IMPROVEMENTS IN PROPULSION APPLIANCES FOR BICYCLES, TRICYCLES AND OTHER LIKE VEHICLES PROPELLED BY MAN POWER ALSO IN MEANS AND APPLIANCES FOR GUIDING SUCH VEHICLES.
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Nunan at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 7th February 1883.
EDWARD NUNAN of 166. Fleet Street in the City of London
IMPROVEMENTS
IN PROPULSION APPLIANCES FOR BICYCLES, TRICYCLES AND OTHER LIKE VEHICLES
PROPELLED BY MAN POWER ALSO IN MEANS AND APPLIANCES FOR GUIDING SUCH
VEHICLES.
The object of this invention is certain appliances to be fitted to the fork or frame
of a bicycle, tricycle, or other like vehicle to enable the wheel or wheels to be
moved round by the hands of the rider alone or in conjunction to that of the
feet also to means or appliances to facilitate the guiding of the vehicle.
For the purposes of my invention I form a double crank to each pedal or
affix two cranks of different throw to the wheel spindle or to the pedal spindle
and connect either of them by rods to upper cranks forming part of a shaft or
spindle at the upper part of the fork or frame so that they can be turned by
hand and thus transmit the motion to the wheel spindle or the pedal spindle the
upper shaft or spindle being secured in bearings in a suitable manner.
Instead of the two throw cranks being on the wheel spindle or on the pedal
spindle a bevil wheel can be arranged on each of them and motion can be given
thereto by pinions and rods from the handles the shaft of which would be
similarly fitted or chain wheels may be arranged for the purpose. According to
another method rods can be pivotted to the fork or frame and the upper ends be
moved to and fro or up and down as to cause the cranks of the wheel spindle or
the pedal spindle to rotate by moving in slotted lower ends of the rods.
I also in some cases dispense with crank pedals on the wheel spindle and form
stirrups at the lower ends of the fork to enable the rider to stand or nearly so in
them the wheel or wheels being rotated from the hand shaft or spindle either by
the before mentioned crank, wheel, or chain gear.
I purpose arranging the seat upon a rock bearing or bearings so that it can be
caused to lean over by an action of the rider to set the wheel to any desired angle
for guiding the vehicle rods and eccentrics or their equivalents being fitted from
the seat to the fork for that purpose.
Instead of the seat being made to rock the levers or other additional appliances

page_text: can be so set in their supports as to permit of a slight twisting action being given
to them as to enable the fork or frame to turn and so guide the wheel.
Instead of the vehicle being guided by the front or main wheel the hind wheel
may be so arranged in supports as to be operated for guiding purposes.
By this invention, bicycles and tricycles can be operated by the hands and the
muscular strength and action of the arms and upper part of the body of the rider
either alone or in conjunction to that of the feet and legs.
In the case of unicycles the stirrup method before mentioned will enable the
rider to balance himself from a point below the centre of the wheels' motion and
obtain power and facility to work the wheel by his hands' from above the wheel.