IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON- STRUCTION OF VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick William Eické, of Beulah Hill, in the County
of Surrey, Gentleman, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
STRUCTION OF VELOCIPEDES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick William Eické at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th October 1881.
FREDERICK WILLIAM EICKÉ, of Beulah Hill, in the County of Surrey, Gentleman.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF VELOCIPEDES.'
My Invention has for its object the lessening of labour experienced in riding
velocipedes over heavy ground or in ascending hilly roads.
It consists in mounting or fixing on any or all the wheels or pedals of a
velocipede at any convenient point thereof, and at a greater or less distance from
the centre of rotation, flask-shaped vessels or accelerators containing quicksilver.
When the rider starts his velocipede the wheels rotate with increased speed in
consequence of the additional momentum they possess owing to the impetus
imparted to the velocipede by the accelerators, the result being that the ground is
traversed at a greater speed and with less effort on the part of the rider.
I do not confine myself to the use of flask-shaped vessels; they may be of any
convenient shape adapted to my purpose.
I furnish the accelerators with efficient guards of a suitable shape and size to
prevent their being injured when the velocipede is in use.
I provide for access to the interior of each accelerator by fitting it with a screw
nozzle of convenient size and shape.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Frederick William Eické in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
18th April 1882.
FREDERICK WILLIAM EICKE, of Beulah Hill, in the County of Surrey, Gentleman.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF VELOCIPEDES."
My Invention relates to a simple apparatus consisting of flask-shaped vessels
containing quicksilver, which when attached to the axletrees or wheels of a
velocipede, bicycle, or otherwise, enables the rider to travel over rough and hilly
ground with a degree of facility hitherto unknown.
When the rider starts his velocipede the wheels rotate with increased speed in
consequence of the additional momentum they possess owing to the impetus
imparted to the velocipede by the accelerators, the result being that the ground is
traversed at a greater speed and with less effort on the part of the rider. It has
the effect of saving muscular exertion to the rider in ascending hills or meeting
strong winds without the necessity of his dismounting.
The appliance steadies the machine considerably, and in going down hill it acts
rather as a break than as a motive power. I do not necessarily confine myself to
the shape of the cases containing the quicksilver, they may be of any convenient
form and size, according to the shape or construction of the velocipede to which
they are to be attached. They may be made of any suitable material, steel by
preference, and are furnished with screw nozzles in order to obtain access to the
interior. They are so far protected from injury, being inclosed within the spokes
of the wheel.
In the accompanying Drawings to this Specification
Figure 1 shows the application of my Invention to the velocipede.
Figure 2 shows an elevation of my Invention with the flasks marked D attached
to the axle A by means of the coupling marked B from the stem C.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and in what manner the
same is carried out, I claim, the apparatus hereinbefore described as substantially
as shown in the Drawings accompanying this Specification for the purpose of
accelerating the speed of velocipedes and lessening the muscular exertion used
in the propulsion of the same.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frederick William Eicke, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.