AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF TANDEM VELOCIPEDE
Year: 1884

page_text: We JOSEPH WHITE of Earlsdon near Coventry in the County of Warwick
Watch Manufacturer and JOHN ASBURY of Cheylesmore Coventry in the County
of Warwick, Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of our invention for AN
IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF TANDEM VELOCIPEDE to be as follows:-
This invention relates to means for converting a tricycle into a Tandem Velocipede
when it is required to provide a seat for an additional rider.
To this end we hinge to the main frame of the tricycle a forked frame which
carries what is known as a "Stanley head" and we fit to this head by means of
vertical pivot pins the back bone of a bicycle which is furnished with a trailing
wheel and also with a saddle in the ordinary manner.
Pendent from the centre of the forked frame and forming part therewith is an
arm which carries a pedal shaft within reach of the feet of the rider on the bicycle
saddle. The tricycle is fitted as usual with a steering wheel and with a pedal
shaft.
Keyed to this pedal shaft is a chain wheel which through a chain and a chain
wheel keyed on the sleeve shaft (surrounding the travelling wheel axle) transmits
motion to the travelling wheels through any well known arrangement of balance
gear. Keyed to this sleeve shaft is a second chain wheel over which a chain is led
from the chain wheel on the pedal axle operated by the bicycle rider.
Thus both riders may contribute to the driving of the compound vehicle and as
the tricycle moves round a curve the trailing wheel will owing to the Stanley head
coupling follow in such a way as to resist any tendency that might arise of the
vehicle turning over.
In order to reduce the tricycle to its usual proportions it will only be necessary
to withdraw the coupling which connects the forked frame with the main frame of
the tricycle and remove a coupling pin from the additional chain. The frame
carrying the Stanley head may then be removed together with the bicycle backbone
which is attached thereto.

page_text: We, JOSEPH WHITE of Earlsdon near Coventry in the County of Warwick,
Watch Manufacturer, and JOHN ASBURY of Cheylesmore, Coventry in the County
of Warwick, Machinist do hereby declare the nature of our invention for AN
IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF TANDEM VELOCIPEDE, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:---
This invention relates to means for converting a tricycle into a tandem velocipede
when it is required to provide a seat for an additional rider.
"
To this end we hinge to the main frame of the tricycle a forked piece, the stem
of which carries what is known as a Stanley head" and we fit to this head the
back bone of a Bicycle which is furnished with a trailing wheel and also with a
saddle in the ordinary manner. The stem of this forked piece is continued
downwards to receive a pedal shaft within reach of the feet of the rider on the
Bicycle saddle. The Tricycle is fitted as usual with a steering wheel and with a
pedal shaft and the travelling wheels are driven through balance gear from the two
pedal shafts.
In the accompanying drawing Fig: 1 shews in side elevation our improved
tandem, one of the driving wheels being removed the better to show the construction
of the parts.
Fig: 2 is a plan view of the tandem, the front or tricycle seat being removed to
bring to view the parts situate immediately below the seat.
A A is the frame of what is known as a front steering central geared tricycle.
B B are the driving wheels, the wheel B being loose upon the solid axle b while
the wheel B is fast on its axle 6¹. 62 is the balance gear box through the gearing
in which the wheel B is driven as usual. C is the pedal shaft of the tricycle
mounted according to the Invention for which we obtained provisional protection
bearing the same date as the present application. D is the front steering wheel
controlled as usual by the Tricycle rider. E is a forked piece hinged by bolts e e
to the forked bracket a of the Tricycle which bracket carries the bearings for the
sleeve shaft b¹. The tubular stem of the forked piece E, is formed as a "Stanley
head" to receive the pivotted or socketted head of a Bicycle backbone F, leaving
it free to trail and turn on its centres. f is the trailing wheel secured to the
back bone F, on which is mounted a seat as usual for the reception of the Bicycle
rider. Fitted to the pendent portion E' of the stem, is a forked bracket piece e¹
which carries the bearings for the pedal shaft G that underlies the bicycle seat
and is intended to be worked by the rear rider.
On the pedal shaft C of the tricycle is keyed a chain wheel c which through a
chain c¹ and a chain wheel c³ keyed on the sleeve shaft b¹ transmits motion to the
travelling wheel B', and through the balance gear to the wheel B. Keyed also to
this sleeve shaft b¹ is a second chain wheel g over which a chain g¹ is led from the
chain wheel g³ on the pedal axle G operated by the bicycle rider. Thus both riders
may contribute to the driving of the compound vehicle.
As the tricycle moves round a curve the trailing wheel ƒ will, owing to the
"Stanley head" coupling follow in such a way as to resist any tendency that
might arise for the vehicle to turn over and by reason of the binged coupling,
which connects the frame A of the tricycle with the backbone F, any undulations
or inequalities which the surface of the road may present to the Tandem will not
detract from the efficient working of the vehicle.

page_text: The advantage of a hinged coupling for the Tandem will be apparent when it
is remembered that the distance between the leading and the trailing wheels will
seldom be far short of seven feet and that a rigid connection between the Tricycle
and its appendage would not infrequently cause the driving wheels to leave the
ground and thereby waste the propelling power transmitted to those wheels.
In order to reduce the tricycle to its usual proportions it will only be necessary
to withdraw the coupling bolts ee of the hinge joint and remove a coupling pin
from the additional chain g¹. The coupling piece E may then be removed together
with the bicycle backbone which is attached thereto, leaving the tricycle complete
and free for use by one rider.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:-
Constructing a tandem velocipede by combining a front steering tricycle with a
trailing bicycle backbone in the manner and for the purpose above set forth.
Dated this 31st day or October 1884.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicants.