An Improvement in the Springs of Saddles of Bicycles and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in the Springs of Saddles of Bicycles and the like.
WILLIAM BAILEY, Market Gardener, 126, Bartholomew Street, Newbury,
Berkshire, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The principle idea is to fix a small pneumatic ring or wheel between the cross-
bar and the saddle of the bicycle. This small ring or wheel to be made and in-
flated with air in much the same way as the wheel of a bicycle that has a pneu-
matic tyre. This small ring or wheel is placed so that it appears to form a third
wheel to the bicycle only it is very much smaller and is placed above the other
two wheels-being beneath the saddle and above the cross-bar of the bicycle and
the weight of the rider of the bicycle presses on the top of the outside of the
inflated tube of the small ring or wheel and not on the axle as in the wheel of
the bicycle and the small pneumatic ring or wheel is not made to revolve but
to only take the weight of the rider of the bicycle. The saddle is made to rest
on the small pneumatic ring or wheel by means of two pieces of thin metal
grooved to receive it and which is placed one piece at the top of the inflated tube
of the small ring or wheel which part is immediately beneath the saddle and the
other thin piece of grooved metal is placed under the small pneumatic ring or
wheel and is attached to a piece of metal that is fixed to the cross-bar of the
bicycle. Into this piece of metal which is triangle in shape and is fixed to the
cross bar there are three pieces of metal fixed in an upright position and each
piece is grooved or made hollow to form a tube. These tubes which are about
3 inches long and of an inch in diameter are placed at each angle of the tri-
angular piece of metal which is fixed to the cross-bar of the bicycle. Into these
three tubes three metal rods which are fixed to the saddle are placed. These three
small round pieces of metal which are about 3 inches long and of an inch in
diameter are placed in an upright position to fit into the upright tubes and work
up and down as the weight of the rider makes the small ring or wheel to give
to the weight that is upon it. The diameter of the small pneumatic ring on
wheel is about 4 inches and the three upright tubes which are fixed to the
triangular piece of metal that is fixed to the cross-bar of the bicycle is made
only 3 or 3 inches long and the small round rods which work up and down in
the tubes and which are fixed to the saddle of the bicycle are made the same length
about 3 inches long this gives about 1½ inches for the play of the small pneumatic
ring or wheel when the rider of the bicycle is passing over rough places. Thus
it can be seen that my invention is a very small pneumatic ring or wheel placed
between the cross-bar and the saddle of the bicycle and connected and kept into
place by two thin pieces of metal grooved and three tubes and three rods which
fit into them and allow the necessary play up and down.
Dated this 10th day of M
1907

page_text: I, WILLIAM BAILEY, 126, Bartholomew Street, Newbury, Berks, Market
Gardener, 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:-
:-
The principal idea is to fix a small pneumatic ring or wheel between the cross
bar of the bicycle and the seat of the saddle. This small ring or wheel to be made
and inflated with air in much the same way as a pneumatic tyre of a bicycle wheel.
This small ring or wheel is placed beneath the seat of the saddle and above
the cross bar of the bicycle and the weight of the rider presses on the top part
of the inflated tube of the pneumatic ring or wheel and not on the hub or axle
as in a bicycle wheel. And the small ring or wheel is not made to revolve but
only to take the weight of the rider of the bicycle. The pneumatic ring or wheel
is placed between metal which forms two parts of the saddle-the top and lower
parts. Into the lower part which is to be used to bolt the saddle on to the bicycle
three pieces of metal are fixed, forming a triangle, two at the back part and one
in front. Each piece of metal is fixed in an upright position and made hollow
to form a tube. These tubes, which are about 3 inches long and 3 of an inch
in diameter, are placed at each angle of the triangular piece of the metal that is
to be fixed to the cross bar of the bicycle. Into these three tubes three metal
rods or guides which are fixed to the seat of the saddle are placed. These three
small round pieces of metal which are about 3 inches long and 4 inch in diameter
are placed in an upright position to fit into the tubes and work up and down
as the weight of the rider of the bicycle makes the small pneumatic ring or
wheel to give to the weight of the rider when going over rough places. The size
of the small pneumatic ring or wheel is about 4 inches in diameter and as the
three upright tubes which are fixed to the triangular piece of metal that is to be
bolted on to the bicycle is made only 3 or 3 inches long, and the guides which are
fixed to the seat of the saddle are the same length-about 3 or 3 inches long. This
gives 1 inch or 1½ inch for the play of the small pneumatic ring or wheel when
the rider of the bicycle is passing over rough places.
In order that my invention may be fully understood, I will now refer to the
annexed drawings, in which:-
Figure 1 is a side elevation of my invention.
Figure 2 plan view of underside of same.
ff, and fi are tubes or hollow supports attached to the base 6 and frame c.
The saddle is connected to the bars e which slide in these hollow tubes or supports.
a is a pneumatic. wheel which may be inflated by any suitable form of pump
and which bears upon the support a fixed to the saddle and upon the support b
attached to the frame c. The frame c is secured in position by any suitable
form of clip such as c¹ to the machine. are pins which act as guides to the
wheel a which is maintained in position by a bar or bearing which passes through
the centre of same and engages upon the hollow tube f. If desired I may em-
ploy a piece of india-rubber tube h or other flexible material which may be carried
upon the tube f¹. By this means it will be seen that the weight of the rider will
cause compression of the pneumatic wheel a, thus reducing the jolting or jarring
when riding. The india rubber tube h also allows for compression and the seat
is more comfortable than with an ordinary spring. I sometimes find it con-
venient to employ an auxiliary spring (for controlling the amount of play of
the saddle) which may be of india rubber or other suitable material.

page_text: 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 springs for bicycle saddles or seats; the combined construction and arrange-
ment of the various parts substantially as described and illustrated herein.
2. In springs for bicycle saddles or seats: a pneumatic wheel interposed be-
tween the support and the saddle for the purpose of reducing vibration; said
saddle being maintained in position by means of telescopic supports sliding one
within the other; substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.
10L
J
1000
E. EATON.
Agent for Applicant.