Improvements in Velocipedes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 30th Jan., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Velocipedes.
I, JOHN LANCASTER of 223 Hainault Road, Leytonstone, London E., Gentleman
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to te particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention has for its object to construct a velocipede that shall combine the
swiftness and easiness of travel of a bicycle, with the vertical stability of a tricycle,
and consists, Firstly-of a method of constructing the hack or driven wheels by
means of which these may be mounted upon their axle, so as to be so near to each
other as to render the machine as easy of manipulation as a bicycle, or by reversing
the position of these upon their axle, to convert the machine into a tricycle of
ordinary width in so far as relates to the positions of the two hind wheels.
Secondly-of an improved sprocket wheel for the bottom bracket of the machine
and a means of carrying this and the sprocket wheel upon the back axle by the
means of which I obtain a perfectly central drive. Thirdly-of an improved long
leverage break arranged to operate upon the periphery of the said bottom bracket
or driving sprocket wheel, and of an improved means for operating the said
brake.
In order that my invention may be fully understood reference is hereinafter made
to the accompanying drawings, of which
Figs. 1 and 2 are side and front elevations respectively of a velocipede constructed
according to my invention and adaptable for either a lady or gentleman rider.
Fig. 3 is a back elevation of the same with the hind wheels mounted thereon in a
position nearest to each other, and in this view it is assumed that the wheels have
solid or cushion tyres, while Fig. 4 is a like view with the position of the hind
wheels reversed or in a position further from each other.
Fig. 5 is a vertical section of one of the said hind wheels.
Fig.
6 is a plan view of the driving mechanism of the machine.
Fig. 7 is an enlarged part sectional view of my improved sprocket wheel showing
how the brake operates upon the periphery of the saine.
In carrying my invention into effect I connect to the tube of the front fork A in
the usual way, one end of a tube B bent or curved at a the opposite end of which
is similarly connected to the upper end of a tube or plate C, the junction of B and C
also forming the pillar of the seat D. The lower end of C is preferably widened
but may be bifurcated or forked, and is either continued to form or is connected to
the back ends of a pair of plates E and E' in which slots are formed and serve as
bearings for the back axle F upon which is mounted between E and E the back
sprocket wheel G which may have any number of teeth according to the gear of
the machine. The said axle F also carries a plate H bent at right angles, and
provided with a set screw or its equivalent J, by means of which the chain K may
be tightened to compensate wear. The opposite or front ends of the plates E and E
are adapted to form the bottom bracket of the machine, and form bearings for the
driving spindle L upon which is mounted and fixed between E and E' my improved
sprocket wheel M which is enclosed by and has screwed or otherwise fixed thereto
at either side circular plates N and N of larger diameter than the said wheel (shewn
more graphically by Fig. 7). The front ends of the plates E and E' are provided

page_text: with vertical extension pieces 0, 0 the upper ends of which are Brazed or otherwise
connected to the portion a of the frame B; the said frame having a curved strengthening
plate bar or tube P, which renders the machine adaptable for a gentleman or lady rider.
The said extension pieces 0 0¹ carry a pin or bolt c which forms a fulcrum for one
end of a lever R formed at d to coincide with the shape of, and when needed to
impinge upon the periphery of the plates N, N' of the sprocket wheel M the said
portion d being enclosed on either side by the extended front ends of the plates E
and E which serve as lateral guides therefor. The lever R extends along beneath
the front end of the tube B preferably between guide plates e connected to or formed
integrally with B and is pivotally connected at its front end f to the lower end of
a rod S passing through the front fork crown and extending upwardly through the
hollow steering tube T and protruding for a suitable distance above the handle bar V
whereat it is provided with a bead or knob or an equivalent hand-hold W between
which and the said handle bar the said rod is provided with a spiral or other suitable
spring 9 the expansive power of which operates to keep the said rod S and con-
sequently the front end of the lever R in its highest position between the guides e
and with its heel d clear of the periphery of the plates N and N¹ but when the
head W or its equivalent is depressed by the rider against the tension of the
spring g the front end of the lever R would be lowered to the position shown by
dotted outline in Fig. 1, or thereabouts, which would cause its curved heel d to
impinge upon the peripheries of the plates N and N₁ and so brake the progress of
the machine. I may arrange as an alternative means that the usual brake lever upon the
handle bar Vmay operate for the depression of the rod S as indicated by dotted outline
ath Fig. 2 in which case I may dispense with the spring g and provide an
equivalent spring upon the lever or I may provide arms or extensions at each
side of the knob W that S may be lowered by the use of both hands of the
rider.
By the foregoing description and by reference to Fig. 6 it will be understood
that the sprocket wheels M and G and the chain K in gear therewith are absolutely
central of the width of the machine, by which I attain a more steady and even
pull upon the back axle than obtains when these are at either side of the centre
as hitherto.
One of the important features of my invention is that the wheels X X upon the
back axle may (for experienced or fast riders) be brought so near together (as at
Fig. 3) as to render the machine almost as swift and easy of manipulation as a
bicycle, without the hazard of the same toppling over when brought to a position
of rest or that the said wheels may by reversing their positions upon the axle be
placed so far apart that the machine may in all respects become a tricycle of ordinary
width as at Fig. 4. For the purposes of this portion of my invention I arrange the
said wheels XX that the spokes k engaging with one end of the hub m are slightly
longer than the spokes k engaging with its opposite end, which provides that when
the said spokes are tightened up the rim p would be out of truth with the hub,
which may be to any extent within practicable limits, but preferably such that one
edge of the rim p is level or substantially so with one end of the hub m as shewn in
Fig. 5, and according to which way the said hubs are placed and fixed upon the
axle F the effects shown by Figs. 3 or 4 may be attained at the will of the rider.
The said wheels XX may carry any form of tyre of any width and pneumatic, solid
cushion or otherwise, examples of which are shewn by Figs. 1 to 5.
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
pair
1st. In an improved velocipede the combination of a frame such as B, P, C, the
latter portion extended or divided at its lower end to form or be connected to a
of plates E and El carrying the back axle F and centrally sprocket wheels G and M
geared by a chain K adapted for adjustment by a screw J operating a plate H the
said plates E and E¹ being connected by extension pieces O and O' to the frame at a

page_text: and forming a fulcrum for a lever R having a heel d adapted to engage with the
periphery of the plates N and N' when lowered by a connecting rod S passing
through the hollow tube T of the front or steering fork, and operated from the
handle bar V substantially as herein described and shewn by the accompanying
drawings.
2nd. In an improved brake for velocipedes the combination of a sprocket wheel
such as M having on either sides circular plates N, N' of extended diameter, with
lever R fulcrated at c and having a heel such as d adapted to impinge upon the
peripheries of the plates N, N' when operated from the handle bar of the machine
substantially as herein described and shewn by the accompanying drawings.
3rd. In a tricycle adapted to have a wide or narrow gauge at will, the com-
bination of a pair of reversible back wheels such as XX, the rims p of which
are mounted unevenly upon their hubs m by the means of short and long spokes
such as K and K' substantially as at Fig. 5, and for the purposes herein described
and shewn by Figs. 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
4th. In a tricycle the combination of a frame B P. C. adaptable for a lady or
gentleman rider, and having a pair of back interchangeable wheels such as XX,
and sprocket wheel such as M with side plates N, N¹ with brake such as Rd adapted
to brake or arrest the progress of the machine by impinging upon the peripheries
of N, N', when actuated by a rod S having a crown or its equivalent such as W
or lever such as h operated at or near the handle bar V substantially as herein
described and shewn.
Dind this ofth
1000