“By this means the track is laid in front of the wheels, and passes over from the rear of the same in an endless belt, as shown.
“The guide-rails G are supported above the traction-wheels, by means of arms e, as shown, and prevent the jointed track from leaving the flanges.
“When a level pavement is available, or the ordinary road is of sufficient evenness, the jointed track may be dispensed with, and the traction-wheels used directly upon the ground or pavement.
“In this case the flanges B, being disks of sheet metal, attached by means of bolts to the traction-wheels, are readily removed.”
Mr. Gleason was determined to prevent slipping of the wheels in climbing hills, and probably succeeded. We have not seen any of the machines on the market, but they are, no doubt, all right. The draughtsman did well to show the rider with his coat off; the work would in all probability keep him warm enough.
T. Rhoads. Velocipede. No. 76,814. Patented April 14, 1868.
“UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.
“THOMAS RHOADS, OF FISKILWA, ILLINOIS. IMPROVEMENT IN PROPELLING VEHICLES.
“This invention relates to the propelling of vehicles for practical use, and consists of the spring and wheel-work mechanism attached thereto, as will be set forth in the following.