Improvements in the Construction of "Trotting Sulkys."
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Dec., 1892-Accepted, 28th Jan., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of "Trotting Sulkys."
I, SAMUEL ROWE, of 28 The Pavement, Clapham Common, in the County of
Surrey, Cycle Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to those vehicles known as "trotting sulkys" which are
constructed of metal tubes and are fitted with rubber or inflated tyred wheels and
the object of my present invention is to provide a means whereby such "sulkys'
may be adjusted to suit the size and height of the animal drawing the same.
Now according to this invention, I make the shafts, seat pillar, and stay rods
telescopic the shafts also I attach to the frame in such a manner as to enable the
distance of the shafts from the axes of the wheels to be adjusted to suit the height
of the animal drawing the vehicle so that one "sulky" may be used for horses or
ponies of different heights.
And in order that my said invention may be fully understood, I will proceed to
explain the same with reference to the accompanying sheet of drawings in which
Figure 1 shews elevation of a "trotting sulky" constructed according to this
invention.
Figure 2 is plan of same.
Figure 3 end view of same.
Figure 4 is a detailed section of a portion of the shaft shewing means of adjust-
ment hereinafter referred to.
Figure 5 shews an alternative method of adjusting the height of the shafts.
The same letters denote the same parts in all the figures.
a. a are the shafts which are made of steel tubes or other suitable material,
b bare tubular sockets in which the shafts a a slide.
The length of the shafts from the end of the sockets is adjusted by means of the
screw d, working in a nut e at the end of the shaft a, at the end of the socket b is a
bearing in which the screw d rotates, is a collar to prevent longitudinal motion
of the said screw, and is a hexagon or other suitably shaped head to receive a
wrench or key for rotating the screw. This arrangement is clearly shewn in
section at Figure 4. i is a curved tube or bar to tie the sockets together and form
atjj foot rests for the driver.
kk are the wheels of the ordinary construction for cycles having pneumatic or
other suitable tyres thereon cach wheel is carried in a fork secured to the tube or
rod m by means of the clips n n or other suitable gripping device, the sockets bare
also secured to the tube or rod m so that by securing the said tube or rod at the
proper distance along the portions of the forks the height of the shafts from
the ground may be adjusted to suit the height of the animal drawing the vehicle.
The device shewn and described for adjusting the length of the shafts may also
be applied to secure the bar or tube m to the forks 1, 1, o. o. are telescopic stays
attached to the forks p p. 99 are clips for clamping the two portions of the stays
in any desired position. r is the draught bar to which the traces are attached. 8 is
the drivers seat secured to a telescopic pillar t. Instead of adjusting the shafts to
any desired height by means of the device shewn at Figures 1, 2 and 3. I may use
the means illustrated by Figure 5 which shews the lower portion of the fork
flattened and carried down below the axis of the wheel k, which axis is secured
in the slot by the nut ", the stays o o need not in this case be made telescopic.
Or I may make the fork 11 telescopic or otherwise capable of adjustment and in
some cases I may make the framework of the "sulky "non-adjustable, and attach

page_text: the sockets b to the tube or rod m by means of a suitable device for regulating the
height of the shafts above the axes of the wheels.
I do not confine myself to the precise details shewn on the drawings as these may
be varied within. wide limits without departing from the nature of my inven-
tion, but,
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
I. In a trotting sulky the combination of telescopic or sliding shafts with a means
of adjusting the height of the same above the axis of the wheels substantially as
and for the purpose stated.
II. In a trotting sulky, the combination of the forks 11, having pillars
attached thereto with a bar m and clamping or adjusting devices for securing the
said bar to the pillars at any required point substantially as described.
III. In a trotting sulky the slotted forks 1, l, substantially as described with
reference to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawing and for the purpose stated.
IV. In a trotting sulky the use of telescopic shafts substantially as specified.
V. In a trotting sulky the combination of a screw d rotating in a socket 6 with
a nute attached to the shaft a substantially as and for the purpose stated.
VI. In a trotting sulky the telescopic stays oo attached to forks p p the said
stays being provided with a clamping device all substantially as described.
VII. The improvements in the construction of "trotting sulkys" substantially as
hereinbefore specified and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 19th day of December 1892.
FREDK. WALKER,
11, Furnival Street, Holborn, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.