IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES
Year: 1886

page_text: I, BENJAMIN STAINSBY WHITEHEAD of Irvington, in the county of Essex State
of New Jersey, United States of America, Printer, do hereby declare the nature of
my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
One of the greatest inconveniences and annoyances which attends bicycle riding
is the constant liability on the part of the rider to take a "header" to the
imminent danger of life and limb, in descending a bill or "coasting," in striking
or riding over an obstruction, or in stopping suddenly.
This is the most serious objection to the bicycle known as the crank machine in
which the large or driving wheel is forward of the smaller wheel, and which
detracts from its usefulness.
When constructed in the ordinary manner and as usually ridden the saddle is
back of the center of gravity of the large wheel but it not placed far enough back
to prevent a "header" under unusual circumstances which require an adjustment
of the saddle to counteract the forward tendency of the rider.
This has been partially accomplished by constructing a seat which is capable of
adjustment when the rider is not upon the machine, or if in the saddle compelling
him to dismount to make the required change.
This evidently is not adapted to meet those circumstances when such an action
is most needed as accidents occur when the rider is in the saddle and it is then that
some provision for safety is necessary.
This is accomplished by my invention which consists of the combination. with a
bicycle saddle of suitable mechanism whereby the saddle while the rider is seated
thereon is allowed or caused to fall or slip backward to any desired distanco
thereby changing the center of gravity to about midway between the wheels.
In the drawing figure 1 is a side elevation of a bicycle having one arrangement
of my improvement attached thereto, figure 2 is an elevation in detail, enlarged, of
the construction shown in figure 1. Figure 3 is a plan of a portion of figure 2 with
the saddle removed, figure 4 is a perspective view of the sliding frame; figure 5 is a
side elevation of a portion of a bicycle illustrating a modified construction; figure 6
is a perspective view of the sliding connection of the sliding frame on the back

page_text: bone; and figure 7 is a plan of the saddle illustrating the position of certain
holding projections thereon.
Parts corresponding are indicated by similar letters.
In constructing the mechanism which is adapted to carry out my conception
I prefer to so arrange it that that portion of the device which controls its operation
shall be within convenient reach of the hand while upon the handle bars which is
the normal position of the hands. Or the said operating portion of the mechanism
may be situated within reach of the right hand which is often removed from the
handle bar for various purposes, the left hand being almost constantly upon the
handle bar.
In figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 is shown what is considered the most practical method of
arranging and constructing my invention which is consequently the preferred
mechanism.
A in said figures indicates the saddle which is secured to a sliding frame b, which
noves backward and forward upon an elastic strip or spring c as illustrated in
figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 or upon the backbone d as shown in figures 5 and 6, or any
equivalent arrangement.
The spring c is secured to the backbone or the head and extends backward along
the back bone on which the end rests sliding freely under a collar c¹.
As indicated in the drawing the spring piece conforms approximately to the
curvature of the back bone, being however, preferably raised a little, near the head
to secure a greater slope. The lower end of the spring may be secured to the back
bono instead of sliding under the collar c².
The sliding frame b which moves upon said spring is illustrated in figure 4 and
is provided with guides b' which hold the said frame upon the spring.
One end of the frame projects forward of the pommel of the saddle and is
provided with ratchets, perforations, hooks or other similar devices with which the
holding or detaining mechanism engages as indicated in figure 2. A stop c² upon
the spring limits the extent of the backward movement of the sliding frame.
While I prefer to form the sliding frame and saddle separately and secure the
one to the other, still the saddle itself may slide directly upon the spring piece and
be held thereon by grooved pieces embracing the spring similar to the guides b
which may be cast integrally with the saddle body or otherwise secured thereto.
An arm having ratchets or stops thereon may be similarly attached to the saddle
to engage with the detaining mechanism.
The holding or detaining mechanism may be constructed in various ways; that
shown in the drawing consisting of a bell crank or lever e pivoted to the head or
backbone, one arm of which, e, is hooked to engage with the ratchets on the sliding
frame, the other end e extending up along the head, engages with an operating or
hand lever f, which is pivoted to the left handle bar.
The brake operating lever g is pivoted to the right handle bar.
The lever for operating the detaining mechanism may be dispensed with and
the lever e operated directly by the hand.
This holding mechanism may be used when the sliding frame moves directly
upon the backbone as shown in figures 5 and 6 in which lugs h are formed upon
said back bone and the sliding frame fitted around the same as indicated in
figure 6.
As other methods of constructing the backbone and sliding frame to adapt them
to operate as intended may be devised I do not wish to limit myself to the
mechanism shown.
When the saddle and sliding frame move directly upon the back bone, to provide
sufficient elasticity for comfort in riding I arrange springs suitably placed between
the saddle and the sliding frame.
In changing the position of the saddle the lever f is pressed toward the handle
bar and acting upon the bell crank lifts the hooked arm e¹ out of the ratchets, this
releases the sliding frame and saddle which impelled by the weight of the rider

page_text: slides automatically backward and downward until checked by the stop c³ which
may be formed on the spring as.indicated in the drawing or the collar c¹ that holds
the end of the spring in place may act as a stop.
The saddle is returned to its ordinary riding position near the head by the rider
drawing himself up toward the head, and the saddle or the projecting arm thereon
engages automatically with the catch e¹ on the bell crank and holds the saddle in
its normal riding position near the head.
I prefer to return the saddle to its ordinary position in this manner rather than
raise it by means of mechanical devices as it avoids complicated mechanism and is
very easily accomplished requiring but little exertion on the part of the rider to
draw the saddle up to the head or bars.
In order that this operation may be facilitated I form on or secure to the pommel
of the saddle one or two protruberances 8, 8¹ with which the legs of the rider come
in contact and which give greater purchase upon the saddle as it is raised..
These protruberances may be formed in a variety of ways, those in figuros 1, 2
and 7 consisting of pieces of leather riveted or secured to the saddle.
One of the advantages resulting from the use of the adjustable saddle which
'will be appreciated by riders is that the brake can be put on very suddenly
without throwing the rider from the fact that the lever f can be operated and the
saddle changed as quickly as the brake can be applied, the backward movement
of the one counteracting the forward tendency of the other.
In ascending a steep grade the saddle is adjusted in its highest forward position,
while in descending, the saddle is permitted to slide back ward to its fartherest limit
or to an intermediate point as desired, both of which may be done without
dismounting.
Furthermore mounting or dismounting may be done with as much safety on a
steep grade as on a level.
With the sliding saddle those machines having the large or driving wheel in
front are as safe as those which are particularly designed and constructed for safety
and yet retain all of the desired qualities of the crank machine.
In those saddles which have been heretofore designed to be shifted to change the
center of gravity the movement of the saddle is in a horizontal direction and
consequently the saddle must be moved backward and forward by the operation
of suitable mechanism and not by its own gravity.
To move the saddle by any extraneous means requires considerable time and
effort and would completely nullify the most desirable and indespensible quality in
a shifting saddle, viz., quickness of movement.
By my arrangement and construction the saddle drops instantly by its own
weight, and also assisted by the weight of the rider, downward and backward away
from the head of the bicycle upon the spring.
In addition to the rapidity of movement of the gravity saddle and its consequent
advantages the forward tendency of the rider is inore positively counteracted by
lowering the center of gravity which is accomplished by the downward movement
of the saddle.
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
1. In a bicycle the combination of a downwardly inclined spring; a saddle
moving freely upward and downward on said spring independently of and separate
from any operating mechanism; and a stop on said spring to limit the downward
movement of the saddle, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
2. In a bicycle the combination of a downwardly inclined spring; a saddle moving
freely upward and downward on said spring independently of and separate from
any operating mechanism; a stop on said spring to limit the downward movement
of the saddle; and a catch constructed and adapted to automatically engage with

page_text: and hold the said saddle as it is raised from its lowest riding position to its normal
riding position near the head by the movement of the body, substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
3. In a bicycle in combination, a sliding frame having ratchets thereon; a saddle
secured to said sliding frame; a lever or detaining piece engaging with said ratchets,
for the purposes set forth.
4. In a bicycle in combination, a spring; a sliding frame moving on said spring
and having ratchets thereon; a saddle secured to said sliding frame; and a detaining
lever or piece adapted to engage with said ratchets, for the purposes set forth.
5. In a bicycle in combination, a spring, a sliding frame moving on said spring
and having ratchets thereon; a saddle secured to said sliding frame; a detaining
lever; and an operating lever (as i), for the purposes set forth.
6. In a bicycle in combination, a saddle; a sliding frame to which the saddle is
secured and with which it moves, and provided with a projecting arm having stops
thereon; a spring piece, upon which the sliding frame moves, secured to the back
bone of the bicycle and conforming approximately to the curvature thereof; and
provided with a stop thereon to limit the downward movement of the saddle;
a bell crank or lever pivoted near the bicycle head, one arm of which is adapted to
engage automatically with the projecting arm of the sliding frame; and an
operating lever engaging with the other arm of said bell crank, all of said parts
being arranged and operating for the purposes set forth.
7. In a bicycle, a sliding saddle provided with a protruberance or protruberances
thereon with which the legs or body of the rider engage as the saddle is rased
toward the head for the purposes set forth.