IMPROVEMENTS IN
Year: 1881

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Singer at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd July 1881.
GEORGE SINGER, of Coventry, in the County of Warwick.
VELOCIPEDES."
My improvements relate,―
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
Firstly. To the contracting or reducing the width and length of tricycles to
enable them to pass through narrow spaces when not in use.
Secondly. To an improved form of brake connection applicable to tricycles.
Thirdly. To an improved method of attaching the back wheel of bicycles and the
smaller wheel of tricycles to prevent undue shock to the wheels.
:-
In carrying out the first part of my Invention the method I use is as follows:-
To the two side pieces of the framework the two larger wheels are attached, and to
these side pieces I joint one or more folding cross pieces, which cross pieces also
have a joint in their centres. These are constructed to move upwards and not
laterally, and thus the side wheels can be brought together in a parallel line. To
the centre pin of one of these cross pieces the seat support is attached, and as the
cross piece is folded upwards the seat also moves upwards and thus clears the top
of the side wheels, so that the seat need not be removed as is usually the case in
contracting tricycles into a very narrow space. The centre joints of the cross pieces
are so constructed that they can be locked in any required position, and thus
rigidity and safety are secured.
When only one folding cross piece is used the length and strength of the joint
connecting it with the side pieces must be increased. I also, when necessary,
strengthen the tricycle by adding a similar folding cross piece which moves down-
wards instead of upwards, and this and the one folding upwards may be braced
together, forming a kind of girder securing great strength and rigidity without
Die 31

page_text: adding materially to weight. In this arrangement I reduce the width of the
tricycle only.
Another method I employ is this-To the two side pieces which carry the
wheels I attach two centre pieces which are jointed upon the side pieces at each
end as closely together as possible. These folding pieces have also a joint in the
centre of each of them. All these joints are constructed to move laterally instead
of vertically, and thus as the side pieces are brought together the centre joints in
the folding cross pieces move in opposite directions. In this arrangement I prefer
to use the steering wheel at the back of the tricycle. The tube to which the
steering centre and usual fittings are attached is fixed to the centre joint of the
front cross piece, but is supported also by the centre joint of the back cross piece,
but is only moved by the front joint; thus when the tricycle is expanded the back
wheel is pushed back by the movement of the front folding cross piece, but when
the tricycle is contracted it moves in the opposite direction, i.e., with the front
folding cross piece, and thus the length of the tricycle is reduced simultaneously
with its width.
The seat support is fixed upon the tube carrying the back wheel. In completely
contracting the tricycle it will be necessary to remove the seat in this arrangement.
Both these arrangements are applicable to tricycles for one or more riders. The
cranks, and in cases where one axle carries both side wheels, this axle and other
parts requiring to be disconnected, may be divided as in the present "Singer
contracting tricycle" or by other simple means. The various joints may be locked
in their required positions by means of screws and other appliances.
In cases where the steering wheel is in front I connect the tube which carries it
to one side of the framework, making a part of the other side detachable or jointed
to facilitate the folding. I prefer to use the front steering with my first arrange-
ment, but with slight alteration I can use either front or back steering with either
arrangement for folding.
I sometimes use a combination of lateral folding cross pieces and vertically
folding cross pieces to connect the sides of the framework, and thus when required
greatly strengthen the framework in both directions, or I employ stays which are
detachable at one or both ends where greater strength than usual, is required. The
folding cross pieces may be either round, flat, or any suitable shape, but I form
them like a girder, i.e., I form them of two pieces_braced together-when-required-to-
resist very great strain, as described in the next part of my Invention.
The next part of my Invention consists of an improved means of attaching a
brake to the framework of a tricycle which requires the application of a brake
simultaneously to the rim of both side wheels. The distance between these wheels
being usually nearly 36 inches, it has been difficult to obtain the necessary strength
and rigidity for the brake without considerable weight. To obviate this difficulty
I make a light open framework of an elongated diamond or oval shape, the longer
axis being about 2 feet, and the shorter about 4 inches. This is firmly screwed or
attached to a projection brazed to the tube which usually carries the steering
wheel in most tricycles. The end of this framework is drilled to receive a steel
rod which is passed through it, and which is further supported by a bearing in the
projecting piece fixed to the framework. The brakes and the lever moving them
are fixed in the ordinary way upon the rod. The whole apparatus is rigid in every
direction, and the application of the brakes is effected with greater certainty than
with any attachment hitherto in use.
I make the framework of D shaped iron about inch by thick. This method
of construction I may apply to other purposes connected with bicycles or tricycles,
such as the folding cross pieces which I use in my contracting tricycle before
described.
The last part of my Invention relates to improved methods of attaching the
back wheel of bicycles or the smaller wheel of tricycles so as to prevent undue
shock to the wheel on rough roads. I make the back forks about 2 inches shorter
than usual. I provide two small levers about 6 inches long having a pivot in their

page_text: centres. These pivots are fitted to the terminations of the forks and move thereon.
The lower ends are attached to the axle pin of the wheel and are firmly braced
together by it. The upper ends of the levers rest upon spiral springs which are
attached to the forks or upon pads of india-rubber; thus the wheel and levers
attached to it can only move back wards and forwards and not laterally, the springs
absorbing any undue shock that may take place. I may pivot these levers at their.
upper ends but prefer the method described.
In another arrangement I place springs or india-rubber pads in two recesses
formed in bosses made in the fork ends. Through these springs I fix a kind of eye
bolt; through the eyes of these the back wheel axle passes and braces them firmly
together. The eye bolts are capable of movement with the springs and thus
absorb shocks, and are arranged so as to meet them most effectively.

page_text: 1882:
GEORGE SINGER, of Coventry, in the County of Warwick.
VELOCIPEDES."
My Improvements relate,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
Firstly. To the contracting or reducing the width and length of tricycles to
enable them to pass through narrow spaces when not in use.
Secondly. To an improved form of brake connection applicable to tricycles.
The Invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying
Drawings.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of so much of a tricycle as will be necessary to
illustrate one arrangement or method of carrying the first part of my Invention
into effect as illustrating one arrangement or mode of constructing a tricycle
capable of being contracted according to my Invention. This view shows the
tricycle expanded or open ready for use; Figure 2 shews in plan the same or a
similar tricycle contracted or reduced in width and length, according to ny
Invention; Figure 3 is a view on a scale larger than the previous Figures of one
of the cross stays, shown at Figure 1, and Figures 4 and 5 are detached views
drawn on a similar scale to Figure 3 of the lower stay illustrating a method of
connecting the smaller wheel. As will be seen by reference to the Drawing, I
have illustrated this part of the Invention with double folding crosspieces, one set
moving downwards and the other upwards, and braced together so as to form a
kind of girder, thus securing great strength and rigidity without materially
adding to weight, but of course single folding cross pieces alone may be used, and
in some cases with advantage.
To the two side pieces K, K, of the framework the two larger wheels W, W,
are attached, and to these side pieces K, K, I joint the folding cross-pieces-L, L, L,-L‚-|
each of which cross pieces also have a joint at A, A, in their centres. These are
constructed to move upwards and downwards and not laterally, and thus the side
wheels can be brought together in a parallel line. To the centre pin I of one of
these cross pieces the seat support is attached, and as the one cross piece is folded
upwards the seat also moves upwards, and thus clears the top of the side wheels,
so that the seat need not be removed as is usually the case in contracting tricycles
into a very narrow space. The centre joints A of the cross pieces L are so
constructed that they can be locked in any required position, and thus rigidity and
safety are secured.
When only one folding cross piece is used the length and strength of the joint
connecting it with the side pieces must be increased.
Figure 6 is a view detached in side elevation of one of the frames K, illustrating
the construction of joint which I prefer.
Figure 7 shows in plan so much of a tricycle constructed according to my
Invention as will be necessary to explain an arrangement of what I may term a
horizontal movement for contracting same; this view shews the tricycle expanded,
and Figure 8 shows the same or a similar machine contracted or closed up, so that
it may be capable of passing through a narrow space.
To the two side pieces K, K, which carry the wheels I attach two joint or
centre pieces K, K¹, which are jointed upon the side pieces at each end as closely
together as possible. These folding pieces have also a joint in the centre of each
of them. All these joints are constructed to move laterally instead of vertically,

page_text: and thus as the side pieces are brought together the centre joints in the folding
cross pieces move in opposite directions. In this arrangement I prefer to use the
steering wheel W at the back of the tricycle. The tube U to which the steering
centres and usual fittings are attached is fixed to the centre joint A of the front
cross piece, but is supported also by the centre joint B of the back cross piece, but
is only moved by the front joint A. Thus when the tricycle is expanded the back
wheel W₁ is pushed back by the movement of the front folding cross piece A, but
when the tricycle is contracted it moves in the opposite direction, i.e., with the front
folding cross piece A, and thus the length of the tricycle is reduced simultaneously
with its width.
Figure 9 shows end view of back joint piece B detached.
The seat support is fixed upon the tube carrying the back wheel. In completely
contracting the tricycle it will be necessary to remove the seat in this arrangement.
The arrangements before described are applicable to tricycles for one or more
riders.
The cranks, and in cases where one axle carries both side wheels, this axle and
other parts requiring to be disconnected may be divided as described in the
Specification of Patent granted to me and dated 23rd May 1881, No. 2246, or by
other simple means; the various joints may be locked in their required positions
by means of screws and other appliances.
In cases where the steering wheel is in front, I connect the tube which carries it
to one side of the framework, making a part of the other side detachable or jointed
to facilitate the folding. I prefer to rise the front steering with my first arrange-
ment, but with slight alteration or modifications I can use either front or back
steering with either arrangement for folding.
I sometimes use a combination of lateral folding cross pieces and vertically
folding cross pieces to connect the sides of the framework, and thus when required
greatly strengthen the framework in both directions, or I. employ stays which are
detachable at one or both ends where greater strength than usual is required.
The folding cross pieces may be either round, flat, or any suitable shape, but I form
them like a girder, i.e., I form them of two pieces braced together when required to
resist very great strain, and as hereafter described.
Figures 10 and 11 illustrate in plan and sectional end view the next part of my
Invention which refers to an improved means of attaching a brake to the framework
of a tricycle whereby a brake can be applied simultaneously to both side wheels.
The distance between these wheels being usually nearly 36 inches, it has been
difficult to obtain the necessary strength and rigidity of the brake without
considerable weight. To obviate the difficulty I make a light open framework A
of an elongated diamond or oval shape, the longer axis being about 21%, feet and
the shorter about 4 inches. This is firmly screwed or attached to a projection b
brazed or secured to the tube c which usually carries the steering wheel in most
tricycles; the ends of this framework A are drilled to receive a steel rod e which is
passed through it, and which is further supported by a bearing if necessary in the
projecting piece fixed to the framework. The brakes fand the lever moving them
are fixed in the ordinary way upon the rod. The whole apparatus is rigid in every
direction, and the application of the brakes is effected with greater certainty than
with any attachment hitherto in use.
16
I make the framework of D shaped iron of about 1/2 by 3/1 thick. This method
of construction I may apply to other purposes connected with bicycles or tricycles,
such as the folding cross pieces which I use in my contracting tricycles before
described.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that I claim as my aforesaid improvements in
velocipedes,―-
First. The method of reducing the width of tricycles and other velocipedes in
and by the arrangement or arrangements of jointed pieces moving vertically,
substantially as shown and described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, 3, 4, and 5

page_text: and 6 of the accompanying Drawings, together with any mere modifications
thereof,
Second. The method of reducing the width and length of tricycles by the
arrangement of jointed pieces moving horizontally as shown and described with
reference to Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying Drawings, together with any
mere modifications thereof.
Third. The method of attaching the brake to tricycles or other velocipedes fitted
with brakes on their side wheels by the improved bracket shown and described with
reference to Figures 10 and 11 of the accompanying Drawings, or any mere modifi-
cation thereof, by which great rigidity is obtained without undue weight.
Fourth. The combination of jointed cross pieces folding horizontally with jointed
cross pieces folding vertically, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Singer, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twentieth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.