Improvements relating to the Frames of Velocipedes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Improvements relating to the Frames of Velocipedes.
I, ALFRED PEARSE, of The Close, Flitwick, Bedfordshire, Artist, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention pertains to improvements in the mounting of the frames of
velocipedes upon the wheels by which they are carried, and has for its object to
minimise the vibration usually communicated to the frame, and more especially
the vibration communicated to the handle bar of the machine on the rapid
movement over rough or irregular surfaces.
My invention consists in mounting the extremities of the frame which carry
the wheels, within brackets in which are interposed between the members of the
frame and the carrying brackets a layer of indiarubber or other elastic element,
provided to effectually absorb the vibration usually communicated to the wheel
or the reaction on rapid movement or upon movement over irregular surfaces.
My invention further consists in the provision upon the carrying brackets, of
ball races in which balls are provided and with which engage corresponding
races provided in screwed nuts secured upon the spindle of the wheel, the ball
bearings on the hub of the wheel being dispensed with.
In carrying my invention into effect I mount each of the extremities of the
arms of the steering fork within a casing or bracket of closely corresponding
configuration, which bracket is comparatively long and has its upper extremity
butting against a corresponding projection provided upon the arm of the fork.
Between the extremity of the arm of the steering fork and the interior of the
bracket is suitably provided a layer of indiarubber upon which the extremity of the
arm embeds. The upper extremity of the bracket may be secured to the arm of
the fork by a rivet or pin or by other suitable means, which, while firmly securing
the one to the other, allows of slight vibration of the extremity of the arm.
To further provide a substantial resistance, I may mount a plate spring on each
side of the fork arm in alignment with the normal direction of vibration, which
plate springs may be formed with extremities which embrace the sides of the fork
arm.
I provide the extremity of each of the carrying brackets of such configuration
as to contain or be provided with a ball race upon which the ball bearings may
rotate. A complimentary bearing surface is provided upon the respective screwed
extremities of the wheel spindle.
The application of my invention to the other carrying extremities of the frame
differs in no respect to the application thereof to the extremities of the arms of
the fork; but I may enforce the rubber layer where required in such places as
where the weight is communicated therethrough so that there may be normally a
sufbcient amount of resilience in the interposed layer to absorb or minimise the
vibration usually communicated to the frame.
I do not limit my invention to any particular means of mounting the carrying
bracket upon the carrying extremities of the frame, nor do I limit my invention

page_text: to any particular means of providing the ball bearings upon the extremities in
which the wheel spindles rotate.
Dated this 24th day of November 1896.
MARKS & CLERK,
18 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.
improveme relating to the Frames of Velocipedes.
I, ALFRED PEARSE, of The Close, Flitwick, Bedfordshire, Artist, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention pertains to improvements in the mounting of the frames of
velocipedes upon the wheels by which they are carried, and has for its object to
minimise the vibration usually communicated to the frame, and more especially
the vibration communicated to the handle bar of the machine on the rapid
movement over rough or irregular surfaces,
My invention consists in mounting the extremities of the frame which carry
the wheels, within brackets in which are interposed between the members of the
frame and carrying brackets a layer of indiarubber or other elastic element,
provided to effectually absorb the vibration usually communicated to the wheel
or the reaction on rapid movement or upon movement over irregular surfaces.
My invention further consists in the provision upon the carrying brackets, of
ball races in which balls are provided and which engage corresponding
races provided in screwed nuts secured upon the spindle of the wheel thus dis-
pensing with the usual type of ball bearings.
The mode of carrying my invention into effect are illustrated in the accom-
panying sheet of drawings as follows,-
Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section of the improved arrangements as
applied to the main spindle of a cycle.
Figure 2 is a side sectional elevation of the improvements as applied to the front
fork of a cycle.
Figure 3 is a section on a, b, Figure 2,
Figure 4 is a modification.
Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the bottom portion of one arm of a steering fork of a
cycle of which the other arm is similarly constructed, and in carrying my inven-
tion into effect in the manner there shown I proceed as follows. I mount on the
portion E of the arm of the steering fork a casing or bracket A, of closely corre-
sponding configuration and projecting for some distance within the portion E as
shown; while the extremity e of the portion E projects within a groove or space
formed within the casing or bracket A. Between the contiguous surfaces of the
casing A and the portion E a layer of indiarubber is placed, so that the end of
the iork is embedded in rubber. The upper extremity of the bracket or casing A
is secured to the portion E of the fork by rivets I, I, having a slight vertical play
in either the casing or the arm to allow for the vibration being taken up by the
rubber layer G and not transmitted through the rivet attachments. I form the
bottom ends of the casing A of a box shaped configuration containing a V shaped
ball race B, and having a complementary bearing surface C screwed or otherwise
fixed upon one end of the wheel spindle D, between which surface C and race B
the ordinary balls K are placed. It is evident that when cycling over an irregular

page_text: surface a large proportion of the vibration usually communicated to the handle
bars will be absorbed in compressing the interposed layer of india rubber; thus
securing the object of this invention.
The device shown on Figure 4 of the drawings illustrate the following slight
modifications of the preceding arrangement. The casing or bracket A is in this
instance arranged without the portion E of the side fork, having a similar layer
of rubber G placed between their contiguous surfaces; and the ball race B is
formed in one with the bottom portion of the casing or bracket A, instead of being
a separate channel piece. Again shoulders d are formed upon the fork portion Ĕ
upon which the upper ends of the casing A protected by the rubber layer G imbed,
instead of as in the previous instance extremities e embedding in grooves at the
lower end of the casing A. In all other respects this arrangement is similar and its
action as a vibration absorbing device is equally efficient.
Figure 1 of the drawings illustrate the application of my invention to the main
spindle of a cycle. The main spindle D is carried on ball bearings similar to those
hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 4 of the drawings, while extension
bracket A projects within the end E of the framing, a layer of india rubber G
being arranged between the contiguous sides of the bracket A and frame E. I
sometimes arrange a slot H in the side of the frame E and by means of a bolt L
attached to the casing A by a suitable nut, I can slide the main spindle D in either
direction so as to suitably lighten or slacken the cycle driving chain. The layer
of rubber G absorbs the vibration to a large extent and thus minimizes the wear
and tear in the machine as well as the discomfort to the rider.
The application of my invention to the other carrying extremities of the frame
differs in no respect to the application thereof to the extremities of the arms of
the fork, but I may enforce the rubber layer where required in such places as
where the weight is communicated there through so that there may be normally
a sufficient amount of resilience in the interposed layer to absorb or minimize the
vibration usually communicated to the frame.
I do not limit my invention to any particular means of mounting the carrying
bracket upon the carrying extremities of the frame, nor do I limit my invention
to any particular means of providing the ball bearings upon the extremities in
which the wheel spindles rotate.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In frames of velocipedes, the provision of a layer of india rubber or similar
elastic material between the ends of the frames and brackets or cases carrying the
ball bearings and wheels, as a means of absorbing vibration due to passage over
rough or irregular roads and preventing its transmission to the handle bar or
rider substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described.
2. Improvements relating to the frames of velocipedes substantially as and for
the purpose herein before described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, & 4 of the
accompanying drawings.
Dou
LA 100%
MARKS & CLERK,
18 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.