IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BICYCLES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry John Lawson, of Brighton, in the County of
Sussex, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
OF BICYCLES."
Sealed the 8th September 1877, and dated the 10th March 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry John Lawson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th March 1877.
HENRY JOHN LAWSON, of Brighton, in the County of Sussex, Engineer.
PROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BICYCLES."
" IM-
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction of bicycles, and has
reference more particularly to that class of bicycle known as "safety bicycles," for
which Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of June 1876, No.
2649, were granted to John Likeman and myself.
Bicycles constructed according to this Invention are rendered much stronger than
and possess great advantages as compared with those constructed in the usual
manner.
In order to strengthen the backbone, and to render the same more rigid, an
additional bar or bars is or are provided beneath the same, and extend backwards
from the axis upon which the fork carrying the front wheel oscillates or turns to the
inverted T piece (which forms the axis of the treadle levers), to which one end of
the bar or bars is attached. The backbone is lengthened and made to project
beyond the top of the large wheel, suitable stays and supports being provided at
convenient distances from each other for the purpose of strengthening the frame
and of rendering the inverted T pieces more rigid; a rod by preference having the
form of an inverted Ṭ piece is made to slide in or upon the backbone, and which rod
when lowered maintains the machine in an upright position.
When desired a second seat may be attached to the backbone (which is lengthened
as herein-before described) at that part of the same which projects behind the
machine suitable levers are provided to be worked either by the hands or feet of the

page_text: additional rider thus seated at the back of the machine, the said levers working
upon the crank or cranks and assisting in the propulsion of the machine.
The necessity of providing the machine with two saddles or seats as described in
the Specification of the before-mentioned Invention is obviated by constructing one
scat in such a manner that it can be raised or lowered at the discretion of the rider
while the machine is in motion, suitable catches being fitted thereto for the purpose
of firmly fixing the same at any desired height.
In order to assist the rider to mount or to alight from the machine, rods of
suitable strength to allow of his stepping upon them are firmly attached to different
parts thereof, guards are also provided to prevent the rider being splashed with
inud, such guards being also utilised for the more convenient carriage of luggage.
Cranks working and turning upon axes below the rider are so arranged as to
enable him to actuate the propelling mechanism by means of the rotary motion of
his feet instead of by the up-and-down motion of the levers as described in the
Specification of the before-mentioned Invention.
The ends of the forks are so constructed that the journals of the wheels aro
made to turn and revolve upon a series of rollers (by preference three in number)
running upon centres, and are rendered adjustable by means of side screws.
whole of such bearings consisting of two parts or halves.
Tho
In the case of three rollers being employed the upper part is made to contain
two, and the lower part one. Other classes of roller bearings are adjusted by
decreasing the sides of the circle upon which the rollers rnu, and thus causing the
latter to run upon a conical surface which is adjustable. This construction of
bearing is applicable to the bearings of all bicycle wheels.
The connecting rods and stays of the machine are by preference formed of hollow
steel tubing with solid extremities.
My Invention further consists in the construction of a brake, whereby by exercising
the pressure of either or both thumbs the brake power will be put on the hind
wheel, and by increasing the pressure the brake power will also be applied to the
front wheel. A scrow is provided for the purpose of regulating the relative pressure
of the two, so that that of the front wheel may be increased in power, and that of the
hand wheel decreased, or vice versa.
The construction of the said brake, which is applicable to all constructions of
bicycles, is as follows:-A piece of metal having the form of a curl or wedge, and
on one side of which the pressure of the thumb is exerted instead of on the brako
itself, is made to turn loosely on the handle, and to fall between the latter and the
brako. The said piece of metal is tapered at such an angle as to permit of its being
forced out by the return pressure of the brake when relieved by the removal of
the thumb. One portion thereof is so formed as to completely fill the intermediate
space between the handle or brako, and to remain in that position until it is caused 4
to return by a backward pressure of the thumb.
The above described improvements in the construction of brakes can be rendered
available for the hind wheels of bicycles as ordinarily constructed by the employ-
ment of a strap or cord, or the hind wheel may be provided with an ordinary skid
which, on its being desired to employ the same, is allowed to descend into position 4
by reason of its own weight, and when desired can be placed out of gear, as will be
well understood by persons conversant with like mechanism.
The rake of the front fork of bicycles as ordinarily constructed is inade adjustable
by altering the position of the hind wheel, so as to enable the rider to raise or lower
the back part of the machine while riding.
The height of the seat of such bicycles is when desired made adjustable, and can
be, together with its spring, lowered or raised by the rider on turning the handle
of the machine, the seat and spring being thereby caused to slide upon the backbone.
5

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry John Lawson, of Brighton, in the County of
Sussex, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
OF BICYCLES."
Sealed the 8th September 1877, and dated the 10th March 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry John Lawson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th March 1877.
HENRY JOHN LAWSON, of Brighton, in the County of Sussex, Engineer.
"IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BICYCLES."
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction of bicycles, and has
reference more particularly to that class of bicycle known as "safety bicycles," for
which Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of June 1876, No.
2649, were granted to John Likeman and myself.
Bicycles constructed according to this Invention are rendered much stronger than
and possess great advantages as compared with those constructed in the usual
manner.
In order to strengthen the backbone, and to render the same more rigid, an
additional bar or bars is or are provided beneath the same, and extend backwards
from the axis upon which the fork carrying the front wheel oscillates or turns to the
inverted T piece (which forms the axis of the treadle levers), to which one end of
the bar or bars is attached. The backbone is lengthened and made to project
beyond the top of the large wheel, suitable stays and supports being provided at
convenient distances from each other for the purpose of strengthening the frame
and of rendering the inverted T picces more rigid; a rod by preference having the
form of an inverted T piece is made to slide in or upon the backbone, and which rod'
when lowered maintains the machine in an upright position.
When desired a second seat may be attached to the backbone (which is lengthened
as hercin-before described) at that part of the same which projects behind the
machine suitable levers are provided to be worked either by the hands or feet of the

page_text: additional rider thus seated at the back of the machine, the said levers working
upon the crank or cranks and assisting in the propulsion of the machine.
The necessity of providing the machine with two saddles or seats as described in
the Specification of the before-mentioned Invention is obviated by constructing one
seat in such a manner that it can be raised or lowered at the discretion of the rider
while the machine is in motion, suitable catches being fitted thereto for the purpose
of firmly fixing the same at any desired height.
In order to assist the rider to mount or to alight from the machine, rods of
suitable strength to allow of his stepping upon them are firmly attached to different
parts thereof, guards are also provided to prevent the rider being splashed with
mud, such guards being also utilised for the more convenient carriage of luggage.
Cranks working and, turning upon axes below the rider are so arranged as to
enable him to actuate the propelling mechanism by means of the rotary motion of
his feet, instead of by the up-and-down motion of the levers as described in the
Specification of the before-mentioned Invention.
The ends of the forks are so constructed that the journals of the wheels are
made to turn and revolve upon a series of rollers (by preference three in number)
running upon centres, and are rendered adjustable by means of side screws.
whole of such bearings consisting of two parts or halves.
The
In the case of three rollers being employed the upper part is made to contain
two, and the lower part one. Other classes of roller bearings are adjusted by
decreasing the sides of the circle upon which the rollers run, and thus causing the
latter to run upon a conical surface which is adjustable. This construction of
bearing is applicable to the bearings of all bicycle wheels.
The connecting rods and stays of the machine are by preference formed of hollow.
steel tubing with solid extremities.
My Invention further consists in the construction of a brake, whereby by exercising
the pressure of either or both thumbs the brake power will be put on the hind
wheel, and by increasing the pressure the brake power will also be applied to the
front wheel. A screw is provided for the purpose of regulating the relative pressure
of the two, so that that of the front wheel may be increased in power, and that of the
hand wheel decreased, or vice versa.
The construction of the said brake, which is applicable to all constructions of
bicycles, is as follows:-A piece of metal having the form of a curl or wedge, and
on one side of which the pressure of the thumb. is exerted instead of on the brake
itself, is made to turn loosely on the handle, and to fall between the latter and the
brake. The said piece of metal is tapered at such an angle as to permit of its being
forced out by the return pressure of the brake when relieved by the removal of
the thumb. One portion thereof is so formed as to completely fill the intermediato
space between the handle or brake, and to remain in that position until it is caused
to return by a backward pressure of the thumb.
The above described improvements in the construction of brakes can be rendered
available for the hind wheels of bicycles as ordinarily constructed by the employ
ment of a strap or cord, or the hind wheel may be provided with an ordinary skid
which, on its being desired to employ the same, is allowed to descend into position
by reason of its own weight, and when desired can be placed out of gear, as will be
well understood by persons conversant with like mechanism.
The rake of the front fork of bicycles as ordinarily constructed is made adjustable
by altering the position of the hind wheel, so as to enable the rider to raise or lower
the back part of the machine while riding.
The height of the seat of such bicycles is when desired made adjustable, and can
be, together with its spring, lowered or raised by the rider on turning the handle
of the machine, the seat and spring being thereby caused to slide upon the backbone.