Improvements in Two Side Seated Bicycles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 23rd Jan., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Two Side Seated Bicycles.
I, ALBERT SHELDON WEAVER, of Hamilton, in the County of Wentworth,
Province of Ontario, Canada, Pianoforte Manufacturer, 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 having a front and rear wheel and constructed
to carry two persons seated side by side, and consists essentially of the particular
formation of a frame provided with two separate sets of gearing and pelals for
driving the machine and also guiding handles opposite each seat.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood reference is made to the
accompanying sheet of drawings, in which
Figure 1. is a perspective view of a two side seated bicycle constructed according
to my invention.
Figure 2. is a fragment view in perspective of an alternative detail, and
Figure 3. is an enlarged view of a tubular hub for the rear wheel.
In constructing a frame for a bicycle according to this invention provide
upright tubular standards (A), (A') and (A2) which are rearwardly inclined and
held a suitable distance apart by the horizontal bars (B) and (B). Two parallel
stays (C), or one central stay only if desired, arranged at a suitable angle, connect
the lower bar (B) with the front post (D) of the frame. Au angular shaped
brace (E) is extended from the upper bar (B) to the said front post and is also
attached by a suitable fastening (F), to the said parallel stays.
The brace (E) may however be constructed as shewn in Figure 2, that is to say,
in two portions, one portion connecting with the other and finally with said stays (C),
or said brace may be made straight to connect direct with either the upper bar (B)
or central standard (A') and the front post (D) as in an ordinary diamond shaped
frame instead of for a drop frame as shewn.
The front post (D) is provided with a cross bar (G) at the ends of which are
sockets to receive the shanks (H) and (H) of the handle bars (H¹) and (H¹). The
steering rod upon the fork (1) for the front wheel (J), is retained in the front
post (D) in the usual manner, and has upon its upper end a short lever (K).
(K¹) and (K2) are levers similar to the last named one and are fixed to the
shanks (H) and (H) of the handle bars. These levers (K), (K') and (K³) are
each connected to a bar (K³), so that by turning either one or both handle bars
the steering rod is caused to turn in a corresponding manner.
The rearward bars (L) and (L) connecting with the axle (M) for the rear
wheel (N) are preferably forked, and join with the standards (A) and (A¹) at the
bearings (0) and (O) which carry the crank spindles. (P) and (P) are struts
fastened to said bars (L) and (L) and also to the horizontal bar (B).
The hub (Q) for the rear wheel is tubular in form and sleeved upon the axle (M)
between the bars (L) and (L), and has upon each end a sprocket wheel (R) or the
like which connects by a chain with the sprocket wheel (R) in each set of gearing.
Said hub may be provided with ball or other anti-friction bearings which can be
arranged at both its ends or in any other suitable position.
The seats (S) and (S) shewn in dotted lines are mounted upon pillars (T)
and (T) fitted in the usual way in the standards (A) and (A¹), and are also

page_text: capable of horizontal adjustment by means of slots (T). Ordinary crank arms,
pedals, and sprocket wheels or the like, for transmitting motion by chain or other
gear to the rear driving wheel are carried by each standard (A) and (A')
respectively.
In order that one person shall be able to ride the bicycle, a seat can be fitted to
the central standard (A) and one handle bar connected direct with the steering
rod, whilst the two inner pedals are used to propel the machine.
I do not confine myself to the use of any particular form of driving gear, nor to
the exact arrangement of the steering mechanism as shewn, nor to the manner of
conuecting the various rods, bars, and other parts of the frame together, all of
which can vary according to the different styles of manufacture.
The advantages of this invention are, that the frame is comparatively light in
weight, at the same time it possesses the stability and strength necessary to with-
stand side racking and other strains which are prevalent in a machine for carrying
two persons seated side by side, and further, in as much as the portion of the frame
in front of each seat is open, and free from bars or rods, both riders of either sex
can mount or dismount the bicycle with the greatest ease.
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
1 claim is
Firstly. In a two side seated bicycle the combination of the standards (A), (A')
and (A2) capable of supporting seats, and held suitably apart by the horizontal
bars (B) and (B'); central stay or stays (C), and brace (E) which connect said
standards and bars with the front post (D) containing the steering rod of the
fork (I) for the front wheel; the rearward bars (L) and (L) and struts (P)
and (P) or equivalent, between which is located the rear wheel, substantially as
and for the purposes herein set forth.
Secondly. In a two side seated bicycle, the combination of the standards (A)
and (A) having bearings (O) and (0) suitably above the cross bar (B¹), in each
of which is journalled a crank spindle provided with the usual crank arms and
pedals for transmitting motion by suitable gearing to the rear wheel (N); the
tubular hub (Q) for the rear wheel sleeved upon the axle (M) and connected at
each end with suitable driving mechanism, driven independently from each of the
said standards (A) and (A), substantially as herein set forth.
Thirdly. In a two side seated bicycle, the combination of the standards (A)
and (A') capable of supporting seats and carrying driving mechanism connected
with the tubular hub (Q) for the rear wheel, said hub sleeved upon the axle (M)
and extending between the rearward bars (L) and (L); separate driving mechanism
connected with the outer ends of said tubular hub and driven independently from
each of said standards (A) and (A'); the upper and lower horizontal bars (B)
and (B) for holding said standards suitably apart; the stay or stays (C) and
brace (E) in line with the front and rear ground wheels; the front post (D)
having cross bar (G), provided with sockets to receive the shanks (H) and (H) of
the handle bars (H') and (H') arranged opposite each seat and adapted to operate
the steering mechanism, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
Dated the 25th day of November 1896.
W. D. ROWLINGSON,
7 Quality Court, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.