Improvements in Tandem Tricycles and similar Velocipedes.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Mar., 1886.
Complete Left, 24th Dec., 1886.
Complete Accepted, 25th Jan., 1887.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tandem Tricycles and similar Velocipedes.
WO GEORGE SINGER of Coventry, Warwickshire Bicycle and Tricycle Manufacturer,
and RICHARD HENRY LEA, of same address, Machinist, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to improvements in that class of tricycles known as tandems,
and specially to that type having a single steering wheel in front, but the invention
may also be applied with advantage to other similar velocipedes, although we prefer to
apply this invention to the particular form of tandem known as the "Springfield" and
manufactured by Singer & Co., Coventry.
The tandems steered by means of a handle bar similar to that used for bicycles, are
at the present time considered superior to those steered by the old system of rack and
pinion. Hitherto the former machines have been capable of being steered only by the
rider occupying the front seat, except as we believe, in the case of one form of tricycle
which was fitted with a side bar connecting the back and front handles. This however
proved a clumsy contrivance and served to imprison the front rider in a dangerous
manner, in the event of an accident.
The general result has therefore been that in the case of the tandem being ridden
by a lady and gentleman, the lady has had the alternative of accepting the work and
responsibility of the steering (which should be undertaken by the gentleman) or, of
being relegated to the back seat.
Our invention obviates all difficulty in this respect while at the same time we
provide neat and reliable mechanism that enables the lady to occupy the front seat and
at same time gives the gentleman at the rear the entire control of the machine both
in regard to steering and brakes.
According to our invention, inside the upright tube carrying the rear handle bar,
we provide an inner tube which is capable of rotation. At the upper extremity of this
inner tube the handle bar, brake lever, and parts connected therewith, are fixed, and
at the lower end is fitted a so called "Hooke's," or universal joint to which is connected
a tube or rod say of or about 3 ft long and placed preferably, inside the main front
tube of the tricycle frame. The lower end of this second tube or rod is carried
through the frame and has fitted upon it, a small Tee-piece or cross-head" which is
then connected by two light rods or other suitable connection to the steering fork.

page_text: As it is not convenient to construct the steering fork at the same angle of declension
as that of the main front tube of frame, the two light connecting rods referred to are
provided at each end with universal joints.
We thus gain the original object aimed at, in such a manner as to also secure the
further following advantages
Perfect efficiency. The adaptation of the so called "Hooke's" joints allowing the
necessarily irregular line to be followed without the introduction of objectionable
"back lash."
Neat appearance. The greater portion of the mechanism being inside the tubular
frame and completely hidden.
Clear front, for lady in mounting and dismounting and with steering connections
arranged so low as not to interfere with the dress.
BREWER & SON,
For the Applicants.

page_text: Improvements in Tandem Tricyoles and similar Velocipedes.
We GEORGE SINGER of Coventry, Warwickshire Bicycle and Tricycle Manufacturer,
and RICHARD HENRY LEA of same address Machinist 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 :-
:-
Our invention relates to improvements in that class of tricycles known as tandems,
and specially to that type having a single steering wheel in front, but the invention
may also be applied with advantage to other similar velocipedes, although we prefer to
apply this invention to the particular form of tandem known as the "Springfield," and
manufactured by Singer and Co., Coventry.
The tandems steered by means of a handle bar similar to that used for bicycles are
at the present time considered superior to those steered by the old system of rack and
pinion. Hitherto the former machines have been capable of being steered only by the
rider occupying the front seat, except as we believe, in the case of one form of tricycle
which was fitted with a side bar connecting the back and front handles. This however
proved a clumsy contrivance and served to imprison the front rider in a dangerous
manner in the event of an accident. The general result has therefore been that in the
case of the tandem being ridden by a lady and gentleman, the lady has had the
alternative of accepting the work and responsibility of the steering (which should be
undertaken by the gentleman) or of being relegated to the back seat.
Our invention obviates all difficulty in this respect while at the same time we
provide neat and reliable mechanism that enables the lady to occupy the front seat and
at same time gives the gentleman at the rear the entire control of the machine both in
regard to steering and brakes.
And in order that our invention may be more easily understood and readily carried
into effect we will further describe same with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 Sheet 1 shews in partial sectional elevation so much of a tandem tricycle
constructed according to our invention as is necessary to describe the same, Figure 2
Sheet 2 is a modified arrangement of a more simple character of tandem tricycle than
that shewn at Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a detached view of a portion of the steering
gear.
In these figures A is the axle of the travelling wheels B fitted as usual with balance
gear, and CCCC³ are the main portions of the tubular framing of the machine
provided with suitable bearings for the axle A and the pedal shafts D and D'.
The front end of the frame carries the fork E in which is mounted the steering
wheel F. Seats for the front and back riders are mounted in the usual manner at
Figure 1 on the upright portion of the frame at C³ and on the back prolongation C.
Inside the tubes C carrying the rear handle bar, we provide an inner rod or tube G
which is capable of rotation. At the upper extremity of this inner tube the handle
bar G, brake lever, and parts connected therewith, are fixed, and at the lower end is
fitted a so called "Hookes" joint, globe, or universal joint G' to which is connected a
tube or rod G³ placed preferably inside the main front tube C of the tricycle frame.
The lower end of this second tube or rod G is carried through the frame and has fitted

page_text: upon it a small Teepiece or crosshead G₁ which is then connected by two light
rods G G or other suitable connection to the steering fork E. When it is not
convenient to construct the steering fork at the same angle of declension as that of the
main front tube of frame, the two light connecting rods referred to are provided at
each end with universal joints.
In Sheet 2, Figure 2 shews a modification in which the angle of declension of the
main tubular frame C is so altered as to render unnecessary the employment of
universal joints. In this case the rod G is dispensed with and the handles G₁ are
attached to the end of the rod G³ which terminates in a crosshead G** (for example as
shewn separately at Figure 3) from whence the steering motion is communicated by
the rods G G3 to say a like parallel crosshead or bar G attached to the steering
fork E. The steering motion may be transmitted from the handle bar by a single
rod Gin the same vertical plane as the rod G³ and rotating with the latter. In this
case the rod G³ may carry a pinion gearing into a toothed segment on the steering
fork E, or other suitable connection may be employed.
We thus gain the original object aimed at in such a manner as to also secure the
further following advantages.
Perfect efficiency. The adaptation of the so called "Hookes" joints allowing the
necessarily irregular line to be followed without the introduction of objectionable
back lash.
Neat appearance. The greater portion of the mechanism being inside the tubular
frame and completely hidden.
Clear front for lady in mounting and dismounting and with steering connections
arranged so low as not to interfere with the dress.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we claim is :
A tandem tricycle or velocipede with front steering wheel or wheels capable of being
controlled by the rear rider substantially as herein shown and described and for the
purposes set forth.