US1494364A - Velocipede and the like - Google Patents

Description

May 20 1924. 1,494,364

w. L. 'M GRATH VELOGIPEDE AND THE LIKE Filed ADlil 2'7 I922 2 SheetS Sheet 1 Patented May 2%, l l.

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WILLIAM L. I'LCGBATH, OF ELMIRA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO ECLIPSE MACHINE COM- PANY, OF ELMIBA, NEW YORK,

A CORPORATION NEVJ YORK.

VELOCIPEDE AND THE LIKE.

Application filed April 27, 1922. Serial No. 556,939,

10 all whom it may concemt:

lie it known that l, l VILLIAM L. Mo-

lhmrrr, a citizen of the United States of America. and a resident of Elmira, New York, have invented new and useful lnr provements in Velocipedes and the like, which invention is fully set forth in the following specification.

This invention relates to vehicles, such as teiocipedes and the like of the threewheeled type commonly used by children.

It is a fact that velocipedes of this type, when turning corners, very readily'upset, which fact frequently results in injury to the rider. It is common practice, when turning a corner on a two-wheeled velocipede, to counteract the centrifugal tendency to upset by tilting the vehicle so as to bring the center of gravity of rider and machine to a point where the force of gravity overcomes the centrifugal force. In this instance, the vehiclehas a single supporting plane, extending in the direction of the line of travel. through the two supporting wheels. The cylindrical tires practically give a line support and tilting may be readily and safely effected.

A motor cycle, with side-car attachech'has two parallel supporting planes, and a low center of gravity. If the. side-car is rigidly attached on the left, the rider, in making a right-hand turn, can readily tilt the vehicle to counteract centrifugal force, about the line of support passing through the two tracking wheels. Since he is unable to tilt his machine for a lefthand turn with this arrangement, a pivotal connection has heretofore been devised whereby the rider can tilt the machine in either direction. In this case, however, the vehicle is supported in two parallel planes extending approximately in the direction of travel, and danger of upsetting is minimized. The problem presented by the motor cycle and side-car, regardless of the type of side-car connection, is thus the same as that of the twowheeled velocipede. p

The three-wheeled velocipede, on the other hand, is supported in three parallel planes passing through each of the three whee-ls. If the rider wishes to tilt this type of vehicle to counteract centrifugal force, when making a sharp turn to the right for example,

rection of movement, withthe result that the vehicle pivots about the line of support and upsets. The triangular arrangement of the supporting wheels of a childs velocipede thus prevents the rider from tilting this type of vehicle when turning, and the unopposed centrifugal force often results in a fall; and it the velocipede is supplied with a brake, and many are thus equipped, application of thebrake, at the timeof turning a corner, still further increases the tendency to upset, so that the liability to overturning and possible injury is greatly increased.

The object of the present invention is to provide a. three-wheeled device withmeans such that the rider will, with the same facility as with a two-wheeled device and with the minimum of danger to upsetting, naturally and instinctively oppose the force of gravity in opposition to the upsetting tendency ot' centrifugal force, when the velocipede is turned sharply; the vehicle being normally and automatically maintained in an upright position when ridden in a straight course. Said automatic means insure its stable static equilibrium when standing-alone or with a rider. 7 7

In order that the invention maybe more readily understood, reference is made to the accompai'iying drawings whichare designed merely as illustrations to assist in the description of the invention, and not as defining the limits thereof.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a velocipede embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear view of a portion of the device;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section on the line 33 of 2;

Fig. 4c is a modification;

Fig. 5 is a. rear elevation,partly in sec- The momentum, however,

tion, illustrating another embodiment of the connection between the main frame and the rear wheels;

Fig. 6 is a detail view, partly in section, taken on the line- G6 of Fig. 5. I I

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, 1 designates the rear velocipede wheels of auv desired construction which are rotatively mounted on the opposite ends of an axle 2.

Attached to the axle is an inverted, substantially U-shaped cross-beam or transverse member 3. A main frame t, bifurcated at the rear end thereof, is pivotally secured to the transverse member by a pivot pin 5,

the bifurcation orfork 8 at the rear end of the frame loosely engaging the axle 2. The frame carries a driving wheel 6 and steering member 7 mounted in any wellknownnianner at its forward end.- Oppositely disposed yielding or elastic members 9 extend between the fork 8 and adjust able collars 10 on the rear axle. The axle and collars may be threaded. if desired, in order that the collars may be adjusted to different positions to vary the compression of elastic members 9. The rider is thus able to vary, at will, the resistance which he wishes the elastic members to offer to a tilting force. It is to be noted that the disposition of the elastic members 9 will so limit the arcuate movement of the fork 8 along the axle that accidental disengagement of this fork from the axle is prevented. Seat 12 is secured to the frame in any well-known manner.

By thus hinging the frame to the transverse member carrving the rear-wheels, the

rider can tilt the frame, together with the front wheel (and will naturally and instinctively do so), to counteract the centrifugal force encountered when turning a corner, thereby avoiding upsetting and consequent injury. ,This tiltingis resisted resiliently by the yielding or elastic members 9 so that, normally, the vehicle maintains an upright position. i

In Fig. 4. is shown a modification of the inventive idea, wherein the main frame 13 is pivoted directly to the rear axle 14: by means of a pivot member 15 extending through registering openings in the axle and frame. Yielding members 16, pivotally secured at one end to the frame and at the opposite end to the axle, normally maintain the frame in an upright position. These members comprise telescoping elements 17 and 18 adapted to freelv move onewithin the other, according to the direction in which the rider wishes to turn. In the embodiment shown, coiled springs, 19, surround the tele scoping elements and normally maintain the the lower end of frame 31.

hers 9 (Fig. 2) may or may not be used to embodiment of the inventive idea in which the main frame 31 is pivoted by means of pin in a sleeve positioned on cross bar 25 which is mounted on rear axle 2. This arrangei'nent is quite similar to that illus trated in Fig. 3, the difference being that frame 31 instead of being pivoted directly to the'cross-bar 3 is pivoted to the strap or sleeve 33 which surrounds said cross-bar. Any effort of the rider to tilt frame 31 and the front wheel is resiliently resisted by a plunger 3i yieldably held in a depression 85 in the rear astl by means of an elastic member 36 positioned in a socket 3? formed in Resilient memassist spring-pressed plunger 3- 1 to yieldablv resisttilting of the frontwheel and frame. In. case the rider wishes to positively lock the frame in upright position, an hshaped pin 38 maybe n'iovably mounted in plunger 34:, with its opposite ends extending into slots 39 in the frame. By revolving this pin until the short arm thereof is moved into its adjacent slot, the plunger is locked against movement in depression 35 and the rider will be unable to tilt the front wheel and frame. This is desirable when a child is learning to ride and has not yet learned to balance himself.

For the purpose of clearness, several embodiments of the inventive idea have been herein shown and described. in detail, but it is to be expressly understood that this inventive idea is capable of being embodied in a variety of mechanical structures within the limits of the appended claims, and particularly is it to be understood that the invention may be used on three-wheeled vehicles other than velocipedes, said claims being intended to cover three-wheeled structures provided with means for safely counteracting the upsetting tendency of centrifugal force by opposing tl e force of gravity with the same facility as in two-wheeled structures] lVhat is claimed is 1. In a device of the class described, a transverse member, a frame provided with a bifurcation at one end thereof, a wheeled axle extending loosely through said bifurcation and having engagement with said member, and a plurality of horizontally disposed yielding members reacting between said bifurcated end and said axle.

2. In a device of the class described, a transverse member, a frame having a fork on the rear end thereof, a wheeled axle extending through said fork and having engagement with said member. and means whereby said frame may be tilted longitudinally of said axle.

3. In a three wheeled vehicle, an axle, a. frame pivoted with relation to the axle so as to permit arcuate movement of the rear end of the frame along the axle, and means for limiting said movement.

4. In a velocipede, a front wheel, mechanism carrying a pair of rear wheels, a frame connecting said front wheel and mechanism, yielding means carried by said mechanism, means whereby said frame and wheel may be tilted against the tension of said yielding means, and means for varying the resistance offered by said yielding means.

5. In a device of the class described, a frame, a pair of non-tiltable rear wheels supporting the rear end of said frame, a front wheel supporting the forward end of said frame and positioned in a vertical plane equidistant from each of said rear wheels, means whereby said front wheel may be tilted from said plane, and means whereby-the resistance to tilting of said front wheel may be varied.

6. A device of the class described, com: prising a frame bifurcated at the rear end thereof, a wheeled axle extending through said bifurcation, means pivotally connecting said frame and axle whereby said bifur cated end may be moved in an arcuate path parallel to said axle, and yielding means for resisting movement of said frame.

7. In a device of the class described, a wheeled axle, a frame bifurcated at the rear end thereof and pivotally secured to said axle, said axle being adapted to extend through said bifurcation, and means for limiting arcuate movement of said bifurcation.

8. In a device of the class described, a wheeled axle, a transverse member mounted on said axle, a frame having a bifurcation one end thereof, said frame being pivotally connected to said member, said axle being adapted to extend through said hifurcation, and yielding. members for resisting arcuate movement of said bifurcated end in either direction.

9. In a device of the class described, a transverse member, a frame having a fork on the rear end thereof and tiltably secured to said member, a wheeled axle extending through said fork, and a pair of coil springs mounted on said axle and positioned to resist tilting movement of said frame.

10. In a three wheeled vehicle, a rear axle, a pair of wheels rotatably mounted on the opposite ends of said axle, a frame pivotally connected to said rear axle, a front wheel supporting the forward end of said frame, and a pair of coil springs, said springs being positioned on opposite sides of said frame and operatively engaging said frame and axle for resisting pivotal movement of said frame.

11. In a three Wheeled vehicle, a rear axle, a pair of collars mounted on said axle, a frame having a fork on the rear end thereof and tiltably secured to said axle, the latter being adapted to extend loosely through said fork, and yielding means engaging said collars and fork for resisting tilting movement of said frame.

12.111 a device of the class described, a wheeled axle, a frame having pivotal connection with said axle and having a free end, means for limiting arcuate movement of said free end, and means for locking said frame in upright position.

13. In a device of the class described, a wheeled axle, a frame having pivotal connection with said axle and having a free rear end, and means for locking said frame in upright position.

14. In a three wheeled vehicle, a wheeled axle, a frame having pivotal connection with said axle, and a pair of coil springs positioned one on either side of said frame and operatively engaging said frame and axle for resisting pivotal movement of said frame.

15. In a wheeled vehicle, a rear axle, a frame having pivotal connection with said axle and having a free rear end, means carried by said free end for locking the latter to said axle, and means for resisting arcuate movement of said free end.

16. In a Wheeled vehicle, a rear axle, a frame having pivotal connection intermediate its ends with said axle, the free rear end of said frame being divided and said axle being adapted to extend between the branches of said divided portion, and yielding means for limiting the movement of said free end.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification.

WILLIAM L. MCGRATH.

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