Improvements in Bicycle Heads.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Aug., 1890-Accepted, 13th Sept., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bicycle Heads.
We HENRY GARDNER BARR, of corner of Forbes and South Street Westborough,
County of Worcester, State of Massachusetts, United States of America, Super-
intendent of White Cycles Works and JOHN ALLEN ATWOOD, of Main Street in
said Westborough, Mechanic, 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 relates especially to providing the steering head of bicycles with
means whereby the expansion or contraction and wear of the parts may be com-
pensated for and it consists in certain novel features hereinafter fully set forth and
claimed, the object being to produce a simpler, cheaper and more effective device of
this character than is now in ordinary use.
i
The nature and operation of the improvement will be readily understood by all
conversant with such matters from the following explanation.
The main portions of the machine being of the ordinary form and construction, it
is not deemed essential to specifically describe the same.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is an elevation of a bicycle head provided with my improvement;
Figure 2 a vertical transverse section enlarged of the head; and
Figure 3 a like view showing a modification.
Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures of the
drawings.
A represents the head of the machine which is tubular and is provided interiorly in
its lower end with an annular groove forming a shoulder b.
The fork tube B, has its upper end bevelled outwardly at d, and is fitted to project
into the grooved end of the head. Balls are interposed in the groove and work on
the bevel d, and shoulder b, forming a ball bearing for the head.
The inner or handle tube C, is inserted in the fork tube and passes through the
head. The tube C, is threaded exteriorly at g, and a screw cap D, is turned thereon.
An annular horizontal shoulder h, is formed therein.
The upper end of the head is bevelled outwardly at i and the cap D, projects down-
ward sufficiently to enclose said bevelled portion.
A ring or cushion m of elastic material is disposed around the tube C, and is faced
on each side respectively by metallic rings p, 9.
Balls t, are disposed between the ring q and bevel i, of the head forming a ball
bearning therefor.
By means of a nut v, the cup may be forced downward to take up the wear of the
joints.
By means of the device described vibration is practically overcome, the elastic
ring m cushioning the jar from the wheel.
The ball bearings for the head greatly reduces the friction of the handle tube, when
steering, and all rattling or binding of the parts may readily be obviated.
33
In Figure 3, which shows my improvements applied to the well known "Stanley
type of cycle head, an inner tube, is screwed into the fork tube said tube being
chambered vertically in its lower end at j, and an elastic cushion k, is disposed in the
bottom of said chamber. The head has a cone bearing 1, on which a metallic tube x,
grooved to receive said cone works.
A short metallic pipe y, disposed in the tube, passes through the cushion k acting
as a stop to prevent the cushion spreading into the tube.
The cushion m, may be substituted by a coiled spring, if preferred.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
:-
First. The combination of the head, fork tube and handle tube, ball bearings
between the head and fork, a cap on the handle tube and ball bearings between the
cap and head substantially as set forth.
Second. The combination of the head and handle tube, an adjustable cap on said
tube, an elastic cushion in said cap provided with a wear plate; and ball bearings
between said plate and head substantially as set forth.
Third. The combination of the hollow head having an interior annular shoulder at
one end and bevelled outwardly at the opposite end, with the bevelled fork tube and
interposed balls, the handle tube, the screw cap, the elastic cushion, wear plates and
interposed balls arranged to operate substantially as set forth.
Fourth. The head A, provided with the shoulder b, in combination with the
bevelled fork tube B, and balls f, arranged to operate substantially as set forth.
Fifth. The head A, provided with the bevel i, and shoulder b, in combination with
the tubes B, C, and balls, the cap D the elastic metal faced cushion m and the
balls t, all being arranged to operate substantially as set forth.
Sixth. The cone 1, in combination with the tube B, chambered tube 2, cushion k,
and bearing tube, substantially as described.
Seventh. The cone 7 and tube B, in combination with the chambered tube z,
cushion k, bearing tube, and plug y, arranged to operate substantially as described.
Dated this 5th day of August 1890
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicants.