Improvements in Velocipedes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Mar., 1890-Accepted, 3rd May, 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Velocipedes.
I THOMAS HARRISON of the firm of Joseph Harrison & Son of Priory Works
Alcester in the County of Warwick Cycle Manufacturers do hereby declare
the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed to be particularly described & ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention has for its object improvements in velocipedes & refers more
particularly to bicycles of the safety type by which I render such machines much
more easy to mount and dismount than formerly which is of great importance in the
case of those built for the use of ladies & elderly men while at the same time by my
improvements to the gearing I assist the driving power of such and other kinds of
velocipedes.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood & more easily carried
into practice I have appended hereunto two sheets of drawings upon which I have
fully illustrated the nature of my improvements together with examples of their
application to existing and other classes of machines.
On Sheet 1
Figure 1 is a general view of my improved safety bicycle constructed with my new
mounting attachment so as to be specially adapted for the use of ladies and
elderly gentlemen the attachment being shewn bolted down so that the machine
is selfsustained.
Figure 2 is a view of the mounting attachment when in position ready for mounting
and whilst travelling.
Figure 3 is an end view showing the double gearing.
Figures 4 shews side & end views of my improved double gearing applied to an
ordinary machine.
Figure 5 is a view shewing the application of my mounting attachment to an
existing safety bicycle.
In carrying my invention into effect I form the back bone or frame work A of the
machine with the curve a¹ between the two wheels X and Z and connect the two sides
of the curve together by the stiffining rod a² thereby forming a support for the step B
which is mounted upon the rod b' which rod b¹ slides in the sockets a³ & a* and carries
the cross axle d upon which is mounted the supporting wheels D and D' the normal
position of such wheels being as shewn at Figure 2 where they are retained by the
expanding spring d³. For mounting the foot is placed upon the step B which
depresses the rod until the supporting wheels D and D' meet the ground thus sustain-
ing the machine in a vertical position while being mounted the same action taking
place in dismounting or by the application of the foot to the step B while travelling
the movement of the machine "may be materially steadied. The bolt d or its
equivalent is provided for securing the wheels D and D' upon the ground in the
position shewn by Figure 1 for the purpose of making the machine selfsustaining in
an upright position. An additional step may be provided if desired.
For driving
the machine I provide separate chains E and E' and chain wheels F and F upon each
side of the rear wheel by which means I am enabled to use a much shorter chain
than when the axle of the chain wheel requires to be beyond the circumference of the
wheel and to each of the axles of the chain wheels the one end of the cranks H and H'
are fixed the other ends h² being attached to the rods J and J' which are connected
at to the levers K and K' and these levers carry the pedals k³ and k³ at the one end
and are fixed to one end of the supporting rods L and I, which are pivotted upon the
hub y' at their other end so that by means of pivotted rods the horizontal stroke of
the pedals and ³ is reduced.

page_text: In Figure 4 the application of the double chain and chain wheels to bicycles of an
ordinary type is shewn the same letters referring to the same parts as in the previous
figure but in this case the pedals 3 and 4 are mounted direct upon the cranks H
and H without the intermediate levers shewn in the previous figure. It will thus be
seen that with immaterial alterations my improvements may be adapted to existing
machines of various kinds & makes and I may modify the particular details without
departing from the nature of my said invention.
Having now particularly described & ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion & in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
(1) The improvements in velocipedes consisting of the attachment or arrangement
for mounting and steadying the machine substantially as & for the purpose herein set
forth & shewn upon the drawings.
(2) The improvements in velocipedes consisting of the double chain gearing
substantially as & for the purpose herein set forth & shewn upon the drawings.
(3) The improvements in velocipedes of the connecting rod J lever K and
supporting rods L substantially as & for the purpose herein set forth & shewn upon
the drawings.
Dated this 26th day of March 1890.
GEORGE BARKER,
77, Colmore Row, Birmingham, Agent for Applicant.