Improved Velocipede Boat.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Dec., 1892-Accepted, 21st Jun., 1893
Improved Velocipede Boat.
I, ELOI BANLIAT, of Nice, in the Department of the Alpes Maritimes, France,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, 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 the application of a motor constructed on the principle
of a velocipede to the propulsion of pleasure boats, and is illustrated in the
accompanying drawing which shows part of a screw boat with such motor applied
thereto.
Fig. 1 is a general view of the motor in side elevation, and shows the connection
of same with the screw propeller.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the bevel wheels by which the power is transmitted to
the propeller.
The apparatus is mounted on a frame W, which is fixed to the hull or shell of
the boat. The frame of the apparatus itself is made up of steel tubes, and the
bearings are all ball bearings such as are employed in velocipedes generally.
The frame of the apparatus consists of a fork T carrying the shaft of a fly-
wheel D which revolves between the arms of such fork. A tube Y connected
at S to a curved segment, joins the tube X, on which the saddle A is mounted, to
the fork. Two tubes V fixed to the fork T and to the tube Y at the point S,
serve to make the whole structure rigid and prevent the apparatus oscillating.
A toothed wheel C, called the large chain wheel, revolves in the frame at the
point S, and is actuated by means of the pedals B in the ordinary way.
wheel C is connected by a chain C G with a pinion E fixed to the axle of the
fly-wheel D, and also with another pinion F fixed on a shaft G carrying a bevel
wheel H, the teeth of which gear with a second bevel wheel I fixed on the
propeller shaft.
This
The object of the fly-wheel D is to overcome the resistance offered to the screw
by the water, and to render the movement regular.
The apparatus is fitted with steering handles J, which actuate a small drum K,
on which winds a cord connected in any suitable manner with the rudder, so as to
guide the boat in any desired direction.
The apparatus
further provided with a brake composed of a lever M, a brake
shoe N which bears on the fly-wheel D and which is controlled by the lever M,
and a spiral spring ½, serving to automatically draw back the brake shoe N, when
the brake is not required to act.
The tension of the chain C G is regulated by means of a rod P and nuts R, R',
which by binding against a projection g fixed to the frame causes the roller
bearing of wheel C to turn round the point. S.
The apparatus above described may be applied to either screw or paddle boats,
the transmission in the latter case being modified by the use of a second pinion
mounted on the shaft of the fly-wheel D, and employing a second chain and
another chain wheel secured to the paddle wheel shaft.
The following are the principal advantages of employing a velocipede motor
for boats, instead of steam, petroleum or other motors, such as have been hitherto
employed.
1. The apparatus occupies but little space and consequently leaves more room
for passengers in the boat to which it is applied, and entirely avoids the incon-
veniences caused by the machinery in steam and other boats of the same kind.
2. A. boat fitted with the motor described will travel at a greater speed, the

page_text: resistance being minimised on account of the dead weight of the apparatus being
almost nil.
3. The disagreeable smells, dust, and smoke, and also the noise and shaking
which are inherent to the employment of petroleum and similar motors, are
entirely abolished.
4. Finally, all the incumbrance resulting from the necessity of storing coal,
petroleum, etc., will be avoided, as well as the danger of accidental explosion..
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The propulsion of pleasure boats by a velocipede motor, connected to the
screw of the boat by means of a chain actuated by a large chain wheel which
revolves under the action of the pedals, and which transmits its movement to a
fly-wheel, and also to a toothed wheel which through two intermediate toothed
wheels actuates the propeller shaft, substantially as specified.
2. The application of the motor described to boats provided with paddle wheels,
substantially as specified.
Dated this 15th day of December 1892
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.