Improvements in Velocipedes.
Year: 1893

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Velocipedes.
I, HENRY LA CASSE, of 507 N. Anue, Rochester, in the County of Monroe,
and State of New York, Inventor, 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 :-
My invention relates to improvements in bicycles and other velocipedes, and has
for its object the production of a simple, practical, and economically manufactured
device, which reduces to a minimum the jar experienced by the rider, and is highly
durable and effective in use; and to this end it consists, essentially, in a frame
having front and rear wheels, a front fork, a seat, a handle bar and a brake-lever,
a spring actuated link between the lower end of the fork and the front wheel,
movable supports for the pedal-shaft hinged to the frame, a movable seat support
carried by the pedal-shaft supports, and brake-operating mechanism between the
handle bar and the brake-lever connected to the seat support whereby the pedal-
sbaft, the seat, and the handle bar move with the same vibration in the practical
operation of my invention. The invention furthermore consists in the detail
construction and arrangement of the parts, all as hereinafter more particularly
described and pointed out in the claims.
In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawing,
forming a part of this Specification, in which like letters indicate corresponding
parts in all the views.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved bicycle, illustrating the general
construction and arrangement of its parts.
Figure 2 is an elevation, partly in section and partly broken away of the
detached frame, the spring actuated link hinged to the front fork, the pedal-
shaft supports, the seat support, and the brake-lever operating mechanism.
Figures 3 and 4 are respectively front elevation and top plan view of the
detached upper end of the steering rod, a portion of said rod being broken away at
Figure 3.
Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the upper end of the frame-
heed and the adjacent portion of the brake-lever operating mechanism, shown in
smaller scale at Figure 2.
Figure 6 is a top plan view, partly in section, of the parts as shown at Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a similar enlarged vertical sectional view of the lower end of the
frame-head and the upper end of the front fork.
Figure 8 is a top plan view, partly in section, of the detached lower end of the
frame-head shown in section at Figure 7.
Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional view looking downwardly, taken on line 9 9,
Figure 2, one of the hinged links being shown in section.
Figure 10 is an end elevation of the front axle and the adjacent end of the link
supported thereon shown by dotted lines.
Figure 11 is an enlarged sectional view of the upper end of the seat support and
the movable lever hinged to said seat support and connected to the brake-lever
operating mechanism.
Figure 12 is a top plan view, partly in section and partly broken away, of the
parts as shown at Figure 11, the adjacent portions of the frame being shown by
dotted lines.
Figure 13 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the brake-lever shown in
inoperative position, its support, and the rear end of its operating mechanism.

page_text: Figure 15 is a vertical sectional view, taken online. 15 15, Figure 2.
Figure 16 is a sectional view, taken on line 16 16, Figure 13.
Figure 17 is an isometric perspective of the detached link for engaging the
brake-lever.
Figure 18 is a top plan view of the detached clip or tie-bar secured to the frame
for supporting the brake-lever.
Figure 19 is an enlarged elevation, partly in section, of the rear axle, the sprocket
wheel thereon, the pedal shaft, and its supports, the adjacent portions of the frame,
and the seat support.
Figure 20 is a top plan view of the parts as shown at Figure 19.
Figure 21 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, taken on line 21 21,
Figure 20.
Figure 22 is a vertical sectional view, taken on line 22 22; Figure 20, the upper
end of the spring secured to the seat support being removed.
Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the pedal-shaft and its supporting
knuckle, said knuckle being shown as folded into a horizontal plane.
Figure 24 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, taken on line 25 25,
Figure 2.
Figure 25 is an elevation of the detached forward portion of the frame and a
carrying receptacle secured thereto, and
Figure 26 is a vertical sectional view, taken on line 27 27, Figure 25.
Bicycles, which are now coming into somewhat general use, are prevented from
more extended use, owing to the jar experienced by the rider in passing over rough
roads and obstructions. This jar is either transmitted to the rider's hands by the
movement of the handle bar or to his feet and body by the vibration of the pedal-
shaft. Moreover, the rider is seated on a yielding saddle having more or less
movement, and, as his feet are engaged with pedals secured to a rigidly mounted
pedal-shaft, he experiences great difficulty in maintaining his feet firmly fixed on
the pedals.
My invention reduces to a minimum the amount of jar experienced by the rider,
as the pedal-shaft, the seat, and the handle bar are all connected by movable
supports carried upon the frame and vibrating in unison.
The frame of my bicycle A is composed of upper bars a a having their rear ends
bent downwardly, lower bars a¹ a¹ having their rear ends secured to the lower ends of
the bars a a and their upper ends bent upwardly, and an upright head a³ having its
opposite extremities secured to the front ends of the bars a a a¹ a'.
The frame A is provided with front and rear wheels B C and with a front fork D
of the usual construction having its upper end, as best seen at Figure 2, secured to
a steering rod d journaled within the frame-head a' by upper and lower ball
bearings d. The steering rod d is composed in the usual manner of a lower
section d³ having its upper extremity provided with a lengthwise groove d and a
clamp d; and an upper section de having its lower end adjustable lengthwisely
in the lower section d³ and its upper end hinged at d to depending ears N' N'
formed upon the handle bar N, presently described.
EE are opposite links having their upper ends hinged by pivotal pins D' D' to
the lower extremities of the arm of the fork D and their lower ends rigidly
secured to the opposite ends of the front wheel shaft b, which, as best seen at
Figure 10, are formed angular in cross section. As clearly seen at Figures 1 and 2
the links E E incline downwardly and rearwardly from their upper extremities,
and consequently the axle b is at the rear of a perpendicular line drawn through
the pivotal pin D₁ for the upper extremities of said links, and in use the
lower ends of said links swing upwardly as the front wheel rises over
obstruction.
an
The upper ends of the links E E, as best seen at Figure 9, are bifurcated, and

page_text: are provided with opposite ball bearing sections e e, and with antifriction balls e¹
interposed between said sections and ball hearing faces D upon the fork D, for
aiding the pivotal movement of the upper ends of the links E E upon the lower end
of the fork D.
E' E' are springs having their upper ends secured to the opposite arms of the
fork D and their lower ends engaged with the lower ends of the links E E for
normally depressing the lower ends of said links, and D' E' are shoulders formed
respectively upon the arms of the fork D and the links E E for limiting the upward
movement of the front wheel against the action of the springs E' E', as the front
wheel rises over an obstruction of undue size.
As clearly seen at Figure 9 the hub of the front wheel B is journaled upon
the axle by ball bearing sections arranged at the opposite ends of said hub
and axle between the links E E. These ball bearing sections are secured respectively
to said hub and axle and their adjacent faces are formed with grooves which receive
antifriction balls .
11 are screws having their adjacent ends screwing within the axle b and their
outer ends formed with heads for securing together the ball bearing sections b³ ³
and holding the links E E from lengthwise movement on the axle b; and ff are
supporting tie-bars having their forward ends hinged upon said screws 6 66 and
their rear ends suitably connected to a front mud-guard F having its upper end
hinged at F to the lower end of the frame-head a³.
This is a particularly practical and effective construction of support for the front
wheel, as it reduces to a minimum the jar usually transmitted from said wheel to
the steering rod, and permits the wheel to yield practically and effectively when
passing over an obstruction even of considerable size. Moreover, if, owing to a
flaw therein, one of the springs F should break the other forces the front axle b
downwardly, as the lower ends of the links E E are rigidly secured to said front
axle, and, even if both springs should break, the shoulders D³ E' prevent the wheel
from assuming an inoperative position.
The pedal-shaft G is supported by a knuckle H, a link I. and a spring J for
holding said knuckle and link in their normal position. As best seen at Figures 1, 2,
19, 20, 22, and 23, the knuckle H consists of levers H₁ H2 and H³. The lever H₁
is disposed normally in a substantially horizontal plane and its rear extremity. is
formed with an eye h encircling the central portion of a pin or bolt having its
opposite ends encircled by eyes 22 formed upon the forward end of the lever H³.
The forward end of the lever H¹ is formed with eyes ³ ³ encircling the opposite
ends of a pin or bolt, the central portion of which is encircled by an eye formed
upon the forward end of the lever H. The rear end of the lever H2 is disposed
above the central portion of the lever H¹ and is formed with an eye he encircling
the central portion of a pin or bolt, the opposite ends of which are mounted in
eyes formed upon a clip or cross-bar having its opposite ends rigidly secured
to the lower frame bars a' a'.
The forward end of the lever H³ extends downwardly, its central portion is formed
with a hub for receiving the pedal-shaft G, and its rear end consists of separated
arms secured to the forward en 1 of the link 1, which consists of separated
bars having their opposite ends hinged at ii to cars depending from the rear ends
of the lower frame bars a' a². .
It is thus readily apparent that the rear end of the lever H swings downwardly
as said lever rocks on the pivotal pin or bolt ; that the forward end of the lever H
swings downwardly and backwardly as said lever rocks upon the pivotal pin or
bolt h', and that the forward end of the lever H rigidly secured at its rear end to
the link I swings downwardly as said link rocks upon the pivots i i. In order to
facilitate the movement of the levers H'H' and reduce to a minimum the friction
resultant from said movement, the opposite ends of the pivotal pins or bolts
are provided with ball bearing sections 113 between the adjacent faces of which
are interposed anti-friction balls h". The inner ball bearing sections 13 on the

page_text: pivotal pins or bolts ¹h are secured, respectively, to the eyes h h h in the
usual manner, and the outer ball bearing sections 12 are secured, respectively,
to the eyes 1ª, h* h* and h8 18. The bolts or pivotal pins ¹ serve to
more firmly secure the ball bearing sections together and to suitably adjust
the same.
The spring J is composed of a central bar j and opposite extremities which
extend from the opposite ends of said bar and are each formed of a central coiled
portion j and lower and upper arms j² j³. The upper ends of the upper arms j³
extend to the central cross-bar j, and the lower ends of the arms are adjustably
secured in eyes jj hinged at ja to the clip or tie-bar A, previously described. The
central cross-bar of the spring J is engaged with notches or seats k k in a suitable
upwardly extending seat support K having its lower end formed with an eye k¹
hinged upon the central portion of the pivotal pin or bolt h¹.
The upper end of this seat support is hollow and is formed with a lengthwise
slot, not illustrated, and is provided with a clamp for securing in position the
usual seat supporting bracket K', the lower end of which enters the upper end of
the seat support K. The seat or saddle K' is of any desirable form, size, and
construction and is adjustably secured by a clip K³ to the upper end of the seat
supporting bracket K¹.
I
The pedal-shaft G is provided with a sprocket wheel 7 and with suitable pedal
cranks G¹'G' and in order that said shaft may revolve freely, its opposite ends are
encircled with ball bearing sections g¹ g² secured, respectively, to the shaft G and
to the hub 10 of the lever H³.
This is a particularly simple and practical construction of support for the seat
and the pedal-shaft and it is apparent that as both the pedal-shaft supports H, I
and the seat support K are held in operative position by the spring J which forms
a yielding medium between the stationary frame A and said supports, the rider's
body mounted on the seat K? and his feet resting on the pedals of the pedal-shaft G,
vibrate in unison, and consequently the jar transmitted to the rider by the seat and
pedals is reduced to a minimum.
The rear wheel Ċ is formed with a hub C¹ mounted on the rear axle c and at the
opposite extremities of the axle c are ball bearing sections c³ ³ secured, respectively,
to the hub C', and to the axle c and having their adjacent faces separated by anti-
friction balls c³ movable in grooves in said faces. C' is a sprocket-wheel secured at
one end of the hub C3 and C³ is a chain movable over said sprocket wheel C and
the similar wheel g previously described, upon the pedal-shaft G. At the outside
of the ball bearing sections of care arms or connecting pieces C C each provided
with eyes to fit the rear axle c and with movable hollow nuts C C for receiving
screw-threaded arms projecting from the lower rear extremity of the frame A, thus
enabling the ready adjustment of the chain C³. CC are screws having their
ends inserted within the ends of the rear axle c and their heads bearing against the
eyes C C for preventing lengthwise movement of said eyes upon the axle c.
The brake-lever L having a spoon l', of my improved bicycle is pivoted to a pin
or bolt / mounted in ears formed upon a clip or tie-plate J₁ having its opposite
extremities secured to the downwardly extending ends of the frame bars a a and its
central portion secured to the central portion of the rear mud-guard M. The front
extremity of the mud-guard M is secured to the lower frame bars a' a' and serves
to brace or hold apart the central portions of the upper and lower frame bars a a, a¹ a¹
and the rear extremity of said mud-guard is supported by ties mm arranged on
opposite sides of the rear wheel C and having their forward ends secured to the
rear end of the frame A.
The lower end of the brake-lever L is formed with a corrugated or grooved
face for engagaing the tire of the rear wheel C, and the upper end of said
brake-lever is formed with an arm l' extending above the pivotal pin l.
L' is a link having its lower end hinged to the pivotal pin 7 for the brake-lever L,
and its upper end provided with a screw-threaded socket for receiving a head (4

page_text: journaled in said socket. The central portion of said link is formed with the
bearing face normally separated from the adjacent face of the brake-lever arm (*
as shown by full lines at Figure 2, and by dotted lines at Figure 13. As the upper
end of the link L' is rocked forwardly, the face engages the adjacent face of the
brake-lever arm and forces the lower end of said brake-lever into operative
engagement with the tire of the rear wheel C.
The handle bar N is of any desirable form, size, and construction and its central
portion is formed with a rearwardly extending arm n provided with a downwardly
extending socket n¹ having an opening n² in its lower extremity, and with a nut or
cap for closing said socket. Pivoted at o to an ear projecting rearwardly from
the frame head a' is a lever O which is provided with an upwardly extending
socket o' having an aperture o³ in its upper end, and with a nut or cap o for closing
said socket.
O is a link provided with upper and lower ball shaped ends 02 03 movable,.
respectively, in the socket n' of the arm n and the socket o' of the lever O. The
link O' is preferably adjustable lengthwisely in order to accommodate its length to
the projection of the steering rod above the frame-head a' and consists of a.
lower tubular section 0 provided at its upper end with a set-screw or other
fastening device 06; and an upper section O telescoping within the upper end of
the lower section O' and formed with notches O' for receiving the inner end of the
screw O. The outer ends of the sections of the link O₁ are formed with the
contracted portions or necks 08 09 which are adjacent to the ball-shaped
portions 0 0 and are registered with the apertures n² and o' formed respectively
in the arm n and the lever O. As clearly seen at Figure 2, the ball-shaped end O
of the link O is formed separable from the remaining portion of the tubular
section of said link upon a short stud or bar having its opposite end screw-
threaded and engaged with the lower end of said section O*.
P is a link arranged in a plane substantially parallel with the plane of the
forward ends of the frame bars a a aud having one end hinged at p to the lower
end of the lever O and the other provided with a head having a concave rear face,
and formed with transversely extending sockets pl p¹ and a lengthwisely extending.
socket p². P P are heads having screw-threaded arms movably mounted in
the sockets pl p²; and P P are links having their forward ends mounted in.
sockets p p formed in the outer ends of the heads P P and their rear ends.
adjustably secured in the opposite ends of the head, by nuts bearing upon.
opposite sides of the opposite ends of said head. 1³ is an arm or bar of rounding
cross section having its forward end supported in the socket p³ of the head at the
rear end of the link P.
R is a movable support or lever having its central portion hinged at to a clip-
plate R' secured at its opposite ends to the central portions of the upper frame
bars a a and its rear extremity hinged at to the upper end of the seat support K..
The forward end of the lever R is formed with a downturned arm journaled upon a
movable bar or head R' of rounding cross section bearing against the rounding
rear face of the head at the rear end of the link P, and formed with a transverse
opening R for receiving the bar or arm 1" and permitting said arm to move.
lengthwisely through said head or bar R. It will thus be seen that the link O¹,
the lever O, the link P, the links P P, and the lever R form a connection between
the handle bar N and the brake-lever L whereby, when the handle bar N is.
depressed, the brake-lever is brought into operation, and that the support or lever R
forms a movable connection between the seat support and the brake-operating.
mechanism, whereby the seat and the handle bar move or vibrate in unison.
The brake-operating mechanism is held in operative position by a spring S
composed of a central bars which enters grooves or seats a' in the frame-head a³,
and opposite extremities which are each composed of a centrally coiled portion st
and separated arms ss, the arms & being engaged with the lever O aud the arms s².
being extended to the central cross-bar 8.

page_text: a
When the rider is not mounted upon the seat or saddle K³, the spring J slightly
elevates the seat support above its normal position and the spring S which forces
the rear end of the link into engagement with the bar or head R slightly
elevates the handle bar N above its normal position, and, when the rider is upon
the seat, both the seat and the handle bar are slightly depressed below their
position assumed when the machine is riderless. In the practical use of my
bicycle, the bearing face of the link L' moves towards and away from the
adjacent face of the brake-lever arm 12 as the sent vibrates, but said face is only
brought into contact with said brake-lever when the handle bar is depressed by the
rider a sufficient distance to engage said parts.
At Figures 25 and 26, I have shown a carrying receptacle T, such as a leather
or canvas bag, which may be secured at will to the frame A of my bicycle
and consists of a section secured by suitable fastening means t¹ to the frame
bars a a, a a¹; and a movable side section 2 hinged at t³ to the lower wall of the
receptacle T and secured to the upper wall of said receptacle T by suitable
fastening means t. The receptacle T may be provided with a partition T¹ and
may be removed at will.
The operation of my invention will be readily perceived from the foregoing
description and upon reference to the drawing, and it will be noted that the same
is simple and practical, is economically manufactured, and reduces to a minimum
the jar incidental to the use of bicycles, and is highly durable and effective in use.
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 a velocipede, the combination of a front wheel having an axle, a pair of
links extending upwardly and forwardly from the axle and having their lower
ends rigidly secured to the opposite ends of the axle, a fork hinged to the upper
ends of the links, a spring having one end secured to the fork and the other to one
of the links, and shoulders formed on said link and fork for limiting the movement
of the link, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. In a velocipede, the combination of a front wheel having a hub and an axle,
a pair of links extending upwardly and forwardly from the axle, and having their
lower ends rigidly secured to the opposite ends of the axle, a fork hinged to the
upper ends of the links, springs having their upper ends secured to the fork and
their lower ends to the corresponding links, shoulders formed on said links and fork
for limiting the movement of the links, and ball bearings between the axle and
the front wheel hub, and between the upper ends of the links and the fork,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
3. In a volocipede, the combination of the front and rear wheels, a frame
supported on the wheels, a pedal-shaft, a knuckle-joint H interposed between
the pedal-shaft and the frame and comprising a series of levers pivoted to each
other and also to the pedal-shaft and to the frame, and a spring for supporting said
knuckle-joint in its normal position, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
4. In a velocipede, the combination of the front and rear wheels, a frame
supported on said wheels, a pedal-shaft, a knuckle-joint H interposed between
the pedal-shaft and the frame and comprising a series of levers pivoted to each
other and also to the pedal-shaft and to the frame, a spring for supporting said
knockle-joint in its normal position, and a link. I having one end connected to
said knuckle-joint and the other hinged to the frame at a point at the rear of the
point of support of the knuckle-joint upon the frame, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
5. In a velocipede, the combination of a frame, a pedal-shaft, a lever projecting
from the pedal-shaft, a pair of levers having their adjacent extremities hinged
together and having their opposite ends hinged, respectively, to the frame and to
said lever projecting from the pedal-shaft, and ball bearings between said levers

page_text: and between said frame and the one of said levers hinged to the frame, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
6. In a velocipede, the combination of a frame, a seat, a seat supporting frame,
a knuckle-joint between the frame and the seat supporting frame, and an adjustable
spring secured to said frame and to said seat supporting frame, substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
7. In a velocipede, the combination of the front and rear wheels, a frame
supported on said wheels, a pedal-shaft, a knuckle-joint H interposed between
the pedal-shaft and the frame and comprising a series of levers pivoted to each
other and also to the pedal-shaft and to the frame, a spring for supporting said
knuckle-joint in its normal position, a link I having one end connected to
said knuckle joint and the other hinged to the frame at a point at the rear of
the point of support for the knuckle-joint upon the frame, and a seat supporting
franie mounted on said knuckle-joint and provided with a seat, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
8. In a velocipede, the combination of a frame, a pedal-shaft, a knuckle-
joint H interposed between the pedal-shaft and the frame, and comprising a
series of levers pivoted to each other and also to the pedal-shaft and to the frame,
a link I having one end connected to said knuckle-joint and the other hinged
to the frame at a point at the rear of the point of support of the knuckle-joint
upon the frame, a seat support provided at its upper end with a seat and having
its lower end supported on said knuckle-joint and provided with a series of
notches or seats, and a spring having one end hinged to the frame and the other
removably engaged with the notches or seats on the lower end of the seat
supporting frame, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
9. In a velocipede, the combination of a frame provided at its rear end with a
screw-threaded arm, a rear wheel provided with an axle an arm or connecting
piece having one end supported on the rear axle and the other movable on said
screw-threaded end of the frame, nuts upon said screw-threaded frame end for
engaging the arm or connecting piece and holding the same in position, a pedal-
shaft supported on the frame, and power transmitting mechanism connecting
said rear wheel and the pedal-shaft, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
10. In a velocipede, the combination of a frame, a rear wheel movable lengthwise
of the frame, means, substantially as described, for securing the wheel in its
adjusted position on the frame, a pedal-shaft, a link having one end hinged to
the frame and the other connected to support the pedal-shaft, and a spring for
holding the pedal-shaft in position, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
11. In a velocipede, the combination of a frame, a pedal-shaft, a movable support
for the pedal-shaft secured to the frame, and a handle bar connected, substantially
as described, to said support, whereby the handle bar vibrates in unison with the
pedal-shaft, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
12. In a velocipede, the combination of a frame, a seat support movably
supported on the frame, a handle bar connected, substantially as described, to said
seat support, whereby the handle bar vibrates in unison with the seat support, and
a spring for forcing the handle bar upwardly, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
13. In a velocipede, the combination of a frame, a brake-lever supported on the
frame, a movable handle bar upon the frame, movable connections supported on the
frame for operating the brake-lever, and a link connected by ball and socket joints
to said handle bar and to said connections, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
14. In a velocipede, the combination of a frame, a pedal-shaft, a movable support
for the pedal-shaft secured to the frame, a seat support mounted on the movable
support for the pedal-shaft, a handle bar connected, substantially as described, to
the seat support, whereby the handle bar, the seat support and the pedal-shaft

page_text: vibrate in unison, and a brake-lever supported on the frame and connected,
substantially as described, to the handle bar, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
Dated the 26th day of January 1893.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.