IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Singer, of Coventry, in the County of Warwick,
and Arthur Wharton Metcalfe, of Clifton, in the County of Gloucester,
Engineering Student, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES
AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Singer and Arthur
Wharton Metcalfe at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
22nd February 1881.
GEORGE SINGER, of Coventry, in the County of Warwick, and ARTHUR
WHARTON METCALFE, of Clifton, in the County of Gloucester, Engineering Student.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES."
The first part of our improvements refers to springs for bicycles or other
velocipedes, viz., to arrangements for. deadening the vibration, and this we
accomplish by interposing india-rubber or other suitable non-metallic substance
between the points at which the spring is connected with the framework of the
machine.
According to this part of our Invention this may be effected in various ways,
but convenient arrangements are as follows:-To the hinder end of the spring we
attach by a movable joint a short lever, the fulcrum of which rests upon a block of
india-rubber or other non-metallic substance attached to the framework of the
machine. The other end also presses upon or is suspended by a similar block also
attached to the framework, thus giving. increased elasticity to the spring and
completely removing metallic vibration.
The other end of the spring is attached in a similar way to the framework, or
by means of a rubber coated pin passing through a loop in the end of the spring,
or other suitable means, by which metallic contact is avoided.
The spring may be adapted to the weight of the rider by altering the fulcrum
in the lever, suitable means for that purpose being provided by which the fulcrum
is moved.
According to another arrangement we attach a tubular socket to the framework,
having an opening in two of its opposite sides. In this tube we place a block of

page_text: india-rubber or other suitable non-metallic substance. To the outside of the tube
we fit a sliding ring, to which we attach a link by means of a pin passing through
the ring and also through the slots in the sides of the tubular socket and the
rubber or other material contained in it. To the other end of the link the spring of
the machine is attached, and upon pressure being put upon the spring the weight
of the rider is sustained by the rubber, the link allowing the spring also to move
freely as in the ordinary style. The other end of the spring may be connected to
the framework in the same manner, or may be attached to it by resting the end of
the spring upon an india rubber pad attached to the framework, or by other
suitable means by which the spring can be completely isolated from metallic
contact with it.
Our improvements also refer to a new arrangement for supporting the saddle or
seat of velocipedes by spiral springs of a conical shape, arranged so that each coil
may enter the coil below it, and thus the saddle is not raised an undue height
from the backbone. One or more springs may be used. We fix guides to the
under part of the saddle, and these fit into corresponding slides in the frame
fastened to the backbone, and a fastening under these guides prevents the saddle
coming off or moving when the weight of the rider is taken off it. An india rubber
pad is placed either above or below the springs to deaden vibration.
Another part of our Invention relates to the bearings of velocipedes and
consists of an arrangement for reducing the vibration felt by the rider on rough
roads.
We fit the bearings into a groove or upon slides so placed that the bearing may
move in the direction required to counteract vibration in the upper part of the
machine. A spring, spiral or otherwise, is placed above the bearing sufficiently
strong to take the weight of the rider, and when the wheel receives a shock to
allow the bearing to move. Another spring may be placed below the bearing to
keep it steady, and both should rest upon india rubber or other non-metallic
substance to cut off metallic connection between the bearing and the rider.
Another part of our Invention relates to a pedal pin by which the locking of
the cones is less likely to take place, and which is neater and simpler than the
kind usually made. This pin consists of a piece of steel upon one end of which
is a fixed projection, preferably a cone, which fits into the outer side of the pedal.
The other end of the pin is screwed, and a movable projection, preferably a cone,
is fitted upon the pin and also fits into the inner side of the pedal. It is then
passed through the crank, and a nut on the other side of the crank locks the
movable cone or projection and also fixes the pin in the desired position. A part
of the screw may be flattened to fit a slot in the crank to enable the lock-nut to
be screwed up without turning the pin. No projecting nut in the outer end of
the pedal will be required, which will greatly add to the appearance of the pedal
and enable the pin to be enclosed from dust.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Singer and Arthur Wharton Metcalfe in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 22nd August 1881.
"
GEORGE SINGER, of Coventry, in the County of Warwick, and ARTHUR
WHARTON METCALFE, of Clifton, in the County of Gloucester, Engineering Student.
IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES."
The first part of our improvements refers to springs for bicycles or other
velocipedes, viz., to arrangements for deadening the vibration, and this we
accomplish by interposing india rubber or other suitable non-metallic substance
between the points at which the spring is connected with the framework of the
machine.
According to this part of our Invention this may be effected in various ways, but
convenient arrangements are as follows:-To the hinder end. of the spring we
attach by a movable joint a short lever, the fulcrum of which rests upon a block of
india rubber or other non-metallic substance attached to the framework of the
machine. The other end also presses upon or is suspended by a similar block, also
attached to the framework, thus giving increased elasticity to the spring and
completely removing metallic vibration.
The other end of the spring is attached in a similar way to the framework or by
means of a rubber coated pin passing through a loop in the end of the spring, or
other suitable means by which metallic contact is avoided.
The spring may be adapted to the weight of the rider by altering the fulcrum
in the lever, suitable means for that purpose being provided by which the fulcrum
is moved.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings illustrates in side elevation a spring for
carrying the seat of a bicycle, with sufficient of the fork and back bone shown to
illustrate one method of carrying this part of our Invention into effect; Figure 2
is a sectional plan through the hinder bearing which is connected to the hinder
part or back bone. A is the spring for seat; a is the short lever jointed to the
hinder end of the spring A; 6 is the fulcrum or fulcra of the lever a; c, c, are the
springs, which may be india-rubber blocks or spiral springs of metal, and d is
framing whereby the said blocks are connected to the framing or back bone B of
the machine; e is the lever or link for connecting the fore part of the spring A to
the head C. Figures 3 and 4 show in side elevation and end view respectively
this lever or link detached.
Figure 5 shows in side elevation and Figure 6 in partial horizontal section
a somewhat modified arrangement to that before described; here a is the short
lever as before; c, c, are the india rubber blocks; d, framing, and B back bone.
According to another arrangement we attach a tubular socket to the framework;
having an opening in two of its opposite sides. In this tube we place a block of
india rubber or other suitable non-metallic substance. To the outside of the tube
we fit a sliding ring, to which we attach a link by means of a pin passing through
the ring and also through the slots in the sides of the tubular socket and the rubber
or other material contained in it. To the other end of the link the spring of the
machine is attached.
Figure 7 is a view in side elevation, Figure 8. in longitudinal section, and
Figure 9 in vertical cross section of an arrangement for deadening the vibrations,
constructed according to modification last described. a is the tubular socket;:
a, a', are the openings therein; c is the india rubber or other flexible substance,
such as spiral metallic springs or a combination of metal springs and rubber
springs; b is the sliding ring; d is the link connected thereto by the pin d¹;
Ashows a portion of the spring as before..

page_text: Upon pressure being put upon the spring A the weight of the rider is sustained
by the rubber c, the link d allowing the spring also to move freely as in the
ordinary style. The other end of the spring may be connected to the framework
in the same manner, or may be attached to it by resting the end of the spring
upon an india rubber pad attached to the framework, or by other suitable means
by which the spring can be completely isolated from metallic contact with it.
Figure 10 is a side elevation of a portion of the head showing a modified
arrangement of connecting the fore part of the saddle spring to the head; Figure 11
is a longitudinal vertical section of the link preferred to be used in this arrange-
ment; Figure 12 shows in side elevation and partial section another modified
arrangement. A is the spring of seat; c is the india rubber; f are the pins passing
through. In Figure 10 the spring A is shown united to the head by the inter-
vention of the link, and Figure 12 shows the spring A connected directly to the
head without the link.
Our improvements also refer to a new arrangement for supporting the saddle
or seat of velocipedes by spiral springs of a conical shape, arranged so that each
coil may enter the coil below it, and thus the saddle is not raised an undue height
from the backbone. One or more springs may be used. We fix guides to the
under part of the saddle and these fit into corresponding slides in the frame fastened
to the backbone, and a fastening under these guides prevents the saddle coming
off or moving when the weight of the rider is taken off it. An india-rubber pad is
placed either above or below the springs to deaden vibration.
Figure 13 is a side elevation, and Figure 14 is a cross section of sufficient of
this arrangement for supporting the saddle or seat of velocipedes in order to
illustrate how this portion of the Invention is carried into effect.
a, a, are the
conical spiral springs; b, b, are the guides, and c is the saddle; e is the frame which
is fastened to the backbone; d is the india rubber pad.
Another part of our Invention relates to the bearings of velocipedes and consists
of an arrangement for reducing the vibration felt by the rider on rough roads.
We fit the bearings into a groove or upon slides so placed that the bearing may
move in the direction required to counteract vibration in the upper part of the
machine. A spring, spiral or otherwise, is placed above the bearing sufficiently
strong to take the weight of the rider, and when the wheel receives a shock to
allow the bearing to move. Another spring may be placed below the bearing to
keep it steady, and both should rest upon india rubber or other non-metallic
substance to cut off metallic connection between the bearing and the rider.
Figure 15 shows in partial longitudinal section one arrangement of carrying this
part of our Invention into effect; a, a, are the bearings; b, b, are the bolts or pins
passing through the flanges of same, which bolts or pins are made in a piece with
the fork c; d, d, are the india rubber spring pieces or other springs, and e, e, are
the nuts for tightening up the whole structure; f is an additional india rubber
spring below one of the flanges.
Figure 16 shows in partial longitudinal section and Figure 17 in horizontal plan
section through line x, y, of Figure 16, a somewhat modified arrangement; here
the india-rubber springs d, d, are made with curved instead of flat surfaces at top
and bottom; in other respects the arrangement is similar to the last, except the
additional spring fis dispensed with.
Figure 18 shows in partial longitudinal section another modification; here the
india-rubber springs d, d, are enclosed in boxes h, h, open at top, and there are no
flanges for the axle as in the previous arrangements; f.f, are india rubber washers
below the boxes h; and e, e, are the nuts for tightening up the whole structure.
Figure 19 shows in partial longitudinal section two arrangements in one and the
same view, viz., on one side a spiral spring d¹, and on the other an india-rubber
spring d; whether spiral or india-rubber springs are employed, the action is similar
and the object to be attained, that is, to reduce the vibration to the rider, is similar.
By the arrangements before described it will be seen that the bearings can only
move vertically and therefore the steering of the machine is not in any way

page_text: influenced. This part of the Invention is applicable to bicycles or tricycles or
other velocipedes.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, we declare that we claim as our aforesaid improvements
in bicycles and other velocipedes,—-
First. The combination of a lever with india-rubber or spiral springs, as a means
of attaching the seat springs of bicycles or other velocipedes, substantially as
described and illustrated with reference to Figures 1, 2, 5, and 6 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Second. The method of attaching the seat spring of bicycles and other
velocipedes, substantially as described and shown, with reference to Figures 7, 8,
9, 10, 11, and 12 of the accompanying Drawings.
Third. The method of supporting the seats of bicycles and other velocipedes by
means of volute springs, whereby the height from the framework is not unduly
increased, substantially as described and illustrated with reference to Figures 13
and 14 of the accompanying Drawings.
Fourth. Attaching the bearings to the framework of bicycles or other velocipedes,
whereby the bearings may move in the direction required to diminish vibration in
the upper parts of the machine, while rigidity is obtained in other directions and
side twist avoided, substantially as described and illustrated with reference to
Figures 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19 of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Singer, for myself and on behalf of
the said Arthur Wharton Metcalfe, have hereunto set my hand and seal,
this Nineteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty one.
CRADO
STNAND
GEORGE SINGER.
(L.B.)