Improvements in or relating to Bicycles, Tricycles, Quadricycles, and other Velocipedes, to enable the Rider to use Greater Power in Working the Treadles.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Nov., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 26th Apr., 1892-Accepted, 4th June, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Bicycles, Tricycles, Quadricycles,
and other Velocipedes, to enable the Rider to use Greater Power
in Working the Treadles.
'
I WILLIAM EDWARD SYER of 17 Great Ancoats Street Manchester in the
County of Lancaster, Looking Glass Manufacturer and Engineer do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
An instrument made of leather, webbing, steel, iron india rubber or other
material or of all or any thereof. In the shape of a yoke, braces, or straps
extending across the shoulders and body of the riders of the aforesaid bicycles,
tricycles, quadricycles and velocipedes, and attached or fastened in front and
behind the rider to the main axis or backbone of the said machines, to enable the
riders to use great force or power by reaction, in working the treadles or pedals of
the aforesaid machines.
Dated this 10th day of November 1891.
WILLIAM EDWARD SYER.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Bicycles, Tricycles, Quadricycles,
and other Velocipedes, to enable the Rider to use Greater Power
in Working the Treadles.
I WILLIAM EDWARD SYER of 17 Great Ancoats Street Manchester in the
County of Lancaster Looking-glass Manufacturer and Engineer do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:—
An instrument made of leather, webbing, iron, steel, or other material, or of all
or any part thereof, consisting of two straps about thirty inches long and two
inches wide, extending across the shoulders of the cyclist, and connected in front
of the chest of the cyclist with a ring one & half inches in diameter, made from
quarter-inch round iron or steel, also connected behind the cyclist about the
middle of the back, with a ring of similar size and make. To each ring in front
and behind the cyclist, is also attached a strap twelve inches long & 14 inch wide
with an adjustable buckle, to adjust the instrument or apparatus the required
length, one end of each strap is stitched or sewn to its respective ring, the other
end having holes one inch apart, for the purpose of buckling it to its respective
buckle. The shoulder-straps are narrowed at the ends, and with a leather loop
1inch wide, are stitched to the rings in front and behind the cyclist. All the
aforesaid parts are therefore stitched or sewn together.
Each buckle is, with a piece of leather, stitched or sewn to one end of a
chain, having a small ring at the other end, which may be called the attachment.
The chain in front of the cyclist, will be eight inches long; and is fastened in
front of the cyclist, to the top bar of the frame or backbone, of safety bicycles, by a
clip, and inch bolt & nut, the small ring at the end of the chain, being placed
between the clip; and the bolt going through clip and ring.
The chain behind the cyclist will be four inches long; and will be fastened
behind the cyclist, to the saddle-pin which fits into the main axis of most all safety
bicycles; by a clip, bolt and nut, similar to the front attachment.
The aforesaid attachment is applicable to safety bicycles of the Bayliss Thomas
Pin d

page_text: and other similar makes; where the saddle-pin can be reversed so as to extend
about two inches beyond the rear of saddle. The saddle-pin must be lengthened
in other cases. .
In the case of velocipedes without any saddle pin, the attachments could be
fastened to a piece of. iron rather longer than the saddle or seat; fixed hori-
zontally under the seat or saddle, or to such other part of the cycle as may be
convenient.
It is often requisite when climbing hills, or going fast, to use some greater power
than the weight of the body on the pedals; or pulling at the handles of the steering
gear.
The invention and application of the instrument I have thus described, will
allow the riders of safety bicycles, & other velocipedes, to drive the pedals from
their shoulders that is to say, a cyclist could use pressure with his shoulders up
under the shoulder-straps; and, by reaction, obtain great power with his legs to
work the pedals of safety bicycles and other velocipedes.
Although leather is preferred for the shoulder straps; they may be made of
webbing, india rubber, or other material.
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
claim is :
Construction and application of the instrument or apparatus herein before
described, for the purpose of enabling the riders of safety bicycles, and other
velocipedes, to gain power in or with their legs, to work the pedals or treadles.
Dated this 25th day of April 1892.
WILLIAM EDWARD SYER.