Improvements in and relating to Velocipedes.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Sept., 1887
Complete Left, 21st June, 1888
Complete Accepted, 27th July, 1888
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Velocipedes.
I, STEPHEN MARTIN of 181 Birchfield Road, Handsworth, in the county of
Staffordshire, Works Manager, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows
My invention relates to the construction of the frames of bicycles, tricycles and
other velocipedes and it has for its object the construction of the frame in such a
manner that certain parts thereof may have a given amount of play in the vertical
plane with respect to the other parts of the frame of the machine, for the purpose
of supressing or cutting off vibration from the rider, whereby greater ease and
comfort is obtained.
I carry my invention into practical effect in the following manner :-Instead of
mounting the steering wheel in the usual vertical or approximately vertical fork,
I mount it in a horizontal or approximately horizontal fork. The root of this fork is
hinged by a transverse pin or its equivalent to a curved or bent extension of the
steering post or head, which is placed in a convenient position above the wheel, so
that its centre line cuts the wheel base at or about the centre of the steering wheel.
From the horizontal fork a light fork extends diagonally upwards to support the top
of a mud-guard which is also fixed to the root of the horizontal fork so as to act as
a tie between the diagonal and the horizontal forks. To the root of the diagonal fork
is hinged a rod which forms a flexible extension of the said fork. This rod slides
through a socket formed in or on, the extension of the steering post or head, and is
encircled by a spiral spring which acts as a cushion between the root of the horizontal
fork and the curved or bent steering post, thus controlling the movement of the
hinged horizontal fork. It will thus be seen that when the steering wheel meets
an obstacle it is free to rise within certain limits defined by the cushion spring.
I mount the driving wheel or wheels in a fork or other suitable frame which

page_text: I hinge to the backbone of the machine by a single transverse hinge or joint, instead
of connecting it rigidly thereto. To control the action of this hinge or joint and
allow the frame to give slightly in the vertical plane, I hinge on to the frame carrying
the driving wheel or wheels, a rod which slides through a socket formed in a bracket
fixed to the backbone. Encircling this rod is a spiral spring which acts as a cushion
between the backbone and the frame carrying the driving wheel or wheels thus
controlling the movement of the frame. On the free end of the hinged rod carrying
the spring I cut a screw thread to receive two lock nuts to prevent the frame
collapsing when it is lifted from the ground. With these two nuts it is also possible
to make the frame quite rigid in case the spring breaks, or if it is deemed advisable
to do so for any other reason or purpose. This is effected by placing one nut on each
side of the socket carried by the bracket on the backbone, and locking them up tight
against the faces thereof. This device may also be used for varying the position of
the seat or saddle with respect to the pedal crank axle to give a more or less vertical
tread. This locking device may also be applied to the hinged spring supporting rod,
as applied to the frame carrying the steering wheel.
Dated this 23rd day of September 1887.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70-72, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Velocipedes.
1, STEPHEN MARTIN of 181 Birchfield Road Handsworth in the county of
Staffordshire, Works Manager, 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 to the construction of the frames of bicycles, tricycles
and other velocipedes, and it has for its object the construction of the frame in such
a manner that certain parts thereof may have a given amount of play in the vertical
plane with respect to the other parts of the frame of the machine, for the purpose of
suppressing or cutting off vibration from the rider, whereby greater ease and comfort
is obtained.
I carry my invention into practical effect in the following manner :-Instead of
mounting the steering wheel in the usual vertical or approximately vertical fork,
I mount it in a horizontal or approximately horizontal fork. The root of this fork
is binged by a transverse pin or its equivalent to an extension of the steering post
or head which is placed in a convenient position above the wheel so that its centre
line cuts the wheelbase, at or about, the point of contact of the said wheel with the
ground. From the horizontal fork a light fork extends diagonally upwards to support
the top of a mud guard which is also fixed to the root of the horizontal fork so as to
act as a tie between the diagonal and the horizontal forks. To the root of the
diagonal fork is hinged a rod which forms a flexible extension of the said fork. This
rod slides through a socket formed in, or on, the extension of the steering post or
head and is encircled by a spiral spring which acts as a cushion between the root of the
horizontal fork and the curved or bent steering post, thus controlling the movement
of the hinged horizontal fork. It will thus be seen that when the steering wheel
meets an obstacle it is free to rise within certain limits defined by the cushion
spring.
I mount the driving wheel or wheels in a fork or other suitable frame, which
I hinge to the backbone of the machine by a single transverso hinge or joint instead
of connecting it rigidly thereto. To control the action of this hinge or joint and
allow the frame to give slightly in the vertical plane, I hinge on to the frame carrying
the driving wheel or wheels a rod which slides through a socket formed in a bracket
fixed to the backbone. Encircling this rod is a spiral spring which acts as a cushion
between the backbone and the frame carrying the driving wheel or wheels thus
controlling the movement of the frame. On the free end of the hinged rod carrying
the spring I cut a screw thread to receive two lock nuts to prevent the frame
collapsing when it is lifted from the ground. With these two nuts it is also possible
to make the frame quite rigid in case the spring breaks, or if it is deemed advisable

page_text: to do so for any other reason or purpose. This is effected by placing one nut on
each side of the socket carried by the bracket on the backbone, and locking them up
tight against the faces thereof. This device may also be used for varying the position
of the seat or saddle with respect to the pedal-crank axle to give a more or less
vertical tread.
This locking device may also be applied to the hinged spring supporting rod as
applied to the frame carrying the steering wheel.
In order that my invention may be fully understood I herewith append drawings
illustrating some methods of carrying it into practical effect. Figure 1 Sheet No. 1
is a view showing the construction of my improved spring fork and frame, and
Figure 2 is a view showing a modification of the spring fork and the spring frame
locked rigid.
Throughout these views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
Referring to these Figures, A designates the steering wheel which is mounted in a
horizontal fork B pivotted by the pin or bolt to the extension of the steering
post C. In Figure 1 Sheet No. 1 the extension C₁ takes the form of a bent tube,
and in Figure 2 Sheet No. 2 it takes the form of a straight fork. B' designates the
diagonal fork springing from the fork B and stayed thereto by a light plate D acting
as a mud guard and a tie between the forks. E designates the rod hinged by the
pin e to the root of the diagonal fork B', and sliding freely through an eye e formed
in, or on, either the steering post as illustrated by Figure 2 Sheet No. 2, or on
the extension thereof Cas illustrated by Figure 1 Sheet No. 1. F designates the
spiral spring encircling the rod E and bearing against a collar e' on the said rod at
the one end, and against the eye at the other end. e², e² designate the lock nuts on
the rod E. G designates the driving wheel which is mounted in a duplex forked
frame consisting of a pair of forks H and H' connected to a curved tube J. To this
tube J the backbone K is pivotted by the pin or bolt J. E' designates the rod
hinged to the tube J by the pin e and sliding through an eye & formed in a bracket K
carried by the backbone K. F' designates the spiral spring encircling the rod E' and
bearing against the collar e' on the said rod at the one end, and against the eye k¹ at
the other end. e², e designate the lock nuts on the rod E¹.
On reference to Figure 2 Sheet No. 2, it will be seen that by the use of the two
locknuts the frame may be rendered perfectly rigid by preventing the movement of
the joint therein, so that in case the spring breaks the machine is not rendered
unrideable. This same device is utilized in the spring fork. By the use of this
device to control the movements of the joints in the frame and fork respectively, the
relative positions of the various parts of the frame may be varied with respect to one
another to alter the tilt or piteli of the saddle, and the position with respect thereto
of the handle bar.
I would have it understood that I do not limit myself to the particular construction
and arrangement of parts as hereinbefore described, but hold myself at liberty to
make such alterations and modifications as fairly fall within the spirit and scope
of my invention.
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 :-
First. A spring frame for velocipedes constructed specifically as hereinbefore set
forth.
Second. In a velocipede mounting the steering wheel in a horizontal fork pivotted
or hinged to an extension of the steering post in the rear of the said wheel, and
controlling the action of the said hinge or joint by means of a spring mounted on a
rod hinged to a diagonal fork springing from the horizontal fork and acting against
the extension of the steering post, as set forth.
Third. In a velocipede, the combination with the horizontal spring fork for carrying
the steering wheel, of the spring frame for carrying the driving wheel or wheels,.
constructed and operating, as set forth.

page_text: Fourth. In a velocipede, mounting the wheels in forks pivotted or hinged to the
other parts of the frame, and controlling the action of such joints or hinges by means
of segmental bars, rods, or their equivalents, whereby the relative positions of the
forks may be varied with respect to the other part or parts of the frame, as and for
the purpose set forth.
Fifth. In a velocipede the particular construction of frame, which may be rendered
elastic or rigid at will, as herein before set forth.
Sixth. In a velocipede, arranging the steering post or head, so that while the axial
line of the centres of the said post or head would if produced touch the ground at or
about the point of contact of the steering wheel therewith, the said post or head
terminates in the rear of the steering wheel, as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 21st day of June 1888
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.