Improvements in the Application of Springs to Cycles.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 5th June, 1899
Complete Specification Left, 15th June, 1899-Accepted, 2nd June, 1900
PROVIDIONAL DEPOTICATION
Improvements in the Application of Springs to Cycles.
I, EDWARD HARNETT, of St. Peter's Cottage, Usk Road, Battersea, in the
County of London, Cycle Manufacturer and Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to and consists of improvements in the application of
springs to cycles, its objects being to reduce or eliminate the vibration or jolting
ordinarily experienced.
In applying my invention to the rear driving safety bicycle, I suspend the
wheel in an independent substantially vertical fork, which fork is connected at
the top by springs to a cross piece forming the top of an outer fork, which latter
constitutes part of the framework of the machine. The axle of the wheel passes
through guides in the outer fork. Guides are also provided near the top of the
outer fork for the upper portion of the inner fork to slide in.
In the case of the front wheel in order to keep the independent fork in a
substantially vertical position, I attach the outer fork to the bottom of the
ordinary front fork, the remainder of the construction being the same as for the
driving wheel.
In applying my invention to the driving wheels of a tricycle I prefer to provide
a fork at the bottom of each of the back stays which extend to the top of the
frame near the seat pillar. I further provide two blocks through which the
driving axle passes. The two forks are made to slide over the two blocks prefer- .
ably in grooves, springs being interposed between the horizontal portions of the
forks and the tops of the blocks. I may find it desirable to pivot the chain stays.
The application of my invention to the front wheel of a tricycle is similar to its
application to the front wheel of a bicycle.

page_text: 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 relates to and consists of improvements in the application of
springs to bicycles, tricycles and other 'cycles, its objects being to eliminate or
greatly reduce the vibration and jolting ordinarily experienced.
.
In order that the nature of my invention may be understood, I will describe
the same in the first place as applied to the rear driving safety bicycle.
I suspend the driving wheel in an independent, substantially vertical fork,
which fork is connected at the top by springs to a cross piece forming the top of
an outer fork, which latter constitutes part of the framework of the machine.
The axle of the wheel passes through guides in the outer fork. Guides are also
provided near the top of the outer fork for the upper portion of the inner fork
to slide in.
In the case of the front wheel, in order to keep the independent fork in a
substantially vertical position, I attach the outer fork to the bottom of the
ordinary front fork, the remainder of the construction being the same as for
the driving wheel.
.
And in order that my said invention may be more fully understood, 1 will now
proceed to describe the same with reference to the drawings accompanying this
specification in which Figure 1 shews an elevation of a safety bicycle constructed
according to this invention, Figure 2 shews a plan of the top portion of the
same, and Figure 3 part elevation of back of the machine, shewing the arrange-
ments of springs and guides.
The same letters of reference are employed to denote the same parts in all the
views.
a shows spiral springs, fixed to the cross pieces b, c. The cross piece c slides
in guides d, fixed to the upper parts of the rods e. At the lower onds of these
rods, are other guides f, which slide over the axle of the driving wheel. g shews
the fork carrying the driving wheel, the top of such fork being formed by the
cross piece c. shews short stays, for connecting the cross piece 6 with the top
of the frame near the seat pillar, and are other stays for connecting the said
cross piece with the seat pillar tube k, near the bottom bracket. The guides f
are connected at m to the chain stays n.
connected two vertical rods 2, having guides q, r. The upper ends of the
guides are connected together by a cross piece s. t are spiral springs, connecting
the cross piece s with the cross piece w, which latter slides in the guides q. The
cross piece u forms the top of a fork, (similar to the fork g), carrying the front
wheel, the axle of this wheel slides in guides r. vare two stays connecting the
cross piece s to the top of the front fork o.
To the lower end of the front fork o are
The application of my invention to the front wheel of a rear driving tricycle,
is similar to its application to the front wheel of a rear driving safety bicycle.
Although I have described and shewn spiral springs, as employed in carrying
out my invention, I may employ any other suitable spring, varying in form,
construction or material. This may be a pneumatic chamber.
Although I have shewn my invention as applied to rear driving cycles, it may
with advantage be applied to cycles of other descriptions, such as the front
driving safety bicycle. In this latter case, I propose to adapt the invention to
the back wheel only.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that
I am aware that it has been proposed to mount the wheels of cycles in secondary
forks, in combination with springs, for the purpose of wholly or partially
preventing the vibration from the wheels, when passing over obstacles, being
communicated to the framework of the machine and consequently to the rider,
and I make no exclusive claim to such an arrangement, but what I claim is;-
1. In rear driving cycles, suspending the front wheel in an independent fork,

page_text: said fork being connected by means of springs to an outer fork, which latter is
connected to the front fork of the machine: in combination with slides and
guides, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
2. In rear driving bicycles, suspending the driving wheel in an independent
fork, said fork being connected to the frame of the machine, by means of
springs, in combination with slides and guides, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
3. In front driving bicycles, suspending the rear wheel in an independent fork,
said fork being connected to the frame of the machine by means of springs in
combination with slides and guides substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
4. In cycles, the combination of springs with slides and guides, substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
BROWNE & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant,
9, Warwick Court, Gray's Inn, London, W.C.
Dated this on day of e
BROWNE & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant,
9, Warwick Court, Gray's Inn, London, W.C.