IMPROVEMENTS IN MONOCYCLES OR ONE-WHEEL VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Lionel Harvey Pearce, of Hammersmith, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MONOCYCLES
OR ONE-WHEEL VELOCIPEDES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Lionel Harvey Pearce at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th June 1881.
LIONEL HARVEY PEARCE, of Hammersmith, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. " IMPROVEMENTS IN MONOCYCLES OR ONE WHEEL VELOCIPEDES."
My Invention relates to a novel construction and arrangement of velocipedo
having only one wheel, which is propelled by two riders, one on each side.
It consists in the use of a large driving wheel, through the centre or nave of
which passes loosely the axle projecting on each side of the wheel. From each
projecting part of the axle is suspended (or fixed) a suitably shaped metal frame,
carrying at its lower end a pair of treadles, and at its upper end a curved bar,
which branches backwards, and carries at its lower end tho saddle.
Around the nave of the wheel on cach side is a toothed spur wheel geared into
below by a second toothed wheel pivoted on the inside of the framing, and actuated
by a toothed pinion or wheel on the inner end of the treadle shaft. According to
this arrangement the two riders take the saddle simultaneously, and laying hold
of the projecting parts of the axle operate the treadles so as to give motion
through the gearing to the driving wheel of the velocipede, and thereby preserve its
balance.
In lieu of using toothed gearing the driving wheel may be propelled by endless
chains or belts passing over pullies fixed on the nave of the wheel and the treadle
shaft respectively.
If desired I construct the spokes of my wheel so as to cross each other near the
rim; in such case their ends pass through flanges on each side of the rim, against
which they are tightened up by nuts or other device. Suitable brake power,
such as a drag actuated by the feet or pressure applied to the wheel, is provided.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Lionel Harvey Pearce in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
17th December 1881.
LIONEL HARVEY PEARCE, of Hammersmith, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MONOCYCLES OR ONE WHEEL VELOCIPEDES."
My Invention relates to a novel construction and arrangement of velocipedo
having only one driving wheel, and intended to be propelled by two riders, one on
each side of the said wheel.
In order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall now proceed
more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to the
several Figures on the annexed two Sheets of Drawings, the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Fig. 1, Sheet 1, represents a side elevation of my improved monocycle, and
Fig. 2 a back elevation thereof. A is the driving wheel, through the centre or
nave of which passes loosely the axle B. In my Provisional Specification I
proposed that this axle should project on each side of the driving wheel A
sufficiently to enable the riders to take hold of the projecting ends, but I have
subsequently discovered that it will be preferable to allow the said axle to project
beyond the driving wheel for a sufficient distance only to permit of its being
secured to the framing on each side, and consequently I form in the framing
instead of on the axlo suitable projecting parts for the riders to take hold of;
C, C', show these arms projecting from the frame C. The framing consists of two
distinct parts, which resemble one another, but are adapted for the right and left
hand sides respectively of the machine. The two halves of the framing are
rigidly connected together by the axle B, already alluded to. Each half of the
framing consists, when in the position shown in the Drawing, of two main vertical
or nearly vertical portions, the one being placed outside and somewhat in advance
of the other. On the outer portion of the frame is mounted a bar D carrying a
saddle E. I prefer to arrange this bar in such a manner that it may partake of a
horizontal vibratory motion, so that the position of the saddle relatively to the
driving wheel may be adjusted either outwards from or inwards towards that
wheel. I also provide means of adjusting the positions of the bar and saddle in a
vertical direction, as will be understood on reference to Figs. 3 and 4, Sheet 2.
Between and towards the lower ends of the two main vertical or nearly vertical
portions of the framing C I mount in suitable bearings a return-throw crank F.
On the outer end of the shaft hereof I form or attach a crank G, the latter being
arranged to work outside the outer portion of the framing C. The inner end of
the crank shaft is provided with a pitch or chain pinion H, around which an
endless chain J passes. This clinin also passes over a pitch wheel K formed on or
secured to the bub of the driving wheel. Motion is by means of this chain
communicated from the crank shaft to the main driving wheel, but it is obvious
that other inechanical means could be employed for the same purpose.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows:-Two riders having as nearly as
possible simultaneously mounted the saddles E, one on each side of the driving
wheel A, they apply their feet to the cranks or pedals, and by means of the gearing
described impart motion to the main driving wheel A, which proceeds forward on
its periphery, turning on the shaft connecting the two halves of the frame together.
If the riders desire to cause the apparatus to diverge from a straight line of
motion they incline their bodies towards the side and in the direction they wish to
follow, and similarly when desiring to resume a direct line of progression they
throw the weight of their bodies slightly in an opposite direction.

page_text: The break apparatus I employ is of an ordinary character. A drum L, Figs. 5
& 6, is formed on or attached to one or both sides of the driving wheel, and around
this drum is fitted a break-strap M which is actuated by the lever N, or in any
other convenient manner.
I also provide drag apparatus of the following or equivalent construction. Fig. 6
shews that portion of the frame C which has been referred to as the inner vertical
portion. It consists in part of a pair of telescopically arranged tubes, the outer
one carrying a fixed step O for affording assistance in mounting, and the inner one c
carrying at its lower end a drag P. I also fit to this lower end a spring Q carrying
a wheel Q. The lower portion of the periphery of the latter extends below the
drag and thus comes into contact with the road first and cases the effect of the
drag being brought into operation. This drag apparatus is applied by means of
the foot pressing on the step R and causing the inner tubo c carrying the drag P to
be protruded. A spiral spring is arranged in the interior of the tube C in such a
manner as to return the inner tubo and drag to their normal positions on the
removal of the foot from the drag step. In Fig. 6 S is a handle which I sometimes
provide for affording additional assistance in mounting the apparatus.
omitted in Figs. 1 and 2 in order to avoid confusion.
It is
The
Fig. 5 represents one mode in which I mount the driving wheel relatively to the
axlo and framing. On the axle B I form or fit a shoulder, collar, or ring T.
outer diameter of this ring gradually increases in such a manner that in section
the outer surface of the ring presents somewhat the appearance shewn in the
Drawing. In the annular channel formed between the larger and smaller outer
diameters of the ring a series of spheres U are arranged and retained in position by
a ring V which is an annular section of a hollow sphero, the inner and outer
surfaces thereof having a common contre, such as V₁. The ring V is itself mounted
in a spheroidal bearing W, in which the former is free to partake of a gyratory
motion. A plate ✗ secured to the bearing W limits the gyratory motion of the
ring V. The bearing W is mounted in the hub of the wheel A, and in order to
provide means of adjusting the wearing surfaces I prefer to screw the bearing W
into the hub of the driving wheel, and there secure it in its proper position by a
set-screw or set-screws W. When in action the spheres U are free to follow a
course of least resistance between the outer surface of the ring T and the inner
surface of the ring V; and the ring V is itself free to adjust itself in a similar
manner in the bearing W with the result that the friction of the whole axle
bearing is reduced to a minimum, and inaccuracy of alignment therein provided
for. Corresponding apparatus is employed at the other end of the nave of the
driving wheel, and the wheel is thus retained in its proper central position on the
axle. It is obvious that the driving wheel might be rigidly secured to the axle
and the latter mounted in bearings, such as above described, in the framing,
instead of the shaft being fixed in the framing and the wheel being mounted on
the axle in the manner described.
Fig. 7, Sheet 2, represents an arrangement of apparatus I sometimes employ for
assisting in steering my improved monocycle. In this instance I prefer to provide
for the steering being accomplished by one rider and the break apparatus being
under the control of the other rider. I have previously described how my
improved monocycle is steered by the riders inclining their bodies sideways, but a
similar effect is produced by causing the driving wheel to approach nearer to the
saddle carrying one rider, and to recede further from the saddle carrying the other
rider. The apparatus I employ for accomplishing this result is of the following
character:-I mount the driving wheel in a tubular shaft provided with a feather,
so that the wheel may slide sideways thereon, and at the same time be actuated
by the said shaft. On the hub of the driving wheel I provide a collar Y which
is embraced by the forked end of a bar Y This bar is mounted in suitable
bearings in the framing C, and to it is imparted lateral motion by a connecting
rod Y This connecting rod is attached to a lever Y³, the motion of which is
derived from and controlled by a hand lever Y+. The handles of this lever are

page_text: used by the rider on that side of the machine to steady himself, and the projecting
arm C before referred to is dispensed with.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and in what manner tho
same is to be performed, I would have it understood that I do not limit myself
to the precise details or proportions of the parts represented in the Drawings, but
I claim,―
First. The construction and use of a velocipede having only one driving and
road wheel, and adapted for carrying two riders, one on each side of the said
wheel.
Secondly. In velocipedes the use of a bearing, consisting of spheres, in con-
junction with an aunular section of a hollow sphere, the latter being capable of
partaking of a gyratory motion, substantially as described and more particularly
explained with reference to Fig. 5.
In witness whereof, I, the said Lionel Harvey Pearce, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Seventeenth day of December, One thousand eight
hundred and eighty one.
LIONEL HARVEY PEARCE, (Ls.)