IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Dec., 1887
Complete Specification Left, 10th Sept., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 12th Oct., 1888
WALTER CHATWOOD BURTON of 53 Spotland Road, Rochdale, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer & Traveller do hereby declare the nature of my said invention
for IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES to be as follows:-
The objects of my invention are, firstly, to provide means for absorbing all the
vibration communicated to the Frames of safety and other Type of Velocipedes ;
which is caused by uneveness of the roads and other similar causes.
In carrying out this part of my invention, I form at the end of the bone or other
suitable position, were it will be most effectual, a clip, or two lugs, between and to
which, is rigidly fixed one end of a flat coil or other spring. The spring is wrapped
round to form two or more coils, and tightly coiled so as to be almost rigid. The
free end of the coil must be rigidly forged or otherwise secured to a metal bar; upon
either end or side of which the two independently constructed fork fangs, are rigidly
secured Thus obviating all cross strains or spring in the fork and rendering them casier
to adjust. The power or force of this spring acts; (without a joint) upon the parts
thus connected and tends to retain thein as if it was a perfectly rigid frame, but
without vibration taking place, The spring yielding sufficiently to allow motion to
arise around or within its coil, and thus simply, and effectually to absorb the vibration
and render the motion casy and comfortable.
My second part of the invention is to absorb, all vibration communicated to the
(Ordinarily) Rigid Handle Bars, and at the same time render the handle bars capable
of occupying a small space when passing doorways, or for case in storage and packing
purposes. This, I effectually accomplish, by arranging upon the upper end or other
suitable position of the hollow sliding tubing, a pair of ears or lugs; upon which the
two distinct handle bars can freely turn, unless they are constrained by the action of
their small finger ends pressing down upon a spiral or other adjustable spring, which
is fitted within the tubing. The greater the pull of the handle bars upwards, and the
greater will be the compression induced in the spring.

page_text: A connection between the spring and each finger end of the bars, provides an easy
method of disconnecting the bars, so as to allow them freedom to drop side by side,
when desired.
My third part of the invention relates to the ball bearing casings or supports; to
the lugs of which the fangs of the fork are secured.
These casings consist essentially of two sets of balls, situated in different planes,
and arranged to revolve externally and internally around the circumferences of the
crank boss. The crank boss, being free to revolve upon balls, between the spindle and
casing respectively.
This part of the invention provides a good substantial bearing and minimum
resistance of friction besides providing an easy adjustment for both sets of balls, these
being set or actuated from the outside face of the casing or crank. This method or
device greatly reducing the width of spindle and possible width of the pedal action,
in such Geared Safety Velocipedes as the Winallic or other type of Machines.
The lubricant to both sets of balls, being supplied to the casing and from thence
conveyed through a small aperture to the spindle balls, This device entirely obviating
the use of hollow Hubs.
The fourth part of my invention consists in rendering the pedal levers, and other
parts, light and strong, by screwing or otherwise securing to their bosses, a series of
spokes or wires which cross, or are each formed with the other so as to form triangular
shapes.

page_text: WALTER CHATWOOD BURTON 53 Spotland Road Rochdale in the County of
Lancaster Mechanical Engineer 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 said invention has for its object Improvements in the details of the frame,
Handle Bar, and Crank Bearings, of Bicycles, Tricycles, Tandems, & all similar types
of Velocipedes.
In the first part of my invention, I provide or device means for absorbing all the
vibration communicated to the frame (of safety and other velocipedes) by the wheels
passing over rough, uneven, roads or obstacles."
In carrying out this my first part of the invention, I form, at the rear end of the
bone or part of the velocipede were it will be most effectual-a clip or two lugs
(between or upon each side) to which I rigidly fix one end of a coil spring or springs.
The free ends of the springs must be rigidly brazed or otherwise to the fangs of the
fork. The power or force of this spring acting without joint, upon the parts connected,
tends to retain them, as if it was a perfectly rigid frame, but without vibration being
felt by the rider. The spring yielding sufficiently to allow motion to arise around or
within its coil, and thus simply tend effectually to absorb the vibration and render the
motion easy and comfortable. A cross stay and spiral spring may be introduced to
assist in strengthening the connection and frame.
My second part of the invention is to absorb all vibration communicated to the
ordinary rigid handle-bar-and at the same time render the bars capable of
occupying a smaller space when passing doorways or for ease in storage and packing
purposes, &c.
This effectually accomplish by arranging upon the upper end or other suitable
position of the hollow sliding tubing, a pair of ears or lugs upon which the two
distinct handle bars can freely turn-unless they are constrained by the action of
small finger ends pressing down upon a spiral or other adjustable spring which is
fitted within the tubing. The greater the pull upwards upon the bars and the greater
will be the compression or extension induced in the spring.
A connection between the spring and each finger end of the bars provides an
easy method of disconnecting the bars-so as to allow them freedom to drop side by
side.
My third part of the invention relates to the ball bearing casings or supports, to
the lugs of which, the fangs of the fork are secured. These casings consist essentially
of two sets of balls situated in different planes and arranged to revolve externally
& internally around the circumference of the crank boss. The crank boss being
free to revolve on balls between the spindle and casing respectively Thus providing
a good substantial bearing with minimium frictional resistance besides securing an

page_text: easy adjustment for both sets of balls. The adjusting nuts being actuated from the
out side faces of the casing and crank respectively. This method or device greatly
reduces the width of spindle and possible width of pedal action (in such a geared
solid Hub axle as used in the Winallie Geared Machines) and obviates the use of
hollow Hub.
The lubricant to both sets of balls is supplied to the casings and thence conveyed
through a small aperture to the spindle balls.
I make no claims to the fourth part of my invention, owing to it not being yet
developed.
In order that my invention may be fully understood I have caused to be annexed
hereto drawings with references to the various details in connection therewith.
Figure 1. represents the elevation of spring frame.
Figures 2, 3, represents the elevation and section of the Crank and Bearings.
Figures 4, 5, represents sectional elevations of the Handle Bar Mechanism.
In figure 1. a represents the bone or front part of frame. b. the fork whose fangs
are secured to the casing lugs d. d.
The connection between the bone and fork being secured by fixing (the internal
and external portions d. c. of a coil, spring or springs) rigidly to the ends of the
bone and fork. The spring e. and stay rode are used for the purpose of strengthening
and assisting the action of the frame.
All vibration incidental to the wheels passing over obstacles, rough roads &c. is
absorbed by the action of tension induced in the spring or springs.
In figures 2, 3, a. represents the crank, d. the casing which is provided with a lug
for securing to the fang of fork b.
The hub is firmly fixed (by brazing or otherwise) to the axle or spindle c.
The balls. n. play between the spindle and internal circumference of the crank
boss whilst the balls m. m. are free to work between the crank boss external cir-
cumference (or face) and casing.
Each set of balls being provided with an adjusting nut shewn at b. and o.
Hence the bearing of the crank is internally and externally upon the series of
balls which are arranged in different planes so as to greatly increase the stability of
the crank with minimum amount of width outside the casing.
In figure 4. 5. m. m. represents the two distinct portions of Handle Bar which
are capable of turning upon studs or pins supported upon the lugs .. The small
fingers or extensions of the parts m. m. simultaneously actuate a block in contact
with the spiral spring s. This spring is fitted within the tube p. The tube being
capable of being fixed in any desired position in the upright tube e. or steering
Head.
The small springs w. w. are used simply to keep the bars in position during the
release of riders hands. The upward pull upon the bars causes the fingers to
compress the spring or springs.
In figure 5. a slotted block v. is shewn. This block being provided with elongated
slot, allows of the small ends n. n. of bars sliding within it, and compels both to
actuate simultaneously in compressing the spring s.
Having now fully described and illustrated my invention and the manner in
which the same is to be performed I would have it to be understood that what I
claim is
1st. The device, arrangement or combination of a coil spring or springs which are
rigidly connected to the bone and fork as and for the purpose herein before sub-
stantially described and illustrated.
2nd. The method of separating the handle Bar into two distinct pieces each of
which is capable of turning upon a lug or projection formed upon the sliding tube as
and for the purposes substantially described & illustrated.
3rd. The use of the bar whose small finger extremity is used to actuate a spring
or springs placed within the tubing-as herein before substantially described and
illustrated.

page_text: 4th. The arrangement of spring or equivalent piece of mechanism for supporting
and releasing the bar as herein before substantially described and illustrated.
5th. The device, combination, arrangement and construction of the parts m. m. n. n.
. . . p. s. and e. as and for the purpose herein before described and illustrated.
6th. The device or arrangement of the crank whose boss revolves and is supported
upon two series of balls which are situated in different planes and play in grooves
internally and externally around the crank boss, as and for the purposes herein before
described and illustrated.
7th. The application or use of a loose crank which is free to revolve around the
spindle and within the casing to which the frame fork is attached as herein before
described and illustrated.
Sth. The method of adjusting both sets of balls independently and from the same
side of casing as herein before substantially described and illustrated.
9th. The arrangement combination and construction of the crank, casing, nuts, and
balls, as and for the purposes herein before described and illustrated.
Dated this the 8th day of September 1888.
WALTER CHATWOOD BURTON
H. C. Burton, Agent.