IMPROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1885

page_text: I, JOHN ALFRED GRIFFITHS, of 9 White Street, Coventry, in the county of
Warwick, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention
for IMPROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES to be as follows :-
This invention was designed to carry out the objects of the invention patented to
me 20th July 1883, N° 3564 for the better accomplishing of the same in certain
cases where the construction there described is not so conveniently applicable as
the one now described, in which cases the present improvements supersede or
render unnecessary parts of that design and additional parts are added for the
more perfect action of the machine, and of course I do not bind myself to follow
the exact design of my former patents where alteration is desirable or convenient.
As in my former invention I make the frame to support the seat independent of
the main frame connecting the driving, steering, and pedal axles, and this seat
frame is attached to the main frame by hinges or flexible connections whose
geometric axis is nearly or exactly coincident with the pedal axis.
The seat thus supported is free to move backwards and forwards so that the
centre of gravity of the rider is either above the pedal axle or before or behind it
at pleasure, so that the most convenient attitude for work may be readily assumed
according to the resistances of the road or the condition of the rider.
The position of the seat frame may be altered by any suitable mechanism of
adjusting screw, rack and pinion, or wrapping connections, or it may be left free
to move with the body of the rider, and its range and freedom of motion may
be controlled or regulated by fixed or adjustable stops or springs arranged in any
convenient manner.
To further adapt the position of the rider to his work, I mount the saddle or
seat on its pin by an adjustable seat holder, and also make the saddle with
flexible leather bands adjustable for width.
The seat holder is formed in three pieces, two jaws which embrace the hori-
zontal limb of the pin and are closed on it by a screw bolt, and a third piece
lying between the other ends of the jaws to which the seat or its spring is
fastened. The faces of this third piece are formed with teeth or protections
radiating from the fastening screw, so that by slackening out the screw, the third
piece carrying the saddle may be moved one or more teeth, and varied in its
inclination to the horizontal as may be desired and again locked to the jaws and

page_text: to the pin by fastening the screw. To the third or central part, or to the spring
attached to it, the three horns of the saddle are attached, one forwards and two
backwards, which may be opened out to any desired angle to give any desired
breadth of saddle. From the front horn to each back horn a band of leather or
other material is stretched, and the horns may be made of flat or round spring steel
to keep the bands taut.
•
The wheels and main frame may be of any ordinary or special pattern according
as the velocipede has two, three or more wheels, and preferably the loop frame is
avoided, and a simpler shape used in which the steering wheel is carried by a
longitudinal bar or tube, termed the back bone attached at one side of the
transverse part near the carrying axle and bent at the wheel end so that the
steering wheel may be either in the centre opposite the one or two driving wheels
(as in a three track tricycle or front steering bicycle) or more or less to one side as
in a two track tricycle, tandem or sociable. Thus there is no impediment to a
lady getting on or off the seat without stepping over any low or high bar or part
of the frame. The steering handle is attached to this back bone and rotates in a
socket vertically arranged or nearly so. On this axis is fixed a small pulley and
on the head of the steering wheel or wheels a larger pulley is fixed. Round these
pulleys a flexible steel cord is wrapped so that a large angular motion of the
handle produces a smaller turn of the wheel. The steel cord is kept tight by a
screw coupling, or adjustable guide pulley under the bend of the back bone, or by
other suitable means, and to prevent slip, the cord is also fastened to the pulleys
at each end. The tension in the cord prevents back lash and rattle, and the
flexibility of the steel renders groase unnecessary and promotes cleanliness and
comfort. And to further assist the rider at times when it is desirable for him to
release his hold of the steering handle I attach a spring from a point on the larger
steering pulley (or from the end of an arm similarly situated on the pawl of the
steering wheel) to a point on the backbone so that the wheel when released will
turn back always into the position for straight running, and the greater its
deviation the greater will be the force of the spring pulling it straight when
released.
The mode of carrying the axle in the frame is as follows:
For the main wheels of tricycles the ball bearings are formed of two independent
complete outer collars near each hub of the wheels, which two collars are rigidly
fixed to part of the swing frame and the two halves of the internal sleeve are
completely separated and are adjusted by sliding on the main axle, and are held up
at one end by a screw abutting against the hub of one of the wheels. Between
the groove formed between the two outer collars and that formed by the two
bevilled edges of the two halves of the internal sleeve-the balls are inserted.
To prevent leakage of oil from these bearings, and bearings made in this manner
at the same time to simplify the construction in some cases, the steel collar
containing the internal groove in which the balls run, is not divided so that no
joint is left through which the oil can escape, and to allow of the cones being
adjusted, the inner sleeve is divided into two parts, one on each side of the circle
of balls, (or of the two circles, when there is a double row of balls) and screw
connections are provided for adjusting the two halves of the sleeves to the proper
distance apart.
Thus the weight of the rider and frame rest on the main axle only through
these two circles of balls, and no friction resisting progress is caused by the
connection of the fixed and movable parts of the frame."
In forcing the machine up steep hills, or against other resistances severe bending
stress is caused at the junction of the spokes where they are usually screwed
radially in the hubs, and to transform this into tension the spokes are attached to
the hub tangentially by being screwed into holes drilled tangentially into suitable
projections or recesses formed on the edge of the hubs. And to distribute the
support uniformly to the rim, the number of spokes may be a multiple of four each
set of four being divided into two pairs attached to the two hubs, one spoke of

page_text: each pair being attached to points of the hub nearly diametrical. The spokes may
have screws and nuts at one or both ends and may be left free or soldered at the
crossings.
In connecting the main and crank alxes by wrapping connections I vary the
plan described in my aforesaid patent to enable smaller pulleys to be used which
are provided with parallel grooves round which the several turns of the steel cord
are wound in a spiral fashion the final return lap of the cord being made over two
guide pulleys fixed between the main pulleys so that the cord will run
tinuously without fouling. And in this construction the steel cord may be used
with or without the covering of vulcanized rubber formerly described, and the
bottoms or sides of the grooves in the pulleys may be lined with rubber, leather, or
other suitable material.
con-
WP. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and
323, High Holborn, London,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Tricyles and other Velocipedes.
I, JOHN ALFRED GRIFFITHS of 9 White Street, Coventry, in the County of
Warwick, Mechanical 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:—
This invention was designed to carry out the objects of the invention patented
to me 20th July 1883 N° 3564 for the better accomplishing of the same in certain
cases where the construction there described is not so conveniently applicable as
the one
now described, in which cases the present improvements supersede or
render unnecessary parts of that design and additional parts are added for the
more perfect action of the machine.
As in my former invention I make the frame to support the seat independent of
the main frame connecting the driving, steering, and pedal axles, and this seat
frame is attached to the main frame by hinges or flexible connections whose
geometric axis is nearly or exactly coincident with the pedal axis.
The seat thus supported is free to move backwards and forwards so that the
centre of gravity of the rider is either above the pedal axle or before or behind it
at pleasure, so that the most convenient attitude for work may be readily
assumed according to the resistances of the road or the condition of the rider.
The position of the seat frame may be altered by any suitable mechanism of
adjusting screw, rack and pinion, or wrapping connections or it may be left free
to move with the body of the rider, and its range and freedom of motion may be
controlled or regulated by fixed or adjustable stops or springs arranged in any
convenient manner.
To further adapt the position of the rider to his work, I mount, the saddle or
seat on its pin by an adjustable seat holder, and also make the saddle with
flexible leather bands adjustable for width.
The seat holder is formed in three pieces, two jaws which embrace the horizontal
limb of the L pin and are closed on it by a screw bolt, and a third piece lying
between the other ends of the jaws to which the seat or its spring is fastened.
The faces of this third piece are formed with teeth or projections radiating from
the fastening screw, so that by slackening out the screw, the third piece carrying
the saddle may be moved one or more teeth, and varied in its inclination to the
horizontal as may be desired and again locked to the jaws and to the pin by
fastening the screw. To the third or central part, or to the spring attached to it,
the horns of the saddle are attached, which may be opened out to any desired angle
to give any desired breadth of sackle. From the front to back a band of leather
or other material is stretched, and the horns may be made of flat or round spring
steel to keep the bands faut.
The wheels and main frame may be of any ordinary special or pattern according
as the velocipede has two, three or more wheels, and preferably the loop frame is
avoided, and a simpler shape used in which the steering wheel is carried by a
longitudinal bar or tube, termed the back bone attached at one side of the
transverse part near the carrying axle and bent at the wheel end so that the
steering wheel may be either in the centre opposite the one or two driving wheels

page_text: (as in a three track tricycle or front steering bicycle) or more or less to one side
as in a two track tricycle, tandem or sociable. Thus there is no impediment to a
lady getting on or off the seat without stepping over any low or high bar or part
of the frame. The steering handle is attached to this back bone and rotates in a
socket vertically arranged or nearly so. On this axis is fixed a small pulley and
on the head of the steering wheel or wheels a larger pulley is fixed. Round these
pulleys a flexible steel cord is wrapped so that a large angular motion of the handle
produces a smaller turn of the wheel. The steel cord is kept tight by a screw
coupling, or adjustable guide pulley under the bend of the hack bone, or by other
suitable means, and to prevent slip, the cord is also fastened to the pulleys at
cach end. The tension in the cord prevents back lash and rattle, and the flexibility
of the steel renders grease unnecessary and promotes cleanliness and comfort.
And to further assist the rider at times when it is desirable for him to release his
hold of the steering handle I attach a spring from a point on the larger steering
pulley (or from the end of an arm similarly situated on the pawl of the steering
wheel) to a point on the backbone so that the wheel when released will turn back
always into the position for straight running, and the greater its deviation the
greater will be the force of the spring pulling it straight when released.
The weight of the rider and frame rest on the main axle only through two
circles of Balls, and no friction resisting progress is caused by the connection of
the fixed and movable parts of the frame.
In forcing the machine up steep hills, or against other resistances severe bending
stress is caused at the junction of the spokes where they are usually screwed
radially in the hubs, and to transform this into tension the spokes are attached to
the hub tangentially by being screwed into holes drilled tangentially into suitable
projections or recesses formed on the edge of the hubs. And to distribute the
support uniformly to the rim, the number of spokes may be a multiple of four
each set of four being divided into two pairs attached to the two hubs, one spoke
of each pair being attached to points of the hub nearly diametrical. The spokes
may have screws and nuts at one or both ends and may be left free or soldered at
the crossings.
In connetinge the main and crank axles by wrapping connections I vary the
plan described in my aforesaid patent to enable smaller pulleys to be used which
are provided with parallel grooves round which the several turns of the steel cord
are wound in a spiral fashion the final return lap of the cord being made over two
guide pulleys fixed between the main pulleys so that the cord will run con-
tinuously without fouling. And in this construction the steel cord may be used
with or without the covering of vulcanized rubber formerly described and the
bottoms or sides of the grooves in the pulleys may be lined with rubber, leather,
or other suitable material.
In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of a tricycle
Figure 2a front view and Figure 3 a plan of the same. Figures 4 to 12 are
details and Figures 13 to 15 are small scale views of single and double tricycles.
The two large wheels A are drivers and are carried on an axle mounted with
any ordinary type of central balance gear B around the drum of which the upper
driving pulley is fixed.
The main bearings are fixed at each side and close to the balance gear and are
attached to a fork on the back bone 6, which extends backwards horizontally
and carries the steering wheel D by the usual Stanley head d, and fork.
The handles 63, and lower bearings for the crank shaft are carried by two
tubes 5, in a nearly vertical position attached to the said fork by their middle
one on each side of the balance gear. These tubes may also be connected at
intervals by cross pieces 1, Figure 12 which serve as supports for the tension
pulleys of the driving gear. The top ends are joined by the fixed horizontal
handle bar in front of the rider. The bottom ends are joined by an arch a
fork which may be further supported by a tie rod 18 to the back bone near the
Stanley head.

page_text: The seat E for the rider is fixed by a suitable adjustment to be described later,
at the top of a seat fork e, which straddles the back bone 62 and is pivotted at its
lower ends on pins el fixed to the lower fork or arch or it may be pivotted
around the pedal axle. These pivots are preferably though not necessarily, as
nearly as possible (or exactly) concentric with the lower or pedal crank shaft F
so that the distance between the seat and pedals shall be altered very little if at all
by the motion of the seat fork e. The extent of motion of this seat fork is limited
by stops placed on the back bone . To assist the rider to bring the seat and
fork forwards when working against great resistance, as of a road or gradient,
a spiral spring or springs are attached between the vertical tubes 5 and the
seat fork e, or the same action may be caused by torsional or flexional springs
equivalently fixed and the said springs may be varied in strength to suit the
weight or convenience of the rider.
To enable the rider when desirous to fix the seat fork in one position a rack e
may be fixed on the back hone 2, and a detent fixed to the seat fork e, and held
down by a spring.
The adjustable saddle E is shown in Figures 8 and 9.
Each horn is made of a loop of steel wire or of an equivalent plate spring
curved to a bow or inverted arch shown in elevation Figure 8 and in plan as in
Figure 9. The front ends are bent into the form of eyes and rivetted to a
small cap of sheet metalFigure 10 to which the leather may be conveniently
rivetted. The back end of the loop is broad and the leather E is folded over and
rivetted as shown in plan by Figure 9. The spring of the bowed horn keeps the
leather tight. The leather cover may be formed with or without side flaps.
Each horn is held fast at or near its middle by a bolt and clip washer f to a
sole plate with two straight or curved slots as shown in plan Figure 9. By
varying the position of the bolt in the slot the saddle halves may be fixed close
together or wide apart to suit the convenience of the rider. The sole plate may
be attached to an "Arab" or other convenient spring fixed to the seat holder
shown in Figures 4 to 7, or the spring may be omitted and the saddle sole plate
may be fixed directly to the seat holder. Figures 4 to 7 show three modifications
of the seat holder. Figures 6 and 7 show section and side view of the form
adapted to Arab spring and pin. A rectangular plate G with holes suitable for
the Arab eyebolts form the upper part. To this is attached a lug or bracket g
projecting downwards with a bolt hole for horizontal bolt in the centre; the
lower segment or jaw ³ is flat and abuts against against a lateral flat on the
Lping the upper segment is formed with radiating teeth G' as shown.
The opposing clamp is formed with an upper segment or jaw with radiating
teeth corresponding to G¹ and a lower jaw 7 channelled to fit the round side of
the pin. Figures 4 and 5 show a still simpler modification when a sliding
adjustment along the pin is not needed. An eye g" is formed on the top of the
seat rod one side of which is provided with shallow radiating teeth g². A similar
eye G2 is formed on the projection from the upper plate G holding the spring
and the two are fastened together by a single screw or bolt G³.
With any one of these three modifications by loosening the screw one or more
turns according to the depth of the teeth, the said teeth will slip past each other
and the forward and backward pitch of the seat may be varied, whilst in the
first two modifications a very slight loosening of the same screw permits the
whole seat holder to slide forwards and backwards along the L pin but not to vary
its pitch.
Figures 10 and 11 show details of the steering gear. H is the steering handle
which is fixed on the frame at end of the handle bar for the right hand. It rotates
in a socket and has the small pulley at its lower end. The steering cord ¹ is
passed right through a hole 2 drilled across this pulley and then the two ends are
wound one or more turns so that the cord cannot slip and preferably to keep it in
place the pulley is provided with a spiral groove in which the cord can lie for more
than one lap without touching the next lap. The cords are carried along the frame

page_text: over suitably situated guide pulleys shown in Figures 1 and 2 to the steering
head d. Between Stanley head d and the fork a larger grooved pulley d is fixed
to which the steering cord comes from the guide pulleys. One end of the cord
is fixed to the pulley by a knot h³ or other suitable means and the other end is led
through a hole to a small winch d with ratchet teeth fixed between the arms of
the wheel d
By winding this winch the whole length of the cord may be tightened suitably
for work. This end of the cord is also made fast to the winch by passing it through
a hole and knotting it at h*. To prevent stretching of the cord it must be made of
fine steel or other wire suitably cable twisted to give flexibility and strength.
To that part of this pulley d which comes under the back bone a short arm
or pin is fixed projecting towards the back bone and on the back bone is a
projection is at a less distance from the centre of rotation of the Stanley head.
To a lug or bracket on the back bone a double flat spring d is fixed formed of
two blades and both the pid and projection d³ before mentioned lie between
the ends of the double spring. Thus when the steering is moved from its central
position the pin deflects the blade on that side as shown by the dotted outline in
Figure 13 and when the steering handle is released the elasticity of the spring
brings the steering back to the central position and no farther as the end of that
blade stops against the pin on the back bone. Thus if the steering handle is
released by the rider or the cord breaks etc the velocipede will continue to run in
a straight course.
Figure 12 is a detail drawing of the wrapping connection between the main and
crank axles which is shown on small scale in Figures 1 and 2. The two axles K L
are provided with grooved pulleys CN and the less pulley of the two C (usually
the upper one) has one groove more than the larger N. Around these grooves a
single continuous cord is wrapped in a spiral fashion as shown. Thus the cord
begins to run on at on the front of the left hand groove of the small pulley and
comes off at the back of the right hand groove ². This return loop is passed over
a guide pulley P carried in a frame between the main pulleys. The frame is
free to slide and rotate on end spindles as shown passing through two cross
bars 6 attached to the vertical frame tubes and the cord is kept tight by a spiral
spring as shown or by nut p screwed on the end spindle. The pulley P is
therefore free to assume a position at any required angle towards the shaft K so
that one side of its periphery will face groove c² and receive the cord from it
while the other will face groove c' to which it delivers the cord which has just
passed round it.
In the diagram Figure 12 the large pulley has 3 grooves and the small
one 4 grooves, but any less or greater number may be used according to the
adhesion required. The grooves may be of U or V section and may be completely
or partially lined with a gripping substance as leather or gutta percha &c.
alternative arrangement the small guide or tension pulley may be placed above the
main axle instead of between the main and crank axles.
In an
The driving cord may be of any suitable steel or other inextensible wire cord
joined by a long splice or may be continuously spun by a special machine, or may
be made on the special plans described in my previous patent No 3564 of 1883.
Figure 13 shows the outline of a bicycle constructed with these improvements
The small steering wheel may be placed at the rear as sketched or the seat may
be turned round and the handle bar shifted to the small wheel end of the frame so
that the small wheel is a pilot wheel and the hind ones a driver.
Figure 14 shows an elevation and Figure 15 a plan of a two track tandem
tricycle with these improvements. In this case the steering cord may be carried
direct from handles to Stanley head t¹ without the use of any guide pulleys.
Also the back bone may be hinged as described in my previous patent N° 3564
of 1883 and the hinder portion may be made detachable so as to convert the
machine for a single rider.

page_text: 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. In a velocipede a movable seat support such as e whose centre of motion is
approximately coincident with that of the pedal shaft substantially as specified.
2. In a velocipede the method of supporting the seat E upon a rod fork or
equivalent adapted to move about a centre at its lower end for the purpose of
altering the position of the seat in relation to the pedal shaft substantially as
specified.
3. The herein described construction of saddle applicable for velocipedes in
which the saddle is divided in the direction of its length each half or portion being
adjustable independently of the other substantially in the manner and for the
purpose specified.
4. As a means of varying the inclination of the saddle or scat of a velocipede
the employment of a divided bracket whose parts are adapted to engage with one
another substantially as specified and shown in Figures 4 & 5.
5. In a seat or saddle support the combination with the bracket G having a
face adapted to slide upon the flat slide of the support g of an independent
jaw adapted to fit the round side or part of said support and toothed or
ughened so as to engage with the roughened surface G₁ of said bracket the two
Fortions being clamped together by a screw bolt the whole constructed and
Operating substantially in the manner and for the purpose specified and illustrated
in Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.
6. In a velocipede the combination with the pulley d¹ to which the steering
cords are fastened, of a winch or equivalent device for the purpose of
tightening said cord substantially as specified and illustrated in Figures 10 and 11
of the accompanying drawings.
7. In a velocipede and as a means of returning the steering wheel and holding
it in mid position for straight running when released the combination with the
fork which carries said steering wheel of a pin or projection d² springs 5 and
stop substantially as specified.
8. In a driving mechanism for velocipedes the arrangement of an endless cord in
several plies round grooved pullies in combination with one or more guide pulleys
for the return of the crossing loop and the tightening of the cord substantially as
specified.
Dated this 30th day of Santambar 1885

page_text: I, JOHN ALFRED GRIFFITHS, of 9 White Street, Coventry, in the county of
Warwick, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES to be as follows :-
"
This invention was designed to carry out the objects of the invention patented to
me 20th July 1883, No 3564 for the better accomplishing of the same in certain
cases where the construction there described is not so conveniently applicable as
the one now described, in which cases the present improvements supersede or
render unnecessary parts of that design and additional parts are added for the
more perfect action of the machine, and of course I do not bind myself to follow
the exact design of my former patents where alteration is desirable or convenient.
As in my former invention I make the frame to support the seat independent of
the main frame connecting the driving, steering, and pedal axles, and this seat
frame is attached to the main frame by hinges or flexible connections whose
geometric axis is nearly or exactly coincident with the pedal axis.
The seat thus supported is free to move backwards and forwards so that the
centre of gravity of the rider is either above the pedal axle or before or behind it
at pleasure, so that the most convenient attitude for work may be readily assumed
according to the resistances of the road or the condition of the rider.
The position of the seat frame may be altered by any suitable mechanism of
adjusting screw, rack and pinion, or wrapping connections, or it may be left free
to move with the body of the rider, and its range and freedom of motion may
be controlled or regulated by fixed or adjustable stops or springs arranged in any
convenient inauner.
To further adapt the position of the rider to his work, I mount the saddle or
seat on its L pin by an adjustable seat holder, and also make the saddle with
flexible leather bands adjustable for width.
The seat holder is formed in three pieces, two jaws which embrace the bori
zontal limb of the L pin and are closed on it by a screw bolt, and a third piece
lying between the other ends of the jaws to which the seat or its spring is
fastened. The faces of this third piece are formed with teeth or projections
radiating from the fastening screw, so that by slackening out the screw, the third
picce carrying the saddle may be moved one or more teeth, and varied in its
inclination to the horizontal as may be desired and again locked to the jaws and

page_text: to the L pin by fastening the screw. To the third or central part, or to the spring
attached to it, the three horns of the saddle are attached, one forwards and two
backwards, which may be opened out to any desired angle to give any desired
breadth of saddle. From the front horn to each back horn a band of leather or
other material is stretched, and the horns may be made of flat or round spring steel
to keep the bands taut.
The wheels and main frame may be of any ordinary or special pattern according
as the velocipede has two, three or more wheels, and preferably the loop frame is
avoided, and a simpler shape used in which the steering wheel is carried by a
longitudinal bar or tube, termed the back bone attached at one side of the
transverse part near the carrying axle and bent at the wheel end so that the
steering wheel may be either in the centre opposite the one or two driving wheels
(as in a three track tricycle or front steering bicycle) or more or less to one side as
in a two track tricycle, tandem or sociable. Thus there is no impediment to a
lady getting on or off the seat without stepping over any low or high bar or part
of the frame. The steering handle is attached to this back bone and rotates in a
socket vertically arranged or nearly so. On this axis is fixed a small pulley and
on the head of the steering wheel or wheels a larger pulley is fixed. Round these
pulleys a flexible steel cord is wrapped so that a large angular motion of the
handle produces a smaller turn of the wheel. The steel cord is kept tight by a
screw coupling, or adjustable guide pulley under the bend of the back bone, or by
other suitable means, and to prevent slip, the cord is also fastened to the pulleys
at each end. The tension in the cord prevents back lash and rattle, and the
flexibility of the steel renders grease unnecessary and promotes cleanliness and
comfort. And to further assist the rider at times when it is desirable for him to
release his hold of the steering handle I attach a spring from a point on the larger
steering pulley (or from the end of an arm similarly situated on the pawl of the
steering wheel) to a point on the backbone so that the wheel when released will
turn back always into the position for straight running, and the greater its
deviation the greater will be the force of the spring pulling it straight when
released.
The mode of carrying the axle in the frame is as follows:
For the main wheels of tricycles the ball bearings are formed of two independent
complete outer collars near each hub of the wheels, which two collars are rigidly
fixed to part of the swing frame and the two halves of the internal sleeve are
completely separated and are adjusted by sliding on the main axle, and are held up
at one end by a screw abutting against the hub of one of the wheels. Between
the groove formed between the two outer collars and that formed by the two
bevilled edges of the two halves of the internal sleeve-the balls are inserted.
To prevent leakage of oil from these bearings, and bearings made in this manner
at the same time to simplify the construction in some cases, the steel collar
containing the internal groove in which the balls run, is not divided so that no
joint is left through which the oil can escape, and to allow of the cones being
adjusted, the inner sleeve is divided into two parts, one on each side of the circle
of balls, (or of the two circles, when there is a double row of balls) and screw
connections are provided for adjusting the two halves of the sleeves to the proper
distance apart.
Thus the weight of the rider and frame rest on the main axle only through
these two circles of balls, and no friction resisting progress is caused by the
connection of the fixed and movable parts of the frame.
In forcing the machine up steep hills, or against other resistances severe bending
stress is caused at the junction of the spokes where they are usually screwed
radially in the hubs, and to transform this into tension the spokes are attached to
the hub tangentially by being screwed into holes drilled tangentially into suitable
projections or recesses formed on the edge of the hubs. And to distribute the
support uniformly to the rim, the number of spokes may be a multiple of four each
set of four being divided into two pairs attached to the two hubs, one spoke of

page_text: each pair being attached to points of the hub nearly diametrical. The spokes may
have screws and nuts at one or both ends and may be left free or soldered at the
crossings.
In connecting the main and crank axles by wrapping connections I vary the
plan described in my aforesaid patent to enable smaller pulleys to be used which
are provided with parallel grooves round which the several turns of the steel cord
are wound in a spiral fashion the final return lap of the cord being made over two
guide pulleys fixed between the main pulleys so that the cord will run con-
tinuously without fouling. And in this construction the steel cord may be used
with or without the covering of vulcanized rubber formerly described, and the
bottoms or sides of the grooves in the pulleys may be lined with rubber, leather, or
other suitable material.
WM P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and
323, High Holborn, London,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: I, JOHN ALFRED GRIFFITHS of 9 White Street, Coventry, in the County of
Warwick, Mechanical 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:-
This invention was designed to carry out the objects of the invention patented
to me 20th July 1883 N° 3564 for the better accomplishing of the same in certain
cases where the construction there described is not so conveniently applicable as
the one now described, in which cases the present improvements supersede or
render unnecessary parts of that design and additional parts are added for the
more perfect action of the machine.
As in my former invention I make the frame support the seat independent of
the main frame connecting the driving, steering, and pedal axles, and this seat
frame is attached to the main frame by hinges or flexible connections whose
geometric axis is nearly or exactly coincident with the pedal axis.
The seat thus supported is free to move backwards and forwards so that the
centre of gravity of the rider is either above the pedal axle or before or behind it
at pleasure, so that the most convenient attitude for work may be readily
assumed according to the resistances of the road or the condition of the rider.
The position of the seat frame may be altered by any suitable mechanism of
adjusting screw, rack and pinion, or wrapping connections or it may be left free
to move with the body of the rider, and its range and freedom of motion may be
controlled or regulated by fixed or adjustable stops or springs arranged in any
convenient manner.
To further adapt the position of the rider to his work, I mount the saddle or
seat on its pin by an adjustable seat holder, and also make the saddle with
flexible leather bands adjustable for width.
The seat holder is formed in three pieces, two jaws which embrace the horizontal
Jimb of the L pin and are closed on it by a screw bolt, and a third piece lying
between the other ends of the jaws to which the seat or its spring is fastened.
The faces of this third piece are formed with teeth or projections radiating from
the fastening screw, so that by slackening out the screw, the third piece carrying
the saddle may be moved one or more teeth, and varied in its inclination to the
horizontal as may be desired and again locked to the jaws and to the L pin by
fastening the screw. To the third or central part, or to the spring attached to it,
the horns of the saddle are attached, which may be opened out to any desired angle
to give any desired breadth of saddle. From the front to back a band of leather
or other material is stretched, and the horns may be made of flat or round spring
steel to keep the bands taut.
The wheels and main frame may be of any ordinary or special pattern according
as the velocipede has two, three or more wheels, and preferably the loop frame is
avoided, and a simpler shape used in which the steering wheel is carried by a
longitudinal bar or tube, termed the back bone attached at one side of the
transverse part near the carrying axle and bent at the wheel end so that the
steering wheel may be either in the centre opposite the one or two driving wheels

page_text: (as in a three track tricycle or front steering bicycle) or more or less to one side
as in a two track tricycle, tandem or sociable. Thus there is no impediment to a
lady getting on or off the seat without stepping over any low or high bar or part
of the frame. The steering handle is attached to this back bone and rotates in a
socket vertically arranged or nearly so. On this axis is fixed a small pulley and
on the head of the steering wheel or wheels a larger pulley is fixed. Round these
pulleys a flexible steel cord is wrapped so that a large angular motion of the handle
produces a smaller turn of the wheel. The steel cord is kept tight by a screw
coupling, or adjustable guide pulley under the bend of the back bone, or by other
suitable means, and to prevent slip, the cord is also fastened to the pulleys at
each end. The tension in the cord prevents back lash and rattle, and the flexibility
of the steel renders grease unnecessary and promotes cleanliness and comfort.
And to further assist the rider at times when it is desirable for him to release his
hold of the steering handle I attach a spring from a point on the larger steering
pulley (or from the end of an arm similarly situated on the pawl of the steering
wheel) to a point on the back bone so that the wheel when released will turn back
always into the position for straight running, and the greater its deviation the
greater will be the force of the spring pulling it straight when released.
The weight of the rider and frame rest on the main axle only through two
circles of balls, and no friction resisting progress is caused by the connection of
the fixed and movable parts of the frame.
In forcing the machine up steep hills, or against other resistances severe bending
stress is caused at the junction of the spokes where they are usually screwed
radially in the hubs, and to transform this into tension the spokes are attached to
the hub tangentially by being screwed into holes drilled tangentially into suitable
projections or recesses formed on the edge of the hubs. And to distribute the
support uniformly to the rim, the number of spokes may be a multiple of four
each set of four being divided into two pairs attached to the two hubs, one spoke.
of each pair being attached to points of the hub nearly diametrical. The spokes
may have screws and nuts at one or both ends and may be left free or soldered at
the crossings.
In connecting the main and crank axles by wrapping connections I vary the
plan described in my aforesaid patent to enable smaller pulleys to be used which
are provided with parallel grooves round which the several turns of the steel cord
are wound in a spiral fashion the final return lap of the cord being made over two
guide pulleys fixed between the main pulleys so that the cord will run con-
tinuously without fouling. And in this construction the steel cord may be used
with or without the covering of vulcanized rubber formerly describe and the
bottoms or sides of the grooves in the pulleys may be lined with rubber, leather,
or other suitable material.
In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of a tricycle
Figure 2 a front view and Figure 3 a plan of the same. Figures 4 to 14 are
details and Figures 15 to 17 are small scale views of single and double tricycles.
The two large wheels A are drivers and are carried on an axle mounted with
any ordinary type of central balance gear B around the drum of which the upper
driving pulley C is fixed.
The main bearings bare fixed at each side and close to the balance gear and are
attached to a fork b¹ on the back bone 62, which extends backwards horizontally
and carries the steering wheel D by the usual Stanley head d, and fork.
The handles 3, and lower bearings 6 for the crank shaft are carried by two
tubes b³, in a nearly vertical position attached to the said fork b' by their middle
one on each side of the balance gear. These tubes may also be connected at
intervals by cross pieces 66, Figure 14 which serve as supports for the tension
pulleys of the driving gear. The top ends are joined by the fixed horizontal
handle bar in front of the rider. The bottom ends are joined by an arch a
fork 6 which may be further supported by a tie rod 63 to the back bone near the
Stanley head.

page_text: The seat E for the rider is fixed by a suitable adjustment to be described later,
at the top of a seat fork e, which straddles the back bone 62 and is pivotted at its
lower ends on pins efixed to the lower fork or arch 67 or it may be pivotted
around the pedal axle. These pivots are preferably though not necessarily, as
nearly as possible (or exactly) concentric with the lower or pedal crank shaft F
so that the distance between the seat and pedals shall be altered very little if at all
by the motion of the seat fork e. The extent of motion of this seat fork is limited
by stops e placed on the back bone 62. To assist the rider to bring the seat and
fork forwards when working against great resistance, as of a road or gradient,
a spiral spring e3 or springs are attached between the vertical tubes 65 and the
seat fork e, or the same action may be caused by torsional or flexional springs
equivalently fixed and the said springs may be varied in strength to suit the
weight or convenience of the rider.
To enable the rider when desirous to fix the seat fork in one position a rack e
may le fixed on the back bone b², and a detent e fixed to the seat fork e, and held
down by a spring.
The adjustable saddle E is shown in Figures 10 and 11.
Each horn is made of a loop of steel wire or of an equivalent plate spring
curved to a bow or inverted arch shown in elevation Figure 10 and in plan as in
Figure 11. The front ends f¹ are bent into the form of eyes and rivetted to a
small cap of sheet metal f2 Figure 10 to which the leather may be conveniently
rivetted. The back end of the loop is broad and the leather E is folded over and
rivetted as shown in plan by Figure 11. The spring of the bowed horn keeps the
leather tight. The leather cover may be formed with or without side flaps.
Each horn is held fast at or near its middle by a bolt and clip washer f³ to a
sole plate with two straight or curved slots as shown in plan Figure 11. By
varying the position of the bolt in the slot the saddle halves may be fixed close
together or wide apart to suit the convenience of the rider. The sole plate may
be attached to an "Arab" or other convenient spring fixed to the seat holder
shown in Figures 4 to 9, or the spring may be omitted and the saddle sole plate
may be fixed directly to the seat holder. Figures 4 to 9 show three modifications
of the seat holder. Figures 6 and 7 show section and side view of the form
adapted to Arab spring and L pin. A rectangular plate G with holes suitable for
the Arab eyebolts form the upper part. To this is attached a lug or bracket g'
projecting downwards with a bolt hole for horizontal bolt 92 in the centre; the
lower segment or jaw g³ is flat and abuts against against a lateral flat on the
Lpin g the upper segment is formed with radiating teeth G' as shown.
The opposing clamp is formed with an upper segment or jaw go with radiating
teeth corresponding to G¹ and a lower jaw 6 channelled to fit the round side of
the pin Figures 8 and 9 show a modification more suited to attach a plate spring
or a saddle without a spring. The upper plate g7 is cranked and the teeth 98 are
formed on the under curved surface of the crank which lock into teeth formed in
a second piece fitted to the curved surface of the L pin. The pieces g' and g³
and the pin are surrounded by the clamp or shackle g1° through which the set
screw Y passes and abuts with a flat end directly against the flat underside of
the L pin. Figures 4 and 5 show a still simpler modification when a sliding
adjustment along the L pin is not needed. An eye g" is formed on the top of the
seat rod one side of which is provided with shallow radiating teeth 912. A similar
eye G² is formed on the projection from the upper plate G holding the spring
and the two are fastened together by a single screw or bolt G³.
With any one of these three modifications by loosening the screw one or more
turns according to the depth of the teeth, the said teeth will slip past each other
and the forward and backward pitch of the seat may be varied, whilst in the
first two modifications a very slight loosening of the same screw permits the
whole seat holder to slide forwards and backwards along the L pin but not to vary
its pitch.

page_text: Figures 12 and 13 show details of the steering gear. H is the steering handle
which is fixed on the frame at end of the handle bar for the right hand. It rotates
in a socket and has the small pulley hat its lower end. The steering cord h¹´is
passed right through a hole h² drilled across this pulley and then the two ends are
wound one or more turns so that the cord cannot slip and preferably to keep it in
place the pulley is provided with a spiral groove in which the cord can lie for more
than one lap without touching the next lap. The cords are carried along the frame
over suitably situated guide pulleys shown in Figures 1 and 2 to the steering
head d. Between Stanley head d and the fork a larger grooved pulley d' is fixed
to which the steering cord h¹ comes from the guide pulleys. One end of the cord
is fixed to the pulley by a knot ³ or other suitable means and the other end is led
through a hole to a small winch d' with ratchet teeth fixed between the arms of
the wheel d¹.
By winding this winch the whole length of the cord may be tightened suitably
for work. This end of the cord is also made fast to the winch by passing it through
a hole and knotting it at h. To prevent stretching of the cord it must be made of
fine steel or other wire suitably cable twisted to give flexibility and strength.
To that part of this pulley d' which comes under the back bone 62 a short arm
or pin is fixed projecting towards the back bone and on the back bone is a
projection d³ is at a less distance from the centre of rotation of the Stanley head.
To a lug or bracket d' on the back bone a double flat spring d³ is fixed formed of
two blades and both the pin d² and projection before mentioned lie between
the ends of the double spring. Thus when the steering is moved from its central
position the pin deflects the blade on that side as shown by the dotted outline in
Figure 13 and when the steering handle is released the elasticity of the spring
brings the steering back to the central position and no farther as the end of that
blade stops against the pin on the back bone. Thus if the steering handle is
released by the rider or the cord breaks etc the velocipede will continue to run in
a straight course.
Figure 14 is a detail drawing of the wrapping connection between the main and
crank axles which is shown on small scale in Figures 1 and 2. The two axles K L
are provided with grooved pulleys CN and the less pulley of the two C (usually
the upper one) has one groove more than the larger N. Around these grooves a
single continuous cord is wrapped in a spiral fashion as shown. Thus the cord.
begins to run on at cl on the front of the left hand groove of the small pulley and
comes off at the back of the right hand groove c². This return loop is passed over
a guide pulley P carried in a frame p¹ between the main pulleys. The frame is
free to slide and rotate on end spindles as shown passing through two cross
bars 66 attached to the vertical frame tubes and the cord is kept tight by a spiral
spring p as shown or by nut p screwed on the end spindle. The pulley P is
therefore free to assume a position at any required angle towards the shaft K so
that one side of its periphery will fice groove c² and receive the cord from it
while the other will face groove c¹ to which it delivers the cord which has just
passed round it.
In the diagram Figure 14 the large pulley has 3 grooves and the small
one grooves, but any less or greater number may be used according to the
adhesion required. The grooves may be of U or V section and may be completely
or partially lined with a gripping substance as leather or gutta percha &c. In an
alternative arrangement the small guide or tension pulley may be placed above the
main axle instead of between the main and crank axles.
The driving cord may be of any suitable steel or other inextensible wire cord
joined by a long splice or may be continuously spun by a special machine, or inay
be made on the special plans described in my previous patent N° 3564 of 1883.
Figure 15 shows the outline of a bicycle constructed with these improvements.
The small steering wheel in y be placed at the rear as sketched or the seat may
be turned round and the handle bar shifted to the small wheel end of the frame so
that the small wheel is a pilot wheel and the hind one sa driver.
2'

page_text: Figure 16 shows an elevation and Figure 17 a plan of a two track tandem
tricycle with these improvements. In this case the steering cord may be carried
direct from handles to Stanley head without the use of any guide pulleys.
Also the back bone may be hinged as described in my previous Patent N° 3504
of 1883 and the hinder portion may be made detachable so as to convert the
machine for a single rider.
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. In a velocipede a movable seat support such as e whose centre of motion is
approximately coincident with that of the pedal shaft substantially as specified.
2. In a velocipede the method of supporting the seat E upon a rod fork or
equivalent adapted to move about a centre at its lower end for the purpose of
altering the position of the seat in relation to the pedal shaft substantially as
specified.
3. The herein described construction of saddle applicable for velocipedes in
which the saddle is divided in the direction of its length each half or portion being
adjustable independently of the other substantially in the manner and for the
purpose specified.
4. As a means of varying the inclination of the saddle or seat of a velocipede
the employment of a divided bracket whose parts are adapted to engage with one
another substantially as specified.
5. In a seat or saddle support the combination with the bracket G having a
face g adapted to slide upon the flat side of the support of an independent
jaw g g adapted to fit the round side or part of said support g and toothed or
roughened so as to engage with the roughened surface G₁ of said bracket the two
portions being clamped together by a screw bolt g² the whole constructed and
operating substantially in the manner and for the purpose specified and illustrated
in Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.
6. In a seat or saddle supporting device the combination with the support g of
a bracket g' having a grooved or roughened face g³ locking plate g³ shackle g10 and
set screw Y the whole constructed and operating substantially as specified to secure
the seat at any required angle and in any required position upon said support g'.
7. In a velocipede the combination with the pulley to which the steering
cords are fastened, of a winch or equivalent device d for the purpose of
tightening said cords substantially as specified and illustrated in Figures 12 and 13
of the accompanying drawings.
8. In a velocipede and as a means of returning the steering wheel and holding
it in mid position for straight running when released the combination with the
fork. which carries said steering wheel of a pin or projection springs d³ and
stop d³ substantially as specified.
9. In a driving mechanism for velocipedes the arrangement of an endless cord in
several plies round grooved pullies in combination with one or more guide pulleys
for the return of the crossing loop and the tightening of the cord substantially as
specified.