Patent GB-190100764-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Cycles.
Inventor: SHARP ARCHIBALD
Filed: 1901-01-11
Granted: 1902-01-11
Abstract: 764. Sharp, A., and Shaw, W. T. Jan. 11. Frames; heads; forks; handle-bars; steering- mechanism. - Relates to anti-vibration arrangements for cycles, some of the details being also applicable to rigid-frame cycles. Fig. 2 shows the steering-head and handle-bars. The forks are secured to a tube 2 mounted so as to rotate or slide in the head 1. A tube 5 secured by a nut 31 in a tube 30 mounted in ball bearings 33 in the head, is connected to the tube 2 by an airtight mitten 12, described in Specification No. 412, A.D. 1901, [Abridgment Class Steam engines]. It has its inner edge secured to the tube 5 by a ferrule 23 and nut 24, and its outer edge secured to the tube 2 by inclined surfaces formed on distance tubes 22 and 26, placed in the tube 2 and pressed together by a nut 27 which secures a block 25 bearing on the tube 5 in the tube 2. A piston 6 secured on the lower end of the tube 5 slides in a grooved sleeve 7 secured in the tube 2 between a stop 21, which limits the downward motion of the tube 2 and is supported by the distance tube 26, and the lower end of the tube 2, where it is clamped against an inclined surface on the tube 2 by a conical plug 8 which is pressed inwards by a nut 9. Rubber and metal rings 11 and 10 placed between the nut 9 and plug 8 render the joint airtight. The groove in the tube 7 prevents relative rotation between the tubes 2 and 5. The tube 2 is filled with compressed air by a valve 13. To the lower end of the valve 1 is loosely secured by a ring 51 a scraper 52 which removes mud &c. from the tube 2. Ball bearings may be arranged between the tubes 1 and 2. The upper ball race 34, Fig. 2, is locked in position by a split tapered sleeve 35, over which is driven by a second sleeve 3 forced down by the lamp bracket 38 and a nut 39, a sleeve 36 having inclined surfaces as shown. The handle-bars are formed in halves formed with eyes 45 and 44 adapted to be secured to a lug 46 formed on the sleeve 36. The eye 45 is threaded on the lug 46 and is engaged by a tapered ring 47 slid on to a polygonal portion 40 of the lug 46. An oppositely-tapered ring 48 is next threaded on, and the eye 44 placed in position. The parts are finally clamped together by a tapered ring 49 and a nut 50 as shown. A similar air-spring is fitted to the rear of the cycle, a tube 5, Fig. 7, secured to the upper back forks, being fitted with a piston 6 to slide in a tube 2 pivoted to the saddle-post. A stop 21 secured against a lug on the tube 2 by a distance tube 22 limits the motion, and a mitten 12 prevents escape of air and is secured by a tube 26 which is pressed against the tube 22 by a nut 27 which engages a beariug-block 25. In this arrangement, the cylinder 2 is grooved to allow air to pass from one side of the piston to the other when near the middle of its stroke. The lower rear forks 65, Fig. 8, are pivoted to the bottom bracket in a large bearing which permits of the use of either a fixed or a detachable gear case, the forks being secured to a fork piece 66 fitting at the sides of a sleeve 62, to which it is secured by the inner bearing 61, which is clamped in position by a split tapered ring 69 and a nut 67. The sleeve 62 is mounted in ball bearings in a cylinder 64 secured to saddle post and bottom tube.