An Improved "Safety" Velocipede.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 27th May, 1896
Complete Specification Left 22nd Mar 1897-Accepted. 24th Apr., 1897
An Improved "Safety" Velocipede.
I SALOMON FRANK of No. 2 Bleichstrasse, Frankfort-on-the-Main in the
Empire of Germany Mechanical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
The subject of this invention is a "safety" velocipede, the distinguishing
features of which are economy in its manufacture, its simple construction, and the
safety it affords, which is far greater than that of any of the "safety" cycles
hitherto devised.
The improved machine is in the form of a bicycle driven by means of the front
wheel, which is not larger than the wheels of the well known "safety" or low
cycles. The pedal crank is arranged upon, and co-axial with, such front wheel.
Its motion is transmitted to the front wheel, preferably, by means of "differential"
bevel gearing. The rear-wheel is somewhat smaller than the front wheel, and is
closely adjacent thereto, so that the length of the machine is materially reduced,
as compared to that of existing cycles. The seat is at the rear of the machine so
that the cyclist's legs are inclined in the forward direction whilst operating the
pedals, but touch the ground when not so engaged; so that as soon as the rider
takes his legs off the pedals he practically stands on the ground, whereby his safety
is greatly increased, he being enabled to traverse without danger; additional
security being afforded, and the steering of the bicycle facilitated, by its reduced
length and compact construction.
The peculiar construction of the frame is a further important advantage of the
improved velocipede. Hitherto, a cycle frame has consisted of a large number of
parts, the manufacture and fitting together of which, involved much labour and
loss of time, and considerable expense. The frame of my improved machine is
made of a single piece, stamped out of a sheet of metal, and forming two symmetrical
and centrally connected frames. These frames are, advantageously, pressed by
means of a suitable punch or cupping machiue, so that the several rods or rails of
which they consist assume a semi-circular outline, in section, and that the two
terminal pieces of each are bent to the requisite shape.
The two parts are then folded up, one upon the other, so that the front end of
the frame forms a sleeve loosely surrounding the steering or handle bar. In the
centre, there is further provided a sleeve for the reception of the adjustable saddle
piece, while the rearward ends of the two pieces form a fork for embracing the rear
wheel.
The improved frame is very strong and cheap and is very readily and rapidly
constructed and fitted.
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.

page_text: I, SALOMON FRANK, of No. 2 Bleichstrasse Frankfort-on-the-Main, in the
Empire of Germany, 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 :-
The subject of this invention is a "safety" velocipede, the distinguishing
features of which are economy in its manufacture, its simple construction, and the
safety it affords, which is far greater than that of any of the "safety" cycles
hitherto devised.
The improved machine is represented in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.
It is in the form of a bicycle driven by means of the front wheel, which is not
larger than the wheels of the well-known safety or "low" cycles. The pedal
crank is arranged upon, and co-axial with, such front wheel. Its motion is trans-
mitted to the front wheel, preferably, by means of "differential" gearing. The
rear wheel is somewhat smaller than the front wheel, and is closely adjacent thereto,
so that the length of the machine is materially reduced, as compared to that of
existing cycles. The seat is so placed that the cyclist's legs are inclined in the
forward direction whilst operating the pedals, and so that the rider when not
operating the pedals can reach the ground with his feet so as to practically stand
on the ground, whereby his safety is greatly increased, he being enabled to traverse
the busiest thoroughfares without danger to himself or others, additional security
being afforded, and the steering of the machine facilitated, by its reduced length
and compact construction.
The construction of the frame constitutes an important feature of this invention.
Hitherto a cycle frame has consisted of a large number of parts, the manufacture
and fitting together of which involved much labour, time, and considerable expense.
The frame of my improved machine is made of a single piece as shewn in Figures 2
and 3 stamped out of a sheet of metal and folded at the centre of its length against
itself as shown in Figure 4 which represents the frame in plan. The frame is
preferably pressed between dies, so that the parts of the stamped out piece which
are to constitute the several bars or rails assume a semi-circular outline, in section,
as shown in Figure 5 so as to form when folded together tubes, as shewn in
Figure 6, and the two ends of the pieces are bent to the requisite shape, as shewn
at c Figure 4, so as to form a fork for the rear wheel when the frame is folded as
aforesaid.
The two parts of the plate when folded, one upon the other, form at the front
end of the frame a sleeve a to receive the steering handle bar, and at, or near, the
centre of the frame a sleeve b for the reception of the adjustable saddle support,
while the rearward ends of the frame form a fork c for embracing the rear wheel
as already described.
The improved frame is very strong and cheap and is very readily and rapidly
constructed and fitted.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :--
1. A velocipede reduced in length and of economical and simple construction,
and affording great safety, the main feature of which is, that the pedal-crank is at
the front wheel, the diameter of which can be that of the safety or "low" cycle-
wheel, and is preferably connected therewith by bevel-gearing, while the position

page_text: of the seat is such that, in cycling, the rider's legs are stretched out forwards in an
inclined position, while, on being removed from the pedals, they can touch the
ground.
2. A velocipede frame, made by stamping out of a single sheet of metal and then
pressing and bending in such a manner, that its front part forms a tube or sleeve
for the reception of the steering pillar, and at or near the centre, a sleeve to receive
the stem of the seat or saddle support, whilst, at the back, it forms a fork or yoke
for the rear wheel, its end forming a support or bearing for this wheel, the frame
consisting mainly of two symmetrical parts, stamped, pressed, and bent, and fitted
together, substantially in the nanner hereinbefore described.
3. The improved cycle constructed substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 22nd day of March 1897.
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.