IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO BICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick Warner Jones, of Exeter, in the County of
Devon, and 32, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO
BICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES."
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Frederick Warner Jones at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th September 1880.
FREDERICK WARNER JONES, of Exeter, in the County of Devon, and 32,
Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex.. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO BICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES."
This Invention has for its objects,-
Firstly. The construction of bicycles in such a manner that they are rendered
safer to ride than heretofore.
Secondly. A method of guiding bicycles, giving increased adjustable steering
facilities.
Thirdly. A novel method of preventing the spokes of the wheels of bicycles and
other velocipedes from twisting.
Fourthly. An improved saddle by which the rider's position can be shifted, as
occasion requires, in ascending and descending hills or inclines.
Fifthly. A novel alarm for bicycles and velocipedes.
Sixthly. A method of constructing the backbones of bicycles and other
velocipedes.
To elucidate my Invention in the best possible manner I have annexed two
Sheets of Drawings, to the Figures and letters of which I now refer in the following
Specification :-
In Sheet I. Fig. 1 is an elevation of my "safety" bicycle.
Fig. 2, a vertical section through the top of the hind fork of my steering
movement.
Fig. 3, a plan of same.
Figs. 4 and 5, respectively an elevation and section of the adjustable eyes
hereafter referred to.
Fig. 6, a section on the line X, Y, of
Fig. 7, an elevation of my arrangement for preventing the spokes of velocipedes

page_text: arrange the saddle block or carrier Q to slide on the spring. To this I attach a
spring R carrying a tooth S and furnished with a thumb piece T, as shewn,
a guard U preventing the spring R moving too far outward when pressed by the
rider.
The pin V and spiral spring support the front of the spring O as usual.
To shift the saddle backwards the rider presses on the spring R and pushes
backwards, when the saddle slides along the spring O till the tooth S engages with
another notch P. To shift the saddle in the forward direction the rider pulls
himself forward, first releasing the spring R. The Drawing represents the arrange-
ment applied to a tricyclo saddle, but the principle is equally applicable to bicycle
saddles.
Under the fifth part of my Invention I arrange an alarm, as shown at Fig. 11.
To the ordinary spoon brake W of a bicycle I pivot a small cam or eccentric, or their
equivalent X, furnished with a tooth or beak, as shewn. A small bell-crank lever Y
carrying the hammer b is also pivoted on the spoon arm, and a spring c keeping it
forward against a bell Z. When the brake lover is lightly pressed, the cam X is
brought into contact with the tire of the wheel and revolves, the end of the bell-
crank being caught by the tooth or beak and forced back, the spring c then
causing it to strike the bell as often as the cam revolves. This applies to other
velocipedes using the spoon brake.
Under the sixth part of my Invention I form the backbone of bicycles and other
velocipedes of a double-T or girder section, as shown in Fig. 12. This 1 accomplish
by heating a round or oval sectioned backbone, and pressing it to the shape
required between swage blocks, dies, or rolls, suitably recessed for the purpose.
The deepest part of the web is formed in the centre, and the ends taper off to
the usual circular or other section.
By this means great lightness, rigidity, and strength are attained, and the
backbone rendered not liable to sag.
In Figs. 13 and 14 I have shewn the arrangement of head I prefer to use, but to
which I lay no claim by itself. It consists in causing the backbone A¹ to encircle
the head B, which is formed of large (not less than two inches) diameter. The
collar formed by the backbone rests on the shoulder C¹ of the head.
A cap D' screws down over the head to which the handle bar is attached, as
shewn.
I prefer cranking the handles downward and slightly backwards to bring them
nearer to the rider.
The increased size of bearing surface gives great stability and ease in turning,
and the fork is not liable to work loose.
It is evident that the details of my Invention may be varied or modified without
departing from the nature thereof.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention for "Improvements in and
Appertaining to Bicycles and other Velocipedes," and the best mode known_to_mo-
of performing the same, I would have it understood that I do not claim the
principle of turning the hind wheel of a bicycle as well as the-front-wheel, nor do
I claim the arrangement of head, as shewn in Figs.. 13 and 14, but what I believe to
bo_novel and original,-and-therefore-desire to claim under the above recited
Complete Specification is,
Firstly. The arrangement of driving-gear_for_bicycles: consisting of a lever A
pivoted to the fork at one end, and at the other end to the end of a lever C pivoted
(as shewn) to the crank, and-extending-considerably backwards and carrying the
pedal, so that the downward path of the pedal is approximately rectilinear, and the
return_path_curvilinear, substantially-as-and-for the purposes herein before
described.
Secondly. The special arrangement of bearing in the backbone of bicycles for the
hind wheel in combination with the steering arms I, J, substantially as and for the
purposes hereinbefore set forth.

page_text: •
Thirdly. The eyes K adjustable on the steering arms, for the purposes herein.
before set forth.
Fourthly. The method of preventing the spokes of velocipedes from twisting by
cutting out a portion of the hub and the spokes, and bolting or securing a ring or
its equivalent into the recess so formed, as herein before described.
Fifthly. The arrangement for shifting the saddle, substantially as hereinbefore
described and shewn in the accompanying Drawings.
Sixthly. Fitting a cam, eccentric, or their equivalent to the spoon brake of
.velocipedes, so that on its coming in contact with the wheel tire it shall revolve or
move and operate an alarm or bell, as hereinbefore described.
Seventhly. Constructing the backbones of bicycles and other velocipedes of
double-T or girder section, substantially in the manner and for the purposes set
forth.
Eighthly. The general arrangement and construction of apparatus, substantially
as and for the purposes set forth in the foregoing Specification, and shewn in the
accompanying Drawings from Figs. 1 to 12.
In witness thercof, I, the said Frederick Warner Jones, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fourth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand-eight-hundred-and-eighty.