The generic tricycle, or three-wheeled velocipede, as used abroad, is
not likely to meet with general favor in this country.
In its steering arrangements and mode of propulsion, its construction
is similar to that of the bicycle. The rear wheels are large and light;
the fore wheel is smaller, and serves to guide the machine, being acted
upon by means of the steering bar or handle, which causes it to bend
in the direction indicated by the rider. The pedals are attached to
the front wheel, and are shaped like slippers, which facilitates the
movement of the legs, and at the same time admits of the feet being
disengaged simultaneously. The movement required to propel this machine
is a natural one, does not produce unusual fatigue, and is analogous to
that of walking.
The larger three-wheeled velocipedes have a lever which follows the
line of the eccentrics attached to the pedals, and fits on to the
axles. By assisting the movement of this lever, the speed of the
vehicle is considerably increased, and a simple pressure against it
checks the rotary motion of the wheel, and stops the progress of the
machine. This lever is, in fact, both a means of impulsion and a brake.
As this vehicle is chiefly patronized by the fair sex, the seat is more
commodious than that of the bicycle; having sides and back of wicker,
and a horse-hair cushion.
The tricycle is simply a hack, while the bicycle is a blooded horse
that fully demonstrates the “poetry of motion.” The tricycle is easier
to guide, and safer to ride than the two-wheeled machine; there is
however more friction, and its speed is much less rapid. It has, thus
far, been found impossible to construct a three-wheeler with the pedal
method of propulsion, that could compete with the bicycle in speed or
pleasure of driving. Large wheels are necessary for speed. If a guiding
wheel be applied to a tricycle of this kind large enough to run rapidly
on the road, and to counterbalance the size of the other wheels, it
would be unsteady of motion; the rider would be apt to be thrown
headlong at any jar, and the whole machine would be rendered unsafe.
Many of the larger manufacturers have built the tricycle to some
extent. Most of them have discontinued their make, finding it
unprofitable, and that the machine gave but little satisfaction.
The Bradford Brothers of New York City obtained a patent, and entered
largely into the business, at considerable expense. They, however,
soon stopped the manufacture, and gave exclusive attention to their
four-wheeled machines. The three-wheeled velocipedes of Messrs. Kimball
Brothers, Boston, seem to be as popular as any in the market; but the
sale is mostly local, and but few of them are manufactured.
Various inventors have endeavored to obtain power, by additions to the
gearings, in the shape of spring wheels and levers, but with little
success. Others have applied the principle of the crank to be turned by
the hand, using the hand for steering purposes.
Mr. Wm. H. Hall, of Boston, Mass., has invented a tricycle, which is
impelled by a crank, acting upon a small wheel, connected to another by
an endless pulley. Every revolution of the crank turns the wheels of
the machine once. This machine has not yet been fairly tested.
A mechanic in Indiana also claims to have invented a machine very
similar in construction to this of Mr. Hall’s.
Messrs. Forbes & Sears of New Bedford, Mass., have invented a machine
with two hind wheels running only about five inches apart. It is
claimed that the hind wheels are so near together as to run practically
as one wheel; and yet the rider can stop the vehicle and maintain his
equilibrium.
Messrs. Topliff & Ely of Eleria, Ohio, patented February 23d, 1869, a
tricycle, in which, by a simple movement of a lever, the rear wheels
can be run into one, and the vehicle instantaneously changed into a
bicycle.
A gentleman of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., has invented a machine, in which
both the hind wheels are drivers instead of the forward one. They
are fastened on independent axles meeting in the centre, connected
by a novel arrangement of gearing, so that either wheel can stand
as a pivotal point, and the other be driven round it very swiftly.
The inventor states that it will turn in less space than any other
velocipede.
Mr. John Tremper, of Wilmington, Del., has designed and patented a
tricycle in which the front wheel is the driver as usual; but placed so
closely to the axle of the hind wheels, as to give almost as complete
command over the motions of the machine, in turning corners, as the
two-wheeled velocipede.
“The Bennet Velocipede” is characterized by a driving wheel four feet
in diameter, and two guiding wheels behind, each about a foot in
diameter.
“Samuels’ Velocipede” has also a large driving wheel, with small
guiding wheels behind. This machine is propelled by hand cranks,
connected with corresponding cranks in the driving wheel shaft. The
feet are used for steering. The inventor claims that this machine
will run twenty-five miles an hour on a level road. A New Yorker has
invented a machine for ladies, which he has placed on exhibition at
Pearsall Riding School. The pedals are applied to the rear wheels, and
the small wheel in front is guided by a rod, passing back to the hand
of the lady occupying the seat.
One or two of the novel tricycles, modeled upon new principles, have
proved decided successes.
A gentleman of Ypsilanti, Mich., has invented one that he claims to
have ridden from that place to Detroit, a distance of twenty-eight
miles, in two hours and forty-eight minutes; and to have made a mile
in Ypsilanti in two minutes and thirty seconds. The wheels of this
machine are forty-two inches in diameter, and are propelled by means of
a double hand crank, no treadles being used. On each side of the hub of
the forward wheel, is a grooved pulley; and attached to the straight
portion of the crank are two more pulleys, the four being connected by
belts. At each revolution of the pulleys, the vehicle is propelled a
distance of sixteen and a half feet; and when an ordinary rate of speed
is attained, it runs quite easily. Its weight is forty-nine pounds, and
the inventor claims that it will sustain two hundred pounds without
danger of collapsing. It can be run on ordinary carriage roads, with
comparative ease.
Samuel Marden of Newton Corner, Mass., has lately commenced the
manufacture of a three-wheeled velocipede for which he obtained a
patent in February, 1868. He calls his machine “a mechanical horse;”
it is propelled _by the weight of the rider_, and by friction. It
has neither treadles, cranks, or guiding arms. The rider rises in
his stirrups as on a trotting horse. The saddle is so arranged that
the pressure upon it revolves a gearing wheel, which acts upon a
small one connected with the axle of the rear wheel; these wheels are
thus made to turn very rapidly. It will be seen that this velocipede
is constructed upon an entirely new principle. It is claimed that
it can be driven upon the road, at the rate of from ten to fifteen
miles an hour. This machine can be used by ladies, with a side-saddle
arrangement. Its price is $125. Mr. Marden’s velocipede has been
tested, and we think he has a fortune in his invention. He has more
orders than he can fill, and is prepared to sell State, county, and
town rights.