A. Hoak, of Pennsylvania. Velocipede. No. 341,911. Patented May 18, 1886.
A. Hoak, of Pennsylvania. Velocipede. No. 341,911. Patented May 18, 1886.
The important part of the specification is as follows:
“The shaft-gearing of these spur-wheels consists of impact roller motions, so that the crank centrally on the shaft, within easy reach of the operator upon the seat and between the driving-wheels, may be effectually operated by the hand, and a lever from the guide-wheel is designed to be in such a position as to be within easy reach of the operator’s feet forwardly, so that no difficulty will be encountered, all of which will now be fully set forth.
“The operation of this device is very simple. The operator seated within the machine operates the crankOof the shaftL, and the spur-wheelsN, engaging with the spur-wheelsI, move the vehicle forward. The steering-wheelCis operated by the feet in connection with the leverE.”
It is all right, except that it would seem cruel to have such legs as the draughtsman has given the rider, and only use them for steering purposes.
E. S. Burbank, of Iowa. Velocipede. No. 352,989. Patented November 23, 1886.
E. S. Burbank, of Iowa. Velocipede. No. 352,989. Patented November 23, 1886.
“By thus providing the bicycle with a circular track engaging the driving-wheel the said track forms virtually the driving-wheel of the bicycle or velocipede, and as it is of very greatly increased diameter as compared with the driving-wheel of the velocipede, it enables the machine to be driven over rough and uneven roads without violent bumping and jolting, and without discomfort to the rider. It also prevents the velocipede from being overturned when it encounters an obstruction, and prevents the rider from ‘taking a header.’
“When the machine encounters a stone or other obstruction, the frameMis moved rearwardly against the pressure of the springL′, and thus causing the wheelBand the rider to be moved forwardly past the centre of the circular track for a corresponding distance, thus enabling the weight of the rider to be utilized in causing the circular track to pass over the obstruction.”
This patent is a fair sample of the big-wheel idea; it has some good features, such as the springL′, which allows the inside machine, together with the rider, to swing forward when the outer wheel strikes an obstacle, thus acting as an anti-vibrator or momentum spring. The small inner wheel with cranks would make the machine run slow, but the appearance of the thing would be, I think, rather unique.
C. A. Williamson. Seat for bicycles. No. 364,075. Patented May 31, 1887.
C. A. Williamson. Seat for bicycles. No. 364,075. Patented May 31, 1887.
“The advantages of my back support or rest for a bicycle seat will be readily understood by users of the machine.
“Instead of folding the rest down upon the seat as shown, it might be arranged to be folded down behind the seat, if desired.
“I am aware that various forms of seats have been provided with hinged back-rests, and do not claim, broadly, a seat having a hinged back-rest.
“I claim as my invention—
“In combination with the frame and an ordinary seat of a bicycle, an arm secured at one end to the frame under the seat and extending upwardly at the back of the seat, and a back-rest located behind the seat and having hinge-connection with the arm above the top of the seat, whereby it is adapted to be folded down, substantially as set forth.
“Catherine A. Williamson.”
Miss Williamson is mistaken in her disclaimer. I do not think anybody ever put a back on a bicycle seat before.
It is also probable that a “dis” (before advantages) was omitted by the printer in the first line of above brief; but we must not be ungallant to the ladies, and criticise too harshly. Perhaps the invention will come in on the Rovers where the ladies may mount in front.
C. E. Duryea, of St. Louis. Bicycle. No. 364,231. Patented June 7, 1887.
C. E. Duryea, of St. Louis. Bicycle. No. 364,231. Patented June 7, 1887.
“The improvement relates partly to the handle-bars, partly to the pedals, and partly to the head, of the bicycle.
“The advantage of this form of handle-bars is that it enables the rider to mount from in rear of the large wheel in the usual manner, and to dismount either in the rear or in the front of the large wheel. It also permits of an upward pull upon the handle in propelling the wheel.
“The structure of the spokes, hub, and rim will not be claimed in this case, as they will form the subject of another application by me for patent thereon.
“I am aware that heretofore the handle-bar has been angled, but know of no case where it extends backwardly, outwardly, and upwardly.”
This idea for handle-bars has often occurred to riders of the old Ordinary; it would have saved many serious falls, by way of the front dismount, heads down. The weight and complication are its defects.
E. G. Latta, Friendship, N. Y. Velocipede. No. 378,253. Patented February 21, 1888.
E. G. Latta, Friendship, N. Y. Velocipede. No. 378,253. Patented February 21, 1888.
“The object of this invention is to provide a machine which is safe, strong, and serviceable, and more easily steered than the machines now in use, and also to construct the machine in such manner that the same can be folded when not required for use, so as to require little storage-room and facilitate its transportation.
“In bicycles of ordinary construction, when the rider anticipates a fall it is customary to turn the steering-wheel in the direction towards which the rider is inclined to fall. When the steering-wheel of my improved velocipede is deflected, the saddle swings in an opposite direction to that in which the rider tends to fall, which enables the rider to regain his balance with very little movement of the steering-pivot, and also to maintain a direct course with greater ease than with the ordinary machines.”
This is one of Mr. Latta’s weekly patents, and is a sample of the many efforts now being made to overcome the sensitive steering qualities of the recent rear-driver. The invention is also intended to answer the purpose of the “Rothigiesser system,” spoken of in a former chapter.
Mr. Pat. Gallagher, of New York, invents a tricycle with fly-wheels.
“A tricycle designed to be easily operated and guided is illustrated herewith, and has been patented by Mr. Patrick Gallagher, of No. 145 East Forty-second Street, New York City. It has a light but strong iron frame-work, and is propelled by means of a crank-handle mounted in arms adjustably pivoted to uprights on the frame, one of the ends of the crank-handle having a sprocket-wheel connected by an endless chain with a sprocket-wheel on the axle of the driving-wheels, while the other end of the crank-handle has two fly-wheels to steady the motion of the machine, and so that but little exertion will be required to run it after a high degree of momentum has been obtained.”
R. J. Spalding. Flying-machine. No. 398,984. Patented March 5, 1889.
R. J. Spalding. Flying-machine. No. 398,984. Patented March 5, 1889.
Cadiz and Wheeling Plank Road.
Cadiz and Wheeling Plank Road.
As it is a common practice to present patrons with a portrait of the venturesome culprit who aspires to engage the temporary notice of the public, by works of this kind, it is possible that some readers may, perchance, procure books with such expectations in view, and feel disappointed if no such custom has prevailed. Now, therefore, the writer has overhauled his effects and brought to light a picture which, “though not as new as it was,” is a fair specimen of the photographer’s handicraft, which represents your hopeful tyro upon his original velocipede, one made by himself in 1868–69. This machine was probably the earliest single-track crank-machine made in the State of Ohio and one of the first in the United States.
Looking at the reproduction herewith annexed, I notice, with regret, that the rider has not improved as rapidly as have the machines.
Transcriber’s Notes:Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected.
Transcriber’s Notes: