Improvements in Velocipedes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Mar., 1897-Accepted, 7th Aug., 1897
Improvements in Velocipedes.
I, CHARLES EDGAR Fox, of 1611 4th Street, S.E., Minneapolis, County of
Hinnenin, and State of Minnesota, in the United States of America; locomotive
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 relates to improvements in velocipedes, and it has for its general
cbject to provide a velocipede in which the crank shaft and the rider's seat are
connected together and supported by a spring in or on the main frame in such
manner that they will move together with respect to the main frame when the
machine is travelling over a rough road and will thereby prevent the jolting
from being imparted to the rider and at the same time will enable the rider to
keep his feet upon the pedals without difficulty.
Another object of the invention is to provide a velocipede embodying the con-
struction above described and means whereby, when desired, the rider's seat and
the crank shaft hanger may be quickly and easily fixed with respect to the main
frame.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully understood from the
following description and claims when taken in conjunction with the accompany
ing drawing, in which:
Fig. 1, is a side elevation of a bicycle embodying my improvements with parts
removed and other parts illustrated by dotted lines: the improvements being
illustrated in the position they assume when the weight of a rider is imposed on
the saddle.
Fig. 2, is an enlarged detail section with parts in elevation, illustrating the
crank shaft hanger, the rear post or upright of the frame, the seat post and the
cushioning spring, and showing the movable parts in the position they assume
when the weight of a rider is imposed on the saddle.
Figs. 3 and 4, are detail sections taken in the planes indicated by the lines a, a,
and y, y, respectively of Fig. 12, and:
Fig. 5, comprises detail perspective views of the lower portion of the rear post
or upright of the frame and the crank shaft hanger.
i
In the said drawing similar numerals designate corresponding parts in all of
the views referring to which:
1, indicates the frame of a bicycle which may in general be of the ordinary
form and construction, and 2, indicates the rear post or upright of the frame.
This post or upright 2, may be connected to the bars 3 and 4, of the frame in
the ordinary or any improved manner and its upper end is closed by the cap 5,
which is designed for the passage of the seat post 6, and is provided with a screw 7,
designed to engage said post 6, as will be presently described.
8, indicates the crank shaft hanger of the machine. This hanger 8, is provided
with the upwardly extending portion 9; and this portion 9, which takes into the
lower end of the hollow or tubular upright 2, is provided with a groove or

page_text: grooves 10, (see Figure 4) and is also provided in its upper end with the interiorly
threaded socket 11, as better shown in Fig. 2. The grooves 10, of the hanger
portion 9, receive the guides or dowel pins 12, of the hollow upright 2, which
are designed to permit vertical movement of the hanger and its portion 9, and
yet hold the saine against turning in the upright. The interiorly threaded
socket 11, of the hanger portion 9, is designed to receive the lower threaded end
of the post 6, as shown in Figure 2. This connertion of the post 6, and hanger
portion 9, is provided in order that the tension of the spring 13, may be readily
regulated to suit the machine to persons of different weights, such regulation of
the spring being effected by turning the post in one direction or the other while
the hanger 8, is in its highest position, that is to say bearing against the lower end
of the tubular upright 2.
The spring 13, surrounds the post 6, within the upright 2, and is interposed
between an enlargement 14, on the post and a ledge or partition 15, in the said
upright 2, whereby it will be seen that it will take up all jolting and jar incident
to the machine passing over a rough road and will efficiently cushion the rider
mounted on the seat 16, secured to the angular portion 17, of the post 6. Said
spring is, is designed and adapted to normally hold the post 6, in a raised position
and the hanger 8, against the lower end of the tubular upright 2. While the
spring 1, serves efficiently to cushion the rider, it will be seen that in virtue of
the connection between the rider's seat and the crank shaft hanger the said
hanger and the seat will move in concert with respect to the frame 1, and there-
for the rider will have no difficulty in keeping his feet upon the pedals while
travelling
mugh. This is an important advantage and renders my
improved machine superior to those mahine in which the crank shaft hunger
is fixed with respect to the frame and in which the movements of the spring
supported seat render it very difficult for a rider to keep his feet upon the pedals
while passing over a rough road.
In order to permit vertical movement of the post 6, and yet hold it against
turning, I previde the longitudinal grooves 18, in the said post 6, which receives the
screw 7, before described. This screw 7, may be tightened when desirable so
as to fix the post 6, and consequently the crank shaft hanger and the rider's
seat 16, with respect to the frame.
It will be seen from the foregoing, that while my improvements serve effectually
to cushion a rider and at the same time enable him to keep his feet on the pedals
without difficulty, they are very simple and inexpensive and therefore will add
but little to the cost of the machine.
While I have described my improvements as embodied in a safety bicycle, I
do not desire to be understood as limiting myself to such embodiment or application
of the invention as the improvements may be employed to advantage in all kinds
of velocipedes. I also do not desire to be understood as limiting myself to the
employment of a spring as my suitable cushion may be used to take up the
jolting and jar incident to the machine passing over rough roads. I further
do not desire to be understood as confining myself to the specific construction
and arrangement of parts described as such changes or modifications may be made
in practice as fairly fall within the scope of my invention.
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 In a velocipede, the combination of a frame having a hollow upright, a
shaft hanger movable with respect to the frame and having a portion arranged
in the lollow upright and provided with a threaded socket in its upper end, a post
having its lower end threaded and inserted in the threaded socket, of the hanger,
a seat supported by said post and a spring arranged in the hollow upright and
interposed between a projection on the post and a projection on said upright,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

page_text: 2-In a velocipede, the combination of a frame having a hollow upright, a
shaft hanger movable with respect to the frame and having a portion arranged
in the hollow upright, a post, a seat supported by said post and a spring arranged
in the hollow upright and interposed between a projection on the post and a pro-
jection on said upright; the said post being adjustably connected with the hanger
whereby the tension of the spring may be regulated, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
.
3-In a velocipede, the combination of a frame having a hollow upright, a
shaft hanger movable with respect to the frame and having a portion arranged
in the hollow upright and provided with a threaded socket in its upper end, a
post having its lower end threaded and inserted in the socket of the hanger and
also having a longitudinal groove; said post being designed to carry a seat, an
adjustable guide carried by the frame and extending into the groove of the post,
and a spring arranged in the upright and interposed between a projection on
the post and a projection on the upright, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
Dated thin 04h
100%
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.