IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Butler, of Eversley, in the County of Hants,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES."
:
Sealed the 8th August 1879, and dated the 13th May 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Butler at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th May 1879.
THOMAS BUTLER, of Eversley, in the County, of Hants.
VELOCIPEDES."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
My Invention relates to improvements in velocipedes, and is chiefly designed to
provide means whereby the power exercised by the feet of the rider to drive or
impel the veiocipede forward may be caused to act more advantageously and with
less fatigue to the rider when the vehicle is ascending an incline, or travelling over
rough and uneven ground than is practicable with the velocipedes as heretofore
constructed.
In velocipedes as ordinarily made, the driving mechanism is constructed and
arranged with a view to utilize the power in such a manner as to obtain as high a
speed as possible on level and even ground, and when no provision is made for
varying the effect of the power on the driving axle under special circumstances, it
is very difficult for the rider to propel the vehicle up inclines or over uneven
ground.
But according to my said Invention improved mechanism is provided by means
of which the rider is enabled to instantaneously alter the effect of the driving
power upon the axle to which the driving wheels are attached, that is to say, by
adjusting the mechanism, the same amount of power exerted by the feet may be
made to cause the said axle and wheels to travel a greater or less portion of one
revolution at each stroke as desired. For example, if the vehicle is to be propelled
upon a level and even road, this mechanism may be so adjusted or set that each
stroke of the foot will cause the driving axle and wheels to rotate the greatest part
of a revolution they are intended to travel at one stroke, consequently the vehicle
will be propelled at the highest speed of which it is capable with a given expenditure
of power.
If an incline has to be ascended, the said mechanism may be imme-
diately adjusted to cause each stroke of the rider's foot to carry the driving axle
071
i
T

page_text: and wheels around a shorter distance than above mentioned, so that whilst a given
number of strokes will not propel the vehicle so great a distance as when the
mechanism is set for the highest speed, the power required to be exerted at each
stroke is considerably less, and consequently the rider is not so fatigued as he must
be when the vehicle is so made that at every stroke of his feet the said vehicle
must be propelled the same distance, whatever may be the road along which it has
to be propelled. It will therefore be understood that by my Invention the rider of
a velocipede is provided with means whereby, although the vehicle will not travel
so far at each stroke when the mechanism is adjusted for inclines or rough roads,
as when adjusted for level and even roads, the power is exerted more advan-
tageously under the special circumstances, and the excessive strain required to
propel ordinary velocipedes under such circumstances is avoided.
Immediately the difficult portion of the road has been traversed, the rider can at
once readjust the mechanism for speed.
The best mode of construction to ensure the advantage above indicated I consider
to be as follows:-Although it will be obvious that many variations may be made
without departing from the principle of my Invention.
I construct the velocipede with a-strong-frame, and provide two driving wheels
of considerable diameter upon one axle. A curved bar extends upward above the
axle and between the two driving wheels, and upon this curved .bar the saddle.or
seat for the rider is placed. The central rib or rod of the frame of the velocipede
is connected with the centre of the said bar, and extends downward in a curved
form to a certain distance, and is then carved upward towards the front portion of
the velocipede. This rod divides before reaching the front, spreads out at each side,
and then comes together again, and an open space is formed providing a wide
bearing surface for supporting several parts. From this open portion of the frame
the rod continues as a single piece to the front, and the guiding wheel is attached
thereto having a suitable handle leading to a convenient position to be operated by
the rider.
The mechanism for driving the velocipede. is as follows, that is to say :-A rod
traverses the aforesaid open part of the frame having a bearring on each side; to
this rod curved levers are attached which extend to a suitable position to be
operated by the rider's feet. To the ends of these levers large stirrups are secured,
being so made that the rider's feet and part of his legs may pass into them, the feet
resting on suitable pieces at the end of the aforesaid levers. A strap of leather or
other suitable material is connected to the end of each of these stirrups, and each
strap extends to a device connected with the driving axle, to which devices the
said straps are securely fastened in such a manner that when each lever is pressed
downward by the rider's foot, alternately the axle and with it the wheels is caused
to rotate. The said devices are constructed as follows, that is to say :-A tube is
placed over the driving axle, and a solid piece or plate of metal extends upward
from the same. Upon this piece or plate adjusting mechanism is placed in such a
manner that the aforesaid piece or plate serves as a guide upon which this
mechanism may slide. This adjusting mechanism consists of a piece with
extending arms, to which are pivotted two other arms capable of being thrown
outward and drawn inward. To the opposite end of each of the two last named
arms a rod is pivotted, and these rods extend upward, and are pivotted to one point
at the upper part of the aforesaid guide-piece. These arms are so formed that
several points are presented outward, and a flat piece of spring steel bent to a
semi-circular shape passes around, and rests upon these points being suitably held
thereto. The aforesaid driving strap or belt is attached to this spring-band, and
at each stroke of the rider's foot the whole is carried forward a portion of a
revolution. A handle is attached to the upper portion of the metal of which the
first named arms are made, and this handle (one on each side of the rider) is in a
convenient position to be operated. By raising or depressing these handles, the
radius of the said spring band is increased or diminished at will, and the velocipede
will therefore be caused to travel a greater or less distance at each stroke, no

page_text: alteration being necessary in the distance travelled at each stroke by the rider's
feet. The said tubular piece is connected at its other end with a hollow pulley
which is provided with ratchet teeth on its internal circumference, and a pawl
connected to a rod or arm rigidly attached to and projecting, form the driving
axle, gears with these teeth in such a manner that when the adjusting mechanism
is moved in a forward direction, the said hollow pulley causes the arm to move
forward; but when the said adjusting mechanism moves backward, the pulley rides
over the arm and does not move it. I prefer to make the pawl a double one, one
portiou being entirely out of gear with the teeth at all times, excepting when the
pulley is operating the arm. It will be understood that there are two of the afore-
said hollow pulleys, and two sets of adjusting mechanism, one being in connection
with each foot of the rider's.
When the rider presses down one foot the leather strap is pulled forward, and
with it the whole of the adjusting mechanism, and the latter being connected with
the hollow pulley next to it by means of the tube; this pulley gearing with the
arm on the driving axle causes the latter to rotate, and the velocipede is propelled.
While one foot is descending and propelling the vehicle the other foot rises, the
hollow pulley on that side riding loosely over the axie and arm, and thus carrying
back the adjusting mechanism, and the spring and leather strap thereon into a
position for the next operation. In order that the pulley and other mechanism in
connection therewith may be certainly brought back to this position ready to
operate at the next stroke, I provide a groove on the periphery of each of the said
pulleys, and pass a cord around the same, and around one or more fixed pulleys in
such a manner that the operation of the acting pulley ensures the drawing Lack of
the retiring pulley. It will therefore be seen that when the mechanism in
connection with one foot is operating to propel the vehicle, the mechanism in
connection with the other foot is being drawn back ready to operate at the next
stroke, and this continues alternately during the whole time the vehicle is being
propelled. When the vehicle is not being propelled by the rider, for instance,
when running down an incline, the driving axle and wheels revolve freely without
moving the aforesaid mechanism connected to the said axle.
I provide a brake which is constructed as follows, that is to say :-A rod is
attached to the aforesaid open part of the frame, having a bearing at each side of
the same. At each end of this rod there is a roller or other device so placed as to
rest close to the driving wheels, but not in contact therewith when the vehicle is
running. An arin attached to this rod and projecting therefrom is conveniently
placed to be operated by one or both of the rider's feet, and when so operated the
rollers or other devices press tightly against the driving wheels. The said rod also
forms a stop for the treadle levers, thus determining the length of the tread. This
rod also forms a rest for the rider's feet when the velocipede is running down an
ncline.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Thomas Butler in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th
November 1879.
THOMAS BUTLER, of Eversley, in the County of Hants. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
VELOCIPEDES."
My Invention relates to improvements in velocipedes, and is chiefly designed to
provide means whereby the power exercised by the feet of the rider to drive or
impel the velocipede forward may be caused to act more advantageously and with
loss fatigue to the rider when the vehicle is ascending an incline or travelling over
rough and uneven ground than is practicable with the velocipedes hitherto con-
structed.
In ordinary velocipedes the driving mechanism is constructed and arranged with
a view to utilize the power in such a manner as to obtain as high a speed as possible
on level and even ground, and as no provision is made for varying the effect of the
power on the driving axle under special circumstances it is very difficult for the
rider to propel such vehicles up inclines or over uneven ground. But according to
my said Invention I provide improved mechanism by means of which the rider is
enabled to instantaneously alter the effect of the driving power upon the axle to
which the driving wheels are attached, that is to say, by adjusting this mechanism
the same force exerted by the feet may be caused to impart to the said axle and
wheels a greater or lesser portion of a revolution at each stroke of the foot, as
desired. For example, if the vehicle is to be propelled upon a level and even road
this mechanism may be so adjusted or set that each stroke of the foot will impart
to the driving axle and wheels the greatest movement that can be given to them in
one stroke, consequently the vehicle will be propelled at the highest speed of which it
is capable with a given expenditure of power. If an incline has to be ascended the
said mechanism may be immediately so adjusted that each stroke of the rider's foot
will move the driving axle and wheels a shorter distance, so that the leverage or
purchase is increased, and whilst a given number of strokes will propel the vehicle
a shorter distance than when the mechanism is set for the highest speed the power
required to be exerted at each stroke is considerably less than when the mechanism
is adjusted for a high speed, consequently the rider is not so fatigued as he must be
when using a vehicle so made that at every stroke of his feet the said vehicle must
be propelled the same distance whatever may be the character or condition of the
road along which it has to be propelled.
Immediately the difficult portion of the road has been traversed the rider can at
once re-adjust the mechanism for speed.
It will therefore be understood that by my Invention the rider of a velocipede is
provided with means whereby it may be so adjusted that the power can be exerted
in the most advantageous manner under ordinary and under special circumstances,
and the excessive straining of the muscles required to propel ordinary velocipedes
under such special circumstances is avoided.
The best manner of constructing a velocipede according to my Invention to
ensure the advantages above indicated I consider to be shewn in the Drawing,
which I will now. proceed to describe, although it will be obvious that many varia-
tions may be made without departing from the principle of my Invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1 is a plan of a velocipede constructed according to my said Invention.
Figure 2 is a side elevation; and
Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the same.
Figures 4 to 11 shew portions of the mechanism drawn to an enlarged scale.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawing.
I construct the said velocipede with a strong frame a, and provide two driving
wheels of any suitable diameter upon one axle c.
The said frame a consists

page_text: partly of a curved or arched bar or tube a' above the axle c, and between the two.
driving wheels b, and upon this curved bar or tube is fixed a spring d, upon which
the saddle or seat e for the rider is placed. The main or central part of the frame a
is a tube or rod a² connected with the said arched bar or tube at the centre of the
same. This main portion, which constitutes the "back-bone" of the vehicle, extends
down from the arch in a curved line to a point about midway between the front
and rear axles, and thence curves upward towards the front of the velocipede, where
it terminates in a neck provided with bearings for the two centres of the fork of
the guiding wheel f. The said fork is provided with a suitable handle g, which
extends into a convenient position to be mauipulated by the rider.
The mechanism for driving the velocipede is as follows, that is to say:-
Upon the said central tube or part a² of the frame I secure a cross-headh con-
structed with a clip or ferrule h from which extend its two arms; each arm has
at its extremity a bearing h² for a rod or pin h³ which forms the fulcrum of the
curved levers or treadles ; the latter extend to a suitable position to be con-
veniently operated by the rider's feet, as clearly shewn in Figures 1 and 2. T'o the
ends of these treadles large stirrups are secured, these stirrups being so formed
that the rider's feet and part of his legs may pass into them, the feet resting on
suitable swivelling pieces at the end of the aforesaid treadles. A strap i of
leather or other suitable material is connected to the end h of each of these stirrups,
and these straps i extend to and are connected with novel and peculiar devices
mounted on the driving axle and operating as hereinafter described in such a
manner that the depression of the said levers by the rider's feet impart the required
rotary movement to the driving axle and wheels of the velocipede.
The said devices, which constitute a very important feature of my Invention, are
constructed as follows, that is to say-Upon the driving axle c, and in connection
with each treadle, I mount a tube or sleevej formed of irou or other suitable metal,
and which has on it an arm j extending radially from the same. With this arm or
plate I combine the adjusting mechanism shewn in side elevation and in different
positions in Figures 6, 7, and 8. This adjusting mechanism has a vertically sliding
slotted piece k, with arins or horns, to which are pivotted two rectangular or
elbow levers or arms, capable of being moved outward and inward on their
pivots 3. To the extremity or end of each of these two levers 2 is pivotted or
jointed a rod, and both of these rods extend upward, and at are jointod together
and to the aforesaid arm or guide-piece. A strip or piece of spring steel or other
suitable metal is bent around and rests upon the top of the vertical piece k and the
levers k, and is secured to the same at the points 1, 2, 3.
The aforesaid driving
strap or belt is attached to this spring strip or band, and at each stroke of the
rider's foot the entire device is pulled forward through a portion of a revolution. A
handle m is attached to each of the vertical sliding pieces k, so that there will be
one handle at each side of the rider in a convenient position to be manipulated.
By raising or depressing these handles in the radius of the said spring band or
strip is increased or diminished at will; and it will be seen that this device forms
an adjustablo or expanding and contracting quadrant or segment of a pulley.
In Figure 6, the sliding piece k is shewn at its lowest position, the rods 5 being
thereby caused to pull the levers inward and downward, so that the strip or
band assumes the form of a curve or part of a circle of comparatively small radius.
In Figure 7, the sliding piece is partly raised, and the said rods and levers have
expanded the strip or band into the form of a curve of larger radius.
Figure 8, the said sliding piece is raised to its highest position, and the elastic
strip or band is expanded to its full extent, forming a curve or part of a circle of
large radius; k' is a spring stop for holding the sliding piece k in the above described
positions.
And in
By this adjustment of the said quadrant, the tube or sleeve ; will be caused to
turn a greater or less distance at each stroke of the treadles, without any change or
adjustment of the latter. The said tube or sleeve, which at one end has on it the
guide piece j', is provided at its other end with a pulley n, whose rim has ratchet-

page_text: teeth on its interior surface.
As shown in side elevation in Figure 10, a pawl o
connected to a rod or arm o¹ rigidly keyed or otherwise attached to and projecting
from the driving axle c, engages with these teeth in such a manner that when the
aforesaid expanding and contracting device or quadrant is moved in a forward.
direction, the said pulley causes the arm o' to move forward and turn the axle c,
but when the said device moves backward, the pulley rides over the pawl o, and
does not move the said arm or axle. I prefer to make the pawl o a double one, or
in two parts o², 03. One pawl or part of is pivotted to the arm o' at o', while the
other part o³ is pivotted to the part o as shewn. The part o² is entirely out of
gear with the teeth of the pulley n, excepting when the said pulley is operating the
arm, but as the said pulley moves forward, the part o³ coming into contact with a
tooth is pressed down, thus raising the part o into engagement with the teeth of
the said pulley.
It is sometimes convenient to be able to place both pawls of, o³, out of gear with
the driving ratchet-pulley; for this purpose, I make the pawl with a slot o³, into
which slot I fit the bent end of a small rod 0°, so arranged that by sliding its end
in the said slot in one direction. I can,set the said pawl out of contact with the
teeth of the ratchet-wheel, while by sliding it in the opposite direction, I can re-
establish the engagement of the said pawl with the wheel. In some instances, I
may use a friction-wheel and pawl in place of the aforesaid ratchet apparatus.
When the rider presses down one treadle, its strap is pulled forward, and with
it the whole of the adjusting or expanding and contracting device or quadrant con-
nected to the said treadle, and this quadrant being connected through the tube or
sleeve with the ratchet or friction pulley, the latter by its engagement with the
arm on the driving axle causes the said axle to rotate, and the velocipede is pro-
pelled. While one treadle is descending and propelling the vehicle, the other
treadle rises, the pulley n connected with the latter then riding loosely over.the
arm o', and thus carrying back without moving the axle, the adjusting mechanism
or quadrant, and the leather strap thereon, into a position for the next impulse of
the rider's foot on the last named treadle. In order that each pulley and
mechanism in connection therewith may, after each stroke of the treadle, be
certainly brought back to this position in readiness to operate at the next stroke,
I provide apparatus for palling or drawing back the said pulley, and expanding and
contracting device, and thereby raising each treadle after the depression of the
same by the rider's foot. For this purpose, I prefer to adopt the means shewn in
Figure 4, that is to say, in the rim of each of the said pulleys n I form a groove,
and I pass a gut or other band or cord around the saine, and around the pulleys
p, q, in such a manner that the forward movement of one pulley n ensures the
backward or returning movement of the other pulley n, the lower pulley q keeping
the cord in place on the other pulleys. It will therefore be seen that when the
mechanism controlled by one foot of the driver is operating on one treadle to propel
the vehicle, the mechanism in connection with the treadle operated by his other
foot is being drawn back ready to operate at the next stroke of the last named
treadle, and this alternate action of the mechanism continues during the whole time
the vehicle is being propelled. When the vehicle is not being propelled by the
rider, for instance, when running down an incline, the driving axle and wheels
revolve freely without moving the aforesaid mechanism.
Instead of using the apparatus shewn in Figures 6, 7, and 8, 1 may modify the
arrangement of the arins and levers for altering the curvaturo of the elastic strip or
band, or I may employ an expanding and contracting device, consisting of an
adjustable or sliding piece mounted on the guide-arm, and having formed on it a
curved portion to which the treadle strap is attached, the adjustment then con-
sisting merely in increasing or diminishing the distance of the said curved portion
from the driving axle. Or I may employ an elastic strip or curved piece pivotted
by one end to an arm or plate working on the driving axle, the said strip being
adjusted by raising or lowering its free end, and thereby increasing or diminishing
its distance from the driving axle.

page_text: Instead of fixing the driving wheels b rigidly on the axle c, I prefer to place at
the end of the axle a small ratchet-wheel t (as shewn in Figure 9), which acts upon
a pawl fixed inside the hub of the driving wheel, thus causing the wheels to
revolve with the axle.
According to another part of my Invention, I provide the velocipede with brake-
apparatus which is constructed as follows, that is to say :-A clip cross-head s is fixed
on the central tube a², its two arms having bearings through which passes a spindle
1; at each end of this spindle I fix an arm, carrying a shoe or plate s² so placed
as to rest in close proximity to the driving wheels, but not in contact therewith
when the vehicle is running; foot-plates s³ attached to the spindle s project there-
from, conveniently to be operated by one or both of the rider's feet. And by means
of the said foot-plates, the brake-shoes can be pressed more or less forcibly against
the driving wheels b. The said spindle s¹ forms a stop for the treadles, thus limiting
the length of the stroke of the same. This spindle also forms a rest for the rider's
feet.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I wish it understood that I claim,-
First. A velocipede-frame consisting of the main or central longitudinal tube or
bar, and the arched or curved transverse tube or bar, and provided with means for
supporting the axles and other parts of the vehicle, all substantially as set forth.
Second. An expanding and contracting device, consisting of parts mounted on the
driving axle, and unadjustable with regard to the same, and carrying adjustable
parts which may be so set or adjusted as to increase or diminish the curvature or
the distance from the axle of a peripheral surface, to which a strap or other con-
nection with the treadle is attached, for the purpose specified.
Third. The combination of parts comprising the said expanding and contracting
device, and the ratchet-mechanism, whereby the said device is caused to act in
connection with the driving axle, as and for the purpose specified.
Fourth. In combination with the treadles of a velocipede, the apparatus coin-
prising the two expanding and contracting devices or quadrants, fitted and working
upon guide-arms or plates, which form part of the tubes or sleeves of the ratchet or
friction pulleys, which operate in connection with the arms fixed on the said driving
shaft, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Fifth. The peculiar mechanism consisting of the double pawl mounted on the
arm of the axle, and arranged to engage with the ratchet-wheel, and operating in
combination with the latter, with a capability of adjustment, substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
Sixth. In combination with the said pulleys, the apparatus for ensuring their
return or backward movement, and the raising of the treadles after each depression
of the latter by the foot of the rider, substantially as set forth.
Seventh. The brake-apparatus supported by a cross-head or bar upon the velo-
cipede-frame, and constructed and arranged to be operated or adjusted by the feet
of the rider, substantially as set forth.
Eighth. A velocipede embodying in its construction the above described improve-
ments, or either or any of the same, in combination with the other parts of the
vehicle, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Butler, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Tenth day of November, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-nine.
THOMAS BUTLER. (L.S.)