An Improvement in or connected with Velocipedes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Mar., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 23rd June, 1891-Accepted, 25th July, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in or connected with Velocipedes.
I DOUGLAS JOHN GREER of Number 18 Grafton Street Hull in the County
of York Clerk do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of may invention is a new or improved apparatus whereby to lock
securely the steering tube of that type of velocipede generally known as the socket
steering safety bicycle.
My lock case has a concave flange made to fit or clasp the frame tube of bicycle
and is fixed thereto by brazing or otherwise. I enclose the internal mechanism of
my improved lock in a separate tube or case which is inserted in the barrel or outer
case of lock, and secured therein by soldering or otherwise, after the process of
brazing the outer case unto the bicycle has been performed.
In carrying out my invention and before inserting the case containing the lock
mechanism, drill holes through the flange of lock outer case, and both frame and
steering tubes, for the purpose of receiving the lock bolt, which, when the lock is
made complete, is forced by the key into and through the aforesaid holes, thereby
securing the steering tube immovable, until such time as the lock bolt is withdrawn
by means of the necessary key.
Dated this 19th day of March 1891
DOUGLAS JOHN GREER.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in or connected with Velocipedes.
1 DOUGLAS JOHN GREER, of 18 Grafton Street, Hull, in the East Riding
of Yorkshire, Clerk, 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 invention relates to an improved apparatus for locking the steering heads of
velocipedes, and it consists of a spring bolt mounted in a suitable case on the tube
of the frame forming the steering head or socket, and adapted to engage with a
hole in the tube of the steering post and to be capable of withdrawal therefrom by
a suitable screw key, the object being to lock the steering post to the frame of the
machine so that it cannot be turned, thereby rendering the machine unrideable,
and at the same time enabling the machine to be more easily left standing against a
wall or the like.
I attain this end in the manner shown by the accompanying drawing in which
Figure 1 is a broken view in side elevation, partly in section, of a steering head
of a cycle fitted with my improved locking apparatus, the bolt thereof being engaged
with the steering post.
Figure 2 is a view in broken sectional side elevation of the apparatus showing
the spring bolt withdrawn from the steering post thereby making the steering free
again.
Figure 3 is a view in plan partly in section, of a steering head showing the
methods of attaching the case of the lock thereto, and
Figure 4 is a view of the screw key.
Throughout these views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
On the tube X forming the steering head or socket, I fix in any suitable position,
and in any suitable manner, a case A adapted to receive a tubular lining A having
a small flange a at its outer end. Within this tubular lining, before it is placed and

page_text: fixed by sweating or otherwise in the case A, is placed a bolt B having a central or
approximately central collar or flange ; the engaging end of this bolt is plain, but
the other end is threaded with a screw thread. Between the flange a of the tubular
lining A and the collar or flange is placed a coiled spring C adapted to act
between the said flange and collar and so force the bolt B inwards. A hole is
drilled in the tube X for the end of the bolt 13 to pass through, and in the tube Y
forming the steering post another hole y is drilled for the end of the locking bolt B
to engage with, the position of the hole being such that when the locking bolt
engages with it the steering wheel of the cycle is in a central position. To with-
draw the locking bolt B, a key D taking the form of a stud with a milled head d
and an internally screw threaded hole d', is passed through the hole in the top of
the case A. and is screwed on to the end of the bolt B, which it commences to
withdraw from the hole y in the tube Y immediately its head d engages with the
top of the case A. When the key D is unserewed to release the bolt and lock the
steering it is removed from the case A and carried by the rider, so that no one can
unlock the steering or use the machine without his consent.
The case A may be either brazed or screwed on to the tube X, or it may be
attached thereto by a suitable clip as shown by dot and dash lines in Figure 3.
By making the bottom of the case A open, and forming the flange a on the top of
the said case, the tubular lining may be dispensed with. As an alternative
construction the key D may consist of a screwed pin with a milled head, in which
case the end of the bolt B with which it is alapted to engage, would be enlarged
and provided with a central hole having an internal screw thread corresponding to
the thread on the key.
I wish it to be particularly understood that I do not limit myself to the precise
details of construction hereinbefore described and illustrated by the accompanying
drawing, but that I hold myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as
fairly fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
1st. The improved steering lock for cycles constructed, arranged, and operating
as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the accompanying drawing.
2nd. In a steering lock for cycles the combination with the tubes forming the
steering head or socket and the steering post, of a case mounted on the steering
head or socket, of a bolt having a central or approximately central collar or flange
sliding in the said case and engaging with the steering post, of a spring acting
between the collar or flange of the said bolt and a flange on the top of the case or
its equivalent, and of a screw key adapted to engage with the locking bolt and
withdraw it from the steering post, all combined arranged and operating as and for
the purpose set forth.
Dated this 23rd day of June 1891
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and l'atent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.