Improvements in Bicycles.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 29th July, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 14th Aug., 1890-Accepted, 20th Sept., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bicycles.
I ARTHUR FREDERICK BEACH, of 22 Marlborough Square, Chelsea, London, in
the County of Middlesex, Gas Fitter, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
i.
This invention relates to certain improvements in bicycles and is chiefly applicable
to those machines known as ordinary" bicycles, i.e. having wheels of different
diameters, the object being the attainment of greater safety by preventing the liability
at present existing in all "ordinary" bicycles of the rider being thrown over the
handles when from any cause the weight gets too far forward.
In ordinary bicycles as hitherto constructed the fork bears upon and transfers the
weight direct to the main axle-which is the driving axle; the fork has in some cases
a rearward slant but that is inadequate to prevent the easy lifting of the smaller head
wheel and consequent forward pitch of the rider.
According to my improvements I dispose the fork vertically or approximately so at
a certain distance behind the centre of the leading and larger wheel. Such distance
may be about six inches behind the centre but 1 do not bind myself to any fixed
distance as this will necessarily vary. I branch the lower end of each leg of the fork
forwards say six inches and rearwards say three inches; the forward branches are
supported by the main axle, and the rear branches are bifurcated and carry shoot
treadle or driving axles, and the two extremities of each leg are connected by a bar
or otherwise, so that the whole is made rigid and strong.
I connect the said treadle axles to the main axle by gear wheels, chain wheels, or in
other suitable way and any desired speed gear may be introduced and the usual ball
bearings employed.
tr
:
By my improvements an "ordinary" machine can be practically converted into a
"safety" machine and it is almost impossible for the trailing wheel to lift also the
rider is brought more directly over his work and is enabled to ride in a much more
comfortable and graceful position than on the present style of "safety" machine.
Further with a more powerful spoon brake applied to the driving wheel my improved
machine can be ridden down any hill with perfect safety.
Dated this 29th day of July 1890.
J. C. CHAPMAN,
Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bicycles.
I ARTHUR FREDERICK BEACH of 22 Marlborough Square Chelsea London in the
County of Middlesex, Gas Fitter, 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 relates to certain improvements in bicycles and is chiefly applicable
to those machines known as <
ordinary" bicycles, i.e., having wheels of different
diameters, the object being the attainment of greater safety by preventing the liability
at present existing in all "ordinary" bicycles of the rider being thrown over the
handles when from any cause the weight gets too far forward.
In ordinary bicycles as hitherto constructed the fork bears upon and transfers the
weight direct to the main axle-which is the driving axle; the fork has in some cases
a rearward slant but that is inadequate to prevent the easy lifting of the smaller hind
wheel and consequent forward pitch of the rider.

page_text: I will fully describe my invention in reference to the accompanying drawing in
which
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an ordinary bicycle having my improvement applied :
Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation of bottom of one leg of the fork:
Fig. 3 is a back elevation of same.
In these figures similar letters refer to similar parts.
According to my invention I dispose the fork vertically or approximately so at a
certain distance behind the centre of the leading and larger wheel, and 1 also apply
the power behind the same centre.
The said distance of the bottom of fork behind the centre of wheel may be about
six inches, but I do not bind myself to any fixed distance since this would vary with
the requirements of individual cases.
I branch the lower ends of each leg of the fork forwards to take their bearings on
the main axle, and apply the power to driving axles arranged at or near the bottom of
the fork and geared up to the main axle as hereinafter shown. Referring to the
illustration the fork F is shown branched forward above the horizontal centre line at f
the branches being cranked down to their bearings on the main axle a, the fork F is
branched also in a rearward direction at f; say about three inches, and the rear
branches are bifurcated as best seen in Fig. 3 at f22 and carry short treadle
or driving axles t t upon which are fixed the usual treadles TT, and the two extremities
of the branches ffi of each leg of the fork F are connected by a strong bar & or
otherwise so that the whole structure is made rigid and strong. Instead of arranging
the branches f f to bear down upon the axle a as illustrated I may in some cases
extend the fork F below the horizontal centre line and crank the branches upwards so
as to suspend it from the axle a, as will be readily understood.
I connect the said treadle axles t t to the main axle a by gear wheels such for
example as are illustrated at g gl g², or I may use chain wheels or any other suitable
mechanical device and any desired speed gear may be introduced as is shown for
example in the figures, also the usual ball-bearings can be employed.
:
It will be obvious that I may arrange the driving axles t t at the base of the fork F
instead of forming the branches described.
1:
29
tr
By my improvements the weight of the rider is brought entirely behind the centre
of the leading wheel, and the power is or may be applied still further behind it thus
an ordinary machine can be practically converted into a safety machine, for
owing to the disposition of the weight it is almost impossible for the trailing wheel to
lift also the rider is brought more directly over his work and is enabled to ride in a
much more comfortable and graceful position than on the present style of "safety
machine.
"
Further a powerful spoon-brake can be applied to the driving wheel of my improved
machine so that it can be ridden down any hill with perfect safety.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
(1). The herein before described improvements in bicycles consisting in disposing
the fork vertically or approximately so at a certain distance behind the centre of
the leading wheel and applying the power behind the said centre for the purpose set
forth.
(2). In a bicycle, disposing the fork F vertically or approximately so behind the
centre of the leading wheel with its lower ends carried forward to take their bearings
upon the main axle thereof, and applying the power to driving axles arranged at or
near the bottom of the said fork and mechanically connected to the main axle
substantially as and for the purposes set forth in reference to the figures.
Dated this 14th day of August 1890
J. C. CHAPMAN,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.