IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BICYCLES, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE PARTLY APPLICABLE TO OTHER VEHICLES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Eduard Carl Friedrich Otto and James Wallis,, both' of
Euston Road, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BICYCLES, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE PARTLY
APPLICABLE TO OTHER VEHICLES."
Sealed the 7th January 1879, and dated the 11th July 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Carl Friedrich Otto
and James Wallis at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th
July 1878.
"
EDUARD CARL FRIEDRICH OTTO and JAMES WALLIS, both of Euston Road, in the
County of Middlesex, IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BICYCLES, WHICH
IMPROVEMENTS ARE PARTLY APPLICABLE TO OTHER VEHICLES."
This Invention relates,-
Firstly. To an improved construction of wheels for bicycles and other vehicles, so
as to render them both lighter and stronger than hitherto, and also to considerably
diminish the labour and cost of their inanufacture.
And, Secondly. To giving to these and other wheels actuated by the feet a speed
corresponding to that of the larger wheels.
To carry out the first part of our Invention we proceed as follows:-We take two
discs of thin sheet iron, sheet steel, or other suitable metal or material, of any con-
venient dimensions, and we then by suitable hydraulic pressure or otherwise make
the sides thereof slightly hollow, while at the same time we so shape the periphery
of each disc that when the two discs are united together by rivets or otherwise a
suitable recess is formed for the reception of an india-rubber or other tyre. Each of
such discs is provided with a central aperture to receive the axle. And to still
further increase their lightness we perforate such discs in any suitable manner
consonant with their retaining the requisite strength and rigidity, and by so
doing we impart to their entire surface a degree of flexibility which enables
them to more readily sustain any sudden strain or tension they may experience.
Duins Gl

page_text: When such two discs are fastened together they form the wheel, and it is obvious
that we thus greatly simplify the construction thereof, and dispense with many of
the complex parts at present in use.
Our improved wheel consists of four principal parts, videlicet, two discs, a tyre,
and an axle, neither of which can lose its relative position to each other, and must
therefore remain perfect unless the entire wheel is destroyed.
Another advantage of our improved wheel when used for bicycles is that as it is
made without spokes it does not require to be constantly "trued up," while by
making it narrower at the axle it affords the rider far greater ease in working it
with his feet than is possible with the present wheel.
In order to carry out the second part of our Invention we alter the position of the
cranks by lowering them when small wheels are employed, so as to bring such
cranks nearer the ground, and where large wheels are used, by raising such cranks
higher towards the rider, and lengthening the continuation of the so-called fork to
any desired degree, so as to allow such cranks to easily work or turn therein.
In order to transmit the motion from the cranks to the wheels we attach a
toothed or other suitable wheel to each of the crank axles, and a secondary and
smaller wheel to each side of the driving wheels of the bicycle. Such supplementary
or additional wheels are connected together by means of chains or their equivalents.
Or, if preferred, such wheels may gear into each other, and thus transimit the motion,
or a third and intermediary wheel may be used, or any other convenient mechanical
arrangement employed for transmitting such motion.
Wheels constructed upon our improved principles may be advantageously applied
to velocipedes, and also to ordinary carriages, carts, waggons, and other similar
vehicles.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Eduard Carl Friedrich Otto and James Wallis in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 11th January 1879.
EDUARD CARL FRIEDRICH OTTO and JAMES WALLIS, both of Euston Road, in
the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BICYCLES,
WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE PARTLY APPLICABLE TO OTHER VEHICLES."
:
This Invention relates,-
Firstly. To an improved construction of wheels for bicycles and other vehicles, so
as to render them both lighter and stronger than hitherto, and also to considerably
diminish the labour and cost of their manufacture.
And, Secondly. To giving to these and other wheels actuated by the feet a speed
corresponding to that of the larger or driving wheels.
.
And in order that our said Invention may be better understood, and readily
carried into effect, we will now, with the aid of the accompanying Drawings,
whereon similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts, proceed more par-
ticularly to describe and ascertain the same.

page_text: Figure 1 of such Drawings is a partial view, in side elevation, shewing the out-
line of the wheel, and illustrating the elongation of the fork, together with the
attachment of supplementary wheels, as hereafter described.
Figure 2 of such Drawings shews a view in front elevation of our improved
wheel, together with the fork, pedal levers, and pulleys of the bicycle.
Figure 3 of such Drawings is a view, in side elevation, of one of the discs of our
improved wheels, shewing one method of perforating the same, as hereafter
described.
And Figure 4 is a sectional view of our improved wheel, taken through the line
A, B, Figure 3, illustrating the construction thereof.
To carry out the first part of our Invention we proceed as follows:-We take
two discs (a) of thin sheet iron or sheet steel, or of any other suitable metal or
material, of any convenient dimensions, and we then by suitable hydraulic pressure,
or in any other convenient manner, make the sides thereof slightly concave, while
at the same time we so shape the periphery of each disc that when the two discs are
united together by rivets or otherwise a suitable recess (i) is formed for the recep-
tion of an india-rubber or other tyre (k). Each of such discs is provided with a
central aperture (¹) to receive the axle. And in order to still further increase the
lightness of the wheel we perforate such discs in any suitable manner consonant
with their retaining the requisite degree of strength and rigidity, and by so doing
we impart to their entire surface a far greater degree of flexibility than has been
possessed by any wheel hitherto manufactured, and which increased flexibility
greatly increases the capacity of the wheel for sustaining any sudden strain or
tension which may be put upon it. One method of so perforating the discs of the
wheel is shown in Figure 3 of the accompanying Drawings, but we wish it particu-
larly understood that we do not confine ourselves to any particular pattern for
perforating the same, as such perforations may be varied without departing from
the principle of our Invention. One great advantage of this particular formation of
wheel is that in case any portion of the disc surfaces become accidentally damaged
the wheel still remains "true," there being no tension whatever on such disc
surfaces, owing to the peculiar construction of the wheel, and this alone obviates
many of the difficulties and dangers hitherto attendant on bicycle wheels as ordina-
rily constructed. When such two discs are properly fastened together by rivets or
otherwise they form the wheel, and it is apparent that we thus greatly simplify the
construction thereof, and materially reduce the cost of manufacture by dispensing
with many of the complex parts at present in use, as well as the labour and material
requisite for their production.
Our improved wheel consists of four principal parts only, that is to say, two discs
(a), a tyre (k), and an axle (2), neither of which parts can lose its relative position
to each other, and must therefore remain perfect unless the wheel be entirely
destroyed.
Another advantage of our improved wheel when used for bicycles is that from its
being made without spokes it not only does not require to be constantly "trued"
up, as is the case with those at present in use, but by making it narrower at the
axle, as we are enabled to do, it affords the rider far greater ease in driving it with
his feet than is possible with the present wheel.
In order to carry out the second part of our Invention, which, as before stated,
relates to imparting to our improved wheels, as also to other treadle wheels, a speed
corresponding to that of the larger or driving wheels, we proceed as follows:-Where
small wheels are employed we alter the position of the treadle cranks or pedal
levers (d) by lowering them so as to bring them nearer to the ground, as shewn in
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings, and we then lengthen or continue the fork
in a corresponding degree, as shewn at f¹ in the same Figure. We however wish it
to be particularly understood that such lengthening or continuation of the fork
need not be in a direct perpendicular line as there shewn, but that such elongation
may branch off to either side, either in a direct angle or in a curved line, so as to

page_text: suit the exigencies of the machine to which our improved arrangement may be
applied.
In cases where wheels of a large diameter are employed; instead of lowering the
treadle cranks or pedal levers, as before mentioned, we reverse this arrangement, and
place them higher, so as to raise them nearer to the rider, and increase the elonga-
tion or continuation of the fork before described to any desired degree, so as to allow
of such cranks or levers easily working or turning therein. And in order to transmit
such motion from the cranks to the driving wheels we attach a toothed wheel or
any other suitable wheel (indicated at b, Figure 1) to each of the crank axles, and a
secondary and smaller wheel b¹ to each side of the driving wheels of the bicycle.
Such supplementary or additional wheels are connected together by means of endless
chains or bands, or their equivalents, as indicated at e, Figure 1. Or, if preferred,
such wheels may be made to gear into each other, and thus transmit the motion.
Or a third and intermediary wheel may be used. Or such motion may be trans-
mitted by any other convenient mechanical arrangement.
In consequence of the riders being so near the ground, owing to the elongation of
the fork as previously mentioned, the steadiness of the bicycle is materially increased,
as in case of the rider losing his equilibrium he can at once prevent accident by
placing his foot on the ground, while the wheels being made of smaller dimensions,
and the discs being only thin sheet metal, great lightness is imparted to the vehicle,
and it is consequently capable of being worked with far greater ease than any other
bicycle.
Wheels constructed upon our improved principles, as herein-before described, may
be advantageously applied to velocipedes, as also to ordinary carriages, carts,
waggons, and other similar vehicles, with some slight modifications in their
mechanical arrangement. to meet the exigencies of such vehicles.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said in-
provements and the manner of carrying the same into effect, we would have it
understood that we claim;―
Firstly, The principle of constructing a wheel of two slightly concave sheet metal
discs perforated in any suitable manner, and having their peripheries so shaped that
when fastened together a convenient recess is formed for the reception of a suitable
tyre, substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-before described and
illustrated.
Secondly. We claim, the principle of either raising or lowering the treadle cranks
or pedal levers and of forming a suitably shaped continuation or elongation of the
fork of a bicycle in combination with two or more supplementary wheels arranged
and fitted substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-before described
and illustrated:
In witness whereof, we, the said Eduard Carl Friedrich Otto and James
Wallis, have hereunto set our hands and scals, this Ninth day of January,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
Witness,
ELT & Co.,
British and Foreign Patent Office,
33, Southampton Buildings,
Holborn, London, W.C.
С. г. Отто.,
L.B.)
JAMES WALLIS. (L.S.)