Improvements in and relating to velocipeaes.
Year: 1889

page_text: Improvements in and relating to velocipeaes.
I, ALFRED EASTHOPE of 24 St. Johns Street, Wolverhampton, in the County of
Staffordshire, Cycle Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in the frames of bicycles, tricycles, and
other velocipedes, and consists in forming the frame in three parts, one of which
carries the steering wheel or wheels, another the driving wheel or wheels and the
pedal crank axle, and the third part the seat or saddle and steering head or joint
and the transverse handle bar for the rider; and of clastically connecting these parts
together so that they move with respect the one to the other, the object being the
reduction of vibration and the isolation of the rider therefrom.
I attain this object in the manner illustrated in the accompanying drawings in
which
Figure 1 Sheet No. 1 is a view in side elevation of a rear driving bicycle the
frame of which is constructed according to my invention. Figures 2 and 3
Sheet No. 2 are diagram views of modifications in the construction and arrangement
of the parts of the frame. Figure 4 sheet No. 3, and Figure 5 Sheet No. 4, are
views in side elevation of rear-driving bicycles illustrating further modifications in
the construction of the spring frame.
Like parts are denoted by similar letters of reference throughout the several
views.
The steering wheel or wheels A is, or are, mounted on an axle a carried by a fork
or its equivalent B extending upwards in the form of a tubular post B¹ (B and B¹
form one of the three parts of the frame of the machine). The driving wheel or
wheels C is, or are, mounted on an axle c carried by a triangular or equivalent
shaped frame D D D² each side of which consists preferably of double members.
The side D carries the bearings e for the pedal crank axle E. The side D¹ runs from
the axle c of the driving wheel or wheels to a point beyond the periphery thereof
under the seat or saddle. From this point the side D2 runs to join the side D at a
point in advance of the pedal crank axle E. (D D1 and D2 from another of the
three parts of the frame). The saddle F1 and the transverse steering handle bar G
are carried by a quadrilateral, or approximate shaped frame H H1 H2 H3 each side of
which consists of a single tube. The side H of the frame is adapted to form the
steering socket or head to receive the steering pillar G¹ carrying the transverse
steering handle bar G.
The side H¹ runs horizontally rearwards to carry the pillar F for the saddle F1.
The side H2 runs from this point to the pedal crank axle E, and the side H³ runs
from the pedal crank axle E to the bottom of the side H. (H H¹ H² and H³ form
the third part of the frame). The frame HHH2 H3 is pivotted'to the frame D D'D?
at or about the pedal crank axle E by any suitable form of joint, so that they may
rock with respect to each other at or about the pedal crank axle. The object of
pivotting these two parts of the frame together at or about the pedal crank axle, is
that the relative positions of the handle bar, saddle, and pedal crank axle shall not
alter under the movements of the several parts of the frame. To prevent undue wear
on the pivotting joint, and to make the two parts of the frame transversely rigid,
the apex of the frame D D1 D2 is adapted to slide on the frame H H1 H2 H3 at or
near the junction of the two sides H₁ and H2 as illustrated by Figure 2, or on a
guide bar h carried thereby as illustrated by Figure 1. To control the movement of
the two parts of the frame D D¹ D² and H H¹ H2 H3 with respect to one another, a
spring J is interposed in any convenient position either as shown by Figures 1 and 2
where the spring J is acting in compression between the side H3 of the one part of

page_text: one frame, and a cross Dat
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part of the frame, or as shown by Figure 3 where the spring is enclosed in a box h
carried by the side H³ of the one part of the frame, and is compressed by a piston /¹
connected by a coupling rod j with the end of the side D of the other part of the
frame. As a further modification the spring J may be adapted to act in tension
between the end of the side D and any convenient part of the side H³. It is not
essential that the side D2 of the triangular frame joins the side D at the extreme end
thereof, or that the end of the side D beyond the bearing of the pedal crank axle
shall be continued in the same plane, as both these points may be modified as shown
by Figures 2 and 3 either for convenience in construction or for simplicity of design.
The part B B of the frame is connected to the part H H¹ H² H³ by means of a
link K or its equivalent, pivotted to the post B1 close to the crown of the fork B
and to the lower end of the steering pillar G carried by the frame H H1 H2 H³. The
upper end of the post B¹ is adapted to slide through a socket L-either with or with-
out a rocking bearing-carried by the steering pillar G₁. The movement of the
part B B is controlled by a spring J1 encircling the post B₁ and acting in com-
pression between a collar or shoulder b formed on, or fixed to, the said post, and
the socket carried by the steering pillar. A check spring J2 is placed above the
socket Las illustrated to prevent noise and rattle. If desired springs may be placed
on the steering pillar G₁ above and below the steering socket H as illustrated by
Figures and 4, but this forms no part of my invention.
Instead of placing the link K at the bottom and the socket L at the top, the
position of these two parts may be reversed with equal effect.
By connecting the forward end of the member D of the part D D1 and D2 of the
frame with the lower end of the steering pillar G at its point of attachment to the
link K by means of a link, or its equivalent as illustrated by dotted lines in Figure 3
Sheet No. 2, the spring J can be dispensed with, the spring J1 controlling the entire
movements of the several parts of the frame. The link would be connected to the
steering pillar by a ball and socket joint.
j
As a modification the part D D1 D2 of the frame may be connected to the
part H H H2 H3 by means of a link K' and sliding socket L¹ in a similar manner
In the frame shown
to the part B B¹ of the frame as illustrated by Figures 4 and 5.
by Figure 4 the link K¹ is connected to the part D D1 D2 of the frame at or about
the pedal crank axle E, the part H H1 H2 H³ of the frame being shaped to adapt
the machine to the use of ladies. In the frame shown by Figure 5, the link K¹ is
connected to the part D D1 D2 of the frame at or about the connection of the two
sides D, and D2 of the said frame, in which case the side D2 is made of a single
member as illustrated. The post D³ forms an extension of the side or fork D¹, and
is adapted to slide through a socket L-either with or without a rocking bearing--
carried by the side H2 and is fitted with springs J and J as illustrated. Those parts
which have not been herinabove particularly described, or which are not fully
illustrated in the drawings, present no novel features and may be of the usual type
and construction. My improved spring frame although hereinbefore more particu-
larly described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings as applied to a rear-
driving safety bicycle, is equally applicable to all types of tricycles.
By this construction of frame the weight of the rider is carried or suspended
between the steering and driving wheel, or wheels, on springs, and either wheel, or
wheels, can rise to pass over obstacles without appreciably lifting the other part or
parts of the frame.
I wish it to be particularly understood that I do not limit myself to the precise
details of construction herin before set forth, but hold myself at liberty to make such
changes and alterations, as fairly fall within the scope of my invention.
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 what
I claim is
1st. The improvements in velocipedes substantially as hereinbefore set forth.

page_text: 2nd. In a velocipede, constructing the frame in three parts, one adapted to carry
the steering wheel, or wheels, another the driving wheel or wheels, and the third the
seat steering head or socket and the transverse handle bar for the rider and connecting
the said parts together clastically, in the manner and for the purpose set forth.
3rd. In a velocipede, the combination with the quadrilateral frame carrying the seat
or saddle, the steering head or socket, and the transverse handle bar for the rider, of
the fork and extension post carrying the steering wheel, and connected to the steering
pillar carried in the forward part of the said quadrilateral frame by a link and a
sliding socket, of the spring adapted to support and control the connection of these
two parts of the frame of the triangular frame carrying the steering wheel or wheels
and the pedal crank axle and pivotted to the lower extremity of the quadrilateral frame
at or about the pedal crank axle, of the spring acting between two members of the
triangular and quadrilateral frames to control the movements thereof about the
pivotal points of connection, and of the bar or guide formed on or fixed to the upper
rear end of the quadrilateral frame and adapted to receive the upper end of the
triangular frame and support it against lateral movement, all combined, arranged
and operating, as and for the purpose set forth.
4th. In a velocipede, the combination with the frame or frames carrying the
driving wheel or wheels, the pedal-crank axle, the seat or saddle, and the steering
head and handle bar, of the fork or its. equivalent carrying the steering wheel
or wheels, the extension post thereof, the link connecting the extension post to
the steering pillar, the socket carried by the steering pillar and adapted to receive
the extension post and the helical spring on the extension post acting between a collar
on the said post and the under side of the socket on the steering pillar, all arranged
and operating, as and for the purpose set forth.
5th. In a velocipede the main frame of which carrying the driving wheel or
wheels, the seat or saddle for the rider, the pedal crank axle, and the steering head
or joint is formed in two parts, the one carrying the driving wheel or wheels, and
the other the seat or saddle and the steering hinge or joint, the two parts being
hinged or pivotted together at or about the pedal crank axle, extending the lower
members of that part of the frame carrying the driving wheel or wheels forward of
the pedal crank axle, and elastically connecting the said extension at any convenient
point with that part of the frame carrying the seat or saddle and the steering head
or joint, as and for the purpose set forth.
6th. In a velocipede, mounting the steering wheel or wheels and the driving wheel
or wheels in separate and independent frames, connecting the said frames to a frame
carrying the seat or saddle for the rider, the steering head or joint, and the trans-
verse steering bar by means of a shackle link and a sliding joint, and controlling
the relative movements of the said frames by springs surrounding the sliding parts
and adapted to act in compression, as and for the purpose set forth.
7th. In a velocipede, the combination of the frame H HH2 H3 carrying the
pillar F to support the seat F¹ the steering pillar G₁ carrying the socket L and the
transverse handle bar G, of the frame B and B carrying the steering wheel A and
having the part B' adapted to slide in the socket L and to be connected to the
lower end of the steering post G¹ by a link K or its equivalent, of the frame D D1 D2
carrying the driving wheel C, the bearings e for the pedal crank axle E, at or
about which the frame H H1 H2 H3 is pivotally connected therewith, of the link j or
its equivalent connecting the forward end of the member D with the lower end of
the steering pillar G₁, of the guide bar h or its equivalent, and of the spring J1
encircling the extension post B¹ of the fork B and adapted to control the movements
of the three parts of the frame, as and for the purpose set forth.
Daten O LUUST 1000.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers, 70, 71 & 72, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.