Improvements in Spring Frames for Cycles.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Nov., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 15th Aug., 1892-Accepted, 24th Sept., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Spring Frames for Cycles.
I, JOSEPH BRITTLE, of 133 Jubilee Terrace, Wolverhampton Road, Walsall
in the County of Stafford, Blacksmith, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object a simple hinged and spring connection between
the front portion of the framing carrying the steering wheel of a safety bicycle or
tricycle, and the hinder framing carrying the saddle, in a manner which preserves
a constant length between the saddle and the axis of the pedal axle, and which
therefore, while materially reducing vibration, does not at any time prevent the
pedalling being performed in the most advantageous manner.
According to this invention, the hinder framing is formed as an independent
rigid framing, the upper portion of it being fitted to receive the L-pillar of the
saddle and the lower portion carrying the bottom bracket for the pedal axle.
The front portion of the framing is formed of the usual front fork, and also of a
portion projecting a short distance backwards from the head and extending down-
wards behind the steering wheel, such backward portion being formed conveniently
of a triangular shape of which the upper member is horizontal and the other two
members are joined together at or near their lower ends. The hinder framing is
connected with the hinder portion of the forward framing by means of a rule or
other stop joint at the top, and a draw spring or springs at the bottom.
The rule joint may be formed by the forward end of the upper member (or pair
of members if the framing is made double sided, as it may be) and a projecting end
of the upper member of the backwardly projecting portion of the front framing.
The spring or springs may be attached at one end to an eye bolt or bolts fixed to
a vertical member of the hinder framing which passes up from the bottom bracket
to the upper member or members of such framing; and the forward end or ends of
such spring or springs may be fixed to eyes brazed, or otherwise fixed, to the
bottom end of the hinder portion of the forward framing.
According to a modification, the rule joint may be at the bottom of the frames,
and a buffer spring or springs form the joint of the frames at the top.
Dated this 12th day of November 1891.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements fn Spring Frames for Cycles.
1, JOSEPH BRITTLE, of 133 Jubilee Terrace, Wolverhampton Road, Walsall
in the County of Stafford, Blacksmith, 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 :-
This invention has for its object a simple hinged and spring connection between
the front portion of the frame which carries the steering wheel of a safety bicycle
or tricycle, and the hinder portion which carries the saddle, in a manner which
preserves a constant length between the saddle and the axis of the pedal or crank
axle, and which therefore, while materially reducing vibration, does not at any
time prevent the pedalling being performed in the most advantageous manner.
According to this invention,, the hinder portion of the frame is formed as an

page_text: independent rigid framing, the upper portion of it being fitted to receive the
L-pillar of the saddle and the lower portion carrying the bottom bracket for the
crank axle. The front portion of the frame is formed of the front fork, of the usual
or any convenient form of head, and of a portion projecting a short distance
backwards from the head and extending downwards behind the steering wheel, such
backward portion being formed conveniently of a triangular (or approximately
triangular) shape of which the upper member is horizontal and the other two
members are joined together at or near their lower ends; or the lower end of one
of such two members is joined to the other near its lower end. For convenience
of description the term "forward framing' is used hereinafter as indicating the
front portion of the frame, exclusive of the front fork and other parts which turn
therewith in steering. The hinder framing is connected with the hinder portion of
the forward framing by means of a rule or other stop joint at the top, and a draw
spring or springs at the bottom, thereby combining such framings to form a jointed
spring frame.
"
A convenient method of carrying out this invention is shewn by the drawings
herewith, of which
Figure 1 is a side elevation of as much of a safety bicycle as is necessary to
shew the application of the invention thereto;
Figure 2 is a plan of the hinged or pivoted joint, hereinafter described, between
the forward and hinder framings; and
Figure 3 is a sectional plan, taken on line of Figure 1, of the spring connection,
hereinafter described, between such framings.
C,
and a
A is the front or steering wheel, B the front fork, and C the hind wheel. The
hinder framing D is formed as an independent rigid frame by means of a vertically-
inclined fork a, a horizontally-inclined fork b, a top horizontal member
vertical member d, all joined rigidly together. The seat pillar t is fixed within a
socket or eye of the hinder framing, in the usual or other convenient manner. The
bottom bracket E for the crank axle is fixed, in the usual position in relation to
the seat, rigidly to the bottom of the framing D so that, notwithstanding any
movement of the hinder framing in relation to the forward framing, the relationship
in position between the crank axle and the seat pillar is always rigidly maintained.
The forward framing F is formed as an independent rigid frame by means of a
short horizontal member e rigidly joined at its forward end to the steering head
pin, of a backwardly-inclined member g rigidly joined at its upper end to the
pin, and of a vertical member h rigidly joined to the other two members. The
forward framing F is hinged or pivoted at its upper hinder end to the corresponding
forward end of the hinder framing D. The joint is formed, conveniently, by
means of a tongue or tenoni (see Figure 2) of the one framing which fits between
the sides of a jaw k of the other framing, and of a round pin 7 which passes through
the jaw and tongue. The tongue is made a good sliding fit within the jaw so as to
maintain the upper portions of the framings constantly in one plane; and the
tongue is fitted within the jaw in a manner which allows of the vertical movement
of the frames in relation to one another under vibration in travelling. The lower
end of the forward framing F is jointed to the lower portion of the hinder
framing D through the medium of a spring connection, which consists, conveniently,
of a set of spiral springs m, connected each at one end with one of a pair of pins n
carried by cheeks fixed on the ends of adjusting screws p passing through clips or
lugs q brazed or otherwise fixed to the forward framing, the springs being similarly
connected at their other ends with the hinder framing. The lower end of the
member g of the forward framing is carried backwards horizontally and formed
with a slotted end the sides of which pass on each side, respectively, of the lower
portion of the vertical member d of the hinder framing and thus, while allowing of
the vibration of the framings in relation to one another, tends to maintain their
lower portions in the same plane.
It is preferred that the end of the tongue i shall be shaped in relation to the

page_text: inner end of the jaw k (such as in the manner shewn by broken lines, Figure 1) to
form a stop against such inner end, if any unusual upward vibration of one framing
in relation to the other shall happen; and the joint may be constructed (as shewn)
to form a stop also in the opposite direction. A stop, however, in each direction,
to the movement of the frames in relation to one another, may be formed, respec-
tively, by the inner end of the slot r and a stop pieces inserted in the end of
the slot.
One or any number of springs may, of course, be used in lieu of the set of six
springs m as shewn, but I consider a set of light springs better for the purpose than
one heavy one.
It will be obvious also that the special shape and construction illustrated of the
forward and hinder framings are not essential, as such may be varied considerably
without departing from the nature of the invention.
The framings F and D may be pivoted together at their lower ends, and a buffer
spring or springs be placed between their upper ends, in lieu of the pivoted
upper joint and spring lower connection; but the latter arrangement is much
preferred.
The members e and c of the framings F and D may be formed double, if desired
(as, of course, may any of the other members also), and in such case a separate
pivoted joint may be formed between each side or bar of the member e and the
corresponding side or bar of the member c.
The application of the invention to a tricycle will now be sufficiently clear
without need for further illustration.
Having now particularly described and illustrated 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. A cycle frame formed of a front portion having the steering fork mounted
to turn at the forward end thereof, and of an independent rigid hinder portion
which carries the seat and the bottom bracket for the crank axle, said front and
hinder portions being joined together by a hinged or pivoted joint, and their
movements, under vibration in travelling, in relation to one another controlled by a
spring or springs, substantially as described.
2. A cycle frame formed of an independent rigid forward framing, having the
steering fork mounted to turn at the forward end thereof, and of an independent
rigid hinder framing which carries the seat and the bottom bracket for the crank
axle, said forward and hinder framings being joined together by an upper and a
lower connection, the one being a hinged or pivoted and the other a spring
connection, substantially as described.
3. A cycle frame formed of an independent rigid forward framing, having the
steering fork mounted to turn at the forward end thereof, and of an independent
rigid hinder framing which carries the seat and the bottom bracket for the crank
axle, said forward and hinder framings being joined together by an upper hinged or
pivoted connection and by a lower spring connection, substantially as described.
4. A cycle frame formed of an independent rigid forward framing, having the
steering fork mounted to turn at the forward end thereof, and of an independent
hinder framing which carries the seat and the bottom bracket for the crank axle,
said forward and hinder framings being joined together by an upper and lower
connection, the one being a hinged or pivoted and the other a spring connection,
said forward framing being formed with a backwardly projecting upper member
and with a downwardly and backwardly projecting lower member, substantially as
described and shewn, for the purpose set forth.
5. The forward framing F formed of a triangular, or approximately triangular,
shape and jointed to the hinder framing which carries the seat and the bottom
bracket for the crank axle substantially as described and shewn, for the purpose
set forth.

page_text: 6. The improved construction of spring frames for cycles, substantially as
-described and shewn by the drawings herewith, for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 12th day of August 1892
STEPHEN
WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.