Improvements in the Construction of Frames of Bicycles and other Foot Propelled Vehicles.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Aug., 1898-Accepted, 5th Nov.,
1898
[Communicated from abroad by HENRY DIXON, of Collingwood, in the Province of
Ontario, Canada, Machinist.]
Improvements in the Construction of Frames of Bicycles and other
Foot Propelled Vehicles.
I, ARTHUR EDUARD WHITE, of Cumberland Lodge, West Acton, Middlesex,
Provision Merchant, 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 certain new and useful improvements in the frames of
foot propelled vehicles and relates more particularly to the construction of the
frames of those classes of foot propelled vehicles known as bicycles" " "tendems"
quads" &c. and the object of the invention is to so construct the frame that it-and
through it the rider-will be relieved of all vibration ordinarily developed during
the progress of the vehicle and the invention consists essentially of a frame
embracing in its construction the usual upper and lower reach bars, head, standard
and crank axle bracket assembled in the usual manner the lower side bars fitted
with annular bands to encircle loosely and yet snugly the crank axle bracket the
rear forks consisting of spring controlled telescopic sections pivotally connected
at their lower ends to the side bars and at their upper ends to the standard and an
air cushion interposed between the rear forks consisting of a cylinder connected to.
the cross head of the standard and a plunger working within the cylinder connected
to the lower telescopic sections, the whole device being hereinafter more fully set
forth and more particularly pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings-
Fig. 1 represents a side view of a bicycle frame.
Fig. 2 represents a sectional view shewing the construction of the telescopic
sections of the rear forks.
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through the crank axle bracket.
Fig. 4 is a plan view of the strap connections for the side bars.
Like letters of reference refer to like parts throughout the specification and
drawings.
A represents the bicycle frame embracing in its construction and usual upper
and lower reach bars a, a¹ respectively, head 6 and standard e assembled in the
usual manner.
B represents the crank axle bracket connected to the lower end of the standard c.
The crank axle bracket B and frame A are constructed and assembled in the usual
manner. Each end of the crank axle B is turned off or cut away to form a
circumferential seat 61 of a lesser diameter than the body of the crank axle bracket
and a shoulder 611 at the inner end of each seat. Encircling each seat b¹ is a
strap which abutts against its respective shoulder 611.
C, C represent the side bars each of which is joined to the end of its respective
strap C which securely and rotatably connects its respective side bar C to the
077

page_text: crank axle bracket B and allows the side bar to oscillate from the centre of the
crank shaft.
Connected to side bar C at the left of the frame is one end of a flat tie piece C"
substantially S-shaped which crosses diagonally to the opposite side of the frame
between the driving wheel and crank axle bracket and is connected to the other
side bar C at a point nearer the driving wheel whilst connected to the side bar C
at the right of the frame is one end of a similar tie piece C which diagonally
crosses to the left side of the frame between the driving wheel and crank axle
bracket and is connected to the other side bar. Each of the tie pieces C, C is
provided with an elongated slot through which passes a clamping bolt C³ to rigidly
and adjustably lock them together. This construction permits of the adjustment
of the side bars and of the straps C1, CI when fitted on the crank axle bracket at
the same time preventing their outward displacement under ördinary "conditions
the shoulders 6 preventing their inward displacement.
D'D' represent the bifurcated brackets for the axle of the driving wheel con-
nected to the rear ends of the axle bars C, C; D, D represent the lower telescopic
sections of the rear forks the lower ends of which are pivotally connected to the
brackets D, D¹ by a pivot pin or bolt d. Each telescopic section D consists of a
tube or sleeve fitted with an internal plug d¹ intermediate the top and bottom of
the section.
E, E represent the upper telescopic sections of the rear forks, each upper section
working within its respective lower section D.
F, F represent two moveable nuts one located within each of the telescopic
sections E, E. Each of the nuts F F is provided with a tapped hole Fi through
which passes a screw threaded bolt F. The cap E¹ of each of the telescopic
sections E is provided with a hole E" through which extends the shank of the
bolt F. The shank of the bolt F" on the underside of the cap E¹ is provided with
a collar which prevents the bolt being thrust out of its respective telescopic section
by the upward pressure of the spring. The turning of the bolt in the direction
indicated by arrows causes the downward movement of the nut F whilst the reverse
rotation of the bolt causes the upward movement of the nut. The downward
movement of the nut F compresses the spring and increases its force whilst the
upward movement of the nut permits of the expansion of the spring and diminishes
its force. By means of the bolts and moveable nuts the pressure of the springs
can be controlled and regulated to the weight of the rider. The top of each of
the telescopic sections E, E is pivotally connected to a cross head H bolted or other-
wise joined to the top of the standard of the frame A.
I represents an air cylinder rigidly connected to the cross head Hintermediate
the sections E, E.
J represents a plunger connected to the cross head J which cross head is
connected to the lower telescopic sections D, D above the driving wheel. The top
of the plunger J is provided with a washer of leather, rubber or other suitable
material, which fits snugly against the inner side of the cylinder H.
The forcing of the plunger into the cylinder compresses the air within it which
cushions the telescopic action of the sections I) E by its resistance to the
plunger.
K represents the crank shaft journaled in the crank axle bracket B.
L represents the sprocket wheel mounted on the crank shaft K.
M represents the axle of the driving wheel rigidly mounted in the brackets D¹ D¹
of the side bars C, C.
N represents the driving wheel revolvably mounted on the axle M.
O represents the sprocket wheel connected to the hub of the driving wheel and
P represents a sprocket chain passing around the sprocket wheel L and O.
The action of the invention is as follows. If during the progress of the wheel
an obstacle is met or the wheel passes over a surface sufficiently rough or uneven to
create a jolting or jarring motion the side bars CC will oscillate with the centre of
the crank shaft as their centre and cause the lower telescopic sections of the rear

page_text: forks to slide up on the upper sections. This upward action of the lower sections
will force the plunger into the air cylinder and cause it to compress the 'air within
the cylinder. The compression of the air within the cylinder causes the gradual
resistance to the plunger and cushions the telescoping action of the sections D, E,
thus compensating the vibratory or the jolting or the jarring developed during
its progress of the wheel. The oscillatory movement of the side bars CC would
naturally affect the relation of the lower sections 1)]) to the upper sections E, E
of the rear forks, and to enable the lower sections D) I), to maintain their correct
alignment with the upper sections during the movement of the side bars and
telescoping action of the sections it is necessary to establish a pivotal connection
between the lower ends of the lower sections and the side bars C, C and the upper
ends of the upper sections and the standard. By having the side bars CC oscillate
from the centre of the crank shaft the distance from the centre of the axle of the
driving wheel to the centre of the crank shaft will be maintained when the side
bars are in their normal position and when performing the oscillatory movement.
This construction practically relieves the frame from all vibratory motion and also
relieves the former from the wear and weakening of the frame occasioned by such
vibratory motion.
By relieving the frame of the vibratory motion the rider is correspondingly
relieved and is enabled to propel his vehicle over a rough road at a higher rate of
speed than that at which he could travel if the frame were rigid.
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:
1. A frame for foot propelled vehicles embracing in its construction a crank
axle bracket and two side bars oscillatingly mounted on the crank axle bracket
substantially as specified.
2. A frame for foot propelled vehicles embracing in its construction a crank axle
bracket, two side bars and an annular strap for each side bar loosely embracing its
respective end of the crank axle bracket substantially as specified.
3. In a frame for foot propelled vehicles the combination of the crank axle
bracket, the side bars and an oscillating connection between the crank axle bracket
and side bars consisting of a strap for each side bar loosely encircling its respective
end of the crank axle bracket and united to the adjacent end of its respective side
bar substantially as specified.
4. In a frame for foot propelled vehicles the combination of the crank axle
bracket, the side bars, and an oscillating connection between the crank axle bracket
and side bars consisting of a strap for each side bar encircling loosely its respective
end of the crank axle bracket a brace for the side bars consisting of a stay one
end of which is connected to one of the side bars and crosses diagonally to the
opposite side of the frame between the crank axle bracket and driving wheel
and has its opposite end connected to the other side bar. A slot in each of the
crossed projections and a bolt passing through the slots and clamping the
projections together substantially as specified.
5. The rear forks of the frame of a foot propelled vehicle embracing in their
construction two sets of telescopic sections each set of sections consisting of two
members working one within the other, a spring within each set of sections to hold
them in their normal relative position to each other in combination with an air
cushion consisting of a cylinder and a plunger working within the cylinder to
cushion the telescoping action of the sections substantially as specified.
6. The rear forks for the frame of a foot propelled vehicle embracing in their
construction two sets of telescopic sections, each set consisting of two members
working one within the other, a spring within each set of sections to hold them
in their normal relative position to each other in combination with an air cushion
consisting of a cylinder, a plunger working within the cylinder to cushion the

page_text: telescoping action of the sections and means to regulate the pressure of the springs
substantially as specified.
7. In a frame for a foot propelled vehicle the combination of the rear forks
embracing in their construction two sets of telescoping sections each set consisting
of two members one working within the other a permanent stop in each of the
lower telescoping sections an adjustable stop in each of the upper telescoping
sections, springs within each set of sections bearing against the stops to hold the
members of each set of sections in their normal relative position to each other and
an air cushion embracing in its construction a cylinder connected to the upper
telescopic sections and a plunger connected to the lower telescopic sections
substantially as specified.
8. In a frame for a foot propelled vehicle the combination of the rear forks
embracing in their construction two sets of telescoping sections each set consisting
of two members one working within the other a permanent stop in each of the
lower telescoping sections an adjustable stop in each of the upper telescoping
sections springs within each set of sections bearing against the stops to hold the
members of each set of sections in their normal relative position to each other,
an air cushion embracing in its construction a cylinder connected to the upper
telescopic sections and a plunger connected to the lower telescopic sections and a
main frame embracing in its construction a crank axle bracket secured to the
standard two side bars pivotally connected at their rear ends to the lower telescopic
sections of the rear forks and provided at their front ends with annular straps
loosely embracing the crank axle bracket substantially as specified.
9. In a frame for a foot propelled vehicle the combination of the rear forks
embracing in their construction two sets of telescoping sections each set consisting
of two members one working within the other a permanent stop in each of the
lower telescoping sections an adjustable stop in each of the upper telescoping
sections springs within each set of sections bearing against the stops to hold the
members of each set of sections in their normal relative position to each other an
air cushion embracing in its construction a cylinder connected to the upper
telescopic sections and a plunger connected to the lower telescopic sections and a
main frame embracing in its construction a crank axle bracket secured to the
standard two side bars pivotally connected at their rear ends to the lower telescopic
sections of the rear forks and provided at their front ends with annular straps
loosely embracing the crank axle bracket and a brace for the said bars consisting
of two stays connected to the side bars and crossed diagonally in front of the
driving wheel, a slot in each of the stays and a bolt passing through the slots and
clamping them together substantially as specified.
Dated the 001 2
f
1000
THEO. MCKENNA,
17 &18, Basinghall Street, London, E.C., Applicant's Agent.