Improvements in Bicycles and other Velocipedes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Feb., 1896-Accepted, 2nd May, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bicycles and other Velocipedes.
I, JEAN ETCHEBER, of Oloron Ste. Marie (Basses Pyrénées), in the Republic
of France Engineer, 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 bicycles and other velocipedes and has for its object to
provide improved means for absorbing vibrations by the use of confined and
compressed air so as to enable pneumatic tyres to be dispensed with but at
the same time securing pliancy or suppleness such as is furnished by pneumatic
tyres.
In the accompanying drawing the improved means according to this invention
for preventing vibration are shewn applied to the frame of an ordinary bicycle, from
which its other applications will also be understood.
Figure 1 is a view of the bicycle with the parts according to this invention in
section and
Figures 2 and 3 shew the improved parts in section to a larger scale.
Referring more particularly to Figure 2 the device consists of a piston formed
with several superposed blocks of rubber or other elastic material a b c secured on
a rod A, and firmly held between metal washers, the lower washer bearing on a
collar on the rod, and a nut screwing onto the said rod bearing on the upper
washer. The said rod A decreases in diameter for each block so as to allow of
their being readily placed in position thereon. The washers of the end blocks a and c
are formed with an outer rim or extension within which is placed a ring d of steel
or the like for keeping the said ring or extension against the internal sides of the
cylinder or tube B enclosing the piston blocks.
Between the blocks b and c liquid is introduced by a lateral opening formed in
the side of the tube B and closed by a screw cap e for securing practically a very
thorough fitting of the piston.
To the lower end of the tube B a metal piece C is screwed or otherwise attached
provided with two rods f and g for guiding the piston-rod A. In the tube B above
the block a is a chamber D into which air is passed under pressure which may be
done by means of an air-pump connected to a valve on the said chamber D
which valve may be analogous to valves used for inflating tyres and suitably
situated.
As a modification of this arrangement the piston may be formed with only two
blocks a and c (Figure 3) mounted on the same rod A' in the cylinder or tube B¹
the liquid for making joint being placed above the upper block a¹. The liquid
may be introduced by a side opening (not shewn in the drawing) and the
compressed air be introduced into the tube B' above the plug a¹ by means of an
inflation valve, as in the other case.
The anti-vibrating device according to this invention may be applied to bicycles
in the following manner :-The arrangement shewn in Figure 2 is shewn as being
employed for the rear-wheel and the modification shewn in Figure 3 as being
employed for the front wheel which is provided with a second or auxiliary fork as
hereinafter described.
For the rear wheel of a bicycle, the arrangement is applied to each of the
branches of the fork which supports the said wheel, the tubes B constituting the
branches of the fork. On each branch of the said fork, the rod A is formed with
a rectangular hollow part E in which is adjusted the block or bush for the axle

page_text: of the wheel, this being done in order to allow of tension being given to the
propelling chain when required. The part E is guided by the rods f and g on
the part C, these rods, fitting the one in a mortice and the other in a slot formed
in the part E of the rod A. Each part C is formed with a rectangular piece C¹
forming the connection with the pedal portico of the frame.
For the front wheel the modification shewn in Figure 3 is employed with each
branch of an auxiliary fork S¹ which is attached to the upper end of the ordinary
fork S, by means of a collar l, and screw bolts and to each of the lower ends
thereof by means of bolts which secure the lower ends of the branches of the
ordinary fork against lugs m, formed on the base m¹ of the tubes B'. In each
branch of the auxiliary fork the lower plug c carries an elbow piece n, which
slides in a slot n formed in the tube B₁ for this purpose, and holds the front
wheel axle. A rubber plug o or the like held in a cup o¹ formed on or secured
to each of the tubes B¹ limits the upward movement of the piston while the
lower movement is limited by a plug p. mounted in a screw head p on the base of
the tube B¹ which also facilitates the removal of the plugs when desired. The air
chambers formed by the tubes D, and D¹ are confined to the rear and front forks,
and are each provided with a valve.
When the air is introduced into the said chambers D and D¹, the frame of the
bicycle is raised from the wheels until the crossbar g' at the rear wheel abuts
against the bearing block, and the elbow piece n' at the front wheel bears on the
plug P The air is then compressed to the desired amount in the chambers D
and Bi
When the rider has mounted the bicycle his weight causes the frame to descend
a certain amount and he will then be practically seated on compressed air so that
shocks and vibrations caused by the movement of the machine or the condition of
the road will be absorbed by the compressed air.
Under these conditions the wheels of a velocipede may be provided with
ordinary rubber tyres solid or otherwise, and if for any reason the anti-vibrating
device ceases to work the machine can still run as an ordinary machine.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what 1
claim is :-
1. The improved means for preventing vibration in bicycles and other velocipedes
designed as a substitute for pneumatic tyres and characterized by the combination
of a piston with multiple. blocks having a liquid joint between two of the said
blocks, a tube forming part of a frame and enclosing compressed air in which the
multiple piston works and a piece fixed to the end of the said tube acting as a
guide for the piston rod substantially as herein before described.
2. As a modification of the arrangement claimed in the preceding claiming
clause the combination of a piston formed with two blocks a liquid joint situated
above the upper block, a tube forming part of a frame and enclosing compressed
air in which the said piston works and an elbow piece on the rod of the piston
working between two elastic plugs substantially as herein before described.
3. For applying the arrangements herein before claimed to bicycles the addition
to the front fork of such machines of an auxiliary fork each of the branches of
which is arranged as shewn in Figure 3 while each of the branches of the rear fork
is fitted as shewn in Figure 2.
4. The improved means for preventing vibrations in bicycles and the like
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 3rd day of February 1896.
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.