improvement in Tricycles.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Nov., 1887
Specification Accepted, 13th Dec., 1887
improvement in Tricycles.
I, FREDERICK HOWE GIBBS of Syracuse in the County of Onondaga and State of
New York, United States of America, Lawyer, do hereby declare the nature of the
said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:—
My invention relates to improvements in what are termed two seat tricycles, and
has for its object the production of a tricycle which shall be simple in its con-
struction, and very strong, and the treadle mochanism arranged on the frame between
the drivers and steering wheel adjustably so as to adapt the samne to the convenience
of the rider Also to so construct and arrange the seat supports as to permit the use
of the canopy top, and to this end the invention consists in the general construction
and arrangement of the parts, in the construction and arrangement of the rear truss
frame whereby the side bars of the frame are adjustably connected thereto; Also
in making the side bars adjustable in relation to the angle of the frame with the
drivers and steering wheel; Also in providing a bifurcated goose neck to connect
the side bars to the steering wheel yoke Also in so constructing the front seat
support, and providing the same with adjustable bearings for the seat rods, so that
the same serves to brace the parallel side bars of the frame; Also in securing the
treadles to the frame so that the same may be adjusted to suit the riders; Also
in providing adjustable bearings for the cranks Also in providing an adjustable
back for the front seat, and the hand support for the rear rider, all as hereinafter
more particularly described and pointed out in the claims.
In specifying my invention reference is had to the accompanying drawings in
which, like letters indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures Fig. 1 is a side
elevation of my improved tricycle illustrating the general design and arrangement of
the parts. Fig. 2 shows an end view of the same, illustrating the rear truss frame
carrying the axle and crank bearings of the drivers. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detached
view of the bifurcated goose neck illustrating the connection of the parallel side bars
thereto; Fig. 4 shows an end view of the front seat support and brace for the forward
end of the frame, and the adjustable seat rods; Fig. 5 shows a side view of the
adjustable bearing for the treadle cranks secured on the side bars of the frame; Fig. 6
shows a detached end view of the same; Fig. 7 shows respectively detached views of
the seat back and hand support for the occupant of the rear seat in the tricycle, and a

page_text: detached view of the front seat partly in section; Fig. 8 shows a detached view partly
in section of the rear seat; Fig. 9 shows the rear seat supporting frame and adjustable
rods Fig. 10 is an inverted bottom plan view illustrating the construction and
arrangement of the forward seat frame and the arrangement of the back support, the
same consisting of a saddle seat. Fig. 11 shows a like view of the rear seat showing
the construction of the frame and back. Fig. 12 shows a canopy top device secured
to the seat back supports. Fig. 13 is an enlarged detached detail of the adjustable
bearing for the treadle cranks. Fig. 14 is a sectional view of the same taken on
line Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is an enlarged detached view of the rear truss frame
illustrating the construction thereof, and of the axle and crank bearings. Fig. 16 is
an enlarged detached detail of the adjustable side bars and their support on the rear
truss frame. Fig. 17 is an enlarged top plan of the rear truss frame showing the
connection of the side bars thereto, and Fig. 18 is an enlarged detached plan view of
the crank mechanism.
A-A are the drivers mounted on the axle-K-K-which is journaled in
bearings-k-k-formed on the rear truss frame-M.-B-is the steering wheel
located at the forward end of the tricycle in the yoke-c.
C-is the stem or spindle of the steering wheel passing through eyes or sockets in
the goose neck—D.
The frame between the drivers and steering wheel is composed of parallel side
bars F F secured at their forward ends to the bifurcated goose neck-D-by
bolts d-d-as is best shown in Fig 3. of the drawings.
The rear ends of the side bars-F-F- are connected to the rear truss frame, or to
longitudinal side extensions thereof by the bolts--f-passing through the side
bars F F into slots--formed in the extensions of the rear truss frame-M—
as best shown at Figs. 15, 16 and 17 of the drawings.
The object of connecting the side bars of the tricycle frame in this manner to the
rear truss frame is to adjust the same angularly in relation to the drivers and steering
wheel.
It will be observed that the slots---and the bolts--permit the adjustment
of the side bars-F-F-as stated, and by this means the angle of the side bars can
be readily changed as desired.
Furthermore, the frame may be shortened up, or the steering wheel brought closer
to the drivers by simply changing the securing point of the side bars-F-F-on the
rear truss frame-M.
In order to brace the forward end of the frame composed of the side bars—F-F-
and at the same time to form a support for the forward seat of the machine, I provide
the frame H-Fig. 4 which is constructed and secured to the side bars-F-F-as
best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings.
It will be observed that the frame-H-is a bracket shaped frame terminating in
two limbs which are bolted securely to the side bars affording a strong transverse
brace, and lugs-h-h, Figs. 1 and 4 project from the sides of the upright bracket
frame, and the adjustable seat supporting rods-J-J-pass through the lugs, and are
held at any desired point of adjustment by means of the set screws-i-i, by which
means the front seat is adjusted vertically to the required height for the convenience
of the rider.
The rear seat supporting frame is illustrated at Fig. 9, and is composed of the
frame-U, Figs. 9 and 11 having the rods-J-J-passing into sockets-I-I-
Figs. 1 and 17 in the rear truss frame-M,-and the vertical adjustment is secured
in the same manner as in case of the front seat support, and the set screws-
serve to hold the supporting rods at the required point of adjustment as in the case of
the set screws-i--in the bracket frame-H.
The rear truss frame-M-is best illustrated at Figs. 2, 15, and 17, and consists of
a metal truss provided with the curved wings or extensions-m-m, and the
straight extensions-m¹-m¹-each provided with bearings-k-k-k-k-for the
axle-K-K-and the rear crank shafts--L-L.
As shown in the plan view Fig. 17, the rear truss frame-M-is provided with

page_text: webs m², which serve to greatly strengthen the truss frame, and also with the side
extensions or bearings for the side bars-F-F-which are secured thereto as
previously described.
It will be observed that owing to the construction of the rear truss frame-M-four
bearings are provided for the axle-K-K, and rear cranks-L-L-are firmly
supported at the point where the greatest strain is applied, and a solid construction is
thereby provided to resist the strain caused by the actuating mechanism. in propelling
the tricycle.
-e-
The actuating mechanism consists of the cranks—L-L-L'—L'L-L³-located
respectively on the rear truss frame and on the side bars-F-F-of the connecting
frame between the drivers and steering wheel, and also of the connecting rods-e
and the treadles-G-GG-G. The cranks--L'-L-are connected to the side
bars F F by means of boxes-N-N-Fig. 1, and the said boxes embrace the
side bars F-F- as is best shown at Figs. 6 and 14.
In order to adapt the position of the treadles to suit the height of the rider or riders
occupying the seats to propel the tricycle, I secure the treadle cranks adjustably to
the side bars-F-
-as best illustrated in the detached views Fig. 13 and 14, in
which views the box-N-is shown provided with set screws-n¹-which take against
the lower edge of the side bars-F.
I provide the boxes-0-mounted on the crank shafts--L²-with an eye
through which passes the connecting rods-e-e-and a set screw-e-bearing
on the rods-e -serves to securely hold the rods- e-in the eyes or sockets of the
boxes-0.
It will be observed that the cranks are what may be termed three part cranks, in
which the cranks have a long arm or connection--and short armas is best
shown in the detached plan view Fig. 18, two boxes-0-being provided for the
supporting cranks, and the treadles-GG-being secured on the crank shafts
outside of the side bars-F-F-of the connecting frame.
In order to adjust the treadles-G-G-to the desired position to accomodate them
to the height of the rider it is simply necessary to loosen up the set screws-n¹-e-
and slide the box-N-on the side bars-F-F-of the frame to the desired position,
then push the box-0-on the rod-e-to the proper position, and again set up the
set screws-ne, and these devices afford efficient and ready means to accom-
plish the desired purpose, and can be manipulated without special skill in the
operator.
The seats for the riders may be of any desirable form. At Figs. 7 and 8 I have
illustrated the usual form employed, but the front seat may consist of a saddle-S-
Fig. 10 instead of the square seat-S'-illustrated in Figs. 1 and 7. When the saddle
seat is used, the triangular seat frame-U-Fig. 10° préferably employed, and
when the ordinary form of seat is used the parallelogram frame U, Fig. 11, is
employed.
-u-
In both cases however the frames—U—U¹—are provided with sockets—u-
through which the seat back support-T-pass and the set screw--Figs. 9, 10,
and 11 serve to securely retain the same in position, and at the same time permits an
in and out adjustment of the back supports-T.
The
The back supports-T-are provided with the back pieces-R-and-S.
forward or front seat back-Ris provided with handle extensions---
--Fig. 7 for
the rider occupying the rear seat to grasp, affording him support in operating the
treadles.
The seat back supports-T-may be elongated, and a canopy top-T',—Fig. 12
supported thereon, as illustrated in Fig. 12, and the same affords a very convenient
and desirable awning or covering for protection against the sun or inclement weather.
The operation of my improved tricycle will be readily understood from the foregoing,
the parts being all adjustable, the machine may be adjusted to the size of the riders,
and the same is easily propelled by the feet operating the treadles-G-G.
The connecting rods--e-transmit the motion from the treadles-G-G--and
their cranks to the rear or axle cranks-L-L-and the machine is thereby actuated.

page_text: Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure
by Letters Patent is :
1-The herein described tricycle composed of the drivers-A-A,-steering
wheel-B, three sets of cranks-L-L'-L³-treadles-G-G,-connecting rods
―ee and seats-S-S',-all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2-In combination, the rear truss frame-M-and side bars-F-F-connected
adjustably thereto and to the neck-D,-substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
3- The combination of the bifurcated neck-D,-side bars-F-F,--rear truss
frame M, and the bracket-H-forming a combined front seat support and brace
for the connecting frame, substantially as and for the purpose set forth."
4 In combination, the side bars-F-F,-bracket-H-forming a combined
brace for the side bars and a front seat support, the treaddles-G-G-mounted
adjustably on the side bars, the drivers-A-A-and the steering wheel-B,-sub-
stantially as and for the purpose set forth.
5 The parallel side bars-F-F-in combination with the box-N,--having_set.
screws n the crank-L-having a box-0-with an eye for the connecting
rod to pass through, and a set screw-e¹,-substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
6-In a tricycle, the combination with the drivers and steering wheel, of the
adjustable connecting frame composed of the side bars-F-F-and the adjustable
actuating means mounted on the connecting frame, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
7 The combination of the seat frame-U-having sockets-u-u-through which
passes the seat back support-T,-
--a set screw-t, the seat back support-T,-and
the seat back-R-having handles--,-substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
8 The combination of the seat-S-with the seat back support-T-and the
canopy top-Tall substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
9 The combination of the side bars-F-and bracket-H,-the said bracket
forming a combined brace and support for the seat, substantially as and for the
purpose. set forth.
Dated this 4th day of November 1887
F. H. GIBBS.
By Herbert & Co.,
18, Buckingham Street, W.C.,
Agents to Applicant.