IMPROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1881

page_text: "
LETTERS PATENT to Charles Gittens Hawkins, of 55, Leyton Road, Forest
Gate, in the County of Essex, for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN
TRICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Gittens Hawkins
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th March 1881.
CHARLES GITTENS HAWKINS, of 55, Leyton Road, Forest Gate, in the County
of Essex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES."
This Invention relates to improvements in the arrangement and construction of
velocipedes, and in driving-apparatus for the same.
According to one part of my said improvements I make a tricycle with two
wheels in front, one or both of which may be driving-wheels. The axles of these
wheels are not placed on the main framing of the machine, but on short arms
which can move independently around the axis of a double cranked axle carried in
bearings fitted to the main frame. I attach adjustable springs to act on the
radial-arms to keep them in position, the best position being when they are
inclined at about forty-five degrees rising towards the front. Motion is transmitted
from the cranked axle to the wheels, either by chains, bands, toothed-wheels, or
rods. In the back part of the main framing I place the steering-wheel, which is
guided by a rod or rods from handles close to the rider. The effect of this
arrangement is, that while at the same time motion is transmitted from the
cranked axle or driving-apparatus to the driving-wheel or wheels, the latter are
allowed by the springs and radial-arms to rise over stones or other projections on
the surface of the road, without lifting the part of the framing supporting the
rider, thereby preventing or alleviating the jar or shaking.
According to another part of my improvements I fit the driving-apparatus,
whether it be a double cranked axle as used with tricycles, or cranks working on
opposite sides of a driving-wheel like a bicycle with a relief action, so that when
the cranks have nearly reached their lowest point or "dead centre," the rider is
prevented from continuing any pressure thereon. In fitting a double cranked axle
"
777

page_text: I prefer to use treadles working on fulcrums at one end, and bearing on the cranks
at or about the middle while the rider presses at the other end. When a treadle
has moved down far enough it comes against a stop or a strap hanging from the
framing above, takes the weight off the crank, and allows it to continue past the
"dead-centre," and to rise a little beyond before it again come to the treadle ;
meanwhile the rider has had time to transfer his weight to the other treadle.
In fitting my relief-action to cranks which work on opposite sides of the
driving-wheel like a bicycle, I prefer to use rods having at the lower ends pedals
for the feet, and slotted holes to fit over the crank-pins, while at the top they are
jointed to sliding blocks which move up and down on the front fork during each
revolution of the cranks. When the sliding blocks have come sufficiently low stop-
pieces on the fork suspend the rods and pedals taking the weight off the cranks, as
before described. An arrangement with treadles, as previously described, may be
used with this form of cranks if desired. Also to increase the speed of the
driving-wheel I arrange the rods or treadles to carry a "planet-wheel," which gears
with a "sun-wheel" on the crank axle. By another arrangement I make the
crank-arms to slide in the ends of the driving-axle, and by means of guide-plates
or rods, as before described, I take off the weight of the rider and hold up the
cranks while they pass over the lower "dead-centres."

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Charles Gittens Hawkins in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
3rd September 1881.
CHARLES GITTENS HAWKINS, of 55, Leyton Road, Forest Gate, in the County
of Essex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES."
My Invention relates to improvements in the arrangement and construction of
velocipedes, and in driving apparatus for the same.
According to one part of my said improvements I make a velocipede, the wheels
of which, whether they be driving or free running ones, can rise over stones or
other obstructions without lifting the framing or part of the machine on which
the rider rests. These improvements are applicable to different kinds of machines,
but I will describe them as applied to a tricycle having two wheels in front, one or
both of which may be driving-wheels. The axles of these wheels are not placed
on the main framing of the machine, but on short arms which can move inde-
pendently around the axis of a double cranked axle, carried in bearings fitted to
the main frame. I attach adjustable springs to act on the radial arms to keep
them in position, the best position being when they are inclined at about forty-five
degrees, rising towards the front. Motion is transmitted from the cranked axle to
the wheels either by chains, bands, toothed wheels, or rods. In the back part of
the main framing I place the steering wheel which is guided by a rod or rods from
handles close to the rider. The effect of this arrangement is that while at the
same time motion is transmitted from the cranked axle or driving apparatus to
the driving wheel or wheels, the latter are allowed by the springs and radial-arins
to rise over stones or other projections on the surface of the road without lifting
the main framing of the machine, thereby preventing or alleviating the jar and
shaking.
According to another part of my improvements I fit the driving apparatus,
whether it be a double cranked axle as used with tricycles or cranks working on
opposite sides of a driving-wheel like a bicycle, with a "relief action," so that when
the cranks have nearly reached their lowest point or 'dead centre" the rider is
prevented from continueing any pressure thereon. In carrying this into effect
when using treadles I place a footplate or an ordinary bicycle pedal at one end of
the lever, and at a convenient distance therefrom along the lever I make a slot
hole, or other suitable bearing for the crank pin, which allows the latter to move
downwards a little without the lever following. The other portion of the lever to
the end is made long enough to suit the throw of the crank and is properly shaped
so as to pass through an eye or between rollers which form the fulcrum attached to
or carried on the framing of the machine. A to and fro motion of the lever past
the fulcrum takes place when the crank revolves which causes the leverage to vary,
increasing as the crank pin approaches the fulcrum and decreasing as it recedes.
When a treadle has moved down far enough it comes against a "stop or a strap
hanging from the framing above, takes the weight off the crank, and allows it to
continue past the "dead centre" and to rise a little beyond before it again comes
to the treadle; meanwhile the rider has had time to transfer his weight to the other
treadle. Another way of fitting my "relief action" is by using rods, having at
the lower ends pedals for the feet and slotted holes to fit over the crank pins,
while at the top they are jointed to sliding blocks which move up and down guides
on the framing as each crank revolves. When the sliding blocks or top of the
rods have come sufficiently low, stop-pieces on the guides suspend the rods and
pedals, taking the weight off the cranks and allowing them to pass unimpeded over
"

page_text: **
و"
the dead centre as before described. To increase the speed of the driving-wheel
I arrange the rods or treadles to carry a "planet wheel" which gears with a
"sun wheel on the driving axle.
"
By another arrangement I make the crank arms to slide in the ends of the
driving-axle and by means of guide plates or rods, as before described, I take off
the weight of the rider and hold up the cranks while they pass over the lower
"dead centres."
In order that my Invention may be fully understood I shall now proceed more
particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose I shall refer to the several
Figures on the Drawing hereunto annexed. Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate my improve-
ments whereby the driving and other wheels of velocipedes are allowed to rise over
obstacles without lifting the rider. Fig. 1 is a side view, and Fig. 2 a plan of a
portion of the framing of a velocipede on which is carried a double cranked axle A
in bearings at B. C, C, is the part of the main framing; D, D, is the radial arm
pivotted one end at B, and at the other end having the axle pin E, on which the
wheel revolves. On D and between B and E there is a boss through which passes
a curved projecting rod F which is attached to the framing C. This rod F is
curved to a radius to suit the sweep or motion of the radial arm D and carries
springs as G, G, which can be compressed or relaxed by screwing the nuts and
handwheel H along F, which is threaded to suit. The chain for driving the wheel I
is indicated at J. The arm D being centred at B, the same as the crank axle A, it
is obvious that however E may be rising and falling it is always at the same
distance from B and in proper range for the driving chain or whatever is used to
transmit the motion from A. The arm D is inclined upwards and forwards at an
angle of forty-five degrees, although it may be used in other positions it is not
then so well adapted to accomplish the object I desire, as will be seen if we consider
the effect when the wheel meets with an obstacle as K. If the wheel of the
velocipede is attached to a rigid framing, as hitherto, the result is a severe shock to
the rider and diminished speed, for the forward motion of the machine and rider
has suddenly to be diverted. Now with my radial arm D carrying the wheel,
suppose it placed horizontally, it allows the wheel to rise over the obstacle, but
still will check the speed somewhat. Again, suppose it placed vertically, the speed
is not checked so much as with a rigid framed machine, but like it, it has to lift or
rise sufficiently to pass over the obstruction. For these reasons and others,
afterwards described, I adopt the position midway between the horizontal and
vertical, whereby I obtain double advantages, namely, when the wheel I, see
Fig. 1, comes against the obstacle K its forward motion in the direction of the
arrow L is checked, and E has to begin to rise; but at the same instant the
resistance is felt equally at B, and, owing to the momentum of the framing, &c.,
the end of the arm at B tends to fall in the direction of the arrow M; this latter
motion counteracts the former, so that B continues on in an unchanged horizontal
direction. The arm D need not necessarily be pivotted on the same centre as the
cranked axle, as it may be a little on one side, but so that by slackness of chain or
otherwise liberty is allowed for it to radiate. Also in place of D I may carry E in
a block which shall move along a groove or rod as F, the object being to keep E
within range if carrying a driving wheel, and also as with free running wheels to
counteract the lifting motion of the wheels when passing over obstacles by a
tendency of the framing to fall a like distance. Other kinds of springs to those
shown, such as plate steel or india-rubber can be used. It will be observed that a
velocipede constructed in accordance with these improvements will have a flexible
wheel base which is also adjustable, for by means of the handwheels H the springs
on one side of the machine may be compressed, thereby raising that side, while the
other side may be lowered by relaxing the springs there, thus adjusting the wheel
base so as to keep the machine upright when running on a surface inclined
sideways. The rider may partly accomplish the same object by leaning to one
side, also it will be serviceable when turning corners, as it will steer the machine to
some extent.

page_text: Figs. 3 and 4 show my improved treadle lever for working cranks fitted with
"relief action." Fig. 3 is a side view, and Fig. 4 a plan, where A is the crank
arm, shown half the usual length; B is a pin or bolt passing through a boss in the
lever C, having an eye at the lower end which forms the bearing for the crank
pin D. At the top of B is fitted a nut which leaves a space between its underside
and the top of the boss on the lever. At the end of the lever at E is fitted an
ordinary bicycle pedal. At F is a roller turning on a pin fixed to the framing of
the machine, which forms a fulcrum and guide for the lever C. The part of the lever
marked C¹ is rounded, or properly shaped a sufficient distance along, so that it
can work to and fro under the fulcrum as the crank revolves. G is a pin attached
to the framing which acts as a "stop" to the lever C when the crank pin has nearly
reached its lowest position. A similar arrangement is fitted to each crank. The
action is as follows:-Suppose the rider presses on the pedal E when in the position
shown at Fig. 3 the downward pressure on D will be about three times that at E,
for in this position the leverage is at the greatest; then as the crank revolves
drawing C along under F the leverage decreases, but at no time does it fall below
two to one, which with this half length crank is what is required to make it
equivalent to the ordinary crank. When D has reached the point D¹ the lever
comes against the stop pin G, and the pin B begins to move through the boss, but
C is still carried along by the crank, and by the weight of the rider still pressing
on E causes the lever to slide down in an inclined direction until the crank D has
passed beyond its lowest position, or what would ordinarily be its "dead centre,"
and has arrived at a point in its path D2 when the pin B raises the lever off the
stop G; but just before this takes place while the lever is still supported by G the
rider transfers his weight to the other treadle which will be at its highest position,
from which as it decends the leverage will continue to increase as the crank pin D
approaches nearer to the fulcrum F until it arrives at the position we started with
and as illustrated by Fig. 3. The dotted lines H, H, indicate the path of the pedal
which is very favourable for easy working, falling as it does in nearly a straight
line while power is exerted, and passing back under the rider when he has to lift
his leg. Also as the lever is free to move past the fulcrum, the pedal can be pushed
forward in the direction of the arrow when C is at its highest position, so as to urge
the crank forward over the upper part of its path. Instead of the sliding pin BI
can make a slotted hole in the lever to pass over D and allow it to move along the
slot while the lever is supported on the stop. It is obvious that a rider can stand
the whole time he is treadling.
Figs. 5 and 6 show my "relief action" as applied by means of rods. Fig. 5 is a
side view, and Fig. 6 a front view, where A is a rod having a slotted hole at the
lower end to fit over the crank B, and at the other end is a stud pin carrying a
roller C which runs up in the guide and support D, the latter being bolted to the
frame of the machine. E is a footplate on which the rider stands or presses, and it
will be noticed when the crank is in the position shown and anywhere between the
points B¹ and B2 that the weight of the rider is suspended by the rod on the guide
and roller at C. A similar rod is fitted to each crank. The action is similar to
that just described with respect to treadles, for while the crank B is revolving,
except between the points B1 and B2, the top of the slot in the rod is resting on the
crank, and the weight of the rider acts upon it exactly as if there was no rod; but
between the before mentioned points the weight is borne on the bottom of the
guides D, which enables the rider to transfer his weight from one crank to the
other while standing entirely to work the machine. I place the guide somewhat
bebind the crank so that the rider's weight will draw the crank towards B2,
although no motion takes place down the guide D. Leather straps may be
used in place of the rods. For bicycles the arrangement may be used upside
down.
Figs. 7 and 8 show another way of applying my "relief action." Fig. 7 is a
side view, and Fig. 8 a plan. A is a crank arm carried and able to slide in the
block B, which is keyed at the end of the driving axle. C is a projecting piece

page_text: from A, on which by means of a stud pin a roller is carried which fits into and
revolves when it moves along within a groove cut in the face of a plate D. The
plate D is fixed by being bolted to the framing. The groove in D is concentric
with the axle except at the lower part, where it runs in a straight or nearly straight
direction. The roller on C supports the crank arm and keeps it at the proper
length, but when C runs into the straight part of the groove the crank is shortened
as it slides in the block B, and the weight of the rider is borne by D while the
crank moves from A¹ to A². As C is in advance of the crank A the weight on the
crank pin forces it beyond the vertical line and past the ordinary position of the
"dead centre." Another advantage accrues from placing C in advance, for when A
has reached A² the opposite crank and roller is well past the top centre, as shown
dotted.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would have it understood I do not confine myself to the precise details
shown and described, as they may be modified without departing from the nature
of the said Invention, but what I consider new and therefore claim as the
Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
1st. The construction of velocipedes with a non-rigid frame arranged to prevent
jolting when the wheels pass over obstacles, substantially as and for the purposes
described (Figs. 1 and 2).
2nd. The construction and arrangement of velocipede treadles which vary the
leverage by the lever moving past the fulcrum, substantially as and for the purpose
described (Figs. 3 and 4).
3rd. The arrangement and application of a relief action to cranks of velocipedes,
substantially as and for the purposes described (Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8).
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Gittens Hawkins, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Second day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.