A NEW OR IMPROVED SPRING HEAD FOR VELOCOPIDES to be as follows
Year: 1884

page_text: HORACE JAMES Iron 103 Division St Sheffield and GEORGE ROBINSON Wheel-
wright 93 Milton St Sheffield do hereby declare the nature of our invention for
"
A NEW OR IMPROVED SPRING HEAD FOR VELOCOPIDES to be as follows:-
<<
In the mode we adopt in applying conical shaped spiral springs to velocopides
in the following manner and in order to explain more clearly we submit drawing
with Fig 1. showing spring in position encased and Fig 2. the exterior of spring box
with spring enclosed. In order to apply our improvement the spindle A. above the
fork B. is made in two thicknesses in order to form the bearing for the spring at E.
Over the thin part of the spindle at D. we slide on the lower part of the Box F with
the backbone G attached. This part of the box is so constructed to easily slide
telescopocally up and down the Spindle at A. We then slide on over the Spindle
at D the Conical Shaped Spiral Spring C. which is made to rest upon the bearing
at E. We then slide over the Spindle at D. the top part of the Box H. which has a
female thread turned on its inner side at I. which thread corresponds and fits over
the male thread turned outside the top edge of Box at J. so that when screw'd
together completely encases the Spring Č. which being on the bearing E allows the
Box to work telescopically up and down as aforesaid. Above the Box F. H. we
leave the top part of the Spindle square at D. to admit of the Handle K being
fastened thereon thus in keeping with our Improvement. It will doubtless be seen
that when the weight of the rider is brought to bear on the Machine the Spring in
consequence is acting direct from the axles of the Wheels the following advantages
being thus gained:
1st In reducing the vibration or jarring when in action to a minimum being a
great relief to the rider and also in reducing the wear and tear of the wheels,
thereby lessening the danger of accidents.
2ndly The facility with which the wheels can be reversed or changed round which
can be effected momentarilly.
3rdly Simplicity of construction whereby the springs can be readilly taken in or
out of the box to suit the conveniences for changing them to suit the weight of

page_text: different riders also in the strength and utility gained at much less cost than is now
the case.
Having now described the nature of our Invention we know that spindles and
springs are not new in the manufacture of these machines, but what we say is new
and therefore claim as our invention is as follows
1st The particular mode we adopt in applying the Conical Shaped Spiral Springs
as set forth and described so as to work telescopically up and down the spindles of
velocopides bicycles & tricycles.
2ndly The particular mode in which we encase the Spring by the box as set forth
and described.

page_text: We, HORACE JAMES of 103 Division Street Sheffield, Ironmonger and GEORGE
ROBINSON, of 47 Radford Place, Sheffield, Engineer both in the County of York, do
hereby declare the nature of our Invention for "A NEW OR IMPROVED SPRINGHEAD
FOR VELOCIPEDES" and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:--
It consists in forming the spindle of the front fork in such a manner as to enable
us to place thereon a properly protected conical spiral spring which shall support
the backbone of the vehicle and so diminish the wear and tear and prevent any jar
which the wheels may receive from reaching and inconveniencing the rider.
We accomplish this in the following manner:-
We form the upper part of the spindle of a narrower diameter than the lower
part, leaving by this means a projection or shoulder. The conical spiral spring is
made so as to fit loosely over the thinner part of the spindle and when fixed in
position is supported from its lower end by the projection or shoulder.
Over this we slide a box or tube which is made of such a size as to slide easily
up and down upon the thicker end of the spindle; to the side of this tube is
attached in any convenient manner the backbone or mainstay of the velocipede
Upon this first box or tube is fastened by means of a screw-thread another box or
tube which encloses the upper part of the spiral spring and forms in conjunction
with it a complete case the upper end of which rests upon the top end of the
spring and the lower end slides upon the thicker part of the spindle in the manner
of a telescope.
In order that the foregoing may be better understood we send herewith a sheet
of Drawings.
In this Figs 1 and 2 show outside views of the apparatus in two forms and
Figs 3 and 4 sections of the same In all the Figs a indicates the spindle 6 the
projection or shoulder c the conical spiral spring d the lower half of the box or
tube e the upper half of the box or tube and f the backbone of the velocipede.
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
1st The springhead of a velocipede constructed substantially as described and
shown herein before and in the accompanying Drawing.
2nd The use of a conical spiral spring encased in a tube or box for the purpose
set forth.
3rd The use of a spindle of two diameters for the purpose set forth.