IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 14th July, 1887
Complete Left, 20th Aug., 1887
Complete Accepted, 20th Dec., 1887
1, THOMAS REDMAN, of No. 172 Manningham Lane Bradford, in the County of
Yorkshire, Mechanical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of the said invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES "to be as follows:-
In place of the usual fork employed for steering purposes in such machines I make
a fork with slots at the lower ends, in which the axle bearings are allowed to vibrate
freely in a vertical direction, for which purpose the axles are lengthened out in a
suitable manner. The upper portion of the fork forming the head-stock being
continued to the handle-bar in a tubular form so as to allow the upper portion of an
inner fork, which is attached to the axles of the wheels in a somewhat similar manner
to those ordinarily used, to work within it axially and in a vertical direction, this
inner fork being provided with a piston and spring arrangement working within the
tubular portion of the outer fork, and which is adjusted by means of a regulating nut
and screw passing through the head of the outer fork, thus providing a sensitive anti-
vibrating arrangement readily adjustable to suit the various weights of different
riders.

page_text: Improvements in Velocipedes.
1, THOMAS REDMAN 172, Manningham Lane, Bradford in the County of Yorkshire,
Mechanical Enginner, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVE
MENTS IN VELOCIPEDES and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The object of my invention is two-fold, firstly to provide a means of effectually
reducing and preventing the shocks caused the wheels coming into contact with stones
pavements and other inequalities usally met with on the roads being transmitted to
the riders and which arrangements are known in the trade as Anti-Vibrating
arrangements, secondly to provide a means for adjusting the said Anti-Vibrating
arrangements to suit to various weights of different riders.
To obtain these objects I carry it out preferably in what is generaly know as
rear driving Safety Bicycles, Bicycles steering Tricycles and Tandems, and is as
follows.
In place of the usual fork employed for steering in such machines I make a fork
with slots at the lower ends, in which the axle bearings with suitable sliding blocks are
allowed to vibrate freely in a vertical direction, the upper portion of the fork forming
the headstock being continued to the handle-bar in a tubular form. In the bottom of
this Tube I allow the upper and tubular portion of an inner fork which is attached to
the axle of the wheels in a somewhat similar manner to those ordinarily used to work
axially and in a vertical direction. The Tubular part of this inner fork is provided 2
with a spring arrangement working within the tubular portion of the outer fork, and
which spring is readily adjusted to suit the various weights of different riders by
means of a regulating nut and screw passing through the head of the outer fork, thus
providing a Sensitive Anti-Vibrating Arrangement.
And in order that my said invention may be most clearly understood and readily 2
carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the drawing hereunto affixed.
Figure 1 is a front elevation and part sectional.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of same and part sectional.
Figure 2 is a modification of the same.
Figure 3 shows another modified form.
Figure 4 is a view of an ordinary spring.
Figure 5 is a view of an improved spring.
Figures 1, 1, 2, and 3 shows the front part of a rear-driving Safety Bicycle,
Bicycle steering Tricycle or Tandem, and in Figs. 1 and 1* A is the inner fork and
herein afterwards known and refered to as the vibrating fork, B is the wheel affixed
to the Lower ends of the said vibrating fork A, C is the slots at the lower ends of
fork E or outer fork and in which the axle of the wheel provided with suitable slide
blocks S for sliding or vibrating, slides or vibrates freely in a vertical direction when
occasion requires, D is the spring against which at its bottom end the upper portion
of the vibrating fork A bears and is allowed to work freely. The upper or tubular
portion of the vibrating fork A is of a smaller external diameter than the internal
diameter of the tubular part of the outer fork E, but an enlargement or flange is
fitted at the top as shown.
At the upper end of spring D and top of fork E provision is made for depressing
or tensioning the spring D and making it at once suitable for the various weights of
different riders, and is accomplished in the following manner. Fis the spindle which
passes through the head or cap L of the outer fork E the portion of this spindle
which is enclosed in tube E is screwed and is provided with a travelling nut G which

page_text: is held from revolving by means of a screw or pin passing through slot K in tube E
and best seen in Fig. 1. This slot is faced with a suitable graduated scale plate and
the screw or pin attached to nut G and travels in the said slot is provided with a
pointer indicating on the graduated scale plate the position of the compression nut G
to suit the various weight of different riders. H is the wheel or handle by which the
spindle F and compression nut G is worked, J is the handle bar.
Fig. 2 is a modification of 1 and 1º and is arranged with the vibrating fork A in
front of the outer fork E and which outer fork E is in place of the slots C provided
with slide or guide bars C of a suitable nature and as shown, and is also arranged
with an extra tube E in front of the tubular part of fork E and in which extra
tube E the spring and upper portion of vibrating fork A, compression screw or
spindle F and nut G works as shown in Figs. 1 and 1* the whole being fitted in a
suitable manner.
Fig. 3 is another modified form in which the slots C as in Figs. 1 and 1ª are
retained, but the bottom of Vibrating fork A is curved so as to bring it outside and
in front of the outer fork E, but in this case the spring D and the head of fork A or
Vibrating fork is placed on the outside of the extra tube E but the cap C, screw or
spindle F, and nut G are fitted and work similar to Figures 1, 1*, and 2 with the
exception that instead of only one screw or pin in nut & passing through a slot in
tube E in this case two or more screws or pins and slots are used to connect support
and carry the compression ring R to and with nut G the whole being fitted in a
suitable manner.
Fig. 4 is a view of an ordinary spring shown for the purpose of explaining
Figure 5 which is an improved spring as employed in tubes E and E. These
springs when used inside the tubes E and E require to be of a less diameter
externally than the internal diameter of the said tubes, because when the spring is
under compression it is of a larger diameter than when uncompressed or free and
when used in a striaght or ordinary form as Fig. 4 they are the cause of much rattle
or jar, but when used in the improved form as shown in Fig. 5 all rattle or jar is
effectually prevented without detriment or loss of any elasticity of the spring.
By this invention a greater amount of ease, comfort and pleasure is ensured to the
rider when passing over rough places, stray stones and other obstacles and general
inequalities usually met with on the roads. It also minimises and lessens the wear
and tear and liability to breakage and thereby greatly extends the life of the
Machines in consequence.
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
(1) The whole of the new parts for carrying into effect this invention or
improvements in Velocipedes in reducing vibration and adjusting the same to suit the
various weights of different riders substantially and for the purpose herein shown and
described.
(2) The vibrating fork A, the sloted outer fork E in combinnation with the slides
blocks S, spring D, compression screw or spindle F, Nut G, Cap C, slot K, graduated
scale or face plate P, with pointer X and wheel H as shown and described.
(3) The slide or Guide bars C the sliding blocks or brackets S* and tube E* in
Fig. 3 as herein shown and described.
(4) The ring R with slots and screws for connecting to nut G in Fig. 4 as herein
L .

page_text: I, THOMAS REDMAN, of No. 172 Manningham Lane Bradford, in the County of
Yorkshire, Mechanical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of the said invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES" to be as follows:-
In place of the usual fork employed for steering purposes in such machines I make
a fork with slots at the lower ends, in which the axle bearings are allowed to vibrate
freely in a vertical_direction, for which purposes the axles are lengthened out in a
suitable manner. The upper portion of the fork forming the head-stock being
continued to the handle-bar in a tubular form so as to allow the upper portion of an
inner fork, which is attached to the axles of the wheels in a somewhat similar manner
to those ordinarily used, to work within it axially and in a vertical direction, this
inner fork being provided with a piston and spring arrangement working within the
tubular portion of the outer fork, and which is adjusted by means of a regulating nut
and screw passing through the head of the outer fork, thus providing a sensitive anti-
vibrating arrangement readily adjustable to suit the various weights of different
riders.

page_text: I, THOMAS REDMAN 172, Manningham Lane, Bradford in the County of Yorkshire,
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVE-
MENTS IN VELOCIPEDES and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The object of my invention is two-fold, firstly to provide a means of effectually
reducing and preventing the shocks caused by the wheels coming into contact with
stones pavements and other inequalities usually met with on the roads being
transmitted to the riders, and which arrangements are known in the trade as Anti-
Vibration arrangements, and secondly to provide a means for adjusting the said
Anti-Vibration arrangements to suit to the various weights of different riders.
To attain these objects I carry it out preferably in what is generally known as my
invention in rear-driving safety Bicycles, bicycle-steering Tricycles and Tandems,
and is as follows. in the following manner :-
In place of the usual fork employed for steering in such machines I make a fork
with slots at the lower ends, in which the axle bearings with suitable sliding blocks are
allowed to vibrate freely in a vertical or approximately vertical direction, the upper.
portion of the fork forming the headstock steering post being continued to the handle-
bar in a tubular form. In the bottom of this Tube tubular steering post I allow the
upper and tubular portion of an inner fork, which is attached to the axle of the
steering wheel in a somewhat similar manner to those ordinary used, to work axially
and in a vertical direction. The tubular part of this inner fork is provided with a
spring arrangement working within the tubular portion of the outer fork, and which
spring is adapted to be readily adjusted to suit the various weights of different riders
by means of a regulating nut and screw passing through the head of the outer fork.
thus providing a Sensitive Anti-Vibrating Arrangement.
And In order that my said invention may be most clearly understood and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the drawing hereunto affixed annexed.
Figure 1 is a front elevation and partly sectional of a steering fork constructed
according to my invention.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the same and partly sectional.
Figure 2 is a view showing a modification of the same my invention and
Figure 3 shows another modified form is a view showing a modification thereof.
Figure 4 is a view of an ordinary spring.
Figure 5 is a view of an improved spring.
Referring to Figures 1, and 1ª, 2, and 3 shows the front part of a rear-driving
Safety Bicycle, Bicycle steering Tricycle or Tandem, and in Figs. 1 and 1ª A is the
inner fork and herein afterwards known and referred to as the vibrating fork. B is

page_text: the wheel affixed to the lower ends of the said vibrating fork A, C C is the are slots
at the lower ends of fork E or the outer fork E and in which the axle of the wheel
provided with suitable slide blocks S for sliding or vibrating, slides or vibrates freely
in a. vertical or approximately vertical direction when occasion requires, D is the
spring against which at its bottom end the upper portion of the vibrating fork A
bears, and is allowed to work freely. The upper or tubular portion of the vibrating
fork A is of a smaller external diameter than the internal diameter of the tubular part
of the outer fork E, but an enlargement or flange is fitted at the top as shown.
At the upper end of the spring Dand top of the steering post of the fork E provision is
made for depressing or tensioning the spring D and making it at once suitable for the
various weights of different riders, and is accomplished in the following manner.
F is the a spindle which passes through the a head or cap L of at the outer top of the
steering post of the fork E, the portion of this spindle which is enclosed in the tube E
is screwed and is provided with a travelling nut G which is held from revolving by
means of a screw or pin passing through a slot K in the tube E and best seen
illustrated in Fig. 1. The slot K is faced with a suitable graduated scale plate P and
the screw or pin attached to the nut G and which travels in the said slot and is
provided with a pointer X thus indicating on the graduated scale plate the position of
the compression nut G to suit the various weight of different riders. H is the a wheel
or handle by which the spindle F and compression nut G is worked; operated and J is
the handle bar.
Fig. 2 is a modification of the arrangement shown by Figures 1 and 1ª, and is
arranged with the vibrating fork A in front of the outer fork E and which outer
fork E is in place of the slots C-provided with slide or guide bars C of a suitable
nature and construction to receive the sliding blocks S on the fork A as shown, and is
also arranged with an extra tube Es in front of the tubular part steering post of the
fork E. and In which extra the tube E the spring D and upper portion of the
vibrating fork A, the compression screw or spindle F and the nut G works as
shown in hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 1. the whole being fitted
in a suitable manner.
Fig. 3 is another modifiedcation form in which the slots Cas shown in Figs. 1 and 1ª
are retained, but the bottom of the vibrating fork A is curved so as to bring it outside
and in front of the outer fork E, but in this case the spring D and the head of the
fork A er Vibrating fork is are placed on the outside of the extra tube E, but the
head cap L, screw or spindle F, and nut G are fitted and work similar to being
arranged as shown by Figures 1, 1, and 2 with the exception that instead of only one
screw or pin in the nut & passing through a slot in tube E, in this ease two or more
screws or pins and slots are used to connect, support and carry the compression
ring R to and with acting on the top of the spring D with the nut G the whole being
fitted in a suitable manner. within the tube E.
Fig. 4 is a view of an ordinary spring shown for the purpose of explaining
Figure 5 which is a view of an improved spring as employed in tubes E and E.
These springs when used inside the tubes E and E require to be of a less diameter
externally than the internal diameter of the said tubes, because when the a spring is
under compression it is of a larger diameter than when uncompressed or free, and
when used in a straight or ordinary form as illustrated by Fig. 4 they are the cause of
much rattle or jar, but when used in the improved form as shown in by Fig. 5 all
rattle or jar is effectually prevented without detriment or loss of any elasticity of the
spring.
By this my invention a greater amount of ease, comfort and pleasure is ensured to
the rider when passing over rough places, stray stones and other obstacles and
general inequalities usually met with on the roads. It also minimises and lessens the
wear and tear, and liability to breakage, and thereby greatly extends the life of the
machines. in consequence.
I am aware that anti-vibration spring forks have already been used with telescopic
heads or steering posts controlled by springs, and also that duplex forks have been used
in combination with springs, 1 therefore do not broadly claim such arrangements.

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 :-
(1) The whole of the new parts for carrying into effect this invention or
improvements in Velocipedes in reducing vibration and adjusting the same to suit the
various weights of different riders substantially and for the purpose herein shown and
described.
(1) In a velocipede an anti-vibration steering fork constructed, arranged and operating
specifically as set forth and illustrated by Figures 1 and 1° of the accompanying
drawings.
(2) In a velocipede an anti-vibration steering fork constructed arranged and operating
specifically as set forth and illustrated by Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.
(3) In a velocipede an anti-vibration steering fork constructed arranged and operating
specifically as set forth and illustrated by Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.
(2) The vibrating fork A, the (4) In a velocipede the combination with the fork A
carrying the steering wheel of the slotted outer fork E in combination with extending
upwards as a steering post to carry the transverse handle bar the slide blocks S,
spring D, compression screw or spindle F, nut G, cap L, slot K, graduated scale or
face plate P, with pointer X and wheel H as shown and described. all combined
arranged and operating as set forth.
(3)-The-slide or Guide bars C the sliding blocks or brackets S and tube E' in
Fig. 3 as herein shown and described.
(4) The ring R with slots and screws for connecting to nut G in Fig. 4 as herein
shown and described.
(5) The In a velocipede the improved spring Fig. 5 as and for the purpose herein
shown and described and shown by Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 19th day of August 1887.
THOMAS REDMAN.