IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES AND MODES OF PROPULSION
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Cox, of Gorgie Mills, in the County of
Edinburgh, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES AND
MODES OF PROPULSION."
Sealed the 14th September 1869, and dated the 18th March 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Cox at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 18th
March 1869.
VELOCIPEDES
I, JOHN Cox, of Gorgie Mills, in the County of Edinburgh, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
AND MODES OF PROPULSION," to be as follows:-
My improvements in velocipedes relate to those with two wheels or
more. At present the method of propulsion of two-wheeled velocipedes,
and sometimes of velocipedes with three wheels, is by cranks upon the
axle of the guide or front wheel, the feet of the rider resting upon the
cranks and following their circular motion, which is awkward and
fatiguing, and when the wheel is large it is difficult or impossible to
keep the feet upon the cranks.

page_text: In order to remedy or diminish the difficulties and inconveniences in
the above mode of propulsion 1 propose to attach levers by connecting
rods to the cranks of the guide wheel and fasten them to the sheers, fork,
or frame in which the wheel is fitted and revolves, so that all the pro-
pelling parts turn or revolve with the sheers and keep in proper position
in relation to the wheel. According to the angle of inclination I place
the driving levers the motion of the feet of the rider is more or less
perpendicular or horizontal. The levers may be either straight or
angular, and so constructed that the feet can easily work them. When
the axis or fulcrum of the levers is attached to the sheers above the
wheel or at a lower level I can carry up or extend the levers in length,
so that the hands of the rider can work them as well as his feet; he can
also guide the velocipede at the same time. I also propose to propel
the guide wheel by cords attached to the cranks, the cords working on
pulleys attached to the sheers or otherwise, and in such a manner or
position that the feet can move in what may be called stirrups on a slide
or on a lever. I work the cranks either together in unison, that is, in
the same relative position or otherwise, one crank being up while the
other is down; but the former method causes a much steadier motion
of the velocipede. By keeping the seat on the velocipede sufficiently
low the rider may propel with his feet against the ground, or with his
feet upon the treadle levers, or with his hands. I prefer that my
improvements should be attached to the sheers of the guide wheel, yet
part thereof may be attached to the body of the velocipede, and with
cranks upon the back wheel.
Another improvement consists in the steering handle, which has
hitherto been rigid and produces or causes considerable shaking of the
hands. I propose to make the handle so that it will yield like a spring
up and down, but not sideways or norizontally; by making it in this
manner much ease ensues.
Another improvement consists in attaching india-rubber rings or
tyres to the iron tyres of the wheels firmly by rubber cement or solution
heated artificially.
Another improvement consists in fitting and working the cranks on
either the back or front wheel by cords or belts attached to the body of
the rider as near the level of his shoulders as possible, so that by a back-
ward and forward motion of the body the velocipede can be propelled.

page_text: Another improvement consists in resting the body and saddle or seat
of the velocipede upon india-rubber or cork balls, cylinders, discs, or
other analogous form, which renders steel springs unnecessary for ease.
Another improvement is uniting two velocipedes of two wheels each
together, thereby making a "twin velocipede" or "velocipede twins,"
so united together that they will not easily upset, and on which two
persons can ride alongside of each other, the front or guide wheels being
so connected that they will keep parallel to each other, while the back
wheels shall also keep parallel with each other. In turning the guide
wheels will perform the same motion, and one person may guide, as by
guiding one wheel the twin wheel obeys a similar motion, each guide
wheel having a steering handle of its own.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Cox in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 18th September 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME. I, Joun
Cox, of Georgie Mills, in the County of Edinburgh, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighteenth day of March, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and succes-
sors, give and grant unto me, the said John Cox, Her special licence
that I, the said John Cox, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said John Cox, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time
to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands,
and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES AND
MODES OF PROPULSION," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said John Cox, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention;
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the sam

page_text: to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Cox, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement thereof, reference being bad to the Drawings
hereunto annexed, that is to say:-
more.
My improvements in velocipedes relate to those with two wheels or
At present the method of propulsion of two-wheeled velocipedes,
and sometimes of velocipedes with three wheels, is by cranks upon the
axle of the guide or front wheel, the feet of the rider resting upon the
cranks and following their circular motion, which is awkward and
fatiguing, and when the wheel is large it is difficult or impossible to
keep the feet upon the cranks.
In order to remedy or diminish the difficulties and inconveniences in
the above mode of propulsion I propose to attach levers by connecting
rods to the cranks of the guide wheel and fasten them to the sheers,
fork, or frame in which the wheel is fitted and revolves so that all the
propelling parts turn or revolve with the sheers and keep in proper
position in relation to the wheel. According to the angle of inclination
at which I place the driving levers the motion of the feet of the rider is
more or less perpendicular or horizontal. The levers may be either
straight or angular, and so constructed that the feet can easily work
them. When the axis or fulcrum of the levers is attached to the sheers
above the wheel or at a lower level I can carry up or extend the levers
in length, so that the hands of the rider can work them as well as his
feet; he can also guide the velocipede at the same time. I also propose
to propel the guide wheels by cords attached to the cranks, the cords
working on pulleys attached to the sheers or otherwise, and in such a
manner or position that the feet can move in what may be called
stirrups on a slide or on a lever. I work the cranks either together in
unison, that is, in the same relative position or otherwise, one crank
being up while the other is down; but the former method causes a much
steadier motion of the velocipede. By keeping the seat on the velocipede
sufficiently low the rider may propel with his feet against the ground, or
with his feet upon the treadle levers, or with his hands. I prefer that
my improvements should be attached to the shears of the guide wheel,

page_text: yet part thereof may be attached to the body of the velocipede, and with
cranks upon the back wheel.
Another improvement consists in the steering handle, which has
hitherto been rigid and produces or causes considerable shaking of the
hands. I propose to make the handle so that it will yield like a spring.
up and down, but not sideways, or horizontally; by making it in this
manner much ease ensues.
Another improvement consists in attaching india-rubber rings or tyrės
to the iron tyres of the wheels firmly by rubber cement or solution
heated artificially.
Another improvement consists in fitting and working the cranks on
either the back or front wheel by cords or belts attached to the body of
the rider, as near the level of his shoulders as possible, so that by a
backward and forward motion of the body the velocipede can be
propelled.
Another improvement consists in resting the body and saddle or seat
of the velocipede upon india-rubber or cork balls, cylinders, discs, or
other analogous form, which renders steel springs unnecessary for ease.
Another improvement is uniting two velocipedes of two wheels each
together, thereby making a "twin velocipede" or "velocipede twins," so
united together that they will not easily upset, and on which two
persons can ride alongside each other, the front or guide wheels being
so connected that they will keep parallel to each other, while the back
wheels shall also keep parallel with each other. In turning the guide
wheels will perform the same motion, and one person may guide, as by
guiding one wheel the twin wheel obeys a similar motion, each guide
wheel having a steering handle of its own.
In order that my Invention may be well understood I annex the
following description and Drawings.
Figure 1 is an elevation of a two-wheeled velocipede or bicycle. A, A,
are the wheels, the front of which is the driving or crank wheel; the
motion is derived from the feet of the person on the ends of the
levers B, B, alternately, while sitting on the saddle a. The levers B, B,
lead up to pins or bolts projecting from the upper part of the fork or.
crutch C, and form part of other levers D, D, which run down and are
attached to connecting rods E, E, by which the cranks F, F, are
operated. I provide holes in the end of the levers D, D, and in the

page_text: cranks F, F, so that the connecting rods E, E, can be shifted to suit the
will of the operator, whether he wishes to propel the vehicle at a great
speed over smooth roads or obtain power for running over rough roads
or up hills. To give additional strength and to prevent vibration or
wabbling of the levers, I fit a tie rod or bar G to the two levers at each
side, as shown. The upper ends of the levers I sometimes fit with
extension pieces or handles, so that should the operator wish it he can
assist in propelling by means of his hands; these lever handles are so
fitted that they do not interfere with the convenience of holding the
handles H, H, for steering purpose, as clearly seen in the plan view,
Figure 2. The saddle a is adjustable on the frame or stretcher bar I by
means of nuts and bolts b, b, which pass through the slot c in the frame.
This arrangement admits of the vehicle being worked by persons of
different heights. The position of the foot plates on the levers causes
the legs of the operator to move in the arc of a circle described from the
pins or bolts, and thus less fatigue or more convenient action is produced
than when the legs move in a circular course on the cranks, as in
ordinary bicycles.
Figure 3 is an elevation of another bicycle in which the levers are
attached at their upper ends to rods or bars d, d; these rods or bars
are jointed to the steering handle or otherwise. The cranks are jointed
to the levers, and as the feet of the operator acts upon the foot rests
which are at the lower ends of the levers the vehicle is moved forward.
In Figure 4 I have shown a mode of supporting the foot plate levers
on a fulcrum pin attached to bars projecting from the fork or crutch.
The connecting rods are fitted on the levers, and as the levers are
depressed the rods cause the cranks to move round in a circular
direction, and thus propel the vehicle. The saddle in this Figure is
shown as being very low, so that the operator can easily mount and
dismount; it likewise offers advantages to the rider in case the vehicle
should be thrown over to too great an extent so as to unseat him, and
thus gives him a chance of recovering himself from a fall; or when his
legs are fatigued in their circular motion he can move the vehicle by
striking his feet upon the ground. The saddle is carried by rods which
pass through the frame and press upon helical or other springs to make
the seat elastic.
Figure 5 is another elevation of a similarly constructed bicycle, but

page_text: or bands and pass them over roners at the upper part of the for, and
thence down to the cranks.
Figure 6 is a view of a bicyle to which a triangular frame is fitted
loosely on the front axle or on the lower ends of the fork at each side
of the front wheel, the straps or cords being led from the upper ends of
the triangular frames, over rollers, and down to the cranks, as in the
previous Figures.
Figure 7 is an elevation of a bicycle to the fork of which I attach
projecting bars, as in Figures 4 and 5; these projecting bars are con-
nected at their lower ends by a bolt to act as a fulcrum for a triangular
frame to rock upon. One of the legs J on each side of the frame has the
connecting rods for working the cranks fitted to them while their other
or lower legs K have the foot plates on them. In this arrangement both
feet of the operator are depressed at the same time, and to assist the
return motion I fit elastic bands or cords or other springs on it and carry
them up and over the top of the steering handles. It will be observed
that both the cranks are set in the same direction, so that the foot plate
shall work in a proper manner. In these arrangements the foot plates
may be connected so that both feet may act at the same time, or
the foot plates may be separate, in which case the feet would work
alternately.
Figure 8 represents an elevation of a bicycle in which the hind wheel
is the propelling wheel. The levers are connected to a fulcrum pin at L;
and are caused to move in a vertical direction by being passed through
slotted bars fitted to the main frame. There is a strap or cord leading
from the levers over pulleys to the cranks.
Figure 9 is another elevation in which triangular frames are fitted to
fulcrum pins at m. The fulcrum pins are attached to brackets depending
from the main frame. On the fore ends of the levers being depressed by
the feet the connecting rods cause the cranks to move round and thus
propel the vehicle. In some cases I carry up levers or bars to about the
level of the man's shoulders and fit a strap or other appliance thereto to
pass round his body so that he can assist with his body to propel the
vehicle. I also in some cases pivot the treadles to a point in advance of
the front wheel and carry cords or straps over pulleys to the cranks or on
the axle, as shown in the Figure 9°.
Figure 10 represents an elevation of a tricycle or three-wheeled
velocipede in which the propelling power is obtained from the hind

page_text: wheels by means of the cranks being attached to rods connected to a
triangular frame which is centered upon the fulcrum pin at N, the fulcrum
pin being supported in hanging brackets, as shown. The triangular frame
works in a fork of the main frame which acts as a guide and steadying
plate in its to-and-fro motions. In some cases I carry up a bar to form
a back plate or cushion so that the operator may assist in the propulsion
by pressing with his back against this plate as well as with his feet, or
when his feet are fatigued he can propel the vehicle by the to-and-fro
motions of his body alone.
Figure 11 shows another method of propelling a tricycle. In this
Figure the main wheels are moved round by means of levers worked by
the hands of two operators sitting face to face on the seats, or by fitting
another seat between the others and above the axle other persons can be
carried who would set back to back and could also assist in working the
levers. The connecting rods of both levers are attached to one crank or
cranks so that an alternate pull and push is effected. Sometimes I
fit foot plates to the lower ends of the levers, as shown in the Figure,
so that each of the operators can utilize the downward pressure of
the foot for propelling purposes. I fit an additional seat on the
fore part for a person to sit upon and steer the vehicle, and I some-
times fit cranks on the fore axle, so that the person steering can assist in
propelling.
Figure 12 is an elevation, and Figure 13 a plan of a three-wheeled
vehicle. Both or more operators in this case pull and push the hand
levers alternately; they sit face to face on separate seats, and by having
their feet on the foot plates which are attached to the lower ends of the
levers the vehicle is propelled. I provide an additional seat for a person
to sit upon to guide the vehicle in the required direction. I sometimes fit
a duplicate set of seats and levers on the other side of the wheels or
hinder part of the vehicle.
Figure 14 shows in elevation a tricycle of another form and of
a different mode of propulsion. In this case the operators sit astride
on the bar or main frame and press with their feet upon the lower
bar or bars or footboard, and as the feet are forcing the lower bars
forward the hands are drawing the upper bar or bars backward, and
thus a motion is produced corresponding to the motion produced by
rowing in a boat.
Figure 15 is a view of another form of vehicle mounted on three

page_text: wheels. The axle of the hind wheels has two cranks to which the
upper ends of uprights are attached; these uprights form part of long
bars or treadles, on which the operator or operators press with their
feet and produce the circular motion of the cranks, which are of
equal lengths, to propel the carriage. The fore end of each of the
bars is connected to other cranks working on centres in the same
plane as the axle cranks, so that as the operators press with the
weight of their bodies alternately on the bars the bars move in
a circular direction with the cranks. In some cases I fit saddles
or crutches on a central longitudinal bar or bars on which the
operators sit astride or lean on by their hands or arm-pits, or I fit
two bars between which the operator's legs alone may pass. The front
of the carriage is fitted with a steering wheel, as shown.
Figures 16 and 17 represent a form of carriage in which the pro-
pulsion is obtained by means of an up-and-down motion of a jointed
frame, in a similar manner to that known as a
< see-saw" motion. The
see-saw frame is centered upon the main axle of the vehicle, and by the
weight of the persons pressing alternately upon the outer ends of the
frame a motion is produced, which operates the cranks of the wheel axle
and thus propels the carriage. By fitting cords to the ends of the frame
the return motion can be assisted by the hands. In order to obtain an
easy riding motion to lessen jolting or sudden vibrations I fit india-
rubber springs under or to the seats, and to the bearing portions of the
axles or frames, of the ordinary well-known forms or shapes, or of india-
rubber balls, rollers, or washers, some of which are shown in the Figures;
or cork may be employed for the purpose.
The next part of my Invention consists in making the steering handles
partly of flat steel, tempered iron, or other elastic material, or attaching
vulcanized india-rubber to the rigid handles, so that the vibrations
produced by the movement of the vehicle over rough roads may be
greatly lessened, and a great unpleasantness entirely obviated. These
steel handles are free to bend vertically but not horizontally, so that
rigidity for steering purposes is obtained and a springy motion to lessen
vibration over a rough road.
Although I have mentioned in the first part of my Specification that
the methods of working them refer to bicycles or two-wheeled veloci-
pedes, I do not confine myself to their use for bicycles alone, as all or
any of those methods are equally applicable to tricycles or three-wheeled

page_text: velocipedes, whether the methods are fitted to work the front wheel or
the hind wheel or wheels, and I do not confine myself to the details
described and shown in the Drawings, as the arrangements may be
varied to suit circumstances, as, for instance, in the see-saw arrangement,
instead of fitting a frame on the axle, as shown, I may employ the
bottom rail or bar only, and then lead cords or straps over pulleys to the
cranks to work them, or as in some cases I may dispense with rails or
bars upon which the feet press and cause the motion of the vehicle to be
produced by the feet of the operators pressing upon the ground; this!
refer to in the case of tricycles or vehicles with more than three
wheels.
I also apply india-rubber tyres to velocipede wheels, and the method I
follow I shall now describe. I first cover the iron tyre or periphery of the
wheels with a layer or tyre of a compound or india-rubber and sulphur,
which under the influence of heat will change to the substance called
hard india-rubber or vulcanite or ebonite; and, secondly, on the top or
over said compound of rubber I place a layer or tyre of any suitable
tbickness of a compound of india-rubber and sulphur, with or without
other materials, which will change or vulcanize under the influence of
heat to a soft vulcanized india-rubber. The iron rim or tyre of the
wheel so subjected is then to be subjected a powerful artificial heat, when
the vulcanization of both the hard and soft rubber is accomplished, and
thus an elastic rim or tyre is attached securely to the iron rim or tyre of
the wheels for velocipedes. The mode of putting on such elastic
coverings and the compounds of india-rubber suitable are such as are in
every day use, and well known to rubber manufacturers. I also con-
struct twin velocipedes, and this I do by connecting two bicycles in such
a way that the hind wheels shall always be parallel and the fore wheels
also, and kept at a convenient distance apart for two persons sitting
alongside each other. The hind wheels may or may not have an axle
common to both. One or more connections of a rigid material may
connect the two reaches or main body, and this can be conveniently
done partly by causing the rod which secures the back end of the springs
in ordinary velocipedes to reach in one rod to the other back end of
opposite spring, or otherwise. The two front wheels are to be connected
by a rigid rod of iron or other suitable material to two parallel attach-
ments projecting in front or rear of the steering handles, and which may
be called additions to the handles, and at right angles thereto, so that

page_text: by turning the guide handle of one velocipede the opposite wheel
performs the same movement. Cranks may be put upon the hind
wheels so that other two persons may work them, and by the inside part
of the hind sheers descending below the line of the crank motion the
opposite sheer may be firmly and securely connected, and so tend to
secure parallelism.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,―
Firstly. The several modes of construction and arrangement and the
methods of propelling bicycles and tricycles as herein-before described
and shown in the several Figures in the Drawings and the modifications
or alterations therein referred to.
Secondly. The construction or formation of elastic handles in the
manner and for the purpose herein-before described.
Thirdly. The mode of attaching india-rubber rings or tyres to the iron
tyres of the wheels of velocipedes as herein-before described.
Fourthly. The employment of india-rubber, cork, or other elastic balls
in velocipedes for the purpose herein-before described and shown.
Fifthly. I claim uniting two bicycles or velocipedes to form a
twin velocipede in the manner and for the purposes herein-before
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Cox, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.
JOHN COX. (L.S.)