VEHICLES OR VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1880

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Louis Hardaker at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th June 1880.
LOUIS HARDAKER, of Leeds, in the County of York.
VEHICLES OR VELOCIPEDES."
"
'IMPROVEMENTS IN ROAD
My improvements have reference to vehicles, such as velocipedes and the like,
which are moved along the road by the occupant or occupants thereof, and also
to the means or method employed for imparting and transmitting motion to
the same.
In my improvements the whole weight of the body is employed to actuate an
arm or lever arranged transversely on the vehicle and coupled to the crank of the
driving wheel or wheels. In order to impart motion to the vehicle a lateral
Oscillating movement is given by the occupier or rider to his body, thus bringing
his weight alternately on each side of the axis or centre of lever, thereby imparting
to it the required radial motion, which is transmitted therefrom through the crank
or cranks or their equivalents to the driving wheel or wheels. In some instances
I employ an arrangement of belt, rope, pitch chain, or other non slipping means
for transmitting motion from the occupier to the vehicle; and further, as a
modification I employ two levers placed longitudinally in such a position that the
rider's feet can rest upon them; these are so connected to the crank or cranks or
their equivalents and other parts for transmitting motion that the weight of the .
occupier being brought to bear alternately on the levers, motion is given to the
vehicle. The feet of the occupant are by preference strapped or otherwise fastened
firmly to the herein before mentioned lever or levers. For the purpose of producing
a greater amount of power additional leverage is obtained by increasing the lateral
movement of the rider's body. The frame work of the machine is hollow, and by
preference constructed of tubing for the purpose of receiving compressed air, such
air being obtained through the medium of a pump attached to the vehicle, which

page_text: may be employed for braking purposes, the accumulation of pressure being by
preference obtained when going down hill.
To the vehicle I also when required attach a small atmospheric engine to aid its
locomotion, such engine being actuated by the accumulated pressure within the
hollow frame work, or receivers of compressed air separate or distinct from the
vehicle may be provided.
Or a small gas engine may be employed, this being fed by receivers of compressed
gas, and the explosion effected by an ordinary jet or electricity. In connection
with this part of the arrangement a lamp may be employed provided with an
electric or ordinary gas light. Further, the alarm bell, whistle, or trumpet may be
caused to sound by means of compressed air or fan.
The steering arrangement may be of ordinary construction.
Side rods attached to the levers, either in addition to or separate from the straps,
may be provided; these are taken hold of by the hands of the occupant or rider,
and when preferred the steering apparatus may be connected to them.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Louis Hardaker in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th December
1880.
LOUIS HARDAKER, of Leeds, in the County of York.
VEHICLES OR VELOCIPEDES."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ROAD
My improvements have reference to vehicles, such as velocipedes and the like,
which are moved along the road by the occupant or occupants thereof, and also
to the means or method employed for imparting and transmitting motion to
the same.
In my improvements the whole weight of the body is employed to actuate an
arm or lever arranged transversely on the vehicle and coupled to the crank of the
driving wheel or wheels. In order to impart motion to the vehicle a lateral
oscillating movement is given by the occupier or rider to his body, thus bringing
his weight alternately on each side of the axis or centre of lever, thereby imparting
to it the required radial motion, which is transmitted therefrom through the crank
or cranks or their equivalents to the driving wheel or wheels. In some instances
I employ an arrangement of belt, rope, pitch chain, or other non slipping means
for transmitting motion from the occupier to the vehicle; and further, as a
modification I employ two levers placed longitudinally in such a position that the
rider's feet can rest upon them; these are so connected to the crank or cranks or
their equivalents and other parts for transmitting motion that the weight of the
occupier being brought to bear alternatively on the levers, motion is given to the
vehicle. The feet of the occupant are by preference strapped or otherwise fastened
firmly to the herein before mentioned lever or levers. For the purpose of producing
a greater amount of power additional leverage is obtained by increasing the lateral
movement of the rider's body.
The framework of the machine is hollow, and by preference constructed of
tubing for the purpose of receiving compressed air, such air being obtained through
the medium of a pump attached to the vehicle, which may be employed for braking
purposes, the accumulation of pressure being by preference obtained when going
down hill.
To the vehicle I also when required attach a small atmospheric engine to aid its
locomotion, such engine being actuated by the accumulated pressure within the
hollow framework, or receiver of compressed air separately or distinct from the
vehicle may be provided,
Or a small gas engine may be employed, this being fed by receivers of compressed
gas, and the explosion effected by an ordinary jet or electricity. In connection
with this part of the arrangement a lamp may be employed provided with an
electric or ordinary gas light. Further, the alarm bell, whistle, or trumpet may be
caused to sound by means of compressed air or fan.
The steering arrangement may be of ordinary construction.
Side rods attached to the levers, either in addition to or separate from the straps,
may be provided; these are taken hold of by the hands of the occupant or rider,
and when preferred the steering apparatus may be connected to them.
And in order that my Invention may be more completely understood reference
is given to the accompanying Drawings and to the letters and marks thereon.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Tic 1 is a side elevation Fic 2 a front elevation and Fig. 3 a plan looking at

page_text: mounted on the shafts d and e in the bearings f, f, and g, g. The inner ends
of these two shafts are so arranged that a rotary motion may be communicated
to them from an intermediate shaft h, to which movement is given from the
treadles i and ; through belts, ropes, or pitch chains k and k¹ (or their equivalents),
pulleys and , pawls m and m³, and right and left hand ratchet wheels n and n¹,
and thence to the shafts & and e through ratchet wheels o and o¹, pawls p and p¹,
and levers q and q', the levers q and q¹ being pinned or otherwise fastened to the
driving wheel shafts d and e. The pulleys and are each provided with two
grooves of different diameters on the periphery for the purpose of receiving double
cords, which pass downwards to the treadles i and j, and are attached thereto by
intermediate links 8 and s¹, having alots t and t¹ therein to receive studs u and u¹
or projections attached or provided on the sides of the treadles i and j. To these
links 8, 8, I attach the rods v, v¹, fitted so as to be capable of sliding backwards
and forwards on the treadles i and j for the purpose of adjusting the links 8 and 8¹
to any required position on the studs u and u¹. The adjustment of these rods v, vl,
is effected by movement of the spring hand levers w, w¹, which are retained in any
required position by means of notches or their equivalents.
The treadles and j are mounted in bearings on the framework a of the
vehicle longitudinally under the operator's feet. I also mount when preferred a
second pair of treadles y crosswise from the centre of the vehicle over the
longitudinal treadles i and ; so arranged in their bearings z that they may be
thrown out of gear or use at the will of the operator.
One of the cords k has one end attached to the outer end of the link 8, and
passes upwards over the larger diameter of groove on pulley 1, and thence round an
intermediate pulley 1, over the larger diameter groove of pulley 1, and downwards
to the outer end of the treadle link 81. The other cords k¹ are attached to the
inner ends of the treadle links 8 and 8¹, and terminate in being fastened by
ordinary means in the grooves of the smaller diameters on the pulleys 7 and 11.
The diameters of the grooved pulleys and are made to suit the diameters of the
driving wheels.
The seats 2 and 3 may be made adjustable on their supports 4 and 5 to suit the
length of the rider's legs in order to enable him or them to apply the weight of his
or their body to the driving treadles i and j.
Further, I provide handles 6 on the framework a, by means of which the rider
may stand erect on the driving treadles i and ; and apply more power. These
handles 6 may be used also for steering and braking in any ordinary or con-
venient way.
When the framework a is constructed hollow I when preferred employ that
space as an air receiver, and attach an air pump, say, at 7, which is operated by the
eccentrics 8 or their equivalents on the shaft d, or from any convenient part of the
vehicle. I also provide an atmospheric engine, say, at 9, which is coupled to the
driving wheel shafts by means of a crank or cranks 10 or their equivalents, this
engine being employed as an assistant motor. I also provide a receiver 11 for gas
and air, which is compressed and mixed in explosive proportions. One end of the
receiver 11 communicates with the hollow framework a at 12, and has a sliding
piston or partition 13 dividing the compressed gas and air in chamber 14 from
the compressed air in chamber 15. To this receiver is attached a cylinder 16, in
which is the piston 17. The explosive gas is supplied into the chamber 18 through
the tube 19, and in order to impart the required pressure to the gas and air in the
chamber 18 I compress the air in the chamber 20 by admitting air under pressure
through the valve 21, which is opened through the spindle 22 and hand lever 23
provided for this purpose. The explosion is effected through wires 24 from
magneto, voltaic, or frictional electricity (effected through any suitable known
medium), by which explosion the air (which has been received through the valve 25
into the chamber 20) is forced through the valve 21, which is opened thereby, and
thence into the hollow framework a. The cock 20 is employed for letting out
the water caused by the explosion of the gas, and is actuated by the attendant

page_text: simultaneously with the spindle 22 opening the valve 21. The valve 27 is employed
for the admission of air. The cock 28 is employed to admit the explosive mixture
into chamber 18.
In addition to the hollow framework a I apply the accumulators 29 for storing a
larger amount of compressed air.
When preferred I use "metaline" or other self lubricating material for the
bearings and other parts where friction may take place.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and described with the
aid of Drawings how the same may be carried into practice, I would have it under-
stood that I do not limit myself to the precise details or configuration of the parts
I have described and shewn, as the same may be varied or modified without departing
from the nature of my said Invention, but what I do claim and desire to be secured
to me by Letters Patent is,-
First. The means or apparatus employed for transmitting motion to the driving
wheels b and c, substantially as herein set forth.
Second. The means or apparatus employed for collecting and compressing air
(whilst the vehicle is in motion) in hollow framework a and accumulators 29, and
afterwards applying the same to assist in propelling the vehicle, substantially as
herein set forth.
Third. The means or apparatus for compressing air and gas combined prior to its
being exploded, substantially as and for purposes herein set forth.
Fourth. The application of electric apparatus for exploding compressed air and
gas in chamber 18, substantially as and for purposes herein set forth.
Fifth. The arrangement and combination of the various parts forming the vehicle,
substantially as and for purposes herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Louis Hardaker, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fourth day of December, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty.
LOUIS HARDAKER. (L.S.)