An Improved Spring Frame for Velocipedes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Apr., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 20th Dec., 1890-Accepted, 24th Jan., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Spring Frame for Velocipedes.
I, JOHN ASBURY of Cheylesmore, Coventry in the County of Warwick, Machinist,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:--
This invention relates to a novel construction of parts for securing the driving
wheel axle of a velocipede, and holding it down elastically against the upward
pressure of any obstruction that may be presented to the vehicle in motion.
In carrying out my invention in connection with what is known as the safety
bicycle, I construct a rigid triangular tubular frame, to the apex of which is attached
a socket for the steering head, and the base of which constitutes a socket for the seat
stem. To this triangular frame I attach the parts which carry the driving wheel
axle, and constitute my improved spring frame. These parts in the bicycle consist
of two forks, the one being pivotted to the triangular frame near the lower angle
which carries the tubular bearing for the pedal axle, and the other being connected,
by means of a pair of links, to that part of the rigid frame which forms the seat
stem socket. The ends of the lower fork terminate in slots which receive sliding
bearings that carry the driving wheel axle, and which bearings are adjustable by
means of screws and nuts for the purpose of tightening up the driving chain which
transmits the motion from the chain wheel on the pedal axle, to the chain wheel of
the driving wheel. The ends of the upper fork which has the link attachment are
pivotted to the lower fork near its extremities. This combination of forks provides
for the free vertical play of the driving axle. In order, however, to provide an elastic
resistance to any obstruction which the driving wheel may meet in the road, a coiled
spring or its equivalent is interposed between the linked fork and a lug projecting
from the triangular frame. This spring is placed over a scrowed pin, which is secured
to the fork, and passes up through the lug of the frame to receive a nut, the screwing
up of which will serve to regulate the pressure of the spring as desired. It will now
be understood that when the driving wheel meets with an obstruction, it will, in the
act of rising over that obstruction, cause its forked supports to rise, and a compression
of the spring will provide for this movement, and prevent the transmission of any
jerk to the rider, or vibrations to his feet. On passing the obstacle, the spring will
return the parts to their normal position.
Dated this 2nd day of April 1890.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Spring Frame for Velocipedes.
I, JOHN ASBURY, of Cheylesmore, in the County of Warwick, Machinist, 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:
This invention relates to a novel construction of parts for securing the driving
wheel axle of a velocipede, and holding it down elastically against the upward
pressure of any obstruction that may be presented to the vehicle in motion.

page_text: In carrying out my invention in connection with what is known as the safety
bicycle, I construct a rigid triangular tubular frame, to the apex of which is attached
a socket for the steering head, and the base of which constitutes a socket for the seat
stem. To this triangular frame I attach the parts which carry the driving wheel axle,
and constitute my improved spring frame. These parts in the bicycle consist of two
forks, the one being pivotted to the triangular frame, near the lower angle which
carries the tubular bearing for the pedal axle, and the other being connected by
means of a pair of links to that part of the frame which forms the seat for the
stem socket.
The elasticity of the frame is obtained by interposing between the triangular frame
and the upper fork, a coiled spring, which will yield to allow of the driving wheel
rising without lifting the triangular frame.
In the accompanying drawing,
Fig. 1 shews in side elevation a safety bicycle constructed according to my
invention.
Fig. 2 is a partial plan view of the same, and
Fig. 3 is a partial hack elevation of the bicycle.
In these figures, A, B, C are the three sides of the triangular frame, the sides A
and B being connected together by means of the tubular steering socket D.
The tubular base C is split at its upper end to receive and tighten upon the seat
stem E, lugs standing out from the split tube, and receiving a tightening screw c
for the purpose of tightening the split socket, and maintaining the adjustment of the
seat stem.
F is a fork pivotied to lugs c¹, which project from the sides of the tube (near its
lower end.
The prongs of this fork are slotted near their extremities to receive sliding bearings
for the axle of the driving wheel G, and pivotted to the prongs of this fork are the
prongs of a pendent fork H, which is connected at its upper part, by a pair of links I I,
to the socket stem C.
The fork H is formed with a tang, which is threaded at its extremity to receive an
adjusting nut h.
This tang passes upwards through a luge, which projects rearwards from the
tube C, and threaded upon the tang of the fork H is a coiled spring K, which bears
upon the fork and on the underside of the lug c
At the junction of the parts B and C, is a tubular piece L, which forins the bearing
for the axle of the pedal axle M.
Keyed to this axle is a chain wheel N, the chain from which passes to a chain
wheel O on the axle of the driving wheel.
I have said that the prongs of the lower fork terminate in slots which receive the
bearings for the driving wheel axle. Those bearings are adjustable by means of
screws and nuts f, for the purpose of tightening up the driving chain which transmits
the motion from the chain wheel on the pedal axle to the chain wheel of the driving
wheel.
From the foregoing description it will be understood that the combination of the
forks F and H with the rigid triangular frame, provides for the free vertical play
of the driving axle, which play is however controlled by the coiled spring K, that
offers an elastic resistance to the rise of the-driving wheel, when meeting an obstruction
in the road.
By turning the adjusting nut on the tang of the fork H, the pressure of the
spring may be regulated as desired; an elastic washer being placed below the nut
to prevent all jar between it and the lng 2.
By the use of this arrangement of elastic frame, the driving wheel, when passing
over an obstacle in the road, will cause the momentary compression of the spring K,
which, on the obstacle being passed, will return the forks to their normal position,
and prevent the transmission of any jerk to the rider, or undue vibration to his
feet.

page_text: 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 :
The improved spring frame for velocipedes constructed and operating as and for
the purpose above set forth.
Dated this 20th day of December 1800
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.