A HORSE VELOCIPEDE FOR THE PRESERVATION OF ROADS AND HORSES
Year: 1884

page_text: I THOMAS CRADDOCK of 23 Waterford Road Fulham in the County of
Middlesex Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for A HORSE
VELOCIPEDE FOR THE PRESERVATION OF ROADS AND HORSES to be as follows:-
The Roads are preserved from the destruction caused by the Horses feet upon
them and the Horses are preserved from those painful falls which occur on the
Streets and roads and they are also preserved in respect to health and value all
this is practically realized by a horse cycle, velocipede, or vehicle in, or on, which,
the horse rides and propels it, himself, and its other load. This vehicle is so
constructed as to confer on the horse the relief due to seat, or saddle, and all other
advantages which the most improved Bicycle or Tricycle presents for the men who
drive them. The horses weight and energy is by cranks, axle, and wheels,
concentrated by the aid of this vehicle in a more simple and effective manner
than it is yet done in the man Tricycle. In this case the cycles, or wheels, may
be three, or twenty, and one or ten horses, and one or a Train of carriages.
This invention preserves the road from the destruction caused by the horses feet,
which is great when they draw heavy loads; it preserves the constitution of the
horse, by protecting him from inclement wheather; it protects his feet and legs from
the everlasting hammering as at present on the hard road, which in trotting is very
destructive of his value; it preserves him from the painful and very serious injury
produced by falls which are so frequent on the streets. Thus whilst the above
advantages are secured to the road and horse, this invention utilises to a greater
extent than heretofore, the weight and energetic power of the horse, by adapting
suitable mechanical means to this end; these means I completed as far back as
October 1881 from which time to this I have many times reviewed them, so that it
is after careful examination of the whole subject that I now apply for the patent.
This invention applies to one, or any number of horses employed to convey from
one place to another any vehicle and its load; if more than one horse be employed
then they can go two, three, or four, abreast, as at present; or they can be applied
tandem, or in long team manner; they can be placed in front as at present, or
behind the carriage as is most desirable. Except for hunting and across country
riding, this invention is applicable to the saddle horse, the rider can ride with the
horse seated on the carriage, or in the saddle on the horses back as at present, as with
this invention there is the same freedom to take sides on the road, or turn round,
as at present; hence for carriages resembling Tram Cars there would require no
special tram way, and so on our roads would be provided with wheel plates, as may
be seen on Westminster Bridge. Bulls, Oxen, and other animals can be substituted
for horses. In plowing as with engines now, the horses can be saved the labour of
travelling over the field.

page_text: I, THOMAS CRADDOCK of 26 Cedar Road Walham Green in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "A HORSE
VELOCIPEDE FOR THE PRESERVATION OF ROADS AND HORSES" and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
The provisional Specification of this invention clearly indicates its nature and
object. Drawing Fig: 1, is an elevation; A is the horse. Fig: 2, is a plan of the
Mechanism for two horses abreast; B. B. B. B. B indicate the treadles, acting
.through the Cranks E, on the two Shafts D; and by the Cranks F, on these two
Shafts D, and the connecting rods F, G, the power is transmitted to the road
wheels G; H, indicates the road wheels to have crank axles by which the horse
Platform is kept low so that with the tail board I, the horses go on to the Carriage
Platform as easily as into their Stable. J indicates what the Saddle is to the man,
here the means for resting the horses feet and legs. At C. C. C. C. in the
treadles B, is seen the place for the horses feet, for which suitable shoes K are
provided, with two small rollers under each, thereby the horses are harnessed to
their work, and are enabled to use their weight and power by the best angle of
thrust to overcome the resistence opposed to them. The road wheels can work
direct from the D. D. Shafts or axles if desired and of course speed and power are
alterable by any of the well known means; being merely a question of leverage.
It is easy to perceive that the power can all be imparted to the hind wheels, leaving
the two front wheels with the common connection of road horses thereto as usual;
I point this out because it is said the horses will not go on the carriage and that, if
on, they will not work. The first of these points is answered above. The not
work point here is the question. The uninitiated horse being on the Carriage with
his feet in his Shoes as indicated above, the road horse or horses draw the Carriage
as usual, and the riding horse must work. Finding his work easy a few such
lessons will make him both understand how to perform his work and cheerfully
do it. This horse then becomes the Schoolmaster, by which other horses are
taught, and the road horse is not required. But it is asked what about the restive
horse. The answer is that the restive man whose feet are in the Stocks and his
hands in handcuffs is powerless for mischief, and this applies as truly to the horse
as is here clearly indicated.
It is needless to say more on the Carriage than it can be varied at pleasure. It
can carry horses and passengers, or goods. Or the propelling Carriages can be the
foremost and hindmost of several Carriages. Or the horses can work one to each
carriage (say) in a compartment in the centre of the Carriage with first class
passengers, on the right and third class passengers to the left. Thus there may be
twenty Carriages in a train, with a horse propelling each Carriage. The two sides
and roof of these Carriages would then be available for passengers and goods. Or
the horses may be one on each outside of the Carriage, in that case the Passengers
and horses in point of length and general simplicity, would assume the most
compact form.
The thus moveable carriage also presents every facility for working as a Machine,
whereby farm and other like work now done by Steam can be done by this mode
of using horses or any animal power, even that of elephants if obtainable..
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
First. I claim as my invention the placing of the horse, horses, or other animals
on Carriages so as he or they can propel the Carriage they ride on from one place

page_text: to another, without, or with passengers, goods, or other animals; besides the
propelling animal or animals. The animals for propelling the Carriage may be
of any suitable kind such as horse, Ox, bull or elephant.
Second. I claim as my invention the means clearly indicated by the drawings,
and explained by this Specification for the purpose of enabling animals, or men, to
move the Carriage loaded or unloaded from place to place, and if required to work
it as a Machine, from which the animal power so concentrated becomes conveyable
for such purposes as it may be desired; As above set forth.