Improvements in Devices for Absorbing Vibration in Machines, Vehicles, Tools, and the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Aug., 1896-Accepted, 13th Mar., 1897
[Communicated from abroad by EDWIN DE WOLF, MORSE, of 1721 Michigan
Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America, Manufacturor.]
Improvements in Devices for Absorbing Vibration in Machines,
Vehicles, Tools, and the like.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co. Patent
Agents, 45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 improvements in devices for absorbing the vibration of
machines or vehicles or vibrating tools, so that a part supported through the
medium of said device will be to a greater extent relieved of the jar of such
machine, vehicle or tool, and while the invention is applicable to a variety of uses,
such as for the handles of various machines it will be sufficient to illustrate its
practical adaptation say to different uses upon a bicycle, to-wit, in connection with
the grip or hand bold of the handle bar and in connection with the bicycle saddle
or seat.
The essential features of this invention comprise a stud adapted to be engaged,
removably or otherwise, with the fixed part of the tool or other vibrating machine,
and a resilient grip or hand hold, which latter is composed of two main features,
and spring or springs rigidly secured at one end to the said stud, and a mass of
yielding matter or enveloping material, such as rubber or the like. A second
feature of the invention comprises the means for securing the stud to the fixed or
vibratory part. A third feature of the invention includes the construction of the
stud and the means employed for securing the spring thereto. This and other
features of the invention will be readily understood by reference to the accom-
panying drawings.
In said drawings:-
Figure 1 is an axial sectional view of the grip or hand hold of a bioycle,
illustrating one form of embodying the invention.
Figure 2 is an end view of the same looking at the socket or stud end..
n
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the stud and one form of spring secured thereto
before the enveloping material has been applied thereto.
Figure 4 is a view of the thimble or stud showing its form before it is expanded
and before a spiral spring is applied thereto.
Figures 5 and 6 show respectively end and vertical sectional views of a different
form of stud or thimble.
Figure 7 is a sectional view illustrating another modification of the thimble
or stud.
Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view enlarged of a bicycle saddle to which the
invention is applied.
}
Figure 9 is a bottom plan view of the same, on a different scale, indicating by
dotted lines the shape of the cover or seat propor.
Figure 10 illustrates the further modification of the stud or thimble.
In the drawings, A represents the end of, any suitable rigid part of a machine,
Buch as, for example, the handle of some implement or the steering arm or handle-bar
Price Rd 1

page_text: of a bicycle, and which part A, may be tubular, square or of other configuration,
and B represents a stud or thimble having an enlarged part b and a reduced part b'.
The large part 6 will be of such exterior conformation as will admit of its being
inserted within the hollow end of the rigid part A of the machine or vehicle. The
interior of the part b of the stud or thimble will be reamed out upon a taper or
angle, as clearly shown in Figure 1, for the reception of a tapered nut B'. The
part b will also be split longitudinally as clearly indicated at b. It will be
manifest, therefore, that after the part is inserted within the part A, if the
wedge-shaped or tapered nut B 1 be drawn inwardly, the several parts or segments
of the part 6 will be spread so as to cause their exterior surfaces to have a rigid
frictional contact with the interior surface of the part A. Such inward movement
of the nut B' is caused by a screw-bolt B which is inserted through the apertured
part b', as indicated in Figure 1.
C represents a coiled spring, having one end wound about the reduced portion 6¹
of the stud or thimble. There may be a plurality of such springs and two
springs C, C, are shown as the preferable construction. It is not desired to limit
this invention to a single spring as in some instances one spring is necessary, while
in other instances it may be necessary to use two or more springs. After the end
of the spring or springs C is properly positioned upon the part 6 of the stud or
thimble, said spring is secured thereto by inserting any well known form of tapered
punch within the end of said part b', and expanding the latter, as indicated by the
dotted lines in Figure 4, into the conical or wedge-shaped form. It will be manifest
that the spring will be held properly to the stud or thimble by the spread or
.expansion of the part b'.
The spring C is then covored with any suitable resilient covering, D, preferably
rubber formed in a mold so as to give the desired shape to the grip or handle.
This covering D will proforably be arranged to envelope the spring C, both
exteriorly and interiorly to a suitable thickness so as to form a continuous flexible
. covering for the same. In the preferred form herein shown, the covering will not
be made solid but will be provided with a central cavity a extending throughout
. its entire length, such cavity serving the double purpose of reducing the weight
and quantity of material employed and at the same time affording access to the
interior of the device, for the purpose of manipulating the sorew bolt B³.
f
Figures 5 and 6 show reduced end of the thimble, the same as before, but the
large end or part is split lengthwise as shown at 6, and is provided on each
side of the split portion with an apertured lug 6, thus forming ring-clamp
or split socket adapted to embrace the end of the implement or handle-bar,
and to be secured thereto by means of a screw-bolt & engaging the apertures
in the lugs b and thus draw the sides of the post b tightly and in frictional
engagement therewith. Of course, in this instance, it will be understood, that
the socket or interior portion of the parts b will be of a uniform and given
diameter..
Figuro 7 illustrates the stud or thimble B as inserted within the end of an
implement or handle-bar, to which it may be secured by solder, brazing or in
any other convenient manner. The reduced part 1 may be expanded as pointed
out in connection with Figures 1 and 4, or may be expanded in the manner
hereinafter described.
The saddle comprises a frame screwed to the seat post of a bicycle frame,
provided with the vibration absorbing device, and covered with a suitable sent
of leather or other material. The saddle frame embraces a main or longitudinally
extending center bar E, provided at its roar end with divergent arma E and E.
Upon the forward end of the bar E and upon the end of each of the arms E¹
and E are mounted vibration absorbing devices, each designated as a whole by F,
arranged to carry the parts of the saddle constituting the seat proper, the said
vibration absorbing devices being so connected with the center bar as to form in
effect extensions of the several parts thereof upon the outer ends of which the seat
proper is mounted...

page_text: Describing the vibration absorbing devices in detail, all of which are alike in
construction, each of the several ends of the member E is provided with an
axially extending rigid stud G mounted thereon. In the present instance the
extreme end portion of each bar member of the saddle frame consists of a sleeve
or section of tubing E suitably secured upon the cast central body. Within
the ends of the hollow sockets thus formed are inserted short tube sections G',
the projecting ends of which form the studs proper. Said sections are of such
external diameter as to fit tightly therein and are secured by brazing or otherwise.
The parts Gare each provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending
slits gg extending inwardly from their outer ends the full length of the pro-
jecting parts of the stud section, so that the said projecting end may be expanded
into outwardly flaring form. In order to expand the stud, a nut or heavy
washer G, having a flaring perimeter and of a diameter larger than the inner
diameter of the tube, is arranged to be forced or drawn into the slitted end by
means of a bolt G' which extends through the washor and engages the nut G
which acts against the inner end of the stud section. Upon the stud is mounted
the end of the helical coil C of spring wire (preferably steel) and also preferably
of elongated oval form. The stud G is made short relatively to the length of the
coil C so as to extend but a short distance within the latter which is wound upon a
suitable form or mandrel so as to conform in its interior to the shape of the expanded
stud thereby insuring an accurate fit and rigid connection between the parts. The
oval coil C may consist of a single strand of wire or of a plurality of strands as
found most desirable. In the present instance, I have shown the coil mado
duplex, consisting of two strands C¹ C₁ arranged to lie closely adjacent to and
parallel with each other throughout their length, but formed into an open coil,
i.e., having substantial spaces between the several turns of the coil. The parts of
the coil, however, which envelope the stud, are wound closely together, and the
extreme end of the coil is arranged to abut directly against the annular shoulder gl
formed by the end of the outer socket E'.
The other end of the coil C is connected with the pommel plate B (assuming we
are speaking of the front member F) of the saddle by means of a tubular stud G,
generally similar to that heretofore described, but which is arranged to'abut at its
free end g directly against the inner face of said plate B, instead of being inserted
within a socket. The unsplit portion of the stud or that which remains cylindric
is encircled with the collar G' and the bolt G' by means of which the expanding.
wasber G is arranged to extend through a threaded aperture bin said pommel
plate B.
After the coil C has been properly formed, I preferably cover it throughout its
length with a suitable resilient and yielding cover D, usually of rubber formed in
a mold so as to give the desired uniformity of covering over the oval exterior of
the coil. The rubber covering D is arranged to envelope the coil C exteriorly and
interiorly to a considerable thickness so as to form a continuous flexible body or
mass which aids effectually in absorbing vibrations transmitted to the coil from the
member E.
In the preferred form herein shown the rubber is left partially hollow throughout
its length so as to afford access to the bolt G by means of a suitable tool. It will
of course be understood that the rubber D will bo vulcanized in its molded form
upon the coil.
The rear vibration absorbing devices F F of the saddle are connected with the
central plate B' in the same manner as the front member is connected with the
pommel plate.
The outer frame of the Baddle may obviously be covered in any usual or
preferred mannor, the covering herein shown consisting of an ordinary leather
seat A of common form and construction.
While I have herein shown what I deem to be a preferred embodiment of my
invention, yet it will be obvious that various modifications in the details thereof,
may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and without,

page_text: involving more than ordinary mechanical skill. I do not therefore, wish to be
limited to the precise details shown except as made the subject of specific claims.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what mauner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is:
1. In combination with a bicycle handle bar, a grip consisting of a spring metal
rigidly attached to the handle bar and forming an elastio or resilient extension
thereof, and a mass of yielding material enveloping the same, substantially as
described.
2. The combination with a bicycle handle bar, of a handle comprising an
elongated open coil of spring wire, rigidly attached to the end of the handle bar
and forming an elastic prolongation thereof, and a mass of yielding material
enveloping the coil both exteriorly and interiorly of the same.
3. The combination of a bicycle handle bar, of a handle comprising a supporting
stud rigidly secured to the end of the handle bar, an elongated open. coil of apring
wire surrounding and rigidly attached to the stud so as to form an elastic
prolongation of the handle bar, and a mass of yielding material enveloping the
coil both exteriorly and interiorly of the same.
4. A device for absorbing vibration, comprising a support provided with a
tubular stud adapted to be expanded into outwardly flaring form, rigidly secured
to the vibratory part, a helical coil of spring wire contracted at one ond and
engaged with the exterior of said tubular stud and a continuous cushion inclosing
said coil.
5. A device for absorbing vibration comprising a double ended thimble, one end
of which forms a tubular stud adapted to be expanded into outwardly flaring form
and the other end of which forms an attaching device adapted to be expanded or
contracted into rigid engagement with the vibratory part, a helical coil of spring
wire having the form of an oval within one end of which said tubular stud is
expanded and a continuous cushioning covering inclosing said coil and supporting
stud.
6. A device for absorbing vibration comprising a double ended thimble each and
of which is split longitudinally for a portion of its length, a coil of spring wire one
end of which is engaged with one of the thimble ends, a continuous elastic covering
enveloping said coil and means for expanding both thimble ends, one within said
coil and the other within any suitable socket on the vibratory part, substantially as
described.
7. A device for absorbing vibration comprising a double ended thimble each end
of which is split longitudinally for a portion of its length, a coil of spring wire one
end of which is engaged with one of tho thimble ends, a continuous elastic covering
enveloping said coil, and means for simultaneously expanding both thimble ends,
one within said coil and the other within any suitable socket on the vibratory
part, comprising a conical or flaring end within one part of the thimble, a conical
or flaring washer within the other part of the thimble, and a screw bolt or head
which engages said washer and the stem of which engages said end, substantially
as described.
8. The combination with a bicycle frame and the part to be supported thereon,
of elastic supporting means comprising an open coiled wire frame rigidly attached
at one end to the machine frame and at its opposite end to the part to be supported,
said spring having its central axis disposed transversely with respect to the
direction in which pressure is applied to the part to be supported, and a mass of
yielding material enveloping said spring both externally and interiorly.
9. The combination with the main supporting frame of the bicycle, of means for
supporting the seat of the saddle, comprising a stud upon said supporting frame, an
elongated open coiled wire spring rigidly connected at one ond with said stud and
connected at its other end with the suddle seat, and a homogeneous of rubber
enveloping said spring both externally and interiorly.

page_text: 10. The combination with one of the main supporting bars of a bicycle frame
having at its end a tubular socket, of means for supporting the seat of the saddle
comprising a hollow tubular stud secured in said socket, an elongated oval coiled
spring within one end of which the tubular stud is expanded, means for connecting
the opposite end of the coil with the seat of the saddle, and a mass of rubber
enveloping the coil, both externally and interiorly.
11. A bicycle seat frame comprising a contrul frame member provided with a
plurality of divergent arms, an elongated open coiled wire spring upon ono eud of
each of said arms arranged to extend in prolongation of the latter, and an outer
frame supported upon the outer ends of said coils.
12. A bicycle seat frame comprising a central frame member provided with a
plurality of divergent arms, each provided at its end with a rigid stud, an elongated
oval coiled wire spring mounted upon each of said studs and arranged to extend in
prolongation of the arm, and an outer frame supported upon the outer ends of said
coiled spring.
Dated this 19th day of August 1896
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.