Improvements in and relating to Velocipedes.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 30th July, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 30th Aur., 1890-Accepted, 31st May, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Velocipedes.
I, HUGH EDWARDS of Berlin House, Llanrhyddlad, Anglesea, Cycle Manufacturer
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:--
My improvements consist, First of an improved lever driving gear suitable for
all types of velocipeds having a single driving wheel, and Secondly of an improved
construction of saddle whereby the tension of the leather seat may readily be ad-
justed.
I carry my invention into practical effect in the following manner :--The driving
wheel of the velocipede is mounted loosely on an axle which together with the wheel
is carried in suitable compound ball bearings adapted to be clamped or otherwise
fixed to the frame of the machine, and capable of being universally adjusted by
one movement. One the exterior of one flange of the hub is formed or fixed a bevel
pinion, gearing with which is a bevel wheel mounted eccentrically with the driv-
ing axle, and running in a suitable ball bearing formed on the exterior of the case
of one of the ball bearings supporting the axle. On the ends of the axle are fixed
cranks carrying, at their free ends, stud pins adapted to receive the ends of the
driving levers. In the crank on that side of the driving wheel having the bevel
gearing is cut or formed a slot to receive a roller mounted on a stud carried by
the bevel wheel, so that the motion of the crank is imparted to the bevel wheel and
thence to the driving wheel at a superior speed through the bevel pinion.
The driving levers are each made in two parts adapted to slide or telescope the
one within the other, suitable friction rollers being used to reduce the friction of
the sliding surfaces. One end of each of these telescopic levers is fulcrated to a
convenient part of the frame of the machine and the other end carries a pedal. At
a convenient distance from the pedal that part of the driving lever which carries
the pedal is connected to the crank of the driving gear, by means of the stud herein-
before referred to. For tandem tricycles each lever carries two pedals and for
machines for three or more riders, and extra locking lever carrying one or more
pedals is fulcrated to the frame of the machine, and connected to the driving lever
by a suitable coupling rod.
"My improved saddle is constructed with a curved frame of steel or other suitable
metal. Across the concave side of the frame-underneath the leather seat--is
placed a convex plate, one end of which is preferably fixed to the frame. Between
this plate and the spring frame a tension bolt passes, the function of which is to
draw the two together which causes the concave spring frame to flatten out and
thus by increasing the distance between its ends-which support the leather seat―
adjusts the tension of the seat and takes up any slackness due to wear and other
causes.
Dated this 30th day of July 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Velocipedes.
I, HUGH EDWARDS, of Berlin House, Llanrhyddlad, Anglesea, Cycle Manufacturer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
[Price 8d1

page_text: be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:--
My improvements consist; First, of an improved lever driving gear suitable for
all types of velocipedes having a single driving wheel, and Secondly, of an improved
construction of saddle whereby the tension of the leather seat may readily be
adjusted.
I carry my invention into practical effect in the manner illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings in which Figure 1. Sheet No. 1. is a view in side elevation of a
rear-driving bicycle fitted with my improvements. Figure 2. Sheet No. 2 and
Figures 3 and 4 Sheet No. 3 are views on an enlarged scale of my improved
driving gear. Figure 5. Sheet No. 2. is a view in side elevation of my improved
saddle, and Figures 6. 7. and 8. Sheet No. 2. are views-in section-showing the
construction of the frame thereof.
Throughout the several views similar parts are marked with like letters of
reference.
The driving wheel A of the velocipede is mounted loosely on an axle B which
together with the wheel is carried in suitable compound ball bearings C C adapted
to be clamped or otherwise fixed to the frame X of the machine, and capable of
being universally adjusted by one movement as illustrated. On the exterior of
one flange a of the hub of the wheel A is formed or fixed a bevel pinion D, gearing
with which is a bevel wheel E mounted eccentrically with the driving axle B and
running in a suitable ball bearing C² formed on the exterior of the case of one
of the compound ball bearing C C. On the ends of the axle B are fixed cranks F
carrying at their free ends stud pins f adapted to receive bearings on the driving
levers. In the crank on that side of the driving wheel having the bevel gearing,
is cut or formed a slot fi to receive a roller e mounted on a stud e¹ carried by
the bevel wheel E, so that the motion of the crank F is imparted to the bevel
wheel E and thence to the driving wheel A at a superior speed through the bevel
pinion D.
The driving levers are each made in two parts G and G¹ adapted to slide or
telescope the one within the other as illustrated, two friction rollers g, gl, being
used to reduce the friction of the sliding surfaces. The roller g
mounted on the
exterior of the part G of the lever and is adapted to bear against the part G¹ of
the lever. The roller g¹ is mounted on the free end of the part G¹ of the lever
and is adapted to bear against the interior of the part G of the lever. One end
of each of the parts G¹ of the telescopic levers is fulcrated to a bracket a carried
by a convenient part of the frame X of the machine and on the external end of
each of the other parts G is mounted a pedal H. The bracket is preferably
provided with a slot so that the point at which the levers are fulcrated may be
varied as desired to suit the length of leg of the rider. At a convenient distance
from the pedal H, the part G of the driving lever is connected to the crank F
by means of the stud pin f herein before referred to, and the bearing 9. Both
the bearing and the bracket are adapted to be capable of adjustment on the
part G of the driving lever, and on the frame X, respectively so that the length
of the lever may be capable of variation for the purpose of regulating the length
of the stroke and the leverage. For tandem cycles each lever carrics two pedals,
and for machines for three or more riders an extra rocking lever carrying one or
more pedals is fulcrated to the frame of the machine and connected to the driving
levers by suitable coupling rods.
My improved saddle is constructed with a curved frame J preferably formed of
steel wire as illustrated. Across the concave side of the frame, underneath the
leather seat, is placed a convex plate K, one end of which is preferably fixed to
the frame. Between this plate K and the curved frame J a tension bolt L passes
the function of which is to draw the two together which causes the curved frame
to flatten out and thus by increasing the distance between its ends--which
support the leather seat-to adjust the tension of the seat and take up any slack-
ness due to wear and other causes. The bolt L may either screw into a plate j

page_text: adapted to engage with the underside of the frame J or it may be threaded into
the convex plate K, or the bolt may be made in two parts having a right and
left hand thread respectively, and be drawn together by a right and left hand
nut acting between the two plates.
I wish it to be particularly understood that I do not limit myself to the exact
details of construction herein before set forth and illustrated by the accompanying
drawings, but hold myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly
fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
-
1st. The improvements in velocipedes, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
2nd. In a velocipede the combination with the speed gear, of the telescopic
driving levers, all constructed, arranged and operating as and for the purpose set
forth.
3rd. In a velocipede in which the speed of rotation of the hub of the driving
wheel is superior to that of the axle carrying it, imparting motion to the said axle
by means of levers formed in two parts one of which is adapted to slide within the
other with a minimum of friction by means of rollers arranged as set forth and
illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
4th. In a velocipede driven by means of levers, cranks, and a speed gear;
forming each lever in two parts the one adapted to slide within the other, and
mounting the pedal on one end of one part of the lever, and fulcrating one end
of the other part of the lever to the frame in such a manner that its point of
fulcration may be varied, as and for the purpose set forth.
5th. In a velocipede driven by cranks and reciprocating levers formed in two
parts adapted to slide one within the other, making the points of connection of
the driving levers with the cranks, and the points of fulcration of the driving
levers to the frame, adjustable, as and for the purpose set forth.
6th. The improved device for tensioning the leather seat of a saddle, as set
forth.
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