Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Feb., 1887
Complete Left, 18th Nov., 1887
Complete Accepted, 20th Dec., 1887
ROBERT JAMES RUSSELL of 141 Blackstock Road in the Parish of South Hornsey,
in the County of Middlesex, Bicycle Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates, more especially to that form of Bicycle which is known as a
Safety, or the Rover type of Machine, or that class of Bicycles having low wheels of
equal size or nearly the same, and having the Pedals and chain wheel near the
ground.
The object of my invention is to make such modifications to these and analogous
Bicycles so as to render them more safe than the so called safeties as now used.
A great disadvantage in the use of the Safeties as now made is the liability to get
entangled in the framework when the machine falls over to right or left, also in the
great distance required to clear the hind wheel in alighting.
In carrying out my invention I build the frame between the wheels in the shape of
a loop, or the letter U to one end of which the neck is secured the other holding the
saddle, or saddle holder, and having a clear way through the middle of the machine.
My invention refers to all that class of Bicycles known as Safties as herein before
mentioned having the Stanley Head form of steering, and known as Bicycle steering,
steered with a direct rod or tube in a diagonal line from the steering wheel to the
handle bar without using either rack or pinion, chain or cord.
In building a Bicycle as here described, the tube or rod to form the frame one end
of which is attached to the neck, it is then bent down so as to follow the shape of the
wheel to within a few inches of the ground, then in direction of hind wheel and up-
ward so as to hold the chain wheel, fork of hind wheel, and seat holder. The said Rod
or Tube may be in one continuous piece from neck to seat holder without any cross
rods or stays, or any obstruction to prevent a person stepping through the middle of
the Bicycle when held in an upright position.

page_text: I also claim as an important feature of this invention that of making the loop or
Ushaped frame in one two or more pieces, when building in two pieces I may some-
times connect the parts by a hinge working in a vertical direction, the said hinge
working in connection with a spring or rubber, so absorbing the vibration in passing
over uneven ground, the said hinge acting vertically and the anti-vibrating device I
claim to put in any part of the tube or rod forming the frame between the chain
wheel on the frame and the neck.
The frame may also be made with or without a hinge by preference in the middle of
lowest part of frame and acting horizontally, for the purpose of folding the Bicyclo
for convenience of stowage or transport.

page_text: improvements in Bicycles.
I ROBERT JAMES RUSSELL of 141 Blackstock Road in the Parish of South Hornsey
in the County of Middlesex, Bicycle Maker 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 more especially to that form of Bicycle which is known as a
Safety, or, the rover type of Machine, or that class of Bicycle having low wheels, of
equal size, or nearly the same, and having the Pedals and chain wheel near the
ground.
The object of my invention is to make such modifications of these and analogous
bicycles so as to render them more safe than the so called safties as now used.
The great disadvantage in the use of the safties as now made is the liability to get
entangled in the framework, when the machine falls over to right or left. Also in the
great distance required to clear the hind wheel in alighting.
In carrying out my invention, I build the frame, between the wheels in the shape
of a loop, or the letter U, to one end of which the neck is secured, the other holding
the saddle or saddle holder, and having a clear way through the middle of the
machine.
My invention refers to all that class of Safties as herein described, having the
Stanley Head form of steering, and known as bicycle-steering, steered with a direct
rod or tube in a diagonal line from the steering wheel to the handle bar, without using
either rack or Pinion, chain or cord.
In building a bicycle as here described, the tube or rod to form the frame, one end
of which is attached to the neck, is then bent down so as to follow the shape of the
wheel to within a few inches of the ground, then in direction of hind wheel and up-
ward so as to hold the chain wheel, fork of hind wheel, and seat Holder, the said rod
or tube may be in one continuous piece from neck to seat holder, without any cross
rods, or stays, or any obstruction, to prevent a person stepping through the middle of
the Bicycle when held in a vertical position.
I also claim as an important feature of this invention, that of making the loop or
U shaped frame in one, two, or more pieces. When building in two pieces I may
sometimes connect the parts by a hinge, working in connection with a spring or
rubber, so absorbing the vibrations in passing over uneven ground, the said hinge
acting vertically. The antivibration device I claim to put in any part of the tube or
rod forming the frame, between the chain wheel on frame and the neck.
The frame may be also made with or without a hinge, by preference in middle of
lowest part of frame, and acting Horizontally, for the purpose of folding the bicycle
for convenience of stowage or transport.
This description of my invention will be better understood by reference to the
drawing of a bicycle as herein described.

page_text: 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. Building Bicycles as herein illustrated and described, having the frame between
the wheels in the shape of a loop or the letter U, to one end of which the neck is
secured, the other end holding the saddle or saddle Holder, and having a clear way
through the middle of the machine as herein described and illustrated.
2.-Building bicycles, the main frame or backbone of which, is in the shape of a
loop or letter U between the fore and hind wheels, the said frame may be in one
continuous piece, and carrying the neck, chain wheel, back fork, and saddle Holder
as herein described.
3. To apply this invention to all that class of Bicycles known as Safties as herein
described and illustrated, and having the Stanley Head form of steering, and known
as Bicycle steering, steered by a direct rod or tube placed diagonally from the steering
wheel to the handle bar, without using either rack or pinion, chain or cord as herein
described.
4. Building Bicycles without using any rods, or other cross stays in the frame of
said machine, to prevent a person stepping through the middle of said machine,
between the fore and hind wheels, while holding the said machine in a vertical position
as here described.
5. Making the U shaped frame in one, two, or more pieces, with flexible joints, in
conjunction with springs or rubber for counteracting Vibrations.
6. Making the frame with or without a hinge or joint, by preference in middle of
lowest part of frame, and acting horizontally, for the purpose of folding the machine
for convenience of stowage or transport as herein described.
7. For folding Bicycles of the pattern known as Safties, so as the two wheels are
side by side to admit of being strapped together, as herein described.
Dated this 18th day of November 1887.