Improvements to Lessen Quivering and Jolting in Safety Bicycles, and to keep the Driving Chain in Tension or other Gear in Action when the Machine passes over Obstructions.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd June, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 29th Feb., 1892-Accepted, 2nd Apr., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements to Lessen Quivering and Jolting in Safety Bicycles,
and to keep the Driving Chain in Tension or other Gear in
Action when the Machine passes over Obstructions.
1, JAMES HENRY BUMSTEAD, residing at 15 Elletson Street, Poulton-le-Fylde,
Preston, in the County of Lancaster, Clerk in Holy Orders Vicar of Hambleton,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The improvements consist of bars or rods sliding freely in a perpendicular
direction through snugs or bearings connected with or being a portion of the
steering fork of the safety bicycle. There is one bar or rod, sliding in two of these
connected snugs or bearings, on each side of the steering wheel. The axle or pin
of the steering wheel passes through each bar or rod and between the snugs or
bearings, and is fastened on the outer side of the bar or rod with a nut. Each bar
or rod is actuated upon by a spiral or coiled spring attached at one end to the
steering fork, the other end passing through a hole or slot in the bar or rod,
allowing freedom of action.
The bars for the driving wheel are rigidly attached to, or are a portion of the
frame or back fork of the machine. Between these bars is a slot or opening
running lengthwise, the centre of which is in a radius to the centre of the geared
driving-wheel attached to or driven by the cranks or pedal action. In this slot or
opening a block works freely in a rising or falling manner. The axle or pin of the
driving wheel of the machine passes through the centre of the block, and is fastened
on the outer side with a nut. The blocks, there being one on each side of the
driving wheel working in its slot or opening, are each actuated upon by a spiral or
coiled spring, attached at one end to the frame or rear fork, the other end passing
through a hole or slot in the block or through the wheel pin. The bars may be
solid having the radius-slot or opening cut in them, in which case there is one bar
on each side of the driving wheel, or there may be two bars joined together with a
radius-slot or opening between them, in which case, if not considered as one bar,
they must be considered as two on each side of the wheel. This action keeps the
driving chain in tension or other gear in action when the machine passes over
obstructions.
Dated this Second day of June 1891.
JAMES HENRY BUMSTEAD.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements to Lessen Quivering and Jolting in Safety Bicycles,
and to keep the Driving Chain in Tension or other Gear in
Action when the Machine passes over Obstructions.
JAMES HENRY BUMSTEAD, Clerk, in Holy Orders, 15 Ellotson Street,
Poulton-le-Fylde, Preston, Lancashire, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to spring-frame cycles, the object being to maintain rigidity
in certain parts combined with elasticity in others at the same time keeping the
pedal axle, the saddle and the handle-bar at a practically invariable distance from
each other, (the two latter having been set or fixed to accommodate the rider);
also to lessen unpleasant vibration and jolting experienced by riders on cycles not
of this class, at the same time keeping the driving chain or such suitable gearing
D

page_text: as may fall in with this construction of cycle, in equal tension or gearing. It has
also for its object the application of a spring capable of alteration as to its bearing
powers by its altered position, thus being made suitable for various weights of
riders. The invention consists in the features of construction, and combination of
parts hereinafter fully described and specifically claimed.
Referring to the three sheets of accompanying drawings making a part of this
Specification,
Sheet I. Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a rear chain-driven safety bicycle
with my improvements attached to the ends of the front or steering fork, and also
to the rear fork of the machine.
Sheet II. Figures 2 and 3 show my invention partly in section as applied to the
front and rear forks on an enlarged scale. It will be understood that these repre-
sent only one side of the machine which has a second corresponding portion.
On the same sheet Figures 4 and 5 are representations similar to Figures 2 and 3
only not in section, and showing another class of spring capable of being adjusted
to various weights of rider.
Sheet III. Figures 6 and 7 show on a reduced scale from Sheet II.; but still on
a larger scale than Sheet I., my improvement as capable of being applied to many
existing cycles.
Figures 8 and 9 show the plan, (the hub of the wheel being here represented
without the spokes or felloe of the wheel, simply to show its position between the
improvements) respectively of the back and the front fork ends.
Figures 10 and 11 are respectively views of the back or rear fork ends from a
back view, and the front of the steering fork from a front view having the improve-
ments attached, & showing the hub as above mentioned.
Figures 12. 13 and 14 show the block which slides between the radius curve in
the back links or attachment. Figure 12 shows the outside side view of one of the
blocks. Figure 13 shows the block in plan-section and Figure 14 shows the block
in plan, with one flange or inside cap removed to admit of its being passed into the
curved slot..
Figure 15 shows another class of spring which I propose to use, having a series
of springs within itself, and which is capable of regulation as to compression.
Figure 16 shows one of the rods, partly in section, which passes through and
works in the fixed sungs or bearings in connection with the front fork or steering
wheel action.
Referring to Figure 1. it will be understood that one side only of the invention
is shown. A is the rigid frame of a cycle, B the snugs attached to or constructed
with the front or steering fork of the cycle, C is a rod sliding in a vertical manner
within the snugs, having the wheel axle passing through it, and the spring, in this
case passing over its lower extremity. Corresponding parts are placed on the other
extremity of the fork on the other side of the wheel not shown in this view, D is the
centre of the wheel-axle, E is the coiled spring passing over the extremity of
the rod C, and is held in position by a nut and washer or pin. Upon this spring
the weight of the rider rests: it permits the wheel to yield when striking
obstructions and thus breaks the shock, F is a malleable casting or steel forging or
piercing forming part of or attached to the rear fork of the machine, having cast
and tooled or cut within it a slot G. The longitudinal centre line of this slot is
struck from the centre of the pedal or driving axle H. Much of the efficiency of
the rear portion of the machine depends upon the accuracy of the longitudinal
centre of this slot being a portion of a correct curve or arc or circumference of a
circle, struck from the pedal centre H. Within this curved slot is a block I.
through the centre of which passes the rear wheel-axle J. Thus on the rising or
falling of the block in the curved slot G the wheel is permitted to yield to
obstructions without communicating the full shock to the rider, yet always keeping
the driving chain in proper tension or other gear in action. The block is actuated
upon and the weight of the rider is supported upon the spring K, which also permits
the wheel to yield when obstructions are met. L is a rod working loosely through

page_text: the top of the link and loosely affixed to the block, and passed loosely through the
spring, the object being to prevent misplacement of the spring. It will be readily
observed that the centre of the curved slot being a portion of the circumference
of a circle struck from the pedal centre causes the block and rear wheel to rise
and fall, keeping at the same time the chain or other suitable gearing in tension
or action.
Figure 2. shows on an enlarged scale the curved slot G with its surrounding
metal in section, also having the block I which slides freely in a rising and
falling manner, in section. J is the central hole in the block through which the
wheel-axle passes. K is a coiled spring which is passed over the rod L which keeps
it from displacement. The rod I works loosely through the top of the link and is
pinned so as to have freedom of action in a snug on the block I. This rod I can
be easily removed as also the spring, when a stronger spring may be inserted. The
two small screws in the block are for the purpose of taking up wear.
Corre-
sponding mechanism is used on the other side of the wheel, viz. -on the other
prong of the fork.
Figure 3 shows one prong or portion on one side of the steering wheel.
B. B. show the snugs in section with screws to take up wear. C is the rod sliding
freely in a vertical direction in these snugs; itself being in two portions,. each.
screwing or otherwise affixed into a central collar, through which passes the wheel
axle in the centre D. E is the coiled spring. In the case of split snugs or bearings
the sliding rod C and the collar here shown in section may be made in one
piece.
Figures 4 and 5 show another class of spring which may be strengthened or
weakened in action to suit the weight of riler, by being drawn nearer or placed
farther from the point of action.
In Figure 4 G is the radius slot I the block, J the centre of the wheel-axle,
M is a coiled spring which is fastened by screw in snug N, the other end of the
spring passing loosely through the snug on the block. To strengthen the action
of the spring M, it may be loosened at the screw N, and drawn nearer the
slot G.
Figure 5 shows one side of the front fork with this spring arrangement. B. B. are
the smugs, the sliding red, D centre of wheel-axle, M coiled spring fixed as
required at N, and working loosely at O.
Figure 6 shows a method of affixing the link F with its before named mechanism
to some existing rigid frame cycles.
Figure 7 shows a method of attixing the snugs and sliding rod and springs to
some existing rigid frame cycles.
Figure 8 shows the plan of the back or rear fork ends, F. F. being the links.
The position of the hub of the wheel is shown between the links.
Figure 9 is the plan of the steering wheel fork ends and snugs B. B. between
which is shown the hub of the wheel.
Figures 10 and 11 are respectively a view of the rear of the cycle showing the
links F. F. and a front view of the front fork with its snugs B. B. B. B. and sliding
rods C. C. In both cases the hub is shown between.
Figures 12, 13, and 14 show the block. Figure 12 being a side view, Figure 13
a plan in section, and Figure 14 a plan with the back flange removed, to allow
placing of the block into the slot G.
Figure 15 shows a laminated spring which may be used with advantage in
connection with Figures 4 and 5, where a stronger spring is required than spring M,
to which its action corresponds.
Figure 16 shows one of the sliding rods C and the method by which it is placed
through the snugs when the snugs are not split, also the method of affixing to the
circular nut or collar through which the wheel-axle pusses having its centre
at D.
It should be understood that I make no claim for springs in general, further than

page_text: as relates to their position and necessary action in completing this invention, except
in such cases where they may be adjusted to suit the weight of the rider.
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. In cycles, the use of a curved slot as represented in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 6 of
the accompanying drawings, having its longitudinal centre line struck from the
centre of the crank or main pedal axle, thereby forming an arc or portion of the
circumference of a circle struck from that point, the slot being enclosed within
four metal sides, substantially as and for the purpose herein before described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. A sliding block suited to the curve and contained within the metal surroundings
of the curved slot, having its centre coinciding in its movements with the central
longitudinal line of the slot which is struck from the centre of the pedal or crank
axle and having through its centre the wheel axle as herein before described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings Figure 1.
3. A. sliding block working within a curved slot, and actuated upon by a spring
also contained within the sides of the said slot, or by a spring external to the slot
and capable of adjustment as hereinbefore described and illustrated.
4. A sliding rod composed of two portions so as to easily be passed through fixed
snugs and screwed or otherwise fastened into a central nut or collar through the
centre of which collar passes the wheel-axle, and actuated upon at its lower
extremity by a spring. It may also be actuated upon by an adjustable spring
working loosely at the collar.
5. A coiled or laminated spring which is capable of adjustment to suit various
weights of riders by being moved in its position in the snugs, for the purpose
hereinbefore described with special reference to Figures 4, 5 and 15 of the accom-
panying drawings.
6. A cycle having on each side of the rear driving wheel one of the hereinbefore
described and illustrated curved slots and blocks actuated upon by a spring for the
purpose hereinbefore mentioned.
7. A cycle having on each side of the steering or front wheel one sliding rod
constructed in two portions screwed or otherwise fastened into a central nut or
collar, and actuated upon by a spring hereinbefore described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this Twenty-seventh day of February 1892.
JAMES HENRY BUMSTEAD.