On this day in 1882 Edouard Carl Friedrich Otto was granted the patent for TRICYCLE. U.S. Patent No. 252,504.
This invention relates to improvements in tricycles; and it consists in furnishing a tricycle with two driving-wheels, which at the same time form the steering-wheels of the machine, while the third wheel, serves only to steady same without acting as a guiding-wheel, which is a perfectly novel feature. By this improved construction going uphill is rendered far more easy, as the two driving-wheels have a better hold or bite of the ground, while the third wheel voluntarily assumes and remains in the proper position to the driving-wheels.
The frame-work of the machine has two connecting rods to which a treadle-crank axle is so attached that it moves freely up and down with sliding boxes within which it rotates. Two treadle-pulleys are firmly attached to the ends of treadle-crank axle, which transmit power by endless chains or hands to two corresponding pulleys firmly attached to the driving-wheels, and thus immediately the treadle-crank is actuated to impart motion to the vehicle. The sliding boxes are attached to steering-rods actuated by steering-handles and brake-levers conveniently placed on either side. Thus the rider can lift either axle-box separately, together with its corresponding treadle-pulley, such upward movement slackening the chain or its equivalent, and allowing corresponding brake placed under corresponding driving-pulley, to press against corresponding driving-wheel, thereby retarding or arresting motion, as desired.
