Improvements in the Steering Mechanism of Cycles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Improvements in the Steering Mechanism of Cycles.
I, CHARLES CHALMERS FONTAINE of 169, Kennington Road, London, S.E.
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the steering mechanism of cycles, and
is especially intended for application to bicycles in which the driving is aided by
hand power, the invention however being applicable to all kinds of bicycles,
tricycles, and the like.
The object of the invention is to provide a means by which the steering may be
rendered more easy, the steering wheel automatically returning to the straight
position whenever the pressure is released. Gravity is employed to effect this
action, the weight of the front of the frame and rider being utilised.
According to one arrangement the lower set of balls belonging to the head
instead of being placed in a channel at right angles to the steering spindle are
contained in a channel or race placed at a slight angle. A collar on the lower end
of the steering spindle forms the inside of this race, the balls bearing upon the
collar so that when the spindle is turned the upper part of the race, which is fixed
to the frame, is raised a distance proportionate to the angle moved, the top and
bottom of the channel being no longer parallel.
Owing to this action the head of the machine is slightly raised relatively to the
steering spindle and wheel, the head being at its lowest point when the steering
wheel is in line with the frame so that the, machine moves in a straight direction.
The weight of the frame thus tends to keep the front wheel in this position, the
mechanism being at the same time sensitive to the slightest pressure allowing the
wheel to be turned without difficulty.
According to other forms of the mechanism the balls may be dispensed with, and
roller pins, or surface bearings employed. Other means may also be used in place
of the inclined surfaces forming the ball race or bearing which will raise the head
of the machine a short distance on turning or will otherwise operate so as to utilise
the weight of the machine, and the rider.
Owing to this arrangement the cycle can be easily steered without guiding by
the hands, a straight and level course being ensured, opportunity being given at
the same time for turning in any direction.
As applied to ordinary cycles it will enable beginners to learn more easily
rendering the steering much simpler.
10th of March 1906
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: I, CHARLES CHALMERS FONTAINE of 169, Kennington Road, London, S.E.,
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 improvements in the steering mechanism of cycles, and
is especially intended for application to. bicycles in which the driving is aided by
hand power such as that described in Patent No. 20890" for "Improvements in
velocipedes" granted to me.
The object of the invention is to provide a means by which the steering may be
rendered more easy, the steering wheel automatically returning to the straight
position whenever the pressure is released. Gravity is employed to effect this
action, the weight of the front of the frame and rider being utilised.
According to one arrangement the lower set of balls belonging to the head
instead of being placed in a channel at right angles to the steering spindle is
contained in a channel or race placed at a slight angle. A collar on the lower end
of the steering spindle forms the inside of this race, the balls bearing upon the
collar so that when the spindle is turned the upper part of the race, which is fixed
to the frame, is raised a distance proportionate to the angle moved, the top and
bottom of the channel being no longer parallel.
Owing to this action the head of the machine is slightly raised relatively to the
steering spindle and wheel, the head being at its lowest point when the steering
wheel is in line with the frame so that the machine moves in a straight direction.
The weight of the frame thus tends to keep the front wheel in its position, the
mechanism being at the same time sensitive to the slightest pressure allowing the
wheel to be turned without difficulty.
According to other forms of the mechanism the balls may be dispensed with,
and roller pins, or surface bearings employed. Other means may also be used in
place of the inclined surfaces forming the ball race or bearing which will raise the
head of the machine a short distance on turning or will otherwise operate so as to
utilise the weight of the machine and rider.
Owing to this arrangement the cycle can be easily steered without guiding by
the hands, a straight and level course being ensured, opportunity being given at
the same time for turning in any direction.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood reference is had to
the accompanying sheet of drawings in which Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of one
arrangement and Figs. 2 and 3 show a modification the views being at right angles
to each other.
Referring to Fig. 1 the steering spindle A is provided with a collar a at its lower
side the upper surface of which is curved or waved. The head B of the cycle is
provided with an internal flange or collar b the lower surface of which is curved to
correspond with the collar a.
A curved or sinuous channel or trace is thus formed for the balls C which lie
evenly in the channel when the parts are in their normal position as shown in the
drawing. On turning the steering spindle the projecting portion of the lower
collar will be turned under the projecting part of the upper so as to raise the
latter through the balls, raising the head of the machine. The weight of the front
of the machine will thus tend to turn the steering spindle back to its normal
position thus keeping the wheel in a straight line.
The set of balls D at the top of the head merely serves to support the spindle

page_text: laterally allowing the spindle and head to move vertically relatively to each
other.
Referring to Figs. 2 and 3 instead of employing a curved ball race I propose to
form the upper part of the head with the box or casing E within which the wheels
or rollers F carried by the steering spindle A can move. These rollers are fitted
on the pin f fitted to the main spindle.
These rollers bear on the top of the case E which is curved in a similar manner
to the race already described so that on turning the spindle relatively to the head
of the machine the rollers will be caused to turn on the curved surface and will
raise the head.
The weight of the machine will cause the rollers to be turned to the normal
position shown in the drawings. The ordinary hearing balls D and D' serve to
support the head laterally as described with reference to Fig. 1 but allow of
vertical motion.
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 [.
claim is,-
(1.) Improvements in steering mechanism for cycles in which the driving is
aided by hand power consisting in forming a bearing at the head, so that on
turning the steering wheel the front of the cycle is raised, the weight being
employed to return the wheel to its normal position, substantially as described and
shown.
(2.) Improvements in steering mechanism for cycles consisting in forming a
bearing at the head, so that on turning the steering wheel the front of the cycle
is raised, the weight being employed to return the wheel to its normal position,
substantially as described and shown.
(3.) Improvements in steering mechanism for cycles consisting in forming a
sloping or curved bearing at the head so that on the steering spindle turning to
either side the head will be raised substantially as described and for the purposes
specified.
(4.) Improvements in steering mechanism for cycles consisting in forming the
ball bearing at the head with a sloping or curved surface, the balls running in a
curved race, so that on turning the spindle to either side the head is raised
substantially as described and for the purposes specified.
(5.) In an improved apparatus for cycles the combination with a sloping or
curved bearing surface at the head of rollers carried by the steering spindle bearing
on the said surface raising the head on the steering spindle turuing, substantially
as shown and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 21st day of December 1896.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37 Chancery Lane, Agent for Applicant.