Improvements in Velocipedes.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Jan., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 11th Oct., 1894-Accepted, 17th Nov., 1894
Improvements in Velocipedes.
I GEORGE LAMB SCOTT of 18 Nelson Street, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester,
in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
My said invention relates to improvements in the frames and parts supporting
the rider in bicycles, tricycles and other types of velocipedes. The object of the
invention is mainly to give resilient properties to the said frame and supporting
parts, so as to enable a pneumatic tyre to be dispensed with, although my
improvements might also be used in conjunction with a pneumatic tyre if
desired.
In a safety bicycle made in accordance with my invention, the general form of
the frame is the same as in existing machines, the chief material difference being
that instead of having the usual sloping struts which rake from the upper part of
the saddle post to the centre of the driving wheel, I arrange struts standing
upright from the lower limbs and passing through the eyes of a cross head which is
secured to a tail projecting from the back of the saddle post.
It is at this point that I introduce the elastic body which gives the requisite
resilient support to the rider. This elastic support which is introduced at the
junction of the uprights with the saddle-post tail might consist of spiral springs or
of flat or curved springs or of combinations of these, or the support might consist
of a pneumatic sphere or air ball interposed between two cups carried respectively
by the uprights and the cross head. In order to provide for the yielding motion
which takes place at the point of junction between the side limbs and the back
bone or foot of the saddle post, I connect the said side limbs loosely to the post by
means of studs or pins, so that when the rear wheel rolls over an obstruction on
the road the jolt is entirely absorbed by the elastic buffer between the uprights
and the cross bead on the saddle post tail. I might as an additional shock
absorber place the saddle itself upon an elastic bed or I might use a pneumatic
saddle.
To take up the slack of the driving chain, the rear wheel may be set back as
usual by screws or other means so as to increase the distance between the chain
wheel and the driving wheel.
The fork of the front wheel might be of the ordinary description but I prefer to
make the fork portion upright, and connect a prolongation thereof to the steering
post, such connection being preferably elastic or at least isolated by means of
rubber or other elastic linings so as to minimise or prevent the transmission of jars.
The prolongation might itself be attached to the fork by an elastic or shock
absorbing connection.
The whole frame with its insulated connections, yielding joints and elastic
supports constitutes a resilient and elastic arrangement which can be used in
conjunction with wheels having cushioned instead of pneumatic tyres, but as
already said such a frame might also be used in conjunction with pneumatic tyres
if desired.
Dated this 11th day of January 1894.

page_text: COME MEIE DIECTIVATION.
Improvements in Velocipedes.
1 GEORGE LAMB SCOTT of 18 Nelson Street, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester,
in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, 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 and accompanying
drawings:-
My said invention relates to improvements in the frames and parts supporting
the rider in bicycles, tricycles and other types of velocipedes. The object of the
invention is mainly to give resilient properties to the said frame and supporting
parts, so as to enable a pneumatic tyre to be dispensed with, although my
improvements might also be used in conjunction with a pneumatic tyre if
desired.
To render my invention clearly understood I will now proceed to describe
the same more particularly with reference to the annexed sheet of drawings.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a bicycle the frame of which is constructed in
accordance with my invention.
Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5 illustrate the elastic parts of the frame to an enlarged
scale.
The general form. of the frame of my improved bicycles is similar to that of
existing machines, the chief difference being that instead of having the usual
sloping struts which rake at an angle from the upper part A of the saddle post B
to the centre of the rear driving wheel C, 1 arrange the struts D standing upright
from the lower limbs or side members E extending on each side of the rear
wheel C from the centre of the said wheel to the foot of the saddle post. In the
illustrated example the said upright struts D unite fork fashion in a jaw D' which
is connected by a rocking cross-head or bell crank lever F, pivotted at / to the
end of a tail G projecting from the back of the saddle post B.
It is at this point that I introduce the media which give the requisite resilient
support to the rider.
The elastic support consists in the present instance of the coiled springs H, H
one end of the said springs being hooked or secured to tails F¹ projecting from the
vertical arm of the bell crank lever the other ends of the springs being hooked
to an anchor stud I the shank of which passes through the eye of a bracket J
fixed to the saddle post tail G, the said anchor stud being made adjustable by
means of a nut K screwed on the end of the shank. This arrangement is most
clearly shown in Fig. 2 which is a view from beneath, of the said springs and their
method of attachment, the vertical struts or fork arms D being shown in section.
The side members E are hinged at L to the foot of the saddle post.
It will now be seen how the elastic effect is produced.
The weight of the rider on the saddle M is hung practically upon the pivot ƒ of
the bell crank lever F.
The resistance to the downward droop of the pivot fis furnished by the
springs H, H. the bell crank lever pulling upon these springs in a direct line and
extending them more or less in accordance with the weight. The upright strut
fork D, D' acts as a lever, thrusting upon the other arm of the bell crank lever
and correspondingly extending the springs. All shocks and vibration are thus
transmitted to the springs H H which give and take sufficiently to prevent the said
.shocks and vibrations from reaching or affecting the rider.
To assist towards this result the saddle M might also consist of or be supported
upon an air bag or upon rubber, metallic or pneumatic beds, such as are already
used to isolate the saddle from the frame.
In practice however I have found that the springs H H are so effective that they

page_text: do not require any such auxiliary elastic bodies. The hinging of the side limbs E
to the foot of the saddle post gives the necessary yielding so that no bending or
straining of the parts of the frame takes place. Instead of two springs Ĥ H
as described I might use one such spring or I might use more than two.
Γ
I might use for the front fork wheel N a fork of the ordinary construction, in
combination with the hereinbefore described arrangement, but I prefer to make the
front fork O also elastic and I attain that result in the following manner and as
illustrated in Figs. 1, 4 and 5. The side arms O of the fork are hinged at o to the
foot of the steering post P. Near the top of each arm O, there is a projecting
finger Q, these fingers Q, coming opposite to fixed abutments R projecting from the
foot of the steering post. A bolt S passes through both finger and abutment and
a spring T is threaded upon the bolt, the tendency of the springs being to press
apart the fingers and abutments and so keep the arms O in line with the steering
post P. A stop p prevents the springs from pressing the arms O further than
into line with the steering post. The head of the bolt S might have a spring
washer or a washer of rubber between it and the abutment R so as still further
to diminish jar and vibration.
Instead of two springs as described I might use one, or more than two might be
used. The result of the described arrangement is that the front wheel N yields to
obstructions and not only diminishes vibration, when running but also preserves
the fork from breakage when the front wheel runs against some considerable
obstruction.
The whole frame with its insulated connections, yielding joints and elastic
supports constitutes a resilient and elastic arrangement which can be used in
conjunction with wheels having cushioned instead of pneumatic tyres, but as
already said such a frame might also be used in conjunction with pneumatic
tyres if desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is.
1. The general arrangement, construction and combination of parts comprising
my improved elastic frame bicycle substantially as described and as illustrated.
2. In a bicycle the combination of the hinged side limbs E, the upright struts or
fork D D', bell crank lever F and the spring or springs H adjustably connected to
a fixed part J the lever and springs being carried by a tail or extension G from
the saddle post, substantially as described and as illustrated.
3. The improved elastic front fork applied and acting substantially as described
and as illustrated.
Dated this 10th dox of Ootcham 1901
E. K. DUTTON & Co.,
5, John Dalton Street, Manchester, Agents.