Improvements in the Construction of Bicycles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Aug., 1896-Accepted, 31st Oct., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Bicycles.
I THOMAS HENRY BARNES of 7, Bridge Street, Christchurch, Hants, Draper,
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:
This invention relates to an improved construction of bicycle which can be
driven and steered more easily than is the case with the present construction.
In carrying out my invention, instead of driving from the rear wheel alone as
is the case with the ordinary safety bicycles, I propose to employ both wheels for
driving and steering, the wheels being operated simultaneously by the driving and
steering gear.
The frame is placed centrally between the two wheels, and extends in triangular
form to a suitable height. The pedals and crank 'axle are placed somewhat
higher than is usually the case, being 'situated at about the top of the wheels
which are preferably of smaller diameter than those at present employed. The
driving mechanism consists of a toothed wheel of special form "carried on the
crank axle gearing into two toothed wheels on spindles, extending respectively' to
the axles of the front and rear wheels. Bevel gearing serves to transmit the power
to the wheels. At the lower end of the frame, and at both front and back, ball
bearings are fitted which allow the wheels to turn around the axis which passes
through the centre of the gear wheels driving the machine, the bearings being
placed at the required' angle. Any motion of the wheels around this axis will, thus
not interfere with the driving mechanism. The steering arrangement consists of
two steering rods, extending through the front and rear tubes of the frame geared
together at the upper end, so that when one is operated by the steering bar, both
will act simultaneously and turn the wheels at equal angles.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is bad
to the accompanying sheet of drawings in which
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the bicycle, Fig. 2 is a front view of the same,
Fig. 3 is a view of part of the mechanism taken at right angles, to the gear
spindle, and
Figs. 4, to 6 are detail views.
A is the triangular frame which as shown is of narrow form, and is placed
centrally between the two wheels B. At the upper end of the rear tube of this
frame, the bracket C is secured adjustably, carrying the saddle c, this saddle
being preferably placed close to the, handles."
On the crank axle D the driving wheel E is fixed, this wheel, according to the
arrangement preferred. having a circular groove è in, its face extending around the
edge. Within this groove small pins or rollers el are secured, serving as teeth
which engage with the toothed wheel F, the edge of which is rounded in order to
ensure better action.
The spindle carrying the toothed wheel F. passes through one of the upper
forks G, lower forks or extensions G' being also provided to render the arrangement
stronger.
On the lower end of the spindle f the bevel wheel is fixed gearing with the
bevel wheel H on the hub of the wheel B. Ball bearings are provided, at all the
necessary points. The forks carry at their upper ends the head which is

page_text: provided with a ball bearing. This fork head is placed at an angle to the
spindle so that the axes of the bearing and spindle cross at the centre of the
wheel F.
This arrangement allows the fork to be turned without deranging the driving
mechanism which remains in connection with the driving wheel E. The lower
part of the frame at each side is provided with a bearing encircling the fork head
and supported by it. Steering spindles K and K' extend through the front and
rear tubes A of the frame, and are, according to one arrangement, provided with
...square ends, which engage in a hole formned in the fork head, suitable clearance
being made in the head to allow the latter to partly revolve in a plane inclined
about 60° to the axis of the steering spindle. These spindles are not rigidly
connected to the fork head, but can be easily detached.
The handle bar L is fitted to the upper end of the spindle K, the two spindles
engaging with each other at k by means of teeth, causing them to turn simultaneously
on operating the steering handle.
In a bicycle constructed according to this arrangement, the frame is more
compact, and can thus be made lighter, and at the same time of greater strength
than the ordinary frame. The tread can also be made narrower, thus allowing the
machine to be driven with greater ease.
Owing to the double arrangement of steering, the danger of side slipping is
obviated, the steering and driving being also rendered easier.
Suitablo gear casing may be provided to protect the working parts.
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 :-
(1) In an improved bicycle the combination with a frame placed between the
two wheels, turning forks carrying each wheel, and steering mechanism operating
both wheels simultaneously, of bevel gearing operated from the centre and driving
both wheels substantially as and for the purposes specified.
(2) In an improved bicycle the combination with a frame placed between the
two wheels, turning forks carrying each wheel and steering mechanism operating
both wheels simultaneously, of a toothed driving wheel on the crank axle spindles
carrying bevel gearing to drive both wheels carried by the forks substantially as
and for the purposes specified.
(3) In an improved bicycle the combination with a triangular frame placed
between the two wheels, a bracket carrying the saddle fixed to the rear tube, of
driving mechanism consisting of bevel gearing operating. from the centre, and
driving both wheels simultaneously, of double forks carrying each wheel, ball
bearings at the top of each fork placed at an angle, and steering mechanisin
operating both forks simultaneously substantially as described and for the purposes
specified.
(4) In an improved bicycle, the combination with a frame placed between the
two wheels turning forks carrying the said wheels, and steering mechanism
operating both simultaneously, of a driving wheel gearing on the crank spindle
formed in a circular groove, small pins or rollers in the said groove forming teeth,
spindles carrying toothed wheels engaging with the said driving wheel, and bevel
gearing driving both front and rear wheels substantially as and for the purposes
specified.
(5) In an improved bicycle the combination with a triangular frame placed
between the two wheels and driving mechanism operating both wheels simultaneously,
of turning forks carrying both wheels, steering rods extending, through the front
and rear tubes of the frame geared together at their upper ends, and a handle bar
carried by the front steering rod substantially as. described and for the purposes
'specified.
(6) The improved bicycle having a triangular frame, steering spindles and forke

page_text: connected to each wheel, and driving mechanism operating both wheels simul-
taneously, substantially as described and shown in the accompanying drawings, and
for the purposes specified.
Dated this 1st day of August 1896.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.