IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edouard Carl Friedrich Otto, of Peckham, in the County
of Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES."
Sealed the 18th July 1879 and dated the 31st March 1879
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edouard Carl Friedrich Otto.
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st March 1879.
EDOUARD CARL FRIEDRICH OTTO, of Peckham, in the County of Surrey. "Iм-
PROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES."
In the Specification of a former Patent granted to me for "Improvements in
Bicycles," No. 2748, 1877, I have described certain improvements in that class of
bicycles where the rider is seated between two wheels revolving on the two opposite
ends of an axle.
Now my present Invention relates to further improvements in such bicycles.
Since obtaining the grant of such Letters Patent I have discovered that the arrange-
ment of the bent axle as therein specified may be dispensed with, and instead thereof
either a slightly curved or a straight axle may be employed, by doing which the
rider is placed further from the ground and so the wheels may be made both lighter
and smaller in diameter, while the machine is rendered lighter and much easier to
ride.
In those cases where I employ a straight axle I place the seat above such axle
and arrange the same, so that it may be adjusted at any convenient height for the
rider. Where a curved axle is employed I place the seat either below, above, or
in any other convenient intermediate position, and in a similar manner make it
adjustable by means of screws and nuts or otherwise so as to suit the rider's
convenience.
Another feature of my present improvements is that instead of constructing a
wheel as described in my said former Specification I utilise any description of wheel
which is adapted for use for my improved bicycle, and fasten to the hubs or spokes
of such wheel a suitable pulley worked by an endless chain, rope, or band.
Two rods hereafter termed connecting rods extend downwards from the axle, each
of which connecting rods have a recess formed in the lower extremity to receive a
sliding box, and in these boxes the ends of the treadle crank axle are placed so as to
revolve therein.
The extremities of this treadle crank axle project outwards through the sliding
boxes so as to allow of suitable pullies being properly attached thereto.

page_text: The motion of these pullies when actuated by the feet is transmitted to the
driving wheels by endless bands, ropes, or chains, and so propel the bicycle.
The sliding boxes, and with them the pullies, are depressed by springs so as to
ensure the endless chain, rope, or band being kept at a proper tension to impel the
vehicle.
Or instead of the sliding boxes being placed in recesses in the connecting rods as
before mentioned such recesses may be dispensed with, and the sliding boxes may
be provided with a suitable orifice to permit of their being slipped over such con-
necting rods.
Attached to each of the sliding boxes before mentioned is a suitable steering rod,
each rod being provided at its upper extremity with a suitable lever and handle.
Such levers are connected by means of pins or other suitable contrivances to the
axle in such a manner as to allow of their freely moving up and down when the
steering gear is in operation, so that by raising or depressing either of the before
mentioned lever handles the corresponding treadle pulley is raised or depressed and
so loosens or tightens the corresponding endless band, rope, or chain.
Under each of the wheel pullies and attached to the connecting rods in such a
manner as to be free to move up and down are placed suitable brakes which are
connected in any convenient way with the steering levers, so that when one or both
of such levers is or are raised, either one or both of the endless. bands, ropes, or
chains become thereby slackened and the brake is brought more or less in contact
with the wheel, and so the motion of the bicycle is retarded or arrested as
desired.
I provide a second or supplementary brake by fastening a rod to the axle
beneath the seat, which rod projects outwards towards the back but is not of
sufficient length to touch the ground until it is depressed by the rider leaning back-
wards when it acts like an ordinary shoe or drag, and serves to assist in stopping
the vehicle, while it obviates all danger of its turning over backwards.
•
Suitable metal stays are provided whereby the connecting rods are kept in
position and such stays extend from such rods to the axle:
In order to prevent any jolting sensation being experienced by the rider I place
beneath the seat in any convenient position suitable springs which are attached to
the axle, and in order to enable an inexperienced person to readily learn to
manoeuvre the bicycle I provide a third adjustable wheel which may be attached
to the front of the bicycle.whenever desired and removed again at will.
If desired in order more readily to stop the bicycle I attach in the front thereof
to each of the connecting rods a suitable brake so arranged as to act against the
ground, which brakes I either raise or depress by the steering handles, and so by
this arrangement a timid rider may easily and safely arrest the bicycle.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuanco of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edouard Carl Friedrich Otto in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 30th September 1879.
+
EDOUARD CARL FRIEDRICH OTTO, of Peckham, in the County of Surrey. "Iм-
PROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES."
This Invention relates to improvements in that class of bicycles. wherein the
rider is seated between two wheels placed one at each end of a an axle. Such im-
provements relate, 1stly, to an improved arrangement of the seat whereby smaller
wheels may be employed and the entire vehicle rendered lighter and easier to ride;
2ndly, to an improved arrangement of steering gear whereby the driving wheels are
instantaneously converted into steering wheels and vice versa; 3rdly, to an improved
treadle arrangement whereby the rider can easily maintain his equilibrium on the
roughest roads; and, 4thly, to an improved arrangement of brake power whereby
perfect control over the machine is obtained. I will now with the aid of the accom-
panying Drawings, whereon similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts,
proceed to particularly describe my said Invention. Figures 1, 2, shew side and front
elevations, and Figure 3 a plan of my improved bicycle; Figure 4 is a section
taken at line A, B, Figure 2, shewing steering gear, pulleys, and break, the treadles
being indicated in dotted lines.
To carry out my improvements I employ either a straight, rectangular, or
curvilinear axle g, g¹, provided with suitable wheels a having india rubber tyres b.
Either at or above the horizontal and somewhat in rear of the vertical centre line
of such wheels I place an adjustable seat j, j¹, which is raised or lowered by a bolt
and nut j, while to prevent jolting suitable springs j,, j, are conveniently placed
beneath the seat and are so attached to the axle as to allow the seat to take any
convenient inclination. Duplicate springs placed side by side may be employed
according to the rider's weight. By this arrangement not only can lighter and
smaller wheels of any suitable description be employed and the entire vehicle
rendered lighter, but the rider's equilibrium is readily maintained owing to sufficient
weight being displaced towards the rear to counteract the weight requisite in front
on treadles q to propel the bicycle.
To further assist the rider to maintain his balance treadle straps q' are fastened
to the treadles wherewith he can raise the treadle crank and with it the whole
framework of the machine, thus enabling him to pass easily and safely over the
most uneven ground and also to apply a perfect continuous rotary power to the
crank without in any way disturbing his equilibrium. Such treadle straps greatly
assist the rider in passing over kerb stones, bricks, and other obstacles, as well as
in controlling the break power when retarding or arresting the bicycle, and are so
arranged that he can withdraw his feet therefrom at any moment.
One reason why he can so easily pass over any obstacle is that he is enabled at
the proper moment to transfer his weight from the rear to the front, thus lifting
the bicycle over the obstacle, while to counteract any resulting shock he has only to
raise the hinder treadle, thus again transferring his weight to the rear and regaining
his equilibrium.
Fastened to the wheels in any convenient manner and position are suitable
pulleys c worked by endless straps, bands, or chains ", while extending downwards
from the axle are two connecting rods k one on either side. These rods are square
at their upper and round at their lower ends, and over these latter sliding boxes r
are slipped, wherein the ends of the treadle crank axle t revolve, and through
which such ends project sufficiently to allow of suitable treadle pulleys p being
attached thereto, which when actuated by the feet through the treadle crank axle
transinit motion to driving wheels a through endless straps or chains 1º, such
straps or chains being kept at a proper tension by springs o regulated by screws m
and acting on sliding boxes r.

page_text: Owing to such endless straps, bands, or chains 13, connecting crank pulleys p with
driving pulleys c, the rider is prevented from swinging, and thus materially assisted
in maintaining a steady equilibrium, as when he has fixed himself in position the
motion of the treadles which would otherwise cause a swaying of the entire frame
is counteracted by these straps or chains, which transmitting motion to the wheels
propel the vehicle, thus converting the swaying motion of the rider into the back-
ward or forward travel of the bicycle.
To further illustrate the balancing power of the machine let us assume the rider
has placed too much weight on the forward crank, thus loosing his balance, he has
then only to lift the hinder treadle with his foot when he at once transfers the
requisite weight to the seat and re-establishes his equilibrium. Moreover in order
when going uphill to overcome the inclination of the treadle crank to rise (induced
by the increased effort) the rider by assuming a more upright position can place
sufficient weight thereon to keep it at a proper level, while by leaning backwards
when going downhill (sufficiently if necessary to depress the supplementary
brake presently described) he can at once counteract any inclination to fall
forwards.
Figures 5, 6, 7, shew views in section, plan, and side elevation of one of sliding
boxes wherein u is aperture for treadle crank; v, aperture for connecting
rod k (ovalled at sides to allow play for steering); w, small loosely fitting
tube for reception of steering rod 2 presently mentioned; and x, lubricating
aperture.
Attached to sliding boxes are steering rods furnished with tubular nuts k¹
threaded internally with right and left hand threads so that by turning such nuts
one way or the other, such steering rods can be lengthened or shortened. The upper
ends of such nuts are tapered, split, and threaded externally to receive lock nuts k*
which hold them in position.
The steering rods are worked by lever handles e conveniently placed and so con-
nected to the axle as to move up and down freely, so that by raising or depressing
either one or both handles the corresponding treadle pulley is raised or depressed,
and the endless straps or chains loosened or tightened, while one or more guides m¹
furnished with sockets m and fastened to connecting rods k hold such endless straps
or chains in position when slackened.
Suitable brakes firmly attached to sliding brake blocks are placed under
pulleys c and so fitted to connecting rods k as to freely move up and down. These
brakes are connected by wire rods 8, 8', to steering handles e and also to brake and
steering levers f which latter are placed in any convenient position and held therein
by springs f¹ and shoulders fº.
The steering handles e fit loosely on their levers and can be twisted round so as to
force down brake levers fand draw brakes against pulleys c, thereby retarding
the vehicle when going downhill.
When either one or both handles e are raised the corresponding endless strap or
chain is slackened and the brake brought more or less in contact with the corre-
sponding wheel, thus retarding or arresting its movement, while to further slacken
speed when going downhill either or both break levers fare slightly depressed,
thereby augmenting the break power.
To moderate such brake power and prevent shocks the lower extremities of wires
8, 8', are furnished with check springs 82, 83, held in position by suitable adjustable
nuts; thus when either handle e is raised the corresponding wire s actuating the
corresponding check spring 82 brings the corresponding brake l against the corre-
sponding pulley c, thus retarding the corresponding wheel, and when brake levers f
are depressed wires & actuating springs further augment the brake power. If
desired both brake levers f may be simultaneously applied, but the steering handles
e can only be worked singly. Springs 84 are placed on wires 8, which when
actuated by handles e keep brakes 7 (when not in use) at a proper distance from
pulleys c.
I provide a supplementary brake by fastening to axle g a backstay h provided

page_text: with luggage support h¹ and roller or wheel h² to prevent any sudden shock. Such
backstay projects outwards, but does not touch the ground until depressed by the
rider leaning backwards, when it comes in contact therewith and assists both in
stopping the bicycle and preventing its turning over backwards, while it also enables
the rider to stop the machine when going at full speed or downhill by allowing him
to lean back and apply the full power of brakes through levers f, his own weight
in such position resisting the power of brakes.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention and the manner of
carrying the same into operation, I claim,―-
1°. The improved construction of bicycle as herein before described.
2°. The improved position and arrangement of the seat in combination with the
treadle straps whereby perfect equilibrium is maintained and great facilities afforded
for travelling over roads and surmounting obstacles hitherto impracticable for
bicycles.
3°. The improved arrangements of steering gear whereby the driving wheels are
instantaneously converted into steering wheels and vice versa.
4°. The improved arrangement for shortening and lengthening the steering
rods.
5°. The improved arrangements for the application of brake power whereby
perfect control over the vehicle is maintained.
All substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edouard Carl Friedrich Otto, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
Witness,
ELT & Co.,
British and Foreign Patent Office,
33, Southampton Buildings,
Holborn,
London,
E. C. F. OTTO. (LS):
W.C.