“The nature of my invention relates to an improved method of constructing velocipedes, whereby the propelling-power is communicated to the hind wheel by means of cranks and shafts, or pitman-rods, the latter being connected at their forward ends with levers, that are worked with the feet.
“What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is,—
“The velocipede, in which the brace W is secured to the front part of the reach forming part of the bearing for the vertical shaft U, and supports for the pendent levers L, L, secured to the brace, one on each side, in combination with rods P, P, connected with cranks N, and attached to the pendent levers L, L, by means of pivots, all combined as herein shown and described.
“Samuel F. Estell.”
This is almost an exact copy of the Dalzell contrivance, alleged to have been made in 1845–46. The greatest fault in this system consists in the direction of application of power, being a forward thrust instead of a downward. The machine has merit, however; and should have been heard from in the early days of cycling.
“VELOX.”
A. Christian and J. Reinhart. Velocipede. No. 87,245. Patented February 23, 1869.
REMARKS ON PATENT TO CHRISTIAN AND REINHART. VELOCIPEDE.
This drawing is a fine illustration of the practice of draughtsmen, in which they essay to impress upon the office and the public, by means of their deft pencils, the miraculous speed and easy locomotion attainable in their clients’ devices.
This drawing has always been an amusing one to me, a bright spot in the tedious work of going through the patent files. Some wag of the office, having been similarly struck with the humor of this picture, embossed beneath the principal figure, in a large bold hand, the simple word “VELOX.” Now, I never happened to have a lexicon at hand in which to look up the exact meaning of the word, but I did not, for one moment, doubt its appropriateness. There seemed to be something in the word that carried conviction with it; if it did not mean anything pertinent to the subject, there was always a feeling that it ought to. In scanning patent drawings, in this art, I always turned “Velox” down so that when wearied by the toil of research, I could turn over the papers and smile at “Velox.”