AN IMPROVED UNICYCLE OR ONE-WHEELED VELOCIPEDE PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER VELOCIPEDES.
Year: 1882

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Simonton at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 26th May 1882.
!
JOHN SIMONTON, of Comber, County Down, Ireland AN IMPROVED UNICYCLE
OR ONE-WHEELED VELOCIPEDE PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER
VELOCIPEDES.
This invention relates to velocipedes and is chiefly designed to provide an
improved machine in which there is only one wheel having contact with the
ground, instead of two or more as is the case with the bicycles and tricycles of
ordinary construction.
A machine is constructed according to my invention in the following manner,
that is to say, I provide a metal frame of elliptical or approximately elliptical form
and of such a height that a person may sit conveniently within the same upon a
seat secured thereto and arranged as hereinafter described. This frame may be
made in one piece or in two halves united by bolts, rivets, or otherwise. I prefer
to make it of malleable iron tubing so as to combine lightness with rigidity. The
said frame is fixed inside a large circle of metal which forms the rim of the wheel,
that is to say the said circle passes over the frame at right angles thereto and
comes in contact therewith at two opposite points, at which points the frame and
circle are firmly connected. The periphery of this rim or circle is grooved to
receive an india-rubber tyre in the ordinary manner, which tyre is the part which
runs upon the ground. There are no spokes, the said frame being sufficient to
ensure the rigidity of the said circle; thus the latter and the elliptical frame form
the wheel.
I provide a hanging frame to which the rider's seat is secured, this frame being
connected, on each side, to a boss or extension projecting from ratchet wheels,
hereinafter described, in such a manner that it is free to swing or oscillate. This
seat-frame extends downward from its bearings and is made adjustable so that the
rider may be at the centre or below the centre of the wheel as desired. For
enabling the rider to cause the circle and frame to rotate, that is to say, to enable
him to drive the machine I provide two ratchet wheels which are fixed to the
inside of the elliptical frame and opposite to each other so that one will be on the
right hand of the rider and the other at his left hand. These wheels are at
the centre of the frame and are so arranged that their rotation causes also the
D...931

page_text: rotation of the elliptical frame and rim, that is to say, the wheel of the velocipede.
An arm or lever is loose upon the boss or extension of each of the said ratchet
wheels, and a curved pawl or spur having two arms is pivotted thereon in such
a manner that its point falls between the teeth of the said wheel when the lever
moves in one direction and rides over the same noiselessly when the lever moves
in the opposite direction. Suitable stirrups or levers are connected with one arm
of the pawls or spurs and are provided at their lower end with pedals in a
convenient position to be operated by the rider's feet. By pressing upon these
pedals the rider causes the ratchet wheels, and consequently the main wheel, to
rotate and the machine is thus driven forward.. A compensating or rocking lever
is pivotted centrally on the back of the seat frame and there are chains which
connect the ends thereof with the other arms of the two pawls or spurs which
work into the ratchet wheels, this arrangement being designed to give reciprocating
motion for the feet, one foot being up while the other is down and the chains and
pedals being both attached to their respective spurs. The spurs or pawls have also
a rocking motion being pivotted on the lever which works freely on the pivot or
boss of each ratchet wheel while these wheels révolve. The spurs or pawls should
be in or out of gear according as the pull on the same is forward or backward.
I provide brake-levers, one on each side in a suitable position to be grasped by the
hands of the rider these levers being connected at their lower ends with brake-
apparatus within the ratchet-wheels. From the top of the seat-frame two
handles project, namely one on each side of the rider to enable him to control
the machine.
My improvements, or some of them, as will be obvious may be applied to other
than one-wheel velocipedes.
:-The
Amongst the advantages of this machine are the following, that is to say:-
rider can enter and leave the machine with great facility; no axle is required;
and the seat and all attachments thereto are suspended in the centre of the wheel
by means of two bearings only, thus reducing friction.
I may construct the said machine with suitable hinges and joints in such a
manner that it can be folded into small dimensions when required.