IMPROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES.
Year: 1882

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William James George at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th November 1882.
WILLIAM JAMES GEORGE of Birmingham in the County of Warwick Manu-
facturer "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES.",
My invention consists first of the improvements hereinafter described in the
driving mechanism of tricycles, and other velocipedes by which mechanism the two
principal wheels of the tricycle or velocipede are permitted to travel at the same
velocity or at different velocities so that the tricycle or velocipede can be propelled
with equal facility in a straight line or in a curve.
My invention consists secondly of the improvements hereinafter described in the
frames of tricycles and other velocipedes.
I will describe my improvements in connection with a tricycle.
The mechanism constituting the first part of my invention is constructed as
follows: The axle carrying the principal wheels is divided transversely at or near
its middle the divided parts being so connected together that while they can rotate
independently of one another they are preserved in the same line and have no
independent longitudinal motion. The chain wheel which is driven by the pedal
shaft is situated at or near the junction of the divided axle and turns freely on the
said axle. On each side of the chain wheel and bearing against it are two ratchet
wheels of somewhat smaller diameter than the chain wheel. These ratchet
wheels are fixed on the two parts of the divided axle respectively. One or more
spring pawls on the sides of the chain wheel bear upon the ratchet wheels
described. When the tricycle is travelling in a straight line the rotary motion of
the chain wheel is communicated by its pawls to the ratchet wheels on the two
parts of the axle and the two parts of the axle and the principal wheels rotate at
the same speed. When the tricycle travels in a curve that wheel of the principal
wheels describing the shortest path is alone driven by the chain wheel the other
principal wheel rotating at a higher velocity than the chain wheel the teeth of its
ratchet wheel sliding without obstruction under the pawl bearing on them. When
the tricycle is again steered in a right line the motion of the chain wheel is again
communicated to both of the principal wheels.
When the rider ceases to act on the pedals so as to give a rotary motion to the
pedal shaft the said pedals may be used as foot rests. In this case no motion is

page_text: communicated to the chain wheel but as this is loose on the axle the tricycle
continues to advance by the momentum it has acquired or on descending a hill by
the action of gravity the teeth of the ratchet wheels sliding under the pawls.
The gearing described may be enclosed in a case and the said case may be
utilised as a break by combining therewith a band and the requisite adjustments.
Reverse gearing may be adapted to the tricycle so as to drive it backwards when
desired.
Where it is not required to use the pedals as stationary foot rests one of the
ratchet wheels may be dispensed with and where it is only required to drive one of
the principal wheels both ratchet wheels and their pawls may be dispensed with
and the chain wheel fixed on one of the inner ends of the divided shaft.
My invention consists secondly in constructing the frame of front steering
tricycles (and other velocipedes) in the following manner. I give to the said
framing a shape which in plan somewhat resembles the capital letter T. The
principal or driving wheels are connected respectively to the ends of the short
arms or cross head of the T and the steering wheel to the end of the long arm or
body of the T. The seat or saddle is fixed on the upper side of the long arm and
the pedal shaft under it. By this construction of frame the rider has greater
command over the driving gear than in tricycles having frames of the ordinary
kind.