The patent by George T. Sampson of Dayton, Ohio, describes a Sled-Propeller (Patent No. 312,388, 1885). The invention is a propelling device that adapts the frame of a well-known tricycle to function as a sled, driven by a ground-engaging wheel.
Inventor Background: George T. Sampson
George T. Sampson (1838–1911) was a notable African-American inventor and businessman whose work focused on practical mechanical devices and safety technology. Although the Sled Propeller is one of his notable patents, he is best known for his later, widely utilized invention related to clothing management.2
Key Details and Inventions
- Residence: Sampson resided in Dayton, Ohio, when he filed the patent for the Sled Propeller in 1885.3
- Sled Propeller (U.S. Patent No. 312,388, 1885): This invention demonstrated mechanical ingenuity by converting a standard tricycle frame and pedal mechanism into a sled propelled by a central, roughened traction wheel for use on snow and ice.
- The Clothes-Drier Patent (U.S. Patent No. 636,141, 1899): Sampson’s most commercially significant patent was for an automatic clothes drier . His design was a spring-operated rack that simplified the process of drying clothes indoors or outdoors.
Later Career and Legacy
- Businessman: Sampson was also an entrepreneur.4 Records indicate he was the proprietor of a barbershop and bathhouse in Dayton, Ohio, a business that served as his primary occupation and provided the financial foundation for his inventive pursuits.
- Civil Rights: He was involved in the local Black community in Dayton and was active in civil rights efforts, including challenging racial segregation in public spaces.
George T. Sampson’s career illustrates how inventors often apply their mechanical skills to solve problems across diverse fields, from recreational transport to domestic utility.
Invention and Mechanism (Simplified)
The device is essentially a pedal-powered sled that uses a central, spiked wheel to drive the vehicle forward over snow or ice.
- Frame Conversion:
- The core is a standard tricycle-frame (A).
- Instead of the usual wheels, runners (C) are attached to the front and rear spindles of the frame. This converts the tricycle structure into a sled.
- Steering/Guiding:
- The central forward runner ($C’$) is attached to a vertical spindle. This spindle is connected to a segmental rack (J).
- A pinion (I) engages the rack, and a handle (L) is attached to the pinion.
- Function: Turning the handle (L) rotates the central runner ($C’$), allowing the operator to guide the sled .
- Propulsion System (Key Innovation):
- A separate, smaller frame ($A’$) is pivoted to the rear of the main frame (A). This frame supports the ground or driving wheel (B).
- Chain Drive: The driving wheel’s axle is connected by an endless chain (G) to the pulley (E) on the treadle or crank-shaft (D) (the pedals).
- Function: The occupants operate the crank-shaft with their feet, causing the ground-wheel (B) to rotate. The wheel’s tire is roughened (lugged or spiked) to ensure sufficient friction on snow or ice, propelling the vehicle forward.
Concepts Influenced by This Invention
Sampson’s Sled Propeller influenced subsequent vehicle design by demonstrating effective adaptation of wheeled kinematics to sled dynamics and the use of traction wheels on low-friction surfaces.
- Adaptation of Standard Drivetrains: The core idea of taking a standard, mass-produced drivetrain mechanism (crank, chain, and pedals) and adapting it to a specialized, seasonal vehicle (a sled) influenced later designs for amphibious, snow, and off-road vehicles.
- Active Traction on Snow/Ice: The use of a small, centralized, roughened ground-wheel (B) as the sole means of propulsion for a sled influenced the development of traction-assistance devices and specialized wheels for low-friction environments (like early snowmobiles or all-terrain bicycles).
- Rack-and-Pinion Steering: The use of a segmental rack (J) and pinion (I) connected to a steerable runner for precise guidance influenced the design of various light vehicles and steering mechanisms requiring a controlled turning radius.
- Recreational Vehicle Innovation: The invention represents a distinct, early example of recreational vehicle innovation for winter sports, merging the popular appeal of the tricycle with the function of a sled.
