MENTS IN VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Humber at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th November 1883.
THOMAS HUMBER, of Queens Road, Beeston, Notts, Manufacturer.
MENTS IN VELOCIPEDES"
"
'IMPROVE
This invention relates, more especially, though not exclusively, to that form of
Tricycle which is known as The Humber;" and the object of my invention is to
make such modifications and additions to that and analogous Tricycles as to render
them capable of accommodating two or more persons without the necessity of
increasing the width for that purpose.
In carrying out my invention I attach a suitable framework to the front part of
the Tricycle to which an extra seat or seats and pedals are fixed, and to the lower
part of which a small wheel is attached; which wheel is usually about two inches
from the ground, but is so placed to prevent the Tricycle from overbalancing.
This arrangement transforms the Tricycle into a "sociable."
The steering is effected by means of the head known as the Stanley head, by
which the rear Rider has complete control in steering and applying the brake
power.
And my invention also consists in applying the Stanley head form of steering
with a long backbone, with spring and saddle attached, for the extra rider, to any
front or rear steering Tricycle, thus embodying a combination of the two machines.
In arranging the driving gear, I affix two wheels on the driving axle, and connect
the same with the two pedal axles by means of steel chains, thus forming one
continuous central combination of driving gear.
In my Invention referring to front steering Tricycles I may sometimes fix a
spring to the front steering wheel and I also steer with a direct rod or tube in a
diagonal line from the steering wheel to the handle bar without using either rack
or pinion or chain or cord.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Thomas Humber in the Patent Office on the 29th May 1884.
THOMAS HUMBER of Queens Road Beeston Notts Manufacturer
IN VELOCIPEDES"
IMPROVEMENTS
This invention relates, more especially though not exclusively to that form of
Tricycle which is known as The Humber" and the object of my invention is to
make such modifications and additions to that and analogous Tricycles as to render
them capable of accommodating two or more persons without the necessity of
increasing the width for that purpose.
In carrying out one form of my invention I attach a suitable framework to the
front part of the Tricycle to which an extra seat or seats and pedals are fixed,
and to the lower part of which a small wheel is attached which wheel is usually
about two inches above the ground, but is so placed to prevent the Tricycle from
overbalancing longitudinally-This arrangement transforms the tricycle into a
"tandem sociable."
The steering in this arrangement is effected by means of the head known as the
Stanley" Head, by which the rear rider has complete control in steering and
applying the brake power.
And my invention also consists in applying the Stanley head form of steering
with a long back bone and with spring and saddle attached for the extra rider, to
any front or rear steering tricycle; thus embodying a combination of the two
machines.
In arranging the driving gear I affix two wheels on the driving axle, and connect
the same with the two pedal axles by means of steel chains thus forming one
continuous central combination of driving gear.
In applying my invention to front steering tricycles I fix a spring to the front
steering wheel-I usually steer by means of a rod or tube fixed in a diagonal line;
In which case I fix an annular cam, which by its action tends to keep the steering
wheel in a straight line without the use of the hands, such steering being effected
without using either rack or pinion, or chain or cord; but in some cases I use such
appliances to the steering wheel. In this form of my invention there are four
wheels on the ground and therefore I add an extra joint to allow of vertical action
on uneven ground, and which joint is so placed as to allow vertical play to either
the front or back wheel in order that all four wheels may at all times fairly rest on
the ground.
And in order that my said invention may be clearly understood reference is
hereby made to the accompanying drawings in which similar letters of reference
indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.
Fig: 1 is an elevation of the Tricycle known as the Humber-Fig 2 is an elevation
of the additional frame and wheel shewn detached.
Fig 3 is an elevation shewing the combination of Figs 1 and 2 whereby the
"Humber" in Fig: 1 is converted into a "tandem sociable" in which it will be
seen to be still a Tricycle, as although it has four wheels, three only are bearers
the hind wheel is the steering wheel.
Fig 4 is an elevation of a front steering Tricycle and Fig 5 is an elevation of the
additional portion (detached) which is designed to convert the front steerer into a
Tanden Sociable Velocipede.
Fig 6. is an elevation of the latter combination The front wheel being the
steering wheel, the hind wheel is so fitted as to be free to follow the course
steered.
In Fig: 7 a slight variation is shewn, the long back bone being divided at n
where the joint for horizontal play is formed instead of such play taking place at o.
as in the other figures.
The Tricycle shewn in Figs 1 and 3 is fitted with a block a and bolt a¹ and
attachments band b' for connecting the frame shewn in Fig: 2 to the Tricycle Fig: 1. 5

page_text: The rear rider on the seat o has the control of the steering handled The handles e are
for the front rider to use as a support for the hands and to steady himself The front
wheel fis kept a little above the ground and is intended as a safeguard against
overbalancing This wheel is provided with a spring g and annular cam h―The
wheel is thereby kept in a straight line but is capable of momentarily locking on
taking the ground and immediately after leaving the ground the wheel resumes a
straight line from the prompt action of the spring and cam.
The two riders drive the two crank axles ik and these simultaneously actuate
the main axle by means of bells chains or straps-The rear rider has complete
control of the steering and the application of the brake.
Fig 4 represents a front steering Tricycle with my improved direct steering rod
or tube which is placed diagonally as shewn-This steering rod is fitted with a
spring g and annular cam h which operate in such a manner as to tend to keep the
steering wheel in a straight line-The separate frame shewn in Fig: 5 is made to
fit this Tricycle and Fig. 6 shews the combination which transforms the front
steering Tricycle into a Tandem sociable with four wheels bearing on the ground.
In this form of my invention I make a joint at m which allows the hind wheel
to rise and fall to accommodate the wheels to any uneveness of the ground.
I am aware that it is not new to provide for the rise and fall of the hind wheel
and I do not seek to claim all methods of providing for such rise and fall-my
improved joint is shewn in Figs: 4. 5. 6 and 7 and on an enlarged scale in Figs:
10 and 11 in which latter figures is the axle, 8. 8 are sockets in which the
standards t t are secured-81 is the front bracket which has short sleeves at u u,
upon which sleeves the bracket 82 is secured and upon which centre the vertical
motion of the bracket & takes place.
In fig. 7 the lateral play of the handwheel is provided for at n the long back
bone being divided as shown-In the previous figures this lateral play takes
place at o
Fig: 8 is an enlarged view of the cam h and Fig: 9 explains its operation
The arrangement of the spring g and annular cam h is capable of application in
an obvious manner to the third wheels of other tricycles now commonly in use,
whether such wheels are steering wheels or only supporting wheels, and will be
found to be a very useful adjunct to such machines.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
In the construction of Velocipedes having more than two wheels, the application
daptation and use of the spring g and annular cam h for the purposes and in
nanner substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn on the drawings
2. The application, adaptation and use of the joint m for the purpose and in manner
ereinbefore described and shewn in Figs: 4. 5. 6. 7. 10 and 11 of the drawings or
ny mere modification thereof.
3. The respective combinations of parts shewn in Figs 2. 3. 4. 6 and 7 of the
ccompanying drawings and the manufacture and use of velocipedes constructed in
ccordance with such respective combinations and operating in inanner hereinbefore
escribed or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof I the said Thomas Humber have hereunto set my hand
nd seal this thirtieth day of April in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
undred and eighty four.
THOMAS HUMBER (L.S.)