The claim could have been greatly improved by including the whip D and female E in the combination; at least, it is certain that these two elements would be needful. Two twenty-five pound dogs would hardly tread-mill a hundred-pound vehicle and a hundred-and-fifty-pound female up some of the Baltimore hills.
J. L. Hornig, of Jersey City. Velocipede. No. 191,145. Patented May 22, 1877.
HORNIG SPECIFICATION.
“The saddle I may be made adjustable longitudinally on the balance-beam E, or it may be made to slide thereon longitudinally.
“A hand-lever, K, pivoted to the reach, and connected with the crank g, serves to throw the crank off the centre in starting the vehicle.
“The saddle I may be a side-saddle for ladies’ use, and two removable saddles may be provided for a single vehicle, one of which may be a side-saddle, and in this way a single velocipede may be used either by a gentleman or lady, or by boys and girls.
“The operation of the invention is as follows: The rider throws his weight alternately on the treadle and on the seat, rising on his feet when throwing his weight on the treadle, and lowering himself upon the saddle again, as in riding a galloping horse. In this way the entire weight of the body is utilized, both in rising and falling, to propel the vehicle, the muscles being used in a far more advantageous manner, and furnishing a much more healthful exercise than in the propulsion of a velocipede by the use of first one foot and then the other in the highly-disadvantageous method of applying muscular power heretofore employed.”
Good for Mr. Hornig! But he will have to get his galloping velocipede on the market pretty soon or his patent will expire.
