1899 Marriott Central Drive Tricycle
1899 Marriott No 2 Patent Central Drive Gentleman’s Tricycle
Marriotts Ltd also had a patent for the truss tube frame, utilized on their Central Drive tricycle. Observe that they’ve also fitted a chaincase to it.
Hay Mills, Birmingham
The proprietor was John Marriott. This company retained a London showroom in 71 Queen Street, Cheapside although the works were at 16 Sampson Road North, and later at Hay Mills, Birmingham, Warwickshire. Roadsters, racing machines, front drivers and tricycles were produced. In 1891 a special feature was the adjustment for the chain by a small lever. The lever was bored to receive the spindle and on releasing the nut the chain could be tightened. The ‘Marriott’ No.3 in 1892 incorporated an interesting and patented means of adjusting the chain. A steel disc on the rear spindle had a marked dial; behind it there was a short lever, through which the spindle passed and is held by an outer lock nut. The lower end of the lever is pivoted to the fork end below the usual rear fork slot. The machine was priced at £24 3s. *
* Marriott history thanks to An Encyclopaedia of Cycle Manufacturers by Ray Miller. Available through the V-CC: PLEASE CLICK HERE
