Improvements in Manumotive and Hand Steering Vehicles, Balloons, or Aerial Machines.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Sept., 1895
20
2000
0110
1006
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Manumotive and Hand Steering Vehicles,
Balloons, or Aerial Machines.
I, ROBERT EDGAR Junior, of 226 Castle Street, Glasgow, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to all kinds of manumotive and hand steering vehicles
whether for locomotion on land or water or in air, such as velocipedes, cycle cabs,
boats, balloons or aerial machines and it has for its object to drive such vehicles or
machines with greater power and at a greater speed than as heretofore effected by
ordinary pedal or manumotive mechanism.
The invention which is specially adapted to velocipedes is mainly a development
of my prior invention No. 18021 of 22nd Sept. 1894.
In this invention the hands as well as the feet are used in a novel manner to
propel the vehicle, and the mechanism is so arranged that the hands have complete
control over the steering of the machine, even when driving, without the necessity
of letting go their hold in order to grasp any other form of steering handle.
Moreover when the pedals are at their dead points the hands are driving the
machine.
The main principle on which the driving mechanism works is that the manual
levers or driving handles move up and down sinultaneously and not alternately as
do the pedals and they are, preferably, arranged to have four such travels two up
and two down during each complete revolution of the pedal crank axle as compared
with two travels one up and one down of the pedals, in other words the manual
crank axle has two revolutions for each one of the pedal crank axle.
The manual crank axle is preferably geared by tooth or chain gearing with the
crank axle.
By making the manual levers to work up and down simultaneously, instead of
alternately, much greater power is obtained.
The
The manual levers besides having the propelling up and down movements have
also a rotating movement, a longitudinal movement and a lateral movement.
rotating movement is for the purpose of effecting the steering of the machine and
in order to do this the hand levers are carried in sleeves and are capable of being
readily turned so as to impart motion to toothed gearing, rods, levers, chains and
pulleys or equivalent mechanism, connected with the steering fork and thereby
steer the machine. The longitudinal movement is for the purpose of increasing or
decreasing the leverage of the hand levers and is effected by sliding the levers in
and out in their sleeves or brackets. The lateral movement is for the purpose of
effecting a proper lateral adjustment to suit persons of different size and is effected
by turning the handles outwards and inwards on joints or pivots.
The frame of the machine is preferably forked and strengthened so as to properly
enclose and carry the manual and pedal axles.
If desired only one hand lever can be used for propelling.
An auxiliary handle bar can be used for steering in the ordinary manner.
Dated this 20th day of September 1895.

page_text: Improvements in Manumotive and Hand Steering Vehicles,
Balloons, or Aerial Machines.
to be
1, ROBERT EDGAR Junior, of 226 Castle Street, Glasgow, Engineer, 'do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to all kinds of manu-pedal and hand steering vehicles
whether for locomotion on land or water or in air, such as velocipedes, cycle cabs,
boats, balloons or aerial machines and it has for its object to drive such vehicles or
machines with greater power and at a greater speed than as heretofore effected by
ordinary pedal or manu-pedal mechanism.
The invention which is specially adapted to velocipedes is mainly a development
of my prior invention No. 18021 of 22nd Sept. 1894.
And in order that my said invention may be properly understood I have hereunto
appended two explanatory sheets of drawings, whereon,
Fig. 1 is a view showing, by way of example, my invention applied to a bicycle.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged front view of the gearing of the bicycle.
Figs. 3, 4, and 5 show modifications of the gear.
Figs. 6 and 7 show modified forms of bottom bracket.
Fig. 8 is a plan and Fig. 9 a front view enlarged of the steering mechanism.
Figs. 10, 10, 11, 11, 12, 124, 13, and 134, are enlarged detail views.
In this invention the hands as well as the feet are used in a novel manner to
propel the vehicle, and the mechanism is so arranged that the hands have complete
control over the steering of the machine, even when driving, without the necessity
of letting go their hold in order to grasp any other form of steering handle.
Moreover when the pedals are at their dead points the hands are driving the
machine.
The main, principle on which the driving mechanism works is that the manual
levers or driving handles move up and down, through a vertical or nearly vertical
arc, simultaneously and not alternately as do the pedals and they are, preferably,
arranged to have four such travels, two up and two down, for each complete
revolution of the pedal crank axle as compared with two travels, one up and one
down, of the pedals; in other words the manual crank axle has two revolutions for
each one of the pedal crank axle.
The manual crank axle is preferably geared by tooth or chain gearing with the
crank axle.
By making the manual levers to work up and down simultaneously instead of
alternately much greater power is obtained.
The
The manual levers besides having the propelling up and down movements have
also a rotating movement, a longitudinal movement and a lateral movement.
rotating movement is for the purpose of effecting the steering of the machine and
in order to do this the hand levers are carried in sleeves or brackets and are capable
of being readily turned so as to impart motion to toothed gearing, rods, levers,
chains and pulleys or equivalent mechanism, connected with the steering fork and
thereby steer the machine. The longitudinal movement is for the purpose of
increasing or decreasing the leverage of the hand levers and is effected by sliding
the levers in and out in their sleeves or brackets. The lateral movement is for
the purpose of effecting a proper lateral adjustment to suit persons of different size
and is effected by a telescopic movement or by turning the handles outwards and
inwards on joints or pivots.
Referring to the drawings:-
a is the cycle frame,.b the manual or hand levers, c the pedal axle, f is a toothed

page_text: wheel on the pedal axle (see also Fig. 2), g is a pinion on the manual crank axle,
hare the pedal cranks, is the manual crank axle, j is a connecting rod forked
at in order to pass by the pillar k, 7 is an arm fixed to the cross shaft m, n are
the manual lever sleeves, o the steering pullies, steering chain, the chain driving
wheel and the usual driving chain indicated by dotted lines (Fig. 1).
In my present invention the manual or hand levers b, of which there are two,
one at each side, are made, by preference, of square or oblong section and fit into
round tubes n¹ (see also Figs. 10 and 10A) having square cores or passages through
them for the reception of the levers. These tubes are capable of revolving in
ball bearings n³, n³ provided at each end of the sleeves n. The levers bare
capable of sliding backward and forward in the tubes n'. Fitted at the front end
of each tube n¹ is a chain pulley o round which the steering chain p passes.
Each sleeve is provided with a laterally projecting tubular arms (see also
Figs. 11 and 114) which is provided with a raised feathers and fits telescopically
into the hollow shaft m carried in ball bearings on the forwardly projecting
branches,, at the upper end of the pillar k. The ends of the shaft in, are, as
shown in the enlarged views at Figs. 12 and 12ª, slotted for a short distance at m
and provided with thickened ribs or beadings m², m³. These slots are for the
reception of the feathers a', of the arms s of the sleeves. m (Figs. 13 and 134)
are metal straps secured on the outside of the shaft m and provided with tightening
bolts m³. With this arrangement lateral movement can be given to the sleeves n
and hand levers. b so as to adjust them to suit persons of different size. To give
the lateral adjustment all that is necessary is to slacken the bolts m³ and then push
in or pull out the arms in the hollow shaft m. When the adjustment has been
effected the bolts m are tightened up again.
The steering arrangement is similar to that described in the specification of my
prior patent aforesaid, but in this case I prefer to use a chain pinstead of a cord
as formerly. The chain is connected to the steering quadrant pl fitted on the
upper end of the front fork of the bicycle as before. The steering is effected by
merely turning the manual levers b thereby causing the tubes n' and chain wheels o
to turn and in so doing to move the chain p and steering quadrant pl fitted on the
fork of the front wheel.
and
The arm of the cross shaft m is secured by ball bearings to the fork of the
connecting rod j (see also Fig. 9) which latter is also, preferably, secured by a ball
bearing to the manual crank axle i. Instead of having the chain wheel
chain on the opposite side to the gearing f, g, as usual, I prefer to arrange the
chain wheel as shown at Figs. 1 and 2. The wheel is secured to the pedal axle
and is made with, say, three spokes one of which also forms the pedal crank / as
shown clearly at Fig. 2. The rim of the wheel is made narrow and passes round
the gear wheels f, g, without touching them. The spokes are slightly bent where
they are secured to the rim of the wheel, g.
Fig. 3 shows a form of gearing wherein the chain wheel q is at one side of the
forked stay a' of the frame and the gear wheels f, g, at the other.
Fig. 4 shows a form of gearing wherein the gear wheels f, g, and chain wheel g
are arranged within the fork of the stay a. In this case the wheels q and ƒ are
mounted on the pedal axle just beside one another and the pinion g is made one.
with the manual crank axle i. The connecting rod j in this case is slightly bent
as shown to bring it into the centre line of the fork of the stay a³.
Fig. 5 shows a form of gearing whereby two speeds can be given. In this case
the arrangement is similar to that at Fig. 4 with the exception that a small chain
wheel is also fitted on the pedal axle. This arrangement is suitable for tricycles,
cabs, cars, boats, &c., the two chains, one from each of the chain wheels drive two
pinions running loose on a counter shaft connected with and driving the wheels
or propellers, as the case may be, of the cycle, boat, &c. These pinions are capable
of being thrown into and out of gear, as desired, by means of a sliding or other
clutch, operated by a hand lever, on the counter shaft. When the clutch is moved
to one side it throws one gear into operation, the other running loose, and when it

page_text: is moved to the other side it throws the other gear into operation, the first one
running loose, when the clutch is held in a mid position both gears run loose and
the machine is at a stand still.
Fig. 6 shows an arrangement similar to Figs. 1 and 2 but the fork of the stay a
is of a different construction. is a hub or casing for the manual axle i whilst
w is a hub or casing for the pedal axle c. These two hubs or casings are connected
. together by castings or stampings w³, w³, which also are made with caps at their
ends to enclose the ball bearings of each axle. In this case also the crank of the
manual axle is at one side and the connecting rod j is a straight bar without a
forked end led up by one side of the pillar k and connected to the arm which is
either bent or fitted slightly to one side of the centre of the shaft m.
Fig. 7 shows a form of bottom bracket with bearings suitable for the gearing as
at Figs. 4 and 5.
In Figs. 2 to 6 the dotted lines indicate the exact position of the pedal cranks
for the forward movement as at Fig. 1. As shown in full lines the pedals are in
position for backward movement.
If desired the lateral movement of the hand levers can be dispensed with the
sleeves n being in this case connected direct with the hollow shaft m.
To properly operate this machine the rider sits erect, like a soldier in the saddle,
and works the hand levers up and down simultaneously through a vertical are as
indicated in dotted lines at Fig. 1, at the same time operating the foot pedals in
the ordinary way, i.e., alternately up and down through a circular path. The
movement of the hand levers operates the sleeves n shaft m, arm and connecting
rod thereby rotating the crank axle and causing the pinion g to turn the
wheel and pedal axle.
The parts are, preferably, so arranged relatively with each other, when the cycle
is going forward as at Fig. 1, that, when the pedal for the time being going down
is at its greatest leverage the "manuals" or hand levers are at their greatest
leverage coming up and when the pedals are at the top or bottom of their travels,
that is at the points of least leverage, the manuals are at their greatest leverage
going down.
The manuals therefore are arranged so as to have twice the number of travels
as the pedals in the same time.
As before stated the steering is done by merely turning the hand levers.
The power of leverage of the hand levers or manuals is varied, as desired, by
merely sliding them in and out of the sleeves n.
If desired only one hand lever with two handles can be used for propelling
instead of two hand levers as shown at Fig. 8.
An auxiliary handle bar can be fitted to the quadrant and used for steering in
the ordinary manner if so desired.
In applying the motive mechanism to different classes of machines, such as the
motors of boats, aerial machines, &c., it will in some cases of course be necessary
to modify it, which can readily be done without departing from the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
consider novel and desire to claim is :-
1. Motive mechanism for vehicles or machines having in combination alternately
acting pedal or treadle mechanism and hand mechanism consisting of horizontal
hand levers which are worked up and down simultaneously through a vertical or
nearly vertical arc, the hand levers being arranged to have twice as many travels
up and down as the pedals or treadles during the same time, substantially as and
for the advantages herein before set forth.
2. Motive mechanism for vehicles or machines, consisting of alternately acting
pedal or treadle mechanism and hand mechanism consisting of hand levers which
are worked up and down simultaneously and are also capable of being moved
longitudinally so as to vary the leverage, the hand levers being arranged to have

page_text: twice as many travels up and down as the petals or treadles during the same time,
substantially as hereinbefore described.
3. Motive mechanism for vehicles or machines, consisting of alternately acting
pedal or treadle mechanism and hand mechanism consisting of hand levers which
are worked up and down simultaneously and are also capable of being rotated so.
as to steer the vehicle or machine, the hand levers being arranged to have twice
as many travels up and down as the pedals or treadles during the same time,.
substantially as hereinbefore described.
4. Motive mechanism for vehicles or machines, consisting of alternately acting
pedal or treadle mechanism and hand mechanism consisting of hand levers which
are worked up and down simultaneously and are also capable of being moved
longitudinally so as to vary the leverage and of being rotated so as to steer the
vehicle or machine the hand levers being arranged to have twice as many travels
up and down as the pedals or treadles during the same time, substantially as
herein before described.
5. A cycle or other vehicle or machine having hand and foot mechanism con-
structed, arranged, and operating substantially as hereinbefore described with.
reference to the several figures of the drawings annexed.
Dated this 20th day of June 1896
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
7C Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent..