Improvements in Velocipedes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 13th July., 1897-Accepted, 18th Sept., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Velocipedes.
We, BOHN CHAPIN HICKS, Engineer, and JOHN ADAMS DRAKE, Gentleman, of 53
Dexter Building and 917 The Rookery, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, respectively,
United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of our 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 that class of Velocipedes known as the flexible three-
wheeled type, in which three wheels are used and arranged in line with each other,
the frame being made to yield to and absorb the shock in a swinging motion. The
object of our invention is to provide a simple, economical and efficient velocipede
adapted to minimize and absorb the shocks incident to riding over the ordinary
roads; and the invention consists in the features, combinations and details of
construction hereinafter described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a velocipede
constructed in accordance with our improvements; Fig. 2 an enlarged transverse
section, taken on line 2 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 an end view of a portion of the
frame, looking at it from 2 in Fig. 1.
In constructing a machine in accordance with our improvements, we provide
a main frame A, of the desired size, shape and strength to contain and hold the
steering fork B, handle bars b, bearing bracket a, in which is mounted the crank
shaft C carrying the cranks c and pedals c¹, all of the usual or general type of
construction.
To absorb and minimize the shocks incident to riding, we make an auxiliary
frame D, and pivotally connect it to the main frame at a point adjacent to the
axle d of the rear driving wheel D¹. This auxiliary frame is therefore kept
practically and rigidly in lateral position or alignment with the main frame, but
has an independent substantially Hexible and vertical movement; and, in order
to further perfect the running of the machine, we provide this auxiliary frame
with a lateral pivotal portion D2, having a fork d² which carries a trailing
wheel E, in such manner that when the machine is being propelled forward the
trailing wheel will track with the other two wheels, but in turning curves or corners
it will assume an angular position to enable the turn to be taken and assist the
rider in maintaining his position on the wheel.
In order to seat the rider as firmly as possible on the wheel, prevent lateral
movement, and absorb or minimize as far as possible the shocks incident to riding,
we provide a connecting. bar G, which is pivotally connected to the main frame
at a point g on the lower front stay and to the auxiliary frame by means of two
vertical links g', the lower portion of the links being pivoted to the auxiliary
frame and the upper portion pivotally secured to the connecting bar, to which the
saddle G is secured in any desired manner. The front portion of the connecting
rod, as at G2, is forked, so as to span the upper portion of the diamond or main
frame, and assists in preventing displacement of the connecting rod. The rear
also forked, so as
portion of the connecting rod, when the links are considered,
to provide a forked pivotal and flexible connection with the auxiliary frame, thus
assisting in maintaining the lateral rigidity of the frame, but permitting of a
longitudinal flexibility and absorbing of the shocks.

page_text: During riding the driving wheel D¹, when it strikes an obstruction, will raise
and move tne upper portion of the auxiliary frame in an arc and backward between
the links, so that the tendency of the links is to drop in the position indica ed
by the dotted arc towards a, in such a manner that the saddle is maintained in
approximately the same position-the rider not feeling the shock in any way
whatever. During the continuation of the riding, the rear or trailing wheel will
pass over the obstruction and the upper portion of the auxiliary frame be vibrated
towards the front of the machine, while the links with the connecting bar will
nass towards a¹ at the front and be depressed in the manner indicated by the dotted
arc It will therefore be seen that in our present invention we have provided
for lateral rigidity, and new means for absorbing the shock and maintaining the
saddle in an approximately same plane. It will also be noticed that the connection
to the main frame is at a point lower than the pivotal connection with the auxiliary
frame, which also assists in the better operation of the parts. To prevent the links
from reversing their position, as shown in the drawings, the lower portions of the
same are provided with projections g³, while the frame of the machine is provided
with lugs or stops g', against which the projections on the links may impinge, so
as to prevent them from reversing their position and assist in maintaining them in
a vertical or upright position.
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 :-
1. In a velocipede, the combination of a main frame provided with a front
steering and a rear driving wheel, an auxiliary frame pivotally connected to the
main frame at or near the axle of the driving wheel and provided with a rear
trailing wheel arranged in line with the steering and driving wheels, and a
connecting bar having forked connections with the main and auxiliary frames to
provide lateral rigidity and longitudinal flexibility, substantially as described.
2. In a velocipede, the combination of a main frame provided with a front
steering and a rear driving wheel, an auxiliary frame pivotally connected to the
main frame at or near the axle of the driving wheel and provided with a rear
trailing wheel arranged in line with the steering and driving wheels, a connecting
bar having forked connection with the main frame, and links forming a forked
connection for the connecting bar and the auxiliary frame pivotally connected to
the auxiliary frame at their lower ends and connecting bar at their upper ends,
substantially as described.
3. In a velocipede, the combination of a main frame provided with a front
steering and a rear driving wheel, an auxiliary frame pivotally connected to the
main frame at or near the axle of the driving wheel and provided with a rear
trailing wheel arranged in line with the steering and driving wheels, a connecting
bu provided with links which form a forked connection between it and tho
auxiliary frame and provided with a front fork end pivotally connected to the
main frame at a point lower than where it is connected with the auxiliary frame,
a pair of links forming a forked and flexible connection for the connecting bar
and auxiliary frame pivotally connected to the auxiliary frame at their lower ends
and connecting bar at their upper ends, and stop mechanism to limit the
longitudinal vibrations of the link mechanism, substantially as described.
Dated this 13th day of July 1807
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.