Improvements in Bicycles, Tricycles, and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Jan., 1898-Accepted, 14th May, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bicycles, Tricycles, and the like.
HENRY ORLEY, Loten Cottage, Close Woods, Denmead, near Cosham, Hants,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
1. The bicycle propelled by both hand and foot power. To enable the power
of the hands to be used, an auxiliary handwheel (A) is fitted as it were in the centre
of the handlebars, the rim of the wheel is made slightly hollow, and sufficiently
broad to admit of a two inch machine belt working on it. The axle of the wheel
revolves in and is supported between the two uprights (BB) fitted at the top of
the foremost fork, on each end of the axle is a handlebar (C) by which the wheel
is propelled.
Machine belting (D) connects the handwheel (A) to the pulley (K) which acts
as an auxiliary power to the crank spindle (E) with which it works in
conjunction, being fitted on the same axle. The crank spindle is propelled chiefly
by foot power as in the ordinary bicycle. In ladies bicycles the machine belting (D)
may be diverted, to admit of extra room for the dress, by passing under the
wheel (F).
2. Circular steel springs (G) in wheels.
Four circular steel springs are screwed on to the hub of each wheel, at equal
distances apart, these springs are encircled by a steel band to which they are
screwed on, the spokes extending from the outer part of the bands to the rims of
the wheels.
The springs support the entire weight of both the frame of the machine and the
rider, the fore and hind forks resting in the centre of them, they are made pro-
portionatly strong to the weight of the rider, allowing about two inches for
contraction of the lower and expansion of the upper springs at great oscillation.
Vide drawing Figure 1.
3. Tee-angle-iron frame (thus T).
The whole of the frame of the machine is constructed of tee-angle-iron, except
the revolving portion between the front fork and the handle bar, which is made of
steel tubing. The ends of the tee-angle-iron at the several parts numbered 1, 2, 3
& 4 in my drawing (vide Figs. 1, 2 & 4) are round and solid, and respectively
joined, by being welded into a tube fitted on the part to which it is connected; the
ends of the parts numbered from 5 to 9 are made flat and fastened on to the
respective part to which they belong by means of a nut screw, in the same manner
in which tubular frames of bicycles are now fastened.
On the inside of the front fork in a line with the top of the wheel is fitted two
india rubber rollers (J), one on each side of the wheel to prevent friction that may
be caused by the wheel touching the fork when turning the machine at an acute
angle.
4. Angular wheel rims. The rims of the wheels are made of steel, the inner
part being semi-circular, the outer part forming three nearly acute angles; the

page_text: middle angle having a groove in which is fitted a hide rope tyre (vide sectional
drawing Fig. 3), the indentations, or angles in the rims are made so that the tyre
will more readily sink into the ground and by gripping it prevent skidding. The
dotted line in Fig. 3 represents the surface of the ground and shows the probable
hold in the ground the angular rims would have on a soft unlevel surface.
5. Machine belting. Belting made of leather or othér flexible material about
two inches in breadth is used in lieu of chain-gearing-the belt (D) conveys the
power from the hand wheel (A) to the pulley (K) and thus assists to propel the
crank (E) as both work on the same axis. Another belt (M) passing around the
wheel (E) conveys the power to the driving wheel. In order to gain the additional
breadth required for the belting, without materially lengthening the crank spindle,
the two horizontal forks leading from the axle of the hind wheel are joined at a
point where they are met by the mud guard (vide L Fig. 4.) (i.e.) about one inch
in front of the hind wheel.
**
'
I beg to add the following advantages of the before mentioned improvements;
(1st.) The auxiliary, handwheel "used in conjunction with the crank spindle,
gives, additional power, consequently extra-speed, and is safer than the ordinary
bicycle, because the hands assist to back-pedal; so much required when decending
steep inclines, or if on an emergency you require to stop; 'the extra.help to do so
greatly reduces the liability to accident. The ordinary "break" is not required.
(2nd.) The advantage of "central spring wheels over pneumatic tyres; is
that they are more flexible, gives easier riding,, no danger of puncturing, no air
pump required.
(3rd.) Tee angle iron is stronger than hollow tubing, and lighter than tubing
with angle pins.
(4th.) Angular wheel rims," grips the ground, and prevents skidding; com-
pared with other rims and pneumatic tyres, they are safer and stronger.
(5th.) "Machine belting" used in lieu of chain-gearing is lighter, more easily
cleaned, and the two distinct belts. gives greater safety; for if one should break,
the bicycle can still be propelled by the other.
:
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1st. The auxiliary handwheel; 2nd. Central spring wheels; 3rd. Tee angle iron
frames; 4th. Angular rims to wheels; 5th. Machine belting, as being improve-
ments in bicycles, tricycles and the like.
Dated this Eleventh day of January 1898.