IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES, SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING PARTLY APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edouard Carl Friedrich Otto, of Albany Street, in the
County of Middlesex, for the Invention of " IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES,
SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING PARTLY APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES."
Sealed the 11th January 1878, and dated the 18th July 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edouard Carl Friedrich Otto
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th July 1877.
EDOUARD CARL FRIEDRICH OTTO, of Albany Street, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BYCICLES, SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING PARTLY APPLICABLE TO
OTHER PURPOSES."
The Invention relates to improvements in the construction of bicycles, whereby
greater facility and ease is afforded in the use of such vehicles, at the same time
that they are far more readily controlled, and all risk of their upsetting is
avoided.
In carrying out my improvements I employ two large wheels on the two opposite
ends of a downward bent axle, which being placed between such wheels forms a
resting place or support, whereto I affix the seat of the bicycle in any convenient
manner, and being below the centre of the wheels; the whole forms a suitable
centre of gravity for the seat of the rider, and so prevents the same from turning
over.
In order to render the wheels exceedingly light I make the rim of the wheel of
steel, and of any suitable shape, and attach thereto in any convenient manner a
tyre of india-rubber, vulcanite, or other similar material, and I connect such rim to
the nave of the wheel by means of a number of thin spokes formed of hard drawn
spring wire, pianoforte wire, or other suitable wire, which spokes may be tightened
to any desired degree either by pegs or screws provided with lock nuts, and fastened to
the nave of the wheel in any convenient manner. Such nave contains in the inner
part a cylinder of india-rubber, vulcanite, or other similar material having a suitable
orifice therein, wherein a suitable axle box formed of steel or any other suitable
metal or material is placed, in which axle box the axle of the wheel revolves.
This particular construction imparts great lightness and elasticity to the wheels

page_text: and enables them to yield to any jolts and strains occasioned by the unevenness of
the road or from any other cause.
In order to drive the bicycle with the feet I place on the axle between the two
wheels before described any suitable seat, preferably a seat in the shape of a
comfortable carriage seat, and attach to the front part of the steel frame of the
structure a crank axle with two treadles, which treadles which treadles are acted upon
and regulated by the feet. The ends of such crank axle are provided with levers
and connecting rods or pulleys, with straps or chains or other suitable mechanism
in order to transmit the motion of the treadle axle to the corresponding pulleys or
levers of the wheels which are attached to the nave.
By having pulleys of different sizes, or levers capable of being altered and regulated
at will, the speed and power of the bicycles can easily be varied and regulated, and
for the purpose of arresting or stopping the progress of the vehicle I apply any
suitable break thereto.
The regulating of the steering is effected by simply retarding the action or speed
of the pulleys or connecting rods with their levers, and so giving one wheel of the
bicycle more travel than the other. This is attained by letting either the bands or
pulleys or the lever with the connecting rods slip on one side of the bicycle.
Under the seat of the bicycle I fasten in any convenient position a suitable
receptacle of convenient shape and dimensions for the purpose of conveying utensils,
provisions, or any other articles, as may be desired, and I provide the back of the
seat with a movable cover or screen for the protection of the rider from the
weather.
A bicycle thus constructed can move round a single point under one of its wheels
without the slightest danger of upsetting, or be driven at the slowest possible speed
without any risk of its losing its balance. It can be constructed for two or more
persons, who may either sit side by side, or face to face, or back to face, according
to the shape of the seat placed between the wheels and below the centre of the
axle, as before described.
Wheels constructed upon the improved method herein-before described may from
their great lightness and flexibility also be applied to carriages and other vehicles
with advantage.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edouard Carl Friedrich Otto in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
18th January 1878.
EDOUARD CARL FRIEDRICH OTTO, of Albany Street, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BYCICLES, SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING PARTLY APPLICABLE
TO OTHER PURPOSES."
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction of bicycles, whereby
greater facility and ease is afforded in the use of such vehicles, at the same time
that they are far more readily controlled, and all risk of their upsetting is
avoided.
In carrying out my improvements I employ two large wheels on the two opposite
ends of an axle bent outwards in a suitable and convenient form at right angles,
and placed between such wheels, so as to form a resting place or support thereto, I
affix the seat of the bicycle by means of springs or in any other convenient manner,
and the seat being thus below the centre of the wheels the whole forms a suitable
centre of gravity for the rider, and so precludes any possibility of the machine
upsetting. As soon as motion is imparted to the treadle crank by the action of the
feet the centre of gravity is shifted towards the crank axle in proportion to the
amount of pressure put thereon by the rider, so that when he is propelling the
vehicle at its highest speed and with the greatest pressure the centre of gravity is
transferred to the treadle crank axle.
In order to render the wheels exceedingly light I make the rims or tyres of steel,
and of any suitable shape, and attach thereto in any convenient manner a tyre of
india-rubber, vulcanite, or other similar material. I connect such rim to the nave
or hub of the wheel by a number of thin spokes formed of hard drawn spring wire,
pianoforte or other suitable wire, which spokes may be tightened to any desired
degree either by pegs or screws provided with lock nuts, and fastened to the nave
or hub of the wheel in any convenient manner, but preferably in the manner shewn
in Figure 3 of the accompanying Drawings, hereafter more particularly referred to,
so as to allow of there always being a pull on the spokes, but avoiding the applica-
tion of any brake.
This particular construction imparts great lightness and elasticity to the wheels,
and enables them to yield to any jolts, jars, or strains occasioned by the unevenness
of the road or otherwise.
In order to drive the bicycle with ease I place on the axle between the two
wheels before described a suitable seat, preferably in the shape of a saddle seat, and
attach to the front part of the steel frame of the structure a crank axle furnished
with two treadles. The ends of such crank axle are provided with levers and con-
necting rods or pulleys, with straps, cords, or chains, or other suitable mechanisın, in
order to transmit the motion of the treadle crank axle to the corresponding pulleys
or levers of the wheels which are attached to the nave.
By having pulleys of different sizes, or levers capable of being altered and regulated
at will, the speed and power of the bicycle can be varied and regulated at will, and
for arresting or stopping the progress of the vehicle I apply any suitable break
thereto.
The regulating of the steering is effected by simply retarding the action or speed
of the pulleys or connecting rods with their levers, and so giving one wheel of the
bieycle more travel than the other. This is attained by letting either the bands or
pulleys or the lever with the connecting rods slip on one side of the bicycle.
Under the seat of the bicycle I fasten in any convenient manner and position a
suitable receptacle of convenient shape and dimensions for the purpose of conveying
luggage.
I sometimes attach about midway to the treadle crank axle a third and smaller
wheel fitted thereto by means of an adjustable bar, so that when not required for
use such wheel can be looped up and fastened by any convenient attachment to a
:

page_text: Secondly. The improved method of fastening the inner ends of the wheel spokes
to the hub of the wheel, as herein-before described and illustrated.
Thirdly. The attaching a supplementary adjustable wheel to the treadle crank
axle, as herein-before described and illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edouard Carl Friedrich Otto, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
ELT & Co.,
British and Foreign Patent Office,
33, Southampton Buildings,
Holborn.
E. C. F. OTTO. (L.S.)