IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1869

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Anyon at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 25th
February 1869.
I, WILLIAM ANYON, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF VELOCIPEDES," to be as follows:-
The first part of these improvements consists in arranging velocipedes
of the two-wheeled type so that there shall be complete stability and
equilibrium of the vehicle whether at rest or in motion, thus ensuring
greater safety and confidence to the operator. The wheels instead of
being placed one behind the other, as in the vehicle known as the
"French velocipede," are placed parallel or face to face on the same
axle and at any suitable distance apart so as to suit the nature of the
machine or the requirements of the operator. The shaft is provided
with two cranks throwing in opposite directions; upon each end of this
shaft is a wheel, one or both of the wheels being fixed, and all the rest
of the apparatus being suspended from or working loose upon the shaft
in suitable bearings and below the centre of motion. The seat is slung
from journals or bearings through which the shaft passes; oil cups are

page_text: provided for lubricating the shaft. A handle is fastened on each side of
the seat rising from the bearings, and furnished with a cross handle
passing through the head. Connecting rods are jointed freely on the
cranks and furnished with a movable slide and stirrup, having a screw
for fastening or adjusting the same to suit the leg of the operator.
The working of the machine is very simple. In taking his seat the
rider reaches over the shaft, which works a little above his thighs, and
lays his hands upon the handle; the feet being placed in the stirrups.
the operator can lift or press his legs either straight up or throw them
out as in the act of pushing, this body being kept in a steady position
by lifting or depressing the end of the handle, which also serves for
steering by pressing right or left at the same time, or throwing his body
in the direction he wishes to move.
The second part of these improvements consists in arranging
velocipedes so that they can be propelled with both hands and feet,
the operator at the same time not being necessitated to take his hand
or hands off the propelling lever in the act of steering, and is applicable
to those machines having three or more wheels. The propelling and
steering handle has two motions, namely, a twisting motion on its
vertical axis through the boss and a vibratory motion on its horizontal
axis or rocking shaft. There is a lever keyed to this rocking shaft
attached to a connecting rod leading to the crank. It will be seen
that independent of the rocking motion of the lever when the machine
is in motion the slightest twist given to the handle will cause the end
of the lever to slide horizontally, which being attached by the straps or
bands to the guiding axle will impart motion to the guide handle and
wheel. To counteract any slight motion which may occur from the
projecting end of the slide lever it is furnished with a slot joint. The
cranks may be worked either direct by the legs and feet or by the
ordinary treadle arrangement.