IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DRIVING MECHANISM OF VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1884

page_text: AMOS KIRBY Engineer &c St Pauls Sqre & 34 Harpur St (Residence) Bedford
do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DRIVING
MECHANISM OF VELOCIPEDES to be as follows:-
I construct a velocipede with a driving wheel and forks similar to those of an
ordinary bicycle but I prolong the fork ends in such a way as to form guide rods or
slide bars similar to those of a steam engine, I make each of the cranks similar to
those of an ordinary bicycle but at the outer end where the pedal is usually fixed
I attach a link or bar similar to the connecting rod of a steam engine by means
of a revolving joint. The opposite end of the link is provided with a roller or
slide block which moves backwards & forwards in contact with the fork guide-bars,
whenever motion is given to the crank and prevents the link from swinging about
loosely when the machine is in motion. The pedals are attached to any convenient
part of the links and travel in a fixed course instead of swinging about as they
would do if they were not controlled by the guide rods.

page_text: .
COMIDELE
"I AMOS KIRBY of 2, St Paul's Square and 34 Harpur Street, Bedford, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DRIVING
MECHANISM OF. VELOCIPEDES, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
. I construct my improved velocipedes with a driving wheel and fork, similar to
those of an ordinary bicycle, but I-prolong the ends of the fork in such a manner
that these prolongations are utilised as, and form guides, similar to those of a direct-
acting steam engine. I make each of the cranks similar to those of an ordinary
bicycle, but at the outer end where the pedal is usually fixed I attach a link or
connecting rod, also similar to that of a direct acting steam engine; the upper end
of this connecting rod embraces the crank pin, in a suitable bearing, in which the
pin revolves, and the lower end of the connecting rod is guided by one of the
prolongations of the fork above mentioned. The guide may consist of a slotted bar,
with a roller; or a sliding block in such slotted bar; or a slipper guide block
surrounding a solid rod, or a dovetail groove and corresponding block. By either of
these devices or variations or modifications thereof the lower end of the connecting
rod is caused to reciprocate in a straight line, when in motion, and is prevented
from hanging loosely from the crank pin.
"A
The pedals are adjustable, and are attached to any convenient part of the
connecting rod.
And in order that my said invention may be more particularly described and
ascertained reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which
similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
Fig. 1 is an elevation, and Fig 2 a front view. a is the driving wheel, and b is
the back wheel. c is the prolongation of the fork (which is shewn slotted). dis
the connecting rod; e is the crank on the left hand of the rider, and e' is the crank
on the right side. ff are the rollers, which roll in the guides c as shewn.
The pedals g g are shewn attached to the middle position on the connecting rods,
but they may be readily taken out, and placed higher or lower.
Having now particularly described and. ascertained. the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. The manufacture and use of velocipedes, fitted with connecting rods d, carrying
adjustable pedals gg; the upper ends of which connecting rods are fitted to the
cranks, and the lower ends guided in straight lines by elongations of the fork cc,
substantially as described and shewn on the drawings.
2. The manufacture and use of velocipedes having elongated forks cc, which act
as guides to the lower ends of the connecting rods d d, substantially as described
and shewn on the drawings.
3. The combination and arrangement of driving mechanism for velocipedes,
substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn on the drawings.
GEO. DOWNING,
Agent for Applicant.