US395441A - Velocipede - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet; 1. C. J AGKSON.

VELOGIPBDB.

No. 395,441.v Patented Jaml. 1889.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 2. G. J AGKSON.

VEL'OGIPEDB. No. 395,441. q Patented Jan. 1, 1889.

WITNESSES: N INVENTOR':

ATTORNEYS.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

C. J AOKSON.

VELOGIPBDE.

No. 395,441. 4 Patented Jan. l, 1889.

WITNESS W 4 ATTORNEYS.

5 Sheets-Sheet 4. C. JACKSON.

VELOGIPEDE. i

, Patented Jen. 1, 1889.

(No Model.)

INVBNTOR:

5 Sheets-Sheen 5. 0. JACKSON.

VBLOGIPEDE.

(No Model.)

No. 395,441. Patented Jan. 1, 1889.

L WITNESSBS:

. ATTORNEYS.

explained, and two wheels, C D', arranged,

CSYLVANTA.

VELOCIPEDE.

SEECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 395,441, dated January 1, 1889.

viipplicatiou filed January l0, 1888.

To all wwm, t may concern.-

Be it known that I, CALVIN JACKSON, of Jackson wald, in the county of Berks and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and Improved Velocipede, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to velocipedes, and has for its object to provide an efficient, light, an d durable machine of this character adapted more especially for four riders-one in front and one behind over the steering-wheels, and one rider at each side near the main drivingwheels.

The vehicle embodies important novel features of construction, allowing leveling of the axles and consequent plumbing of the main driving-wheel tires on transversely sloping or uneven roads to prevent racking strains on the running-gear, and also embodies an arrangement of a main central seat-frame, allowing itto be shifted laterally to level the seats transversely for promoting the steadiness and comfort of the riders on said seats.

The invention also embodies various minor improvements auxiliary to the above-named important features of construction, and also a novel arrangement of the main frame and novel constructions of the treadle and handlever and driving-clutch mechanism, all as hereinafter described and claimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding` parts in all the figures.

liigure '1. is a side elevation of mviin proved velocipeile with pari-s broken away and in section. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the machine with parts broken away. 3 is a plan view ot the machine with parts removed; and Figs. i te 2l, inclusive, are detail views of various parts ci' the mechanism of the velocipede, which will be hereinafterparticularly referred to in the general description of the machine.

The velocipede is made with lo'iir wheelstwo opposite side wheels, A B', ol' considerable size, which are mounted for roi ation at the outer ends ot' axles A B, respectively, ol peculiar construction, and capable ot' vertical movement at their inner ends, as hereinafter Serial No. 260,318. (No model.)

respectively, at the front and rear of the ma chine to travel in a path about midway between the paths ofthe main side or driving wheels and journalcd at the outer forked ends of bars C D, respectively, which are .connected at their inner ends to a universal joint of peculiar construction, and to which joint is connected the steering-rod leading to the front center seat for operation by the rider thereon, all as hereinafter more t'ully described.

The main frame olf ilie vclceipeile is ver)r light and strong, and is made with a central metal frame portion, E, which ranges transversely of the machine and comprises an upper bowed or convex bar or part, e, .and a lower downwardly conca-ved bar or part, c', and forked extremities c2 ci, which latter are preferably each made of one piece of metal formed with two forks ranging about at right angles to each other and adapted for connection by bolts or otherwise with the opposite endsV ol' the frame-bars c e. The forked extremities e2 of the frame E are bored at theirangles to receive pins ci ci h b, which are fixed in inetal blocks A2 B2, secured by bolt ends ci ci b b and nuts (i2 c2 b2 b2 to upper and lower metal axle-straps, a3 as 'b3 b3, which at their inner ends are connected by like bolt ends ci b and nuts a2 b2 to metal blocks A3 B3, which are located at the inner ends of the axles A B, and are adapted for movement along the outer faces of curved metal bars E E2, which are bent in arcs of circles struck from the pins d l), respectively, as centers, and are fixed at opposite ends` to the ripper and lower bars or parts, e e, of the frame E. 4At or a little below their center parts the frame-bars E E2 are fixed to a metal block, E3, which is interposed. between them, and which is provided with a longitudinally-ranging heavy pin or bolt, c, onto which is hung or pivoted the bent front and rear forked bars, F G, which support the upper fore-and-aft seat-frame, H, and its front and rear central seats, l J, and also tlie lower shafts or carriage of the footlevers operated by riders on the seats I J, as hereinafter more fully explained.

I will here state that the main side or driving wheels, A B', of the/velocipede are iixed to the outer ends or arms of shafts A4 B4, re-

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spectively, which are journaled in the axleblocks A2 AiE B2 Bg, which are connected in pairs by the metal straps c b3, as above stated.

The inner ends of the axle-straps afl Z13, or it may be the outer faces of the axle-blocks A3 B3, are fitted to the outer faces of the framebars E to prevent forward. and backward play thereat of the axles, while allowing` their inner ends to move up and down freely on these frame-bars or around the outer faces of the bars as the inner ends of the axles are raised or lowered by pressure on the treadlelevers operated by the front and rear riders on the seats I J, the entire axles A or B then swinging on the pins a l) inv the outer axleblocks, and in a manner and for purposes hereinafter explained.

The construction of all four of the axleblocks is alike, and will be clearlyunderstood from the face view of one of the blocks shown in enlarged scale in Fig'. l0 of the drawings.

The parts of the frame-bars F G which extend upward and outward from the block E3, to which they are pivoted, are forked or bif urcated to allow the passage within their forks without touching' them of the front and rear steering-wheel bars, C D, and the lower ends or parts of the bars F G are more widely forked at f g, respectively, and the extremities of these forks are passed through two opposite side bars, F' F', and receive nuts f'j" below these side bars. The rear ends of the lower horizontal frame-bars, F' F', are con.- nected by a bolt or bar, g', held, preferably, by nuts g2 at the outer faces of the bars. These bars F' F', their cross-bar g', and the lower forked extremities, j" g, of the main foreand-aft fram e-bars F Gthus constitute a lower 4carriage or frame, on which are fulcrumed the two pairs of levers K K and L L, operated by the riders on the seats I J, respectively. The lower forked ends, f g, of the frame-bars F G are not shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, as they would interfere with a clear representation ot' other parts of the machine; but the holes in the bars F', which receive the bolt ends at the extremities of the forks f g, are shown in said view. The foot-le\'fers K K are fulcrumed at their rear ends, It 7.1, upon the cross-bar g', and extend thence about horizontally to a point below the transverse framebar E, and thence these levers range upward and forward, and at their forward ends are provided with foot-plates in easy reach of the rider on the front central seat, I, on the frame H. The forward ends of the levers L L are passed into the forward forked ends, f2", of the lower frame-bars, F F', and are fulcru mcd on pins held to said ends f3, and these levers extend rearward beneath the frame-bar E, an d thence rearward and upward, and are provided with foot-plates in convenient reach of a rider on the rear seat, J', on the frame Il'.

It is obvious from the aforesaid description that the bars F G F' F' g', the upper frame, H, carrying' the seats I J, and the two pairs of treadle-levers K K L L are connected in a manner to cause them all as one structure to swing laterally of the machine and upon the bolt or pivot-pin c3 in the transverse frame E as a center of motion. The upper and lower edges or faces of the frame E at its center are curved upon arcs of circles struck from the fulcrum or pivot c3 as a center; hence the seatframe Il and the lower lever-carriage may be guided and stayed by movement on the frame E, and this is accomplished in the preferred manner by fitting rollers II' II2 onto axle-pins held to the seat-frame and lever-carriage, respectively, said rollers running on the opposite upper and lower parts, c c', of the frame E and 'fit/tinel this frame in a manner to prevent forward and backward movements of the entire seat and lever-carriage structure. This lateral motion of the seat-carriage I-I gives a lateral balance to the machine and always causes the front and rear seats, l J, on said frame to maintain a true level to enable the riders to firmly keep their places when the machine is running on sloping side-hill roads and when the axles A B are adjust-ed to cause the wheels connected to them to run with practically plumb tires, and as hereinafter more fully explained. This feature of giving a lateral motion to the seat-frame H on t-he transversely-ran ng portion E of the machine frame is important independently of any connection of the seat-:frame with the axles A B of the machine, but as a further and important improvement I have connected the seatframe with the axles in a manner to cause this frame and its seats to be shifted automatically as the axles are vertically adjusted at their inner ends, and as next described.

To the under side of the seat-frame H, at its center, and at opposite faces of the frame E, are lfixed a pair of brackets, h, at the angles of which is journaled a shaft, on, on which is vfixed a couple of chain-wheels, M,

between which, on theshaft, is also fixed atoothed wheel or pinion, N, which meshes with a rack, fn, fixed to the under side of the top bar, e, ot' the frame E, On the chainwheels M are placed a couple of chains or link belts, 0, which hang' down-one at each side of the frame-bars E E2-and are connected at their opposite ends by links o with pins o' on the front and 'rear faces or sides of the inner blocks, A3 B, of the axles A B. These pins o' are counterparts of the pins (t l) on the front and rear sides of the outer end blocks, A2 B2, of the axles. It is obvious that as one of the axles A B is lowered at its inner end and draws on the chain O the other of the axles will bc raised at its inner end, and at the same time the scat-frame Il and its seats I ,I will be shifted laterally in a direction away from the outer end of the lowered axle and toward the outer end of the raised axle, the lower lever-carriage structure being' simultaneously shifted laterally in a direction opposite to the lateral movement of the seat-carriage. rlhis raisingI and lowering of IIO ` frame E.

the inner ends of the axles is accomplishedby pressure oi. both the riders on the seats I .I upon their treadles at the side next the axle to be lowered, and as hereinafter more fully explained.

Provision is made for locking the seat -f rame Il, and consequently the lower lever-car riage also, at any desired lateral adjustment by means oi" a pa'wl or dog,P,which is pivoted en a pin, p, set in the Vtrame ll', and is normally pressed by a spring, lp', interposed between it and one ot' the cross bars or braces h 7L' ofl said frame. The spring' presses the pawl into any one otA a series of notches of a rack, p2, made in the top ot the transverse A rod or cord, l", connected to thc pawl I), extends :Forward within reach of the i rider on the front seat, I, who by pulling` the rod will d isengage the pawl troni the frame E when the axles are to be adjusted by pressure on the treadles. The arrangement ot this locking-pawl and its operating-rod is shown clearly in Figs. 3 and a of the drawings.

I will next particularly describe the t'ront and rearsteering-wheels, C' D', and their (olinections with thc machine traine and the steeringa'od device and seat-spring,as follows: These wheels are jliiurnalcd on axles titted in the 'forked ends c d of bars C D, connected to a universal joint, R, of peculiar construction,

and shown most clearly in Figs. S and E) of y the drawings. 'lhe :'tdjziceutupper inner ends of the bars D are i'orked at r" d', respect ively, and within these rforks and on pins ci d2, ranging transversely ot the bars t l), are pivoted the outer parts or bosses, yr' r2, oi two y joint-pie es, R' R", said piece R2 being' t'orked to recen the boss or outer part, r, oit' the p ieee R', and a pin, r,which normally ranges transversely ol" the machine, passes through the forked outer part ot' the piece R2 and the part r3 of the piece R' to connect these two joint-pieces. llvhen the wheels C' D' are running` straight ahead, the forked ends c' d' of the bars C D stand in vertical plane,=

and the pivots c2 (P then rangedirectly downward and inward toward each other at labout right angles, and the transverse pin r is about level.

To this pin l' is also connected the rear t'ork ed end, s, of a bar or rod,

Ytlex the universal joint R either way to cause i the wheel-bars D to be turned axially tor simultaneously turning' the front and rear wheels7 (l' D', to guide the veh'ieipede to either side. When the right-hand handle s? of the steering-bar is depressed, the transverse pin 1' of the universal joint R will be inclined downward toward the right hand,

and the wheel-bars C D will be turned axially and, swung toward the right hand at their outer ends to turn the wheels C' D' bodily or to incline their faces at greater or less angle with each other for turning the machine toward the right hand in any desired longer or shorter curve, and when the machine 'is to be guided to the l ett h and the left-h an d steeringbar handle s? will bc depressed to cause the wheels C' D' t-o swing,l over toward each other at the lett-hand side ot' thc vehicle for turningl the machine to the lett in a longer or shorter curve, which will depend on the extent to which the handle s2 is depressed.

- The bar S turns axially in the collar S', heldbetwccn a slnnilder, si", on the bar and a pin, s", in the bar, as will most clearly be seen in Vllig. QI ol'l the drawings.

The extremities oil' the steering-wheel bars C D are connected or stayed to opposite end portions otl the transverse frame E by four chains, T, which remain taut when the inachinc is movin g straight ahead or is steered to either side, and will Atlex at one side or the other only when the wheels C D are turned while the machine is at aI standstill.

A spring, T', is iixcd at its ffjnfwardV end to the under side and iroi'it part. of the center seat-frame, Il, and thence is bent downward and rearward and is connected to a collar, which `is iitted loosely upon the steering-bar S, thus allowing;4 said bar to turn axially in the sprine'wollar V/r while the rider is steering the vehicle. This spring' 'Il' has excellent etvfeet in balancing' the machine and in taking' up the jars 'incident to the travel ot thc wheels (1' D' over inequalities ot.' the road, and almost wholly prevents these jars being' conimunicated to the trame l'l and the seats I J, thus promoting' the coint'ort ot the riders on these seats.

A couple of brake-shoes or plates, CA2 D2, are iixed to elastic arms c d3, held, respectively, to the bars C D. These plates C2 D2 normally stand above the steering-wheels C' D', and are in. convenient reach of the Jfeet of the riders on the seats I J, respectively, who may at any time press the brakes to the wheels to slow up or stop the vehicle.

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l show the velocipelile provided with two opposite side seats, I' J', supported by metal standards or plates ij, respectively., troni the trame-plates ai; b ot the axles A lil, respect ively, and immediately' over the transverse trame E ot' the vehicle. These side seats are more especially intended For ladies use, who may ride as passeng'l-n's only, while the machine will be propelled by gearing' operated t'roln the treadles K L, driven by theriders on the front and rearseats, I J; but I have provided pairs of treadle-levers K' L', to be operated by persons on the side seats,l' J',who will also operate pairs ot hand-levers K2 L2, to assist in lin'opelling the vehicle, in a manner lpresently explained. It will be noticed that as the side seats, I' J', are supported tixedly from the axlesA B, said seats will be raised or lowered with the axles; butthey will always maintain nearly the same positions relatively to theeenter, front, and rear seats, Iand J. In other words, the seats I .I will move either to the right or left hand, as the seats I .l move in the same direction on the frame E; but one of the side seats will be slightly raised while the other side seat is lowered a little.

I will next describe the mechanism operated by the treadle and hand levers for propelling the vehicle. This mechanism consists of clutch-pulleys held to the axles A B and connected to the levers by straps. There are four sets of these clutch-pulleys, or eight in all, and each pulley is connected to one of the levers. As the clutch-pulleys all embody the same principles of constructioinl will particu] arly describe one of them, with simple modifications, and as shown most clearly in Figs. l5 to 2O of the drawings, reference being first more especially made to Figs. l5 to IS, inclusive.

To the wheel-shaft A* islixed by a key or otherwise an arm, U, which is provided at its outer end with a notch, u, adapted to receive a pawl or pin, U', which ranges transversely to the arm or parallel with the clutch shaft or support, and is adapted to enter or lock with a circular rack, U 2, which is fixed to the inner faceiot' a ring, U, which is fixed to the periphcries of two disk-plates, U'l U4, which are fitted for free rotation on the shaft A", one at each face or side of the arm U, which is fixed to the shaft and rotates it when a strap, U 5, fixed at one end at u to the pulley ring or rim U3 and at the other end to one of the treadlo or hand levers, is drawn upon by depressing the lever.

The clutch-pawl may be round in cross-section to lit a rounded recess, u, in the end of the arm vU and rounded notches in the rack U2, as shown in Figs. 15 and 16; or the pawl may be angular in cross-section to fit an angular recess, n, in the end of the arm U and angular notches in the rack U2, as shown in Figs. I7 and .i8 of the drawings.

The ends of the clutch-pawl li" project from each side ol the arm l', which carries it, and onto these projecting ends of the pawl are fitted a couple of caps, It u', which are adapted for ifrielional contact with the inner faces of the opposite disk-plaies Ul of the device. Springs u1, or any suitable elastic substance interposed between the caps and the ends of the clutch-pawl, normally force the caps outward against the disk-plates. lith this construction it is obvious that the clutch-strap U is pulled downward by the foot-lever the rim U and the disk-plates U'L of the clutch will be rotated on the shaft A4 in the direction of the arrows in Figs. l5 and 17 of the drawings, and the friction of the disk-plates on the pawl-caps u will carry the pawl forward from the base of its notch u and into engagement with. the clutch-rack U2, which will cause the pawl to engage the arm U and rotate the wheel-shaft A, and on the return or reverse motion Vof the cluteh-rim and disk-plates the plates will, by their friction on the pawl-caps, carry the pawl around and farther into the notch u, and thereby disengage it from the clutch-rack U2 and allow the backward rotation of the clutch to wind the strap A5 onto it again and without effect on the wheel-shaft. This principle of operation of the clutch-pawl by the friction on its end or end caps of the disk-plate U"l is availed of in the modiiied form of clutch shown in Figs. 19 and 20 ot' t-he drawings. The pawls U U ot this clutch are iitted in larger notches or recesses, u, formed partly in or against diametrically-opposite radial extensions, u?, of the clutch-arm U, keyed to the wheel-shaft A4, and each of thepawls is fitted at itsinner end against a steel thrust-receiving pin, ui, held at the base of the arm-recess a. The free or outer end of each pawlUG is provided with laterally-extending pins, on which are iitted caps u', provided with springs a2, forcing the caps outward against the faces of the two disk-plates U4. The disk-plates, the rim, and the rack are arranged in this clutch like similar vparts of the other clutches, and the operation of the pawls U by the friction of the dislvplates UA1 is in all respects similar to that above described for the pawls U. There may be but one, 0r two or more, of the operating-pawls in each clutch.

The clutch-pawl or detent maybe operated without the friction devices on its ends to bear against the opposite parallel plates Ux U4, provided these plates be fitted sufficiently close to the ends of the pawl and a little oil be used thereat; but the use of some springpressed friction device at the ends of the pawl is preferred in practice to accommodate possible irregularities or lack of parallelism of the two disk-plates which actuate the pawl. I make special mention of the broad substantial bearings of the clutch-rim directly on the drivingshaft, which secures a very durable construction not attained in other clutches of this character, together with the operation of the pawl by the two dislcplates working one at each end of the pawl as they shift the pawl promptly and positively and squarely out ward or inward for its entire length without requiring guides for the pawl other than the one face upon which it rests in the arm notch or recess, and friction-rings, cog-wheels, and costly guides are dispensed with; and the one very light and inexpensive pawl fitted to an easily-formed seat meets every requirement and reduces the friction to a minimum, thus promoting the effective operation and durability of the entire clutch, which may be manufactured at a greatly-reduced cost as compared with other devices of this general character.

The straps U5 of the two inner clutches are attached at their lower ends to the two front treadle-levers, K K, and to these straps are connected the opposite ends of a rope orcord,

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K2, which at its center portion runsbeneatha groovcd pulley, K4, journaled on the framebar G, and whereby as one of the two treadlelevers K is lowered by the rider on the seat I the other of the two levers will be raised into position for the next depression to continue the rotation of the wheel-shafts Al B4, one ot' the two clutches being fitted on each of the shafts next the inner blocks, A2 Il, of the axles A B, respectively, all as will be understood most clearly :from Fig. 2 of the drawings.

It will be noticed that the arrangement of the clutches, their cord K, and the pulley K", with the treadle-l evers K K, materially assists in steadying the inner ends ot` the axles, however they may be adjusted to plumb their wheels on laterally-sloping or uneven roads, and the pulley K'l and cord K, with the clutches, are especially valuable (independently of their function of reversing the clutch pulleys and levers) for steadying the inn er ends of the axles while eoastingf at which timeboth levers K K will be held about level by the front rider.

The straps AU"l of the two clutches on the wheel-shafts AA1 B", next to and outside of the clutches connected to the levers K, are connected to the levers L L, operated bythe rider on the rear seat, J. l propose to cause thereverse or upward movement of these levers L by a coiled spring, U7, fitted at the outside face of one of the clutch disk-plates and connected at opposite ends to the wheel-shaft and the riin of the clutch, and as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings; butthese two clutches or their straps may be iitted with a reverse cord or rope running beneath a large grooved pulley journaled on the saine shat' t with the pulley K4, as will readily be understood.

I particularly describe the arrangement of the treadle-levers K L and the hand-levers K2 L2, operated by the riders on the side seats, I J, as follows, and with more special reference to Figs. l, 2, 3, 5, ti, and ll of the dravings: To tlieupper and lower bars, a b2, of the axles A B are held two light strong metal frames, Y, one to each axle, and each consisting oi a pair of three-sided bars, yif r, fixed at their forward extremities to the lupper and lower bars, uibigof the axles, and connected at their rear upper and lower angles by shafts r r2, which are preferably held by nuts and form the fuleruins of the foot-leW-.ns K L and hand-levers K2 L2. The right and left hand pairs of levers, K K2 and l. L2, a re provided. with internieshing toothed sectors `r rl, respectively; hence while each 'of the treadlelevers K L is lowered b v the foot of the rider the intergeared hand-lever K2 or L2 may be forcibly raised b v the grasp of the riders hand, who draws the lever toward him, and both 'foot and hand power may thus be advantageously exerted for powerful propelling effect on .the vehicle. The pairs ol' clutches operated by these pairs of hand and foot levers are lnei'erably connected to the levers by straps lV IV, to which or to the clutches they turn are also fixed the opposite ends of a cord or rope, -Wwhieh runs beneath. a guidepulley, NVB, j ournaled to the lower end of the seat-support i or j or to the :frame-bar a3 or b3, (see 2, 5, and 6 of the drawings) and whereby one of each pair of the foot and hand levers are moving on their effective strokes the other of each pair of the levers at each side of the vehicle will be given reverse niovemen ts, ready for their nexteffective strokes, and in substantially the same inanner as the main foot-levers K K are reversed by the cord K3, as above described.

Instead of using the toothed sectors t2 fr, I may provide the hand and foot levers with bent end parts e5 yr and connect the opposite ends of a strap, V', at rl, to the levers near their fulcruins, as shown in Fig.. l2 of the drawings, and whereby the hand. and foot levers of each pair will be operated simultaneously, in a manner siibstantially as above described, when tlie levers are connected by the toothed sectors, one of these constructions being a substantial equivalent of the other.

lVhen the hand-levers K2 L2 are not to be used, I will employ instead of the rectangularformed three-sided frames V a frame, X, consisting of two angular or shaped side parts, rc, provided with or connected at their angles by a shaft or rod, fc', onto which the foot or treadle levers are fulcrunied, the extremities of these parts a' being fixed to the axle-traine bars CL3 or b3, and as will be understood from Figs. 13 and le of the drawings. The clutches on the wheel-shafts AVL B4, and to which the levers K K2 and L L2 are connected, may be provided with springs to assure the return of each of the levers to position for the next effective stroke, substantiallyT as above described for the clutches operated by the rear treadle-levers, L; but l prefer to use the reversing cords IV', with the levers operated by the persons on the side seats, I J', substantially as shown and above described.

I would here state that the arrangement of the reverse-pulleys Kl W2 and their cords K3 IV', respectively, with the clutch-straps and clutches operated by the riders on the front seat, I, and the two side seats, l .l, is iniportant, in that it allows the foot-plates of the treadle-levers counetifted in pairs by these reverse pulleys and cords to be utilized as Afootrests, because when like pressure is lnfought upon the treadles ojlficrated by boih feet of each rider on these three seats the levers will. remain at rest, and the haiiid-levers K2 L2, also being at rest, will afford a iirni hold for tiniid ladies riding on the side seats of the vehicle. There is no special need of the clutches operated by the rear foot-levers, L, being connected by a reverse pulley-and-cord device, as there is ample opportun ity for the rider on. the rear seat, .I, to tind foot-rests on the frame of the inachiile without utilizing the treadles of the'levers L for the purpose.

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machine a brief general statement of its operation will suffice, as li'ollows: When the mak chine is `ruiming straight ahead and on a road which is comparatively level transversely, the seat-frame Il and seats I J will be about level and at the transverse center of the frame E, and the two axles A B will also be about level or in alignment, all as shown in Fig. 2 ot' the drawings. Should the machine run onto a road which slopes toward the right hand, or should the right-hand drivin g-wheel, A, run into a rut or gutter, this would throw the right-h and side of the machine down and incline the riders seats I J that way, and also throw the lwheeltires out of plumb, thus making it uncomfortable for the riders and bringing damaging strains on the wheels and other parts of the vehicle. All these hurtful tendencies may be almost instantlj7 corrected by the riders en the seats I J, both bearing down at once on the right-hand treadle-levers, K L, which will bring the axles A B into level positions independently of each other and set their wheels A I3 again on plumb-tires, and, through the medium of the chains O and the gearing M N n, the seat-frame H and its seats I JV will be carried over on the transverse frame E toward the left hand and will again stand level transversely, the side seats, I J, then also moving toward the left hand, while the lower lever-carriage portion of the machine moves on the frame E toward the right hand, the direction of movement of these several parts being indicated bythe arrows l in Fig. 2 of the drawings. It will be understood that when these movements are to be given the machine the rod P will iirst be drawn upon by the rider on the front seat, I, to disengage the pawl P from the rack ,p2 on the frame E, and when the adjustments are completed the pawl will again be permitted to engage the rack to lock the parts 'in their new positions. Usually the riders on the seats I J will operate the right-hand lever K and left-hand lever L and the left-hand lever K and right-hand lever L in pairs, siniultaneously, to bring force or pressure onto both axles A B at once; hence when the axles are to be shifted and the seats moved laterally, as above described, the front rider will simply change step and then disengage the pawl P trom the rack p2, and then press simultaneously with the rear rider on the treadle connected to the axle to be depressed. XV hen the left-hand axle, B, is lowered at the inner end, the machine will run easily on roads sloping toward the left hand, the laterally-movable parts then being shifted :in directions the reverse ot' those indicated by the arrows.

The velocipede is easily steered by the front rider on the seat I operating the steering--bar S2, as above described, and very short turns may be made, and when steering the vehicle the lateral motion of the seats, above described, may be availed oi to th row the weight toward the center of the curve, and thereby l overcome any tendency oi' the machine to upset when turned sharply to either side. The operation of the foot and hand levers by the riders on the two side seats, I J,.will be clearly understood from the aforesaid description, as also will be the operation ot the clutches on the wheel-shafts oi' the axles.

I am not limited to the use of all four seats and the propellinglevers operated by the riders thereon in so far as some of the important principles ol construction of my velocipede are concerned, as it is obvious that the side seats, I J', and the levers K K2 L L2 operated by the riders on said seats may be dispensed with, and the machine then would be a tandem vehicle or would have the trent and rear seats, I J, only; or either the front or rear seat, I or J, may be dispensed with, the two side seats then being retained to accommodate one man and two weinen, the steering-rod and connections and the seatframe spring then being arranged at the rear seat should it be retained instead of the front seat. Vith slight modilieations of the mechanism a single seat only may be used at the center of the frame to accommodate but one person; but I purpose making' the machine with either two, three, or 'four seats, as above described.

It will be noticed that the arrangement of the four wheels is such that the peculiar steering mechanism comprising the universal joint R and steering-rod and handle connected thereto and adapted to operate both wheel-bars C D simultaneously is easily accommodated, and there is no danger of the vehicle being upset either sidewise or forward or backward. Furthermore, the construction oi' the frame E F G and the connected seatframe vll' and lower lever-supports is such that all parts of the i rame brace each other in a manner to easily bear any strains to which the vehicle may be subjected. The frame not only presents a symmetrical appearance, but is very light, allowing a vehicle accommodating four persons to be built in iirst-class style and weigh but one hundred and fifty pounds; hence, having but little dead weight in itself to be overcome by operation of the treadles and hand-levers, a maximum speed of the vehicle is attained with minimum eltort on the part of the riders.

IIaving thus fully. described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a velocipede, the main frame constructed with a transversely-ranging frame, E, supported by lthe driving-wheel axle or axles, and bars F G, connected to said frame E and extending upward and forward and backward, respectively, to support an upper seat-frame, and said bars F Gr extended below to give support to the I ulcru ms of treadlelevers operated by riders on the upper seat- 'li"raine, substantially as herein set forth.

2. vIn a velocipede, the combination, with a IOO IIO

transversely-ranging frame, E, supported by the driving-wheel axle or axles, of a seat-supporting frame bar or bars pivotally connected to the iframe E for lateral movement thereon, and a lower carriage forming part of or connect-ed to the seat-supporting frame bar or bars and swinging therewith, treadle-lcvers ltulcrumed on said carriage, and mechanism connecting' said levers with the axle or axles ot' the machine, substantially as described, for the purposes set forth. i

3. In a velocipede, the combination, with the main :trame consisting;` of a :tran1e,F,supported by the driving-wheel axle or axles, a iframe bar or bars pivotally connected to the frame E lfor lateral swinging,l movement thereon, and a lower treadle-lever carriage forming part ot' or connected to the seat-supporting` frame bar or bars and swinging' therewith, ot anti-friction rollers H' H2 on the seatt' rame and lever-carriage, respectively, which move on the frame E and brace it :in vertical position transversely of the machine, substantially as herein et forth.

il. In a veloeipede, the combination, with a transversely-rangingl trame, E, supported by the driving-wheel axle or axles, of two bars, F G, pivoted to the frame E for lateral movement, a frame, Il, carryingI front and rear seats, I J, and supported on said bars F G, and stay-bars F' F', connected to the lower ends ot' the bars F (l, substantially as shown and described, whereby the laterally-movable trame F G F', while supporting the seats, will also 'furnish support for treadle-levers operated by the riders on said seats and connected to the driving-wheels tor propellingr the machine, as heroin set l'orth.

The combination, in a velocilrlef'le, ot' ai t' rame, two transversely-ranging axles pivoted l at or near their onter ends to said t'rame and guided lior vertical movement at their inner ends, shat'ts journaled to the trames or supports ot' said axles and earr \fing' d rving'- wh'eels at their outer ends, and eoninwtimis trom the inner ends otl said axles and in control olf the rider jl'or leveling' the axles on trailsvcrsely-sloping' or uneven roads, subst a ntially as herein set t'orth.

(. 'lhe combination, in a vehieipmle, ol' a vtransverselv-rane'ine' trame E a sean-trame l h i 7 snptnin'ttal {hert-kat, two axles, A li, pivoted at or near the ends ol" the trame VE and `guidetl l'orvertieal movementat their inner ends, rotating shatts A1B" in the axles A ll and earrying; driving-wheels A' l', a rack, n, on the 'rame E, a pulleyY and eear-whcnll, M h', journaled on the seat-trame, said gear-wheel engaging the rack n, and a chain or belt, t), on said pulleyand connected at opposite ends to the inner ends ot' the axles A l),substantially as described, At'or the purposes set lorth.

T. The (mmbiimtion, in a velocipede, ot.' a transversely-rangineA trame, lil, trame-lans F G, pivotetl thereon for lateral movement and adapted to support a seat-frame and extended below their pivot e3, stay-bars F F', connected to the lower ends of the bars F G and foriningI with them a lower carriage,- treadle-levers fulcrumed on said carriage, drivingwheels A supported on axles A B, pivotally connected. to the ends of the frame E, mechanism, substantiallyv as described, connected with the inner ends oit' both axles and adapted for leveling,l the axles, treadlle-levers t'ulcrumed on the lower trame-carriage, and mechanism connecting the driving' -wheel shafts with these levers, substantially as shown and described, wherebythe seat-frame and treadle-lever carriage will swing' laterall5v as the axles are leveled b v depressing the treadle-levers, as and tor the purposes set forth.

S. The combination, in a veloeipede, o'l a transversely-ranging frame, E, havin g a rack, n, front and rear diagonally-ranghig' bars, F G, pivoted on the :trame F. for lateral movement, a seat-frame, ll, supported on the bars F G, a pullev and gear-wheel, )l N, journaled on the lframe, said wheel N engagin the rack n, axles A B, pivoted at or near the ends ot' the :trame E and guided tor vertical movement at their inner ends, rotating shat'ts A" B in said axles and carrying driving-wheels A' 3', a chain or belt, O, on said pnlleyill and connected at opposite ends to t-he inner ends of the axles A B, and said Atrame-bars F (lr extended below their pivot et", bars F' F', connected to the bars F G and forming with them a lower carriage, treadle-levers fulcrumcd on said carriage, pulleys on the driving-wheel shafts or axles, and belts connecting said pulleys with thel treznlle-lcvers, substantially as described, tor the purposes set Vforth.

t). The eoml ination, in a veloeipede, and with a transversely-ranging t rame, E, a seatt'ramc, il', supptntel'l thereat t'or lateral movement, and dri ving-wheels suppoi p said frame and mounted in axles pivottal to the frame E and connected at their inner endsto a device tor hln-ding the axles, substantiall)v as specified, oE a latch device on the seatt'rame en ztging the trame E t`or lockingl the seat-trame at an)v desired lzfiteral adjustment, substantially as herein set lorth.

lll. ln a velocipede, the mnnbination, with the main trame supportasd by side drivingwheels, ot' liront and rear wheels, (,f' D', bars (l l), eonntafted to said wheels C', a steeringbar jointed to the bars t* l), and chains T, eonnectine the axles ot" the wheels C' AD' or their bars (l D with the axle oraxles of the main side driving-wheels, substantially as described, for the purlrioses set t'orth.

ll. ln a veloeipede, the etnnbinaton, with the main trame snppe'ntcd by side driving*- wheels, ot l'ront and rear wheels, C D', bars (l l), conneete'l to said wheels "ID', respectively, a universal joint eonneet ed to said bars, and an axially-movable steering-bar con- IOO nected to the universal joint and in control of the rider for flexing said joint and operating both wheels C' D' simultaneously in steering the vehicle, substantially as herein set forth.

l2. In a velocipcde, the cmnbination, with the main frame comprising a transverse frame, E, supported by side driving-wheels,

of front and rear frame-lmrs, F if, having a forked construction at their upper parts, front and rear wheels, C' D', bars (l D, connected to said wheels C' D', respectively, and passed through the forked parts of the bars I? G as guides, a universal jointcminected to thebars (l I), and an axially-nnlvablc steering-bar, S, connected tothe universal joint and in reach of the rider for .flexing said joint and operating both wheels E' D' sinniltaneously, as herein set forth.

13. In a vclocipede, the coml ination, with the main frame su ppmftml by driving-wheels, of front and rear wheels, D' bars (1D, connected to said wheels CVD', coupling-secti ms R' R2, connected pivotally at rand pivoted to the bars D by pins d2, ranging at right angles to the pivot r, and an axially-movable steering-bar, S, connected to the pivot lr and controllable by the rider, substantmflly as herein set forth.

i4. In a velocipede, the combination, with the main frame supportet'l by side drivingwheels and a seat-frame thereon, of front and rear wheels, (l' D', bars C D, connected to said wheels (1' D', respectively, a universal joint connected to said bars, an axially-movable steering-bar con nected to the universal joint and in control of therider, and aspring,

T', held at one end to the seat-frame and at its other end to the steering-bar, substantially as described, for the purposes set. forth.

l5. In a velocilwde, the combination, with the main frame supported by side drivingwheels and supporting a seat-frame, of front and rear wheels, (1' D', bars (l D, connected to said wheels (l' D', respectively, a universal joint connected to said bars, an axiallyanovable steering-bar, S, connected at one end to the universal joint and supported at its other end in a collar, S', held to the seat-frame, and in which collarthebarS has axial and lengthwise movement, substantially as described, for the purposes set forth.

lo. A velocipedc constructed with two short axles, cach supported pvotally at or near its outer end on a suitable frame and carrying a drivi11g-wheel, and the inner ends of said axles connectml to a device for leveling the axles, and side seats supported on said axles, substantiallyv as herein set forth.

I7. A vclocipede constructed with two short axles, each supported pivotally at or near its outer end on a suitable frame and carrying a driving-wheel, and the inner ends of said axles connected to a device for leveling the axles, side seats supported on the axles, pulleys on the driving-wheel shafts of the axles, and treadle-levers fulcrum ed on supports held to said axles and connected to the pulleys, substantially as herein set forth.

1S. In a velocipede, the combination, with a frame, an axle or axles, and driving-wheels thereon, of side seats mounted on the axle or axles, clutch-pulleys on the shafts of the dri ving-wheels, treadle-levers fulcrumed on the treadle-levers fulcrumed to said frames and provided with segmental gear r4, and handlevers, also fulerumed on the frames V, and having segmental gear r3, meshing with the gear irl', substantially as described, for the purposes set forth.

20. The combination, in a velocipede, of a transverselyqanging frame, E, a seat-frame supported thereat, two axles, A B, pivoted at or near the ends of the frame E and guided for vertical movement at their inner ends, rotating shafts A Bt, journaled to the frames of the axles A B and carrying driving-wheels A' B', and a pulley and belt device connected with the inner ends of both axles and adapted for leveling the axles on transversely-sloping or uneven roads, substantially as described, for the purposes set forth.

2l. The combination, in a velocipede, of a transversely-ranging frame, E, a seatframe supported thereat, two axles, A B, pivoted at the ends of the frame E and guided for vertical movement at their inner ends, rotating` shafts Al B in the axles A B and carrying driving-wheels A' 3', and mechanism, substantially as described, connecting the inner ends of the axles to the seat-frame, whereby as the axles areleveled the seat-frame will be shifted laterally on the main frame, as and for the purposes set forth.

22. In a velocipede, the combination, with a frame, two transversely-ranging axles pivoted at or near their outer ends to said frame and guided for vertical niovement at their inner ends, sha-tts journaled to the frames or supports of said axles and carrying drivingwheels at their outer ends, and connections from the inner ends of said axles and in controlV of the rider for leveling the axles, substantially as specified, of clutch-pulleys on the wheel-shafts, levers fulerumed on the frame or axles, and straps connecting the levers and clutch pulleys, a pulley journaled on the IOO IIO

frameald a Cord or belt running' on this pulsteady the inner ends of the driving-wheel ley and connected ayt opposite ends to the shafts and axles, as :md for purposes herein driving-Wheel clutch-pulleys, substantially as set forth.

shown and described, whereby the pair of CALVIN JACKSON. 5 clutch-pulleys and levers will be reversed by lvilwnesses: l

downstroke of 011e of the levers and the JOHN JACKSON,

elutell pulley and lever connections will L GEORGE M. JACKSON.

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