16 U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 2 04 



the post. The metal front wheel, fitted with a solid rubber tire 23 

 inches in diameter, has 28 radial wire spokes. The rear wheel, also 

 fitted with a solid rubber tire, is 55 inches in diameter and lias 64 

 radial wire spokes. 



Spring-returned, overninniii<2; clutches are attached to the ends of 

 the rear axle. The wheel is turned by leather straps wound on the 

 clutches and attached to pedal levers (see the description of the Smith 

 tricycle). The effecti\e attachment point of the straps to the levers 

 can be adjusted to either of two positions, by means of a pivoted link- 

 age, to provide a "gear shift," so to speak, as two driving ratios are 

 made available. 



The leather saddle is adjustably mounted upon a broad flat spring. 

 A brake, bearing against the rear tire, is operated by a linkage on 

 the handle bars and is controlled by the rider's right hand. The link- 

 age is returned by a coil spring to the ''off" position. Another coil 

 spring, located at the base of the steering post, serves as a shock 

 absorber. 



KLAHR BICYCLE, 1883 



U. S. N. M. No. 3092.J9 ; original Patent Office model ; transferred from the U. S. 

 Patent Office ; photograph No. 784 ; plate 14, a. 



Patent No. 285821 was issued on October 2, 1883, to William Klahr, 

 of Myerstown, Pa., for a bicycle. This model shows a bicycle of the 

 Star type, propelled by single-acting pedal levers in combination with 

 racks, pinions, and clutches on the rear axle. 



The model, measuring 6 inches long, 4V-> inches high, and 1 inch 

 wide, is constructed entirely of metal with the exception of the tires. 

 The triangular frame supports a vertical steering fork with a small 

 wheel at the front, and a large driving wheel at the rear. Both 

 wheels are radially wire-spoked and are II/2 inches and 0I4 inches 

 in diameter, respectively. The upper extension of the fork is at an 

 angle to the fork itself, and is fitted with handle bars at its upper 

 end. A coil spring tends to keep the fork centered, with the wheel 

 headed straight ahead on the machine. 



A rear extension of the lower or horizontal forked member of the 

 frame extends back of the rear-wheel axle, on each side of that wheel. 

 Long curved arms, with pedals at their front ends, are pivoted from 

 the rear ends of these extensions. Slightl}' curved racks extend up- 

 wards from each arm, each rack meshing with a gear on the axle of 

 the rear wheel. Each of these gears incorporates an overrunning 

 clutch, so that when the arms are depressed by foot pressure the 

 gears will drive the rear wheel forward. When the arms return 

 by spring pressure to their upper positions, the overrunning clutches 

 operate, and so do not hinder the forward motion of the machine. The 



