IMPROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES AND OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edouard Carl Friedrich Otto, of Peckham, in the County
of Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES AND OTHER
SIMILAR VEHICLES."
Sealed the 28th November 1879, and dated the 31st May 1879.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edouard Carl Friedrich Otto
at the Office of the Cominissioners of Patents on the 31st May 1879.
EDOUARD CARL FRIEDRICH OTTO, of Peckham, in the County of Surrey.
PROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES AND OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES."
IM-
This Invention relates to improvements in tricycles and other similar vehicles,
and consists in furnishing such vehicles with two driving wheels which at the same
time form the steering wheels of the machine, while the third or additional wheel
or wheels which is or are attached either to the front or back of the machine serve
only to steady the same and to act as guiding wheels, which is a perfectly novel
feature in the construction of such machines.
By this improved construction going up hill in such vehicles is rendered much
more easy, as the two driving wheels have a far better hold or bite of the ground,
while the third wheel always remains in a parallel line with the larger driving
wheels.
The framework of the machine is provided with two connecting rods extending
downwards, to which a treadle crank axle is attached in such a manner that it can
be freely moved up and down with the sliding boxes in which it has to rotate.
Two pullies are firmly attached to the ends of the treadle crank axle, and transmit
power by means of endless chains or bands, or their equivalents, to the corresponding
pulleys of the driving wheels. Such latter pullies are firmly attached to the driving
wheels, and impart motion to the vehicle immediately the treadle crank axle is set
in motion.
The sliding boxes of the treadle crank axle before mentioned are attached to the
steering rods of the vehicle, which extend upwards towards the rider, and are
actuated by the steering levers or handles placed at both sides of the rider. By this
arrangement the rider can lift either one of the axle boxes separately, and with it
the corresponding pulley, which by its upward movement slackens the chain, gut
[Price 8d1

page_text: band, or rope, and allows the break placed under the pullies of the driving wheels
to press against the latter, thereby retarding or arresting their motion altogether,
as desired.
The endless chains or their equivalents are constantly tightened by means of
suitable springs which depress the axle boxes, and thereby keep such chains or their
equivalents constantly at a proper degree of tension. The pullies which I use for
this vehicle may either be constructed in the ordinary way or in such a manner
as to enable the rider to alter the length of its working periphery in order to impart
to the machine either increased speed when travelling over level roads, or increased
power on hilly roads. The steering gear is so constructed that although both large
wheels are driving wheels they can nevertheless be made to act separately and
independently of each other for the purpose of steering. The rider's seat is con-
veniently placed between the driving wheels, and is furnished with suitable springs
in order to impart elasticity thereto. The third or additional wheel is placed either
at the front or back of the vehicle, to which it is attached by a backbone or other
suitable equivalent in the ordinary way, and if desired a seat may be provided
above the same for a second rider, while such wheel can also be supplied with
an additional crank axle so as to afford a means of assisting the motion of tho
vehicle.
This additional crank axle may also, if desired, be connected by suitable chains
and pullies or rods to the main treadle crank axle or its pullies so as to enable both
riders to work in concert with each other.
One or more additional breaks are provided either in front or rear of the machine
so as to come in contact with the ground when required, and thus enable the rider
to more easily control the movement of the machine.
My improvements may also be applied to quadricycles and other similar vehicles.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edouard Carl Friedrich Otto in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 29th November 1879.
EDOUARD CARL FRIEDRICH OTTO, of Peckham, in the County of Surrey.
PROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES AND OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES."
"IM-
This Invention relates chiefly to improvements in tricycles, and consists in
furnishing a tricycle with two driving wheels (1) which at the same time form the
steering wheels of the machine, while the third wheel (2) is attached either to the
front or back of the machine, and serves only to steady the same without acting as
a guiding wheel, which is a perfectly novel feature in the construction of such
machines.
By this improved construction going up hill in such vehicles is rendered much
more easy, as the two driving wheels have a better hold or bite of the ground, while
the third wheel voluntarily assumes and remains in the proper position to the
larger driving wheels.
The framework of the machine is provided with two connecting rods (3), to which
a treadle crank axle (0*) is so attached that it moves freely up and down with the
sliding boxes (5), within which it rotates. Two treadle pullies (6) are firmly
attached to the ends of the treadle crank axle, which transmit power by endless
chains or bands (7) to two corresponding pullies (8) firmly attached to the driving
wheels, and thus, immediately the treadle crank is actuated, impart motion to the
vehicle.
The sliding boxes (5) before mentioned are attached to steering rods (9) which
are actuated by the steering levers and handles (10), (11), conveniently placed on
either side of the vehicle.
Thus the rider can lift either axle box separately, together with its corresponding
treadle pulley, and by the upward movement slacken the chain or its equivalent,
and allow the corresponding break (12) placed under the corresponding driving
pulley to press against the corresponding driving wheel, thereby retarding or
arresting motion as desired. To enable the rider to transmit to the driving wheels
the full amount of power imparted to the treadle crank it is requisite to keep the
endless chains (7), or their equivalents, tight. This I effect by spiral springs (13)
which depress axle boxes (5) and also treadle pullies (6), and thus constantly keep
such chains or their equivalents at a proper tension. Either a single set of pullies
only may be used, or two sets, one of larger diameter than the other, may be
employed to impart increased speed when travelling over level roads, or increased
power on hilly roads. As already explained the steering gear is so constructed that
although both the large wheels are driving wheels they can nevertheless be made
to act separately and independently of each other as steering wheels, and thus fulfil
the double function of driving and steering wheels. The seat (14) is placed between
such wheels and furnished with springs (15), constructed on the improved principle
illustrated in the Specification of Letters Patent, 1274/79, thus giving great ease
and elasticity, and allowing the seat to readily assume that inclination or position
towards the treadle crank axle most convenient and agreeable to the rider.
The third wheel (2) is attached to the front or back of the vehicle by a back-
bone (16), furnished with a hinge (17) having two joints (18), (19), allowing of its
easy play. The joint (19) is furnished with two parallel springs (20), which clasp
two flat surfaces formed on the back stay (16), and hold wheel (2) in position.
Such parallel springs are firmly attached to a bolt and nut (22) at point (23), and
the fork of the wheel (24) is so fastened to such bolt and nut at point (25) as to
move up and down freely, while a spring (26), also fastened to the bolt at point (25),
constantly depresses the wheel (2) as far as the shoulder (27) formed on (19) will
nermit

page_text: The joint (18) allows of the rider leaning backwards when descending a hill,
whereby he depresses such joint and assumes such a position as to obviate all
danger of his falling forwards, thus greatly increasing the safety of the vehicle.
Such double jointed hinge and attachments are indicated at Figure 1, and shewn
more in detail at Figure 4, while Figures 1 and 2 shew front and side elevations of
one of my improved tricycles; and Figure 2 a sectional view of steering gear,
pullies, and break.
By detaching such third wheel, together with the fork, bolt, and parallel springs,
and replacing the same with a small roller a tricycle, when constructed as shown in
Figures 1 and 3, may be readily converted into one of my improved Patent safety
bicycles, as described in Letters Patent, 1274/79.
When desired, a seat for a second rider may be placed above wheel (2), as shewn
in side elevation at Figure 5. To accomplish this the wheel (2) is made of larger
diameter and furnished with an axle (28), having adjustable cranks (29), (30), and
pedals (31) attached thereto, and connected by a back stay (32) of a modified form
with the main axle of the tricycle. Hinge joints (33) are provided wherewith to
shorten or lengthen the adjustable cranks (29), (30), so as to suit different riders.
These hinge joints fold to any required angle, and are furnished with suitable bolts
and screws to bold them in position.
To impart elasticity and allow the vehicle to readily pass over uneven ground
back stay (32) is provided with a hinge joint (34) and coiled spring (35), which
allows the backbone to bend downwards until the two upper shoulders 1ª, 1ª, meet,
while the coiled spring (35) keeps the two lower shoulders 1b, 1b, constantly
together. This device imparts elasticity to the backbone when the rider throws his
weight towards the back while descending declivities. At the outer extremity of
such backbone (32) is a joint (40), whereto the fork (36) of wheel (2), with its
seat (37) resting on springs (38), is attached.
The handles (39) attached to the steering head (40) are rigidly connected with
the backbone (32), and such handles act upon the brake (41) by means of connecting
wires (42), or their equivalents, by simply being twisted on horizontal pins (43), as
shewn in perspective in Figure 5.
By this improved arrangement the hind wheel can readily take any requisite
position for steering purposes. Figure 9 is a side view, partly in section, of the
upper portion of the steering gear, wherein (10) is the handle; (10ª), pin of lever
(11), which turns on axle (11b); (11) is the brake lever; and (110), steering rods,
attached at one end to lever (11) by pins (11d), and at the other end to axle
boxes (5).
Figure 7 shews a side view of a small lever (44), turning round axle pin (11b)
over a projection formed on lever (11) with shoulder (45), resting on lever (11a),
as shewn in Figure 4, and a secondary lever (46). The dotted lines, Figure 9, shew
the position of the end of lever (46) to lever (44), which acts as a supplementary
lever to lever (11a). To lever (44) at (47) a brake (48) is attached by means of a
wire (49), Figure 3, which wire is formed with two spiral springs (50), (51), one
above and one beneath such brake, while a check spring (52), Figure 3, regulates
the pressure of the brake, and springs (53), (54), Figure 3, release the wheel from the
pressure of the brake.
To the handle (10) is attached a hollow socket (10b), the end whereof (10°) is
fitted with a spring (10d), Figure 8, which is firmly attached thereto.
The mechanism is so arranged that when handle (10) is twisted on pin (10%) the
spring (10) catches in lever (46), thereby raising it, and so pulling brake (48) by
wire (49) against pulley (8).
Lever (11), Figure 9, is provided with shoulder (55) to determine its position,
and is connected by wire (56) with brake (12). Such wire (56) is provided with
check spring (57). The downward movement of lever (11) causes the brake to
bear on pulley (8) and thus arrest the motion of the wheel, while spring f¹,
Figure 2, raises the brake (11) to its original position.

page_text: (59) are guides furnished with sockets (60), and fastened to connecting rods (3)
to hold the endless chains (7) in position when slackened.
Handle (10) is furnished with a knob (61) to afford better purchase for turning
such handle; (62) is a luggage support.
My improvements may also be applied to quadricycles and other similar vehicles.
I claim as iny Invention and as novel in the construction of tricycles,―
1°. The improved construction of tricycle.
2°. The improved arrangement of mechanism whereby the two larger wheels
fulfil the double function of driving and steering wheels, and the smaller wheel
assumes voluntarily the required position.
3°. The improved construction and arrangement of the front seat, as also of the
second or hinder seat.
4°. The improved arrangement of a jointed backbone for imparting elasticity to
the entire structure, and obviating all danger of falling forwards.
5°. The in proved arrangements whereby my improved tricycle may be readily
converted into one of my improved Patent safety bicycles.
6°. The improved mechanical arrangement whereby the hind wheel can readily
assume any required position for steering purposes.
All substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edouard Carl Friedrich Otto, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty ninth day of November, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
E. C. F. OTTO. (L.S.)