Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Dec., 18s7
.
Complete Specification Left, 28th Sept:, 1888
• Complete Specification Accepted, 2nd Nov.,
.
1888
I, WILLIAM ANDREWS of the firm of William Andrews Limited of Six Ways Aston,
near Birmingham in the county of Staffordshire, Cycle Manufacturers do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to certain improvements in Velocipedes, and it has for its
objects, first cutting off vibration from the handle bars of such machines, and thereby
increasing the comfort of the rider, and secondly strengthening the mud or dress
guards of Velocipedes and so reduce their liability to fracture.
I attain the first object of my invention by mounting the handle bar loose in a
socket on the front of a tubular steering post or head. On the centre of the handle
bar is fixed a short lever the free end of which is connected to a rod extending down
within the tubular steering post or head a suitable slot being cut or formed in the
socket to admit the lever. On the rod within the steering post : head is fixed a
collar or washer, on each side of which-encircling the rod a spiral spring is placed,
the top one bearing against the collar or washer on the rod and a collar or shoulder in
the top of the tubular post or head, and the bottom one bearing against the collar or
washer on the rod and a washer fitting loosely in the tubular post or head and capable
of adjustment to vary the strength of the said spring by a set screw threaded into the
plugged end of the tubular post or head. The ends of the handle bar are curved or
cranked to bring the handles in the rear of the tubular post or head, so that they
exert a leverage over the lever fixed to the said bar, the movement of which is
controlled by the springs mounted on the rod as hereinbefore described.
It will thus be seen that the handle bar is free to move in the vertical or
approximately vertical plane-within certain limits defined by the spring hereinbefore
described-independent of the post or head carrying it, and inversely the head or post
is free to move in the vertical, or approximately vertical, plane without effecting the
position of the handles on the ends of the handle bar so that any shock or jar received
by the steering wheel of the machine is not imparted to the said handles.

page_text: As it is sometimes desirable to lock the bar rigid with the steering post or head I
mount a suitable locking bolt on the handle bar to engage with a hole or recess in the
socket or lug carrying the handle bar, the locking bolt being operated in any suitable
manner. In Velocipedes having a spoon brake acting on the steering wheel and
operated by a finger lever on the handle bar I find it convenient to connect this
locking bolt with the brake lever so that the first movement of the lever locks the
handle bar rigid with the steering post or head and thus prevents the handle bar
giving under the pressure applied to the brake lever.
I attain the second object of my invention by thickening the edges of mud or dress
guards either by turning over or folding the edges, or by rolling the metal out of
which the guards are made, with thickened edges in the form of a beading.
Dated this 29th day of December 1887.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: I, WILLIAM ANDREWS, of the firm of William Andrews Limited of 6 Six Ways,
Aston, near Birmingham, in the County of Staffordshire, Cycle Manufacturers 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 certain improvements in Velocipedes and it has for its
objects, first, cutting off vibration from the handle bars of such machines and thereby
increasing the comfort of the rider, and secondly, strengthening the mud, dress, or
other guards of Velocipedes and so reduce their liability to fracture.
I attain these objects in the manner illustrated in the accompanying drawing in
which Figure 1 is a view in sectional elevation of my improved method of mounting
the handle bar. Figure 2. is a side view in plan thereof, and Figure 3. is a broken
view in plan thereof on a reduced scale showing the locking gear. Figures 4 and 5 are
views in section of my improved mud or dress guards.
Throughout the several views similar parts are marked with like letters of
reference.
Referring to Figures 1. 2. and 3. which illustrate the first part of my invention, the
handle bar A. is mounted in a socket B. on the front of a tubular steering post or
head B in such a manner that it is free to rotate therein. On the centre of the handle
bar A. is fixed a short lever C. which works in a slot b. in the socket B. The free end
of the lever C. is connected to a rod D. extending down within the tubular steering
post or head B¹. On the rod D. is fixed a collar d. and on each side of this collar-
encircling the rod is placed a spiral or volute spring. The top spring E. bears
against the collar or washer d. on the rod D. and a collar bearing against the
shoulder of the socket B in the top of the tubular post or head B', and the bottom
spring E bears against the collar or washer d. on the rod D. and a washer fitting
loosely in the tubular post or head B¹ and capable of adjustment to vary the strength
of the said. spring by a set screw F. threaded into the plugged end 3 of the tubular
post or head B¹. The spring E. has not so much resiliency as the spring E¹ as its
function is merely to act as an elastic stop or buffer. The ends of the handle bar A. are
curved or cranked to bring the handles in the rear of the tubular post or head B¹, so
that they exert a leverage over the lever C. fixed to the said bar, the movement of
which is controlled by the springs E. E¹.
It will thus be seen that the handle bar is free to move in the vertical or
approximately vertical plane-within certain limits defined by the springs hereinbefore
described-independent of the post or head carrying it, and inversely the head or post
is free to move in the vertical or approximately vertical plane without affecting the
position of the handles on the ends of the handle bar, so that any shock or jar received
by the steering wheel of the machine is not imparted to the said handles.

page_text: As it is sometimes desirable to lock the bar rigidly to the steering post or head, I
mount in suitable bearings a. a. on the handle bar a bolt or bar G. which is adapted to
slide in the said bearings and engage with a hole or recess 6 in a snug 6 on the
socket B, the locking bolt or bar being operated in one direction by a finger lever H.
pivotted to a snug a on the handle bar A, and in the opposite direction by a spring J.
acting between the bolt or bar G. and one of the bearings a. on the handle bar. A
slip ring K. is provided on the handle bar to engage with the free end of the finger
lever H. when it is desired to allow the handle bar to vibrate freely.
Referring to Figures 4. and 5. which illustrate the second part of my invention I
make the mud, or dress, guards L. with thickened edges l. l. formed either by turning
over or folding the edges as illustrated by Figure 4; or by rolling the metal out of
which the guards are made, with thickened edges in the form of a bead or its equivalent
as illustrated by Figure 5.
I am aware that the cranked or curved handle bars of Velocipedes have already been
arranged to give the handles or knobs an elastic movement, to cut off vibration, and
I therefore do not broadly claim such an arrangement, but having now particularly
described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1st. In a velocipede mounting the handle bar specifically in the manner set forth.
2nd. In a velocipede, mounting the handle bar loosely in its socket so that it is free
to rotate therein, and controlling the movement of the said bar by means of two
springs acting in equilibrum and concealed in the tubular steering post as set forth.
3rd. In a velocipede having the handle bar mounted so that it has a free axial move-
ment controlled by springs, the device for locking the bar to its socket or support, as
and for the purpose set forth.
4th. In a velocipede the combination with the tubular steering post or head B; of;
the curved or cranked handle bar A. mounted loosely in the socket B' carried by the
steering post or bead B, the lever C. fixed to the handle bar, the rod D. pivotted to the
free end of the lever C. and having a collar d. formed on or fixed to it, the springs E.
and E' acting on either side of the collar d. the set screw F. screwing into the
plugged end of the steering post or head B. and impinging on the spring E¹. through
the loose washer 62, all combined arranged and operating specifically as and for the
purpose set forth.
5th. In a velocipede the combination with the steering post or head; of the handle
bar A., the lever C., the rod D., the springs E. and E¹, the set screw F., the washers
b. and the locking bolt or bar G. sliding freely in two bearings a. a. on the handle
bar A, and engaging with a hole or recess 6 in a snug 6 on the socket B; the finger
lever H. pivotted to a snug a¹ on the handle bar A., the spring J, and the slip ring "K,
all constructed arranged and operating as and for the purpose set forth.
6th. In a velocipede constructing the mud, dress, or other guards, with thickened
edges as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 28th love of Santambin
1980
1998
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, 71 & 72, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
Dated this 28th day of Septemb
1990
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, 71 & 72, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.