Improvements in and relating to Spring Frames for Cycles.
Year: 1896

page_text: C
Date of Application, 12th Dec., 1896
C
1000
11th Do
4007
Date of Application, 12th Dec., 1896
4007
Complete Specification Left, 29th Dec., 1908 Accepted, 14th Dec., 1907
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Spring Frames for Cycles.
THOMAS KIDDIER, JAMES KIDDIER and JOHN WILLIAM KIDDIER, trading as
The Hosiery Machine Building Co Bell Street, Nottinglraan Machinists, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the construction of spring frames
for cycles, and has particular reference to constructions applicable to the front
steering wheel of cycles, multicycles and tricycles the object of the present
invention being the provision of means for preventing the vibrations of the front
wheel being communicated to the cycle frame and rider, or minimising the
vibrations so transmitted and the arrangement of such means whereby the axle
of the front wheel is maintained at a right angle to the steering head.
Now according to this invention the front wheel is carried by levers which are
pivoted at the lower end of the front fork, and are also pivotedly connected to a
rigid frame which is capable of moving parallel to the front head in one or more
guides carried by the front fork or its connected parts and fitted to rotate with
it. One or more springs are introduced between the above mentioned frame and
the steering head or front wheel fork, to absorb or minimise the vibration of the
front wheel, and a stop may be provided for limiting the motion of the springs
in one direction, and there are other springs which act as buffers when the frame
springs are in their normal position.
Dated this 11th day of December 1896.
W. H. POTTER, Wh. Sc.,
Patent Agent, Nottingham.
THOMAS KIDDIER, JAMES KIDDIER, and JOHN WILLIAM KIDDIER, trading as
The Hosiery Machine Building Co., Bell Street Nottingham Machinists do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in spring frame arrangements appli-
cable to the steering wheel of bicycles, multicycles and tricycles, the object of

page_text: the invention being the provision of means by which the axle of the
front wheel is held with certainty at an angle of ninety degrees with the steering
head, and fitted to move in an are of a circle the said arrangement preventing
the vibrations of the front wheel being communicated to the cycle frame or
rider, or, minimising the vibrations transinitted.
In spring frame arrangements as heretofore applied to the steering wheel of
cycles, the front wheel has generally being carried by two independent levers
pivotted to the ends of the front fork and fitted with separate springs and the
maintenance of the front wheel axle at an angle of ninety degrees with the
steering head has depended upon the equality of the two springs used, and equal
movements of the levers carrying the wheel.
Now according to this invention the front wheel is carried by levers which
are pivotted to the ends of the front fork and also to a rigid frame which is
suitably guided and arranged to act in conjunction with. springs, which absorb
or minimise the vibrations of the front wheel. The machine is also provided
with stops which limit the motion of the front wheel, and also with buffer springs.
In the accompanying drawings Fig 1 is a side elevation of part of a bicycle,
showing the application of the invention, and
Fig 2 is a front cievation of the same.
The cycle selected to illustrate the application of this invention is of the usual
construction so far as the frame a, handles b, head c the back wheel, and the
driving mechanism are concerned, the heade having the usual ball bearings, and
means for adjusting the same, and the position of the handle bar.
According to this invention the crown d which is connected to the tube within
the head c and carries the forks e for the front wheel f, is made with a projecting
lug g to which a guide pin h is adjustably attached. Fitted to slide on the pin h
is a rigid frame consisting of a crown m and legs 7. which latter are pivotted
to levers carrying the front wheel axle, and pivotted to the ends of the forks e.
The pin his fitted with a collar p which limits the upward motion of the
framem, and there is also another collar o which may be adjustable for the
purpose of regulating the tension of the spring n between the collar and the crown
piece m. Between the lug g and the underside of the crown piece m there
is a second spring r which acts as a buffer when the parts return to their normal
position.
In modifications of this invention the pin his carried by the socket s, or by.
the lug and a second lug on the socket s.
g
The frame m, may also be guided
by suitable guides on the forks e, and the springs n or their equivalent may be
in tension or compression, but in all modification the levers & must be pivotted
to a rigid frame to prevent independent motion of either lever and to maintain
the axle of the front wheel at an angle of ninety degrees with the steering head.
The tension of the springs used may be varied as required, and the invention
may be applid to cycles fitted with pneumatic, cushion or solid tyres.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. The combination in a cycle of the steering wheel, pivotted levers carrying
the same, a rigid frame pivotted to the said levers, a fixed guide for guiding the
rigid frame and springs arranged in connection with the same substantially as,
and for the purpose herein set forth.
2. The combination in a cycle of the steering wheel, levers carrying the same
and pivotted to the front wheel fork, a rigid frame pivotted to the said levers and
fitted to slide on a fixed guide carried by and capable of turning with the front
fork, a spring arrangement resisting the upward movement of the rigid frame, a
stop for limiting the amount of such movement, and a buffer spring arranged and
combined substantially as herein described, for the purpose set forth.

page_text: 3. A spring frame arrangement applicable to the front wheels of cycles con-
structed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to the
accompanying drawings, and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 22nd day of December 1896.
W. H. POTTER, M.I.M.E.
Patent Agent, Nottingham.