Improvements in or relating to Anti-vibratory Frames for Cycles and Carriages.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Mar., 1899-Accepted, 29th Apr.,
1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Anti-vibratory Frames for Cycles
and Carriages.
I, HENRY DOIG ROBERTSON, of the Cavendish Arms Hotel, Cartmel, Lancaster,
Hotel Proprietor, 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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This invention relates to an improved construction and arrangement of anti-
vibratory frames for cycles and carriages. A cycle or carriage frame constructed
in accordance with my invention as hereinafter described will reduce vibration
to a minimum and dispense with the necessity for pneumatic tyres and ordinary
carriage springs.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood I will now fully des-
cribe the same having reference to the explanatory drawings forming a part of
this specification, in which:-
Figure 1 is a side elevation shewing a bicycle having an anti-vibratory frame
constructed in accordance with my invention.
Figure 2 is a part sectional side elevation shewing part of the rear portion of
a bicycle frame constructed according to my invention.
Figure 3 is a rear view of Figure 2, also partly in section.
Figures 4 and 5 are similar views to Figure 3 shewing slight modifications.
Figures 6 and 7 are respectively side and front elevations of the upper portion
of the front fork of a cycle or like vehicle having my invention applied thereto
and,
Figures 8 and 9 are side and rear elevations respectively shewing the applica-
tion of my invention to the frame of a light cart or carriage.
Similar letters refer to corresponding parts in all the figures.
Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, a is a rubber or pneumatic ball or cushion
contained within a casing b secured to the frame in the line of the back stays c
by the arms 6 and 62. Said casing b may be cast or otherwise formed in one
piece with an aperture for the introduction of the ball a, as represented, or it may
be made in two portions suitably secured together after insertion of the ball a.
Disposed within the casing b and beneath the ball a is a cup or seating d mounted
upon the extremities of the back stays c which enter the casing through the
sockets e therein provided and act as plungers. The chain stays f (Figure 1)
in lieu of being, as is usual, brazed or otherwise rigidly connected with the
bottom bracket, are secured thereto by means of the split collars or flanged rings g
which are caused to grip the periphery of the bottom bracket by the screw
bolts gl. This method of securing the chain stays to the bottom bracket permits
a slight amount of vertical play to the rear ends of the former, the chain stays
pivotting as it were to a slight extent upon the bottom bracket, the result being
that practically all vibration of the back wheel is transmitted by the back stays c
to, and absorbed by, the ball a, which latter, when the load is on the cycle, is in

page_text: a state of compression between the cup or seating d carried by the back stay
plunger and the interior of the casing b.
In the modification, Figure 4, in lieu of both the back stays c entering the
casing as plungers, they terminate short of said casing which is entered by
a plunger c fixed to the crown or bridge piece of the stays c.
The modification Figure 5 represents an inversion of the arrangement described
with reference to and illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the back stays e being here
shewn as secured to the casing b, whilst the cup d is placed above the ball a
its plunger c¹ being secured to the upper part of the frame in the manner of 6¹
Figure 2.
In applying my invention to the front fork of a cycle or like vehicle, I divide
the same transversely at or near the fork crown and connect the divided portions
by means of hinged jaws adapted to hold between them a rubber or pneumatic
ball or cushion which absorbs the vibration of the front wheel. Referring to
Figures 6 and 7 which represent a front fork constructed on these lines, the
divided portions of the fork crown are each provided or formed at the rear
with short arms i pivotally connected together by a pin k. A hinge connection
is thus provided between the divided portions of the front fork, and in the space
between the jaws of the hinge I dispose the rubber or pneumatic ball or cushion a
which fits into cup shaped recesses formed or provided in or on the hinge jaws.
The said ball or cushion is placed in a state of compression by the load and con-
sequently absorbs vibration of the front wheel. The hinge jaws are retained
closed upon the ball a under all circumstances by means of the bolt which is
pivotally connected with a lug m¹ provided on the front of and passes through
a hole or slot in another lug m provided on the front of h. Withdrawal of the
bolt from the lug m is prevented by the nut which limits the opening of the
hinge jaws. The device just described also ensures rigidity of the front fork
and relieves the strain on the hinge joint when turning corners.
Referring to Figures 8 and 9 which represent the application of my invention
to a frame for a light cart or carriage, the vehicle is connected on each side with
the axle by a pair of frame members n n hinged together at o and provided or
formed with cups p between which a rubber or pneumatic ball a is held. These
balls are placed in compression by the load and consequently absorb all vibration
transmitted by the wheels of the vehicle. rrare diagonal ties connecting the
two pairs of hinged members with the axle so as to ensure their lateral rigidity.
Although in Figures 1 to of the drawings a bicycle frame is represented, it
is obvious that said frame may with but slight modifications in its general con-
struction calling for no exercise of the inventive faculty, be equally well applied
to a tricycle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, .I declare that what I
claim is;
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1. The combination with a cycle frame, of a casing, a rubber or pneumatic
ball or cushion contained therein and a plunger or plungers entering said casing
and carrying a cup or seating which bears on the ball, the whole being con-
structed, arranged and caused to operate substantially as described so that the
vibration of the back wheel or wheels is transmitted to and absorbed by the said
ball or cushion.
2. The combination with a cycle frame, of the casing containing the rubber or
pneumatic ball or cushion and the back stays entering the casing as plungers
and carrying the cup or seating bearing upon the said ball, the whole constructed;
arranged and caused to operate substantially as described with reference to and
illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings and for the purpose specified.
3. The modifications of the arrangement stated in the next preceding claiming
clause as described with reference to and illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 of the
drawings.

page_text: 4. The combination with a cycle frame having an anti-vibratory device applied
to the back stays thereof, of chain stays secured to the bottom bracket as des-
cribed, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
5. A front fork for cycles and the like interrupted by hinged jaws which hold
between them a rubber or pneumatic ball or cushion, when arranged and caused
to operate substantially as described.
6. The construction and arrangement of anti-vibratory front fork for cycles
and the like substantially as described with reference to and illustrated in
Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings, including the means for limiting the opening
of the hinge jaws and relieving the strain upon the hinge joint when turning
corners.
7. In a
carriage frame the combination of the hinged frame members connect-
ing the body of the vehicle with the axle, the rubber or pneumatic balls or
cushions compressed between said members and the ties for ensuring the lateral
rigidity of the latter, substantially as described with reference to and illustrated
in Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings and for the purpose set forth.
E. P. ALEXANDER & SON,
Chartered Patent Agents,
19, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.