Tremper's Three-Wheeled Velocipede

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The velocipede mania seems to possess all classes, and our inventors are not slow in replying to the demands made upon their ingenuity by improving and perfecting the new vehicle. The one herewith illustrated appears to be simple enough to be built cheaply, safe enough to commend itself to beginners, swift enough to suit the daring, and convenient enough to incut the demands of short and tall, obese and lean, young and old. It is a three-wheeled affair, the front wheel being the driver, an usual, but placed so closely to the axle of the hind wheel s as to give as complete command over the motions of the machine in turning corners as the two-wheeled velocipede. From the axle of the hind wheels rises a bow-shaped brace, to which is bolted one end of the reach, which is of two parallel pieces of wood, bolted together and embracimg between them an upright standard, or pipe, terminating in a forked brace in which the driving wheel turns, and having directly over the wheels rim, where the forked braces unite, a brake-shoe, or pad. The weight of the driving wheel and part of that of the rider are sustained by a spiral spring, as seen, which serves as a buffer in passing over obstacles. The steering bar—a prolongation of the forked brace—passes up through the hollow standard and is furnished with handles, as usual, on the top. The seat or saddle is sustained by two cast-steel springs secured to the front of the reach by means of a cross strap, or block, and bolt, so that it is easily adjusted further front or rear. So the upright tube may be adjusted in the reach to suit the length of legs or arms of the rider. This velocipede was designed by John Tremper, who may be addressed at Wilmington, Del.

Scientific American Magazine Vol 20 Issue 10This article was published with the title “Tremper's Three-Wheeled Velocipede” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 20 No. 10 (), p. 149
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican03061869-149

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