IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1884

page_text: We EDWIN GEORGE MATTILAN of Shaftesbury Road Hammersmith in the
County of Middlesex Engineer and HERMANN SMITH of the same place Artist
do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
VELOCIPEDES " to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its objects to improve the modes of driving and controlling
the motions of velocipedes.
In carrying out this Invention with reference to what are known as Dicycles
(velocipedes having only two road wheels, arranged one on each side of the machine)
for example each driving or road wheel is provided with a bevel wheel of suitable
dimensions, which bevel wheels are mounted parallel to each other on opposite sides
of an ordinary chain wheel or other driving gear which latter receives its motion'
from the first motion chain wheel or other gear on the pedal shaft or from the
mechanism operated directly or otherwise by the driving power.
"
In gear with these two bevel wheels is a smaller bevel wheel on "coupler"
carried by the chain wheel. This coupler also gears with another bevel wheel
or pinion" likewise carried by the chain wheel. The pinion carries a friction
wheel, (to which it is rigidly secured) that is in rolling contact with a pair
of friction plates hereinafter described. Another and similar friction wheel is
mounted on the opposite side of the chain wheel. This is simply an idle wheel and
is introduced for the purpose of balancing the friction plates and keeping them
parallel to each other.
The two first mentioned bevel wheels are cast or otherwise formed with elongated
bosses on their back faces for the reception of the friction plates hereinbefore
referred to. These plates are plain circular discs of suitable dimensions pierced
centrally for the admission. of the wheel bosses on which they are mounted, to
revolve with a degree of freedom that is regulated by friction nuts screwed on the
ends of the wheel bosses. These nuts keep the plates in rolling contact with the
friction wheels between which and the friction nuts the said plates are held.
The plates are provided on their inner faces with a pair of cylindrical rims
or flanges or drums (one on each plate) that extend nearly to the chain wheel and
form with the plates two boxes or covers for enclosing the gear and friction wheels,
-

page_text: They also serve as brake drums for steering the machine and are acted upon by the
flexible brakes hereinafter described.
When the chain wheel is set in motion it carries with it the two friction wheels,
the pinion, and the coupler. This latter by acting on the two large bevel wheels
causes the same and with them the road wheels to turn in their bearings and
thereby propel the machine. By reason of the frictional resistance existing between
the friction plates and screw nuts the said plates are carried round with and at the
same speed as the chain wheel. They thus keep the friction wheels and conse-
quently the pinion and coupler from turning. on their axes. The coupler being
thus held stationary in its bearings drives the two large bevél wheels at the same
speed-as each other the machine being thereby propelled in a straight line. But
when by the application of the brakes one of the plates is arrested in its motion
the friction wheels are caused to roll thereon and to turn the pinion and coupler in
their bearings. The now rotating coupler drives the two large bevel wheels at
different speeds the machine being thereby guided in the direction desired.
By this means we are able to guide the machine by means of the driving wheels
and without the assistance of an independent steering wheel an arrangement
particularly applicable to the Dicycle though suitable for any other description of
machine. When an additional wheel is employed it is mounted like a castor wheel
so as to swerve readily on the slightest derivation of the machine from a straight
line.
The pinion hereinbefore referred to may be dispensed with by carrying the
friction-wheel on the coupler, or one or more suitable wheels may be interposed
between the pinion and the coupler but the arrangement herein before described is
preferable the coupler acting also the part of an idle wheel the result being that
the arrested and slowest running friction plate is carried on the fastest running
bevel wheel whilst the fastest running "friction plate is carried on the slowest
running bevel wheel an arrangement that generates the greatest amount of
frictional resistance between the plates and screw nuts and consequently augments
the steering efficiency of the mechanism:
This steering efficiency may be still further augmented by providing the coupler
or the pinion with adjustable friction devices for controlling their freedoin.
According to one mode of effecting this the pinion or the coupler is embraced by-
a pair of friction levers hinged together at one end-and connected at the other end
by a screw adjustment or equivalent device by which they are caused to grip the
boss of the wheel on its spindle with a degree of frictional force that can be
regulated as required. Or the wheels may be provided with cone or other friction
bearings actuated by a screw adjustment or equivalent device.
To obviate the inconvenience of having to manipulate the steering handle when
pushing the machine up inclines or on other occasions I provide that one or more of
the wheels shall be disengageable for the purpose of disconnecting the steering
gear. The road wheels being thus freed from each other the machine may be
wheeled about in any desired direction and without attention to the steering
handle.
ה
An advantageous mode of carrying this into effect is to mount the coupler or the
pinion so as to slide parallel to itself along the spindle on which it revolves so as to
bring it out of gear with the other wheels. This may be effected by means of a
bell crank lever or levers of other desirable kind centred on one arm of the chain
wlieel and connected at one end to the coupler or the pinion, and controlled at the.
other by a link pivotted to a thumb lever mounted radially on the chain wheel.
This thumb lever when acted upon moves through a small angle and takes into the
notches cut in the sides of the chain wheel. to prevent it' slipping or it may be
secured from, slipping by friction or locking springs or otherwise. The spindle on
which the coupler or the pinion revolves may be mounted to move parallel to itself,
or at an angle thereto so as to draw the wheel out of gear, or the 'wheel may
'be mounted on a moveable lever by which it can be w withdrawn. Or in place
31

page_text: thereof the large bevel wheels may be provided with locking clutches or their
equivalent by which they may be disengaged from their respective axles.
These friction plates and devices may be used for checking the erratic movements
of machines driven differentially and guided by an independent steering wheel.
4
In this class of machine the road wheels are so thoroughly isolated from each
other that when one of them meets with an obstruction such as a stone it causes
the machine to suddenly swerve from its proper course to the imminent risk of the
rider notwithstanding the grip or bite of the steering wheel on the ground. By the
application to this class of machine of the friction plates and devices hereinbefore
described a too great isolation of the road wheels from each other is prevented, since
the gear wheels can move among themselves when, and only when, the opposing
forces are sufficiently strong to overcome the frictional resistance imposed by the -
plates, which frictional resistances may be regulated as desired.
The Brake mechanism for checking the progress of Velocipedes has hitherto been
mounted on the frame work of the machine an arrangement which in many cases so
locks the said framework to the revolving road wheels as to cause it to turn with
the said wheels and thereby eject the rider from his seat.
According to this Invention it is proposed to mount the brakes on independent
mechanism such for example as a pendulous rod having at its lower end a heavy
weight or by preference a hollow receptacle for carrying luggage &c. The brakes
which are preferably mounted in pairs one on each side of the brake drum, are
carried on or in connection with this pendulous mechanism and are actuated by
knuckle jointed levers or their equivalent so as to equalize their grip.
The brake drum is mounted so as to turn freely on separate bearings inde-
pendently of the driving mechanism and the road wheels. It carries internally
a small bevel wheel or "coupler" that gears with two larger bevel wheels some-
what similar to the driving mechanism bereinbefore described one on each side of
the brake drum. One of these large wheels is firmly secured to the frame of the
machine and the other is secured to and revolves with one of the road wheels.
A precisely similar combination may be mounted in connexion with the other road
wheel or one combination only may be used in connexion with both wheels or it
may be connected to act with the chain driving wheel or with some other part of
the revolving mechanism instead of with the road wheels. The coupler is
a reversal acting device, its conditions of acting being such, that when by the
application of the brakes, the brake drum is arrested in its motion, the running on
tendency of the road wheel acting through the coupler, tends to turn the frame of
the machine backwards relatively to itself; but as the riders weight during the
time, acts in opposition to this tendency, the result is that the coupler is restrained
in its action and caused to re-act on, and check the motion of the road wheel, the
machine being thus brought to a state of rest.
By this arrangement the coming into action of the brakes causes the riders
bearing weight on the pedal to act as a check to the progress of the machine
whilst the running on effort.of the machine by checking this action, gives to the
rider a firm footbase on which to support himself during the action of the brakes.
It is obvious that instead of the bevel wheels or the friction wheels herein
described spur wheels or chain wheels or their equivalent may be employed.
When the brakes are put into action they grip the drum in such manner as to
give the pendulum rod a tendency to turn with the drum, but this tendency is
counteracted to a certain extent by the heavy weight with which it is provided
and which limits its motion to a mere oscillation. This angular motion of the
pendulum rod in part destroys the suddenness of action of the brakes and ensures
a more uniform motion of the same but in order the better to effect this object the
spoon or pan of the brakes or that portion which is brought into contact with the
wheel to arrest its motion and likewise the carrying levers are made of a pliant or
supple nature so as to come into action gradually and with a gliding or skidding
motion. A yielding material may also be introduced between the pans and
carrying levers.

page_text: The degree of flexible resistance of the pans and levers will be regulated
according to the requirements of each particular case and may range from all but
absolute rigidity to the utmost pliancy.
The pans and levers may each be made of one solid piece either of metal, wood
or other suitable material or of a combination of materials and of a plain
laminated, corrogated or other desired form.
The face of each pan is protected from wear by a leather strap or other skidding
material carried by the lever and against which the drum skids.
We may also apply and use these improvements in combination with any
ordinary brake mechanism and in any ordinary manner.
Machines constructed according to these improvements may be mounted to run
on two or more wheels. When a third wheel is employed it is mounted to swerve
like a castor wheel or, it may be used as a steering wheel. In either case the
ordinary socket form of head is used but is constructed with annular bearings of
a recessed or grooved form.
:
The vertical shaft or spindle at the top of the fork has a suitable enlargement at
its lower end in which a horizontal annular groove is cut or it may be formed with
an annular projection instead. The lower end of the socket is suitably shaped to
take into this annular groove or to fit the annular projection which thus forms the
lower bearing of the head.
A somewhat similar arrangement is made at the top of the spindle, the bearing
for which is formed as a screw nut to screw on to the end of the spindle.
By this arrangement a self trueing, oil retaining, and dust proof bearing is
öbtained.
Two or more such. annular bearings, concentrically or otherwise disposed, may
also be used for each or either bearing, or if desired bearing bolts, or their
equivalent may be substituted for the annular projections..
In order to make the steering rod more efficient in action, it is connected by
a link (or equivalent device) pivotted to the frame of the machine so as to give it
a radial action in addition to its ordinary longitudinal motion. The steering rod
may be mounted to work in a slot formed in the arm of the steering wheel so as to
admit of a variable leverage with respect to the said arm or it may be pivotted
thereto in any ordinary manner.
By this means the steering wheel is rendered capable of being moved through
a greater angle than has hitherto been possible to attain, and with a. relatively
uniform or a relatively variable motion,

page_text: "
We, EDWIN GEORGE MATTILAN of Shaftesbury Road Hammersmith in the
County of Middlesex Engineer and HERMANN SMITH of the same place, Artist do
hereby declare the nature of this 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:-
This Invention has for its objects improvements in the modes of driving and
controlling Velocipedes which improvements we will describe with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which the same letter of reference are employed to
indicate corresponding parts in all the Figures.
In carrying out this Invention with reference to what are known as Dicycles,
that is Velocipedes having but two road wheels which are mounted parallel to each
other and between which the rider is seated According to this Invention each
driving or road wheel is actuated by a bevel wheel of suitable dimensions, which
bevel wheels are mounted parallel to each other and on opposite sides of an
ordinary chain wheel or other gear wheel. This latter receives its motion from
the first motion chain wheel or other gear wheel on the pedal shaft or from the
mechanism operated directly or otherwise by the driving power.
The two bevel wheels are connected to each other by a smaller bevel wheel or
"coupler" carried by the chain wheel. The chain wheel also carries a smaller bevel
wheel or "pinion" which gears with the coupler.
The chain wheel and its connections which together constitute the driving gear
may be centrally disposed with respect to the road wheels as shewn in Figures 1
and 2, which arrangement preferred for a Dicycle, or for a Front wheel Tricycle,
or it may if desired be placed to one side of the machine as clearly indicated in
Figures 4 and 5 which are illustrations of a T frame tricycle of the trailing wheel
type.
Figures 7. 8 and 9 are part sectional views of the driving gear constructed
according to our invention C is the chain wheel which is rigidly secured to the
main axle shaft x. This shaft extends from side to side of the machine and is
squared and screw threaded at each end for the reception of the washers and screw
nuts by which the road wheels are retained on the axle. S S are two sleeves or
hollow shafts to the inner ends of which the bevel wheels B B¹ are firmly keyed.
These sleeve or hollow shafts are free to turn on the axle shaft x and are cut at
their outer ends into parallel projections like crown wheel teeth. These projections.
take into corresponding recesses in the wheel hubs by which means the wheels are
secured to the said shafts so as to be driven thereby. K is the "coupler" and P is
the pinion both of which are carried by the chain wheel C.-To the spindle of the
pinion P is rigidly secured a friction wheel p which is in rolling contact with two
friction plates or drums D D¹. Another friction wheel pl is mounted in the dia-
metrically opposite side of the chain wheel for the purpose of balancing the friction
plates and keeping them parallel to each other. The friction plates D) D' are
mounted to turn freely on the elongated bosses of the bevel wheels B B-These
bosses are screw-threaded for the reception of screw nuts B3 by means of which

page_text: .
the plates are kept in rolling contact with the friction wheels and by which also
the frictional tension between the washers w, which do not revolve, and the plates
or. drums D D¹ are regulated. Instead of this arrangement a pair of forked
levers ff centred on the framing of the machine as shewn in Figure 2 may be
employed their forked ends embracing the wheel bosses. These levers carry a screw
bolt on which the screw nuts B³ act and by means of which they are enabled
through the levers fifto impart the necessary frictional tension to the plates D D¹
This frictional tension is an important feature of novelty in these improvements as
will presently be seen. The friction plates or drums D D' are provided with
cylindrical flanges d on which the brakes E E are brought to bear when it is
desired to alter the course of the machine.
When the chain wheel is set. in. motion it. carries with it the two friction
wheels ppl the pinion P and the coupler K-This latter acting on the two large
bevel wheels B B¹ causes the same and with them the road, wheels to turn in their
bearings and thereby propel the machine. By reason of the frictional tension
existing between the friction plates and the screw nuts B² the said plates are
carried round with and at the same speed as the chain wheel; they consequently.
keep the friction wheels p'p' and the pinion P and coupler K from turning on their
axes The coupler being thus held stationary in its bearings drives the two large
bevel wheels B B at the same speed as each other, the machine being thereby
propelled in a straight line. But when by the application of the brakes E E one of
the friction plates or drums D D¹ is arrested in its motion, the friction wheels p p¹
are caused to roll thereon and to turn the pinion P and coupler K in their bearings.
The now rotating coupler drives the two large bevel wheels B B' at different speeds
the machine being thereby guided in the direction desired according as the brake is
applied to either the friction plate D or D¹.
By means of this frictional tension we are enabled to guide and control the
movement of the machine without the assistance of an independent steering wheel,
an arrangement particularly applicable to the Dicycle Velocipede though suitable
for other descriptions of machines.
The pinion P may in some cases be dispensed with by carrying the friction
wheel P on the coupler, or one or more suitable wheels may be interposed between
the pinion and the coupler, but the arrangement herein described is preferred
because the coupler acting also the part of an idle wheel, reverses the motion
relatively to the friction wheel, the result being that the arrested and slowest
running friction plate is carried on the fastest running bevel wheel, whilst the
fastest running friction plate is carried on the slowest running bevel wheel; an
arrangement that generates the greatest amount of frictional resistance between the
plates D. D' and the washers wand consequently; augments the steering and con-
trolling efficiency of the mechanism.
This steering and controlling efficiency may be still further augmented by.
providing either the coupler K or the pinion P with adjustable friction devices for
controlling their freedom.
According to one mode of effecting this the pinion or the coupler is embraced by
a pair of friction levers hinged together at one end and connected at the other end
by a screw adjustment or equivalent device by which they are caused to grip the
boss of the wheel, or its spindle, with a degree of frictional force that can be
regulated as required. In Figure 12 ff' are the two levers which are preferably
mounted between the pinion P and the friction wheel p one on each side of the
spindle P. The screw bolt f³ screws into the arm a of the chain wheel and forms
the hinge on which the levers ff¹ act. Two screw nuts B2 B2 are carried by the
screw.bolt f¹ for the purpose of forcing the levers against the spindle P₁. . Instead
of these levers the wheels may be provided with cone or other friction bearings
actuated by screw adjustments or equivalent devices.-These friction devices are
applicable to the couplers of ordinary or other differential gear.
To obviate the inconvenience of having to manipulate the steering handle when
pushing the machines up inclines, or on other occasions, we provide that one or

page_text: more of the wheels shall be disengageable for. the purpose of. disconnecting the
mechanism-The road wheels being thus freed from each other the machine may
be wheeled about in any desired: direction and without attention. to: the steering
handle.
An advantageous mode of carrying this into effect is illustrated in Figures.8
and 9. The .arins. a. of the chain wheel C are cast to one side as shewn in dotted
outline in the lower. part of. figure 9-The boss of the cliain wheel has upon it a
sliding ring which is secured by screws to the arms a of. the chain wheel-This
ring has two recesses a¹ formed on it for the reception of the inner ends. of
the spindles P' and ''K' their outer ends being similarly provided for inside the
rim of the chain wheel-Either. the coupler K. (as shewn) or the pinion P. is
mounted to turn freely on a short sleeve k³ fitted to slide along its spindle-This
sleeve is controlled by the bell crank lever 13 which is in turn actuated and
controlled by the radial lever L formed in one with or connected to a ring L' at
one end, of sufficient size to take on to the boss of the chain wheel on which it
works as a center and on which it is kept by another ring (not shewn in our
drawings) which screws. on to the boss of the wheel outside the said ring The
radial lever L carries.a pin or projection working in the slot 12 in the bell crank
lever 13 or it may be connected thereto by a link or equivalent device-The radial
lever L moves through a small angle and takes into one or other of the notches n n¹
cut in the rim of the chain wheel C or it may be secured by springs or otherwise
When the lever L is moved into the position n' the lever and coupler .K assume
the position shewn in dotted lines in Figure 8 and when in this position the
coupler K is out of gear with the bevel wheels B, B¹.
The spindle P or the spindle K¹ may sometimes be mounted to move parallel to
itself or at an angle thereto so as to draw the wheel out of gear with B. B¹ or the
wheel itself may be mounted on a moveable lever by which it may be withdrawn.
Or in place thereof the bevel wheels B B¹ may be provided with locking clutches
or their equivalent by which they may be disconnected from their respective sleeve
shafts S S¹
It is obvious that instead of the bevel wheels or the friction. wheels herein
described, spur wheels or chain wheels, or their equivalent may be employed, as
illustrated by figures 10 and 11, in which the friction wheels p and p' are dispensed
with and spur wheels B B are employed in place thereof C is the chain wheel
and D is one of the friction drums or plates mounted as before described on the
bosses of the wheels B B¹ which are similar in their action and mode of mounting
to the bevel wheels B B¹ in figure 7. KK³ are two elongated spur pinions in gear
with each other, each one, of which is also in gear with one of the spur wheels B B'.
They are carried by the chain wheel C and correspond in their action to the
coupler K Figure 8-They drive the wheels B. B₁ and constrain them to turn at
different speeds for the purpose of guiding the machine as hereinbefore fully.
explained. pp are two small spur wheels in rigid connexions each respectively
with the pinions K2 K³. p² is an internally toothed wheel or annulus.carried by the
friction plate D with which the wheel gears and by which it is controlled--
A similar arrangement (not shewn) is made in respect to the wheel p'-Instead of
the annulus or internal gear wheel p³ an. ordinary spur wheel may sometimes be.
used. ww are two bearing plates or washers for supporting the friction plates DD₁.
in lieu of the friction wheels pp' hereinbefore referred to with reference to Figures 78.
and 9:
These friction plates and devices may also be used for checking. the erratic
movements of machines driven differentially and guided by an independent steering.
wheel In this class of machine the road wheels are. so thoroughly isolated from.
each other that when one of them meets with an obstruction such as a.stone it.
causes the machine to suddenly swerve from its proper course to the imminent risk
of the rider notwithstanding the grip or bite of the steering wheel on the ground.
By the application to this class of machine of the friction plates and devices.
hereinbefore described a too great isolation of the road wheels from each other.is.

page_text: prevented since the gear wheels can move among themselves when, and only when,
the opposing forces are sufficiently strong to overcome the frictional resistances
imposed by these plates and devices which frictional resistance may be regulated as
desired;
"
The brake mechanism for checking the progress of velocipedes has hitherto been
mounted on the framework of the machine an arrangement which in many cases so
locks the said framework to the revolving road wheels as to cause it to turn
therewith and thereby eject the rider from his seat.
According to this Invention it is proposed as a remedy for this defect to mount
the brake drum so as to turn freely on separate bearings and independently of the
driving mechanism and the road wheels and to carry the brakes on independent
mechanism such for example as a pendulum rod having at its lower end a heavy
weight or preferably a hollow receptacle for carrying luggage or the like or it may
be an electric battery for lighting or for driving the machine the brakes which are
preferably mounted in pairs one on each side of the brake-drum are carried on or
in connection with pendulous mechanism and are actuated by knuckle joints or
toggle levers or their equivalent so as to equalise their grip.
A mode of carrying this into effect is shewn in figures 13 and 14 which represent
respectively a side and a front sectional elevation of the mechanism. W is the
heavy weight and R is the pendulous rod to which it may be rigidly keyed, but it
is preferably attached by springs or other resilient media-D is the brake drum
which turns freely on the sleeve shaft S¹. The drum carries a pinion P which is in
gear with two bevel wheels B B¹. The wheel B having an elongated boss on its
back face on which the pendulous rod R freely swings and by which it is rigidly
connected to the framing F of the machine Figure 3-The wheel B' is rigidly
secured to the hub H of the road wheel so as to turn the machine. When the
hub His revolving the wheel B₁ causes the pinion P to roll on the face of
the stationary wheel B thereby driving the brake drum D at half the speed of
itself When by the application of the brake levers G G the drum D is arrested in
its motion the running on effort of the wheel B¹ transmitted through the pinion P
tends to turn the wheel B backwards relatively to itself thereby giving the rider
a firm footbase on which to support himself during the action of the brakes-The
running on effort of the road wheels and the riders bearing weight being thus
brought into opposition, readily neutralise each other and thereby brings the
machine to rest in much less time than has hitherto been the case.
Instead of the bevel gears herein described an arrangement of spur wheels may
be used similar to those shewn in Figure 11 consisting of two spur wheels B B¹ and
the two pinions K' K³-these latter being mounted in the brake drum or chain
wheels, or their equivalent may be used.
The levers G G are actuated by the links N N which are themselves actuated by
the link plate T. This plate carries a pin c which works in the guide slot 8 in the
rod R and is connected to the brake handle in the manner shewn in Figures 1 and 2
and hereinafter described. When by the action of the brake handle the plate T is
raised the links N. N are caused to open out like knuckle joints or toggle levers
thereby forcing the lower arms of the levers G G apart and closing their upper
arms on to the brake drum D-As will readily be seen this combination of levers
and links is free to swivel on the two pivots G' G¹ and the sliding pin c the
consequence being that however firmly the brakes may grip the drum they can
never put any undue strain on the journals.
Instead of the pendulous. position here shewn the rod R may sometimes be
sustained in a more or less horizontal position by a helical spring or other suitable
device-Such an arrangement would best suit a machine of the description shewn
in Figures 4 and 5.
When the brakes are put into action their gripping effect on the drum is such as
to give to the pendulous rod a tendency to turn with the drum but as this tendency
is counteracted to a certain extent by the heavy weight W its motion is limited to
a mère oscillation which in part destroys the suddenness of action of the brakes and

page_text: ensures a more uniform motion of the same But in order the better to effect this
object the spoons or pans of the brakes and likewise the carrying levers are made
of a pliant or flexible nature so as yield and come into action gradually and with
a gliding or skidding motion-A yielding material is also introduced between the
pans and the carrying levers and the face of the pans may be protected from wear
by a skidding strap of leather or other material carried by the levers and against
which the drum skids.
Pans constructed according to these improvements, which may be of a plain
laminated corrugated or other form of structure, are shown in Figures 15 to 20
inclusive-Figure 15 shews the pan E in its normal condition when out of contact
with the drum D and figure 16 shews it in its flexed condition-The face of the
pan is so shaped that at its first contact with the drum only a small portion of its
surface affects the drum but as it is brought closer to the drum its surface of contact
increases until when fully flexed as in Figure 16 its whole surface is in contact with
the drum-In figure 17 the face of the pan has been reduced and its checking
power thereby diminished by a series of transverse grooves being cut on its face-
It might be still further reduced by grooving the pan lengthwise and thereby.
forming a series of knobs on its surface In Figure 18 the pan is faced with some
thin material such as watch spring match wood & bent into a series of corrugations
and turned back on to itself and rivetted or otherwise secured to the pan--The pan
is shewn with parallel faces but it may be of the form shewn in figure 15 or
otherwise. In Figure 19 the pan is faced with a laminated structure of wood metal
or other material-A series of plates of graduated length are placed one on the
other and secured to the pan-The outside plate of the series may form a shield for
the others In Figure 20 the pan which is comparatively short is faced like the
Figure 19 with a laminated structure of graduated plates which however increase
in length as they recede from the pan-The ends of the last plate of the series are
curved outwards since they come into action first the plates gradually expanding as.
the pan approaches the drum-The pan is shown with parallel faces but it may be
constructed in any of the manners previously described but so as to expand as here
shewn and may be faced or not as desired.
The pans may be constructed of one solid piece of metal wood or other suitable
material or they may be made of a combination of materials-The degree of flexile
resistance of the pans which will be determined by the requirements of each
particular case may range from all but absolute rigidity to the utmost pliancy.
The modes of mounting and carrying the pans are shewn in figures 21 to 26. In
Figures 21 and 22 the pan is carried between a pair of parallel levers like those
shewn in figures 1-2-13 and 14-It is provided with two pins one at each end
which projects sufficiently on each side to take into holes in the levers G G in
which they work-Two of the holes are elongated as shewn in figure 21 to allow
of the necessary contraction of the pan when fully flexed on the drum as shewn in⚫
figure 16 In figure 22 a single full width pan is shewn but two or more narrow
pans mounted side by side may sometimes be used, in Figures 23. 24 and 25 the
brake spoon or pan E is carried by a pair of brackets e mounted on a single
lever G placed behind the pan and cut away as shewn in Figure 23 to allow of the
necessary play of the pan-In these figures is also shewn the skidding strap Z
which in this particular case is carried like the pan on a pair of brackets e²
mounted on the lever G but it may be mounted in any other manner. As here
shewn it consists of a plain strip of material folded back on to itself so as to form
two layers and is butt jointed on the side next the pan. As will be seen the
skidding strap is a separate medium introduced for the purpose of protecting the
pan from the guiding effect of the drum-It may be made of any suitable material
or combination of materials and may be secured in position by buckles rivets hooks
and eyes or otherwise Figure 26 shews a pan of solid structure like Figure 15
but designed to act like Figure 20 by expansion-The carrying lever is made
flexible or resilient and may be of laminated or other form of structure or quite
plain as shewn It may be separate from the pan E or may form part thereof the

page_text: two being made in one, or its end. E¹ may be prolonged and formed into a ordinary
brake spoon In this latter case the flexible pau E will be dispensed with.
}
We may also apply and use these improvements to and in combination with any
brake mechanism Machines constructed according to these improvements may be
mounted to run on two wheels as shewn in Figures 1 and 2 or they may be
mounted on three or more wheels if desired-When a third wheel is employed it
may be mounted as shewn in Figure 4. to swerve like a castor wheel or it may be
mounted as shewn in figures 5 and 6 and used as a steering wheel-In either case
the ordinary socket form of head is used but is constructed with annular bearings
of a recessed or grooved form.
✓ Figures 27 and 28 shew a head constructed according to these improvements
A is the vertical shaft or spindle at the top of the fork having an enlargement M
at its lower end in which an annular groove bis cut or it may be an annular
projection instead. The socket O is suitably formed to fit this annular groove or
the annular projection which thus forms the lower bearing of the head-Two or
more such annular bearings concentrically or otherwise disposed may sometimes be
used and when desirable bearing balls may be used in place of the annular
projections A somewhat similar arrangement is provided at the top of the spindle
the bearing for which is formed as a screw nut I to screw on to the end of the
spindle A and is secured by another nut screwed firmly down upon it or by other
suitable means.
By this arrangement a self trueing oil retaining and dust proof bearing is obtained.
In order to make the steering rod more efficient in its action it is connected by
a link or equivalent device to the frame of the machine for the purpose of giving
it a radial action in addition to its ordinary longitudinal motion-It may also be
mounted to work in a slot formed in the arm of the steering wheel so as to admit
of a variable leverage with respect to the said arm or it may be pivoted thereto in
any ordinary manner.
จ
Figure 5 shews an arrangement for carrying this into effect, is the steering rod
which is carried at one end by the straps which surrounds the eccentric i of the
steering handle and at the other end by a slide which works in the slot 1 of
the steering arm, O is the link which is pivoted at one end to the frame F of the
machine and at the other end to the steering rod -By this arrangement the
rod while moving in the direction from to t or vice versa is constrained to turn
on the pivot X and thereby move through the angle y the link o at the same time
moving through half the angle ' The resultant effect of these two movements is
to cause the slide to move along the slot in the arm 2 while it is turning the
said arm, and thereby trace out the elipticical path from 7 to 9 This sliding motion
of the slider gradually shortens the effective leverage of the arm and as
gradually increases its angular velocity-When the pivot X is equidistant from the
centres of.i and the end r will describe a circular ark as r, t because it will never
vary its distance from the steering head-In this case the rod / may be pivoted to.
the steering arm in any ordinary manner.
In figures 1 and 2 the steering is effected by two handles uu mounted one on
each side of the machine.
These handles are carried by tubular spindles m`m to which they are rigidly
secured. m¹ m' are two rods which run through the spindles m m and connect.
the pins of the pendulous brakes with the small handles v carried inside the
handles U-The rods m¹ m' are swivel jointed to the bandles v to allow of them
turning with the handles u-The spindles m m are provided with eccentrics & d
which work, in the forked ends of levers Y Y' shewn in figure 3 which is a plan
view of that portion of the machine situated behind, the axle. E E2 are two
brakes with flexible levers similar to that shewn in figure 26-They are mounted.
on the pedal beam Q and are actuated by the levers Y Y' the small ends of which
levers take into the eyes E¹ E¹ formed in the flexible levers L figure 26.
When by the action of the steering handle the eccentric d is turned in the fork
of the lever Y it causes the said lever to put the brake E into frictional contact

page_text: with the plate D which is consequently arrested in its motion-The shaft S being
likewise arrested in its motion and the shaft S₁ correspondingly accelerated, the
machine as a consequence is turned towards the side S in the direction desired-
The opposite effect is produced by the opposite handle. From this it will be seen
that when the steering handles are turned together they act as an efficient brake
since the machine cannot be steered in both directions at the same time.
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
1st The general construction, arrangement and combination of mechanism
constituting driving gear for velocipedes and the arrangements of mechanisms for
actuating controlling and disconnecting the gearing wheels thereof substantially as
and for the purpose herein before described and illustrated in Figures 7 to 11 of
Qur Drawings.
2nd In differential driving gear for velocipedes the application of means for
putting friction upon the moving parts substantially as hereinbefore described
under various examples.
3rd The combination with differential driving gear of velocipedes of friction
plates (D D¹) and devices operating in connection therewith substantially as and
for the purpose hereinbefore described.
4th The general construction arrangement and combination of mechanism
constituting the pendulous brake gear substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated by our drawings.
5th The application and combination of mechanism whereby the riders weight is
caused to act in opposition to the rotation of the road wheels substantially in
the manner and for the purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated by our
drawings.
.
6th The application to velocipedes of flexible or yielding skidding pans or brake
surfaces constructed and arranged substantially in the manner herein before
described and illustrated by our drawings.
:
7th The application to velocipedes of a skidding strap constructed arranged
and operating substantially in the manner and for the purpose hereinbefore
described with reference to Figures 23, 24 and 25 of our drawings.
8th The improvements in steering heads of velocipedes substantially as herein-
before described with reference to Figures 27 and 28 of our drawings.
9th Means for imparting to the steering rods of velocipedes a radial motion in
addition to their ordinary longitudinal motion whereby they are rendered more
efficient in their action substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by
Figure 5 of our drawings.
10th The various arrangements and combinations of parts constituting the
several mechanisms herein before described and illustrated in the several detail
Figures of the accompanying drawings.
11th The Application to and combination with brake mechanisms of the several
improvements in brakes hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 17, 18,
19, 20 and 26 of our drawings.
12th The mode of mounting and actuating the levers of the brake mechanism of
velocipedes substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described.
Dated this 17th day of April 1885.
E. G. MATTILAN.
J. Henry Johnson, Agent for Hermann Smith.