Improvements in Velocipedes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Dec., 1890-Accepted, 14th Feb., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Velocipedes.
1, EMERY EASTMAN HARDY, of 53, Crawford Street, Newark, County of Essex
and State of New Jersey, United States of America, Inventor, do hereby declare
the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES," and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying my invention, provided
with a "spine "or rib attached to the main frame and which is provided with a
joint to receive a rotary movement from the steering head.
66
Figure 2 is a vertical section of a ball and socket joint employed on the
spine," and
Figure 3 is a section through line in Figure 2, looking in the direction of
arrow .
Figure 4 is a top view of the "spine" provided with a forked swivel joint in
place of the ball and socket joint, and showing part of the steering head provided
with handles and a means for locking or holding said head and the "spine" at any
desired angle; and
Figure 5 is a side view of the same.
Figure 6 is a sectional view of the fork and the steering head to illustrate
more clearly the manner of connecting the spring-actuated lock-plate to the forked
frame of the machine.
Figure 7 is a side view of the fly or balance wheel.
Figure 8 is a vertical section of the steering wheel.
Figures 9 and 10 are a plan and an end view respectively of a belt made from
sheet metal used in connection with the machine, provided with a central row of
perforations and illustrating one method of securing the opposite ends of the belt
together.
Figure 11 is a view of a belt having recessed portions along the longitudinal
edges, and
Figure 12 is still another method of securing the ends.
Figure 13 is a side view of a seat frame made from spring wire, and
Figure 14 is a top view of the same.
In the accompanying drawings, A designates the main frame which consists of a
fork a provided at or near the lower ends of the prongs with the backwardly-pro-
jecting arms a² between which is supported in a convenient manner the wheel B.
To the upper end of the fork a is attached a steering head C consisting of a spring-
actuated lock-plate e on one end of which is pivotally secured a "spine" or rib D
provided with a steering wheel E; said "spine" also being provided with the
steering handles f, and a means attached to one of the handles for holding the
"spine" in its locked engagement with the lock-plate c at any desirable angle.
The driving wheel or balance wheel C is journaled in bearings in the lower
extremities of the fork a, which may be of any suitable construction, in such a
manner that said wheel is entirely suspended above the level of the ground. The
fly or balance wheel consists, of an outer rim g of any desirable weight, which is
secured to a smaller and concentrically arranged wheel 9' by means of the crossed
spokes 92. Said wheel 9 is provided on its circumference with an upwardly
extending rim g³ having perforations 9', and the spokes 92 are bent to form a V,
being passed through lugs or projections on the inner side of the rim and the
ends 9 and 9' are passed on opposite sides through the perforations in the rim 93
and firmly secured thereto by means of nuts, or in any other convenient manner.

page_text: Said spokes g² are crossed, as shown in Figures 1 and 7, whereby the inner and
smaller wheel is firmly and securely held in its proper place within the large
wheel.
The small wheel g', which may be provided with the ordinary wire spokes usually
employed in velocipedes, or, with spokes cast directly to the rim, has on one or
both sides an outwardly projecting flange 9 provided on its upper surface with
upwardly projecting pins or projections 9³
To the axle of the wheel B is secured a smaller wheel provided with corre-
spondingly arranged pins or projections and around the periphery of this wheel
and the circular flange is placed an ordinary drive chain, or I may use a
flexible metallic belt having perforations therein which pass over and around
the pins and, whereby the power from the driving wheel is communicated to
the wheel B. The ends of said belt are hook-shaped for securing them together as
in Figure 12, or the ordinary link 2, as shown in Figure 9 may be used for
connecting the ends of the belt. A fender a³ is shown above the chain or belt, in
Figure 1, secured to the main frame in any convenient manner.
The driving or fly wheel G is operated by means of treadles i adjustably secured
in a collar by means of a post, said collar being situated on curved arms ² which
are conveniently pivoted to the arms a² of the main frame and links 3 communicate
the power from said arms to the cranks it attached to the fly-wheel shaft.
On opposite sides of the fly wheel and secured to the fork are arms a* and a
provided with a socket a in which is adjustably arranged a saddle or seat J,
which is made from spring wire bent into loops near its ends, its free ends being
secured to a plate having a post j arranged in the socket as as shown in Figure 1 or
the frame to which said saddle is secured may consist of a single piece of spring wire j
bent as shown in Figures 13 and 14 into loops j¹ and the free ends secured in
any convenient manner to a plate 3 having a post loosely arranged in the
socket a and held in position therein by means of a set-screw. As shown in
Figure 1 one of the arms a¹ may be provided with an upwardly projecting
socket a', or other similar means, to receive the end of an umbrella or sun-shade
handle.
Near the upper end of the fork a is secured an arm & having a handle k¹ which
is provided with downwardly projecting fingers 2 bearing rollers ³, preferably of
hard rubber, which can be forced against the rim of the fly-wheel, thereby serving
to check or stop the motion of said wheel. A spring k serves to return the arm k
to its normal position when not in operation.
As illustrated more especially in Figures 1, 4, 5 and 6, the steering head C is
secured to the fork a by means of a hollow post c¹ formed on the underside of the
plate e, which extends down into a socket aª on the upper end of the fork, a
spring being placed within said parts to give an easy motion when riding
over rough roads. The post c¹ is provided with a projection working in a slot c
to prevent the rotation or turning of said parts. Within a swivel ring c³ adapted
to turn on a pin in a perforation in the plate is secured one end of the
"spine" or rib D projecting therethrough over and above the plate c and being
provided at its end with the handle bars f. The "spine" or rib consists of two
parts, one of which as d is provided with the handles f and is connected with the
steering head C, as has been stated, and the other end d', which is curved to
approximately correspond with the curvature of the drive or fly wheel, is provided
at its lower extremity with a steering wheel, and is secured to the main frame by
arms a and a¹ provided with eyes or rings a¹ and 12 within which said "spine
can rotate about its vertical axis.
The ends of the parts d and d' may be pivotally secured to one another by.
means of a ball and socket joint d², as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, or by means
of the forked swivel joint illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.
The end of the part d of the "spine" is provided with a ball d³ having a narrow
neck d. Said ball is placed within an elongated half-shell d' on the part and a
plate provided with a correspondingly shaped shell d' is secured thereto,

page_text: preferably to the under side, by means of screws or bolts thus forming an entirely
closed casing around the ball having a lateral slot ds in which the neck of the ball
freely moves.
In Figure 4 is shown a swivel joint in which the part d of the "spine" is slotted
on the end and is provided with a roller d. The other part d' of the "spine" is
provided with fingers do and d" to which is pivotally attached by means of a
bolt d said part d, said bolt being adapted to slide in slots d³ in the fingers.
When the part d of the spine has been caused to be rotated to one side, the
roller d' engages with the inner side of one of the prongs on the part d', causing
said part to rotate in its bearings on the arms a³ and a and thereby bringing the
steering wheel into the desired direction for steering the machine.
66
"
When the machine is being operated by means of the treadles and is moving in
a straight direction, a pin is in engagement with a centrally arranged perforation
or hole c' near the front edge of the plate c, and the "spine" is thus held or locked
and all the wheels of the machine move in the same vertical plane. Now, when it
becomes necessary to turn the machine to either side of the direction in which it is
moving, I have provided a lever pivotally secured above one of the handles
which, when depressed moves a bell-crank and by means of a link the arm 1
secured in bearings on the end d of the "spine;" and the pin which passes and
extends through a perforation in said end d is raised out of the hole c in the
plate c, thus allowing the handles to be turned in either direction, and the pin
can be dropped into any of the other holes 8 in the plate c. When the part d has
been operated by means of the handles, the movement of the ball in the joint
connecting the parts d and in the "spine" forces the part d' to one side causing
the same to rotate in its bearings and bringing the steering wheel into the desired.
direction.
When the pin has been inserted into one of the holes 8 either to the right or to
the left of the central axis of the machine and allowed to remain therein, then the
spine" and its wheel will be held at an angle until said pin is brought back to
its original position by means of the locking device.
<<
The steering wheel E may be of any well known construction, or I may use that
shown in Figure 8 in which the wheel consists of two rims or felloes e and c¹
arranged to run parallel with each other. From their common hub extend the
spokes connected at their free ends by means of a joint or connecting piece e*,.
which is Y-shape, and on the opposite end of said piece, spokes and e are
arranged, one of which as e is secured to the rim, while the other spoke eⓇ is.
secured to the rim e'. Thus I have secured a double wheel having a common hub
whereby a very strong wheel is the result and furthermore, said rims & and e¹ being
quite close together act to produce the single wheel E.
Another advantage obtained is that when the rider dismounts, the machine is
caused to remain in a standing position, thereby avoiding the necessity of supporting
the same against some other object.
"
To prevent the jarring motion of the machine, I have arranged on the "spine
a spiral spring m which encircles the same and rests upon the upper side of the
bearing a on the arms a¹0, a collar m' being secured to the "spine" by means of a
set-screw above said spring. A second collar m² may be arranged above the
bearing a on the arm a to stop the downward movement of the rib or "spine
when necessary.
"
Thus it will be seen that the spring m on the "spine " acts in conjunction with
the spring in the steering head, and a free and easy motion of the machine is the
result.
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 :-
1. In a velocipede, a main frame provided with a forked arm having arranged
therein a fly or driving wheel suspended on an axle above the ground, said wheel

page_text: being provided with a concentrically arranged inner wheel, the rim of which is
connected by means of spokes with the felloe of the fly wheel, and said inner wheel
having pins or projections thereon, and means serving to transmit power from said
inner wheel to the axle of the driven wheel, for the purposes set forth.
2. In a velocipede, a main frame, a steering wheel attached to a spine or rib
consisting of two parts connected by a ball and socket joint or its equivalent, a rear
wheel, mounted in bearings in arms on the main frame, an intermediately arranged
fly wheel suspended in the main frame above the ground, a concentrically arranged
driving wheel, and means on said driving wheel connected with and adapted to
communicate the rotary motion of said wheel to the rear wheel, for the purposes
set forth.
3. In a velocipede, a main frame, a steering wheel attached to a spine or rib
adapted to rotate in bearings in the main frame, said spine consisting of two parts
connected by means of a ball and socket joint, or its equivalent, a rear wheel
mounted in bearings in arms on the main frame, an intermediately arranged driving
wheel suspended in the main frame above the level of the ground, and means on
said driving wheel connected with and adapted to communicate the rotary motion
thereof to the rear wheel, for the purposes set forth.
4. In a velocipede, a main frame, a steering wheel attached to a
spine or rib
adapted to rotate in bearings in the main frame, said spine being provided with a
spring encircling the same between said bearings, and consisting of two parts
connected by means of a ball and socket joint, or its equivalent, a rear wheel
mounted in bearings in arms on the main frame, a driving wheel mounted in a fork
in said frame, and a steering device at the upper end of said fork, for the purposes
set forth.
5. In a velocipede, a main frame, a steering wheel attached to a spine or rib
adapted to rotate in bearings in the main frame, said spine consisting of two parts
connected by means of a ball and socket joint, or its equivalent,
a rear wheel
nounted in bearings in arms on the main frame, an intermediately arranged driving
wheel suspended in a fork in the main frame above the level of the ground, a drive
belt or chain for communicating the power of said wheel to the axle of the rear
wheel, a steering head provided with a handle bar for transmitting the power from
the same to the spine and its wheel, and means on said steering head for locking
the parts thereof with the fork on the main frame and thereby holding the steering
wheel and its spine at the desired angle, for the purposes set forth.
6. In a velocipede, a main frame, a steering wheel attached to a spine or rib
adapted to rotate in bearings in the main frame, said spine consisting of two parts
connected by means of a ball and socket joint, or its equivalent, a rear wheel
mounted in bearings in arms on the main frame, an intermediately arranged driving
wheel suspended in a fork in the main frame above the level of the ground, said
wheel consisting of an inner wheel and an outer wheel secured by means of spokes
to the rim of the inner wheel, said inner wheel being provided with a laterally
projecting rim having pins or projections, adjustable pedals adapted to communicate
foot power to said fly wheel, and a drive chain or belt engaging with said pins on
the small wheel part of the fly or driving wheel, and a smaller wheel on the rear
axle also having pins or projections, for the purposes set forth.
7. The herein described driving wheel consisting of an outer and a concentrically
arranged inner wheel having a laterally projecting flange or rim provided with pins
or projections, said rim being secured by means of spokes to the felloe of the outer
wheel, as set forth.
8. The herein described driving wheel consisting of an inner wheel having a
laterally projecting flange provided with pins or projections, and an upwardly pro-
jecting flange surrounding its rim and to which a second wheel is secured by means
of crossed spokes, as set forth.
9. The herein described flexible metallic belt provided with perforations, as 'set
forth.
10. The combination with the driving and steering wheel and a main frame,

page_text: of a curved spine or rib consisting of two parts connected by means of a ball
and socket joint, or its equivalent, the lower part of said spine being secured in
bearings in arms on the main frame and adapted to rotate therein, the upper
part of said spine being attached by means of a swivel joint to a plate on the
main frame, steering handles on the upper end of said spine, a pin passing
through said part of the spine and extending down into a perforation in said
plate to which the spine is pivoted, and means for raising and lowering said
pin from and into the perforations, thereby allowing the spine to be forced to
one side and rotate in its bearings on the main frame, and causing said pin to
drop into another perforation to lock the spine in the desired position, as set
forth.
11. The combination with the driving and steering wheels and a main frame, of a
curved spine consisting of two parts connected by means of a ball and socket joint,
or its equivalent, the upper part of said spine being attached to the top of the main
frame by means of a swivel bearing, steering handles at the upper end of the spine
and means for holding said spine in its locked engagement with the top of the main
frame, for the purposes set forth.
12. In a velocipede, the combination with the main frame, of a spine or rib,
pivoted to said frame and provided with a plate c and means operated from the
steering handles to lock the steering head in any desirable position, for the purposes
set forth.
13. The combination with the driving wheel and a fork in which the same is
mounted, of a steering device consisting of a plate c having a hollow post on its
under side adapted to reciprocate within a socket on the top of the fork and
provided with a spring therein, a rib or spine provided with a wheel pivotally
secured to said plate e, and means operated from one of the steering handles to lock
the steering head, for the purposes set forth.
14. The combination with the driving wheel and a fork in which the same is
mounted, of a steering device consisting of a plate c having a hollow post on its
under side adapted to reciprocate within a socket on the top of the fork and provided
with a spring therein, for the purposes set forth.
15. The combination with the fork of a main frame, and the plate c, of a spine
or rib pivoted to said plate, and provided at its upper end with the handles f,
lever bell crank 12, link 13, arm secured in bearings on the spine or rib, and
pin passing through a perforation in said spine and engaging with holes or per-
forations in the plate c, for the purposes set forth.
16. The combination with the driving wheel and a fork in which the same is
mounted, of a brake mechanism consisting of a spring-actuated arm pivoted to
said fork having a handle, and two arms or fingers provided with rollers adapted
to be forced down upon the periphery of the driving wheel, for the purposes set
forth.
17. In a velocipede, in combination, a main frame, a steering wheel attached
to a spine or rib adapted to rotate in bearings in the main frame, a spring
encircling said spine, said spine consisting of two parts connected by means of
a ball and socket joint, or its equivalent, a rear wheel mounted in bearings in arms
on the main frame, an intermediately arranged fly wheel or balance wheel suspended
in a fork in the main frame on a crank axle driven by means of propelling levers
having adjustable pedals and links secured to the frame, making connections
between said crank axle and the propelling levers, means for communicating the
power from the fly or balance wheel to a rear wheel, and a steering head provided
with steering handles and a locking or holding device for holding the spine and its
steering wheel at the desired angle, for the purposes set forth.
18. The herein described velocipede frame having a forked arm provided with
backwardly extending arms having a socket for the reception of a saddle or seat
therein, and provided with a support for a sunshade or umbrella arranged between
said socketed and forked arm, as set forth.
19. The combination, with the fork and driving wheel, of a spine or rib adapted to

page_text: rotate in bearings on arms extending from said fork and being provided with a
spring encircling said spine between said bearings, said spine being pivoted to a
spring-actuated plate on the fork, whereby said spring on the spine acts in con-
junction with a spring above said fork, for the purposes set forth.
20. The jointed rib or spine, consisting of the parts d and d', said part d having
a ball-end which fits into an oblong socket or pocket in the part d' provided with a
removable plate and a slot in the end of said oblong socket in which slides the neck
of the ball on the part d and whereby the upper and lower extremities of the
portion d¹ of the spine may move in horizontal planes, while the portion between
the bearings on the main frame of the machine rotates about its vertical axis, as
and for the purposes set forth.
21. In a velocipede, in combination, a main frame, a steering wheel attached to
a rib or spine adapted to rotate in bearings in the main frame, a rear wheel
mounted in bearings in arms on the main frame, an intermediately arranged driving
wheel mounted in the main frame on a crank axle, propelling mechanism consisting
essentially of arms a provided with pedals, links and cranks is, means for com-
municating the power from the driving wheel to the rear wheel, and a steering
head, all of said parts being arranged as and for the purposes set forth.
22. In a velocipede, the combination with the driving wheel and a fork in which
the same is mounted, of a steering device, and means operated from one of the
handles on said steering device for locking said steering device, as and for the
purposes set forth.
Dated this 18th day of September 1890.
EMERY EASTMAN HARDY.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.