IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES, TRICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES,
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Warwick of Aston, near Birmingham in the
County of Warwick Manufacturer for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Warwick of Aston near Birmingham in the
County of Warwick Manufacturer for an Invention of " IMPROVEMENTS IN
BICYCLES, TRICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES,
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Warwick at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th September 1882..
THOMAS WARWICK of Aston near Birmingham in the County of Warwick,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES TRICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES
My invention consists First of the following improvement in making the metallic
rims of the wheels of bicycles, tricycles and other velocipedes.
Manufacturer
»
In making a rim according to my invention I take a strip of sheet steel and
by rolling I give the said strip the following general figure in cross section. The
middle of the strip is fashioned into a semi-circular figure and constitutes the
trough in which the india rubber ring or tyre fits and the sides of the strip are folded
and bent downwards and beneath the said semi-circular middle part so as to give
the said sides a nearly semi elliptical figure, the edges of the sides overlapping and
being brazed or soldered together. The strip of steel thus fashioned by rolling has
at its inner or concave side a semi circular figure and at its outer or convex side a
nearly semi elliptical figure, the overlapping soldered edges of the strip giving
great strength and rigidity to it at the part where the spokes are to be connected.
The rolled or fashioned strips of sheet steel are bent into a circular figure to form
the rims in any convenient manner.
My invention consists Secondly of the following improvements in or modifications
of the driving mechanism of tricycles and other velocipedes described and claimed
in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me dated the 4th day of October
1881, No 4317 the object of the said improvements or modifications being to effect
the driving of both of the travelling wheels from the crank shaft instead of one
only of the said wheels.
According to this part of my present improvements, I use a cross shaft to which
both of the travelling wheels are connected, one wheel being permanently connected
to the shaft and the other wheel being capable when required of being disconnected
from the shaft as herein after particularly explained. At each end of the cross
driving shaft is a flange to one or other of which flanges the sliding clutch
mechanism constructed and worked in the manner described in the Patent before
referred to can be connected so as to drive the vehicle either at a slow speed or at a
quick speed. The motion thus communicated to the cross shaft is made to drive
both of the travelling wheels.

page_text: My invention consists Thirdly of the following construction and combination of
parts for disconnecting one of the travelling wheels from the driving shaft of the
tricycle or other velocipede when the vehicle is turning corners or travelling in a
curved path.
The loose travelling wheel turns freely on the cross driving shaft, the hub of the
said loose wheel being provided at its inner side with a hollow flange toothed
internally, within which flange a circular case fixed on the shaft is situated. In
this case three or other number of radial bolts work the said bolts being pressed
inwards by light springs. The inner ends of these bolts are situated in an annular
recess around the axis of the case and their outer ends which are expanded, are
provided with teeth.
On the driving shaft is a sliding collar the inner end of which takes into the
annular recess in the bolt case. The inner end of the sliding collar is conical or
inclined and bears against the inner inclined ends of the radial bolts. When the
sliding collar is pushed home in the annular recess in the bolt case, the conical end
of the said collar forces the radial bolts outwards and their serrated heads engaging
with the toothed rim or flange on the hub of the loose travelling wheel bolt or
connect the said wheel to the shaft, the shaft and wheel now rotating together. By
withdrawing the sliding collar nearly out of the annular recess its conical end is
withdrawn from the radial bolts when their serrated heads are no longer geared
with the flange on the hub of the wheel and the latter is disengaged from the shaft
and is free to rotate independently of the shaft. The sliding collar by the motion
of which the loose travelling wheel is connected to and disconnected from the
driving shaft is worked in the following manner. On the axis of the steering
handle of the velocipede is a cam working in an angular clip This clip is fixed to
a. cranked lever one arm of which is forked and works between flanges on the
sliding collar described. By turning the steering handle it is made through the
action of the cam, clip and cranked lever to move the sliding collar so as to put into
or take out of action the locking bolts and thereby connect or disconnect the loose
travelling wheel to or from its shaft. A spring acting upon the clip tends to force
the sliding collar into its locking position.
Instead of using a sliding collar acting upon radial bolts, a sliding disc, toothed on
its periphery may be employed, the teeth of the said disc engaging with teeth
either on the internal face or flange of the hub of the loose wheel to connect it with
the driving shaft.
The improvements described for connecting the loose travelling wheel to and dis-
connecting it from the driving shaft may be applied to tricycles and other velocipedes
which are driven at one speed only or driven at different speeds by mechanism
other than that described in the patent before referred to.
My invention consists Fourthly in supporting the seats of tricycles and other
velocipedes by means of a spiral spring to the top of which the seat is fixed.
The base or lowest coil of the spring fits in a flanged disc capable of sliding on the
seat bar. The lowest coil of the said spring is fixed in its place in the said flanged
disc by means of a circular plate through which a screw pin passes and takes into
the disc. The base of the spring is thereby firmly gripped between the said plate
and the flanged disc.
My invention consists Fifthly in reducing the resistance to the motion of the
driving wheels of bicycles or other velocipedes when travelling at a high speed by
covering the said wheels with a thin fabric preferably of silk. The covering of silk I
attach to the sides of the wheel either by cementing it at the hub part and rim
part of the wheel; or by inserting and fixing it in grooves at the hub and rim parts
I prefer so to connect the covering to the wheel that it may be readily connected
and disconnected.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Thomas Warwick in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
22nd March 1883..
THOMAS WARWICK of Aston near Birmingham in the County of Warwick
Manufacturer "IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES TRICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES'
My invention consists first of the following improvement in making the metallic
rims of the wheels of bicycles, tricycles and other velocipedes.
In making a rim according to my invention, I take a strip of sheet steel and by
drawing or rolling I give the said strip the following general figure in cross section.
The middle of the strip is fashioned into a semi-circular figure and constitutes the
trough in which the india rubber ring or tyre fits and the sides of the strip arė
folded and bent downwards and beneath the said semi circular middle part so as to
give the said sides a nearly semi elliptical figure, the edges of the sides overlapping
and being brazed or soldered together. The strip of steel thus fashioned by
drawing or rolling has at one side a semi-circular figure and at the opposite side
a nearly semi-elliptical figure the overlapping soldered edges of the strip giving.
great strength and rigidity to it at the part where the spokes are to be connected..
The rolled or fashioned strips of sheet steel are bent into a circular figure to form
the rims in any convenient manner.
My invention consists Secondly of the following construction and combination of
parts for disconnecting one of the travelling wheels from the driving shaft of the
tricycle or other velocipede when the vehicle is turning corners or travelling, in á
curved path.
The loose travelling wheel turns freely on the cross driving shaft the hub of the said
loose wheel being provided at its inner side with a hollow flange toothed internally
within which flange a circular case on the shaft is situated. In this case, three or other
number of radial bolts work the said bolts being pressed in wards by light springs. The
inner ends of these bolts are situated in an annular recess around the axis of the
case and their outer ends, which are expanded, are provided with teeth. On the
driving shaft is a sliding collar the inner end of which takes into the annular
recess in the bolt case. The inner end of the sliding collar is conical or inclined
and bears against the inner inclined ends of the radial bolts. When the sliding
collar is pushed home in the annular recess in the bolt case, the conical end of the
said collar forces the radial bolts outwards and their serrated heads engaging with
the toothed rim or flange on the hub of the loose travelling wheel, bolt or connect
the said wheel to the shaft, the shaft and wheel now rotating together By with-
drawing the sliding collar nearly out of the annular recess its conical end is
withdrawn from the radial bolts when their serrated heads are no longer geared
with the flange on the hub of the wheel and the latter is disengaged from the shaft
and is free to rotate independently of the shaft. The sliding collar by the motion
of which the loose travelling wheel is connected to and disconnected from the
driving shaft is worked in the following manner. On the axis of the steering
handle of the velocipede is a cam working in an angular clip. This clip is fixed
to a cranked lever one arm of which is forked and works between flanges on the
sliding collar described. By turning the steering handle it is made through the
action of the cam, clip and cranked lever to move the sliding collar so as to put into
or take out of action the locking bolts and thereby-connect or disconnect the loose
travelling wheel to or from its shaft. A spring acting upon the clip tends to force
the sliding collar into its locking position
I will now describe with reference to the accompanying Drawings the manner in
which my invention is to be performed.
--

page_text: a
In making a metallic rim for the wheels of bicycles and other velocipedes, I take
a strip of sheet steel of the kind represented in Figure 1 and by means of a
drawing process effected by the use of a properly shaped die or draw hole fixed in
draw-bench, I give to the said strip the form represented in cross section and plan
in Figure 2. That is to say, by the action of the drawing die or draw hole the middle
of the strip Figure 1 is fashioned into a nearly semi circular figure in cross section
marked a Figure 2 and constitutes the trough in which the india rubber ring or
tyre fits and the sides of the said strip Figure 1 are folded and bent downwards
and beneath the middle trough part a so as to give the sides a nearly semi-elliptical
figure in cross section as represented at b, b Figure 2, the edges of the said sides b, b
being made to overlap at c as seen in the section of Figure 2. I prefer however to
trough the strip Figure 1 by means of rolls before passing it through the draw die
or draw hole.
The overlapping edges c of the shaped or fashioned tube Figure 2 are next
brazed or soldered together in the way commonly practised in brazing or soldering
the edges of lap jointed tubes. The brazed or soldered tube having the sectional
form represented in Figure 2, is next subjected to a second drawing operation with
a second die or draw hole so as to give the said tube Figure 2 the form represented.
in cross section and plan in Figure 3 and longitudinal section in Figure 4. By the
last described drawing operation, the sides b, b of the nearly semi-elliptical part of
the tube are flattened and slightly contracted and the nearly semi-circular part or
trough a is expanded.
By this construction of tube the overlapping brazed or soldered edges c give
great strength and rigidity to the rim formed therefrom at the part where the
metallic spokes are to be connected to it.
Additional strength may be given to the overlapping part of the tube from
which the rim is to be made by folding or doubling one edge of the strip before the
drawing operation as represented at e Figure 5. After the drawing operation the
folded or doubled edge e of the strip is situated within the semi-elliptical part b b
of the tube as represented in the cross section Figure 6, so that there are three
thicknesses of metal at the overlapping junction of the rim tube. The folded or
doubled edge e may be situated outside instead of inside the rim tube.
:
The overlapping strengthened junction of the rim tube may be made at the
middle of the trough part a as represented in cross section in Figure 3A. In this
modification the metallic spokes are connected to the strengthened overlapping
edges c of the trough a.
The brazed or soldered tube made as described is bent into a circular figure to
form the rim in any convenient way.
Although I prefer to fashion the tube from which the rim is made by drawing
strips of sheet steel yet the said tube may be fashioned by rolling or by the com-
bined processes of rolling and drawing; and although I prefer to give the rim tube the
sectional figure represented in the Drawings yet the under or outer part of the rim
tube may have any required sectional figure given to it instead of the nearly semi-
elliptical figure represented.
I prefer to connect the metallic spokes to the overlapping and strengthened
edges c of the rim in the ways hereinafter described but other ways may be
employed.
In the arrangement shown in cross section in Figure 7 and longitudinal section
in Figure 8 the ordinary headed spoke d is used a hole being made through the
bottom of the trough part a for the passage of the head of the spoke and a second
hole is made through the overlapping edges c for the said head to seat itself in, the
other end of the spoke being screwed into the hub of the wheel.
In the arrangement shown in cross section in Figure 9 and longitudinal section
in Figure 10, the outer end of the spoke d is screwed and is fixed in its place in the
rim by the screw nut e² seating itself upon the overlapping edges c of the rim, the
said screw nut e² being turned by a spanner or key introduced through the large
hole f in the bottom of the trough a.

page_text: In the arrangement shown in cross section in Figure 11 longitudinal section in
Figure 12 and plan of upper side in Figure 13, a screw nut 9 having a collar or
extension h at top is used. This collar or extension h seats itself in the hole in the .
overlapping edges c of the rim, the angular part of the screw nut g projecting below
the said hole so that the spoke can be adjusted from the outside of the rim. This
arrangement permits the spokes being tightened when required without removing
the india rubber ring or tyre from the trough a.
I will now describe my arrangement for disconnecting one of the travelling
wheels from the driving shaft of the tricycle or velocipede when the vehicle is
turning corners or travelling in a curved path
Figure 14 represents in plan, a portion of a tricycle containing this part of my
invention; Figures 15 and 16 represent sections taken at right angles to one another
of the disconnecting mechanism, the loose travelling wheel being geared to the
driving shaft; Figure 17 represents the same view as Figure 15 with the loose
travelling wheel ungeared from the driving shaft and Figure 18 represents the
circular case in which the bolts are contained.
Figures 15, 16, 17 and 18 are drawn of the full size; a is the cross driving
shaft and b is one of the travelling wheels turning freely on the said shaft, the
other travelling wheel not represented is rigidly fixed to the shaft a. The hub of
the loose travelling wheel has at its inner side a hollow or tubular flange c toothed.
internally (see Figures 15 and 17). In the said hollow or tubular flange c a circular
case d fixed on the shaft a is situated. This case d carries three radial bolts e, e, e
which are pressed inwards by the light springs ff. f. The heads of the bolts e, e, e
are toothed or serrated as represented and the inner ends of the said bolts are
situated in an annular recess g in the axis of the case d. On the driving shaft a
is a sliding collar h having a slightly conical end which end when pressed home in
the annular recess g in the bolt case d forces the radial bolts e e e outwards. The
serrated heads of the said bolts are thereby made to engage with the inner toothed
face of the rim or flange c on the hub of the loose travelling wheel and connect
the said wheel to the driving shaft the shaft and wheel now rotating together as
represented in Figures 14, 15 and 16. By withdrawing the sliding collar nearly
out of the recess g the conical end of the said collar is removed from the inner ends
of the bolts e, e, e when they are pressed inwards by the action of the springs f. f, ƒ
and the serrated heads of the said bolts are withdrawn from the sérrated flange or
rime of the hub of the loose wheel b, which wheel is now free to rotate independently
of the shaft a as represented in Figure 17.
The sliding collar his worked from the steering handle of the tricycle in the
manner represented in Figure 14; i is the axis of the steering handle on which axis
is a cam k working in an angular clip on one of the arms of the cranked lever m,
the other arm of the said lever engaging with flanges on the sliding collar h.
A spring n on the fixed framing of the machine presses the clip / against the cam k
and tends to force the sliding collar h into its locking position
In Figure 14, the loose travelling wheel b is represented geared to the driving
shaft a, both of the travelling wheels being driven by the same shaft. In order
to disengage the loose travelling wheel 6 from the shaft on turning corners or when
the vehicle is travelling in a curved path, the steering handle is turned in one or
other direction according to the direction in which it is intended to steer the
vehicle. The cam k on the axis of the steering handle is thereby made to act
through the clip upon the cranked lever m and move the sliding collar h so as to
withdraw its conical end from the bolts e, e, e which bolts are now taken out of
action by the springs f, f, f and the loose travelling wheel disconnected from the
driving shaft as illustrated in Figure 17. When the curved portion of the cam k
acts upon the angular part of the clip the bolts e, e, e are out of gear and the
wheel b disconnected from the shaft a as already described, the steering axis i may
be turned in either direction through about three fourths of a circle for the purpose
of acting on the steering wheel through the ordinary rack and pinion represented
without giving motion to the lever m. In order to reëngage the loose travelling

page_text: wheel b with the driving shaft a, the steering handle is returned to its normal
position when the clip / takes the position represented in Figure 14 by the action
of the spring n and the sliding collar h is forced into its locking position for bolting
the loose travelling wheel to the driving shaft, the vehicle again travelling in a
straight path.
Instead of using a sliding collar acting upon radial bolts a sliding disc, toothed
on its periphery and operated in the same way as the sliding collar, may be
employed the teeth of the said disc engaging with teeth either on the internal face
or flange of the hub of the loose wheel to connect it with the driving shaft.
The improvements described and illustrated for connecting the loose travelling
wheel to and disconnecting it from the driving shaft may be applied to tricycles
and other velocipedes which are driven at one speed only or driven at different
speeds.
Those parts of my invention described in my provisional specification, but
which I have not herein described, I have found since filing my said provisional
specification to be of little practicable value and on that account I have not
described and claimed them herein.
Having now described the nature of my invention and the manner in which the
same is to be performed I wish it to be understood that I claim as my invention;-
First The improvement or improvements in the metallic rims of the wheels
of bicycles tricycles and other velocipedes hereinbefore described and illustrated
in Figures 1 to 13 both inclusive of the accompanying Drawings; that is to say,
making from a strip of sheet steel by drawing or rolling or by the drawing and
rolling processes combined, tubing to be afterwards made into the said rims,
the said tubing being so fashioned that it has on one side a trough of a nearly
semi circular figure in which the india rubber ring or tyre fits and at its opposite
side a nearly semi elliptical figure, or other required sectional figure, the edges of
the last named side overlapping and being brazed or soldered together, the said
overlapping brazed or soldered edges giving great strength and rigidity to the rim
at the part where the metallic spokes are connected to it substantially as described
and illustrated. Also the modification hereinbefore described and represented in
Figure 3A, in which the overlapping and strengthened edges of the rim tube are
made at the middle of the trough part of the rim tube.
Secondly-The construction and combinations of parts herein before described
and illustrated in Figures 14: 15. 16. 17 and 18 of the accompanying Drawings for
connecting the loose travelling wheel of tricycles and other velocipedes to and dis-
connecting it from the driving shaft, the said construction and combinations of
parts being actuated from the steering handle of the tricycle or velocipede
substantially as described and illustrated.
In witness whereof I the said Thomas Warwick have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Nineteenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand
aight hundred and eighty three
Witness, RICHARD SKERRETT
37 Temple Street
Birmingham
THOMAS WARWICK (L.S.)

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