Improvements in and relating to Velocipedes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Jan., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 6th Oct., 1896-Accepted, 21st Nov., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Velocipedes.
I, ACHILLE BUGNON of No. 19, Rue de Suez, Paris, in the French Republic,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to apply to cycles, tandems and the like, direct
and controllable means of suspension, so as to enable them to yield to, or accom-
modate, any differences in the level of the road, or other impediments the machine
may have to overcome without the resulting concussion being in any way felt by
the rider. The improved suspending device also enables pneumatic tyres to he
altogether dispensed with.
In carrying the invention into practice the saddle tube, to which are connected
the other tubes of the frame carries at its upper part a bushing or socket adapted
to receive the cupped portions of the tubes of the existing cycle frame, through
the medium of two projections or bosses of suitable shape. The saddle tube at
its top part, is invariably connected to a slide which also serves, on that side, for
the attachment of the stay tubes.
The slide wherein it is necessary that the pedal mechanism should be capable of
displacement, is formed of two parts so as to facilitate the insertion of the movable
pedal arrangement.
The bushing of the saddle tube is suitably recessed, so that it may receive a
spiral spring wound about the saddle rod. The lower part of such spring rests
upon the shoulder of the said bushing. At the upper part, the said spring is retained
by the piston which also surrounds the saddle rod and is adapted to slide within a
bushing or socket; screws preventing the piston from turning on the said rod,
while, owing to the provision of grooves, the said bushing may be shifted
longitudinally upon such piston.
The piston is provided at its upper part with two pivot pins adapted to receive
the divided or broken links, adapted to act by traction and enabling the initial
tension of the spring to be regulated or controlled by means of coupling sleeves
or clutches.
The links or draw-bars are pivoted on the opposite side to two compressing
or tightening collars forming part of the pedal arrangement. These collars are
each provided with two ears or lugs, the upper of which are constructed to
receive the said links or draw-bars, while the lower ones serve for the reception
of the directing or steering links also forming part of the movable pedal
arrangement. In order to guide the pedals also in the upward direction as they
slide within the slide the pedal mechanism is provided with a circular base or
cheek on each side.
According to the length of the cyclist's legs, the saddle rod is inserted into the
piston more or less, and then secured in place by means of the tightening nut.
When this has been done the height or vertical distance between the saddle and
the pedals will remain constant.
Similarly, the spring may be compressed at the start more or less according
to the weight of the cyclist's body, by means of sleeves; while the tightening
nut enables the bushing, piston and saddle rod to be securely connected together
at will.
The diaphragms of indiarubber or other flexible material are arranged so as to

page_text: cover the slide and protect it from dust and mud. The slide and pedal arrangement
may moreover be enclosed in a case filled with oil.
In addition to this suspension device for the saddle, as above described, there
may also be provided means for suspending the handle bar.
The tube which receives the fork of the steering wheel terminates in a bushing
or sleeve at the top, wherein a spiral spring is located.
The spring is arranged to be compressed by the pressure of the piston, forming
part of, or connected to the handle bar rod.
The cyclist riding a bicycle fitted with this improved device is thus at liberty to
utilize the flexibility of his saddle or of the handle bar, at pleasure; all he is
required to do for the purpose being to tighten the nuts which establish the entire
connection between the pistons and the bushings. The position of the frame or
backbone in all cases remains stationary since the suspension devices are entirely
independent of it.
This suspension device may be applied also to all other machines provided with
pedal mechanism.
Dated this 6th day of Januar 1896
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in and relating to Velocipedes.
I, ACHILLE BUGNON, of 19 Rue de Suez, Paris, 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 :-
My invention has for its object a system of suspension applicable to bicycles,
tricycles, tandems, and the like, provided with a pedal mechanism, and by which
system the shocks received by the wheels and due to changes in the level of the
ground or other changes in the level are not experienced by the cyclist. The
latter is suspended upon the frame in a certain manner so that the distance from
the saddle to the ground remains constaut despite the changes in the level of the
wheels and of the frame. For this purpose the saddle is rigidly connected to the
pedal shaft, and the latter is movable relatively to the frame. A spring of desired
tension is interposed between the saddle and the frame. It will now be understood
that if one of the wheels is abruptly subjected to a change in its proper level, the
frame being displaced with it in a vertical plane, the action is transmitted to the
suspension spring which is either compressed or lengthened, but the saddle does
not move. In this movement the franie is displaced relatively to the pedal shaft
which has also remained fixed in height. Therefore no shock will be transmitted
by the saddle and none by the pedals; the handle bar being suspended in a similar
manner no shock is transmitted to the armis.
In a machine furnished with my suspension device the pneumatic tyres may be
dispensed with without any inconvenience.
In the accompanying drawing I have represented two modes of construction of
my direct and adjustable suspension device applied to a bicycle.
Figures 1 to 4 relate to the first arrangement, and Figures 5 to 7 to the
second.
Figure 1 is an elevation of a bicycle provided with my improvements.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through the axis of the suspension device.
Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 1-2 of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a partial horizontal section of Figure 2, taken on the line 3-4 of
Figure 2.

page_text: Figure 5 is an elevation of a bicycle furnished with a modified form of
suspension device.
Figure 6 is a longitudinal section of the same.
Figure 7 is an horizontal section taken on the line 7-8 of Figure 6.
Figure 8 is a slightly modified form of the second arrangement represented in
Figures 5 to 7.
Referring to Figures 1 to 4 the saddle tube a carries at its upper part a box f
receiving by means of two bosses the end of the tubes bb' of the frame of the
machine; at its lower part the tube a is invariably connected to a slide g which
also serves as an attachment on this side to the tubes c and i¹ of the frame.
The slide g in which the pedal shaft p can be displaced is formed of two parts
for enabling this movable pedal shaft to enter. As to the box f of the saddle
tube a it is appropriately hollowed out so as to receive a helical spring r wound
about the saddle rod j; this spring bears at its lower part upon the shoulder a' of
At its upper part the spring is held by the piston k which also surrounds
the saddle rod; and slides in the interior of the box f; screws prevent the
piston from turning upon the rod j, while permitting, owing to the groove,
the longitudinal displacement of the box upon the piston.
The piston is furnished at its upper part with two pivots m m receiving two
connecting rods n in two parts, which serve for traction and permit the initial
regulation of the tension of the spring by means of coupling sleeves ²²,
Figures 1 and 3.
These traction rods n n are articulated at the other extremity to two tightening
collars o o of the pedal shaft. The collars o o are provided each with two lugs;
the upper lags receive the traction rods n n, and the lower ones Figure 3 the
direction rods yy of the movable pedal shaft p; moreover, for guiding this polal
shaft upwards in its displacement in the slide y it has been provided on either
side with a circular cheek or shoulder p.
According to the length of the legs of the cyclist the saddle rod j is more or less.
let into the piston k. then fixed in its place by means of the tightening nut ;
thence the height taken between the saddle and the pedals is constant.
In like manner I compress in the first place the spring r according to the weight
of the cyclist by means of the sleeves n' n'.
Lastly a fixing uut enables the box f, the piston k and the saddle rod ; to be
firmly connected at will.
Two diaphragms w, of leather, rubber or other flexible material, cover the
slide y and protect it from dust and dirt. This slide and the pedal shaft may
moreover be located in a box filled with oil.
In addition to the suspension device for the saddle thus arranged I provide a
suspension device for the handle bar as shown in Figure 2. The tube receiving
the fork of the front wheel terminates at its upper part in a box in which a helical
spring is located.
The flexion of the spring takes place by the pressure of the piston
with the rod of the handle bar.
connected
With a bicycle of this improved kind the cyclist may at his option not utilize
the flexion of the saddle and of the handle bar: it is sufficient for him to tighten
the muts and Figures 1 and 2 which connect the pistons and 3 with the
boxes and . The position of the frame remains fixed, the suspension device
being independent of this frame.
In Figures 5 to 7 I represent a modification by which the pedal shaft is guided
laterally in a better manner and prevents the toothed wheel, with which the chain
engages, from becoming distorted or warped.
The tubes of the fraune are rigidly connected to a box A. The parallel sides of
the latter form bearings for the shaft 1 upon which the chain wheel 2 is keyed.
This shaft is thus perfectly held laterally, but it becomes connected with the frame.
It cannot therefore carry directly the driving cranks, because the shaft of these
cranks or pedal sbaft must be movable with regard to the frame.

page_text: I arrange in the box A and parallel to its faces a plate 4 in the cavities of which
are secured three cups 5, 6, 7. The cup 5 is traversed by the shaft 8 which is
prolonged to the outside of the box A and carries the cranks 9 and 10 keyed upon
its extremities; the cup 7 is traversed by the shaft 1 of the chain wheel. Lastly
the cup 6 serves as a single bearing for an intermediate shaft 11 placed in the
box A and which has keyed upon it a cylindrical gear wheel 12.
The wheel 12
engages constantly with two other wheels 13 and 14 mounted upon the shafts 8 and 1
so as to transmit the rotary movement of the pedal shaft to the shaft upon which
the chain wheel 2 is keyed, and consequently to the driving wheel of the bicycle.
Each of the parallel faces of the box A is notched in accordance with a circular
groove or slot 15 having its centre upon the shaft 1 and whose radius is equal to
the distance of the shafts 1 and 8.
If with this arrangement the frame undergoes a vertical displacement the box is
raised or lowered with it, and also the shaft 1, but the shaft. 8 remains fixed in
height and slides without friction in the grooves or slots 15. At the same time a
slight oscillating movement of the plate 4 will take place, and consequently of the
shafts 8 and 11 about the shaft 1.
The remainder of the suspension device is nearly analogous to that previously
set forth. I may however observe that the horizontal or direction rods
Figures 2 and 4, are here useless aud consequently dispensed with.
The shaft & of the pedal is also directly connected to the saddle through the
medium of two traction rods.
The central tube 16 is prolonged so as to receive directly the spring 17 and
carries a stop ring 18, against which this spring bears. The saddle rod 19, adapted
to be adjusted according to the length of the cyclist's legs, is placed in the axis of
the spring and slides in the ring 18. At the desired point it is fixed to the piston 20
which bears constantly upon the spring 17 and can slide in the tube 16. The
rod 21 serves to guide the piston 20 in its displacements relatively to the
frame.
The suspension device for the haudle bar is analogous to that of the saddle.
Upon the rod of handle bar 22 is fixed at the desired point a piston 23 which
compresses a spring 24 placed in the tube 25 and stopped by the stop 26.
I also utilize a handle bar rod 27 connected with the piston 23.
In the modification represented in Figure 8 the suspension spring, instead of
working by compression as in the two modes of construction described, operates by
extension. For this purpose the said spring 28 placed in the tube 29 is fixed by its
upper extremity to this tube, and attached by its lower extremity and through the
medium of a slide 30 and a rod 31 to the shaft 32 which carries the pedals. The
shaft 32 is displaced in the slides 33 of the box A' connected to the frame; it
transmits its rotary movement to the shaft 34 of the chain wheel by means of three
toothed wheels 35, 36 and 37, of which the wheel 36 is carried by an intermediate
shaft 38. The shafts 32, 34 and 38 are held at invariable distances by the
metallic piece 40. The piston 41 in which the saddle rod 42 is fixed, at the desired
point, is connected by the rigid and adjustable rods to the shaft of the pedals and
can slide in the central tube 29 of the frame.
If one of the wheels, and consequently the frame, is raised, the box A' is also
raised, but the shaft 32 remaining at the same height, a traction will be produced
upon the spring 28.
I reserve the right to vary the forms and dimensions of the several parts of my
suspension device and to apply it to the various pedal machines.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. An improved bicycle in which the cyclist is suspended upon the frame so
as uot to recoive any shock resulting from abrupt changes in the level of the wheels,
this bicycle having its pedal shaft independent of the frame and connected rigidly

page_text: and in an adjustable manner to the saddle, which bears upon a suspension spring of
variable and adjustable tension, interposed between this saddle and the frame in
such a manner that the entire effect of the changes in the level of the wheel and of
the frame will compress the suspension spring, but will not cause any change in the
level of the saddle and of the pedal shaft, the latter sliding in a part of the frame
arranged for this purpose and ensuring the guiding of the same, in combination with
a handle bar furnished with an elastic device which connects it to the frame,
substantially as described.
Second. In an improved bicycle according to the first claim the arrangement of
the saddle rod i fixed at the desired height to a piston k which slides in a casing f
fixed to the tubes of the frame and which compresses a belical spring located in
this casing and bearing upon its bottom, this piston being moreover connected, by
two rods n n, which are rigid but adjustable, to the shaft p of the pedal, which is
guided by two horizontal connecting rods gq and which can be displaced in a slide g
rigidly united to the tubes of the frame, in combination with the arrangement of
the handle bar whose rod v' fixed to a piston ³ bears upon a helical spring 2 which
is located in a casing connected to the frame, substantially as described and as
represented in Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings.
Third. In an improved bicycle according to the first claim the arrangement of
the saddle fixed at the desired height to a piston 20 which slides in the central
tube of the frame and compresses a helical spring 17 located in this tube and
bearing upon an interior stop 18, the said piston 20 being inoreover connected by
two rigid and adjustable rods to the shaft of the pedal 8 which can be displaced
in the slots 15 of a box A rigidly united to the tubes of the frame, which pedal
shaft is kept at a constant distance from the shaft 1 of the chain wheel, moving in
the sides of the box A by means of a metallic plate 4 traversed by these two
shafts, and the rotary movement of the shaft 8 being transmitted to the shaft 1 of
the chain wheel by means of three toothed wheels 12, 13, 14 in constant gear,
the one in the middle, 12, turning about an intermediate shaft 11 supported
by the plate 4 substantially as described and as shown in Figures 5 to 6 of the
drawings.
Fourth. In a bicycle according to the first claim the arrangement of the
suspension spring 28 which is fixed by one of its ends to the central tube of the
frame and convected by the other end to the shaft 32 of the pedal, which can
be displaced in the slots 33 of the box A' when the frame is raised, and the pedal
shaft held at a constant distance from the shaft 34 of the chain wheel by a metallic
piece 40, causing the rotation of this shaft 34 by means of a series of three gear
wheels 35, 36, 37, substantially as described and as represented in Figure 8 of the
drawings.
Fifth. In a bicycle according to the first claim a suspended handle bar whose rod
is fixed at the desired height to a piston which slides in the tube of the frame and
compresses the helical spring placed in this tube, in such a manner that any change
in the level of the front wheel is transmitted to the ring through the intervention
of the frame, but does not communicate any shock to the cyclist's arm substantially
as described and as shown more particularly in Figures 1 and 2, 5 and 6 of
the drawings.
Dated this 6th day of October 1896.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.