Improvements in Motor Bicycles,
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in Motor Bicycles,
We, JOHN HUGHES, Agent, and WILLIAM OWEN, Potters' Agent, both of Moor-
land Road, Burslem, Staffordshire, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in motor bicycles actuated by
explosive gases, such, for example, as those generated from petroleum or carbide
of calcium; a main object of the invention being to avoid or materially lessen
the vibratory or throbbing motion incidental to such existing motor bicycles
in which the cylinder wherein the explosive energy is developed is mounted on
the longitudinally disposed members or lower parts of the bicycle frame con-
necting the axle of the pedal crank with that of the road driving wheel, and
which motion is consequent on there being no resistance other than that of said
longitudinally disposed members of the bicycle frame slung between the axles
of the steering and driving road wheels, and is very troublesome and injurious
to the motor cyclist. The invention has, also for its objects, the lessening of
the weight of the bicycle and its motor appliances, without, however, lessening
its locomotive capacity, and the arrangement of the parts in a much more com-
pact and convenient manner than that hereinbefore referred to of existing motor
bicycles, more pleasing to the eye and less costly in construction
To these ends, the invention is characterized by the arrangement of the explo-
sion cylinders, the motor driving axle and the driving or cycle road
wheel axle all in the same plane, and in an approximately vertical plane, and in
the construction of the cycle frame in such manner.as. to be adapted to support
either one such cylinder or two such cylinders so arranged, together with
electric or tube ignition devices for exploding the motor gas used, and with the
motor driving axle or axles and necessary connections from the cylinder or
cylinders thereto, and therefrom to the cycle road wheel.
By such means, we obtain an approximately vertical action in the evlinders
and connected axles in or in about the line of the bearing of the driven road
wheel on the road, whereby, such an effective support and resistance is offered
as will avoid or materially lessen the vibration above referred to.
A further advantage incidental to the invention is that the motor driven parts
are removed from juxtaposition with the pedo-motive parts, which latter may,
consequently, be used with greater convenience when it is not required to use
the motor driving gear, and the latter is thrown out of gear.
Datal thin 1011
f
1000
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
Chartered Patent Agents, 321, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Motor Bicycles.
We. JOHN HUGHES, Agent, and WILLIAM OWEN, Potters' Agent, both of Moor-
land Road, Burslem, Staffordshire, 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 certain improvements in motor bicycles actuated by
explosive gases, such, for example, as those generated from petroleum or carbide
of calcium; a main object of the invention being to avoid or to materially lessen
the vibratory or throbbing motion incidental to such existing motor bicycles
in which the cylinder wherein the explosive energy is developed is mounted on
longitudinally disposed members or lower parts of the bicycle frame con-
necting the axle of the pedal crank with that of the road driving wheel, and
which motion is consequent on there being no resistance other than that of said
longitudinally disposed members of the bicycle frame slung between the axles
of the steering and driving road wheels, and is very troublesome and injurious
to the motor cyclist. The invention has, also for its objects, the lessening of
the weight of the bicycle and its motor appliances, without, however, lessening
its locomotive capacity, and the arrangement of the parts in a much more com-
pact and convenient manner than that herein before referred to of existing motor
bicycles, more pleasing to the eye and less costly in construction
To these ends, the invention is characterized by the arrangement of the explo-
sion cylinder or cylinders, the motor driving axle and the driven or cycle road
wheel axle all in the same or in approximately the same plane, and in an
approximately vertical plane, and in the construction of the cycle frame in such
manner as to be adapted to support either one such cylinder or two such cylinders so
arranged, together with electric or tube ignition devices for exploding the motor gas
used, and with the motor driving axle or axles and necessary connections from the
cylinder or cylinders thereto, and therefrom to the cycle road wheel.
By such means, we obtain an approximately vertical action in the cylinder
or cylinders and connected axles in or in about the line of the bearing of the
rear or driven road wheel on the road, whereby, such an effective support and
resistance is offered as will avoid or materially lessen the vibration above referred
to.
A further advantage incidental to the invention is that the motor driven parts
are removed from juxtaposition with the pedo-motive parts, which latter may,
consequently, be used with greater convenience when it is not required to use
the motor driving gear and the latter is thrown out of gear.
The accompanying drawings represent a bicycle adapted with motor driving
gear arranged in accordance with the present improvements;-
Figure, 1, representing a side elevation of a bicycle so adapted;-and
Fig. 2, representing a back elevation thereof.
1. represents the motor or explosion cylinder which may be of any ordinary
construction, and 2, represents the motor shaft, which has a crank, 3, connected
to the motor working parts and is fitted externally of the motor with a chain
pinion, 4, which is connected by a chain, 5, with a chain wheel, 6, made fast
to the cycle road wheel, 7, the gearing being preferably enclosed in
a gear
case, 8.
The swing back stays, 9, of the cycle frame are so formed as to be adapted to
support the motor with the axis-of its explosion chamber in a nearly vertical
direction, the motor being bolted or otherwise conveniently secured to such back

page_text: stays in such a manner that the axial direction of its explosion cylinder, the
motor axle, 2, and the cycle road wheel axle, 10, will all be in approximately
the same plane and in an approximately vertical plane, as represented. The
back stays, 9, also serve to support electrical or tubular ignition devices of usual
construction and as may be preferred for exploding the motor gas used.
11, represents an oil tank, and 12, represents a silencer forming adjunctive
attachments to the motor.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
In motor bicycles, the arrangement of the motor explosion cylinder or cylin-
ders, the motor driving axle or axles and the rear or cycle road driving wheel
axle all in the same or in approximately the same plane and in an approximately
vertical plane and the construction of the cycle frame in such manner as to be
adapted to support either one such cylinder or two such cylinders so arranged
together with electric or tubular ignition devices for exploding the motor gas
used and with the motor driving axle or axles and necessary connections from
the cylinder or cylinders thereto and therefrom to the cycle road wheel, substan-
tially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 10th day of March 1899.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
Chartered Patent Agents, 321, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants