IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ARRANGEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION OF VELOCIPEDES AND SIMILAR VEHICLES OR MACHINES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Henry Thompson, of Finsbury Square, and
Francis Giles Henwood, of 28, Budge Row, India Rubber, Gutta Percha, and
Steam Packing Manufacturer, both in the City of London, for an Invention
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Henry Thompson
and Francis Giles Henwood at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on
the 27th November 1880.
WILLIAM HENRY THOMPSON, of Finsbury Square, and FRANCIS GILES HENWOOD,
of 28, Budge Row, India Rubber, Gutta Percha, and Steam Packing Manufacturer,
both in the City of London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ARRANGEMENT AND
CONSTRUCTION OF VELOCIPEDES AND SIMILAR VEHICLES OR MACHINES."
This Invention has for its object improvements on the Invention patented by
William Henry Thompson in Patent No. 2372, dated June 14th, 1879, and granted
to him in that year (and intituled "Improvements in the Arrangement and
Construction of Velocipedes and similar Vehicles or Machines,") whereby we are
enabled to construct a far more convenient machine with a reduced weight, of a
shorter length, with an improved and novel arrangement of framing, an improved
arrangement of rowing levers and mode of steering, and an improved arrangement
of break, which may be actuated by the feet in place of the hands, though if
desired it may be arranged to work with the hands, so that we are enabled by
these arrangements to produce a compact, strong, and convenient machine which
may be manufactured at a less cost, and if desired may be arranged to be propelled
by the feet or pedals, or their equivalent, in place of the rowing action described
in the before mentioned Patent.
In carrying out our Invention we employ an improved and novel arrangement
of tubular metal framing consisting mainly of two parts, one on each side, formed
to the contour of the two driving or propelling wheels, but with a longer radius,
and following, or nearly so, the curve of the same for a considerable part of their
length, when they turn in at both ends, with an easy curve towards the axle of the
two driving wheels, towards and stop on the centre line of the length of the
Price fd1

page_text: machine, and join together to admit of the two small bearing or guiding wheels
being connected to the same, so as to form with the sockets or bosses a species of
girder complete in itself, or they may be attached or joined to a boss, or socket or
part, so as to carry a fork or forks for the small bearing or guiding wheels, sup-
porting as it were the ends of the machine, and over or connected with each of
these small wheels we place a suitable spring or springs in order that by their
intervention the backward or forward sway of the rider in rowing or propelling
may be quietly and readily absorbed, and in addition we employ one or more
tubular or other suitable metal portions which are attached to, or to which the
axle on which the propelling or driving wheels run is attached, and which join at
both ends to the other two tubular frames or parts herein before mentioned.
The two main driving or propelling wheels are of equal diameter, and placed at
a suitable distance apart, and between them the two small bearing or guiding
wheels controlled and supported by a steel fork, combined with a suitable spring
or springs and moveable boss over are placed, the centre rod or shank of the fork
projecting through the boss for the attachment of part of the steering gear, both
these small wheels being placed within the circumference of the driving or propelling
wheels. To each of the curved side frames hereinbefore described a tubular tie is
attached, the ends of which meet the main frame by an easy curve and are firmly
secured thereto.
The tubular portion hereinbefore mentioned as connected to the axle, which we
call the bottom frame, is formed of metal tubing led by easy curves over the axle
to the bosses of the two small wheels which are placed on the longitudinal centre
line of the machine, the whole tubular arrangement and parts forming a strong
light girder framework, to which the other parts for propelling, steering, and
brakeing may be conveniently attached.
We may also in some cases instead of keeping the steering or guiding wheels
within the circumference of the large driving wheels, extend them at each end to
a suitable and convenient distance from the centre of the large wheels, and lead
the tubular framework by easy curves again to the centre bosses over the springs
on the forks over the said steering or guiding wheels.
For the propelling and steering connexions we by preference employ flexible
cordage which passes over pulleys suitably attached to the framework to guide the
same, and reduce the friction on their way to the actuating parts to which they
are suitably connected so as to allow of the required or desired action being
obtained. The rowing levers have an improved arrangement to enable a parallel
motion of the parts to be obtained, and friction wheels or sheaves attached to the
same which work against a guide or bar on the framework are provided to ensure
correct action. A radius rod or part firmly attached to the framework and provided
with a joint permitting of horizontal motion carries the rowing lever and under
radius rod and pulleys which work the propelling cord, and thereby give motion
to the machine; the end of this under radius rod or bar is provided with a sheave
or pulley working on the guide bar to ensure correct action, and the propelling
cord is caused to pass round sheaves or pulleys connected with the same to enable
the proper action to be obtained. Ratchet wheels and sheaves or pulleys, which
are so arranged as to form part of the bosses of the driving or propelling wheels,
and made as light as possible out of sheet metal, are used, and the flexible pro-
pelling cord connected with the rowing levers passes over the same so as to enable
propulsion to be obtained. We arrange the steering gear so that the required
action shall be produced by means of flexible cordage, which by being suitably led
and arranged at each side can be caused to extend along under the rowing levers
by depressing either of which it is caused to press on and force down the
flexible cordage, and so turn the wheel as to enable the required guiding to be
obtained.
For the brake we arrange it so that it shall form a band or splasher over each
driving wheel of any desired width, extending along the same to the desired
distance, and by means of a joint on the framework or by being made sufficiently

page_text: flexible can be brought into contact with the rim of the wheels, and so give the
required retarding action on the actuating part with which it is connected, being
operated by pressing the foot against it. By this arrangement we are enabled to
make one part fulfil two duties, and so avoid the weight of the splasher when used
as such only, and also the weight of the brake when so used only; thus a further
saving of weight is attained by this arrangement.
.
The seat for the rider may be arranged so as to be adjustable, and suitable
springs or their equivalent may be provided to render the riding easy and free from
shocks or jerks. The seat may be carried on the tie rods or otherwise conveniently
arranged so as to be attached to the framework where most suitable. In some
cases we may arrange the seat so as to act on the steering wheels in place of the
rowing levers by arranging so that the rider by throwing his weight to the right
or left as required may cause it to produce the required action.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Henry Thompson and Francis Giles Henwood in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th May 1881.
WILLIAM HENRY THOMPSON, of Finsbury Circus, and FRANCIS GILES HENWOOD,
of 28, Budge Row, India Rubber, Gutta Percha, and Steam Packing Manufacturer,
both in the City of London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ARRANGEMENT AND
CONSTRUCTION OF VELOCIPEDES AND SIMILAR VEHICLES OR MACHINES."
This Invention has for its object improvements on the Invention patented by
William Henry Thompson in Patent No. 2372, dated June 14th, 1879, and granted
to him in that year, and intituled "Improvements in the Arrangement and
Construction of Velocipedes and similar Vehicles or Machines," whereby we are
enabled to construct a far more convenient machine with a reduced weight, of a
shorter length, with an improved and novel arrangement of framing, an improved
arrangement of rowing levers, and mode of steering, and an improved arrangement
of brake, which may be actuated by the feet in place of the hands, so that we are
enabled by these arrangements to produce a compact, strong, convenient, and more
efficient machine, which if desired may be arranged to be propelled by the feet, or
pedals, or their equivalent in place of the rowing action (or by both rowing and
pedal action combined) described in the before mentioned Patent.
In carrying out our Invention we employ an improved and novel arrangement
of tubular metal framing consisting mainly of two parts, one on each side, formed
to the contour of the two driving or propelling wheels, but with a larger radius,
and following, or nearly so, the curve of the same for a considerable part of their
length, when they turn in at both ends, with an easy curve towards the axle of the
two driving wheels, and towards and stop on or about the centre line of the length
of the machine, and join together to admit of the two small bearing or guiding
wheels being connected to the same, so as to form with the sockets or bosses a

page_text: species of girder complete in itself, or they may be attached or joined to a boss
socket or part so as to carry a fork or forks for the small bearing or guiding
wheels supporting as it were the ends of the machine, and over or connected with
each of these small wheels we place a suitable spring or springs in order that by
their intervention the backward or forward sway of the rider in rowing or pro-
pelling may be quietly and readily absorbed, and the jolts and shocks reduced,
and in addition we employ one or more tubular or other suitable metal portions
which are attached to, or to which the axle on which the propelling or driving
wheels run is attached, and which join at both ends to the other two tubular
frames or parts hereinbefore mentioned.
The two main driving or propelling wheels are of equal diameter and placed at a
suitable distance apart, and between them the two small bearing or guiding wheels
controlled and supported by a steel fork combined with a suitable spring or springs
and moveable boss over are placed, the centre rod or shank of the fork projecting
through the boss for the attachment of part of the steering gear, both these
small wheels being placed within, or nearly so, the circumference of the driving
or propelling wheels. To each of the curved side frames herein before described a
tubular tie is attached, the ends of which meet the main frame by an easy curve,
and are firmly secured thereto.
The tubular portion herein before mentioned as connected to the axle, which we
call the bottom frame, is formed of metal tubing led by easy curves over the axle
to the bosses over the forks of the two small wheels which are placed on the
longitudinal centre line of the machine, the whole tubular arrangement and parts
forming a strong light girder framework, to which the other parts for propelling,
steering, and brakeing may be conveniently attached.
We may also, in some cases, instead of keeping the steering or guiding wheels
within the circumference of the large driving wheels, extend them at each end to
a suitable and convenient distance from the centre of the large wheels, and lead the
tubular framework by easy curves again to the centre bosses over the springs on
the forks over the said steering or guiding wheels.
For the propelling and steering connexions we, by preference, employ flexible
cordage, which passes over pulleys suitably attached to the framework to guide the
same and reduce the friction on their way to the actuating parts, to which they
are suitably connected so as to allow of the required or desired action being
obtained. The rowing levers have an improved arrangement to enable a parallel
motion of the parts to be obtained, and greater facilities for enabling the levers to
be folded, and friction wheels or sheaves are attached to the same which work
against a guide or bar on the frame work, and are provided to ensure correct
action. A radius rod or part firmly attached to the framework and provided with
a joint permitting of horizontal motion carries the rowing lever and under radius
rod or lever and pulleys which work the propelling cord, and thereby give motion
to the machine. The end of this under radius rod or lever is provided with a sheave
or pulley working on the guide bar to ensure correct action, and the propelling
cord is caused to pass round sheaves or pulleys connected with the same to enable
the proper action to be obtained. Ratchet wheels and sheaves or pulleys, which
are or may be so arranged as to form part of the bosses of the driving or propelling
wheels, and made as light as possible, are used, and the flexible propelling cord
connected with the rowing levers passes over the same so as to enable propulsion
to be obtained; we arrange the steering gear so that the required action shall be
produced by means of flexible cordage, which, by being suitably led and arranged
at each side, can be caused to. extend along under the rowing levers, by
depressing either of which it is caused to press on and force down the flexible
cord, so as to enable the required guiding to be obtained.
For the brake we arrange it so that it shall form a band or splasher over each
driving wheel of any desired width extending along the same to the required
distance, and by means of a joint on the framework, or by being made sufficiently
flexible, can be brought into contact with the rim of the wheels, and so give the

page_text: required retarding action on the actuating part with which it is connected, being
operated by pressing the foot against it. By this arrangement we are enabled to
make one part fulfil two duties, and so avoid the weight of the splasher when
used as such only, and also the weight of the brake when so used only, thus a
further saving of weight is attained by this arrangement.
The seat for the rider may be arranged so as to be adjustable, and suitable
springs or their equivalent may be provided to render the riding easy and free from
shocks or jerks. The seat may be carried on the tie rods, or otherwise conveniently
arranged so as to be attached to the frame work where most suitable.
In some
cases we may arrange the seat so as to oscillate on its supports and be inclined, so as
to come in contact with and act on the flexible cords actuating the steering wheels
in place of the rowing levers by arranging it so that the rider by throwing his
weight to the right or left as required may cause it, by bearing on the flexible cord
to produce the required action.
In order that the Invention may be more readily understood we will now
proceed to describe it with reference to the accompanying Sheet of Diagrams and
letters of reference marked thereon, Fig. 1 being an elevation and Fig. 2 a
plan.
.
A, A, is the top part of the tubular metal framing connected to the bottom
framing B, B, by C, C, the moveable bosses supported on the absorbing springs D, D,
working on the forks E, E, connected to the small steering wheels F, F;
G, G, are the driving wheels, which are carried by the axle H.
The power of the hand is applied to the rowing levers a, a, which are connected
by the hinged joints b, b, to the radius rods c, c, working on the fixed centres d, d.
As the levers a, a, are pulled towards the rider the power applied is communicated
through the hinged joints b, b, to the under levers e, e, to the ends of which the
sheaves or pulleys f, f, (around which the driving cords g, g, pass) are attached.
These sheaves or pulleys run or work against the guide rods h, h, whereby a
rectilinear motion is obtained. The ends of the cords g, g, are attached to
projections i, i, in the framework at the outer ends of which other sheaves or
guiding pulleys k, k, are placed, over which the driving cords g, g, pass in their
motion to and from the ratchet drums 1, l. The back ends of the driving cords g, g,
are connected by the spiral or other suitable springs m, m, to projections i, i.
The reciprocating or to and fro rowing notion of the levers a, a, being commu-
nicated to the sheaves f, f, around which the driving cord g, g, passes, causes the
pulleys ff, in their backward and forward motion to take up and pay off the
amount of cord paid over the driving ratchet drums 7, l, which are provided with
palls or ratchets n, n, shown dotted, which to effect a forward movement of the
machine gear into the ratchet wheels o, o, formed with the boss for the driving or
propelling wheels, and in their backward movement run out of gear with the
teeth of the ratchet wheel so as to allow the momentum to carry forward the
machine while the rider recovers his stroke. '
The guiding or steering of the machine is effected by means of flexible cords p, p,
attached to the frame work by means of the spiral or other suitable springs q, q,
and led over the friction pulleys r, r, to and connected with the front cross
head 8, 8, which is connected to the back steering wheels by means of the cross
head s¹, s¹, and crossed connecting wires or rods t, t. The rider, on depressing
either of the rowing levers a, a, below their ordinary rowing level, causes them to come
in contact with the upper portion of the cord p, depressing the portion of the cord
under the rowing lever, drawing the cross head 8, 8, forward and transmitting
the movement to the back steering wheel, causing them to take the desired angle,
being retained in position, and assisted in their movement by the springs q, q.
The brake or arrangement forming the splashers u, u, above the driving wheel
is actuated by means of the cranks and their .connection v, v, attached to a short
shaft working in a bearing on the frames A. On the inner end of the short shaft
the longer cranks or levers w, w, are attached. On the extreme ends of these
levers a flexible cord x, x, passing over the guide pulleys y, y, is attached. When

page_text: the rider desires to apply the brake, he removes, his foot from the foot board or
stretcherz, resting it on that portion of the cord between the pulleys y, y, and so
depressing the said cord as to bring the splasher forming the brake into contact
with the driving wheels.
Having now described the manner or mode by which our said Invention may be
performed or brought into practical use, we desire to state that we do not limit or
confine ourselves to the precise details hereinbefore described and illustrated in
the accompanying Sheet of Diagrams, as the same may be modified without
departing from the nature of our said Invention, nor do we claim as our Invention
the use of rowing velocipedes, as these are not new, nor any of the parts
individually, as these are not novel, except when combined together and acting in
the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated in the
accompanying Sheet of Diagrams, but what we claim as our Invention and desire
to have protected by Letters Patent is,―
First. The improved and novel arrangement of tubular or metal framework for
a rowing velocipede as hereinbefore described, specified, and illustrated, applicable
also to a machine to be actuated by pedals, or by a combination of rowing and
foot action.
Second. The improved arrangement and combination of parts forming the
propelling apparatus as hereinbefore described and specified, and as illustrated in
the accompanying Sheet of Diagrams.
Third. The arrangement and combination of parts for enabling a rowing
velocipede to be steered or guided by the rowing levers as bereinbefore described
and specified, and as illustrated in the accompanying Sheet of Diagrams.
Fourth. The mode of brakeing or retarding by the brake arrangement, and
combining the brake and splasher in one, substantially as hereinbefore described
and illustrated in the accompanying Sheet of Diagrams.
Fifth. The application in a rowing velocipede of absorbing springs combined
with moveable forks on the steering or guiding wheels to prevent or reduce shocks
and jolts, as hereinbefore specified, and as shown in the Diagrams.
Sixth. The combination of a rocking or moveable seat acting on the steering or
guiding apparatus in a similar manner to the rowing levers, and brought into
contact with the steering apparatus by the weight of the rider being inclined to
the right or left, as herein before described.
Lastly. The arrangements and combinations of parts forming the rowing
velocipede, shown in the accompanying Sheet of Diagrams.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Henry Thompson, for myself and on
behalf of the said Francis Giles Henwood, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twentysixth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
IM TTY THOMPSON