Improvements in or relating to Spring Supports for the Bearings of Bicycles, Tricycles, and other Wheeled Vehicles.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Aug., 1898-Accepted, 12th Nov., 1898
Improvements in or relating to Spring Supports for the Bearings of
Bicycles, Tricycles, and other Wheeled Vehicles.
I, WILLIAM BARTON SPENCER, of 125, Dearborn Street, Chicago, County of
Cook, State of Illinois, United States of America, Physician, 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:
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My invention relates to cushion devices for vehicles, more specially bicycles
of the pattern known to the art as safety" bicycles, and one object is to provide
cushioned bearings for the wheel hubs so as to reduce the shock to the rider due to
the passage of the vehicle over rough roads and obstructions, so that the riding is
rendered less fatiguing.
In these cushion devices for bicycles, it is necessary to suspend or sustain the
wheel axle so that it will not be subjected to deflection in either a vertical or
horizontal line when the course of the machine is changed, as for example, in
turning corners.
It is also desirable to suspend the wheel axle in a manner to permit the bicycle
frame to yield vertically and always maintain its proper relation to the fork of
the frame; and also to dispose the cushion devices in an exceedingly compact
relation to the bicycle frame and the wheel in order to avoid interfering with the
rider in mounting or dismounting.
In devices of this class, it is desirable that the points of suspension or
support for the wheel axle shall be arranged to secure an uniform distribution of
the spring tension for the cushion device, to the end that the cross-head for the
wheel axle may be kept from tilting or binding in the guide.
The present invention seeks to obtain these ends by an exceedingly simple
and efficient construction which may be embodied in the construction of bicycles
during the manufacture thereof, or which may be built into or attached to bicycles
already constructed, at a small cost.
With these ends in view, the invention consists in the novel combination of
elements and in the construction and arrangement of parts, which will be herein-
after fully described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawing,—
Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improvement applied to the rear hub and
fork of an ordinary safety bicycle frame, the rear fork and braces only of such frame
being shown.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of part of a front bicycle fork and the front wheel-
hub, showing my cushion device applied thereto.
Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section taken centrally through the structure
shown by Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a detail face view of the frame-plate.
Figure 5 is a detail perspective view of the cross head.
Figure 6 is a detail perspective view of the guide stem by which the wheel axle
is held from displacement in a vertical plane.

page_text: Figure 7 is a detail view of the clip plate to which may be attached the lower
ends of the cushion spring-bands.
Like numerals of reference denote like and corresponding parts in each of the
several figures of the drawing.
In Figures 1 and 3 of the drawing, I have shown my improved cushion device
in connection with the rear frame-fork and the rear wheel-hub of an ordinary
safety bicycle, while in Figure 2 the cushion is shown applied to the front fork
and the front wheel hub of such bicycle; but in both constructions the cushion
is essentially the same in so far as the leading features of the device are concerned.
In Figures 1 and 3, the numerals, 1, 2, designate the frame-plate of my cushion
attachment, the numeral 3 denotes the members of the horizontal rear fork
and 4 the members of the upwardly inclined braces which extend from the rear
fork and attach to the seat-post-tube of an ordinary bicycle frame, in the usual or
any approved manner. The frame-plates 1, 2, are duplicates of each other, and
each frame-plate consists of an annulus, 5, the parallel vertical guides, 6, and the
radial arms or lugs, 7, 8, which protrude beyond the annulus, 5, and lie at
different angles thereto for the purpose of attaching said arms or lugs to the
horizontal fork, 3, and the inclined braces 4, of the bicycle frame. These radial
arms, 7, 8, of the frame-plates are united to the fork and braces in any suitable
or approved manner, as for instance, by the couplings shown in Figure 1, but said
arms may be brazed or otherwise united to the forks. Said frame-plates are joined
to the bicycle frame to have their arms, 7, 8, parallel to each other and bring the
frame-plates and the frame in proper relation under all conditions of service; and
said frame plates are united and positioned on the bicycle frame to cause the
parallel guides, 6, to always occupy vertical positions. I attach importance to the
described construction of the frame-plates because such construction enables each
plate to be struck up or otherwise wrought from a single piece of metal, thus enabl-
ing the frame-plate to be produced economically and in a manner to provide for its
assemblage and attachment to the bicycle fork. The lower part of the annulus, 5,
forming one element of the frame-plate, is open or divided, as at 9, between the
lower terminals of the guides, 6, 6, thus forming an opening or throat, 10, coin-
cident with the space between the guides, and this construction possesses utility in
that provision is made for the ready removal and replacement of the slidable cross-
head adapted to sustain the wheel axle.
11 designates a wheel axle, 12, the wheel-hub, and 13 the ball-bearing cup within
the hub of the rear wheels. Said hub and ball bearing of the rear wheel may be
of the usual construction. At its ends the axle, 11, is externally threaded to
accommodate the slidable cross-heads, 14, 15. Each cross-head is a single piece
of metal, preferably a casting or drop forging of the character shown more clearly
by Figure 5; and said cross-head comprises a body, 16, two pairs of arms, 17, 18,
and a threaded socket, 19, the latter being closed on the outer side or face of the
body while its inner end opens through the inner face of the body, 16, for the
reception of one threaded end of the axle, see Figure 3. The construction of
the cross-head with the threaded socket therein provides for the easy and ready
attachment of said cross-head to the axle without employing threaded pins or
other fastenings; and said cross-head may also be readily detached or applied
in a moment's time. The arms, 17. protrude from the body, 16, of the cross-head
on one side of the axle socket, 19, while the other pair of arms, 18, extend from
the opposite side of the cross-head body, said arms, 17, 18, lying at right angles
to the axle socket, 19. In its opposite sides or faces the body, 16, of the cross-
head is provided with grooves or channels, 20, and said cross-head is fitted in the
frame-plate for the vertical guides 6, of said frame-plate to be received in said
grooves or channels in a manner to permit the guides and the frame-plate to play
vertically in the grooves of the cross-head, whereby the bicycle frame may have a
limited vertical movement in relation to the wheel-axle. By dividing the annulus
or frame-plate in the line of the space between the vertical guides to form the
throat, 10, the cross-head may be readily introduced into the frame-plate or with-
drawn therefrom; and as the cross-heads are attached to the axle of the wheel-hub,

page_text: such removal and replacement of the cross-heads with facility from and into the
frame-plates, enables the wheel to be disconnected from or applied to the bicycle-
frame whenever desired, for the purpose of inspection or repairs.
The throat, 10, at the lower edge of the arched frame-plate is designed to be
closed by the clip-plate, 23, or in lieu of this clip-plate a cross-bar may be
secured to the annulus of the frame-plate. This clip-plate or cross-bar, 23, is
adapted to co-operate with the pairs of arms, 17, 18, of the cross head to provide for
the retention of the elastic cushion bands, and also to furnish a means for limiting
the vertical play of the cross-head in a downward direction within the frame-
plate. This clip-plate 23, is shown by Figure 7 as consisting of a single piece of
metal which is struck up in substantially rectangular form to provide a central slot
therein, and said clip-plate is doubled or folded upon itself centrally, as shown.
The folded clip-plate is applied edgewise against the lower part of the frame-plate
to span the throat or opening, 10, therein, and to have its ends or arms project
beyond the edges of the arched part of the frame-plate, the slot of the clip-plate
lying in the vertical plane of the throat or opening, 10, between the parallel
guides, 6, of the frame plate. Said clip-plate, 23, may be attached to the frame-
plate by transverse rivets or other fasteners, but this detail may be varied by a
skilled mechanic. The clip-plate occupies a position below and parallel to the
arms, 17, 18, of the cross-head, and said plate, 23, with its protruding ends or arms
also lies in a vertical plane between the pairs of arms, 17, 18. The arms or pro-
truding ends of the clip-plate, 23, and the pairs of arms, 17, 18, of the cross-head are
operatively connected by elastic spring bands, 24, 25, one or more pairs of which
may be used according to the weight of the rider on the bicycle frame. I have
shown the springs, 24, 25, as consisting of doubled bands of elastic material, such
as rubber or its equivalent. The spring, 24, is arranged on one side of the longi-
tudinal axis of the wheel axle so as to have its middle portion fit around and beneath
one end or arm of the clip-plate, 23, while its end portions fit over and around
the pair of arms, 17, on one side of the cross-head. The other spring, 25, fits
around the opposite end of the clip-plate, 23, and its ends are fitted to the other
pair of arms, 18, on the opposite side of said cross-head. It will thus be seen that
the springs on each side of the wheel axle are complete and independent of them-
selves and that they are disposed in different vertical planes and in lines parallel to
said axle. This construction and arrangement provides for the compact disposition
of the parts in a neat manner, enables a large mass of rubber to be employed to give
more or less resistance or cushion according to the weight to be sustained by the
bicycle frame and without producing a bulky appearance objectionable to the sight,
secures an equal and uniform distribution of the weight, and also obviates any
tendency of the cross-head to cant or tilt sideways, thereby reducing to a minimum
the tendency of the cross-head to bind or cramp in the guides of the frame-plate.
The elastic spring bands may be easily slipped out of place by simply removing them
from the arms of the cross-head and the clip-plate, thus providing for their ready
replacement when they shall have become worn. This provision for removing
worn spring bands and replacing them with new bands, enables the number of
springs to be varied as occasion may require in order to adapt the bicycle to be
ridden by light or heavy weight riders. It will also be understood that I may
increase the number of elastic bands employed on either side of the axle, and that
the bands may consist of one, two or more groups as may be desired.
By reference to Figures 1 and 2, it will be seen that the elastic band is fitted
around one end or arm of the clip-plate, 23, rigidly fastened to the frame-plate,
and that its looped ends or bights are fitted on the upper pair of arms of the cross-
head. This construction provides for the connection of each spring band to the
cross-head and frame-plate in a manner for each band to lie wholly on one side of the
cross-head and the axle fitted therein. Each band is thus independent and com-
plete of itself on one side of the axle, and by arranging said hands on the cross-
head on opposite sides of the axle, they are caused to exert an uniform tension on
the cross-head, thus preventing the latter from displacement by canting or tilting
the same in the guides of the frame-plate. The lower bar or clip-plate, 23, is

page_text: fastened to the frame-plate in a plane between the upper pairs of arms of the cross-
head, and thus the loops or bights of each elastic band are spread or spaced laterally
at their connections with the cross-head arms, whereby the looped ends of the spring
band are properly connected to the cross-head in a manner to provide for easy and
ready access thereto in case it is desired to slip the elastic band from the cross-
head and replace the same with other springs or bands.
The construction of the frame-plate substantially as shown by the drawing, is
advantageous in that it provides an exceedingly simple and strong construction for
joining together divergent bars or members of a bicycle frame, and said frame-
plate supports all of the working parts of the cushion device and enables the same
to be readily applied to bicycle frames of ordinary construction.
In connection with each frame-plate, I employ two vertical tubular guides or
sockets, 26, 27, and said guides are arranged above and below the frame-plate and
the axle. These tubular guides are in vertical alinement with each
other and in the vertical plane of the axle. The upper guide or socket
is attached to the frame-plate, 1 or 2, by a bent arm, 26", which is struck
up from or otherwise made integral with the arched frame-plate; and said
arm, 26, is bent to project from the inner face of the frame-plate, the arm and its
guide socket being united by brazing or other suitable means. The other tubular
guide socket, 27, is joined rigidly to a pendent arm, 28, of the frame-plate, and
this arm, 28, is bent outwardly to pass through the slot of the clip-plate 23, said
arm, 28, and the clip-plate being attached together by a rivet, screw, or other
device.
A vertical guide-stem, 30, has its ends fitted in the tubular guide-sockets, 26, 27,
so as to be held thereby against deflection out of a vertical position, thus enabling
the stem, 30, to hold the wheel axle with which it is connected against deflection
in a vertical plane. Said guide-stem, 30, is provided with a central annular
cavity, 31, forming a seat for the adjusting cone, 32, of the ball-bearing, 13, for the
rear wheel-hub; and said vertical guide-stem has a transverse opening which
communicates with the cavity or seat therein, through which opening passes a
threaded part of the axle which may thus be attached to the cross-head arranged out-
side of the guide-stem as clearly shown by Figure 3. On the threaded part of the axle
is fitted a take up nut, 33, that bears against the guide-stem, 30, and the adjusting
cone, 32, is also fitted adjustably on the axle for movement thereon to compensate
for wear on the ball-bearing of the wheel-hub.
From the foregoing description taken in conection with the drawing, it will be
seen that I have provided frame-plates and vertical guides therefor on both sides
of the bicycle frame. The cross-heads and the guides of the frame-plates serve to
sustain the axle and wheel-hub in such relation to the frame that the axle and
wheel cannot become displaced in a horizontal plane, while the employment of the
guide-stems, 30, which play in the tubular guide-sockets of the frame-plate, prevent
the axle and wheel-hub from deflection in a vertical plane. The parts are exceed-
ingly simple in construction, compactly arranged to present a neat appearance,
and provide for ready access to all of the parts for easy and quick adjustment.
In the embodiment of the invention represented by Figure 2, the frame-plates
are each constructed with a single lug or arm to provide for the proper application
or union of the frame-plates with the members of the front fork, but in all other
respects, such as the construction of the cross-heads, the clip-plates, the vertical
guide-stems and the spring bands, the device shown by Figure 2 is the same as the
device represented by Figures 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the drawing.
While I have shown and described the cushion device as especially adapted for
service in connection with the front and rear forks of a bicycle, I do not limit
myself to this particular adaptation or employment of the cushion device, as I
am aware that it may be used in other arts, such as in children's carriages, and on
vehicles. Therefore, while I have shown and described the device in connection
with a bicycle frame for which it is especially designed, I reserve the right to apply

page_text: and use the cushion support in other relations where it may be advantageously
employed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. The combination with a frame-plate provided with vertical guides, of a
horizontal arm or clip united rigidly and centrally to said frame-plate at the lower
part thereof and having a rounded lower side and headed projecting ends, a cross-
head fitted slidably through said guide-bars and provided with horizontal arms
arranged parallel to each other and on opposite sides of the lower arm or clip-
plate, the headed ends of the upper arms projecting from the cross-head to be free
from the same and the frame-plate, and looped spring bands fitted around the extended
ends of the lower arm or clip-plate and having their loops or bights fitted on the
upper arms which are movable with said cross-head, each spring band being
arranged wholly on one side of the axle, for the purpose described, substantially
as set forth.
2. The combination with an axle and a frame, of a frame-plate having central
guides and united to the frame to be movable vertically therewith, a cross-head
receiving the axle and fitted slidably to the guides, spaced horizontal arms rigid
with the cross-head and projecting from both sides thereof and arranged on opposite
sides of the guides of said frame-plate, a clip-plate or arm rigid with the frame-
plate and lying in a plane between the arms of the cross-head, and looped elastic
bands arranged on opposite sides of the axle and connected with the cross-head-
arms and to the arm or clip-plate of the frame plate to have each individual spring
lie wholly on one side of the axle, substantially as described.
3. The combination with a wheel-axle, of a vertically-movable frame-plate, a
cross-head attached to said axle and fitted to slide vertically within the frame-plate
and to be held thereby against deflection in a horizontal plane, a cushion device
between said frame-plate and the cross-head, and vertical guides attached to the
axle and connected slidably with the frame-plate, for the purpose described,
substantially as set forth.
4. The combination with a wheel-axle, of a cross-head fixed thereto, a vertically-
movable frame plate slidably fitted to the cross-head, a vertical sectional guide
having one part thereof rigid with the axle and other parts carried by said frame-
plate to restrain the latter against deflection in a vertical plane, and a cushion
device between the frame-plate and the cross-head whereby the frame-plate may
yield vertically and is held by the cross-head and vertical guides against deflection
in either a horizontal or a vertical plane, substantially as described.
5. The combination with a non-rotatable axle, of a vertically-movable frame-
plate having two sets of guide devices, one set of which is in a different vertical
plane from the other, a cross-head fixed to the axle and fitted to one set of guide
devices of said frame-plate to be restrained thereby against deflection in a horizontal
plane, a guide-stem rigid with the axle and slidably fitted in the other set of guide
devices of said frame-plate for restraining the parts against deflection in a vertical
plane, and a cushion between the frame-plate and the cross-head, substantially
as described.
6. The combination with a bicycle frame and an axle, of a frame-plate,
cushions for said axle and supported by the frame-plate, the vertical
guide sockets carried by the frame-plate above and below the axle, and a
guide-stem attached to the axle and slidably fitted in said vertical guide sockets,
substantially as described.
7. The combination with an axle and a frame-plate, of vertical guide sockets
carried by the frame-plate, a guide stem fitted to the axle and slidably connected
to the guide sockets, and an adjusting cone seated in the guide stem, substantially
as described.
8. The combination with an axle, of a frame-plate having vertical guides and

page_text: a throat between said guides, a slotted clip-plate fastened to the frame-plate, a
cross-head attached to the axle and provided with ways for the reception of the
guides of said frame-plate, cushioned springs attached to the cross head and the
clip plate, the vertical guide sockets carried by the frame-plate, and a guide-
stem attached to the axle and slidably fitted in the sockets, substantially as
described.
5
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.