IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES, TRICYCLES, AND OTHER VEHICLES FOR SELF PROPULSION, WHICH
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Matthew Webb, of the Junior Garrick Club, Adelphi
Terrace, in the County of Middlesex, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN BICYCLES, TRICYCLES, AND OTHER VEHICLES FOR SELF PROPULSION, WHICH
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Matthew Webb at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th September 1880.
MATTHEW WEBB, of the Junior Garrick Club, Adelphi Terrace, in the County
of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES, TRICYCLES, AND OTHER VEHICLES
FOR SELF PROPULSION, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER
PURPOSES."
The object of my Invention is specially to provide means to supersedo the use of
a crank for propelling bicycles, tricycles, and other vehicles for self propulsion, but
it is also applicable to other purposes.
My Invention consists of a slotted lever or bar which is fixed under the trendles
of the vehicle, and in one end of which revolves the axle upon which the driving
or propelling wheel or wheels is or are mounted, the said axle being acted upon
and caused to revolve partially at each thrust of the foot by means of a bevilled
bar or finger working within the said slotted lever or bar.
When the lever is actuated by means of the feet on the treadles, the bevilled
bar or finger is pushed forward and grips the axlo and causes it to perform only a
partial revolution, and after every such movement the bar is restored to position
by means of a spring or other suitable means so as to be ready for the next
stroke.
By means of my Invention I obviate all dead centres, thus enabling a bicycle or
other self-propelling vehicle to ascend a hill with greater case than is now
experienced with the crank.
My Invention is also applicable to purposes other than vehicles for self-
propulsion, for instance, it may be applied to a brace drill and to machinery where
it is desirable to avoid the use of cranks.

page_text: K is a coiled or other suitable spring which is secured at one end to the fore
part of the slotted lever A, and at the other end to the fork L of the bicycle.
m, m, are plates covering the sides of the slotted lever A and preventing.the
entry of dust or other matter to the working parts; these plates are secured by
screws so as to be readily detachable to allow access to the working parts for
cleaning or for other purposes.
Each end of the axle C is provided with one such contrivance or apparatus.
The bearing E may be dispensed with, and the bar or finger D may be in
direct contact with the boss or block B.
The working of this contrivance or apparatus is as follows:-
The treadle H being depressed by the foot of the rider causes the slotted lever A
to dip or fall, and at the same time the short end of the lever G to rise and to
press against the pin or stud i, which in its turn raises the bar or finger D, which
by its frictional contact against the bearing E forces such bearing to rise and to
grip the block or boss B, and on the downward movement of this block or boss its
partial revolution is produced, and consequently the partial revolution of the
driving or propelling wheel. After this partial revolution has been effected, the
coiled spring d* restores the finger and bearing to their normal position, and at
the same time the spring K raises the slotted lever A ready for the next depression
or thrust of the foot, and so on.
Fig. 4 is a modified arrangement of the means, contrivance, or apparatus, showing
the lever G arranged above the slotted crank-shaped lever A and connected at its
longer end to the treadle and at its shorter end to the finger or bar D. When the
treadle is depressed this lever G is raised, and thus the block or buss B is partially
rotated in like manner to that herein described in the first arrangement.
Fig. 5 shows in plan the means, contrivance, or apparatus applied to a brace
drill. Here the finger D is operated by the lever G* which is provided with a
handle G, and which is grasped together with the handle G² with which the
apparatus is provided at its fore end at each backward movement of the drill. The
boss B carries the drilling tool.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, I declare that I claim,-
First. The means, contrivance, or apparatus having its parts constructed,
arranged, combined, and operating substantially as herein described and as shewn
in the Drawings, whereby all dead centres are obviated and the vehicle enabled to
ascend a hill with greater ease than heretofore experienced by the use of cranks.
Second. The modified arrangement, as described and as shewn in Fig. 4 of the
Drawings.
Third. The employment and application of the means, contrivance, or apparatus,
above specified, to purposes other than vehicles for self propulsion, substantially
ns and for the purposes set forth, and shown as applied by way of example to a
brace drill.
In witness whereof, I, the said Matthew Webb, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Ninth day of March, One thousand eight hundred and
MATTHEW WEBB. (L.S.)