AN IMPROVED METHOD OF PROPELLING TRICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1884

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I JOHN ELLIS Junior Contractor 1 Oriel Terrace Brighton Street Seacombe in
the County of Chester do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for
AN IMPROVED METHOD OF PROPELLING TRICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES to be
as follows:-
Whereas the usual method of propelling tricycles and other velocipedes by means
of placing the feet alternately on the cranks which, working chains and cog
wheels the driving axle is turned round, requires great muscular effort without
utilizing the latent weight of the body, my invention by a simple arrangement,
causes the weight of the body to be placed on the treadle and seat alternately, thus
utilizing the whole weight of the body in propelling the machine.. .Its action is as
follows:-
First the weight of the body is placed on the footboard or treadles sliding.
on frictional bearings, oscillating or fixed, from whence the power is conducted by
means of levers specially designed for the purpose, to the crank axle of the driving
wheel. Second the weight of the body is placed on the seat attached to rod or
rods which in its turn sliding down on friction bearings oscillating or fixed imparts
its motion by means of levers and rods to the crank axle of the driving wheel and
as this is repeated the machine is propelled.

page_text: JOHN ELLIS Junior, Contractor 1 Oriel Terrace, Brighton Street, Seacombe in
the County of Chester. I JOHN ELLIS Junior do hereby declare the nature of
my invention for PROPELLING TRICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
Whereas the usual method of propelling Tricycles and other Velocepides by means
of placing the feet alternately on the cranks which, by working chains and cog
wheels the driving axle is turned round, requires great muscular effort, without
utilizing the latent weight of the body, my Invention by a simple arrangement,
causes the weight of the body to be placed on the treadle and seat alternately, thus
utilizing the whole weight of the body in propelling the machine.
The before being the nature of this my invention I will now proceed to describe
in detail how the same may be carried into practical effect and for that purpose,
I have here-unto attached two sheets of drawings, marked with figures and letters
of reference corresponding with those in the following explanation.
:-
Fig, 1, Sheet 1, is the plan of a Tricycle constructed according to my Invention
showing frame, wheels, steering arrangement, levers D treadles A. B. and crank
rods C.
Fig. 2. Sheet, 1, is a side sectional elevation of a Tricycle constructed according
to my Invention showing frame, wheels, levers, D, cranks rods, C, sliding rods, E,
frictional bearings F, G, treadles A. B. and seats H. .
Fig. 3. Sheet II, is a front sectional elevation of a Tricycle constructed
according to my Invention showing wheels, frame, steering arrangement levers, D,
sliding rods E, frictional bearings G, fork connecting rod I seats H and
treadle A.
Fig 4 Sheet II is a front elevation of frame containing four frictional
bearings A. B. constructed according to my invention showing attachment eye, C,
three bolts D for securing frame, caps J. Set-screws K for securing part screwed
and tapered. spindles H 1.
Fig. 5, Sheet II is a side elevation of same showing frictional bearings A. B.
Caps, J, set-screws K. for securing part screwed and tapered spindles H. I.
Fig 6 Sheet II is a cross section of Fig 4 showing details of frictional bearings,
grooved pullies, G, revolving on tapered spindles H I. screwed into frame and,
secured by caps J with set screw K arrangement for oiling L reservoir for oil M,
sliding rod. N.
Fig 7 Sheet II is a longitudinal section of Fig 5. grooved pullies G, revolving
on tapered spindles H. I. screwed into frame, secured by caps J and set screws K.
Reservoir for oil M arrangements for oiling L.
The mechanical action of the Tricycle or Velocipede is as follows:-1st The
weight of the riders is placed on the treadles A. B, to treadle A oscillating
frictional bearings are attached the rod, C, being fixed, the treadle slides, down it

page_text: to its lowest position, as shown by dotted lines, the treadles B descending at the
same time bring down levers D which impart their motion through the crank rod C
to the crank axle giving the 1st half turn to the driving wheel.
Whilst this action
is taking place, the levers D raise sliding rods E through the fixed frictional
bearings F and oscillating frictional bearings, G, the seats H thus being raised to
the highest points shown by dotted lines.
2nd The weight of the riders is placed on the seats H forcing down the sliding
rods E through the fixed frictional bearings F and the oscillating frictional
bearings G thus acting on the crank rods C which turns the crank axle and gives
the second half turn to the driving wheel. As this action is repeated the machine
is propelled.
.
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
(1) The arrangement of the levers and rods as applied to the alternate rise and
fall of the seats and treadles for the purpose of propelling Tricycles and other
Velocipedes, in the manner described and illustrated in the foregoing Specification
and drawings.
(2) The frictional bearings as described and illustrated in the foregoing
Specification and drawings.