Improvements in Cycles.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 11th May, 1894-Accepted, 23rd June, 1894
Improvements in Cycles.
GEORGE FREDERICK GRAY, of 32, Rue St. Luce, Bordeaux, France, Tailor,
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:-
This invention relates to an improved construction of cycles, and is intended to
provide a machine which can be driven at a greater speed than those of the
ordinary construction.
Instead of driving the machine from a crank, I propose to drive it from the
periphery of a wheel which gears the ordinary driving wheels. The cycle
preferably runs on three wheels, but four may be employed, and an additional one
of larger diameter is used by means of which the cycle is driven. A suitable frame
connects the wheels, and the rider is seated at the rear, driving the machine by
pedals, one on each side of the central wheel which can engage with the latter near
the periphery and cause it to revolve being released for the return stroke.
The cycle is steered from the back of the rider, the handle bar curving round
80 as to be grasped by the rider at the sides.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had to
the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side and Fig. 2 an end
elevation of one machine and Fig. 3 is a side elevation and Fig. 4 is a plan of a
slightly modified construction.
A A are the front or driving wheels, and B is the steering wheel placed at the
back of the machine, carried by the frame C, one form of frame being shown in
Figs. 1 & 2 and another form in Figs. 3 & 4. This frame is double and between
the two sides is fitted the central wheel D of considerable diameter. This wheel
bears upon a small wheel or roller a on the front axle a' so that when D is revolved
the wheels A will be driven at a very much higher speed. The steering spindle 6
projects up from the rear wheel to some distance above the frame and the handle
bar 61 is ourved to the front so that it can be conveniently grasped by the rider.
The saddle E is fixed in the usual manner to a cross bar e on the frame a short
distance behind the wheel D. To the rear tube c of the frame are pivoted the
treadles F which project on each side of the wheel D and close to the latter.
Springs cause the treadles to rise when released and follow the foot as it is raised
for the next stroke.
The front portion of these treadles, on which the foot is placed can engage with
the wheel D on its downward stroke so that as the pedals are worked the wheel D
is driven. According to Figs. 1 & 2 numerous holes or recesses d are formed in
the wheel D around the rim, and the pedals are each furnished with a pin at the
side which can take into any one of those recesses. This pin will cause the pedal
to engage with the wheel when the foot is applied to press the pedal down,
disengaging at the upward stroke, the pin being pivoted and provided with a spring
or the pedal moving slightly sideways to allow of this.
According to Figs. 3 and 4 spring projections d¹ are provided around the rim of
the wheel, so that on the downward stroke the pedals will engage with the
projections. The projections will recede when the pedal is raised preventing any
danger of injury to the foot.

page_text: 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:
(1) A cycle having a large suspended central wheel bearing on a small wheel on
the shaft of the driving wheels, and driven by pedals engaging with it at or near
its periphery, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
(2) In a cycle, the combination with two driving wheels at the front and a
steering wheel at the back, small wheel on the driving axle, and a double frame of
suitable construction, of a central wheel of large diameter bearing on the driving
axle wheel, and driving mechanism consisting of a pivoted treadle bar on each side
of the central wheel engaging with and disengaging from the latter as it is
operated substantially as described and for the purposes specified.
(3) In a cycle the combination with two driving wheels, steering wheel or
wheels, a small wheel on the driving axle, a double frame carrying the wheels and
a large central wheel suspended in the frame, of a treadle bar on each side of the
central wheel pivoted to the back stay of the frame, and projections on the rim of
the said wheel with which the pedals can engage, substantially as and for the
purposes specified.
(4) In a cycle the combination with two driving wheels, a steering wheel or
wheels, a small wheel on the driving axle, a double frame carrying the wheels and
a large central wheel suspended in the frame, of a treadle bar on each side of the
central wheel pivoted to the back stay of the frame and provided with a pin or
projection at the inner side and recesses in the rim of the central wheel into which
the pins on the pedals can take, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
(5) The improved cycle constructed and operating substantially as described
and shown in Figs. 1 & 2 of the accompanying drawings and for the purposes
specified.
(6) The improved cycle constructed and operating substantially as described
and shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings and for the purposes
specified.
Dated this 11th day of May 1894.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.