Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Mar., 1887
Complete Left, 9th Dec., 1887
Complete Accepted, 13th Jan., 1888
We CHARLES MONTAGUE LINLEY and JOHN BIGGS of Mount Row, East Road
City Road in the county of Middlesex trading as Linley and Biggs, Engineers and
FRANK PHILIP LEON of the same address and profession, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to improvements in velocipedes and while principally designed
to effect improvements in a class of velocipede patented by one Oxley Mac Carthy
No. 10610 of the year 1885, our improvements may be applied to other velocipedes as
hereinafter mentioned.
To convert a machine having two front steering wheels and a rear driving wheel
into a rear-driving safety bicycle and to again restore such a machine to its tricycle
form we arrange the steering head of the machine (when used as a tricycle) in such
a manner that the handle-bar is left mounted in position so that it may be still capable
of being moved or twisted.
To change the bicycle form to the tricycle form we remove the front wheel and
fork, or equivalent, carrying or supporting it (or carrying devices on the fork or
equivalent supporting the wheel) and we replace the fork or equivalent by a tube or
socket occupying the place previously held by the said fork or equivalent.
This tube or socket is suitably maintained in position; at its lower end we arrange
a cross tube parallel with the handle bar which said cross tube may be a fixture and
on each of its two ends is mounted a steering fork, head, centre or pivot carrying a
steering wheel capable of being turned by a horizontal rod or equivalent connected
with the handle-bar. In place of this the cross tube or a rod can be arranged to
swivel on a centre having steering wheels loosely mounted on its ends.
When either the cross tube carrying the wheels turning on their own centres or the
cross tube or rod swivelling on its own axis and carrying loosely mounted steering
wheels at its ends is used we may actuate the same from the handle bar by a suitable
connection.
As we prefer to use the construction of frame referred to in the said specification
| No. 10610 of the year 1885 (though not necessarily binding ourselves thereto) and as

page_text: the change from the bicycle to the tricycle form necessarily varies the strain put on
the steering gear we desire to strengthen the toggle or elastic joint connection
between the steering wheel or wheels and the handle bar necessitated by the use of
our present invention in combination with the said patent.
We prefer to make our toggles with what are known as "knuckle joints" having
one tongue (which we will call the male portion of the joint) working between two
others (which we will call the female portion).
In this class of joint great difficulty is found in taking up the wear that occurs
between the faces and this we overcome in the following manner.
We may form the female portion of the joint as well understood, but the end of the
tongue or web of the male portion of the joint we split for a portion of its length
and drill or form and tap it to receive a conical screwed key at or near the top of the
tongue or web. The pivot pin of the joint passes through both male and female
portions and by setting up the taper or conical screwed key the opposing surfaces of
the joint may be kept up to each other as nearly as possible and thereby the male
portion of the joint be prevented from working loose or rocking between the faces and
so shaking in the female part of the joint. We may if desired construct the female
portion of the toggle link or lever in two parts facing each other each being cranked
or formed at its opposite ends to receive the male portion of the joint. The coupling
pins of the joints are placed across the cranked or bent portions and tie pins are
placed to unite and so adjust the parallel portions of the toggle link or lever one
against, to or from the other. Or, the cranked or bent portions to receive the male
end of the joint may be united by a pivot pin and the ends of such portions be partly
split and adjusted by another pin, by "pin we mean screwed pins, bolts or
equivalents.
"
Though we have mentioned such joints in connection with the said patent we may
apply them to other velocipedes using steering or driving wheels mounted in or
actuated by elastic links or toggle joints so that the wheels on the parts of the frame
on which they are mounted are free to rise and fall on meeting obstructions our object
being to keep such joints always as far as possible in working order and free from
"side-shake."
The herein before described arrangement provides for the conversion of a tricycle
into a bicycle or vice versa but as a bicycle is generally geared higher than a tricycle
it is advantageous to provide an easy method of changing the gearing when the
machine is converted.
With respect to the class of machine before referred to, the chain wheel is usually
outside the bearing and near to one of the cranks.
We arrange a pair of studs or suugs to project from the chain wheel on each side
of the crank and to press on each side of the same, or a single stud or snug to pass
through it and so drive either forward or backward.
We use any desired form of detachable crank so that by removing same the wheel
can be taken off and replaced by another of different diameter also carrying such studs
or snugs to operate the crank, or a stud or studs or snugs can be on the cranks to fit
holes or recesses on the chain wheel.
Dated this 9th day of March 1887.
POPPLEWELL, COLTON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: Improvements in Velocipedes.
We CHARLES MONTAGUE LINLEY and JOHN BIGGs of Mount Row East Road,
City Road in the county of Middlesex trading as Linley and Biggs, Engineers and
FRANK PHILIP LEON of the same address and profession 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 :-
Our invention relates to improvements in velocipedes and while principally designed
to effect improvements in a class of velocipede patented by ono Oxley Mac Carthy
No. 10610 of the year 1885, our improvenients may be applied to other velocipedes as
hereinafter mentioned.
Referring to the accompanying drawings and to the Figures and Letters of reference
marked thereon-
..
On Sheet 1. Figure 1. is a side elevation of a Whippet" safety bicycle but con-
structed in accordance with our present invention, the front wheel and fork are
indicated by dotted lines so as to shew the office of the tube or socket G carried by the
fixed frame and hereinafter more particularly referred to.
On Sheet 2. Figure 2. shews a plan of our velocipede in the "Whippet " tricycle
form.
On the same sheet Figure 3 is an enlarged front elevation of the arrangement for
carrying the two front steering wheels of the tricycle arranged to be fitted to the tube
or socket G.
Figure 4 is a side and Figure 5 a front elevation of a toggle or link as hereinafter
referred to.
Figure 6 is a front elevation and Figure 7 a side elevation of another form of toggle
or link.
Figures 8 and 10 are frout elevations and Figures 9 and 11 are side elevations of
a further modification and Figure 12 is a sectional illustration of a still further modi-
fication of our toggle link or lever.
Returning to Sheet 1. Figure 13 is a side elevation of our detachable chain wheel
and Figure 14 is a front elevation of the same.
Referring to Figure 2. In order to convert a machine having two front steering
wheels A. A into a rear driving safety bicycle (Figure 1) and to again restore such a
machine to its tricycle form we arrange the steering head B of the machine (when
used as a bicycle) in such a manner that the handle bar C is left mounted in position
so that it may be still capable of being moved or twisted.
The steering head is constructed in two parts one B being attached to the moving
frame carrying the handle bar, seat and pedals as usual in the "Whippet" and the
stem I working in the socket B being connected by the toggles E. El pivotted at E'
to the stem of the fork of the bicycle wheel (shewn in dotted lines Figure 1).
To change the bicycle to the tricycle form we remove the front wheel and fork or
the equivalent carrying or supporting it (or carrying devices on the fork or equivalent
supporting the wheel) and we replace the fork or equivalent by a tube or socket F.
see Figures 2 and 3, (particularly the latter Figure) occupying the place previously
held by the stem of the said fork or equivalent.
The said tube or socket F fits the tube or socket G fixed to the main frame H
which previously received the fork of the bicycle. The tube or socket F is suitably
maintained in position in the tube or socket G° such as by providing a fixed collar I

page_text: on its lower end to abut on the lower end of the tube or socket G and a moveable
collar J and set collar K to abut on its upper end.
At the lower end of the tube or socket F we braze or arrange a cross tube L
(which may be divided and brazed to a coupling M on the tube or socket F) and
which said cross tube may bo a fixture as shewn in Figure 2 and on each of its two
ends is mounted a steering fork head centre or pivot carrying a steering wheel capable
of being turned by a horizontal rod or equivalent N connected by an arm 0 to a pin P
which is pivotted to the lower toggle É this arrangement forming the "Whippet"
tricycle.
Behind the steering head, or forward of it in Figures 1 and 2, nothing is novel or
claimed in this specification.
If we use the construction of frame referred to in the said specification No 10610
of the year 1885 and as in our present invention the change from the bicycle to the
tricycle form necessarily varies the strain put on the steering gear we desire to
strengthen the toggle or elastic joint connection between the steering wheel or wheels
and the handle bar necessitated by the use of our present invention in combination with
such patent.
We prefer to make our toggles with what are known as knuckle joints having one
tongue (which we will call the male portion of the joint) working between two others
(which we will call the female portion). In this class of joint great difficulty is found
in taking up the wear that is occasioned between the faces and this we overcome in
the following manner.
We may form the female portion of the joint as well understood but (referring to
Figures 4 and 5) the end of the tongue or web Q of tho male portion of the joint we
split for a portion of its length and drill or form and tap it to receive a conical screwed
key R at or near the top of the tongue or web. The pivot pin of the joint passes
through both male and female portions at a-band by setting up the taper or conical
screwed key R the opposite surfaces of the joint may be kept up to each other as
nearly as possible and thereby the male portion of the joint is prevented from
working loose or rocking between the faces and so shaking in the female part of the
joint.
We may if desired referring to figures 6 and 7 construct the female portion of the
toggle link or lever in two parts S. Si facing each other and being parallel as shown
or their ends could be cranked or formed to receive the male portion of the joint.
The coupling pins c. c' of the joints are placed across the plain or cranked ends of the
joints S. S' and tie pins d. d are placed to unite and so adjust the parallel portions
S. S of the toggle link or lever one against, to or from the other.
Or referring to Figures 10 and 11 the parallel or if desired cranked or bent
portions may be united by a pivot and the ends of such portions be partly split and
adjusted by another pin 2. is the male end to fit another female part.
Figures 8 and 9 are similar to Figures 6 and 7 but the parts S. S are joined by a
web e in the centre. By "pin we mean screwed pins bolts or equivalents.
"
Referring to Figure 12 we shew a toggle link or lover with its coupling pin in the
female part this is recessed at V to form half-races for balls W which are introduced
singly through a hole closed by a serewed plug X the male portion of each toggle link or
lever is similarly recessed at Ỷ to form half races for the balls which are this confined
between the male and female parts of the joint after having been introduced between
the parts when fitted together through the hole closed by the screwed plug X. №³ is the
tie pin. Other forms of ball bearings could be used.
Though we have mentioned such joints in connection with the said patent 10610 of
1885 we may apply them to other velocipedes using steering or driving wheels
mounted on or actuated by elastic links or toggle joints so that the wheels or the parts of
the frame on which they are mounted are free to rise and fall on meeting obstructions
our object being to keep such joints always, as far as possible, in working order and
free from side sbake.
The hereinbefore described arrangement, referring to Figures 1 to 3, provides for the
conversion of a tricycle into a bicycle or vice versa but as a safety bicycle is generally

page_text: geared higher than a tricycle it is advantageous to provide an easy method of
changing the gearing when the machine is converted.
With respect to the class of machine referred to, the chain wheel is usually outside
the bearing and near to one of the cranks.
Referring now to Figures 13 and 14 we arrange a pair of studs or snugs T. T¹ to
project from the chain wheel on each side of the crank and to press on each side or a
single stud or snug to pass through it and so drive either forward or backward.
We use any form of detachable crank (a well known one being shown) so that by
removing the same the wheel can be taken off, as it loosely fits the crank spindle, and
replaced by one of another diameter also carrying such studs or snugs to operate the
crank or a stud or studs or snugs can be on the cranks to fit holes or recesses in the
chain wheel: this is not shewn as it is at once apparent.
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 a tricycle of the "Whippet or like type, that is to say, where a rigid cross
bar carries at each end a steering wheel on a swivelling fork or stud axle both being
moved from one steering handle, arranging a fixed tube or socket on the main frame
of the machine into which the tube or socket of the steering gear, mounted on the
rigid cross tube, can be fitted or else the fork of a bicycle wheel when the machine
is to be used as a rear driving safety bicycle, in combination with a handle bar
permanently mounted in position and capable of connection with either the tricycle
steering gear or the bicycle fork substantially as described.
2. A toggle link or lever for use in elastic connections between the handle bar and
steering wheel or wheels of velocipedes or for use in connection with driving or
steering wheels mounted on or actuated by elastic links or toggle joints having the male
portion of the toggle, link or lever slit and drilled and tapped to receive a taper
screwed key in a direction at right angles to the pivots of the toggle link or lever
whereby the same can be readily adjusted in the female portion of the other link or lever
substantially as described with reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying
drawings.
3. The arrangement of toggle link or lever shewn in Figures 6 to 12 in the accom-
panying drawings having parallel sides united by coupling pins on which the male
portions of the other toggle link lever or joint oscillate and having tie pins above or
below the coupling pins and serving to keep the sides parallel substantially as
described.
4. The method of rendering chain wheels readily detachable from and replaceable
on the crank shafts of velocipedes by mounting them loosely thereon and arranging a
detachable crank to engage with studs snugs or pins on the chain wheel or studs, snugs
or pins on the crank to engage with the chain wheel when the crank is mounted
on its shaft substantially as described.
5. Chain wheels having studs, snugs or pins mounted thereon to engage with a
detachable crank when such chain wheel is loosely mounted on its shaft substantially
as described.
6. Detachable cranks having studs, snugs or pins affixed thereto to engage with
chain wheels loosely mounted on the crank shaft substantially as described.
7. The several arrangements and combinations of parts forming our improvements
in velocipedes substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 9th day of December 1887
POPPLEWELL, COLTON & Co.,
17 & 18, Southampton Buildings,
Agents for the Applicants.