Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Jan., 1898-Accepted, 19th Mar., 1898:
I, THOMAS TAYLOR, of 9, Goldie's Buildings, Shettleston, Gardener, 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 bicycles and it has for its object to improve their
construction.
At present the frames of bicycles are so made that the wheels run behind one
another in the same line. This construction has some disadvantages the principal
one being that at each stroke of the pedals the machine sways more or less from
side to side and therefore not only gives an unsteady drive but also increases the
tendency to side slip. In order to minimise to a certain extent the above principal
disadvantage the better classes of machines, at present, are made with the tread as
narrow as possible. This attempt, however, to overcome the disadvantage by the
reduction of the tread is not satisfactory, as, while the reduction merely minimises
the defect it causes the rider to drive the machine with his legs and feet in a very
constrained and more or less uncomfortable position.
My invention has for its object to overcome the aforesaid disadvantage and also
some subsidiary disadvantages which result from the present mode of constructing
bicycles, by so constructing the frame and arranging the wheels therein that the
latter instead of running the one immediately behind the other in the same line
shall run the one behind the other in separate lines which are slightly apart from
and parallel to one another.
And in order that my said invention may be properly understood I have hereunto
appended, merely by way of illustration or example, a sheet of drawings, whereon
Fig. 1 shows in side view a bicycle constructed in accordance with my invention.
Fig. 2 is a plan of the bicycle Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a plan view showing a slight modification in the construction of the
bicycle.
As will be clearly seen from the drawings the wheels a, b, of the machine instead
of being arranged one behind the other in a straight line which passes through the
frame of the machine are arranged one behind the other in such a manner as to run
in two separate and parallel lines the front wheel a on the line X-X and the back
wheel b on the line Y Y. The frame which is, preferably, of the same shape and
general construction as at present occupies a position midway between the two
lines X-X and Y, Y. Instead of the usual steering fork, the steering pillar c
carrying the handle bar d is made one with or connected to a tube e to which the
axle f of the front wheel is very securely and strongly attached. The hub of the
front wheel a runs, as usual upon ball bearings on this lateral axle f. Also instead
of having the usual back fork or stays for the back wheel b the frame is made with a
single back tube or stay g which, at its lower end, has securely connected to it the
axle h upon which the hub of the back wheel and its sprocket revolves. The usual
chain stays are also dispensed with and in lieu thereof a single horizontal stay i runs
from the bottom bracket to the bottom of the stay q.

page_text: Fig. 3 shows a modification in which forks j and are used for the front and back
wheels. The front fork j is connected in the usual manner to the steering pillar
whilst the back fork k virtually forms a branched back stay.
It will be seen that the pedals are practically in the same line as the wheels.
If desired instead of having the front wheel at the left side, as shown, it may be
at the right side and the back wheel at the left side of the frame.
The bicycle although shown in the drawings as fitted with chain gear is well
adapted for use with chainless gear.
If desired, especially in cases where forks are used for the front and back wheels,
the frame may be arranged at an angle to the plane of the wheels or it may be bent
slightly.
The frame, such as at Figs. 1 and 2, can, if so desired, be made all in one piece.
A bicycle built in the manner herein before set forth possesses the following
advantages as compared with the common type of machine, viz.,
It runs much steadier and therefore owing to the absence of lateral motion runs at
a greater speed.
It has not the same tendency to side slip.
The tyres are not subjected to the same twisting action.
It can be easily mounted and steered.
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 consider
novel and desire to claim is :—
1. A bicycle having its wheels so arranged that instead of running in the same
line they run in parallel lines substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. A bicycle constructed substantially as herein before described and shown under
modifications on the drawings annexed.
Dated this 11th day of January 1898.
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
70, Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.