IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Sept., 1887
Complete Specification Left. 13th July, 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 17th Aug., 1888
I, FRANK WILKINS 66 Holborn Viaduct Bicycle & Tricycle Manufacturer do hereby
declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES to be as
follows:-
:-
The object of my invention is to so construct the framework of bicycles and tricycles
as to obtain additional strength rigidity & freedom from strain with greater compact-
ness and less weight.
My frame is constructed as follows, a tube of suitable dimensions and strength is
bent to the sweep of the rear wheel so as to form the segment of a circle, at the upper
end is fixed a suitable lug which may be bored on either side to receive the adjusting.
stems of the seat and fitted with screws for adjustment. To the segmental or main
tube are fitted two or more stays radiating from same to centre of wheel. From the
proper position in the main tube a short tube is run to the steering post which in the
case of a bicycle is connected to the steering wheel by an ordinary fork or in a
tricycle to an axle or tube connecting the 2 front wheels. The steering post may run
up and terminate with a handle bar in the usual way.
D
11
201
1000
FRANK WILKINS.

page_text: I, FRANK WILKINS of 66 Holborn Viaduct in the city of London, in the County
of Middlesex, Cycle Maker, do hereby declaro the nature of this invention, and in
what manner it is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to those types of Bicycles, Tricycles and other Velocipedes,
driven by a single rear wheel, and it has for its object, the construction of the frame-
work to obtain increased strength and rigidity, with freedom for lateral strain with
greater compactness and decrease in weight.
5
In order that my invention may be fully understood, I will particularly describe it
Sheet No. 1 is 1
making reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure
a view, in side elevation, of a rear driving safety bicycle with a frame constructed
according to my invention, and Figure 2 Sheet 2 is a view, in side elevation, of a
similar bicycle with a modification of my improved frame.
"
Throughout these views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
Referring to Figure 1 Sheet No. 1 of the accompanying drawings, the steering 1
wheel A is mounted in the usual manner in a fork B extending upwards as a steering
post B, and carrying the handle bar B². The driving wheel C is mounted in a
triple forked frame, the two upper members of which D and D₁ form one frame, and
are fixed at their crowns to a curved tube E following the periphery of the wheel (}
and forming a segment of a circle. The lower member D' of the triple forked frame
is mounted loosely on the stud axle c on which the wheel C revolves, and at its crown
is provided with a split socket d to receive the curved tube E, the socket being fitted
with a clamping screw d¹ to provide for the adjustment of the crown end of the
fork D' on the tube E. The pedal crank axle F is preferably a divided one to allow
it to be placed in the position shown, the motion being conveyed to the driving wheel
by two chains running over chain wheels in the usual manner. On the top end of
the tube E a spring G and saddle G¹ are mounted in any convenient manner.
to
From the point of connection of the centre member D² of the triple forked frame,
with the tube E, a backbone H extends forwards and carries a neck spindle
engage with centres b b' of the usual type, carried by the steering post B¹ and forming
together the vertical joint or head, about which the steering wheel turns for the
purpose of steering the machine.
Referring to Figure 2 Sheet 2 of the accompanying drawings. Instead of making
the fork Di rigid with the fork D and tube E, I sometimes mount it loose on the
axle c of the driving wheel, and extend it forwards as the back-bone H making a
socket e for the curved tube E to pass freely through. I then place around the
tube E, one on each side of the socket e, two strong spiral springs El confined by

page_text: collars eel or their equivalents. This arrangement without sacrificing the lateral
rigidity of the framework, allows it a slight amount of vertical elasticity which reduces
the vibration, and so saves the fatigue of the metal in the frame.
For a tricycle I use two steering wheels mounted on a cross frame carrying a
steering handle bar, and connected to the front end of the backbone H by the usual
head or joint as hereinbefore described. By the use of this construction of frame-
work, the adjustability of the machine to fit riders of various statures is greatly
increased, as both the saddle and the pedal crank axle are capable of adjustment with
respect to the driving wheel.
I am aware that prior to the date of this application, the divided pedal-crank axle
had been used in machines of the type hereinbefore described, and that the said
divided pedal-crank axle is the subject matter of an existing patent, and therefore I
do not claim the use of this divided pedal-crank axle, but having now particularly
described and ascertained the nature of this invention, and in what manner it may be
performed I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In a bicycle tricycle or other velocipede, having a single rear driving wheel, the
particular construction of framework, as and for the purpose hereinbefore described
and illustrated by Figure 1. Sheet No. 1 of the accompanying drawings.
2. In a bicycle tricycle or other velocipede, having a single rear driving wheel, the
particular construction of framework as and for the purpose hereinbefore described
and illustrated by Figure 2 Sheet No. 2 of the accompanying drawings.
3. In the frame of a velocipede, having a single rear driving wheel, the combination
of the forks D. D¹ & D', the curved tube E and the backbone H, all arranged and
operating as and for the purpose set forth.
4. In a rear driving bicycle, the combination with the forks D & D¹, of the fork D'
votted on the axle of the driving wheel, and adapted to be adjusted at any height
m the ground by an attachment to the curved tube E forming part of the frame
ying the driving wheel, as set forth.
1011 1
T 1
1000
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.