AN IMPROVED METHOD OF PROPELLING AND USING A UNICYCLE OR ONE WHEELED VELOCIPEDE AND APPLIANCES THEREFOR to
Year: 1884

page_text: I, JOHN SIMONTON of Comber, County Down, Ireland, a Branch Bank Manager
do hereby declare the nature of my invention for AN IMPROVED METHOD OF
PROPELLING AND USING A UNICYCLE OR ONE WHEELED VELOCIPEDE AND APPLIANCES
THEREFOR to be as follows:-
This invention relates to velocipedes and is chiefly designed to utilize and
complete an Improved Unicycle or machine in which there is only one wheel
having contact with the ground, which machine was invented by me and for which
I obtained Provisional Protection for Great Brittain, specification N° 2504, for six
months from 26th May 1882.
The parts of the said Unicycle which I now propose to supplement by my
present invention, are described in the specification thereof as the Wheel, which
consisted of the Rim or Tyre to run on the ground, and the Eliptical Frame
affixed thereto transversely, in lieu, and serving the purposes, of spokes.
The improvements I now propose to add to these are as follows, that is to say,
The Ratchet Wheels with elongated bosses described in said specification as being
affixed to the inner sides of said eliptical frame I now discard, and in their stead,
in the same position central to the tyre, I affix two bosses or projections which
extend inwards towards each other so far as to leave between the adjacent ends
merely the space required for the riders body.
On the inner end of one of these bosses I affix a toothed wheel which works
into the driving chain, on the inner end of the other of the two bosses, I affix an
ordinary break wheel.
It will thus be seen that the break and toothed wheels, their respective bosses,
the eliptical frame and the rim or tyre, are rigidly connected with each other, so
that when the toothed wheel is caused to rotate the machine will be propelled. On
the two bosses or projections beforenamed about midway of their length I place
the bearings which support, and rotate within, corresponding suitable bearings on
handle brackets affixed to the carriage frame. Therefore the bosses stand in this
machine in lieu of an axle and make connection between the road wheel and the
carriage.
The carriage or part of the machine which by its bearings rests, and rotates
freely, upon the bearings of the bosses, and carries the seat for the rider and the
crank shaft, I construct of a frame of light and strong material such as iron or

page_text: steel tubing, and of a shape resembling the merry-thought or forked breast bone.
of a bird. I place this frame in the machine with its apex upwards and forwards
and the legs downwards, and connected with the wheel by suitable bearings on the
handle brackets which are affixed to the frame one on each side or leg and project
backwards from the convex side of the carriage frame..
The handle brackets also serve as arm rests for the rider while driving the
machine.
.
From the apex of the carriage frame I suspend an adjustable bracket which
carries the saddle bracket.
The saddle is pivotted on the saddle bracket so as to oscillate or swing slightly
fore and aft, so that it may sit level irrespective of the fore and aft oscillation or
swing of the carriage frame:
Across the ends of the legs of the carriage frame and supported thereon by
suitable bearings, I place the cranked shaft for the pedal motion, on one end of
which I affix a toothed wheel in such position so as, when the crank shaft is caused
to rotate, to drive by an endless chain the toothed wheel which is affixed to the
boss or projection on the inner side of the eliptical frame before described and thus
propel the machine..
On the front of the saddle I affix an upright bracket or high pommel, which
bears a cushion to protect the riders body and secure his seat in the saddle.
My improvements or some of them, as will be obvious, may be applied to other
than one wheeled velocipedes.
او
The advantages of this machine, in addition to those already mentioned in the
aforenamed specification that, "the rider can enter and leave the machine with
great facility; no axle is required; the seat and all attachments thereto are
suspended in the centre of the wheel by means of two bearings only, thus reducing
friction; now are as follows, viz, the rider can bestride the saddle and rest his
feet on the ground at the same time, and in that position can propel the machine
by tipping his feet on the ground without using the pedals; the saddle being
suspended from the apex of the carriage frame which is placed high enough above
and beyond the centre of the machine from the riders body to clear the knees
of the rider when working the pedals, the riders legs have complete freedom from
obstruction in working the machine.
When the saddle is properly adjusted and the rider, resting his arms on the rests,
grasps the carriage frame close to the handle brackets, he cannot fall either forward
or backward.
Reference to drawing herewith.

page_text: I JOHN SIMONTON of Comber Co Down Branch Bank, Manager do hereby
declare the nature of my invention for AN IMPROVED METHOD OF PROPELLING
AND USING A UNICYCLE OR ONE-WHEELED VELOCIPEDE AND APPLIANCES THEREFOR
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This Invention relates to Velocipedes and is chiefly designed to utilize and
complete an Improved Unicycle or Machine in which there is only one wheel
having contact with the ground, which Machine was invented by me and for which
I obtained Provisional Protection for Great Britain, Specification N° 2504 for six
months from 26th May 1882.
The parts of the said Unicycle which I now propose to supplement by my present
invention are described in the Specification thereof as the wheel, which consisted
of the Rim or Tyre to run on the ground and the Eliptical Frame Affixed thereto
transversely, in lieu, and serving the purposes of Spokes.
The improvements I now propose to add to these are as follows, that is to say
the Ratchet wheels described in said Specification as being affixed to the inner
sides of said Eliptical Frame and having on then Elongated Bosses or Projections,
I now discard, and in their stead, in the same position, central to the Tyre,
I affix two Bosses or Projections which extend inwards toward each other so
far as to leave between the adjacent ends merely the space required for the
riders body.
On or about the inner end of one of these Bosses or Projections I affix a toothed
wheel which works into the driving chain. On or about the inner end of the
other of the two Bosses or Projections I affix an ordinary break wheel.
It will thus be seen that the break and toothed wheels, the Bosses or Projections
to which they are affixed respectively, the Eliptical Frame, and the Rim or Tyre,
are rigidly connected with each other, so that when the toothed wheel is caused to
rotate the Machine will be propelled.
On the two Bosses or Projections aforesaid I place the bearings which support,
and rotate within, corresponding suitable bearings on brackets affixed to the
Carriage Frame. Therefore the said Bosses or Projections stand in this Machine in
lieu of an axle, and make connection between the road wheel and the Carriage
Frame.
The Carriage Frame I construct of a' shape resembling the merry-thought or
forked breast bone of a bird. I place this frame in the machine with its apex
upwards and forwards from the rider, and the legs downwards, and connect it with
the wheel by suitable bearings on the handle brackets which are affixed to the
frame, one on each side or leg, and project backwards from the convex side of the
carriage frame.
The Handle Brackets also serve as arm-rests for the rider, and give him a control
of his position, and resistance to the driving power of his feet while working the
machine.
To the Apex of the carriage frame I attach an adjustable suspension bracket,
which extends downwards between the legs of the rider, and carries the saddle
bracket.
The saddle is pivotted on the saddle bracket so as to oscillate or swing fore and
aft, so that it may sit level irrespective of the fore and aft oscillation or swing of
the Carriage frame.

page_text: On the front of the saddle I affix an upright bracket or high pommel to protect
the riders body and secure his seat.
Across the ends of the legs of the Carriage frame, and supported thereon by
suitable bearings, I place the cranked shaft for the pedal motion, on one end
of which I affix a toothed wheel, in such position, so as, when the cranked shaft is
caused to rotate, to drive by an endless chain the toothed wheel which is affixed to
the boss or projection on the inner side of the Eliptical Frame aforesaid, and thus
propel the Machine.
On the legs of the Carriage frame I also affix the Foot rests.
I provide a light removeable handle which fits to a bracket which is affixed
centrally to the outside of the Eliptical Frame aforesaid. This bracket has a
projecting collar or rim, which can be grasped by the hand, and is intended, with
the handle, to assist a person walking alongside the Machine to propel it.
In the construction of the aforesaid Velocipede it seems advisable, with the
object of securing lightness and rigidity, to make the several parts of thin tubing,
therefore, more effectually and strongly to make requisite connections and
attachments of the several parts to each other, tubing to tubing, or brackets
to tubing, externally or internally, I have devised the following plan, that is to
say the part of the tubing, to which it is intended to affix an attachment
I compress by suitable dies or rollers so that the side of the tubing which is
to become the seat of the attachment will assume the form of an angle; the
bracket or attachment to be affixed thereto, being formed with a corresponding
angle, they can be secured together by external all-round clasps or otherwise.
"
The advantages of this Machine in addition to those already mentioned in the
aforenamed specification that, "the rider can enter and leave the machine with
great facility; no axle is required; the seat and all attachments thereto are
suspended in the centre of the wheel by means of two bearings only, thus reducing
friction; now are as follows, viz, the rider can bestride the saddle with his feet on
the ground at the same time, and in that position, can sit at rest or propel the
machine by his feet without using the pedals; the saddle being suspended from a
point above and beyond the centre of the machine from the rider, to leave room for
his body and legs, he has complete freedom from obstruction in propelling it. Also
when the saddle is properly adjusted and the rider, with his arms on the rests,
grasps the carriage frame close to the handle brackets, he cannot fall either forward
or backward.

page_text: 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
1 The shape and arrangement of the two bosses or projections aforesaid, whereby
they are affixed simply to the inner side of the Eliptical Frame, and, projecting
inwards toward each other, have affixed on or about their adjacent ends respectively,
the toothed and brake wheels.
2 The shape and arrangement aforesaid of the carriage frame, whereby it fulfills
several purposes viz, that while extending above, as well as below, the centre of the
wheel, it rests, by suitable brackets and bearings, rotating freely, on the bearings
of the bosses or projections aforesaid; by being the part of the machine which is
grasped by the hands of the rider to control its movements; by sustaining from its
apex the suspension bracket which carries the seat for the rider; by carring on the
ends of its legs in suitable bearings the crank shaft to be worked by the riders
feet;
and by carrying the foot rests.
3 The shape and arrangement of the handle brackets, whereby the rider can
control the carriage frame and the machine, while at rest for mounting and
dismounting, or when in motion.
4 The shape and arrangement of the adjustable suspension bracket whereby it is
suspended from a point "above" the centre, and extends downwards to carry the
saddle bracket "below" the centre.
5 The arrangement of the saddle, whereby it is so pivotted on the saddle
bracket, as to be capable of a fore and aft oscillating motion.
6 The arrangement of forming on the tubing used in its construction, of angular
shaped seats to which attachments can be affixed.
7 The shape and arrangement of the removable handle, and its supporting
bracket with the projecting rim, for leading the Machine about.
8. The combination of the several parts as aforesaid viz The central projecting
Bosses, the Carriage Frame, the Handle Brackets, the Suspension Bracket, & the
Crank and Chain and Chain wheels motion, as the most effective combination of
Propelling Appliances for this Machine.
Doted this 20th day of October 1884.