This patent, US382351A, filed by Matthew A. Cherry of Washington, D.C., on October 1, 1887, and granted on May 8, 1888, is for a three-person “Velocipede” designed to be propelled by a single rider.
The Invention
The invention is a large, multi-person velocipede, a term for an early form of a bicycle or tricycle. Cherry’s design focuses on creating a stable, easily-propelled vehicle for transporting two passengers and a single driver. The patent describes a complex vehicle that combines elements of a tricycle with a carriage.
Key Features:
- Vehicle Frame: The velocipede uses an M-shaped tubular frame (A) for stability. It has two wheels at the rear and a steerable single wheel at the front.
- Unique Pedal System: The propulsion mechanism is located at the back of the vehicle. It features two cranked axles (h h) that are driven by treadles (O). The treadles are pivoted on a rod (M) and connect to the cranks, allowing the driver to power the rear wheels.
- Adjustable Pedals: A novel aspect is the adjustable pedal system. The treadles pivot on a fork (N) with multiple holes (n), which allows the driver to adjust the “range of movement of the pedals,” accommodating different leg lengths.
- Passenger Seating: The vehicle is designed to carry two passengers (S) on separate platforms (S’) located at the front and rear of the driver’s seat. The platforms have footrests and are supported by springs for a smoother ride.
- Steering Mechanism: The front wheel’s axle is connected to a steering handle (P) via a vertical shaft and a system of links, allowing for steering similar to a modern car or a wagon.
- Retractable Awning: To protect the occupants from the elements, the velocipede is equipped with a collapsible awning. The awning’s frame can be raised or lowered and can be folded flat when not in use. This provides an innovative solution for weather protection.
- Snow/Ice Pusher: An interesting detail is the optional “sharp-pointed pusher” (V) for use on snow or ice. This device, made of spring metal, is pivoted to each treadle and works with a rod to help propel the machine forward in slippery conditions.
Significance of the Invention and Inventor
Matthew A. Cherry’s velocipede is not a well-known invention, but the patent provides a fascinating look into the inventive spirit of the 19th century and the evolution of personal transportation.
- Responding to a Social Need: In a time before the automobile was common, there was a market for personal transportation that could accommodate multiple people. This velocipede was a direct response to that need, offering a human-powered alternative to a horse-drawn carriage or a simple bicycle.
- Complex Design: Cherry’s invention is a good example of the complex, often over-engineered, designs that characterized many early patents. It combines multiple systems—propulsion, steering, suspension, and weather protection—into a single vehicle. The inclusion of a snow/ice pusher shows the inventor’s focus on practical, all-weather usability.
- The “Everyday Inventor”: Like many inventors from the late 1800s, Matthew A. Cherry was not a famous figure. The patent is a record of his ingenuity and his contribution to the development of human-powered vehicles. His work is part of a larger, collective effort by thousands of individual inventors to refine and improve existing technologies, a process that eventually led to the modern bicycle and, later, the automobile.
