a rubber tire a secured
therein. Wheels A, A¹, are mounted on separate and independent spindles, and
are secured thereto by nuts b, b'. The inner ends of spindles are rigidly secured
to the opposite ends of the curved or bow shaped connecting piece or frame C,
which latter may be made of wood or of metal, and if desired a hollow metal frame,
or a metal frame made U shaped in cross section may be employed. C¹ is a reach,
the forward ends of which is rigidly secured to the central portion of the bow
shaped connecting piece C. The rear end of the reach is curved at right angles to
its length, and has the guiding wheel D swivelled thereto, as will hereinafter be
explained. Instead of making the curved piece C and reach C¹ in two parts, and
securing them together, as described, they may be made of two pieces of bent
wood, each extending from the spindles rearward to the guiding wheel, and securely
fastened together at different points from their point of intersection to their rear ends.
Instead of curving the rear end of the reach laterally, as shown, it may be made
straight, and the guide wheel located midway between the tracks of the two large
forward wheels A, A¹. A seat E is supported upon the three springs e, e¹, e², the lower
ends or portions of which are seated upon the reach and bow shaped piece at their
points of intersection, and secured in place by bolts or rivets es. Upon the inner
face of each inner hub section a' of the forward wheels A, A', is secured a ring or

page_text: disk F, having circular openings fand cut away portions f¹ formed in its periphery.
Within the circular openings fare placed the round pivotal ends of the pawls G,
the free ends g' of said pawls being received in the cut away portions f¹. It will
thus be seen that the pawls are secured in place without the aid of rivets, and are
free to swing outward and inward according to the position of the whoel. To tho
inner face of the ring or disk, or the inner hub section of each wheel, is secured a
short thimble or sleeve, bearing upon which is loosely mounted the disk I, which
latter is provided with an internal ratchet gear J that fits over the pawl, disk, or
ring F, the construction and arrangement of parts being such that one or more
pawls G will engage with the teeth j of ratchet J when the disk I is rotated
forwardly, and when the disk is rotated in the opposite direction the pawls will
ride over the ratchet teeth. Disks I are each provided with an outwardly pro-
jecting annular bearing or ring having a flange K³, thereby forming a groove K2 on
the outer face of said disk. The flange K' is provided with any desired number
of holes K³, in any one of which is secured a hook attached to the strap or cord K*,
the other end thereof being secured to one end of a spiral spring L, the latter being
secured at their opposite ends to hooks L¹ on the opposite ends of the combined
rock shaft and brace rod L. Upon the peripheries of the disks I are formed
grooves M, which are provided with one or more holes for the insertion of hooks
attached to the ends of the straps M³, the opposite ends of which are secured to the
pins M³ on the forward ends of the treadles N, N¹. Straps M' may be made of
wire ribbon, steel chain, or other material desired. N2 are foot pedals of my
improved construction, swivelled upon the bars N³, the latter being furnished with
a square sleeve n, which fits the end of the treadle, and is secured in place by a
set screw. To the inner ends of the spindles are secured the upper ends of the
depending arms O, the latter having an eye formed in its upper end enabling it to
be slipped upon the end of the spindle and secured thereto by the nut o. The
lower ends of the arms O are provided with laterally projecting stops, which are
located over the outer or forward ends of the treadles, and serve as stops to limit
the upward throw of the treadles. The treadles N, N¹, are each provided on their
rear ends with tubular bearings o², which are journalled upon the opposite ends of
the rod or bar P, and secured in place by the nuts p. The inner ends of the
bearings o abut against the collars p³ secured to the rod P, whereby said treadles
are retained against displacement. Rod or bar P is firmly braced by the cross
braces P1, P2, the lower ends of which are secured to collars p', while their upper
and screw threaded ends extend through the eye bolts or fastenings secured to the
curved connecting piece C, and are adjustably secured by nuts.
Upright diverging braces Q, Q, are secured at their lower ends to collars p¹, and
at their upper ends to a curved metal bearing Q' attached to the central portion of
the reach. A vertical brace Q³ is secured at its lower end to the central portion of
the rod P, and at its upper end to the metal bearing Q. Rearwardly inclined
diverging braces Q, Q5, are secured at their lower ends to collars p', and at their
upper ends to the rear portion of the reach. Also braces Q, Q7, are secured at
their lower ends to collars q sleeved upon the rock shaft L³, the latter being braced
by the rods q, q, secured at their forward. ends to the collars q and at their rear
ends to the reach. Rack shaft L' is mounted in a bearing q³ attached to the under-
side of the reach. To the rear end of the reach is fastened a sleeve R in which is
received the spindle of the guide wheel yoke R'. The upper end of the spindle is
formed square or of other angular shape, and has fitted thereto the square or angular
socket formed on one end of the arm ², the opposite end of which is provided
with an eye in which is inserted the rear end of the guiding rod S. The opposite
ends of the curved or bow shaped connecting piece C extend in front of the
spindles, as shown at 8, 8¹. To one of these projecting ends 8 is rigidly secured
the handle arm or standard 82, and suitable form of handle & being attached to
the upper end of the arm. Upon the end of the other projecting portion 8³ is
formed a sleeve sin which is inserted the handle arm or standard 85 provided with

page_text: a handle 8, said handle arm or standard being free to revolve in said sleeve. To
the standard 8 is secured a toothod wheel or pinion T which engages with a rack
bar T¹ formed on the forward end of the guiding rod S. Rack bar T¹ is retained
in engagement with the pinion by means of a sheath T2 connected with the
standard, and through which the rack bar has endwise movement.
To the pro-
jecting ends is pivoted a brake lever U to which is pivoted the forward end of a
connecting rod U₁, the rear end of which is attached to an arm U2 rigidly secured
to the rack shaft L. To an arm U³ secured to the opposite end of the rack shaft
is secured the forward end of a flexible metal strap or chain U, the rear end
passing through a guide u attached to the upright arm V of a bell crank lever
pivoted to the upper end of the yoke of the guide wheel. The other arm V₁ of the
bell crank lever is formed into a brake shoe and is retained in its raised position
clear from the tire of the guide wheel by means of the spiral spring W. By forcing
the brake lever U forward the rack shaft L2 is partly rotated and the brake shoe
The flexible con-
depressed, thus quickly arresting the movement of the vehicle.
nection U allows the brake to be operated irrespective of the position of the
guide wheel. By rotating the handle s the guiding wheel is easily and quickly
turned either to the right or left, thereby enabling the bicycle to be steered with
little effort or power.
It will be observed that an open and unobstructed space x is provided between
the inner ends of the spindles of the large front wheels, within which a person may
enter in mounting the seat. In mounting the feet are placed on the foot pedals
and the body raised to the seat, and owing to the fact that the weight of the
rider either in mounting or propelling the vehicle is disposed upon the forked
shaped frame at a point slightly in rear of the spindles the vebicle is prevented
from tripping over forwards or causing a "header" while the machine is in motion.
Should any serious objection be met with by the rider little or no danger of any
injury can result from the possible upsetting of the machine, as the feet of the
rider are but slight distance from the ground, and as there is nothing to obstruct
the rider's exit from the front of the machine, dismounting is rendered quick, easy,
and safe. By the employment of the ratchet and pawl propelling devices in the
manner shown and described the legs of the rider are free to move up and down
opposite the inner faces of the disks, and an easy and natural motion of the limbs
is resorted to in propelling the machine. The foot pedals are depressed alternately;
when one is being depressed the other is thrown thereon and operates to propel
the machine, while the weight is removed from the other pedal, and the spring
serves to reverse the disk and raise the foot pedal for the next succeeding
stroke.
It is evident that many slight changes in the construction and relative arrange-
ment of parts might be resorted to without departing from the spirit of this
Invention. As heretofore stated, the guiding wheel may be located in rear of and
equi-distant between the two large front wheels. The bracing rods may be varied
in number, shape, and location. The pawl and ratchet mechanism may be varied
in many respects. Also different forms of steering and braking devices may be
used. Hence I would have it understood that I do not restrict myself to the exact
construction and arrangement of parts shown and described, but having fully
described this Invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters
Patent is,―
First. In a tricycle, the combination with two large front wheels and a small
rear steering wheel of treadles and devices connected to the inner ends of the front
wheel hubs, and adapted to be locked thereto and disengaged therefrom for
propelling the vehicle, the parts being constructed to form an unobstructed
space between the foot pedals and front wheel spindles, substantially as set
forth.
Second. In a tricycle, the combination with two front wheels mounted on separate
spindles attached to the opposite ends of a connecting piece extending rearwardly

page_text: of said spindles, of devices connected to the front wheel hubs and foot treadles for
propelling the tricycle through the medium of said devices, the parts being
constructed and arranged to form an open and unobstructed space between the foot
pedals and front wheel spindles, substantially as set forth.
Third. In a tricycle, the combination with the two front wheels, and a seat
located in rear of the front wheel spindles, of foot pedals located in front of the
spindles and devices connected therewith, and adapted to be engaged with and
disengaged from the inner ends of the front wheel hubs and revolve the wheels, the
several parts being arranged substantially as shown and described to form an
unobstructed space between the foot pedals and the front wheel spindles,
substantially as set forth.
Fourth. In a tricycle, the combination with two large driving wheels of treadles
and devices connected to the inner ends of the front wheel hubs, and adapted to be
locked thereto and disengaged therefrom for propelling the vehicle, and a
supporting frame arranged to form an unobstructed space between the foot pedals,
substantially as set forth.
Fifth. In a tricycle, the combination with two large front wheels mounted on
independent spindles and a rearwardly curved connecting piece, having the front
wheel spindles secured to its opposite ends, of foot treadle levers pivoted in rear of
the front wheel spindles, and provided with foot pedals located below and in front
of said spindles, pawl and ratchet propelling devices connected with the inner ends
of the front wheel hubs, and flexible straps connecting the foot treadles, and pawl
and ratchet propelling devices, substantially as set forth.
Sixth. In a tricycle, the combination with the two large front wheels mounted on
separate spindles, rigidly secured to the opposite ends of a rearwardly curved
connecting piece of loosely mounted disks located between the ends of the curved
connecting piece, and wheels, pawl, and ratchet mechanism for locking the disks to
the wheel, when the disks are rotated in one direction, and springs for rotating the
disks in the opposite direction, substantially as set forth.
Seventh. In a tricycle, the combination with two front wheels and a rear steering
wheel, of pawl and ratchet drive mechanism connected with the inner ends of the hubs
of the front wheels, and foot pedals located below and in front of the front wheel
spindles and projecting inwardly therefrom, the parts being arranged to form an
unobstructed space between the foot treadles and spindles, substantially as set
forth.
Eighth. In a tricycle, the combination with two large front wheels, a small rear
steering wheel, a forked shaped frame connecting said wheels, and a seat mounted
on the connecting frame and located between the front wheels, of pawl and ratchet
driving mechanisin connected with the inner ends of the hubs of the front wheels,
and separate and independent foot pedals located below and in front of the front
wheel spindles, the parts being constructed to form an open unobstructed space in
front of the seat and between the foot pedals, substantially as set forth.
Ninth. In a tricycle, the combination with the two large front wheels and
rearwardly curved connecting piece, having its opposite ends secured to the front
wheel spindles of depending arms provided with stops to limit the upward
movement of the treadles, substantially as set forth.
Tentb. In a tricycle, the combination with two large front wheels, small rear
steering wheel and forked shaped frame connecting said wheels of ratchet and pawl
drive mechanism connected to the inner ends of the front wheel hubs, and treadles
pivoted to the opposite ends of a bar or rod suspended from the reach portion of
the frame, substantially as set forth.
Eleventh. In a tricycle, the combination with disks located between the front
wheels and opposite ends of the curved connecting frame, of a cross bar connected
to the reach and springs, and flexible straps connecting said disks and opposite
ends of the cross bar, substantially as set forth.
Twelfth. In a tricycle the combination with the two large front_wheels of a

page_text: rearwardly curved connecting piece having the front wheel spindles secured
thereto, the ends of said connecting piece extending in front of the spindles and
having handles connected thereto, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Herbert John Haddan, have hereunto set
hand and seal, this Eleventh day of November, A.D. 1881.
my
H. J. HADDAN. (L.S.)