AN IMPROVEMENT IN BICYCLES OR TRICYCLES
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Dec., 1886.
Complete Left, 7th Sept., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 7th Oct., 1887.
I, SAMUEL VALE of Walsall County of Stafford Bicycle Maker do hereby declare
the nature of my invention for AN IMPROVEMENT IN BICYCLES OR TRICYCLES
to be as follows:-
My invention or improvement consists of a method of supporting, bearing or
carrying the front or steering apparatus of Bicycles or Tricycles and may be briefly
described as follows-
My steerage shall or may consist of the usual upright, or nearly upright shaft,
which I shall preferably construct of tube, with usual handles and appliances and my
invention or improvement consists of the method of carrying the steering shaft, and
of connecting it to the steering wheel-and the object have in view is to avoid
a rigidly constructed bearing upon the steering wheel in such machines-and thus
obtain a smoother passage over obstructions of the road.
My steering shaft in the upper part shall be made of tube, but the lower part
shall preferably be forked, and instead of placing the steering wheel in the fork,
or directly under the steering shaft-1 provide that this shaft shall, at its lower end,
be attached to, and carried by what I shall call a Rocker-This Rocker will be
placed and work horizontally, and shall form the continuation from the upright
steering shaft, to the steering wheel axle or pin.
The Rocker will be about eighteen inches in length, and will consist of two parallel
side peices about five or six inches apart-but connected in the back end.
It will oscilate freely upon a pin in about its centre, which shall connect it to the
upright steering shaft."
The steering wheel will be placed in the fore-part of the Rocker between the
parallel side pieces, and the hinder part shall be looped, or carried by one or more
coiled or other springs, to the upright steering shaft.
When the steering wheel shall pass quickly over any obstruction the coil spring
will yield, and will permit the wheel to rise without rigidly lifting the machine
correspondingly-and a smoother passage and run will be secured.
Dated this 7th day of December 1886.
SAMUEL VALE.

page_text: I, SAMUEL VALE of Walsall County of Stafford Bicycle Maker 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 or improvement relates to the bearing for the fork shaft of the
steering wheel of Bicycles or Tricyles, which I describe as follows-
The steering shaft or fork shall or may consist of the usual upright, or nearly
upright shaft, with usual handles and appliances, and my invention or improvement
consists in the method of carrying the steering Fork shaft, and of connecting
it to the steering wheel.
My steering shaft in the upper part A shall preferably consist of tube, and
the lower part B shall be forked, and the fork B shall at its lower end bear upon and
be carried by an horizontal fork C, the horizontal fork I shall a Rocker-The two forks
are connected by a moveable joint D-The lower or Rocker fork shall be open wide
enough at the front end E to receive the wheel at the axle pin-while at the near
end it is joined.
The end F is fastened to the lower end of a coiled or other suitable spring,
and by it is suspended to the upper part of the vertical steering shaft.
The Rocker fork will form the continuation from the upright fork shaft to the axle
pin of the steering wheel.
The construction of the forks B and C are alike on both sides of the wheel.
When the steering wheel shall be driven quickly over obstructions the wheel will
rise and the coil spring will be extended-and by this means my object is to avoid
a rigid lifting of the vertical fork shaft A and B.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed-I declare that what I claim is
The provision and use of a Rocking fork holder for the steering wheel-made in the
manner, and for the purpose herein before described.
Dated this the 6th day of September 1887