I have been invented iu Baden. Known iu England as a hol/bt/.
I Subsefjueutly, the bicycle, propelled by treadles operating
cranks on the axles of the front wheel, and which created Ruch
a furore some six or eight years since, was introduced from
I France. Propulsion by treadles was applied to a three-wheeled
I velocipede by McKeuzie, as early as 1864; while the French
bicycle of UiUemant was patented in this countrv in 18G<j.
Numerous modifications and improvements fulloweil, forming
the subjects of patents, a list of some of which is appended.
i The speed attained by the swifter kiuds of velocipedes averages
from 12 to 13 miles an hour ; 50 miles in 5 hours may be at-
tained without the rider alighting from his vehicle; 123 miles
within 24 hours has been accomplished. On one occasion, a
party of nine, mounted on
Fig. 6927. yr^:::^-^ velocipedes, leaving Rouen
early in the morning, ar-
rived at Paris in time for
dinner : the distance is 85
miles, and the rate of travel.
Bfzron de Drais* Velocipede.
exclusive of stoppages, was between 10 and 11 miles an hoar.
Grade,-* exceeding 1 in 25 are said to be impracticable to the
velocipede, and the rider in this case must dismount and lead
his factitious steed, which, however, displays great docility on
^uch occasions.
Fig. 6926, from Stewart's "Anecdotes of the Steam -Engine,"
published in 1829, illustrates a sort of steam-monocycle ; the
mode of propulsion is
not verv obvious,
Fig. 6927 is tiie bicycle
of the Baron de Drais,
as improved in England ^
by Louis Gompertz,
shown in the Repertory
of Arts in 1821, It is
propelled by a seg-
ment rack gearing
in a pinion on the
driving-wheel and
operated by a han-
dle in front of the
rider's seat or by
the feet alternate-
ly touching the
ground.
McRenzie's "can-
Fig. 6928.
McKenzie''s Velocipede.
Steam-Monocyde.
tering propeller " (Fig. 6928), patent. 1864. embraces *' a cranked
axle, arms and foot rest, so arranged that power applied, by the
feet of the driver shall give motion to
the vehicle." This, of oourse. had two Fig. 6929.
front wheels, but the mode of propul-
sion is the same as in Lallemant's and s
other more recent bicycles.
Fig. 6929 is also driven by the feet.
The rear axle is in two parts, the inner
ends of each formed into toothed seg-
ments which engage a small gear in a
box, to which they and the reach are
pivoted. The end of the reach is also
a toothed segment engaging with the
small gear. The inclination of the
rider's body when turning a curve
partly rotates the gear, elevating one
and depressing the other axle, thus
inclining the wheels toward the cen-
ter of the curve and facilitating the
turning.
In Fig. 6930, the driving-
wheel is operated by hand-
cranks. To the stirrups for
the rider's feet are attached
cords leading to the two rear
wheels, by which the machine
is steered. Velocipede.
Pickering's (Fig. 6931) is a
bicycle. The tiller is sufficiently elevated to permit a perfectly
upright position in riding. The stirrups or crank-pedals are
three-sided, and turn on the crank-pins, so that the pressure of
the foot always brings one of the three sides into proper po-
1 sition, and are so shaped as to be operated by the fore part of
I the foot, bringing the ankle-joint into play and relieving the knee.
VELOCIPEDE.
2698
VELOCIPEDK.
rig. 6930.
ipede.
or thrown forward wIr-u descending a slope,
ment permits of guiUiug the wheels to th'
In Fig. 6932, the small rear
'wheel is only used as a point,
ofsupportforthe reach and for
a frii-r ion -wheel. The driving-
wheel, wliirh is also the steer-
ing-wheel, is worked, not by
direct connection of the feet
with the treadles, but by the
hands and feet, both through
the medium of connecting-rods
between the cranks and
a walking-beam. The
ri'.ach is so hinged ttiat
the wheel may
.^ be brought di-
_jS:' rectly under the
seat for attain-
ioggreat speeds
on level ground.
A pivotal arrange-
ht or left
Fig. 6934.
6931.
In Fig. 6933, the rear seat
may be used either as aside-
saddle for ladies or as an
ordinary seat for gentlemen,
both riders assisting in the
propulsion.
The monocycle (Fig.
6934) is propelled by
Pickering's Bicycle.
a hand-wheel, from which belts or ropes pass around pulleys on
the axis of the main wheel,
Fig. 6932.
Bicycle.
the bottom of the roach beliind.
Fig. 693tJ illustrates a water- velocipede,
which the driver
and thence around the axis of
the small wheel, .''een beneath
the rider, which acts by fric-
tion. Tiie small pulleys, at-
tached toarms emanating from
the axis of the main wheel,
serve as guides to keep the
driving-mechani.<im in place.
The steering is effected either
by inclining the body to one
side or by touching a foot
- —^ - — - to the ground, j
^^SfV^i Fig. 6935 ]
'^-^/-.z' - . represents an
ii-c-velocipede '
It has a spiked
driving-wheel ,
in front, and i
two runners
attached to
Monocycle.
of propulsion. The rudder is operated by two cords pa-ssing
from the steering-bar beneath pulleys on each side to the rud-
der-head.
Fig. 6935.
The nialD wheel,
No.
19.092.
30,192.
a5,5S3.
SS.lfiO.
41,310
44,2.^6,
46,705.
47,220
53,209
54,207.
Ice - Velocipede.
Patents on Velocipedes from 1819 to 1868.
Name. Date.
W. K. Piarkson June 26.1819.
G Parker November 21 , 1825
\j. Kelner January 12, 1858.
S. \V Barr October 2.1860.
ir. Boyd June 17, 1862.
A. Longott August 12, 1S62
P W. Mackenzie Jannarv 19, 1>^64.
.1 Goodman September 13, 1864.
H. A.IUMUolds March 7, 1865.
\y. Quinn April 11, 1865.
J. G. Wilkinson March 13.1866.
H. A. Reynolds April 24, 1866.
Bicyrh.
Water - Velocipede.
VELOUR
2699
VEXEER-CUTTER.
No. Name. Date.
59^15. P. Lallemant KoTCmber 20, 1866-
64.416. F. G. Hoeppner Mav 7, IStiT-
71.551. C. A. Wav November 26. 18»J7-
71.552. C. A. Wav NoTember 36, 1^7.
73,'>29. M. Newman January 7, 1868.
74.')5S- L. Derovier February 4, lSd8.
75,-531. \r. G. Orosslev March 17, IStiS.
77.478. 0. F. Gleason May 5, 1868
79<>53. B. P Crandall July 7,1868.
79.<35t Hanlon Brothers July 7, l!*68.
8i3.425. H. .V. Revnolds Julr 2S, 1868.
81.6';i3. A. Christian September 1, li*iS
S2,.31d. D. Uunt, Jr September 22, 1S6S.
83.(J35 C. K. Bradfonl October 13. 1868.
83,<5»6. C. N. Cutter Norember 3^ 1868.
84.163. E. U. W Blake November 17, 1868.
85,337. S. M Skidmore December 29,1868.
te,5i)L S. A Wood December 29, 1868.
Ve-lour'. A hatter's lusteiing aod smoothing
pad of silk or plush ; from vcllour^ Fr. Also called
lure.
Ve-Iours'. A fabric for upholstering, caq>entry,
etc. It is a velvet or ]>lusli, partly of linen and
partly of double cotton warps with mohair vara weft.
Vel'vet {Fabric) A silk fabric in "which the
warp is passed over wires so as to make a row of
loops which project from the backing, and are thus
left by withdrawing the wire for an iniciU or pOc
velnt ; bat are cut by a knife to make a c\d velvet
Meudoned in Jomville and Id the will of Richard II. Called,
anciently, reU^t.
" There bought velvett for a coat and camelott for a cloak .
for myself.'' — PepTs's Dieny, 1666.
Vel-vet-een'. (Fiilric.) A cut-piled fabric of
cotton. It differs from velvet only in respect of the
niateriaL When it has a twilled back it is called
Genoa.
VelVet-loom. A pile-fabric loom.
Vel'vet-pa'per. Wall-paper printed with glue
and dusted with shearings of cloth or flock.
It was invented by lanyer. who obtained an English patent
in 1634- He employed shearings of wool, silk, and other ma-
terials upon backing* of paper, cloth, silk, cotton, and leather.
See ft'ALL-PAPEE.
Vel'vet-pile Car'pet A carpet made in the
same manner as Brussels caq>et, except that the
wire, over which the loops of the worsted yam are _
made, is of a flattened form, and has a grooved upper
surface, which acts as a director for the knife by
which the series of loops is cut. The carpet is known
as Wilton caj^>€t. See Brussels Carpet.
Vel'vet-tree. {Puddling.) The point where
the draft from the neck of the furnace is turned up-
ward into the stack.
Vend. {Mining.) The whole quantity of coal
sent from a colliery.
Ve-neer'. 1. {TVood-icorJcing.) A thin slip of
wood or ivory glued or cemented to a piece of other
material, and forming an ornamental covering there-
for.
The practice of veneering is very generally applied to fiimi-
ture: common woods, such as pine, Wing thus caused to assume
the exterior appearance of rosewood or mahocaov.
That this art was practiced by the I^ptians, the tombs of
Thebes will rerify. Wilkinson identifies it as of the date of
Thothmes in., whom he considers the Pharaoh of the Esodns,
and who was heavily in the brick business. Bricks with hL*
stamp are more numerous in Egypt than those with any one
other pronomen.
In the annexed cat, we see a man fitting a piece of red wood
to a plank of yellow wood : at least they are so colored in th**
oridaaL He has stuck hLsadze into a block of the same yellow
wood, probably sycamore, and in his vicinit)' are shown bis
Fig. 6937.
tool-chest and the square- A man is engaged in grinding b
thing on a slab, and another is spreading something on a board,
which is thought to be glue, for several reasons : it is kept hot
on the fire ; it is shown in connection with joining two f labs of
wood : and a piece of something is represented just by, which
has an irregular edge, supposed to represent the concave fracture
of a piece of glue. Thb was their systematic mode of repre-
senting any branch of indiistr>- : the material, its shaping, and
tbe tools and articles employed.
Of the flexible beech veneers used in the construction of
boxes and desks, Pliny says that the tuberosities and knots
which gave the circular figures and wavy lines to the citrus,
tervbinth, palm, holly, bos, maple, etc., gave them value for
covering wood whose grain had not these variegations. Covering
common wood with thin veneers of a higher priced wood, and
subsequently with laminae of horn, ivory, and tortoise-shell,
was also practiced in his day. He speaks with disgust of the
"â– monstrous invention of paint and dyes which were applied to
the woods and veneers to imitate other woo-is or give the ap-
pearance of the grain of wood to ivory ,'" etc.
Veneers are attached either by the hammer or by the eaul.
The former is more readily and generally applicable to small
works. The back of the Teneer and the snrfece to which it is
to be applied are coated with a thin gme or a stiff size, the sur-
fece is then warmed, and the face of the veneer having bten
coated with glue and warmed, it is applied to the surface, and
the hammer (see Vexe£RING-b.\j(1ier) is drawn acra<s it with a
wriggling motion, forcing the liquid glue out at the edges.
M"here the two pieces to be imited are large, several hands are
employed in this operation.
Cauis are plates or molds.adapted to the shape of the surface,
either flat or curved, to which the veneer is to be applied.
They are held to the work by clamps operated by screws, and,
together with the veneer, are heated previous to being applied.
Their operation in effecting a perfect union between the two
surfiices is more effectual than that of the hammer. Previous
to gluing, both surfaces of the veneer and the surface to which
it is to be applied are
scratched over with
perpendicular iron full
of small grooves, called
the toothins'plane. im-
partiog to them a
roughness, termed the
Fig. 6933.
i tooth or key, »hich causes the glue to hold.
A veneer of ivory, 41 feet longand 1-1 inches wide, was shown
at the London Exhibition. 1S51. It was sawn from a rotating
block, forming a spiral ribbon, which was then flattened.
This method originated in Russia, and was first applied to
wood.
I Ve-neer'-bend'ing. Fig. 6938 illustrates a ma-
' chine for applying veiiwrs with an equal and uni-
form pressure to curved and other surfaces.
It consists of a trough a. provided with a top b of flexible
and water-proof materiaJ. The trough is filled with warm water
through the funnel and pipe e, provided with a stop-cock, and
has a pipe d through which hydraulic pressure is applied by a
force-piunp or otherwise, lifting the flexible top, which, acting
against-the thin veneer, forces it
Fig. 6939. to conform to the shape of an
object f to which it is applied ;
this is prevented from rising by
the plate y, through which
screws pass that secure the flexi-
Veneerins '« ^^^SVPt, 1490 B. c.
ble cover and prevent its edges from rising. A cock g serves
to empty the trough.
I Ve-neer'-cut'ter. Fig. 6939 is the Seib veneer-
VENEER-CUTTING MACHINE.
2700
VENEERING-HAMMER.
cutter ; the veneer is cut from a seniicylindrical log.
Fig. tiU40 is .iiiotlier
Fig. 6940.
Seib^s Veneer-Cutter.
form, in wliicli it i.s cut
from a cylindrical log,
making a continuous
veneer, as in .some other
of the machines illus-
trated.
Ve-neer'-cut'ting
Ma-chiue'.
A nuichine for
cuUiiig ve-
neers from
the log or
block ; as dis-
tinct from
saw tug.
In Humphrey's machine (Fig. 6911), the cutter, a long thin
blade the whole ^vidth uf the veneer to be cut, is sliglitly in-
clined from the perpendicular. The block is first turned to a
cylindrical form, and is clamped so as to receive a rotary mo-
tion. A presser-roller acts against the wood in advance of the
Fig. 6941.
Veneer-Cutting Mitclinie.
knife and removes the veneer. The Itnife is secured to a car-
riage, which has a progressive forward motion toward the center
of the block, and cuts a continuous veneer. The distance be-
tween the roller and knife is adjustable to regulate the thickness
of the slip.
Stedman's (Fig. 6942) is designed for cutting a continuous
strip from a circular block of wood or ivory, which is held be-
tween two revolving; mandrels on a carriage, which has iin in-
termittent upward feed previous to each successive cut of the
circular saw, which is hung from a carriage having a longitu-
dinal forward and return movement. The s.aw is accompanied
by a guide which facilitates the action of the saw and conducts
away the severed .-itrip
In Parker and Sleeper's machine (Fig. 694.3), the block d is
secured by bolts to a vertically reciprocating carrmge e, and is
drawn downward to be presented to the action of the knife
a, which is preceded by a presser-bar b, bearing firmly
against the wood, so as to prevent ripping or tearing. The
horizontally reciprocating carriage which carries the knife
and presser-bar is advanced forward previous to each cut
a distance equal to the thick-
ness of the slice to be cut. Fig 6342
and after the cut is by a tarn
movement movcl backward
sufficiently to clear the face
of the ascending block. The severed veneer c passes through
the throat between the knife and the presser-bar.
Ve-neer'ing. 1. The process of covering the
surface of an object witli a thin sheet or sheets of
moie ornamental material, in order to improve its
appearance.
For the method of veneering wood on wood, etc , see Veneer.
To veneer marble on zinc : take a plate of zinc about * ,„ inch
in thickness ; make a frame of such a shape as will compose
one of the parts of the clock case or other object ; over this glue
Fig. 6943
Stedman's Veneer-Cuttins Machine.
Veneer -Catting Machine.
sand-paper rough side out. On the sand-paper place hot tap
mastic and apply the veneer of marble previously heated.
2. (Ptipcr-making.) The ]n-ooess of covering a
sheet of one quality or color of paper by a second
sheet of differing quality or te.xture.
It was invented by Dickinson, England, and as applied by
him, the sheets of imperfectly compacted paper were laid to-
gether and united by pressure.
3. (Po/lcri/.) A process termed WBcenjtjr has been
adopted with some kinds of pottery where a strong
but coarse and unsightly ware is dippefl, while in
_ the biscuit condition, into a paste
of superior color and quality, so
as to cover the biscuit with a
desirable coating, whose colors
lie mtensihed by a glaze. The
mside and outside may be
.-j-^ of dilferent colors.
riv* Ve-neer'ing-
ham'mer. An im-
tji plcuuiit for forcing
^ out superlhious glue
from between a veneer
and the piece to
whicliitisapplied.
""'^C^ It is either made
of iron, with a
^ very thin and wide
peen, or more
commonly of a
piece of wood
three or four inch-
es square, with a
round handle pro-
VENEER-MILL.
2701
VENEER-PRESS.
jecting from the center. One edge of the hammer-
head is sawn down for the insertion of a piece of
sheet iron or steel that projecfci about | of an inch,
having a straight, round, smooth edge, and the op-
posite side of the head is rounded to prevent it from
hurting the hand.
Ve-neer'-milL A saw-mill arranged for cutting
veneers. See Veneek-saw.
Ve-neer'-plau'ing Ma-chine'. An implement
for smoothiii;:; veiiet-it-d and other surfaces.
Tanner's (Fij
Veneer-Ptaning Machine.
Veneer- Polishing Machine.
and throngh the pitman e reciprocates the carriage /, from
which the rubber ^ Jepends The whole arrangement has suf-
ficient flexibility to permit the rubber to be traversed laterally
by the hand, while the polishing is effected in right lines by its
reciprocating motion. The arm c. from which the rubber de-
pendii, is supported by a cord or chain from the stationary arm
A above.
Smith's machine (Fig. (5946) compri-^s a band a having its
exterior sur&ce corered with an abradant, and passing around
Veneer- Polishing Machine.
two half-round faced pulleys 6 c, the latter of which is adjusta-
ble toward or from the former, to vary the tension or to remove
the belt when it requires re-sandiner. It is joumaled in the arm
d connected to the hinged standard e, which is moved when de-
fired by the lever/ through the interreDtion of the connecting-
pieces g h. This apparatus is specially adapted for surfaces of
irregular curvature.
Ve-ueer -press, A press for applying veneers
to the surfaces to \\ hii.li tliey are to be attached.
In Fig. 6947, the bed C B C is made in three sections, the
two outer of which muy be separated fr<^m or approached to the
central one B by means of a strew F aud connecting-rods J' J".
Fig. C&47.
. »j&44) consists of a sole-plate a, to which is at-
tached a block b, having a huudle at each end.
The cutter-holder c is connected to the block
by a screw at each end. A central thumb-
screw d serves to
Fig. 6W4. adjust the angle
of inclination of
the cutter e. The â–
shavings nscend
through the,
throat /.
Ve-neer'- \
pol'ish-ing
Ma-chine'.
A machine for
giving a fine bright surface to veneer or veneered ;
work.
Spear's machine has three sets of connected arms ab c^ car-
rying three pulleys, the first of which receives motion from the '
drum d, and communicates motion to the second, which, in
turn, transmits it to the third ; the axis of the latter is cranked,
Fig, 6945.
^-1 I — a — r — 3 — i i-fT-'
Veneer- Prtss.
The top D is hinged at one side and has hinged clamps at the
other. Screws a a serve to press the plate E against the veneer,
while the cauls H H
bend and hold it against pjâ„¢^ 6948.
the sides of the work. _'_ __^
The cauls are operated
by screws h i i in the
pivoted caul-holders G,
which, when lifted, are
hi?ld by catches, and
arc lowered to release
tbe finished work.
In Fig. 6948, the fauZ
a is heated by a steam-
pipe b for tbe purpose
of softening the veneer,
to allow it to readily
assume the form of a
surface c to which it is ' ' '
to be applied, and keep
the glue in liquid condition until the junction is effected ; or the
steam may be introduced directly into the caul.
Id Fig. 6949, the bed consists of a block a, having a groove a'
running around its margin, and containing water or other
liquid ; a frame 6, having a flange b' dipping into the water in
the groove, and connected with the block a by a flexible air
and water tight casing of vulcanized rubber : and a top c
of flexible metal, on which the veneer, and over
it the object to which it is to be glued, are
T
VENEER-SAW.
2702
VENETIAN BLIND.
laid. Air is forced by a pump into the space between a and b,
raising the frame and its Hexitile top, and steam is admitted
into tUe i-avity at the same time ; the veneer is thus applied
equally to tlie surfarc, and tl»e glue kept Huid. Tlie Slab or
plaok to be veneered is prevented from rising by the bloek ti,
whicli is held down by two cross-heads e, adjustable as to bight
by screws and haud-nuts.
Ve-neer'-saw. ( Wood- working.) A circular
saw, m;ule thick at the middle, aiul tapering to a
very tliin edge at the jn'rifihery^; used ibr separating
veiK-ers tVotn the solid block.
Veneer-saw3 for ivory are sometimes made as small as 6
inches in diameter; more generjiUy 15 to 2lJ inches. They are
run at a lower rate of speed than those for wood, and are made
to cut as many as 3lJ leaves to the inch. Those for wood are
frequently of much larger size, are run at a liigher velocity,
and seldom cut more than 15 leaves to the inch. About oue
third the material is wasted in sawdust.
The veueer-saw vv.-ui invented by Isambard M. Brunei, 1805-
1808, and it was introduced by him into the Chatham Dockyard,
and subsequently into his works at Battersea.
A writer of 50 years since gives the following description of
Mr. Brunei's workshop : —
" In a small building I was attracted by the solemn action of
a steam-engine of 16 horse or 80 men power, and was ushered
into a room, where it turned, by meaus of bands, four wheels,
fringed with tine saws, two of 18 feet in diauieter, and two of 9
feet. These circular saws were used for the purpose of .separat-
ing veneers, and a more perfect operation wa-* never performed
I beheld planks of mahogany and rosewood sawed into veneers
1 ,4 of an inch thick, with a precision and grandeur of action
that was really sublime. The same power at once turned these
tremendous saws and drew their work from them. A largf
sheet of veneer, 9 or 10 feet long and 2 feet broad, was thu,-
sepir.ited in about 10 minutes, so even and so uniform that it
appeared more like a perfect work of nature than one of human
art- The force of those saws may be conceived wheu it is
known that the large ones revolve t» times in a minute ; hence
18 X -i 14 = 56.5 X 65 gives 3,672 feet, or two thirds of a mile
iu a minute ; whereas if a pit-'jaw worked by two men gives 30
strokes of 3 feet in 1 minute, it is but 90 feet, or only the V'*^
part of the steady force of Mr. Brunei's saws.'' — Sm Richard
Phillips's Morning H'alk froiyi London to Kew.
Previous to Brunei's invention,
Teneers were cut by sawyers, one of
whom stood in a pit. The saw used
was similar to the ordinary pit frame-
saw, but had a thinner blade. Six
veneers to the inch was the custom-
ary average. Hand veneer-saws, very
siudlar to the hand frame-saw, and
generally worked by two individuals,
were used by cabinet-makers, who
would cut 7 or 8 strips to the inch,
the slab being held upright in the P
chops ot the bench * }
In 1806, Brunei pat- ^
ented a method of cut- ^-^ l^-^^|
tin& veneers by ^ -"l^ Wl
means of a hori-
zontal knife ex-
ceeding in length TW [\| I /'I
the block to be / M ^- •■^^' "^ 'M
this case had a tendency to curl up and split. See Venxer-
CUTTER.
Fig. 6950 illustrates the i^egment-aaiv, built up of separate
plates ot steel screwed to the edge of a metallic disk or chuck.
In those exceeding 4 feet iu diameter, the guidance of the wood
is effected by a device called the drag. The veneer generally
Fig. 6951.
Veneer-Saw.
proceeds from the edge of the saw through a curvilinear trough
parallel with its back, but sometimes, as in the present in-
stance, it is conducted away from the saw in front. The axis
of the saw is connected to
Fig 6952
or disconnected from the
steim engine at will by
niL tus of a fast and loose
pulle\ and a brake-
wlutl at the end of the
j\Il m connection with
I Irittion hoop as.'ists in
'â– f'>l>pmg the motion of
tliL aw The slab ia
Veneer- Saw.
operated on The knife was composed of several pieces of steel, I
their lower faces beiiig placed exactly in line, slightly rounded, I
and having a very keen edge. This had a short reciproeiitiog
action, wliile the block of wood was moved sideways ag;iinst it
by means of a screw slide operated by a hand-wheel. The block