IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1884

page_text: We CHARLES JOSEPH HART Manufacturer and BENJAMIN CHARLES BARTON,
Foreman both of Birmingham in the County of Warwick do hereby declare the
nature of our invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES" to be as follows:-
In applying our invention we construct a frame of hollow tube shaped on
plan-to the short arm of which a large or driving wheel is attached beneath the
angle of the frame in a fork, a smaller wheel is fixed the axis of which is parallel
with the axis of the driving wheel beneath the end of the long arm of the frame
in a fork with swivel head another wheel of the size of the last described is
attached and to which the steering apparatus hereafter described is fitted. The
machine is driven by an endless chain working over toothed wheels and a two
throw crank is fitted with a band brake.
We employ treddles with ball bearings and we make the crank axis with joints
which can be taken apart to admit of the treddles being slidden on endwise to
their places on the cranks.
To prevent overturning when wheeling sharply to the right we introduce in front.
of and in the same line as the driving wheel but about two inches clear of the
ground a small safety wheel.
The seat or saddle we support by means of five coiled springs (one in tension
and four in compression) set between two plates and fixed on an adjusting pillar
the attachment for which is in the centre of the short arm of the frame. A spring.
step or foot rest is fixed to the underside of the long arm of the frame and folds
up automatically when not in use.
The steering of the machine we effect by a crutch or other handle having on the
end of its spindle a bevil wheel enclosed within a box formed on the long arm of
the frame, between this box and the end of the long arm of the frame a steel rod
is inserted having on each end a bevil wheel one being geared to that on the end
of the spindle of steering handle and the other geared to a fourth wheel fitted t
the head of the fork which carries the front wheel.
To convert the before described machine into a four wheeled double seat we
provide another wheel of the size of the driving wheel at one end of a bar similar
to the short arm of the frame with jointed attachments and stays at its other end
for fixing to the long arm of the frame and by this arrangement all four wheels
find their full bearing on the most uneven ground.
The driving parts are a duplication of those of the single machine.
Detail this Dad the
1001
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: We CHARLES JOSEPH HART Manufacturer and BENJAMIN CHARLES BARTON
Foreman both of Birmingham in the County of Warwick 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 :—
In applying our invention we construct a frame of hollow tube _ shaped on
plan to the short arm of which a large or driving wheel is attached; beneath the
angle of the frame in a fork a smaller wheel is fixed the axis of which is parallel
with the axis of the driving wheel, beneath the end of the long arm of the frame
in a fork with swivel head another wheel of the size of the last described is
attached and to which the steering apparatus hereafter described is fitted.
machine is driven by an endless chain working over toothed wheels and a two
throw crank is fitted with a band brake.
The
We employ treadles with ball bearings and we make the crank shaft with joints
which can be taken apart to admit of the treadles being slidden on endwise to
their places on the cranks.
A spring step or foot rest is fixed to the underside of the long arm of the frame
and folds up automatically when not in use.
The steering of the machine we effect by a crutch or other handle having on the
end of its spindle a bevil wheel enclosed within a box formed on the long arm of
the frame, between this box and the end of the long arm of the frame a steel rod
is inserted having on each end a bevil wheel one being geared to that on the end
of the spindle of steering handle and the other geared to a fourth wheel or quadrant
fitted to the head of the fork which carries the front wheel.
To convert the before described machine into a four wheeled double seat we
provide another wheel of the size of the driving wheel at one end of a bar similar
to the short arm of the frame with jointed attachments and stays at its other end
for fixing to the long arm of the frame and by this arrangement all four wheels
find their full bearing on the most uneven ground.
The driving parts are a duplication of those of the single machine.
In order that our said invention may be most fully understood and readily carried
into effect we will proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed.
Figure 2 is a plan of a tricycle or velocipede constructed in accordance with our
invention. It is in the latter figure shown in the double form as it is used when
required to carry two persons.
A is a tubular ✓ formed frame carrying the large wheel B at the end of its
shorter arm.
At the angle of the L frame a fork.0 is fixed and in this fork the
small wheel D is carried.
At the end of the longer arm of the _ frame there is another fork E carrying
a wheel E similar to the wheel D but the fork in which this wheel is carried is
capable of being turned for the purpose of steering the vehicle.
Fis an arm extending down from the frame alongside the wheel B, it carries at
its lower end one of the bearings for the crank G. This crank by means of a chain
wheel at its end and a driving chain H gives motion to the large driving wheel B.
The driving chain passes around a chain ring on the boss of the wheel. The boss
of the wheel also receives a br ke strap around it.

page_text: The bearing for the other end of the crank shaft is carried by an arm A* fixed
upon the longer arm of the ✓ frame. The bearings are adjustable upon the arms.
I is a horizontal arm immediately over the arm F it serves as a foot rest.
I* is the foot rest on the other side it is fixed upon the ✓ frame and is provided
with a spring which causes it to close upwards when not required for use.
Kis the seat; it is supported upon a stem which is clamped in a socket brazed
to the shorter arm of the ✓ frame.
L is the steering handle carried upon the longer arm of the _ frame.
M is the steadying handle; its stem passes through sockets upon the arm F
which admits of its being adjusted to a convenient height.
The foregoing are the main parts of the single tricycle it is converted into
a double or sociable velocipede by the addition of the bar N carrying at its end
another large wheel O similar to the wheel B; upon this bar there is mounted or
carried by the stem the seat P.
The bar also has attached to it arms F* F* carrying at their lower ends the
bearings of another crank shaft G* which by a driving chain and chain wheels
gives motion to the wheel O as already described in respect to the corresponding.
parts in the single machine.
QQ are straps passing around the bosses of the large wheels and serving as
friction brakes; R R are the lever handles by which the brakes are worked.
The crank shaft is made in parts in the manner shown more fully by Figure 3.
In this figure one of the crank throws is seen complete with a treadle upon it,
and in another part of the same figure the two pieces constituting the crank throw
are disconnected and the treadle is removed.
Figure 4 shows one of the throws of the crank with the parts connected but.
with the treadle in section.
The part G¹ of the crank has a screw thread cut upon it and the other part G²
is provided with a socket within which there is a corresponding screw thread. The
two parts are screwed together and are then fixed by a pin inserted at G³.
A lock nut is also employed to render the fastening more secure.
There is also a cone piece S upon the thread part G₁ of the crank which can be
set to any position upon it and there secured by a lock nut.
The treadle frame is tubular as is scen in Figure 4; it is made of steel and has
two truly turned conical faces within it. There are corresponding faces also of
steel upon the parts G* and S.
Before the parts of the crank are fixed together the treadle frame is slidden into
its place on the part G¹ and steel balls are introduced between the conical faces;.
then the parts of the crank are fixed together and the bearing is adjusted by means
of the moveable part S and its lock nut.
By making the crank in parts as described the treadle can be made whole
instead of in halves as is the present practice.
Figures 6 and 7 show more in detail the steering arrangement.
A is a globular body forming part of the frame A.
U is a spindle passing vertically through the part A' in which, by the arrange-
ment shown in the drawing, it is able to turn free'y.
The steering handle L is fixed upon the spindle U and the same spindle has
a bevilled pinion U₁ fixed upon it; this pinion is contained within the globular
body A', it engages with a corresponding pinion V₁ upon the horizontal spindle V
contained within the tubular frame A and currying at its fore end another
pinion V
The frame terminates in front in a globular body W into which the stem of the
fork E is received and in which it is able to turn freely by the arrangement shown
in the drawing.
The stem of the fork has a pinion or quadrant piece WI fixed upon it, and this
engages with the pinion V2; by this gear the movement of the steering handle is
communicated to the steering wheel E.

page_text: The Figures & show in detail the foot rest at 1*, it is in two parts, one fixed to
the L frame and projecting downwards from it, and the other jointed to the lower
end of the first part and held up to it by a spring. The latter piece, however, is
capable of assuming the position indicated by dotted lines in this figure projecting
out horizontally in a convenient position to support the foot when taken off the
treadle.
This foot rest does not require to be moved by hand it is turned down by the
pressure of the foot upon the lug projecting from its upper end, and when it is no
longer required for use it is returned to its original position by the spring
immediately that the foot is removed froin it.
Figure 9 is a plan, and
Figure 10 is an elevation of the joint by which the two parts of the machine
are connected together when the velocipede is employed in the double or sociable
form.
At the end of the bar N and in rear of it, there is a ring or collar X which fits
on to a corresponding projection upon the angle of the L frame A. There is also
a clip Y which is connected to the bar N by the arm I and this clip embraces the
longer or longitudinal arm of the L frame. By closing the clip around the arm
immediately in rear of the globular body a secure connection is formed between
the parts of the vehicle.
At Z Z are sockets upon the arms F and I which receive the stem of the
steadying handle.
The single tricycle constructed as described is sufficiently narrow to pass through
an ordinary doorway and when used double it is housed with great facility as very
little time is occupied in separating and connecting the parts.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is :-
First. A tricycle or velocipede with an L frame and three supporting wheels
arranged at the extremities and at the angle of the frame as described.
Second. The steering gear consisting of bevilled pinions and axes arranged
within the tubular frame of the velocipede as described.
Third. The crank shaft constructed in parts as described and admitting of
treadles in one piece being employed.
.
Fourth. The method of converting a single tricycle into a double or sociable by
attaching a bar carrying an additional main wheel crank and other parts, and
connected with the main frame by an eye and clip as described.
Fifth. The spring foot rest closing upwards by the action of the spring when
the foot is not upon it as described.
Dated this 1st day of Ontahan 1001
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents for the Applicants.