Improved Means for Propelling Velocipedes and other Vehicles.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Jan., 1889
Complete Specification. Left, 8th Oct., 1889-Accepted, 9th Nov.,
1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Propelling Velocipedes and other Vehicles.
1, JOHN THOMAS LANE, of 2 James' Villas, Capworth Street, Leyton, in the
County of Essex, Private Tutor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
This invention which may be designated-"The Corpus-motor,"-consists of a
moveable seat-resting upon Spiral,-helical,-- or conical springs,-vertically placed,
and so arranged with regard to number, size, and strength, as may be "most
convenient and effective-to allow the upper part of the seat resting upon' them-to
descend to the 'distance of about six inches, by the application of a pressure of less
than half the specific gravity of the rider the remaining moiety of his weight
causing the descending seat to exert a force corresponding thereto,--by means of a
metal rod-attached to the centre, of the moveable seat, and passing through the
fixed framework of the seat, and also through the hollow supporting pillar upon which
this fixed framework rests, and by which it is attached to the backbone of the machine ;-
which being also perforated-allows the rod to pass through it to the crank beneath.
The downward force exerted-when the rider takes his seat, giving motion-
through one half of its revolution--to this central crank, bearing a spur wheel at
each extremity of its axle, geared with the usual chain attachments to a corresponding
pair of spur-wheels fixed to the axle of the driving wheels.
The second half of the revolution of the crank and its attachments is produced' by
the upward motion of the seat; caused by the relaxing springs assuming their former
position, and that with a.force equal to the power exerted in their compression, as
the rider with his feet firmly resting upon a fixed foot board, byl his own muscular
exertion, takes off the weight of his body from the seat or saddle,--thus allowing it' to
rise, and draw up with it-its attached crank-rod.
By this continued movement of the body, alternately depressing the seat, and
permitting it to rise, a movement not ungraceful, and resembling that which
accompanies ordinary equestrian exercises, the machine is kept in 'easy' motion; at a
speed proportionate to the frequency of the movement of the body, and to the
arrangement of the driving gear.
On account of its easy and graceful motion, this invention' is especially suitable for
Ladies and Children's Tricycles; and may be fitted to wooden horses, or 'other
vehicles.
In order to check at the proper point, the downward 'motion of the seat,-to prevent
contusion, and to assist its rebound,-pads of India rubber may be 'employed.
If needful to secure the seat's vertical descent, telescopic sliding sides may be
used -or otherwise-bellows shaped folding sides may be employed, to give compactness
to the seat and its 'fittings.
The foot board is to be adjustable,-
-as to height, to the requirements of 'the
rider.
With this invention a 'Break would scarcely be required,-seeing that the rider
has only to remain seated-in order to arrest the progress of the machine.
The steering handles may be made somewhat lower than in ordinary tricycles-to
give greater facility for raising the body.
This invention may also be applied to Tandem Tricycles; in which case-the
springs may be wholly or in part-dispensed with: the alternate descent of the
one seat-being made, by means of a balance attachment between the two seats,―

page_text: to produce, or assist, the upward motion of the other seat, to which the crank-rod
and its gearings are affixed. The position of the two seats, with respect to the
fulcrum, to be adjustable-to suit the relative weights of the riders.
Dated this Tenth day of January 1889.
JOHN THOMAS LANE.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Propelling Velocipedes and other Vehicles.
I, JOHN THOMAS LANE of Acacia Lodge High Street Leyton, E. Private Tutor,
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, which may be designated The Corpus-motor, consists of a hollow
seat or saddle, with a moveable top, resting upon spiral, helical, or other springs,
vertically placed, within, or in the case of barrel springs-around, the seat, and so
arranged as to number, size, and strength,- as may be most convenient and effective,
to allow the moveable part of the seat, which rests upon, or is affixed to them, to
descend to the distance of from about four to six inches, by the application of a
pressure, of not less than half the specific gravity of the rider; the remaining moiety
of his weight, causing the descending seat to exert a force corresponding thereto,
upon a crank rod, and its attached crank beneath, which is thereby carried through
one half of its revolution -the remaining half being accomplished by the relaxing
springs, when the pressure upon them is removed, causing the seat top to ascend,
together with its attached metal rod, with which the crank rod is connected.
The means by which this is to be accomplished may be more clearly understood by
a reference to the accompanying perspective drawings:—
Figure 1. Exhibits the invention in detail; and the method of its attachment to an
ordinary Tricycle.
Figure 2. Represents it as applied to a form of Tricycle specially suited for
Ladies.
Figure 3. Gives it in Tandem form; and shows how a connexion between the two
seats may be made,-for the purpose to be explained hereafter.
In Figure 1; the top of the seat is shown at A A¹, resting upon the springs S S SS,
these being of the form known as double conical, which have the advantage of closing
into smaller compass, allowing the top of the seat to descend from A to C, carrying
with it the metal rod B B', attached to the centre of the moveable top of seat at B,
and passing through the fixed framework C. C. of the seat, and also through the
hollow supporting pillar D, upon which this framework rests, and by which it is
attached to the backbone of the machine, which being also perforated at E, allows
the rod to pass through it, to unite with the crank-rod beneath at F. The downward
force exerted when the rider takes his seat gives motion through one half of its
revolution to the central crank, viz. from G to G₁; which crank having a spur
wheel H H at each extremity of its axle, is geared, with the usual chain attachments,
to a corresponding pair of spur wheels JJ', fixed to the axle of the driving
wheels 000 0¹; the position of the steering wheel being indicated at QQ One
such crank axle wheel with its gearings might suffice, especially if sufficiently central,
as hereafter to be described; though the two may give greater steadiness.
The second half of the revolution of the crank-with its attachments-is produced
by the upward motion of the seat, caused by the relaxing springs resuming their
former position, and that with a force corresponding to the power required for their
compression, as the rider, with his feet firmly placed upon the fixed footrest K, by
his own muscular exertion, takes the weight of his body from off the seat,—thus
allowing it to rise, and draw upward the attached crank-rod with its gearings.

page_text: By this continued movement of the body, alternately depressing the seat, and
permitting it to rise, a movement not ungraceful in itself, and bearing a close
resemblance to that which accompanies riding on horseback, the machine is kept in
easy motion, at a speed proportionate to the frequency of the movements of the body,
and of the arrangement of the driving gear, for increasing speed, as is usual.
On account of the ease and grace of its movement-doing away with the unlady-
like motion of the feet, this invention is specially adapted for Ladies' Tricycles, as
shown in Figure 2; and may be also fitted with advantage to children's horse shaped
velocipedes, and other vehicles.
When intended for Ladies' Tricycles, the seat can he shaped and cushioned
according to requirement, and may be placed as low as convenient."
In order to check at the proper point the downward motion of the seat, to prevent
contusion, and assist its rebound,-pads of India-rubber may be affixed at the
corners C. C, or elsewhere; while to secure the seats' vertical descent, telescopic
sliding sides may be employed as shown in Fig. 1, V.W., where two such sides are
visible, descending by the motion of the seat to V W₁, the other two being
removed to show the arrangement of the springs within, their covered portions
being denoted by the dotted lines.
Small metal rods affixed to the top of the seat, and made to pass through the
bottom,-
-as also the rods belonging to helical springs when these are employed, may
indicate another of the methods which may be adopted to give steadiness to its
descent, see M. M', Fig. 3; while folding bellows-like sides can be used to give
compactness to the seat whose outer form may be varied at pleasure.
:
When made saddle-shaped, spiral, or helical springs, three, or five in number,
may be found most suitable and convenient.
The footrest requires to be adjusted as to height to suit each rider ;-about twenty
seven inches below the top of the seat being probably the most convenient height for
a person of ordinary stature, to exert his full strength, it should be made adjustable
to a few inches above and below this elevation, to suit any rider. This may be done
by means of screw at I Fig. 3.
The height of the steering handles as shown at N. N; should be about on a level
with the seat top, when at its full height, this elevation giving greater facility for
raising the body as required.
With this invention, a Break would be less necessary than in ordinary cases,
seeing that the rider has only to remain seated, for his own weight soon to arrest the
motion of the machine, by preventing the revolution of the crank.
When this invention is applied to Tandem Tricycles, the springs may be wholly or
in part dispensed with, especially as it regards the second seat; the alternate
descent of the one seat being made, by means of a sort of balance attachment,—as
seen in connecting rod R. R¹, resting on pivot P, in Fig. 3, to assist or produce the
upward motion of the other seat-to which the crank rod with its gearing is attached.
In Fig. 3 the hinder seat is represented as depressed, whilst the front seat is in its
natural position. But as this front seat descends from T to T', the hinder is elevated
from U to U; meantime its end of the connecting rod has also ascended from R. to r,
while the other extremity has descended in like manner from R₁ to r¹. This connecting
rod may be made with slotted ends, as shown at R. R¹, or other mechanical
contrivance to allow of its shortening itself by about an inch, as it assumes the
horizontal position between the two perpendicular seat rods, whose vertical and parallel
notion must not be disturbed.
The position of the second seat is to be made adjustable to suit the relative weights
of the respective riders, by giving the longer leverage to the seat of the lighter rider,
so as to preserve the equilibrium between them; which may be done by the hinder
seat being made to move along the backbone, and be secured by screw as at Y; the
hinder end of the connecting rod being slotted to a like extent, to allow of this
movement.
The handles for the hinder seat, may be affixed, as shown at X X¹, to the lower
part of the seat itself; not being required for steering.

page_text: Figure 3, whilst indicating substantially how this connexion of seats can be made
is not intended as exhibiting the only form in which it may be made; the exact detail
may be varied according to requirement, as also the particular arrangement and
form of the seats themselves; which may, in a machine of the construction shown
in Figure 2, be placed side by side, sociable fashion; or the one may be enlarged to
accomodate two riders, keeping time in their movements; or hind seat to face the
front.
When it is desired to suspend a seat from side supports or otherwise,-barrel
shaped springs, which exert their force in contracting, can be employed; in which
case, strong elastic bands may likewise be used-to assist,-
,- or to supersede them.
To obviate any difficulty which might arise in carrying the crank over the dead
points at starting a machine the supports of the crank axle wheels may be made as
shown at Z. Z Fig. 1, with an inclination of a few degrees backward from the
perpendicular.
The Corpus motor may be adapted to ordinary tricycles, with but little alteration of
their existing construction, by attaching to the crank axle wheel, (with the pedals
removed), the crank-rod, affixed sideways to its rim or spoke ;-thence proceeding
straight to unite with the metal rod from the seat top, if it pass outside the supporting
pillar or being bent to meet it, if it pass through.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is ;-
1. The production of propelling power in velocipedes and other vehicles, by
means of the alternate vertical motion of the upper part of hollow seat; such motion
being caused by the specific gravity of the rider occasioning its descent, and the force
of relaxing springs its ascent; substantially as already indicated and explained.
2. The communication of such propelling power to a central crank-axle, (thence
to be conveyed as is usual to the driving wheels),--by means of a metal rod affixed
to the moveable part of the seat, and passing through its hollow supporting pillar, to
crank-rod beneath; substantially as described.
3. The application of this principle of propulsion,-with certain modifications,-
to Tandems, and other machines; substantially as hereinbefore described and
exhibited.
4. The addition or substitution, in certain cases, if desired, of elastic bands, to
assist, or supersede the use of barrel springs; as before indicated and expressed.
5. The adaptation of the Corpus Motor, in simpler form, and with fewer alterations
to existing Tricycles; substantially as described.
Dated this Seventh day of October 1889.
JOHN THOMAS LANE.