IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES."
Year: 1880

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edmund Hugh Hodgkinson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th April 1880.
66
EDMUND HUGH HODGKINSON, of Wimpole Street, in the County of Middlesex.
IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES."
My Invention relates, first, to improvements in velocipedes of the character
known as bicycles, being provided with balancing or supplementary side wheels,
which serve to retain the main driving wheel in a vertical position whilst the rider
is mounting, and if required when travelling. These side wheels offer little or no
resistance to the progress of the bicycle, and can if desired be raised from off the
ground, thus allowing the velocipede to travel on two wheels only. These
supplementary wheels can also be arranged to collapse or close up, so as to occupy
but little space.
In carrying out my improvements I arrange the small wheel (which acts as the
guide wheel) in front of the large or driving wheel, the forked arm which carries
the guide wheel being governed by a cord or chain passing over pullies on the
frame or back bone, the cord being actunted by a hand lever in front of the rider,
whose seat is placed directly over the centre of the large driving wheel. The seat
is mounted on a spring, upon which its position can be adjusted.
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The large driving wheel is prevented from falling over by means of two side
wheels, which are pressed downwards from their supporting arms to a level with
the ground by comparatively light springs.
When the large wheel falls over on one side the spring which supports the side
wheel on that side will collapse about three inches, and then the wheel cannot rise
further, the pressure being applied directly to its support.
The front or guide wheel in turning is thrown to the outside, thereby tending to
tilt the seat and rider to the inside.
By this improved arrangement and construction the bicycle cannot readily fall
over, as to do so the centre of gravity would have to be moved nearly two feet.
Another part of my Invention relates to improvements in the construction of the
driving wheels of bicycles or velocipedes by providing them with cranks which
may be disconnected by the rider when desired, so as to move freely on projections
on the axle, which is hollow, and drives the wheel only in the forward direction by
means of a movable ratchet fixed on them, which allows them to remain without
revolving in descending hills. The cranks are connected by a rod through the
centre of the axle in such manner that they may be kept in the position, which is

page_text: usual with the cranks of bicycle wheels; or they may be placed at any angle with
one another which is desired, or again be disconnected so as to act independently
of one another. The flanges or discs which are fixed to the axle, and on which the
ratchets on the cranks work, are enabled to take when desired pins, which cause
the cranks to revolve with the wheel, thus enabling this wheel to be used in the
ordinary way when desired. The cranks if desired have balancing rods with balls
to raise then when disconnected, or they may have straps to go over the feet.
In constructing the driving wheels of velocipedes if the ordinary tyres be used
I fix cross pieces on them at intervals, and the spokes from the ends of these pieces
are fastened to the hub in the ordinary way, but on the opposite side of the wheel.
The other spokes are placed in the ordinary way, or all the spokes may be crossed
if desired. Thus a wheel of less breadth will not be more liable to bend sideways
than an ordinary wheel of greater breadth.
To produce the same result I also if the cross pieces be not used employ tubes
joined by lattice work or otherwise, which being fixed to cach side of the hub meet
at the rim; or in place of tubes flat iron or steel, broad at the hub, and fastened to
it, and narrow at the rim.
Another part of my improvements consists in making the handles of bicycles in
two parts, joined in such a way that they remain in a line and rigid when receiving
a horizontal or downward pressure, but which close together in a line or from
about 30 degrees to about 90 degrees in the forward direction. Thus in a bicycle
falling forward these arms collapse, and do not catch the legs, thus rendering the
rider much less liable to injury.
For the same reasons I also make the front wheel brake with a hinge, allowing
it to take the direction of the handle.
In my improved bicycle or velocipede if desired I also attach to it one or more
back wheels to prevent falling backwards, which wheels, or the frame which carries
them, may by being drawn down act as a brake on the ground.
I also arrange if desired the side wheels so that they follow the right track.
To the treadles I apply an under step, which enables a smaller wheel to be
ridden.
If desired a straight up or down motion may be given to the tre..dles by means
of a frame and connecting rod.
If I wish I also cause a spring to be touched by the little back wheel or wheels
touching the ground, which cause the bicycle or velocipede to regain its normal
position.