Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Jan., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 30th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 30th Nov.. 1888
We GEORGE SINGER, Cycle Manufacturer, and RICHARD HENRY LEA, Machinist, both
of Alma Street, Coventry in the County of Warwick do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
:-
Our invention relates to improvements in and connected with velocipedes more
especially designed for and applicable to military and similar purposes.
This machine as hereafter particularly described is capable, when used in its
entirety, of carrying say twelve men, but is built up in "sections," so that each
complete machine may be divided into distinct and independent machines carrying
respectively, three groups of four men each, or two of six, or one eight, and one
four. It is obvious that a greater number than six sections may be connected, and
we thus provide for more than twelve men, but we prefer not to exceed that
number.
All "sections" are interchangeable, and each one is constructed substantially as
follows: We provide a strong pair of wheels of preferably 36 inches in diameter or
thereabouts and place them upon a special form of axle for which Letters Patent
were granted to us under date December 9th 1885 No. 15,131. Instead however of
bending the ends of "bridge" tube downwards, we prefer to keep the latter parallel,
throughout its entire length, to the axle-shafi.
At about 17 inches apart, and equidistant from the centre, we set up on the bridge-
tube, two tubes of say " diameter and about 9 inches long. Over and around these,
are placed coil springs, and between the tubes and resting on the springs by means
of suitable brackets, is placed a box of wood or other suitable material arranged to
carry say 400 rounds of ammunition.
At the extreme ends of bridge-tube, and about six inches from the "tubes
referred to, are placed two other upright tubes, of about 14" diameter. These extend
for about 12 inches above and below the bridge-tube, and serve the double purpose of
handles for the rider, and suitable rests for attaching rifles. The handles are fitted at
the top end, and are vertically adjustable inside these tubes. At the lower end is
fitted a suitable bracket or cage" into which the butt end of rifle is placed. This
cage or bracket is so shaped that, by a slightly forward movement of rifle, the upper
part of cage forms a fulcrum, and the lower a stop." The rifle being thus
"

page_text: constituted a lever, is pressed forward until it slightly "springs" the upright tube. It
is then locked in that position by a suitable clip which is preferably worked by a cam
or small hand-wheel and screw fixed at the upper end of upright tube and near the
handle. The clip thus firmly embraces the barrel part of rifle, and the latter is slightly
raked forward. It is obvious however that this part of our invention is applicable to
various forms of cycles, and in such cases the position of rifle and attachments would
vary according to circumstances.
One saddle is placed in front and one in rear of axle, and suitable pedals and
driving gear are provided for each of the two riders. The rear man has control of a
powerful screw-brake which is applied, through the medium of a band and drum, to
the balance gear at the centre of axle, the power thus being equally distributed to
the two wheels. The brake handle passes through an upright tube in rear of ammuni-
tion box, which tube is connected to the central bracket of bridge-tube. This
upright tube carries the steering centre between which the "neck" of "backbone"
works.
About 4 inches from the neck, the seat pillar passes through the backbone and
immediately behind this, the backbone is provided with a horizontal joint. This joint
serves a double purpose: If the particular "section" to which it belongs is being
used in an intermediate position, i.e. when it does not constitute, for the time being,
either the front or rear end "section" of the machine, then this joint compensates for
any inequalities of the road.
If the "section" is being used at the rear end of machine then the joint enables the
backbone after having been detached from any other adjoining section to be folded
downwards and locked to the lower part of frame thus at the same time rigidly fixing
centrally the tube carrying the rear riders seat which would otherwise sway from side
to side on the steering centres. In case the section is being used for the steering
or front portion of machine then the joint referred to is made rigid, and for this
purpose a key or cotter" is provided, with suitable tightening and extracting.
gear.
"
25
The backbone or tube connecting two sections is divided about midway between the
two sections. The connecting parts may be conveniently constructed as follows:-
In the end of the tube connected to the steering centres we fit a long taper plug.
Upon the latter is placed a conical sleeve which is free to oscillate horizontally, but is
prevented from end movement by suitable cone and nuts. This sleeve has at its larger
end, and opposite to each other, two bosses into which are hinged two bolts and nuts.
The outside of sleeve is also conical, and fits into a socket provided at the end of the
other half of backbone. Corresponding to the bosses on sleeve are two similar "lugs"
on the socket, but the latter are slotted and recessed. Thus when it is desired to
connect any two sections, the end of the half backbone with sleeve is placed in the
socket of the other half, and the two bolts turned over into the slotted lugs. The
nuts or bolts are then firmly screwed down into their respective recesses. The bolts
are placed on the upper and under side of backbone, thus keeping the joint narrow
and out of the way of rider's knees, whilst at the same time, a thoroughly substantial
connection is secured.
The oscillating sleeve on taper plug constitutes the necessary horizontal joint in
line with the direction of machine, and at the same time, allows of the accurate and
instant connection of any two sections no matter how great a difference in wear may
have taken place in their respective connecting parts.

page_text: Improvements in and Connected with Velocipedes.
We GEORGE SINGER, Cycle Manufacturer, and RICHARD HENRY LEA, Machinist,
both of Alma Street, Coventry, in the County of Warwick, 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 and connected with velocipedes more
especially designed and applicable to military and similar purposes.
This machine as hereafter particularly described is capable, when used in its
entirety, of carrying say twelve men, but is built up in sections" so that each
complete machine may be divided into distinct and independent machines, carrying
respectively, three groups of four men each, or two of six, or one eight, and one
four. It is obvious that a greater number than six sections may be connected,
and we thus provide for more than twelve men, but we prefer not to exceed that
number.
.
Our invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation taken on the line X Y of Figure 2, which latter is
a horizontal section taken on the line X Y of Fig. 1, of one section of a velocipede
or multicycle constructed according to our invention and as particularly adapted for
military purposes. Figure 3 is a vertical section through the axle of the machine
on the line X2 Y2 of Fig. 2, shewing in elevation one of the tubes for carrying the
rifle-supporting clips, the rear or steering handles and mud guards, when such are
required, to be applied, to the machine, such tubes being carried or situated on the
near or left hand side of the machine. Figure 4 is a side elevation of the bracket
or cage for carrying the butt ond of a rifle, such cage is drawn to a somewhat
larger scale than the previous figures and is such a cage as is suitable for the "off"
or right hand side of the machine. Figure 5 is a plan of same. Figure 6 is a
sectional plan view about full size of one of the upper clips for grasping the barrel
of the rifle. Figure 7 is a plan of a clip for a similar purpose but of somewhat
modified construction, and Figure 8 is a vertical section of the horizontal joint used
for coupling the sections together. Figure 9 is a diagram view intended to illustrate
three of such sections as are shewn separately at Figs. 1 and 2 coupled together
each of such sections being constructed in a similar manner to one another, are
therefore interchangeable.
Similar letters of reference refer to like parts in all the figures.
In describing our invention in detail we shall limit our description to one section
of the machine, every other section being in every respect similar.
We provide a strong pair of wheels A of preferably 36 inches in diameter or
thereabouts and place them upon a special form of axle, for which Letters Patent
were granted to us under dato December 9th 1885 No. 15,131. Instead however of
bending the ends of "bridge" tube A' downwards we prefer to keep the latter
parallel, throughout its entire length to the axle shaft A³.

page_text: At about 17 inches apart, and equidistant from the centre we set up on the bridge
tube two tubes BB of say " diameter and about 9 inches long. Over and around
these are placed coil springs B¹ and between the tubes and resting on the springs by
means of suitable brackets B is placed a box C of wood or other suitable material
arranged to carry say '400 rounds of ammunition. The brackets B2 are formed
with flanged sleeve tubes fitting over the upright tubes Band resting on the springs B¹
and having another spring B³ on the top held in position by washer and nut as shown.
By this means the cartridge holder C is protected from any sudden shock to which the
machine may be submitted.
At the extreme ends of bridge tube A' are placed two other upright tubes D D of
about 1" diameter. These extend for about 12 inches above and below the bridge tube
and serve the double purpose of carrying handles D¹ D' for the rear rider, and carrying
suitable rests for attaching rifles and carrying mud guards E E. The handles D
are fitted at the top end and are vertically adjustable inside these tubes.
At the lower end of each tube D is fitted a suitable bracket or cage F Figs. 1 and 2
into which the butt end of the rifle is placed. This cage or bracket F shewn in detail
at Figs. 4 and 5, is formed with a base plate F for the butt to rest on and thus
carry the weight of the said rifle; from one end of the base 1 there is a projecting
toe F, while from the other end there extends two arms F which embrace the sides of
the rifle butt end when in position, and meet together in an arch form on a boss, as
best seen at Fig. 5. The bosses of these cages Fare so formed as to be fixed by a
bolt onto the lower ends of the tubes D and onto the inner side of each of said tubes
and they are prevented from twisting on said bolts as well as being made to a certain
degree adjustable by means of a lug F3 on the boss of the arms taking against a
set screw in a lug on the fixed tube D. Thus when the butt end of the rifle is placed
in the cage F and the said rifle is forced or pressed towards the tube D, it bears
against the toe F and acting against the arch of the cage (which forms a fulcrum)
tends to slightly "spring" the tube D, the rifle thus constituting a lever for this
purpose. The rifles are locked in this position by means of clips G fixed to the upper
ends of the tubes D D and such clips are constructed as follows:
Referring to Figure 6 the body of the clip. Gwhich forms one side of a pair of
jaws, has a hole and a recess to take the head of a bolt G¹ by which it is fixed to the
upper part of the tube D and so that the clip may be adjustable round the bolt G to
suit the angle of the rifle. barrel. On the other side of the clip G there is a screw
and hand wheel G* which acts on the second jaw which is hinged at G² and provided
with a spring G³ for keeping it open; the inside of the jaws are or may be lined
with leather G as shewn. When the barrel of the rifle is inserted between the jaws
they are secured in position and the barrel held by turning the hand wheel and
screw Gx.
Or instead of the spring and screw arrangement we may employ a spiral spring G³
as shewn at Fig. 7 passing around the screw G* which latter is threaded through a
lug projecting from the hinged jaw and is provided with a handle for turning the
said screw G*; the spiral spring acts against a second lug from the fixed jaw as
shewn and tends to keep the clip closed. When the rifle barrel has been inserted or
pushed between the jaws, they, the jaws, are secured and the barrel thus firmly held
therein by a single turn of the handle and screw G*. The rifle is thus firmly
carried between the lower foot F and the upper clip G and is prevented from
any possible shake in these holding parts by the tension or "spring" of the tube D.
It will be obvious that this part of our invention is applicable to various forms of
cycles and in such cases the position of the attachments would vary according to
circumstances.
A
In the section of the machine shewn it is preferred that the rifle for the rear man
should be placed in the near side clips, and thus as will be seen at Fig. 3 the rifle
could be taken therefrom by the rear rider without any obstruction as it is on the
rear side of the axle, whereas the front man has his rifle at the right hand or
"off"
-side, and in order that the rifle should be on his side of the axle, that is in front of
same the tube D is in this case bent forward as shewn at Fig. 1 at its lower part to

page_text: carry the foot F and provided with a forward arm D*, at its upper end to carry
the upper clip G.
There are tubes E' from about the middle part of the tubes D, as shewn at Fig. 2,
io carry the lower or rear ends of the mud guards E, and the forward part of
same are supported by other supports from the upper part of the said tubes D D.
One saddle H is placed in front and one saddle Jin rear of axle, and suitable
pedals H J and driving gear are provided for each of the two riders. The rear man
has control of a powerful screw brake K which is applied through the medium of a
band and drum K¹ to the balance gear at the centre of axle, the power thus being
equally distributed to the two wheels. The brake handle K passes through an upright
tube Lin rear of the ammunition box C which tube L is connected to the central
bracket of bridge tube A'. This upright tube L carries the steering centres L' between
which the "neck" of backbone M works.
At a short distance from the neck of the backbone M the seat pillar for the rear of
each respective pair of riders passes through the said backbone M, and immediately behind
this seat pillar the said, backbone M is jointed at N. The axis N of this joint is
horizontal and at right angles with the length of the machine, and the joint is of the
so called knuckle" character; it is further provided with means to allow of fixing
it when desired and this may be done as shewn at Fig. 1 (where the jointed part M
is shewn turned down) by means of two lugs having holes through each which
correspond when the jointed part M is turned up into a horizontal position in which
position it is shewn at Fig. 2 and when it is to be secured in this position a bolt, or
otherwise, is passed through the holes of the said lugs. When turned down as in
Fig. 1 the end is carried by a rest bracket O from the down tube O¹ carrying the
back pedal bracket.
The backbone or tube connecting two sections is divided about midway between the
two sections. The connecting parts may be conveniently constructed as follows: In
the end of that part of the tube M³ connected to the steering centres we fix a long
taper plug P as shewn in section at Fig. 8. Upon the said plug P is placed a conical
sleeve P which is free to oscillate on the said plug P but is prevented from end
movement by suitable cone and nuts P². This sleeve P' has at its larger end two
bosses 13 opposite to each other, into which are hinged two bolts and nuts P4. The
outside of the sleeve P is also conical and fits into a socket R provided at the end of
the other half M¹× of the backbone. Corresponding to the bosses 13 on the sleeve P¹
are two similar lugs R³ on the socket R but the latter are slotted and recessed as
shewn in the partly sectional view of this socket at Fig. 1 and also in the detached
front view. Thus when it is desired to connect any two sections, the end of the half
backbone M with sleeve P1 is placed in the socket R of the other half M¹× and the
two bolts P4 turned over into the slotted lugs R³. The nuts on bolts P are then
firmly screwed down into their respective recesses. The bolts are placed on the upper
and under side of backbone, thus keeping the joint narrow and out of the
way of rider's knees, whilst at the same time a thoroughly substantial connection
is secured.
The oscillating sleeve on taper plug constitutes the necessary joint in line with the
direction of machine and allows for sideway oscillating motions of the various
sections, and at the same time also allows of the accurate and instant connection of any
two sections, no matter how great a difference in wear may have taken place in their
respective connecting parts.
The joint N before described which has its axis horizontal and at right angles with
the length of the machine serves a double purpose. If the particular section to
which it belongs is being employed in an intermediate position, that is to say, when
it does not constitute for the time being either the front or rear section and is thus in
the position of the section of the machine which is indicated in the diagram Fig. 9
and marked 2, its joint marked 2× is not fixed and therefore compensates for
any inequalities of the road which would act on the machine transversely of the
length.
If the section of the machine is being employed at the rear end of the machine
.

page_text: then this joint N enables the backbone M¹ after having been detached from any
other adjoining section, to be folded downwards and it may then be locked to the
aforementioned rest O by one of its hinged bolts P* as is shewn at Fig. 1 thus at the
same time rigidly fixing centrally the tube M carrying the rear rider and
preventing saine from swaying from side to side on the steering centres as it would
otherwise do.
In case the section is being used for the steering or front portion of machine as
indicated in diagram Fig. 9 marked 1 then the joint N marked in diagram Fig. 9
as 1 is fixed by the insertion of the bolt or otherwise, before referred to.
Although we have described our invention particularly with reference to military cycles
for which purpose it is obviously applicable we do not limit our invention to such
purpose absolutely, for it is evident that the machine may be so arranged for other
purposes, such as touring, without departing from the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is
First In velocipedes, the construction of same in sections which are interchangeable
with one another substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Second In velocipedes the construction of same in sections which are interchange-
able with one another, in combination with ammunition box (carried by tubes B
from the bridge tube A¹ and gun-carrying tubes and clips D F G together with
joint N and oscillating plug P and socket R, screw brake K K' and other parts
including the driving mechanism, all arranged combined and acting substantially as
and for the purposes set forth.
:
Third In velocipedes a rifle carrying appliance composed of clips F and G with
springing tube or bar D the butt end of rifle being received in the clip or foot F
and acting as a lever to spring the tube D while the upper part of the barrel is held
by clip G substantially as set forth.
Fourth: In combination with velocipedes made up of interchangeable sections
the rifle-carrying appliance composed of a clip G and step F, bent or straight tube D
attached to the bridge tube A¹, handle D', supports for mud guards E substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
Fifth In velocipedes, the clips for holding the barrel of the rifle substantially as
described and illustrated with reference to Figs. 6 and 7 of the accompanying
drawings.
:
Sixth In velocipedes the foot bracket or step F for carrying the butt end of
rifle substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
=
Seventh In velocipedes, the connecting oscillating plug P and socket R together
with the joint N substantially as described and illustrated with reference to Figs. 1, 2,
8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 30th day of October 1888.