IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1884

page_text: 1, JOSEPH JAMES SPEED of No 3 Woodstock Villas, Waltham Cross, Hertford-
shire, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS
IN VELOCIPEDES to be as follows:-
1 The labor of propelling the machine either backwards or forwards is by my
method very considerably reduced and the velocity is at the same time maintained
owing to the use of large cranks on the driving shaft and pivotted treddles or
levers to work them.
The method being :-On a divided driving shaft DSI place a large pair of driving
cranks D C which obtain their motion from two levers 1 and 2, the left hand one Ĭ
being fixed to a rocking shaft R S and the right hand one 2 telescoped on to the
same; which is pivotted a a at each end to centres under and sufficiently in advance
of the principle shaft D S and is actuated upon by one treddle shaft 3 fixed to the
rocking shaft and one treddle shaft 4 attached to the right hand lever telescoped
on to rocking shaft.
The power being communicated from the two levers to the cranks by means of
two endless chains E C or by connecting rods or by other connexions which in the,
case of chains pass over loose rollers pivotted to ends of levers.
The levers are so placed on the rocking bar in connection with the cranks that
no dead centre can exist in any position.
The cranks could be divided or placed in any position on the driving shaft and
worked with separate rocking shafts without deviation from the principle of this
invention.
2nd: To self adjusting double driving clutch D D C actuated by a vertical
shaft VS governing the steering rod-S R.
This consists of a plain spur wheel S W fixed to one end of the divided principle
shaft D S the other end being fitted with a double eye or joint carrying a cross
lever C L having teeth at one end fitting into teeth on spur wheel S W-the other
end so shaped that a sliding disc S D free upon the shaft advancing by means of a
light spiral spring locks the lever C L with the spur wheel S Wand when
withdrawn by a straight lever S L having its fulcrum in advance of the vertical
shaft the lever having an adjusting screw us attached for the purpose of taking up
wear or backlash and actuated by a D cam on vertical shaft V S frees the
lever in the act of steering allowing either wheel to over run the other,
.

page_text: The advantages secured by this arrangement of clutch are that the power
required to disengage it is hardly perceptible-a light spring L S being sufficient
to lock it instantly without fail-Also the entire absence of loose fits necessary in
most clutches this is owing to being able to fit all parts firmly without increasing
the power required to disengage it, as the rider can only exert the power of the
wrist, this is of great importance to these machines.
The adjusting screw. a 8. enables the slightest wear to be taken up that the
steering may be positive.
3rd. An arrangement of springs and straps for suspending the seat.
This consists of two flat vertical springs fitted to the carriage frame curved at
top towards the seat C S with leather straps fixed to and passing over them.
From these is suspended a cross tube or bar B to which the saddle or seat is
fixed and held in position by two straps fixed at angles to top bar of carriage
frame.
This arrangement disconnects entirely all metallic vibration at the same time
securing a firm & easy seat to the rider.
4th. An arrangement of spring or buffer steering and purchase handles for the
purpose of diminishing vibration to the wrists and arms.
This consists of crosspieces CP attached to vertical shafts V S having
bosses VS13 at each end bored to receive and form guides for piston rods PR these
are made parallel with the collar and eye at one end a spiral spring S S fitting
over them the bottom resting on cross piece boss V S¹.2.3 and the top pressing
against the collar of piston CPR rods-The piston rod being prevented from
pulling through.
Two sheets of drawings accompany this Specification to illustrate the same and
marked with characters as above and illustrate the principles claimed in the
invention.
Deted this 2nd dor of Tonu 188

page_text: I JOSEPH JAMES SPEED of 3 Woodstock Villas, Waltham Cross in the county
of Hertfordshire, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES" and in what manner the same is to bo
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this
specification:-
My invention relates to certain improvements in velocipedes whereby the labour
of propelling the machines is very considerably reduced while the velocity is
maintained; the steering of the said machines is greatly facilitated, and the
said machines rendered much more comfortable and more easily operated by the
rider.
on of a tricycle with my improvements.
Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same.
Figure 3 is an elevation of my improved clutch. _
Figure 4 is a plan of the same.
Figure 5 is an end view of the same.
Figure 6 shows front and side elevations of my improved mechanism for
operating the brake.
Like letters indicate like parts in all the figures.
My invention consists in improved means for propelling the machines. On a
divided driving-shaft A. I mount a pair of large driving cranks B the said cranks
being driven by means of two treadle-bars or levers C¹ and C" and connecting
rods F and F. The left-hand lever C' is fixed to a rocking-shaft D, the right hand
lever C being fixed to the rocking-shaft D¹¹ which is telescoped to the shaft D.
The said shafts D and D" are pivotted to the back part of the frame of the
machine by pivot screws E. I so proportion and locate the cranks B connecting
rods F and F and treadle-bars or levers C¹ and C" that both cranks are never in line
with their respective connecting rods at the same time, although the cranks are in
line with each other it being indispensable that when the bottom crank and its
connecting rod are in line, the junction of the opposite connecting rod and treadle-
bar or lever is above that line. By this means the inconvenience of dead centres
is obviated and the wheels can always be rotated by a downward pressure upon
one or other of the treadles. The cranks can be divided or placed in any position
upon the driving shaft, and worked with separate rocking shafts without deviating
from the principle of my invention.
My invention further consists in a self-adjusting double driving clutch G actuated
by the vertical shaft H which governs the steering rod I. The said clutch consists
of a spur-wheel J fixed to one end of the divided driving shaft A-The clutch G is
mounted fast upon the portion A¹ of the said driving shaft and the said clutch is
fitted with one two or more levers K K pivotted to the said clutch at L. The said
levers K K are bevelled off at one end to fit the teeth of the spur wheel J. Upon
the other end of each of the said levers a step is formed to receive a sliding disc M.
The said disc M works freely upon the portion A¹ of the shaft and a spiral spring Mr.

page_text: upon the shaft A¹, or other suitable spring, forces the disc M into the steps formed
on the levers K. K, thus forcing the bevelled ends of the said levers into the spur
wheel and locking the two portions A and A2 of the shaft together.
When steering, it is necessary to disconnect the two portions A and A' of the
shaft. This is accomplished by turning the vertical shaft or spindle H on which is
secured a D-shaped cam N. The said cam N acting upon the lever O which has
its fulcrum in advance of the shaft H forces back the sliding disc M and allows the
two portions A and A' of the shaft to revolve free of each other as seen in figure 4.
The lever O is provided with an adjusting screw P for the purpose of taking up
wear or backlash.
The advantages secured by my improved clutch are; that the power required to
disengage it is slight, a light spring being sufficient to lock it instantly. The rider
being able to exert the power of his wrist only, this is of great importance. The
adjusting screw P also enables the slightest wear to be taken up, that the steering
may be positive.
My invention further consists in a peculiar arrangement of springs and straps
for suspending the seat. Two flat vertical springs Q are fitted to the sides of the
machine, the said springs extending above the level of the seat T and having their
upper ends bent over towards the said seat. Leather straps R provided with
suitable means of adjustment are fixed to and pass over the said springs and
from the straps R is suspended a cross-tube or bar S to which the saddle or seat T
is fixed. The said seat T is held in position and its position can be adjusted by
means of two straps rods, chains or their equivalents U fixed to the said scat at
angles to the top of the frame of the machine. This arrangement disconnects the
seat from all metallic vibration and at the same time secures a complete, adjustable,
firm and easy seat to the rider.
My invention further consists in an arrangement of spring steering and purchase
handles for the purpose of diminishing vibration to the wrists and arms of the
rider,
A cross-piece V is mounted on the upper end of the vertical shaft H, the said
cross-piece having bosses W at each end bored to receive and form guides for the
piston rods X. Each of the said piston rods are provided with a collar and
with an eye at its upper end in which the handle X¹ is pivotted. A spiral
spring Y fits over each piston rod X the bottom of the said spring resting upon
the boss W and the top of the said spring pressing against the collar x' of piston
rod, the piston rods being held in the bosses W by pins passed through the lower
ends of the said piston rods or by other suitable means. The advantages of these
improvements are that vibration is diminished and the handles readily assume any
angle best suited to the hand of the rider.
The brake of my improved velocipedes is operated by the mechanism shown in
figure 6. The brake-handle or lever a is pivotted at a¹, the rod operating the brake
being attached to the pin b. The brake handle a contains a spindle c. The lower
end c¹ of the said spindle is formed to take into the teeth of the ratchet quadrant d
in which it is retained by the spring e. By pulling the lever a in the direction of
the arrow the lower end c¹ of the spindle rides over the teeth of the ratchet
quadrant d and thus the brake may be applied with various degrees of pressure
for any desired time. A thumb-lever e¹ is provided at the upper extremity of the
spindle c by means of which lever the spindle c can be raised or lowered so that
the brake may be applied or released as may be desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
First In a velocipede, the combination of the divided driving shaft A, large
driving cranks B, treadle-bars or levers C and C¹¹ connecting rods F and F¹ or
their equivalents and rocking shafts D and D¹¹ constructed, arranged and operating
substantially as set forth.

page_text: Second-The self-adjusting double driving clutch consisting of the combination
of the clutch G having one or more levers K, the spur-wheel J sliding disc M and
spiral or other suitable spring M, with suitable means for operating the same,
constructed and arranged substantially as set forth.
Third-The combination of the springs Q straps R bar S and straps U with the
saddle or seat T constructed and arranged substantially as set forth.
Fourth-The combination of the straps, rods or equivalents U with the seat T
the said straps being attached to the said seat and to the frame of the machine at
angles, substantially as set forth.
Fifth-The combination of the cross-piece V having bosses W, the piston rods X.
and the spiral springs Y or other suitable springs with the handle X and vertical
shaft H, constructed and arranged substantially as set forth.