Improvements in and relating to the Steering or Guiding Mechanism of Bicycles and Tricycles.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Dec., 1888
Complete Specification Left. 17th Sept., 1889-Accepted, 2nd Nov.,
1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to the Steering or Guiding Mechanism
of Bicycles and Tricycles.
I, JAMES BROXUP of Plumbe Street, Burnley, in the County of Lancaster, Watch-
maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates more particularly to the steering mechanism of bicycles.
In ordinary bicycles the projecting arms or guide handles at the forepart of the
machine are found to be a source of great danger to the rider, as for instance when he is
pitched forward over his machine, as frequently occurs, he is unavoidably thrown upon
his face, the guide armis or handles preventing him from alighting on his feet, as
would be the case if the projecting guide arms were removed.
I am perfectly aware that attempts have been made to remedy this defect, such as
having the arms jointed, so that in the event of the rider being carried over his
pass. This
machine, the arms are capable of closing to allow the rider to
arrangement
has been discarded as being insufficiently sensitive for steering.
My invention consists essentially in the employment of an arm or steering handle
on each side of the machine, occupying a position to the rear of the rider. These
arms or handles are preferably attached to short sido shafts, which move in bearings
secured to the guide fork or other part of the steering mechanism.
To each sido shaft, at its fore end, is attached another guide arm, which is horizou-
tally disposed, whilst the one at the rear is in a depressed position to allow the rider
to mount his machine. After steadying himself, he releases a lock or detent, when
the fore arm or handle immediately drops to a position parallel with the foro wheel,
bringing the rear arm or handle to a horizontal position in readiness to be seized by
the rider, as a means of guiding and steering his machine, froo from obstruction,
in front.
THOS. RICHMOND,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to the Steering or Guiding Mechanism
of Bicycles and Tricycles.
I, JAMES BROXUP of Plumbe Street, Burnley, in the County of Lancaster, Watch-
maker, 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 consists essentially in the employment of an arm or steering handle
on each side of the machine, occupying a position to the rear of the rider. These
arms or handles are preferably attached to short side shafts, which move in bearings
secured to the guide-fork or other part of the steering mechanism..
To the fore-end of each side shaft another guide or steer arm is attached, which is
horizontally disposed, whilst the one to the rear is in a depressed position, to allow the
rider to mount the machine.
After steadying himself, he then releases a lock or detent, when the fore arms or
handles immediately drop to a position one on each side of the fore wheel, bringing
the rear arms or handles to a horizontal position on each side of the machine in
readiness to be seized by the rider as a means of guiding or steering his machine, free
from obstruction in front.

page_text: And in order that my invention may be properly understood and readily carried
into practical effect, I have hereunto attached the accompanying sheet of drawings,
marked with figures and letters of reference; the same letters referring to the same
parts in the various views and figures. Fig. 1 is a plan view of a bicycle constructed
in accordance with my invention, in which view is represented the front handles as
being locked in position, and with the rear handles depressed in readiness for the
"
mount."
Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively front and end elovations, shewing the guide or
steering handles in the same position. Fig. 4 is an end elevation representing the
position of the handles as being reverso to Figs. 2 and 3. A and B represent the front
and rear wheels, the latter supporting one end of the backbone C. The other end of
the backbone is jointed or pivotted to guide fork D and carries saddlo E.
The lower extremities of the fork D'are provided with bearings, in which works the
arbor of the wheel A having pedals F, by which the machine is actuated. The parts
above enumerated are old and well understood, and form no part of my invention.
My improvements embrace several new and additional devices which are particularly
applicable to that class of bicycles known as the "ordinary," which is acknowledged
to be the most graceful of all the rest of the tribe. It requires little power for its
propulsion; and on account of his elevation, the ridor has not only the advantage of
being removed out of the atmosphere of dust with which he may be surrounded, but
he he is afforded a better opportunity of enjoying any picturesque or beautiful scenery
ho may meet with in his travels. But this machine with all its advantages is to a great
extent discarded on account of the many serious accidents in the shape of a "header"
"cropper" to which the rider is liable with his machine, and the results of which
are always disastrous and in many cases are fatal; whilst the machine is invariably
damaged to such an extent as to require most expensive repairs.
or
My improvements are designed to remove these serious and objectionable features
in the ordinary and to render it the safest and most reliable as well as the most rational
of all bicycles.
I would here observe that I am perfectly aware that fixed rear handles have previ-
ously been applied for racing purposes when at such times the rider is lifted upon his
machine; but it will be obvious that the same could not be used for ordinary purposes,
as they would prevent the rider from mounting his machine. I prefer to use in
addition to the rear handles G and H, front handles I and J secured to side shafts G¹
and G which project through and work in bearings H¹ and H³, fixed near the bend
of the fork D. These side shafts also serve the purpose of mud-guards.
When in position for mounting or steering, the two front handles are made to abut
against each other or against stops I' and J¹ of the said handle-bars, to render them
more rigid whilst spring lever K is jointed to one handlebar, and has a hole at one
end inade to slip over on a pin on the other bar, so as to join and secure the two
handle bars rigidly together.
The rear handles & and H may be in continuity with their respective shafts G¹
and G³, and bent to the desired angle, as seen on the drawings; or, they may be
arranged in any suitable manner so as to be placed in and out of position at the will
and pleasure of the rider, and so as to be capable of passing with the wheel A under
backbone (.
A lock may be used, if desired, to secure the front handles to the side of the
machine when not in use, consisting of slide sheet mattached to vertical wire m³,
which terminates in a button above, and in a line parallel with the guide-fork D. This
slide-piece is raised by the button to allow the handle to assume a position parallel
with the fork, when the slide piece m is then dropped so as to lock the handle in the
manner seen in Fig. 2. It will be evident that only one slide piece will be required,
as the locked handle bar overlaps the other as seen in Fig. 4, so that both are secured
by the same means. In this view, the rear handles are represented as being in position
for steering or guiding the machine, with no obstruction in front in the shape of
haudles. The rider may thus proceed on his journey with the utmost confidence and

page_text: safety, knowing that if from any unforseen circumstances he should be thrown from
his machine, he will alight upon his feet instead of upon his head, as is the nsual case
with the "ordinary."
I would observe that the rider may prevent himself from being thrown from his
machine if he so desires to do, at any time by simply bearing up firmly the rear
handles so as to draw himself more firmly into the saddle, when no obstacle in front of
the wheel can possibly overturn the machine. Another important advantage of the
rear handles is that the foot rests n may be used. The brake lever o in this arrange-
ment is preferably jointed to one of the rear handles and connected by wire R to
brake P, this arrangement adapting itself without interfering with the brako when
raising or lowering the handles at the rear.
In dismounting from this machine the easiest and safest method is to apply the
brake so that the machine may carry the rider over the front, instead of at the side of
the machine as is usually practised.
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
I claim is :-
1. The employment of rear guide or steer handles, substantially as described and
illustrated.
2. The combination of front and rear guide handles, substantially as described and
illustrated.
3. The general arrangement and combination of the various parts of the steering
mechanism of a bicycle, substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 16th day of September 1889.
THUS. RICHMOND,
Agent for the Applicant.