IMPROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES AND LIKE VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Jolin Hissett, of Plymouth, in the County of
Devon, for an invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES AND LIKE
VELOCIPEDES"
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry John Hissett at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th November 1882.
HENRY JOHN HISSETT, of Plymouth, in the county of Devon,
IN TRICYCLES AND LIKE VELOCIPEDES
"
"IMPROVEMENTS
This invention has for its object improvements in tricycles and like velocipedes,
and relates to arranging the same so that both wheels may be driven and be also
geared for power or speed at will.
I connect both shafts by any suitable "balance-gear" (for instance that known
as "Starleys") as usual, but instead of connecting them through a pinion or pinions
carried by the chain wheel I cause the said pinion to be carried by a hollow shaft
or sleeve through which the driving shafts pass, and which driving shafts carry
the driving wheels.
I mount the chain wheels loosely on the said sleeve, the chain wheel on one side
being of different size from that of the other (or both of equal diameters) and the
crank chain wheels of different diameters, so that one side gives speed and the other
power.
I gear the hollow sleeve with either set of chain wheels at will by a sliding
clutch or disc on either side, provided with suitable locking gear for securing either
at will or throwing both sets loose for descending hills.
It will be seen that whether speed or power is in use the hollow shaft always
connects and drives both wheels.
I do not bind myself to any exact form of clutch or disc or to use any special
balance-gear," nor do I bind myself to use chain transmission.
The band brake may be fitted on the drum of the hollow sleeve.
It will be seen that the essential feature of my invention is the hollow
shaft or sleeve forming the connecting link of the "balance gear," and carrying
clutches and chain or other transmission wheels for driving the said sleeve for
power or speed.
The invention is mainly applicable to tricycles of the front-steering class, and
may be applied to that variety known as "Sociables" as well as to the single
tricycle.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry John Hissett in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 21st May
1883.
HENRY JOHN HISSETT, of Plymouth in the County of Devon
IN TRICYCLES AND LIKE VELOCIPEDES "
"IMPROVEMENTS
This Invention has for its object improvements in tricycles and like velocipedes
and relates to arranging the same so that both wheels may be driven and be also
geared for power or speed at will
"
I connect both shafts by any suitable "balance gear" (for instance that known
ns Starleys") as usual but instead of connecting them through a pinion or
pinions carried by the chain wheel I cause the said pinion to be carried by a
hollow shaft or sleeve through which the driving shafts pass and which driving
shafts carry the driving wheels.
I mount the chain wheels loosely on the said sleeve, the chain wheel on one
side being of different size from that of the other (or both of equal diameter and
the crank chain wheels of different diameters) so that one side gives speed, and the
other power I gear the hollow sleeve with either set of chain wheels at will by a
sliding clutch or disc on either side provided with suitable locking gear for securing
either at will or throwing both sets loose for descending hills.
It will thus be seen that whether speed or power is in use, the hollow shaft
always connects and drives both wheels. I do not bind myself to any exact form
of clutch or disc or to use any special "balance-gear," nor do I bind myself to use
chain transmission.
The band brake may be fitted on the drum of the hollow sleeve It will be seen
that the essential feature of my invention is the hollow shaft or sleeve forming the
connecting link of the balance-gear and carrying clutches and chain or other
transmission wheels for driving the said sleeve for speed or power.
The invention is mainly applicable to tricycles of the front steering class and
may be applied to that variety known as "Sociables" as well as to the single
tricycle.
And in order that my said Invention may be understood and carried into
practical effect I have caused to be annexed to this specification the accompanying
two sheets of drawings to the figures and letters of reference thereon marked I
now refer.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shews a vertical section through the driving gear of a tricycle fitted
with my invention.
Figure 2 a section on line 1. 1. of same.
Figure 3 a section on line 2. 2.
Figure 4 elevation of the strap of the clutches.
Figure 5 section through the shafts shewing the clutches.
Figure 6 plan of the locking gear.
Figure 7 section on line 3, 3, of Figure 1.
In these figures A shows the hollow shaft or sleeve carried on ball or other
antifriction bearings B B¹ supported by the said side forks of the main frame CC¹
which may be tubular as in Figure 1 or flat as in Figure 2 or otherwise arranged
D is the hollow drum enclosing the well known "Starley" balance-gear (or other
kool. Ti haine coured to calie shaft F and

page_text: the other bevil wheel E¹ being secured to a hollow shaft G enclosed in shaft A,
and the solid shaft F being secured to one of the main driving wheels and
extending across (for the sake of rigidity) through the hollow shaft G to which
the other main driving wheel is secured.
Pinions H H carried by the drum D connect wheels E E¹, or if other balance
gear is used, the connecting part of it is carried by the drum.
I I' are the chain wheels loose on the shaft A as shewn of equal diameter, the
wheels of different diameter being placed on the crank shaft.
These wheels I I' have recesses J J J in their bosses.
K K' are the clutches. They are free to slide on key ways L L' on shaft A and
carry projections M M M to engage with recesses J J J in either wheel and so lock
it to the shaft A.
The clutches carry recesses N N¹ in which the loose straps 0 0¹ fit, these straps
carrying pins P P¹ to which the forks QQ' are pivoted. These forks are secured
to a rod R sliding through the stay-tube S connecting the sides of the frame.
The rod R carries a pin jointed to hand lever T and this lever carries a spring
tooth or pawl U which can be sprung into notches in a plate V (Figure 6) and
carried by the frame.
As shewn in Figure 6 the central notch is being used and in this case both chain
wheels are free of the clutches.
Any suitable form of clutch may be used, such as an expansible ring fitting a
hollow drum or a conical male and female socket but I do not bind myself to the
one shewn, or the device for moving or holding it.
The above arrangement of details I have found convenient though transmission
by tootbed wheels, jointed rods or the like might take the place of pitch chains.
I do not claim broadly the combination of balance-gear with speed or power
gearing neither do I claim the form of clutch but having now described the nature
of my said Invention and the manner of performing the same I wish it to be
understood that I claim as my invention of improvements in tricycles and like
velocipedes
The combination of the hollow shaft A enclosing both driving shafts and
carrying mechanism for connecting or actuating both shafts by balance gear, with
clutches mounted on the said hollow shaft capable of being connected with or dis-
connected from either, or disconnected from both, of the wheels from which power
is transmitted from the treadles substantially as and for the purposes described
In witness whereof I the said Henry John Hissett have hereunto set my
hand and seal this nineteenth day of May in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
(CST)
JOHN HISS
HIDDETI.
TATATATT