* tricycles design sesigns







Tricycles: Designs


Figure 1.--This American boy looks to be 6 or 7 years old. He wears a kneepants Norfolk suit with an Eton collar and floppy bow. HBC believes that he was probably photographed about 1890. Note all three wheels are about the same size.

The basic design of a tricycle is very standard. As a type the tricycle has the distinctive feature which quite simply gives it its name--it has three wheels. There is a large wheel in front and a pair of smaller ones at the back. The large wheel in front was used for steering and drive and two wheels in back for stability. Early trikes might have theee wheels--often the same size, but gradually the convention of two smaller rear wheels was adopted. The large front wheel serves both for the maneuvering and propulsion of the cycle. Manoeuvring is possible by connecting the handlebars through a shaft and front fork to an axle. The smaller rear wheels procide stability. The sizes of the wheels have varied over time. Early trikes tended to have rather large wheels. Initially there were two types of trikes. The Fairy Trycle had a hand pumping action for propulsion. Eventually the pedal bikes became standardized. It had the advantage that a person could stear with his hand and propel the trike with is feet through direct pedal power. The Fiary trike, however, had some afvantage for use wtih handicpped individuals. Many mechanical inovations now associated with the automobile were originally invented for tricycles. Rack and pinion steering, the differential, and band brakes, to name a few! The type of tricycle is determined by the modern pre-schooler's proportions and motor skills. Frame, saddle, handlebars, pedals, pedal arms and their relative positions are dimensioned to suit the child, and the diagonally positioned rear wheel set stabilizes the bike and makes balancing superfluous: the cycle is easy to get on and off, and is suitable for riding in fits and starts with frequent turns.

Basic Design

The basic design of a tricycle is very standard. As a type the tricycle has the distinctive feature which quite simply gives it its name--it has three wheels. There is a large wheel in front and a pair of smaller ones at the back. The large wheel in front was used for steering and drive and two wheels in back for stability. Early trikes might have theee wheels of the same size, but gradually the convention of two smaller rear wheels was adopted. The large front wheel serves both for the maneuvering and propulsion of the cycle. The standard trike used direct pedal power on the front wheels. Maneuvering is possible by connecting the handlebars through a shaft and front fork to an axle. The smaller rear wheels procide stability. The sizes of the wheels have varied over time. Early trikes tended to have rather large wheels.

Fairy Trikes

Initially there were two types of trikes. The Fairy Triycle vried from the stndard design. It had a hand pumping action for propulsion. Eventually the pedal bikes became standardized. These had the advantage tat a person could stear with his hand and propel the trike with is feet through direct pedal power. The Fairy trike, however, had some advantage for use wih handicpped individuals. Fairy tricycles were produced by the Fay Manufacturing company beginning in 1885. The design featured two large rear wheels, a basket seat, no pedals, and a steering bar that was pumped up and down to drive the rear wheels. Early Fay ads touted the Fairy Tricycle as "Easy, Cheap, Healthful, Graceful. Best for girls, adults, and invalids. Only practical machine for cripples to run by hand-power." At the time we also see children using them, but the pedal trikes proved to be much more popular.

Design Inovations

Many mechanical inovations now associated with the automobile were originally invented for tricycles. Rack and pinion steering, the differential, and band brakes, to name a few! The type of tricycle is determined by the modern pre-schooler's proportions and motor skills. Frame, saddle, handlebars, pedals, pedal arms and their relative positions are dimensioned to suit the child, and the diagonally positioned rear wheel set stabilizes the bike and makes balancing superfluous: the cycle is easy to get on and off, and is suitable for riding in fits and starts with frequent turns.









HBC




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Created: 12:23 AM 8/26/2007
Last updated: 12:24 AM 8/26/2007