GB320474A - Improvements in and relating to horse and like velocipedes for children - Google Patents

Abstract

320,474. Bower, W. Aug. 31, 1928. Weight of rider, propelling by.-In horse and like velocipedes of the type in which propulsion is effected by means of an up-and-down movement of the saddle or seat acting through rack and-pinion mechanism, the rack teeth are so disposed that when the rack is in its uppermost position it is out of engagement with the pinion, so that the vehicle may be freely wheeled backwards and forwards when no load is on the saddle. The vertical movement of he saddle 13 is guided by a rack bar 7 and rods 16, 17 passing through guides 4, 18, 19 on the body part 1, the upward movement being effected by coil springs around the rods 16, 17, when the rider transfers his weight to foot rests or stirrups 24. The saddle 13 is carried by a movable canopy 14 connected to the neck by flexible material 15 resembling a mane. The rack 7 engages a pinion on a transverse shaft 5 carrying a sprocket wheel 8 actuating a chain 9 passing around guide wheels 10, 11 to a free-wheel sprocket 12 on the shaft of the rear wheels. When the rack 7 is in its uppermost position, its teeth are clear of the pinion, which can thus rotate freely when the vehicle is wheeled backwards or forwards. The lowest tooth on the rack is cut away on its underside to facilitate re-engagement with the pinion. The rigid foot-rests on stirrups 24 are secured to the body 1 by screws 25, and are provided with a series of holes for adjusting their height. In a modification, the rack is of arcuate form, and the pinion is of the free-wheel type and mounted direct on the driving shaft, the rack being rigidly secured to one end of a rocking arm, to the other end of which the saddle is pivotally connected either directly or through a link frame.