Improvements in Velocipedes.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Nov., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 25th Aug., 1890-Accepted, 27th Sept., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Velocipedes.
I, GEORGE SINGER, of Alma Street, Coventry, in the County of Warwick, Cycle
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to provide a new or improved method and means of
joining two or more cycles, each having three or more wheels in such a manner that
they may be quickly coupled and uncoupled and may be made to follow each other
when coupled, the steering being effected by the front rider only.
A convenient manner of carrying my invention into effect is as follows. To the
lower part of the steering fork of a tricycle, carrying one or more riders I attach a
rod projecting beyond the front of the guiding wheel and having a loop or eye about
say inch in diameter formed at its front end. This rod is preferably rigidly fixed
to the steering fork and may be a continuation of the fork itself.
To the rear of another cycle I attach to the framework centrally an upright bar or
stud about 12 inches long and about inch diameter.
This bar is fixed at its lower end to the framework and is arranged so that when
the loop of the rod previously described, is placed upon the bar, the cycles are at a
convenient distance from each other.
The loop on the rod fits loosely upon the bar and moves either up or down, or in
other directions to provide for the unevenness of the road, and also turns upon the bar
horizontally to adapt itself to the curved line which the coupled cycles take when
turning corners.
A link with any suitable universal joint may also be used, or even a short chain, if
arranged so that the cycles are kept at a sufficient distance apart.
The rear cycles are guided by the direction of the front cycles, the rod attached to
the steering fork being actuated by the bar on the cycle preceding it, and turning
the steering wheel to the exact degree required to enable the cycle to trail properly.
In connecting the cycles it is only necessary to lift the looped rod and lower
it over the bar, the length of which prevents the loop coming off accidentally.
It will be obvious that the relative positions of the looped rod and bar may be
reversed, the latter being attached to the rear tricycle, and that other means of
connecting the two parts may be used, such as by the use of a spring hook instead
of the eye on the rod.
The facility with which the coupling is effected is of special advantage for military
purposes. The arrangement enables several cycles to be kept together when in
motion instead of straggling over a larger space. In the case of skirmishers all the
riders except one may dismount, and advance on foot while their cycles are left in
the charge of one man, who can propel them all slowly, and bring them to a covenient
point for being used again.
Dated this 25th day of November 1889.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Velocipedes.
I, GEORGE SINGER of Alma Street, Coventry, in the County of Warwick Cycle
Manufacturer 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 :-
:-
The object of my invention is to provide a new or improved method and means of
joining two or more cycles each having three or more wheels in such a manner that
they may be quickly coupled and uncoupled and may be made to follow each other
when coupled, the steering being effected by the front rider only, that is by means of
the leading velocipede.
My invention will be best understood by the following description having reference
to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shewing the coupling in elevation and
Figure 2 shewing in plan the rear part of same. Figure 3 shews a diagram view
indicating the general arrangement and position of the coupling with reference to the
velocipedes to which such a coupling may be applied.
To the lower part of the steering fork A of a cycle carrying one or more riders
I attach a rod B projecting beyond the front of the guiding wheel C and having a
loop or eye B¹ formed at its front end.
This rod is securely fixed by lugs or bosses A¹ to the steering fork A or such rod B
may be formed by a continuation of the fork A.
To the rear of another cycle I attach to the framework E centrally by means for
example of the tail piece E¹ projecting therefrom, an upright bar or stud D. This
bar D which may be covered with leather, rubber or other material, is fixed at its
lower end to the framework and is arranged so that when the loop B¹ of the rod B,
previously described, is placed upon the bar D the velocipedes are at a convenient
distance from each other.
The loop B on the rod B fits loosely upon the bar D and moves either up or down,
or in other directions to allow for the unevenness of the road and also turns upon the
bar D horizontally to adapt itself to the curved line which the coupled velocipedes take
when turning corners.
A link with any suitable universal joint may also be used or even a short chain if
arranged so that the cycles are kept at a sufficient distance apart.
The rear cycles are guided by the direction of the front cycle, the rod B attached
to the steering fork A being actuated by the bar D on the cycle preceding it, and
turning the steering wheel C to the exact degree required to enable the cycle to trail
properly.
In connecting the cycles it is only necessary to lift the looped rod B and
lower it over the bar D, the length of which prevents the loop B¹ coming off
accidentally.
It will be obvious that the relative positions of the looped rod B and bar D may be
reversed, the latter being attached to the rear cycle, and that other means than that
described of connecting the two parts may be used, such as by the use of a spring
hook instead of the eye on the rod.
The facility with which the coupling is effected is of special advantage for military
purposes. The arrangement enables several cycles to be kept together when in motion
instead of straggling over a larger space. In the case of skirmishers, all the riders
dismount, and advance on foot while their cycles are left in the charge
except one can propel them all slowly, and bring them to a convenient point for
of one man,
being used again.
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 :-
:-
First. In velocipedes the application to the steering fork of a link or looped rod B
and for the purposes set forth

page_text: Second. In velocipedes the application to the framework thereof of the vertical or
upright bar or stud D substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described and
illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Third. In velocipedes the means described for connecting or disconnecting two or
more velocipedes, comprising an upright bar or stud D on the back rest of one cycle
over or from which a looped rod or link B coming from the steering fork A of the
other cycle can be placed or removed when required all substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Fourth. In velocipedes the method of and means for joining and disconnecting two
or more cycles each having three or more wheels substantially as hereinbefore described
and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Пятел Ln9
ADVISE LOMU.
GEORGE SINGER.
Brewer & Son,
Patent Agents.
Waren LOL ZOLO AY O ADDIST LOMU
GEORGE SINGER.
Brewer & Son,
Patent Agents.