IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edouard Carl Friedrich Otto, of Peckham, in the County
of Surrey, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES AND OTHER
VELOCIPEDES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edouard Carl Friedrich Otto
•
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th August 1881.
EDOUARD CARL FRIEDRICH OTTO, of Peckham, in the County of Surrey.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES."
The present improvements relate, firstly, to that class of machine known as the
Otto Safety Bicycle, Patent No. 1673, of 1880, and relates more particularly to
the means for altering the tension of the driving bands for the purpose of the
steerage of the machine, to a more efficient brake arrangement, to an improved
arrangement of the seat, and to the equalization of the power of the "crank" during
the whole course of its revolution.
I employ a straight axle and fix the backbone to the centre thereof, by preference
by shrinking on; a short distance above the axle I form or provide the backbone
with a screw, to which I attach the seat spring so as to be adjustable thereon, and
be fixed by nuts in the desired position. The seat plate is fixed to the top of the
seat spring, and has in front a slight projection over which can be fixed a spring of
suitable shape to change the seat into a saddle seat.
At each end of the axle and close to the inside of the wheels a tubular link is
shrunk on, forming at the upper part a seat or bracket for attaching the steering
gear, and also adapted to receive a hollow bolt, in which a pin having an oval
shaped part can move or turn when the brake handle is worked, as will be referred
to further on. The lower ends of the links contain tubular side rods tightly
shrunk or fixed in, and which form part of the framework; to their lower ends I
fit tubular sockets carrying the crank bearings, and being free to slide on these
ends, and with helical tension springs which are adjustable by nut and check nut
on screwed parts of the rods.
The rider is seated between a pair of wheels, and on each side of him is a handle
of an inverted stirrup shape attached to the uppermost part of a tubular stem. or

page_text: spindle. Within this stirrup shaped handle is another smaller but similarly shaped
stirrup handle which is free to be raised by the fingers of the rider, the result of
this movement being the application of the brake (forming also part of the steering
gear) to either one or both of the wheels, as may be required. The brake mechanism
is of the following construction-On the side of the hubs of each driving wheel
and on the inner side of the machine is provided an annular projecting ring
forming a box or chamber to receive a split ring, which latter is secured to the
axis of the machine, and may be of cast iron, steel, gun metal, or malleable iron.
The construction of the split ring is as follows:-
At a convenient part, preferably the upper part of the ring, is a division or
opening in the said ring, and the ends which abut or nearly. so are so formed or
enlarged as to receive a stud of an oval section, which latter when partially turned
opens the ring, so increasing its diameter aud causing the outer periphery of the
ring to bear against the inner periphery of the ring on the hub, thus acting as a
brake when the inner stirrup handle is raised. When not steering or applying the
steerage or brake power the ends are brought towards each other by the assistance
of a spring, so reducing the diameter of the ring. The metal or material of which
the brake ring is composed may be of such elasticity itself as to bring them together
without the aid of another spring, or the ring may be in parts jointed together
and be compressed by a spring.
The connection between the oval stud and the inner stirrup handle may be by
the connecting link of the steering handle in the machine constructed according to
Patent No 1673, of 1880, the movable collar on the link being connected, by a rod
steadied by a bracket or stay to a lever which turns the oval pin.
The return of the brake and brake handle to their normal inactive position
may be further assisted by a coiled or other spring of any suitable form or elastic
material in connection with the levers or spindles or both to further ensure the
normal position of this part of the apparatus. One suitable mode of doing this is
to place a spiral spring at the end of the hollow bolt and nearest to the rider, and
having straightened its end about 2 inches to rest it in tension on the small
screw bolt which connects the brake lever with the short rod attached at the upper
end to the movable collar of the brake handle connecting link.
The outer handle mounted on the stem or spindle, and referred to in the first
part of this Specification, is for the purpose of tightening or releasing the bands
which pass around the pulleys on the treadle shaft and around the pulleys attached
to the hubs of the driving wheels.
The said outer stirrup handle is free to be turned about one half of a revolution,
that is to say, about one quarter in one direction and one quarter in the opposite
direction, and by turning it in either one or the other direction the driving bands
are released or tightened, but the tendency is always for the bands to be tight,
which is effected by the employment of springs on the tubular side rods of the
vehicle which carry the crank shaft. The connection between the crank shaft and
the handle is by means of a tubular rod provided at the top with a screw termi-
nating in a ball which works in a socket or cup bearing, the lower end of this rod
having a screw and eye, which latter is attached to the crank bearing so that when
the handle is turned in one direction the crank axis is pulled nearer to the rider,
thereby loosening the bands, and when turned in the other direction tightening
the bands, but the springs always serve to keep the bands in tension.
The screw
threads at the ends of the aforesaid tubular rods are right handed and left handed,
and have check nuts for the purpose of adjusting the length as required. The cap
of the ball socket is adjustable to take up the wear. The stem on which the outer
stirrup shaped handle moves is below provided with an eye, which by means of
a hollow bolt is fixed to the upper part of the seat of the axle link; this bolt is
parallel with the axle and forms the bearing for the aforesaid pin having the
oval end or part; the pin is held in place by washer and pin on the side nearest to
the rider.
Another object of this Invention is to increase the regularity of the revolution

page_text: of the crank axle, especially when running up a steep hill where there is a
difficulty of carrying the axle over the dead points of the crank; for this purpose
I apply spring power, one or more springs being extended (or compressed) at one
part of the revolution of the crank so as to store up power when the rider exerts
his force in the most advantageous manner, and then to restore it or give it out
when the crank is at or near the dead points. A convenient mode of arranging
this part is as follows:-I connect each of the pedals or equivalent parts on the
crank with the backbone or other convenient part of the framing of the machine
by means of a thin rod and a helical or other spring, which when the crank has
passed about 1/8 of its path from the upper dead point, begins to be stretched (or
compressed) when the crank has passed another additional quarter revolution,
being then at its farthest point from the spring; this latter then begins to
draw the crank towards it, and continues so during one quarter of a revolution,
when it has reached the neutral point where it has no more tension.
The spring
has an eye at each end so that a toggle joint motion is produced and the spring
moved out of the way during the last half of the revolution. Or instead of a
rod and spring I may use a lever moving freely on a joint at the backbone or other
place of fixing, and jointed to the rod attached to the pedal so as to form a toggle
joint notion; this lever when actuated by the pedal extends or compresses the
spring, which latter is attached to the lever, or forms part thereof, and to some
convenient part of the backbone or other part of the framing. By this means I
may dispense with the foot-straps.

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
27th February 1882.
EDOUARD CARL FRIEDRICH OTTO, of Peckham, in the County of Surrey.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES."
The present improvements relate, firstly, to that class of machine known as the
Otto Safety Bicycle, Patent No. 1673, of 1880, and relates more particularly to the
means for altering the tension of the driving bands for the purpose of the steerage
of the machine, to a more efficient brake arrangement, to an improved arrangement
of the seat, and to the equalization of the power of the "crank" during the whole
course of its revolution.
This Invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying
Drawings. Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation through the line x, y, of Figure 2,
and Figure 2 is a front elevation of a bicycle constructed according to my Invention
shewing general views of the machine; Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are
views of some of the more important parts in detail; Figure 3 shews in side
elevation, partly in section, and Figure 4 in end elevation, that portion of the
mechanisin drawn on a larger scale to that at which it is shewn at Figures 1 and 2,
which particularly refers to the brake gear arrangements; Figure 5 is a longitu-
dinal vertical section through 1, 2, of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a section through X, Y,
and Figure 7 is a section through Y, Z, of Figures 3 and 4; Figures 8, 9, and 10
are views in section, side, and front elevation respectively of a portion of the
tubular links connecting the wheels round which the endless bands pass. Similar
letters of reference refer to like parts in all the foregoing Figures.
I employ a straight axle a, and fix the backbone or tail piece b to the centre
thereof, by preference by shrinking on; a short distance behind the axle a I form
or provide the backbone with a screw c, Figures 1 and 2, to which I attach the
seat.spring-d so-as-to-be-adjustable-thereon,-and-be-fixed-by-nuts e, e, in the desired
position. The seat plate f is fixed to the top of the seat spring d, and has in front
a slight projection g, over which can be fixed a spring g¹ of suitable shape to change
the seat into a saddle seat.
At each end of the axle and close to the inside of the wheels a tubular link h
is shrunk on forming at the upper part a seat or bracket for attaching the steering
gear, and also adapted to receive a hollow bolt h¹ in which a pin B (having an
oval shaped part p) can move or turn when the brake handle is worked, as will be
referred to further on. The lower ends of the links contain tubular side rods C
tightly shrunk or fixed in, and which form part of the framework; to their lower
ends I fit tubular sockets D, Figures 8, 9, and 10, carrying the crank bearings, and
being free to slide on these ends, and with helical tension springs E shown clearly
at Figure 8, which are adjustable by nut E and check nut E' on screwed parts of
the rods.
The rider is seated between a pair of wheels F, G, and on each side of him is a
handle k of an inverted stirrup shape attached to the uppermost part of a tubular
stem or spindle 1, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Within this stirrup shaped handle is
another smaller but similarly shaped stirrup handle m, best seen at Figure 3, which
is free to be raised by the fingers of the rider, the result of this movement being
the application of the brake (forming also part of the steering gear) to either one
or both of the wheels, as may be required. The brake mechanism is of the
following construction:-On the side of the hubs of each driving wheel, and on
the inner side of the machine is provided a projecting ring n, see Figure 4, forming

page_text: a box or chamber to receive a split ring o, which latter is secured to the axis a of
the machine, and may be of cast iron, steel, gun metal, or malleable iron, and pro-
tected if necessary by a cap y. The construction of the split ring is as follows:-
At a convenient part, preferably the upper part of the ring, is a division or
opening o', Figure 6, in the said ring, and the ends which abut, or nearly so, are
so formed or enlarged as to receive a stud p, shown in dotted lines, Figures 3 and 4,
of an oval section, which latter when partially turned opens the ring o, so increasing
its diameter and causing the outer periphery of the ring o to bear against the
inner periphery of the ring n on the hub, thus acting as a brake when the inner
stirrup handle m is raised. When not steering or applying the steerage or brake
power the ends are brought towards each other by the assistance of a spring, so
reducing the diameter of the ring o. The metal or material of which the brake
ring o is composed may be of such elasticity itself as to bring them together
without the aid of another spring, or the ring may be in parts jointed together
and be compressed by a spring.
The connection between the oval stud p and the inner stirrup handle m may be
by the connecting link of the steering handle, as in the machine constructed
according to the Specification of my Patent, No. 1673, of 1880, the movable collar q¹
on the link q2 being connected by a rod q³ steadied by a bracket or stay q' to a
lever q which turns the oval pin p.
The return of the brake and brake handle to their normal inactive position may,
as already stated, be further assisted by a coiled or other spring of any suitable
form or elastic material in connection with the levers or spindles, or both, to further
ensure the normal position of this part of the apparatus. One suitable mode of
doing this is to place a spiral spring such as q at the end of the hollow bolt h¹ and
nearest to the rider, and having straightened its end about 2 inches to rest it in
tension on the small screw bolt u which connects the brake lever q with the short
rod q attached at the upper end to the movable collar q¹ of the brake handle
connecting link q².
The outer handle k mounted on the tubular stem or spindle, and referred to in
the first part of this Specification, is for the purpose of tightening or releasing the
bands which pass around the pulleys 8, 8, on the treadle shaft x¹, and around the
pulleys t, t, attached to the hubs of the driving wheels.
The said outer stirrup handle k is free to be turned about one half of a revolution,
that is to say, about one quarter in one direction and one quarter in the opposite
direction, and by turning it in either one or the other direction, the driving bands
are released or tightened, but the tendency is always for the bands to be tight,
which is effected by the employment of springs on the lower part of the tubular
side rods of the vehicle which carry the crank shaft. The lower ends of these
tubular rods are shown detached and drawn full size at Figures 8, 9, and 10. The
connection between the crank shaft and the handle is by means of a tubular rod v,
provided at the top with a screw terminating in a ball w which works in a socket
or cup bearing the lower end of this rod v having a screw and eye x, which latter is
attached to the crank bearing ", so that when the handle k is turned in one
direction the crank axis x' is pulled nearer to the rider, thereby loosening the
bands, r, and when turned in the other direction tightening the bands, but the
spring E, Figure 8, always serves to keep the bands in tension. The screw threads
at the ends of the aforesaid tubular rods v are right handed at one end and left
handed at the other, and have check nuts v' for the purpose of adjusting the
length as required. The cap of the ball socket is adjustable to take up the wear.
The stem on which the outer tubular stem of the stirrup shaped handle k
moves is fixed to the upper part of the axle links or brackets h.
Another object of this Invention is the equalization of the power of the crank
or the increasing the regularity of the revolution of the crank axle, especially when
running up hill, where there is a difficulty of carrying the axle over the dead
points of the crank; for this purpose I apply spring power, one or more springs
being extended (or compressed) at one part of the revolution of the crank, so as to

page_text: store up power when the rider exerts his force in the most advantageous manner,
and then to restore it or give it out when the crank is at or near the dead points.
A convenient mode of arranging this part of my Invention is as follows, and is
shown at Figures 13 and 14:-I connect each of the pedals or equivalent parts on
the crank with the back bone or other convenient part of the framing of the
machine by means of a thin rod H and a helical or other spring I, which latter
when the crank has passed about of its path from the upper dead point begins to
be stretched (or compressed), and reaches its fullest extention (or compression)
when the crank has passed another additional quarter revolution, being then at its
farthest point from the spring I; this latter then begins. to draw the crank
towards it, and continues so during about one quarter of a revolution, when it has
reached the neutral point, when it has no more tension. The spring has an eye K
at each end, so that a toggle joint motion is produced, and the spring moved out of
the way, during the last half of the revolution. Or instead of a rod and spring I
may use a lever moving freely on a joint at the backbone or other place of fixing,
and jointed to the rod attached to the pedal so as to form a toggle joint motion;
this lever when actuated by the pedal extends or compresses the spring, which
latter is attached to the lever, or forms part thereof, and to some convenient part
of the backbone or other part of the framing. By this means I may dispense with
the footstraps.
Diagrams, Figures 11 and 12, further illustrate the mode in which this part of
the Invention is carried into effect. Supposing the spring travels from d to c on
the diagram shown at Figure 12, no action of the spring takes place, as it revolves
on its own axis, until it reaches the point c, when it is held by end of the coil of
the spring I, reaching the end of a slot L in a drum L¹ fixed on the axle M, on
which the spring is coiled, shown at Figures 13, 14, 15, and 16, and as hereafter
referred to; thus while travelling from c to e, Figure 12, the spring is being com-
pressed (or extended, as the case may be), thus storing an amount of energy which
is expended when the pedal reaches the position shown at a, b, Figuure 11.
a, b, represent the pedals, and a, c, and b, e, represent the rods connecting the lever
of the coiled springs with the pedals. Figure 13 shows in sectional side elevation
so much of the machine with this lever arrangement applied for the regulating of
the tension of the springs attached to the pedals as will be necessary to illustrate
the Invention; Figure 14 is a front view of same; Figures 15 and 16 are detail
views of the hollow boss shown at Figures 13 and 14. These-views, Figures-15-
and 16, show the slot L in which the short end of the spiral spring I works. The
lever shown at N is connected to the drum L³, and is moved into any position
required by raising or lowering the handle bar O, and in this way the levers and
springs are put in and out of action.
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 Bicycles and other Velocipedes,"
First. The particular mode and means described and illustrated by the accom-
panying Drawings, together with any mere modification thereof for altering the
tension of the driving bands for the purpose of steering the machine.
Second. The construction and arrangement of brake mechanism, whereby a ring
is caused to expand, and thus to act on another ring or drum on the hub of the
wheel or wheels, which operation is effected alone or in combination with the
steering mechanism in and by the handle or handles thereof, all substantially as
hereinbefore described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying
Drawings, together with any mere modifications thereof.
Third. The construction and arrangement of seats for bicycles and other
velocipedes, whereby the ordinary seat is capable of being changed to a saddle seat,
substantially in manner and for the purposes herein before described and illustrated
with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying Drawings.
Fourth. The mode and means for increasing the regularity of the revolution of
the crank by the application of spring power at one part of the revolution of the

page_text: crank, so as to store up power when the rider exerts his force in the most advan-
tageous manner, and then to restore it or give it out when the crank is at or near
the dead points, all constructed, arranged, and acting substantially in the manner
before described with reference to the accompanying Drawings, together with any
mero modifications thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edouard Carl Friedrich Otto, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twentyfifth day of February, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.