(No Model.) L. M. HOSEA, Welocipede. No. 228,996. Patented June 22, 1880.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEWIS M. HOSEA, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO. VELOCIPE DE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 228,996, dated June 22, 1880. Application filed April 22, 1880. (No model.) To all chon it may concern: B the trailing-wheel, of my improved veloci Be it known that I, LEWIS M. EIOSEA, a citi pede. The main wheel A is mounted between Zen of the United States, residing at Cincin two uprights, C C, which have their bearing nati, Ohio, have invented new and useful Im upon the axle ct, and are secured above the 5 provements in Velocipedes, of which the fol wheel by a cross-piece, D, which forms the 55 lowing is a specification. handle and support for the rider. An arched My invention relates to improvements in bar, E, is secured between the uprights C C, that class of velocipedes employing a driving just over the wheel, and extends thence to the wheel operated by foot - cranks, and one or rear parallel with the periphery of the wheel. IO more trailing-wheels, and its object is to im Horizontal braces b b on either side of the prove their construction and utility. driving-wheel support the lower part of the In these vehicles the driving-wheel is mounted arch-bar E from the axle a, or from the up in a swiveling support in order to allow the rights C, the parts C C E and braces b b wheel to be turned independently of the seat forming a rigid frame, in which the driving I5 for steering purposes, which construction and wheel A revolves, carrying the driving-cranks operation entails many well-known disadvan 0 0 at the extremities of the rigid axle at out tages. side of the uprights C, provided with the usual In my improved velocipede the driving-wheel Wrists and foot-rests. The lower rear extremity does not swivelindependently of the seat-frame, of the arch-bar E is prolonged below the hori 2O, but the relation of the seat-frame and driving Zontal braces b b into a pintle standing in the wheel remains unchanged, the steering being plane of the driving-wheel, but somewhat out effected by those natural and instinctive move of the vertical line, as shown in Fig. 1. Upon ments of the body and the resulting positions this pintle is hinged a frame, F, carrying one of the vehicle which are assumed as a guard wheel or a pair of trailing-wheels, B, turning 25 against centrifugal force in turning curves. loosely upon an axle. Supplemental strength 75 To this end my invention consists in mount ening-braces b may extend from the braces b ing the driving-wheel in a rigid seat-frame b to the lower end of the pintle. The inclina and connecting at the rear thereof a trailing tion of the pivotal connection between the wheel frame in such manner that the inclina main and trailing frames will cause the main 3o tion of the main wheel from a perpendicular frame to incline from the perpendicular when plane causes the trailing wheel or wheels to ever the two frames are placed at an angle stand at a horizontal angle there with, and with each other, and, vice versa, the inclination thus act as a rudder to steer the vehicle, and of the main frame will throw the trailing-frame at the same time prevent oversetting. into such angle with it. 35. It consists, also, in the additional provision, It will be readily understood, therefore, that in combination with the driving-wheel so as the rider, by allowing his Weight to act on mounted in a rigid frame, of double cranks one side or the other, can produce the desired and an actuating-seat and connections. inclination of the main frame, he can thus It consists, also, in certain details of con manipulate the trailing-frame, which becomes 9 O 4o struction hereinafter pointed out. a rudder to the vehicle and determines its rel My invention is embodied in mechanism il ative course. As the movements of the body lustrated in the accompanying drawings, in for this purpose are natural and instinctive as which a guard against centrifugal force in turning Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved curves, the steering of the vehicle is easily ac 95 45 velocipede; Fig. 2, a front elevation of same; complished. Fig. 3, a plan view of same; and Fig. 4, a plan The remaining feature of my invention re view of the trailing-frame detached, having lates to an actuating-seat and its attachments. two trailing-wheels. The seat G is mounted on two levers, gg, Similar letters of reference indicate similar which are pivoted to the arch-bar E in the OO So parts throughout the drawings. rear of the uprights C. To the forward end A indicates the main or driving Wheel, and of the levers g are pivoted connecting-rods h, 2 228,996 which connect them with the intermediate frames, one containing the driving-wheel and wrists of the cranks c c. rider's seat and the other a trailing wheel or When the actuating-seat G is used with the wheels, said frames being hinged together be velocipede the cranks of the driving-wheel are tween the wheels in a vertical plane, and ar set in the same radial relation with the axle. ranged to be thrown into horizontal angles It will be readily seen that when the vehicle with each other by the inclination of the driv is in motion the seat will rise and fall, and ing-wheel frame from the perpendicular, thus that the alternate transfer of the rider's Weight actuating the trailing-frame as a rudder for from the actuating-seat to the foot-cranks at steering purposes, as set forth. 45 IO proper intervals will propel the vehicle. The 2. The driving-wheel A and supporting actuating-seat and connections may be dis frame, consisting of uprights C C, arch-bar E, pensed with and the vehicle used in the same and braces b b, in combination with the trail manner as ordinary velocipedes, with the foot ing-frame F, pivoted upon the arch-bar in rear cranks set at right angles with each other. of the driving-wheel, and carrying one or more IS The operation of my improved velocipede wheels, B, as set forth. has already been indicated. It will be ob 3. In a velocipede consisting, essentially, of served that it is necessary that the trailing a driving-wheel and one or more trailing frame and wheel should remain always in a wheels, mounted in independent frameshinged vertical plane, and this is more easily accom together between said wheels, an actuating 55 plished by using two trailing-wheels, as shown rising and falling seat, connected by pitmen in Fig. 4. But with a little skill, soon acquired with the driving-cranks, and arranged above by the operator, a bicycle constructed as de the driving-wheel, so that the rider seated scribed can be actuated in the desired manner thereon can apply his weight alternately di with ease and certainty, for as soon as the rectly to the seat and cranks, as set forth. 25 trailing-frame is thrown at an angle to the 4. In combination with the driving-wheeland seat-frame, which may be done by a slight trailing-wheels, having their frames hinged, movement or twist of the rider's body, the and operating as shown and described, the weight of the rider on the hinge tends to in Seat G, pivoted to the arch-bar E, connecting 65 crease that angle and cause the vehicle to rods h-h, and double cranks C C, substantially travel in a small circle. But as such tendency as and for the purpose specified. is counteracted by the tendency of the trailing In testimony whereof I have hereunto set wheel to follow its leader in a straight line, the my hand in the presence of two subscribing rider can easily dispose his body so as to gov. witnesses. ern these opposing forces at his will. LEWIS M. HOSEA. 35 Baving described my invention, I claim and Witnesses: desire to secure by Letters Patent HENRY GROSS, 1. A velocipede consisting, essentially, of two C. E. EESSER.