IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Kempton Bradford, of Lynnfield, in
the County of Essex, and State of Massachusetts, United States of
America: for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES."
Sealed the 1st April 1869, and dated the 14th November 1868.

page_text: and seal, fully describes and ascertains the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the two Sheets of Drawings hereunto
annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to
say):-
Figure 1 is a side elevation; Figure 2, a plan; and Figure 3, a rear
end elevation of a velocipede constructed as contemplated by my
Invention.
The Invention relates, first, to means for enabling the rider and
operator of the vehicle to vary or regulate the amount of power applied
by him to propel the vehicle according to the varying conditions of
the surface or of the grade of the road over which the vehicle is
propelled.
Secondly. The Invention relates to means for obtaining a more perfect
control of the direction or "steering" of the vehicle than has heretofore
been accomplished in objects of a similar nature.
And, thirdly. The Invention relates to means for varying the position
of the seat of the rider or operator with respect to the propelling or
driving cranks of the vehicle, in manner as herein-after referred to.
This Invention consists, first, in the employment of a compound
crank shaft, that is, of a shaft composed of or provided with two or
more cranks of different lengths, the longer of which are to be employed
in ascending an inclined plane or grade, and when more power and less
speed is desired, and the smaller to be brought into use when the vehicle
is traversing a comparatively level and smooth plane, and a greater rate
of speed is desirable and a less amount of power is required.
And this Invention further consists in a novel employment of a rope
or chain for steering the vehicle, and its application directly, or nearly so,
to the axis of revolution of the third or "steering" wheel of the vehicle,
by means of which much more direct and powerful control is had over
this wheel than would be the case were this power applied, as is now
generally the case, at a greater or less distance from such axis.
And further the Invention consists in applying the rider's seat to the
frame or body of the vehicle in such manner as to readily vary the
height of such seat with respect to the remainder of the vehicle.
And, lastly, the Invention consists in supporting the forward end of
the vehicle upon the driving shaft in such manner as to increase or

page_text: diminish the distance of the rider's seat from such shaft, for the
substantially as herein-after explained.
purpose
In the Drawings above mentioned as accompanying this Specification
and illustrating my Invention, and in the different Figures, of which
like Figures denote like parts, the two main supporting wheels are shown
at A, A, as suitably supporting a driving shaft a, this shaft being pro-
vided with a series of twin cranks b, b, b', b', of different lengths and
power applied to opposite sides of the centre thereof. This shaft sup-
ports the forward end of the frame or body. c of the vehicle; this body
being composed in the present instance of a skeleton frame made of a
metallic bar bent into the form of a yoke and applied to the wheels in
such manner as to rise rearward therefrom at a considerable angle and
in a curved form or somewhat resembling an attenuated letter S, as shown
in Figure 1 of the Drawings. The body. c of the vehicle is applied to the
shaft a in such manner as to vary its position thereon in order to accom-
odate the distance of such body and its seat from the shaft to the length
of the legs of the rider. As shown in the present instance this adjust-
able connection is made by applying to the forward ends of the yoke
of the body two cheeks or supports d, d, provided with a series of
notches e, e, at their lower parts for straddling opposite ends of the
driving shaft, and between its outer cranks and the wheels A, A, a bolt
or other device being extended through the lower edge of the cheeks
d, d, to retain them in proper position upon the shaft, but which allows
The rear and
of their position being readily changed at any time.
inclined portion of the yoke or body of the vehicle may be covered or
upholstered in any desirable manner, and its opposite sides are to be
punctured with rows of holes f, f, these holes being for reception of two
bent rods g, g, applied to the rear side of the seat, shown at h in the
Drawings; such holes and rods serving to secure such seat to the frame,
and at the same time allow of its position thereon being changed at any
time to accommodate the height of the seat to the tastes of different
individuals. The rear and steering wheel of the vehicle is shown at h
as revolving upon a short axle i inserted within the lower end of an
upright slotted post or standard j; which swivels within bearings k, l,
applied. to or making part of the rear extremity of the body of the
vehicle. A horizontal forked bar m straddles the wheel h, and with the
rear extremities of its arms pivotted to the ends of the axle i, while the
shank or front extremity of the fork has affixed to it the two ends of a

page_text: rope or chain n, such rope being passed through eyes or pulleys o, o¹, o²,
or o³, o, o, applied respectively to opposite sides of the forward end of
the body of the vehicle, and to the rear of the back seat of such body,
or to a shelf p fixed thereon, the enus of the rope being first carried
through the guides o¹, ot, thence through the guides o and o³ and
returned through the guides 03, 05, and then secured to the forked bar m,
as before mentioned. The rider or operator of the vehicle, by varying
the portion of the rope between the guides o, o¹, and o³, o, is enabled,
as will readily be seen, by pulling upon one side and relaxing the other
to turn the steering wheel in any direction, while by keeping both sides
of the rope taut the wheel is held very firmly in one position. The hold
upon the rope also serves to a considerable extent to enable the rider
to keep a firm seat.
The above description of the construction of my Invention will enable
intelligent mechanics to manufacture it, while its use will manifest itself
to any one of ordinary intelligence.
One advantage of the Invention over others is the fact that by the
employment of the compound crank, as before described, increased
power may be applied to drive the vehicle up an inclined plane or over
a rough road, by changing the feet of the driver from the smaller to the
larger cranks, and vice versa, when riding on a level plain, or a descent,
or very smooth road, the use of the smaller cranks enables the vehicle
to attain increased speed with the application of little
power.
Another advantage which will readily make itself apparent to any one
results from the ability to change the seat as well as to vary the distance
of such seat from the driving crank.
Still another advantage results from the use of the back or rest of the
body of the vehicle, as by means of it a bearing is obtained whereby to
increase the leverage upon the cranks of the driving shaft, as well as
to enable the operator to propel the vehicle with much greater ease and
with less fatigue than has heretofore been possible.
I have made several improvements in the above-described Invention,
as well as in velocipedes in general, the nature and object of which may
be thus described.
First. These improvements have reference to that class of velocipedes
in which two levers or cranks are the means employed for propelling the
vehicle, these levers or cranks being seized and operated by the hands of
the rider, the steering of the vehicle being performed by his feet.

page_text: The improvements consist in the employment of two serrated or indented
bars applied to the platform of the body of the vehicle, and connected
with the steering axle or wheel by crossed ropes or chains in such manner
that upon pushing either of the bars in one direction with the foot
the steering axle shall be so actuated as to guide the course of the vehicle
in the direction corresponding to the side of the vehicle upon which such
bar is situated, a foot rest being applied to the platform of the vehicle
and over the bars for supporting the feet of the rider, the whole being as
herein-after explained.
And my present improvement further consists in swivelling the rear
axle to the perch or body of the vehicle by a universal joint in such
manner as to relieve such steering axle and its wheel or wheels of the
shocks and concussions which would ensue were it fixed to the body in
an unyielding or positive manner, this feature of the Invention being
herein-after duly explained.
In Figures 4 and 5 in the Drawings above mentioned as illustrating
my Invention and accompanying this Specification a denotes the plat-
form or body of a velocipede or other wheeled vehicle, its two axles being
shown at b, b, and its four wheels at c, c, c, c; d, d, are two rods or
bars suitably applied to the top of the platform and in front of the rider's
seat in such manner as to be capable of longitudinal sliding movements
thereupon or therein, such bars being serrated or indented upon their
upper sides or otherwise prepared or provided in order to ensure of their
being moved by the foot of the rider as occasion may require. e, e, are
two cords or chains, one end of which is applied to one of the rear ends
of the bars d, d, while the opposite ends of such cords or chains are
secured to the outer ends of the rear or steering axle 6', the two cords
being crossed, as shown in the Drawings, and provided at their point of.
intersection with two antifriction rollers f, f, as represented in order to
relieve them of friction or abrasion as well as to enable more power to be
had over the movements of the steering axle. In place of securing the
cords to the ends of the bars d, d, a continuous cord may be applied, its
two ends being secured to opposite ends of the axle, and after being
crossed being run through eyes g, g, made in such bars, and thence
carried about a post h extending upward from the forward end of the
body of the vehicle. A foot rest or abutment i is extended across the
platform of the vehicle and over the bars d, d, at such a distance in front
of the driver's seat as to form a support for the feet of the rider except

page_text: at such times as he may have occasion to apply them to the steering
bars for the purpose of altering the course of the vehicle. The perch
of the vehicle is shown at k as connected with the rear and steering
axle b¹ by a joint composed as follows:- -A cylindrical rod is inserted
within a recess made in the end of the perch sufficiently large to enable
it to turn easily therein, it being retained in place by any suitable
means; the outer end of this rod, which extends somewhat beyond the
perch, is pivoted to the axle b', as shown in the Drawings, in such
manner as to allow of a free horizontal movement thereon, the pivot
being shown at m.
It will be evident from an inspection of this part of my Invention that
any shocks or concussions upon the main body of the vehicle from
inequalities in the road or other causes is removed from the steering
axle to a great extent, thus relieving it from the effect of the weight of
the vehicle, which otherwise at such times would make it a much more
difficult matter to change its position with respect to such vehicle in the
act of changing the course of the latter. It will also be evident to the
reader hereof that the bars d, d, applied and provided as described, form
a very simple and effective means of steering the vehicle, and enables
this to be effected with the application of very little power on the part
of the rider. Upon applying the foot to either of the bars d, d, and
pushing it forward, the steering axle will be turned in such a manner
as to cause the vehicle to swerve to the side upon which the bar thus
moved is disposed, and vice versa, with respect to the other bar, that is
to say, if the driver pushes the right hand bar forward the vehicle will
be directed to the right, and the contrary if the opposite bar is moved
forward.
An additional improvement I have contemplated in the construction
of velocipedes relates to three-wheeled velocipedes, and consists in apply-
ing the single wheel in an arbitrary or fixed manner to the body of the
vehicle, and making this wheel the driving wheel but not the steering
wheel, the two rear wheels serving as steering wheels.
Heretofore in the construction of velocipedes this single wheel has
been swivelled to the body, and has been either a steering wheel alone
or a steering and driving wheel combined, but has never been applied as
a driving wheel alone. In the employment of two wheels as driving
wheels upon turning a curve of small radius one wheel must travel faster
than the other, the effect of which is to cause an unequal movement

page_text: of rotation of the two cranks and compel an unnatural and incon-
venient action of the feet and limbs of the driver as well as requiring
an increase of power of both feet. In the employment of one wheel
as a combined driving and steering wheel, as in the case in two-wheeled
velocipedes or vehicles, a much greater and more unremitting appli-
cation of power as well as constant and intense application of the
muscles of the arm and legs are necessary than in the case where the
wheel performs only one function. The purpose of my present Inven-
tion or improvement is to remedy these objections by applying the single
wheel to the forward end of the vehicle and in an arbitrary manner
(that is to say, with no rotation of its axle, in a horizontal plane,) and
by swivelling the axle of the two rear wheels to the body and making
them the steering wheels. In this way the only labor required of the
two rear wheels is to steer the vehicle, any suitable contrivance being
added to accomplish this object. The great strain attendant upon the
driving wheels is thus avoided, as the power required to change the
position of these wheels, and consequently the direction of the vehicle,
is very small comparatively. As the driving wheel maintains always
the same relative position with respect to the body of the vehicle it will
be at once apparent to mechanics, to whom this Specification is chiefly
addressed, that the evils betore enumerated are avoided.
Still another improvement in velocipedes which I have invented in
connection with the above consists in applying to or covering the
periphery of the wheels of such vehicles with india-rubber or other
elastic material for the purpose of increasing the tractive power of such
wheels as well as to form a spring to relieve the wheels and their
vehicles from the jolts and concussions to which they are subject. The
application of this portion of my Invention will be valuable to vehicles'
of any description.
In the Drawings accompanying this application Figure 1* is a plan,
and Figure 2* a side elevation of a velocipede or portion thereof con-
taining the two last improvements above mentioned.
In such Drawings A denotes the body or frame of the vehicle, and B
the axle, the driver's seat being shown at C, and the steering wheels at
D, D, the axle of such wheels being pivoted to the body in any suitable
manner. I have not shown in this instance any device for guiding or
controlling the steering wheels, as such device forms no part of this
application, these improvements being at present under discussion.

page_text: The forward and driving, wheels is shown at E as disposed within a slot
or opening. F made in the frame or body of the vehicle, the axle of
such wheel being shown at G. Any suitable propelling means may be
applied to the axle of the wheel E for the purpose of driving the
vehicle, that shown in the present instance being two long slides H, H¹,
applied to the opposite face of the opposite frame of the vehicle, and
secured thereto, and so as to freely slide thereon by means of slots
a, a, a', a', and pins or studs b, b, b', 6', a connecting rod c or c' being
pivoted at one end to the extreme forward end of the slides H, H', and
at the other end to the wrists of a crank d or d' affixed to the axle G.
The slides H, H', are each provided at their inner end with a foot rest
e, e', for enabling the driver's foot to propel the vehicle. This propell-
ing device however is not an essential or valuable feature of the improve-
ment, but is introduced merely to show some means of accomplishing
this object.
The periphery or circumference of the driving wheel E is
shown at F in the Drawings, as wrapped in elastic india-rubber, but in
practice this elastic or semi-elastic material may be applied in various
modes.
As before observed, the application of the elastic or semi-elastic
material to the circumference of the wheel has the effect of greatly
increasing tractive or adhesive power of such wheel in ascending steep
grades or gradual inclines the surfaces of which are very smooth, and
will be found to be a very valuable acquisition, the elastic material
serving, as it does in a great measure, as a spring to relieve the wheel
of the effects of jars and concussions, enhances the wearing qualities of
such wheel to a great degree, besides adding to the buoyancy of the
body of the vehicle.
In addition to the above described Inventions and. improvements in
velocipedes I have invented still other improvements in such vehicles,
shown in Figure 6 of the accompanying Drawings. The nature of these
latter improvements consists,-
First. In providing the hand levers A, A, with a series of notches
E, E, for the reception of the fulcrum pin L, whereby the leverage can
be readily increased or diminished at pleasure, according to the power
required to propel the velocipede.
Secondly. In communicating the power of the hand levers to the
wheels by means of a friction clutch or clutches arranged so as to have
a propelling action only when the levers are moved in one direction,

page_text: being released when they are moved in the opposite direction, thereby
avoiding the dead point of the common crank motion, and enabling the
rider to exert a propelling power either by longer or shorter vibrations
of the said hand levers as may be most convenient or agreeable, instead
of being compelled to move his hands as in other velocipedes through
a uniform space at every stroke.
To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my Invention I
will now procede to describe its construction and operation.
A, A, are the levers by which the rider communicates his power to
the driving wheels; B, B, are the connecting rods; C, is the friction
clutch, attached to the wheel G, to which the power is communicated
by cords K, K, having one or more turns about the clutch C; D is the
axle of driving wheels having firmly fixed upon it one or more pinions H
meshing into the cogs of the wheel G; F is the seat on which the rider
sits; and K, K, K, the friction bands surrounding the clutch C in a
suitable groove, by which the power from the rods B, B, is com-
municated; E, E, E, E, are notches in the levers A, A, by which the
leverage can be increased or diminished by adjustment on a fulcrum
pin L in the body of the carriage through which the levers pass. The
wheel g is arranged with a clutch C forced up against it by any suitable
contrivance, as a spring, and so arranged as to convey the motion of the
clutch C to the wheel G when moving in one direction, but not while
moving in the opposite direction, as by a ratchet or by cutting saw teeth,
cavities, or recesses in the adjacent faces of the wheel and its clutch, or
other suitable means.
I claim the above described Invention as a whole or any alterations or
improvements in the same.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Kempton Bradford, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of October;
in the year of our Lord 1868.
CHARLES KEMPTON BRADFORD. (L.S.)