Improvements in Motor Bicycles or Tricycles.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in Motor Bicycles or Tricycles.
I, GEORGES DUPONT, of 31, Rue Cavé, Levallois Perret, Seine, in the Republic
of France, Director of the Société Continentale d'Automobiles Ld., do here by
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a petroleum motor bicycle in which the motor is
arranged instead and in the place of the tube connecting the bottom bracket
or crank axle bearing with the steering steam tube: it also relates to a device
by which the said bicycle may be readily and rapidly converted into a motor
tricycle.
The motor which is a high speed motor having a cycle of four phases, is
maintained by two flanges, the one flange being bolted to a collar which is rigidly
fixed to the frame of the machine in proximity to the bottom bracket, the other
flange being bolted to a collar fixed upon a piece of tubing brazed upon the
steering stem socket, in such a manner that the motor takes the place of the
tube usually connecting the bottom bracket and the steering tube or the lower
main tube.
This motor consists of a metal cylinder provided with cooling wings or ribs.
The cylinder is provided laterally with two valves, arranged upon the same
spindle one above the other; these two valves are applied upon their seat by means
of suitably arranged springs when the motor is at rest.
The lower valve is the exhaust valve: it is actuated mechanically. The upper
valve is the suction valve and is automatic in its action.
Within the cylinder is displaced a piston provided with packing rings which
piston imparts a movement of rotation to the crank dises which act as fly-wheels,
by means of the connecting rod.
Upon one of these fly-wheels, is fixed a spindle terminating in a pinion which
serves to transmit power from the motor: the other fly wheel is provided with
a spindle upon which is rigidly fixed a small pinion which engages with a gear
wheel of twice its diameter to which latter is rigidly attached a cam which causes
the reciprocating rod actuating the exhaust valve to rise and fall at the desired
moments.
The fly wheels, the connecting rod and the distributing mechanism are arranged
within the same casing which contains oil, whereby a perfect and abundant
lubrication of all these parts is ensured. This casing consists of a circular envelope
upon which are fitted two plates the one plate carrying the distributing
mechanism. This casing or shell is connected with the cylinder by means of
flanges and bolts.
Ignition is electrically effected in this motor by means of an induction coil
without a trembler.

page_text: The passage of the primary current through the coil is caused by means of a
contact piece acting in combination with a cam provided with a boss and actuated
by the motor.
The induced current passes into an igniting device consisting of a metal candle
or plug, mounted upon the motor, of a part or core of insulating material fixed
in the centre of the said plug and traversed by a platinum wire. A second
platinum wire rigidly fixed to the candle is arranged opposite to the wire above
mentioned, and it is between these two wires that the electric spark passes at the
termination of the compression of the explosive mixture and causes the ignition of
this latter.
The petroleum essence reservoir consists of a strengthened tube proceeding
from the bottom bracket to the seat pillar.
The carburetter is arranged near the bottom bracket. The shaft is provided
with wings which mix the air and the petroleum essence within the carburetter
and is actuated by means of a cord passing over pulleys the first of which is
fixed upon the driving shaft and the second upon the aforesaid shaft of the
carburetter.
The mixing chamber of the carburetter is placed in communication with the
reservoir by means of a pipe.
The regulation of the supply of petroleum essence is effected by means of a
device arranged upon the top tube of the frame of the bicycle adjacent to the
steering socket.
At this part of the said tube is provided a bracket fixed by a collar; in this
bracket is provided a screw having a milled head, by means of which a nut may
be displaced, the latter being attached to the extremity of a rod which at its
other extremity is attached to a bell-crank lever pivoted upon the frame of the
bicycle near the seat pillar and actuating by means of a second rod the key of
the cock arranged upon the pipe conducting the essence from the reservoir to the
carburetter.
It will readily be understood that by causing the screw to turn in one direction
or the other, an angular movement is imparted, by means of the mechanism which
has just been described, to the key of the cock and that consequently the cock is
tuned either so as to increase or to diminish the supply of petroleum essence.
By means of my carbureter, it is possible to cause the degree of carburation
of the air to vary, by adding a variable quantity of pure air to the explosive
mixture mixel within the carburation chamber, after it issues from the latter,
and during its passage to the motor.
In order to effet this, the cock for the admission of this pure air is actuated
by means of a bundle mounted upon a bent lever which is pivoted upon an
axis aanged upon the steering socket, which lever actuates, by means of a rod
ther levers acramed to actuate the key of the cork above efemel to.
This cerk is arranged at the outlet from the carburetter in front of the inlet
for the explosive mixture into the pipe conducting it to the motor.
The electric contace enabling the closing of the primary circuit supplied by the
secondary batteries arranged behind the saddle or in any other suitable position,
is aanged upon one of the handles on the handle bar, and it is only necessary to
turn this handle either to permit the passage of the current or to interrupt its
passage.
on the other handle bar is arranged a lever which, by means of a cord
actuates a band brake acting upon the crank axle.
The advance may be obtained upon ignition by acting upon a handle mounted
upon a bent lever pivoted upon the spindle and which enables the position of the
contact piece arting in combination with the cam to be displaced by means of
a rod.
Motion is transmitted to the driving wheel of the bicycle in the following
manner: The pinion fixed upon the shaft of the motor gears with a toothed
wheel which is so selected as to obtain a given speed; to this wheel is fixed

page_text: a wheel over which passes the chain transmitting the motion to the rear wheel
as in safety bicycles of the ordinary kind.
The mechanism for engaging and disengaging the motor consists of two parts.
One of these is formed by a cireular part or crown rigidly connected with one of
the pedal cranks by means of a plate which at the same time serves as a dust
guard, the other part is likewise formed by a cond crown connected with the
toothed wheel previously mentioned. This second crown is provided with two
circular projections which are excentric with respect to the axis of rotation of the
cranks. Between the crown and the projections of the second crown, these two
crowns being mounted opposite each other, are interposed two grooved rollers
which are maintained constantly between the crown and the projections by flat
springs.
When the rider pedals in order to start the motor, it will readily be understood
that the crown is rotated and owing to the displacement of this part with regard
to the second crown the rollers enter with a wedging action between the first
crown and the projections of the second crown thus causing the toothed wheel
to rotate and, as a consequence, starting the motor.
When the motor is acting, a fresh displacement of the first crown with respect
to the second crown takes place, in the opposite direction to the first; the rollers
being no longer held, the pedals are thrown out of gear and may remain stationary.
Upon starting, the compression chamber of the motor may be placed in com-
munication with the atmosphere by acting in the proper direction, upon a handle
mounted upon a tent lever pivoted upon a spindle arranged upon the steering
socket symmetrically with the spindle, which lever enables a cock provided upon
the motor to be actuated by means of the rod.
The device for enabling the conversion of a safety bicycle in accordance with
this invention into a tricycle is as follows:
The ends or lugs of the rear forks of the bicycle are formed with slides or
arms sufficiently separated for the reception of the tension devices which support
the driving shaft when the machine is converted into a tricycle.
In order to mount the axle of the rear wheel in these slots when the machine
is arranged as a bicycle, a part is slid therein, which part is provided with a
slot or slide of suitable width. Within these latter are engaged the axle of the rear
wheel provided with a tension device the screw threaded shank of which passes
through a cap which bears against the open end of the slots in the lug and which
are adjusted by means of a nut; the axle and the parts as a whole are fixed by
means of a nut.
It will of course be understood that the two sides of the axle are symmetrical and
are mounted in the same manner.
When it is desired to convert the bicycle into a tricycle, the nut is unscrewed
and both the rear wheel and the slide piece are withdrawn in their place there
is arranged in the lugs a differential axle upon the tubular casing of which are
brazed two tension devices which enter the two lugs. The tension device consists
of a ring having a cheek against which the lugs bear. Tightening up is effected
by means of screw-threaded ring which is screwed upon the inner ring this latter
being screw-threaded for that purpose. In one of the tension devices the cheek is
dispensed with it is replaced by the box of the differential mechanism which
is provided with a flat which affords a bearing for tightening up.
The tube of the differential axle is provided at each of its extremities with
collar joints to which are connected tubes proceeding to the frame of the bicycle
and usually joining the same at the joint beneath the saddle where they are
supported by the bolts there used. Connection is made between the joints and
the tubes by means of small lugs provided with a slot through which passes the
tightening nut. Owing to this arrangement, the whole of the axle with its
differential mechanism may be removed at will by causing it to slide in slots in
the lugs on the one hand and in the slots of the hind fork on the other hand,
these constituting four points of support.

page_text: In order to effect the braking on the tricycle, two brakes are used, the drums
of which are screwed upon screw-threaded bosses formed upon the hubs.
Dated this 22nd day of March 1898.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
I, GEORGES DUPONT, of 31, Rue Cavé, Levallois Perret, Seine, in the Republic
of France, Director of the Société Continentale d'Automobiles Ld.. 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:
This invention relates to a petroleum motor bicycle in which the motor is
arranged instead, and in the place of, the tube connecting the bottom bracket
or crank axle bearing with the steering steam tube; it also relates to a device
by which the said bicycle may be readily and rapidly converted into a motor
tricycle.
In order that the invention may be readily and clearly understood I have
represented in the accompanying drawings a bievele constructed in accordance
with my invention and likewise the device enabling it to be converted into a
tricycle.
In the said drawings,
Figure 1 is a general view of a motor bicycle embodying my improvements.
Figure 2 is a sectional detail view of the motor, the section being taken
upon a plane along the axis of the cylinder.
Figure 3 is a corresponding horizontal section taken upon the line 33 of
Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a front elevation of the engaging mechanism.
Figure represents a central transverse section through the same.
Figure 6 is a sectional view of the carburetter.
Figures 7 14 are detail views of the various parts of the device enabling the
bicycle to be converted into a trievele.
Figure 15 is a rear elevation of the tricycle axle when adapted to the bicycle.
The motor A, which is a high speed motor having a cycle of four phases, is
maintained by two flanges B B, the one flange B being bolted to a collar b which
is rigidly fixed to the frame of the machine in proximity to the bottom bracket,
the other flange B being bolted to a collar b' fixed upon a piece of tubing brazed
upon the steering stem socket, in such a manner that the motor takes the place
of the tube usually connecting the bottom bracket and the steering tube or the
lower main tube.
This motor A consists of a metal cylinder C (see Figures 2 and 3) provided
with cooling wings or ribs. The cylinder C is provided laterally with two
valves D, E arranged upon the same spindle one above the other; these two
valves are applied upon their seat by means of suitably arranged springs d and e
n the motor is at rest.
The lower valve 1) is the exhaust valve; it is actuated mechanically. The
upper valve E is the suction valve and is automatic in its action.
Within the cylinder C is placed a piston F provided with packing rings G

page_text: which piston imparts a movement of rotation to the crank dises I I, which act
as fly wheels, by means of the connecting rod H.
Upon one of these fly wheels, I, for example, is fixed a spindle J terminating
in a pinion L2 which serves to transmit power from the motor: the other fly
5 wheel is provided with a spindle K upon which is rigidly fixed a small
pinion L which engages with a gear wheel L' of twice its diameter to which
latter is rigidly attached a cam M which causes the reciprocating rod N actuating
the exhaust valve D to rise and fall at the desired moments.
The fly wheels I I¹ the connecting rod H and the distributing mechanisin are
arranged within the same casing which contains oil, whereby a perfect and
abundant lubrication of all these parts is ensured. This casing consists of a
circular envelope P upon which are fitted two plates QQ, the plate Q carrying
the distributing mechanism. This casing or shell is connected with the cylinder
by means of flanges and bolts.
IGNITION (Figures 1 and 3).
Ignition is electrically effected in this motor by means of an induction coil
without a trembler.
The passage of the primary current through the coil is caused by means of a
contact piece acting in combination with a cam ) provided with a boss (see
Figure 1) and actuated by the motor.
The induced current passes into an igniting device consisting (see Figure 3) of
a metal candle or plug R mounted upon the motor A of a part or core S of
insulating material fixed in the centre of the said plug R and traversed by a
platinum wire s. A second platinum wire rigidly fixed to the candle R is
arranged opposite to the wires above mentioned, and it is between these two
wires that the electric spark passes at the termination of the compression of the
explosive mixture and causes the ignition of this latter.
RESERVOIR AND CARBURETTER (Figure 1).
The petroleum essence reservoir consists of a strengthened tube Y proceeding
from the bottom bracket to the seat pillar.
The carburetter is of a special kind and is described in former Patent No. 6047,
March 11, 1898 and is arranged at Y' near the bottom bracket.
The shaft y
is provided with wings which mix the air and the petroleum essence within the
carburetter and is actuated by means of a cord y passing over pulleys y², y the
first of which is fixed upon the driving shaft K and the second upon the aforesaid
shaft y of the carburetter.
The mixing chamber of the carburetter is placed in communication with the
reservoir Y by means of a pipe y', Figure 6 illustrating my carburetter as
described in the Patent No. 6047 March 11, 1898.
REGULATION OF THE SUPPLY OF PETROLEUM ESSENCE AND OF THE CARBURATION
(Fig. 1).
The regulation of the supply of petroleum essence is effected by means of
a device arranged upon the top tube of the frame of the bicycle adjacent to the
steering socket.
At this part of the said tube is provided a bracket E fixed by a collar; in
this bracket is provided a screw I having a milled head, by means of which
a nut C may be displaced, the latter being attached to the extremity of a rod e
which at its other extremity is attached to a bell crank lever pivoted upon
the frame of the bicycle near the seat pillar and actuating, by means of a
second rod 2, the key of the cock l arranged upon the pipe y conducting the
essence from the reservoir to the carburetter Y.
It will readily be understood that by causing the screw F¹ to turn in one
direction or the other, an angular movement is imparted, by means of the
mechanism which has just been described, to the key of the cock U and that

page_text: consequently the cock is turned either so as to increase or to diminish the supply
of petroleum essence.
By means of my carbureiter, it is possible to cause the degree of carburation of
the air to vary, by adding a variable quantity of pure air to the explosive
mixture mixed within the carburation chamber, after it issues from this latter,
and during its passage to the motor.
In order to effect this, the cock for the admission of this pure air is actuated
by means of a handle G¹ mounted upon a bent lever g, which is pivoted upon an
axis arranged upon the steering socket, which lever actuates, by means of a
rod g, other levers arranged to actuate the key of the cock above referred to.
This cock is arranged at the outlet from the carburetter Y', in front of the
inlet for the explosive mixture into the pipe Y conducting it to the motor.
ELECTRIC CONTACT, ACCUMULATORS, BRAKE (Fig. 1).
The electric contact enabling the closing of the primary circuit supplied by
the secondary batteries, which may be arranged at K', or behind the saddle as at
at K2, or in any other suitable position, is arranged upon one of the handles on
the handle bar, and it is only necessary to turn this handle either to permit the
passage of the current or to interrupt its passage.
Upon the other handle bar H¹ is arranged a lever h, which, by means of the
cord, actuates a band brake acting upon the crank axle.
The advance in ignition may be obtained by acting upon a handle G2 mounted
upon a bent lever i pivoted upon the spindle Z and which enables the position
of the contact device o acting in combination with the cam 0 to be displaced by
means of a rod ¹.
By the term "advance in ignition" is meant that the moment of ignition may
be modified with regard to the cycle of working of the motor.
I say, advance
in ignition, because in my improved bicycle the mixture is ignited just before
the piston has completed the compression stroke.
TRANSMISSION OF THE MOTION (Figures 1, 4 and 5).
Motion is transmitted to the driving wheel of the bicycle in the following
manner: The pinion L2 fixed upon the shaft of the motor gears with a toothed
wheel M which is so selected as to obtain a given speed: to this wheel M' is
fixed a wheel J¹ over which passes the chain transmitting the motion to the
rear wheel as in safety bicycles of the ordinary kind.
ENGAGEMENT AND DISENGAGEMENT (Figs. 1, 4 & 5).
The mechanism for engaging and disengaging the motor consists of two parts.
One of these N is formed by a circular part or crown rigidly connected with one
of the pedal cranks by means of a plate P which at the same time serves as
a dust guard the other part is likewise formed by a crown N connected with
the toothed wheel M¹ previously mentioned. This crown N is provided with two
circular projections which are eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation of the
cranks. Between the crown N and the projections of the crown N2, these two
crowns being mounted opposite each other (see Figure 5) are interposed two
grooved rollers R1 R2 which are maintained constantly between the crown N
and the projections by the flat springs
"
When the rider pedals in order to start the motor, it will readily be understood
that the crown N¹ is rotated, and, owing to the displacement of this part with
regard to the crown N2, the rollers R1 R2 enter with a wedging action between
the said crown N₁ and the projections of the crown N2, thus causing the toothed
wheel to rotate and, as a consequence, starting the motor by means of the toothed
wheel L.
When the motor is acting, a fresh displacement of the crown N with respect
to the crown N2 takes place, in the opposite direction to the first: the rollers Ri R³
being no longer held, the pedals are thrown out of gear and may remain stationary.
Upon starting, the compression chamber of the motor may be placed in com-

page_text: munication with the atmosphere by acting, in the proper direction upon a
handle G mounted upon a bent lever pivoted upon a spindle 7 arranged upon
the steering socket symmetrically with the spindle Z, which lever enables a cock
provided upon the motor to be actuated by means of the rod 1.
The device for enabling the conversion of a safety bicycle in accordance with
this invention into a tricycle, is as follows:
The ends of lugs of the rear forks of the bicycle are formed with slides or
arms sufficiently separated for the reception of tension devices which support
the driving shaft when the machine is converted into a tricycle.
In order to mount the axle of the rear wheel in thest slots when the machine
is arranged as a bicycle, a part is slid therein, which part is provided with
a slot or slide of suitable width. Within these latter are engaged the axle of the
rear wheel provided with a tension device the screw-threaded shank of which
passes through a cap which bears against the open end of the slots in the lug V
and which are adjusted by means of a nut ; the axle and the parts as a whole
are fixed by means of a nut *.
It will of course he understood that the two sides of the axle are symmetrical
and are mounted in the same manner.
When it is desired to convert the bicycle into a tricycle, the nut is unscrewed
and both the rear wheel and the slide piece are withdrawn in their place
there is arranged in the lugs a differential axle upon the tubular casing of
which are brazed two tension devices e (Figure 8) which enter the two lugs V
as indicated in the general view Figure 10. The tension device consists of
a ring (Figure 8) having a cheek against which the lugs bear. Tightening
up is effected by means of the internally screw-threaded ring which is screwed
upon the inner ring this latter being screw-threaded for that purpose. In
one of the tension devices the check is dispensed with; it is replaced by the
box of the differential mechanism which is provided with a flat (Figure 15)
which affords a bearing for tightening up.
The tube J of the differential axle is provided at each of its extremities with
collar joints W W (Figure 13) to which are connected tubes w w proceeding to
the frame of the bicycle and usually joining the same at the joint beneath the
saddle where they are supported by the bolts there used. Connection is made
between the joints W W and the tubes by means of small lugs (Figure 14)
provided with a slot through which passes the tightening nut ². Owing to
this arrangement, the whole of the axle with its differential mechanism may be
adjusted at will by causing it to slide in slots in in the lugs on the one hand
and in the slots of the hind fork on the other hand, those constituting four points
of support.
In order to effect the braking on the tricycle, two brakes are used, the drums
of which are screwed upon screw-threaded bosses formed upon the hubs 3
(Figure 15).
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is--
1. A petroleum motor bicycle in which the motor is arranged in the place an 1
instead of the tube connecting the bottom bracket or crank axle bearing with
the steering socket, spreially characterised by the manner of mounting the motor.
the mechanism for actuating the cocks for the supply of the petroleum essence
and the cocks for regulating the carburation and compression and finally the
engaging and disengaging mechanism, as describd as a whole and in its details
with reference to the accompanying drawing.
2. The arrangement of the fork ends V of the bievele the slots of which are
sufficiently wide to permit the passage of a tricycle axle and of a differential
axle tube, slides being able to engage in the branches of the said tork ends in
order to there maintain at a constant height the axle of the hub of the hind

page_text: wheel of a bicycle which is considerably smaller in diameter than the width of
the slots in the fork ends, as above described and specified with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
3. In combination with the arrangement of the rear fork ends V described in
Claim 2, the tension arrangement (Figure 8) rigidly connected with the tube
encasing the axle of the differential mechanism and which fits into the said
fork ends, thus allowing of horizontal displacement for the adjustment of the
chain, this tension piece being held in position by means of a screw threaded
sbank which is displaced by means of a nut bearing against a fixed cap provided
for that purpose, as above described and specified with reference to the accom-
panying drawings.
4. In combination with the device described in Claim 3, the arrangement of
rings provided with faces and enabling the differential axle to be fixed by
tightening the screw threaded ring 7, as above described and specified with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
5. The arrangement of collar joints W for the casing of the differential axle
connected with the tubes we by slotted parts w (Figure 14) in which engage the
fixing bolts 2, thus enabling the displacement of the axle for the purpose of
adjusting the chain, as above described and specified with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
6. The method of converting a bicycle, whether a motor bicycle or otherwise,
into a tricycle, enabling the same vertical distance to be maintained between
the crank axle and the axle of the driving wheel of the bicycle and the axle
of the tricycle, whilst at the same time permitting the use of a differential axle
maintaining the same chain line, the tension of the chain being adjustable at
will, as above described and specified with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
7. The combinations as a whole and the various constructional details of a
motor bicycle and of a device or arrangement enabling a bicycle to be converted
into a tricycle, as above described and specified with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Data 741 lov of Iona 1800
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.