Improvements in Steering Locks for Cycles.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Oct., 1898
Complete Specification Left. 8th Dec 1898 Accented, 4th Feb 1899
Improvements in Steering Locks for Cycles.
:
HENRY PATTMAN TRUEMAN, of 51, Havelock Road, Handsworth, near Bir-
mingham; in the County of Warwick, Engineer, and JOHN SCRIVENS, of
57, Cuthbert Road, Birmingham aforesaid, Foreman Mechanic, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to what is known as a steering lock for cycles, and
consists, of means whereby friction is applied to the fork steering stem in any
required degree, for the purpose of preventing the handle bar turning round
too easily, the special object being to allow of the handle bar being used as a
support for the cycle.
In carrying this invention, into effect, a flexible band is carried round the
fork, stem so as to completely embrace, the said stem at least one turn. The
ends of the said flexible band are then pulled in opposite directions, so as to
cause the coiled band to tighten upon the stem. Two, three or more turns or
coils are in some cases taken round the tube before the ends are carried to the
points, where tension can be applied.
One convenient method of applying this tension, is to form screw threads at
one or both ends of the flexible band, and to furnish the said screw threaded
end or ends with, nuts.
The ends of the band are preferably passed through the head tube or through
one. of the lugs thereon, such tube or lug forming an abutment for the sand
screws to bear against, when applying tension to the ends of the flexible band.
The said band is preferably made of round steel wire, but wire of any section or
material is or may be used. The flexible band is or may be in some cases formed
from jointed members, or chains may be used.
As an alternative method, we may cause the coiled band to be closed in com-
pression upon the fork stem, in which case the action of the screwed ends would
be arranged to push open the coils and so release the stem.
The steering lock herein described is capable of being affixed to existing
cycles as now generally manufactured.
* Dated this: 30th day of September 1808

page_text: 57, Cuthbert Road, Birmingham, aforesaid County, Foreman Mechanic, 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:
1
This invention relates to what is known as a steering lock for cycles, and
consists of means whereby friction is applied to the fork steering stem in any
required degree for the purpose of preventing the handle bars turning round too
easily, the special object being to allow of the handle bars being used as
support for the cycle.
a
so as to
In carrying this invention into effect a flexible band is carried round the
fork stem so as to completely embrace the said stem at least one turn. The
ends of the said flexible band are then pulled in opposite directions
cause the coiled band to tighten, upon the stem. Two, three, or more turns or
coils are in some cases taken round the tube before the ends are carried to the
points where tension can be applied.
One convenient method of applying this tension is to form screw threads at
one or both ends of the flexible band, and to furnish the said screw-threaded
end or ends with nuts.
The ends of the band are preferably passed through the head tube or through
one of the lugs thereon, such tube or lug forming an abutment for the said
screws to bear against when applying tension to the ends of the flexible band.
The said band is preferably made of round steel wire, but wire of any section or
material is or may be used.
The flexible band is or may be in some cases formed from jointed members,
or chains may be used.
As an alternative method we may cause the coiled band to be closed in com-
pression upon the fork stem, in which case the action of the screwed ends would
be arranged to push open the coils and so release the stem.
The steering lock herein described is capable of being affixed to existing
cycles as now generally manufactured.
0
In the accompanying sheets of drawings the invention is shown applied to
the steering head of a cycle in several forms differing only in the detailed con-
struction of the pulling-up or tensioning means and the way the same is operated.
In Sheet 1 of the drawings a side elevation of the crown part of the steering
socket of a Humber pattern frame with the steering post in position, and with
one form of the steering device applied is shown in Fig. 1, whilst a horizontal
and a vertical section of this form is shown respectively in Figs. 2 and 3. Figs. 4,
5, 6 and 7 show slight modifications only of the form of lock Figs. 1 to 3, and
Fig. 8 shows the steering lock device in a suitable form for vending as a com-
ponent part.
:
In Figs. 1 to 3 the steering lock device a comprises a resilient coil having
one convolution, a², which surrounds the steering post evenly and completely
once, and which is located within the steering socket d so as to be concealed and
so that its ends or terminations, a³, a, pass in opposite directions through
holes d, d, in the walls of the steering socket's crown lug. Both the said ends
are screwed at their tips a³, and pull-up screwed nuts e engage the said tips for
operating the said resilient coil against the outer face of the steering socket as
an abutment. The resilient coil a may be formed of any suitable material which
will cause the said coil to automatically open out again after being contracted,
but it is preferably formed from spring wire, and its operation upon the steering
post can be effected from either side of the steering socket by the simple screwing-
up of one of the nuts e, the contraction of the said coil upon the steering post
being evenly made at all points upon the said steering post's surface.
It will be obvious from the drawings that in this arrangement the normal
condition of the coil is free of the steering post, and that its terminations cross
each other and take; through the said steering socket in opposite directions, so
that the said coil can be contracted upon the steering post by the simple screwing

page_text: up of one of the nuts and that in either case the coil will tighten itself upon
the said steering post evenly throughout its entire gripping surface.
In the form of steering lock, Fig. 4, the resilient coil is the same as the one.
Figs. 1 to 3, other than only one of its free ends or terminations is screwed and
adapted to be operated for contracting the coil upon the steering post; the other
end or termination being fixed.
">
Fig. 5 is a similar form of locking device as Fig. 4, but the resilient coil has
two convolutions instead of one.
.
In Fig. 6 both terminations of the resilient coil are shown connected to the
steering socket on the same side, the one termination being a pull-up one and the
other fixed, but the contracting effect of the coil is the same as the forms previ-
ously described.
}
:
In the modification Fig. 7, the coil a is always tending to close itself upon the
steering post and requires to be expanded by the tensioning devices in order to
free the said post. This expanding movement is brought about by connecting
the screw-up nuts, e, to the steering socket so that they cannot leave the sides
of the said socket, in consequence of which, on their being rotated in one direc
tion, the coil is put into tension and expanded. The said nuts are connected to
the socket by slotted plates, such as e, which are connected to the said socket,
and which form a thrust bearing for an enlargement or collar e³ upon each of
the nuts.
The steering lock device as a component part in Fig. 8 has two convolutions,
and its one end is fitted with a screwed nut e and its other end with a hollow
turn g, wherein which latter is closetted a screwed nipple g², (similar to a spoke
nipple) which engages the other screwed termination or end of the resilient coil.
Figs. 9 to 16 on Sheet 2 show varying forms of pulling-up means for the ends.
or terminations of the resilient coiÏ.
.
In Fig. 9 the ends of the resilient coil are connected to a coupling plate g,
which is fitted with a set screw working against the side of the steering socket d
to pull out the said ends and contract the coil. In Fig. 10 the ends or termina-
tions of the resilient coil are connected to an angular cross bar, g, mounted in
the steering socket d, and which is turned with a key to close the coil, and is
maintained in this position by a ratchet wheel 9, and a pawl g³.
In Fig. 11 the ends or terminations a³, a, of the coil are twisted and passed
through the walls of the steering socket d, where they form prongs or projecting
pieces for taking into holes in a facing, d, formed in one with the said socket,
tension upon the coil being applied by rotating the said projections and the
coil formed from the said terminations a³, a. In Fig. 12 the ends or termina-
tions of the coil are formed into loops, and tension is applied to the said coil by a
pull-up wedge h, actuated by a screw nut h². In Fig. 13 one termination of the
coil is fixed to the steering socket d, and the other to a lever plate, d, fulcrummed
on the said socket and which is operated, to apply tension to the band, by a
screw pin working within the extension of the said socket. Fig. 14 is a
somewhat similar arrangement as Fig. 13, but the one end or termination of
the coil is fixed to the fulcrum of the lever, and the other end to the middle part,
and the tension on the coil is maintained by a pawl d.
mination of the coil is fixed to the steering socket, and the other to a lever cam m
In Fig. 15, one ter-
which is suitably mounted and adapted to draw in the coil by pulling out the
termination it carries. In Fig. 16 both ends or terminations of the coil are
connected to the steering socket, and tension is applied to the said coil by a
wedge piece pulling outwards, against the face of the socket, a portion of one
of the convolutions of the coil. Thus it will be seen that according to this
invention a very simple steering lock device, which is extremely effective and
neat in appearance, can be produced at a little cost, and that the said device can
be easily applied to existing machines by a simple drilling of two holes through
the walls of the steering socket.
m
We wish it to be understood that we make no claim per se to a concealed
band brake, or to the use of an enclosed coil, as the same has long been known and

page_text: used for retarding the moving parts of velocipedes; such clipping parts being
generally arranged so as to surround the moving part of the cycle.
The special construction, arrangement, and fitting of the parts of the devices
herein described and illustrated have however special features which enable them
to fulfil the necessary requirements of a simple and efficient steering. lock device,
and are the result of a large amount of thought and experiment.
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 :-
First. A steering lock device for cycles distinguished by a coil of one or more
convolutions, which is disposed inside the fixed member or socket so as to be
carried by it and so as to completely surround the moving member or post at
least once, and whose free ends or terminations are connected to the fixed member
or socket either upon the same side or upon opposite sides, so that one or both of
the said ends can be forced inwards or drawn outwards in respect of the said
socket, in order to open or close the coil, and screw nut tensioning devices which
take upon the ends of the terminations of the coil and pull up against the outer
faces of the fixed member as an abutment, substantially as described and set forth.
Second. The particular construction, arrangement, and fitting of the parts
forming the improved steering lock device as set forth in Figs. 1 to 7.
Third. As a component part for locking the steering mechanism of cycles,
the particular construction, arrangement, and fitting of the parts in combination
as set forth in Fig. 8.
Fourth. The several forms of applying tension to the coils and maintaining it,
when applied to the steering socket and steering post as set forth in Figs. 9 to 16.
Dated this 23rd day of November 1898
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
11, Burlington Chambers, New Street, Birmingham,
Also of Liverpool, London, and Manchester,
Patent Agents for the Applicants.