Improvements in Bicycles and Velocipedes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 6th July, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 6th Mar., 1897-Accepted, 17th Apr., 1997
WALTER JOHN AUSTIN, 2 Treefield Road, Baptist Mills, Bristol, Engineer,
and WILLIAM HENRY RODD CLEAVE, 50 Chesterfield Road Bristol, Accountant,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of our improvements in bicycles & velocipedes is by the employment
of india-rubber springs to the axle boxes of such, we decrease shocks & vibration.
In carrying out our invention, we insert, in the front head, two spiral springs,
enclosed in sliding tubes, fixed with set screws. The first spring is close to the
handle bar, & the other in the centre of the front head. These sliding tubes, with
spiral springs have an automatic action, & move up & down in response to the
slightest jar or shock of the front wheel, & the springs check & lessen the
vibration.
We affix to the outside of the hub & spindle on both sides of the front & hind
wheels an axle box. At the point, where the spindle passes through the axle box,
a sliding cradle is fixed, & fitted with a pin, running through the centre of an
india rubber spring to the top of the box. This axle box, is fastened, also to the
frame of the bicycle or velocipede.
These sliding cradles, in the axle boxes, with the india rubber springs, possess
an automatic action, moving up & down in response to the slightest jar, or shock, &
the india rubber springs absorbs the momentum, & thereby decreasing vibration.
July 25th 1896.
JOHN
BENNETT,
4 Cherry Street, Birmingham, Applicants' Agent.
Improvements in Bicycles and Velocipedes.
WALTER JOHN AUSTIN, 2 Treefield Road, Baptist Mills, Bristol, Engineer,
and WILLIAM HENRY RODD CLEAVE, 50 Chesterfield Road, Bristol, Accountant,
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 :-
The object of our improvements in bicycles & velocipedes is by the employment
of india rubber springs to the axle boxes of such, we decrease shocks & vibration.
We affix to the outside of the hub & spindle on both sides of the front & hind
wheels, an axle box. At the point where the spindle passes through the axle box, a
sliding cradle is fixed, & fitted with a pin running through the centre of an india
rubber spring to the top of the box & through it. This axle box, is fastened, also
to the frame of the bicycle, or velocipede. These sliding cradles in the axle
boxes, with the india rubber springs possess an automatic action, moving up, &

page_text: down in response to the slightest jar, or shock, & the india rubber springs absorbs
the momentum, & thereby decreasing vibration.
In order that our invention may be fully understood we will more particularly
describe it, with the aid of the accompanying drawings."
Fig. 1. represents an elevation of our improved axle box, cradle, & india rubber
springs as applied to the front & hind wheels of a bicycle.
Fig. 2. represents our axle box, sliding cradle with pin or spindle, & rubber
spring in elevation.
Fig. 3. shows plan of Figure 2.
Fig. 4 represents in elevation the axle box, with sliding cradle inside & spindle
or pin end through the top of the axle box.
Fig. 5. represents our axle box, wherein works, the sliding cradle. The axle
box is shown without its.top plate, or bolt, or bar..
Fig. 6. represents plan of the top plate, or bar, of the axle box, with. central
hole, for end of spindle, or pin to work through.
Fig. 7. represents an elevation of the sliding cradle, & its spindle or pin, to carry
an india rubber spring, or any know ordinary suitable spring; & the central hole,
in the sliding cradle, is. for the spindle of the wheel, of the bicycle, to be fitted
there & with a bush therein, if so desired.
Fig. 8. represents elevation of our india rubber spring, with a hole through its
centre.
Fig. 9. plan of Figure 8. showing hole where slide cradle pin works through.
Fig. 10. represents plan of cup to fit on the end of spring.
Fig. 11. is a plan of Figure 7. showing recesses in the sides of the sliding cradle,
to move up & down in the axle box, & to act as guides in conjunction with the
steading-pin, or spindle. working, in the top of the axle box.
Fig. 12. represents plan, of Figure 4. showing sides of axle box, & sliding
cradle, with steading pin, or spindle, & lug for attachment to the frame of bicycle.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in the several figures of
the drawings.
a. axle box, b. sliding cradle, within the axle box, c. spindle, or pin, on sliding
cradle, or bush to carry a spring, d. rubber spring, e. cup to fit on each end of
rubber spring, f top plate, or bolt, or bar of axle box, h. hole in top plate, or bolt
for steading pin, or spindle, i. guides, or recesses in cradle, to slide up & down in
the axle box, p. hole in centre of rubber spring, k. hole in centre of cup, l. lug on
axle box, for attachment to frame of bicycle, or velocipede, m. hole for a bush in
centre of sliding cradle to carry the spindle of the bicycle wheel, n. nut to lock
bolt or plate for keeping the jaws of the axle box, & to bear the pressure of the
india rubber spring or any know spring.
It is understood, we shall adopt any mere modification desired in carrying out
our improvements, as the plate or buit, may work at the bottom of the axle box,
without a central hole therein, & this hole still be at the top bar, of the axle box,
also the sliding cradle, may move up & down in the axle box, in other ways then
the recesses in the edge of same, & the axle box may be attached to the frame of
the bicycle, or velocipede as desired.
Having now particularly described & ascertained the nature of our said
invention, & in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare what we
claim -
1st. The improved means for decreasing shocks & vibration in bicycles, &
velocipedes by the arrangement construction, & combination of the various parts
forming the axle box, with its sliding cradle & steading spindl, or pin, & the india
rubber spring, as set forth, described & illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2nd. The use of an india rubber spring, working within an axle box, for the
purpose, as herein described & set forth.
3rd. The axle box, as illustrated in Figures 2, 4, & 5 with the modification, if so
desired, for the movable plate or bolt, to work at the bottom of the axle box,

page_text: without a central hole, & the hole to be in the top bar of the axle box, for the
purpose described, & set forth.
4th. The sliding cradle as illustrated in Figures 4 & 7, with its steading spindle
without a central hole, & the hole to be in the top bar of the axle box, for the
purpose described, & set forth.
4th. The sliding cradle as illustrated in Figures 4 & 7, with its steading spindle
or piu, to carry any spring.
Dated this 5th day of March 1897.
JOHN
BENNETT,
4 Cherry Street, Birmingham, Agent for the Applicants.