IRUVIDIONAL SE MOLTIVATION Tandem Attachment for Bicycles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Feb., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 21st Feb., 1896-Accepted, 28th Mar., 1896
IRUVIDIONAL SE MOLTIVATION
Tandem Attachment for Bicycles.
I, MAX JAKOBSON, Electrician of 175 East 77th Street, in the City, County and
State of New York, United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to attachments whereby two safety bicycles may be coupled
together so that they may be used as a single tandem machine having three wheels,
the front wheel of one of the bicycles being removed in order to enable the proper
coupling of the machine-and my invention consists of a three-wheeled tandem-cycle
consisting of an ordinary safety bicycle and a tandem attachment having a single
wheel and provided with a forwardly extending coupling device at the upper part
and with a lower coupling attachment; and second a coupling attachinent for the
lower parts of the frames of the machines which are connected and a coupling device
for the upper parts thereof said coupling devices being jointed so as to permit the
proper movement and steerage of the tandem cycle.
According to this invention an or.linary safety bicycle which I will term the
"forward bicycle" (either of gentleman's or lady's type) has connected thereto a
portion of another bicycle which I will term the "rear bicycle" the front wheel of
the latter being removed in order that it may be supported by means of its front
fork upon the rear-axle of the first-named machine as will be hereinafter described.
With the exception of the removal of the front wheel of the rear bicycle the other
parts remain the same.
The lower coupling attachment for the forward and rear frames consists of a
fork having bifurcated arms which diverge slightly while to the outer ends of
said arms are pivoted rest-plates which are provided with inwardly and laterally
extending flanges or lips.
A link made in two sections (connected by a pivot) is pivoted to the cross bar of
the said fork by means of a pivot pin. Pivoted to the other end of this link is a clip
which may be of any suitable construction but which for example may consist of
a head-piece with a hook pivoted to the lower part of the head-piece and a U-shaped
tie-piece with which the hook-shaped piece engages said U-shaped tie-piece having
screw-threaded shanks which pass through openings in the aforesaid head-piece and
on which are screwed nuts whereby the said clip may be tightened.. Fixed to the
aforesaid link is a cross-bar which by means of spiral springs and tie-bolts is connected
at its opposite ends to the cross-bar of the fork.
The upper coupling for the two machines consists of tubular telescopic sections
which slide one within the other the inner tubular section being provided with
longitudinal slots in its opposite sides and the outer tubular section carrying a pin
that extends through the last-named slots so that the inner tubular section is guided
longitudinally in the outer tubular section but cannot be relatively turned therein. A
socket provided with a set screw is pivoted to the outer end of the outer tubular
section while to the outer end of the inner tubular section is pivoted or binged a
plate which is provided with a central opening therein.
Being provided with two safety bicycles (whether they may be a lady's or a
gentleman's bicycle) it is only necessary to be further provided with the attachments
above described in order to convert said machines into a three wheeled tandem cycle.
To do this it is first necessary to pass the axle of the driving wheel of the forward

page_text: bicycle through openings formed in the afore-mentioned rest plates of the lower
coupling attachment then tighten up the nuts of said rear-axle and then pass the
pivot-bolts of said rest plates through the lower openings of the front fork of the
frame of the rear bicycle and finally secure the aforesaid clip over the box or portion
of the rear-frame in which the pedal shaft turns.
To apply the upper coupling device the said socket-piece thereof is caused to receive
the rear-end of the saddle post of the "forward" bicycle; while a nut over the shank
of the steering fork of the rear-frame is removed so that the aforesaid plate on the
upper coupling plate may be applied onto the same after which the nut is again
replaced and screwed down tightly. It will now be seen that when in operation the
three-wheeled tandem cycle thus formed can freely turn corners pass over elevations
or up or down hills and in fact serve to carry the cyclists over any ground
which an ordinary bicycle can pass over by reason of the aforesaid construction of the
coupling attachments."
The pivotal connections of the lower coupling device permit the tandem machine
to turn curves while the pivot joints of the lower coupling-device and the pivotal
connections of the upper coupling device permit the parts of the machine to rise
and fall over the irregularities of the ground. In passing over irregularities of the
ground the saddle post of the forward bicycle approaches or recedes from the steering
fork of the rear frame-this movement being permitted by reason of the inner tubular
section of the upper coupling device sliding in and out of the outer tubular section.
Being provided with my improved coupling attachments two cyclists can readily
couple their machines together and enjoy a ride as on an ordinary two-wheeled bicycle
made for two-the middle wheel of the three-wheeled tandem cycle affording
additional strength and support for the machine and riders. Another advantage in
a three-wheeled tandem cycle over the ordinary two-wheeled tandem is that the shock
to the riders is not so great as the vibrations in the machine are distributed over the
three wheels the centre wheel receiving the vibrations as well as the end wheels.
Similarly if desired-another machine or machines may be coupled up so as to
thus provide a tandem machine for three or mere riders.
Dated this 3rd day of February 1896.
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
Tandem Attachment for Bicycles.
I, MAX JAKOBSON, Electrician, of No. 175 East 77th Street, in the City,
County and State of New York, United States of America, 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 :-
My invention relates to attachments whereby two safety bicycles may be coupled
together so that they may be used as a single tandem machine having three wheels
the front wheel of one of the bicycles being removed in order to enable the proper
coupling of the machine-and my invention consists of a three-wheeled tandoni cycle
consisting of an ordinary safety bicycle and a tandem attachment having a single
wheel and provided with a forwardly extending coupling device at the upper part
and with a lower coupling attachment; and second a coupling attachment for the
lower parts of the frames of the machines which are connected and a coupling
device for the upper parts thereof said coupling devices being jointed so as to permit
the proper movement and steerage of the tandem cycle.

page_text: And in order that my invention may be easily understood and readily carrieu
into practice I will proceed to fully describe same with reference to the drawings
hereunto annexed ;-
In the accompanying drawings-
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a three-wheeled tandem cycle embodying my
invention.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the lower coupling device.
Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same.
Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 is a side view of the upper coupling device.
Fig. 6 is a transverse section on line 6-6 Fig. 5, and
Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of one end of the lower coupling attachment.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout.
According to this invention A indicates an ordinary safety bicycle which I will
term the "forward bicycle" (either of gentleman's or lady's type) and B represents
a portion of another bicycle which I will term the "rear bicycle" the front wheel of
the latter being removed in order that it may be supported by means of its front.
fork as shown upon the rear-axle a of the first-named machine as will be hereinafter
described. With the exception of the removal of the front wheel of the rear bicycle B
the other parts remain the same.
The lower coupling attachment for the forward and rear frames consists of a
fork C the bifurcated arms C of which diverge slightly while to, the outer ends
of said arms are pivoted at (2 rest plates D which are provided with inwardly
and laterally extending flanges or lips d.
E is a link which is made in two sections (connected by a pivot e³) and is
pivoted to the cross bar of the said fork C by means of a pivot pin el.
Pivoted
to the other end of this link E at e' is a clip F which may be of any suitable
construction but which in the present instance is shown as consisting of a head-
piece with a hook f pivoted to the lower part of the head-piece f and a U-shaped
tie piece with which the hook-shaped piece f1 engages, said U-shaped tie piece
having screw-threaded shanks which pass through openings in the aforesaid head
piece fand on which are screwed nuts f whereby the said clip may be tightened.
Fixed to the link E is a cross bar G which by means of spiral springs g and
tie bolts g¹ is connected at its opposite ends to the cross-bar of the fork C.
The upper coupling H for the two machines consists of tubular telescopic
sections which slide one within the other the inner tubular section h being
provided with longitudinal slots h in its opposite sides and the outer tubular section
carrying a pin that extends through the last-named slots so that the inner
tubular section is guided longitudinally in the outer tubular section ¹ but cannot
be relatively turned therein. A socket I provided with a set screw i is pivoted at I'
to the outer end of the outer tubular section ' while to the outer end of the inner
tubular section is pivoted or hinged at a plate J which is provided with a
central opening J' therein.
Being provided with two suitable safety bicycles (whether they be of lady's or
gentleman's type) it is only necessary to be further provided with the attachments
above described in order to convert said machines into a three-wheeled tandein
cycle.
To do this it is first necessary to pass the axle of the driving wheel of the
forward bicycle A through openings d formed in the aforementioned rest plates D
of the lower coupling attachment then tighten up the nuts of said rear axle a
and then pass the pivot bolts C of said rest plates through the lower openings of the
front fork 6 of the frame of the rear bicycle and finally secure the aforesaid
clip F over the box or portion of the rear-frame in which the pedal shaft B₁
turns. In applying the lower coupling attachment care should be taken that the
lip d of the said rest plates D thereof engage under the lower bars A¹ of the
front bicycle as shown at a' in order that the rest plates D will be pressed against
the bars A' by the weight placed upon the fork 6 and upon the arms of the fork C.

page_text: To apply the upper coupling device H the said sockot piece thereof 1 is caused to
receive the rear end of the saddle post a of the "forward" bicycle while the nut b¹
over the shank of the steering fork of the rear frame is removed so that the
aforesaid plate J on the upper coupling plate may be applied onto the same after
which the nut is again replaced and screwed down tightly. It will now be seen
that when in operation the three-wheeled tandem cycle thus formed can freely turn
corners pass over elevations or up or down hills and in fact serve to carry the
cyclists over any ground which an ordinary bicycle can pass over by reason of the
aforesaid construction of the coupling attachments.
The pivotal connections e¹ and of the lower coupling device permit the tandem
machine to turn curves while the pivot joints Cand e of the lower coupling device
and the pivotal connections and 1' of the upper coupling device permit the parts
of the machine to rise and fall over the irregularities of the ground. In passing
over irregularities of the ground the saddle post of the forward bicycle approaches
or recedes from the steering fork of the rear frame this movement being permitted
by reason of the inner tubular section of the upper coupling device sliding in and
out of the outer tubular section h. Being provided with my improved coupling
attachments two cyclists can readily couple their machines together and enjoy a ride
as on an ordinary two-wheeled bicycle made for two-the middle wheel of the
three-wheeled tandem cycle affording additional strength and support for the
machine and riders. Another advantage in a three-wheeled tandem cycle over
the ordinary two-wheeled tandem is that the shock to the riders is not so great as
the vibrations in the machine are distributed over the three wheels the centre wheel
receiving the vibrations as well as the end wheels.
Similarly if desired another machine or machines may be coupled up so as to
thus provide a tandem machine for three or more riders.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what inanner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A three-wheeled tandem cycle consisting of an ordinary safety bicycle
a tandem attachment having a single wheel and provided with a forwardly
extending coupling device at the upper part and with a coupling attachment at
the lower part thereof and means for detachably connecting the couplings to the
rear-fork of the main bicycle substantially
as set forth.
2. A three-wheeled tandem cycle consisting of an ordinary safety-bicycle a
tandem attachment having a single wheel and consisting of an ordinary frame
provided with a seat and handle bar a forwardly extending coupling device at the
upper part of the auxiliary frame a forwardly extending coupling attachment
at the lower part of the frame a pedal shaft and pedals sprocket mechanism between
the pedal shaft and the wheel of the tandem attachment and means for detachably
connecting the couplings of the tandem attachment with the rear-fork of the main
bicycle substantially as set forth.
3. A three-wheeled tandem cycle consisting of an ordinary safety bicycle at the
front of the same an ordinary safety bicycle without the front wheel, at the back
of the same and supported by the rear-axle thereof by means of its front fork and
a pivot jointed coupling attachment between the front and rear-frames substantially
as set forth.
4. The herein-described lower coupling attachment for cycles consisting of a fork
provided at the ends of its arms with pivoted plates having inwardly extending lips
and means for pivotally connecting the other end with the pedal shaft substantially
as set forth.
5. The herein-described lower coupling attachment for cycles consisting of a fork
provided at the ends of its arms with pivoted plates having inwardly extending lips
a link pivoted to the fork a clip hinged to the link and springs connecting the link
with the fork substantially as set forth.
6. The herein described upper coupling device for cycles consisting of telescoping

page_text: sections a socket piece provided with a set screw and pivoted to one of the sections,
and a plate. having an opening and pivoted to the other section substantially as
set forth.
thin 90th day of February 1896.
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.