Improvements in Antivibration Arrangements for Cycles, Carriages, and like Vehicles
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Nov., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 19th Aug., 1898-Accepted, 19th Nov., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Antivibration Arrangements for Cycles, Carriages,
and like Vehicles,
FRANCIS BEAUCHAMP, Sunny Side, The Green, South Tottenham, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer, I do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
Cylinders or chambers charged with oil or air or both combined or any suitable
fluid pressure to act as a cushion. Attached to tubes or rods connected to saddles
or handle bars or any part of the frame to ensure easy riding without vibration.
In most cases the saddle pin is fastened tight in the back tube of a bicycle
more or less on an angle or perpendicular according to the construction of the
frame. For this purpose I provide a piece of tube acting as a piston rod. One
end of the said tube or piston rod has a cup leather screwed thereon the said cup
leather fits into the said tube which forms part of the frame of the vehicle more
or less on an angle or perpendicular the lower end of the said tube forms a cylinder
or chamber for the purpose of retaining the oil or air or both therein. The upper end
of the tube acting as a piston rod is provided with a projecting lug for the purpose
of fixing a pin therein. The said pin passes through another projecting lug
fixed to the upper end of the tube forming part of the frame of the machine more
or less of an angle or perpendicular the said pin acts as a key or guide, or a
lazy tong or a knee motion to answer the same purpose for preventing the tube
or piston rod from turning round but at the same time allowing the tube or piston
rod freedom to rise and fall according to the weight that may be placed thereon.
The seat pillar fits into the tube which acts as a piston rod. The other end of
the lug on the piston rod or tube is provided with a clamping screw for the
purpose of fixing or tightening the seat pillar to enable the rider to adjust it to
any height required. I sometimes use the oil or air chamber at the top end of
the tube or at any convenient part of the frame.
In some cases I fix the oil or air tube or tubes underneath or direct to the
saddle, may be one two or more tubes or cylinders. At the lower end of the tube
forming part of the frame more or less of an angle or perpendicular, I sometimes
have two chambers one of the chambers is provided with a valve for the purpose
of releasing the oil or air or both into the separate chamber when the saddle is
required to be lowered down five or six inches more or less for the purpose of
mounting the machine more easily.
When the rider wishes to raise the saddle to its normal position he places
his foot on a lever which is pivotted to the frame of the machine. The other end
of the said lever has a rod connected thereto the top end of the rod is pivotted
to the pin that passes through the projecting lug, which is fixed to the top of the
down tube of the frame of a cycle. The other end of the said pin is fixed to the
tube which acts as a piston rod.
When I dispense with the pin I pivot the end of the said rod to a lazy tong
motion or a knee motion, this lazy tong or knee motion prevents the piston rod from

page_text: turning round at the same time dispensing with any friction that may occur in the pin
arrangement as before described. When the saddle is pushed up into its normal
position by the foot lever the piston draws the oil or air or both into the same
chamber as it was in before it was released.
The saddle can also be raised or lowered by the hand or the foot lever.
These oil or air cylinders can be applied to the bearings of a cycle or any other
vehicles as well as to the handlebars either triple or otherwise.
Tatal the 10th of Nahan 1907
Improvements in Antivibration Arrangements for Cycles, Carriages,
and like Vehicles.
I, FRANCIS BEAUCHAMP, of Sunny Side, The Green, South Tottenham, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, 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:
The object of my invention is to neutralize to a greater or lesser extent the
vibration, jarring, and jolting which cyclists and others experience when riding
or driving cycles or other vehicles, and which is caused by the cycle or other
vehicle passing over irregularities, obstructions, or unevennesses in the road or
track, the vibrations being transmitted (in the case of cycles) to the body of the
rider chiefly through the saddle-pillar and the handle-bar. In order that my
invention may be fully understood I will proceed to describe the same as applied
to the saddle-pillar and handle-bar of a bicycle by the aid of the accompany-
ing drawings in which:-
Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a saddle-pillar and down-tube
of a bicycle with my improvements applied thereto.
Figure 2 is an elevation of the piston and piston rod, shewn in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the parts forming the subject of my invention
ready to be placed in and connected with the down-tube of an ordinary bicycle.
Figure 4 is a transverse section on line x-x of Figure 3.
Figure 5 illustrates a modification of part of my invention, Figure 6 is a front
elevation, partly in section, of a head-socket or steering-column of a bicycle with
my improvements applied thereto and Figure 7 is a side elevation of the upper
part of the head-socket or steering-column shewn in Figure 6.
Similar letters relate to like parts in all the figures of the drawings.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a is the saddle-pillar, b the down tube, and c the
back fork of a bicycle. Instead of the saddle-pillar a being fitted in an adjustable
manner into the upper end of the down-tube b, as is usually the case, I fit the same
into the upper end of the telescopic tube d to which it is rigidly clamped by a
bolt which passes through the holes d'in the clamp d in the manner well under-
stood in connection with bicycle fittings of this kind. The clamp is con-
nected to the down-tube b by the links e el forming a knee-joint or flexible
coupling which, while allowing of free up and down movement of the telescopic
tube d and saddle pillar a, effectually prevents the telescopic tube d from
turning in the down-tube b. Or instead of the knee-joint e e¹ I sometimes employ
the device shewn in Figure 5 in which e³ is a rod screwed or otherwise attached
to the clamp d², passing freely through a hole in the boss p, and provided with
a nut on its lower end as shewn.
The telescopic tube d is provided with an air-tight partition or stop at d³ towards

page_text: its upper end, and from its lower and open end is inserted the piston with its
hollow piston rod fl as shewn. d is a guide-piece which may be inserted in the
end of the tube d after the piston f is in place. The piston f is preferably com-
posed of upper and lower cup-leathers f3f3 held in place by a screw-nut fas
shewn. is a spring, similar to a clock spring, which is inserted into the cup-
leather in a compressed state and allowed to expand when in place, thereby
ensuring close contact between the cup-leather and the inner surface of the
telescopic tube d. Or instead of the spring f I sometimes employ a plug of cork
or other suitable material for the same purpose, as shewn at fx in Figure 6. The
edge of the upper cup-leather f2 is covered with oil as shewn, which oil is pre-
ferably of a thick and more or less viscous character. The lower end of the hollow
piston rod f is provided with an extension spindle g which is capable of being
adjusted longitudinally in the hollow piston-rod f¹ by means of the notches g¹
into any one of which the locking-ping engages when its handle g³ is turned
into the position shown in full lines in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, but when the said
handle is turned into the position shewn in dotted lines in Figure 1 the spindle g
may be withdrawn, a portion of the locking pin g2 being cut away for that purpose.
And in order to facilitate the adjustment of the extension spindle g in the hollow
piston-rod f and to ensure the required notch being brought opposite to the
locking-pin g2, a small pin or key q in the hollow piston-rod f₁ takes into a
perpendicular groove in the extension-spindle g and prevents the same from
turning (see Figure 4). And grooves or graduation marks r are made on the
extension-spindle (see Figure 3) in such positions that when any one of such grooves
or marks is brought to coincide with the line of the bottom edges of the piston
rod f' then one of the notches g' is exactly opposite to the locking pin g² Also
when one end of the mark on the head of the locking-pin coincides with the
mark on the collar t then the said pin is in the locked position, and vice versa.
The head g of the lower end of the extension-spindle g is adapted to rest upon or
bear against a stop or partition b¹ in the down-tube b.
Supposing now that the saddle-pillar a, telescopic tube d, piston f, and the
extension spindle g are all detached from the bicycle, the lower link being
attached to the down tube b and the upper link e to the telescopic tube d, (the
screw-pin being removed), the parts may be put together in the following
manner:-
The telescopic tube is reversed and the necessary quantity of oil is poured into
it from its lower open end, the piston and rod are inserted as far beyond the air-
hole d, as the imprisoned air in the tube will allow. The guide-piece is now
threaded over the rod f¹ and fitted in place in the end of the tube d. The locking-
pin with its collar t is now screwed on to the end of the piston rod f¹, the
handle is turned into the position shewn in dotted lines in Figure 1, the exten-
sion spindle is inserted until the required notch comes opposite the locking-pin g³
which is then turned into the position shewn in full lines in Figures 1 and 2. It
will be understood that the adjustment of the extension spindle regulates the
amount of the air space between the top surface of the oil and the partition d³
when the telescopic tube d is in place as shewn in Figure 1, and by this means a
cushion of air initially compressed to a greater or lesser extent is obtained
according to the weight of the rider, the condition of the roads to be travelled, and
other circumstances. The telescopic tube d, with its piston f, piston rod f³, and
extension spindle g, is now inserted in the down-tube b, the head resting upon
the partition or stop b¹, as shewn, and the upper end of the telescopic tube d
standing at a distance above the top of the down-tube dependent upon the amount
of projection of the extension spindle from the lower end of the piston-rod fi.
Pressure is now put upon the top of the telescopic tube d until the holes in the
free ends of the links a e coincide. The screw-pin e2 is then inserted and the
parts are thereby held together. It will be understood that the act of bringing
the two links e and e¹ together will have compressed the air above the piston fi
and the connecting together of the links e e¹ will prevent such air from re-expand-

page_text: ing. The imprisoned air will therefore form a more or less yielding cushion
between the frame of the cycle and the saddle-pillar a, which latter is clamped in
the upper open end of the telescopic tube d in a similar manner to that in which it
is usually clamped into the upper open end of the down-tube. I find that such
compressed air cushion lasts for a considerable time, but when it is desired to
renew same, it is only necessary to remove the screw-pin e², withdraw the telescopic
tube d, invert same so that the oil runs back to the partition or stop d³, and draw
back the piston rod f¹ until the edge of the cup-leather e³ passes the air-hole d
when a fresh supply of air will enter, and be imprisoned as soon as the piston f
is forced back past the air hole. The parts may now be returned to their
places in the cycle and will be ready for use again.
The application of my invention to the handle-bar of a bicycle is illustrated in
Figures 6 and 7. h is the handle bar the stem h¹ of which is clamped firmly in
the top of the telescopic tube d which latter is furnished with a clamp ²,
partition or stop ³, guide piece d', air hole d³, piston f, piston rod f¹, extension
spindle g, similar to those described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3. The
telescopic tubed with its downwardly projecting extension spindle is inserted
into the hollow steering spindle i, which carries at its lower end the front fork,
the head of the extension spindle g resting on the stop or partition as shewn.
The hollow steering spindle is adapted to turn in ball-bearings j in the head
socket or steering column k, and in order to allow a limited up and down move-
ment of the handle bar h and yet ensure that the steering motion of such handle
bar shall be transmitted to the hollow steering spindle i, the said handle bar and
the hollow steering spindle are firmly connected together in the following
manner:-
On each of the two opposite sides of the clamp on the top of the telescopic
tube is a screw-stud or pin e2 to which is fitted a pair of double links e e
somewhat after the manner of what are known as lazy-tongs. The lower ends
of the links el are centred to lugs formed on either side of the sleeve in the
bottom of which is formed the race for the ball-bearings j, and which sleeve l
is locked in position on the hollow steering spindle i by means of the keeper-
ring m screwed on the upper part of the said spindle i. It will now be under-
stood that the handle-bar h being connected with the telescopic tube d by the lazy-
tong device e e¹, the vibrations of the front wheel and frame of the cycle are inter-
cepted and more or less absorbed by the cushion of compressed air which is thus
interposed between the said handle-bar and the front wheel and frame of the
cycle, whilst at the same time the handle bar and the hollow steering spindle i
are so connected that they act as if in one piece so far as regards the steering
motion. The handle bar h, telescopic tube d, and the other parts in connection
therewith can be easily removed when it is required to recharge the telescopic
tube d with air, or for other purposes, by removing the two screw-pins e2 and pro-
ceeding in the manner described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3.
Suitable stops are provided in connection with the links e e¹ in Figures 1, 3,
6 and 7 in order to prevent any two of the links from being drawn into a straight
line under any circumstances.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
First. In a cycle or other like vehicle, apparatus for reducing or neutralizing
vibration, which consists of a tube adapted to slide endwise in a guide fixed on
the vehicle, said tube having secured thereto the part in respect of which it is
desired to reduce or neutralize the vibration, a piston in the said tube bearing at
one end against a part of the vehicle, and having a cushion of air interposed
between its other end and an airtight diaphragm or cross wall in the said tube,
substantially as described.
Second. In a cycle or other like vehicle, apparatus for reducing or neutralizing

page_text: vibration, which consists of a tube to which is secured the saddle-pillar, said
tube being adapted to slide longitudinally in a part of the frame of the vehicle,
means for connecting said tube flexibly to the frame of the vehicle so as to enable
it to slide longitudinally but to prevent its turning axially therein, a piston in
said sliding tube, and an air cushion interposed between the piston and the dia-
phragm or division wall of the said tube, substantially as described.
Third. In a cycle or other like vehicle, apparatus for reducing or neutralizing
vibration, which consists of a tube to which is secured the steering handle-bar,
said tube being adapted to slide longitudinally in the steering spindle of the
vehicle, means for connecting said tube flexibly to the said steering spindle so as
to enable it to slide longitudinally but to prevent it turning axially therein, a
piston in said sliding tube, and an air cushion interposed between the piston and
the diaphragm or division wall of the said tube, substantially as described.
Fourth. In a cycle or other like vehicle apparatus for reducing, or neutralizing
vibration which consists of a tube to which is secured the saddle or the steering
handle-bar as the case may be, said tube being adapted to slide longitudinally in a
part of the frame of the vehicle, or in the steering spindle as the case may be, a
piston in such sliding tube, an air cushion interposed between the piston and the
diaphragm or division wall of the said tube, and devices for adjusting the length
of the piston rod in order to vary the initial pressure of the said air-cushion
according to the weight to be supported, substantially as described.
Dated thLIS
August 1990.
1
F. BEAUCHAMP,
Per W. H. Beck,
115, Cannon Street London, E.C., Agent.