Improvements in the Construction of Velocipedes and in Bearings therefor.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Nov., 1890-Accepted, 27th Dec., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Velocipedes and in Bearings
therefor.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD ROBERTS of St. James' Square, Bristol, in the County of
Gloucester, Cycle Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in the construction of bicycles, tricycles
and quatuorcycles and velocipedes generally, and a novel method of compounding
bearings, or coupling duplex bearings therefor, whereby I am enabled to provide
moro arms, or carriers radiating from, and connected to said bearings
revolving or oscillating around or upon the same centre, the object of which is to
destroy or reduce vibration, or shock to the rider or riders, when the machine is
passing over obstructions, or undulations placed within the track thereof.
two or
My invention consists, Firstly-in constructing a bearings in such a manner that
the first or direct axle hearing may revolve or oscillate within a fixed bearing, or
the first or direct axle bearing may be a fixed hearing and the outer bearing revolve
or oscillate thereon. Secondly-In arranging the radiating arm or arms from the
fixed bearing in such a manner as to support or carry the seat bearing standard or
other part of the machine, while the arm or arms radiating from either side of the
oscillating or revolving bearing may be used to curry the axle, or bearing of the
driving wheel or wheels and the arm or arms radiating in the opposite direction
may be attached to a spring or springs connected to the back bone or other part of
the frame of the machine. Thirdly-By arranging the bearing or hearings.around,
or oscillating upon the crank axle or driving pedal spindle, commonly known as
the bottom bracket spindle, I am enabled to transmit the power imparted to said
spindle by the driver, or drivers to the hind or driving wheel or wheels by means
of a chain operated by a chain wheel upon the crank axle, and maintain the distance
between the seat of the operator or operators and the revolving or driving spindle,
and the driving spindle and the spindle of the driving wheel, or wheels, always
constant aud invariable, and the manner whereby I attain these ends is hereinafter
fully explained.
In order that my invention and the manner of operating the various parts and
alternative methods comprised therein may be clearly and distinctly understool, I
have appended the accompanying two slieets of drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of a first, or direct axle bearing according to my
invention, shewing the method adopted by me of attaching thereto an arm or arms
for purposes to be hereinafter fully explained.
Fig. 2 is an end view of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal view of one half of a second bearing, or casing for Fig. 1,
within which it is free to oscillate when in position thereon.
Fig. is an end view of Fig. 3 or its companion half, with an arm or arms
attached thereto for a similar purpose to that shewn by Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is an alternative method of constructing the first or direct axle bearing
similar to Fig. 1, but with a V shaped annular groove formed upon and within the
outer periphery of the ends thereof, and with the before mentioned arms differently
placed thereon.
Fig. 6 is an end view of Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 is an internal elevational view of one half of a second bearing the inner
surface of which is V shaped and fits into and may revolve or oscillate within

page_text: attached thereto.
сонантон пап, эне
Fig. 9 is a repetition of Fig. 1 shewing the manner in which Fig. 3 fits thereupon.
Fig. 10 is a front view of a ball bearing cup, one of which fits into suitable cavities
or recessos formed in the ends of Figs. 1 and 5 and shewn in position by the sectional
view Fig. 9.
Fig. II is a sectional view of a crank axle arranged according to my invention,
in which I have chosen to illustrate the methods shewn by Figs. 5 and 7 although
the methods shewn by Figs. and 3 would be connected to the crank or other axle
in a precisely similar manner.
Fig. 12 is an alternative method of constructing and arranging the bearings to be
hereinafter more fully dealt with.
Fig. 13 is a small view showing the manner of coupling Figs. 7 and 8 or 3 and 4,
and illustrative in so far as regards Figs. 7 and 8 of their application to the method
shewn by Fig. 12.
Fig. 14 is a side elevational view of a safety bicycle constructed according to my
invention.
Similar letters of reference are used to indicate corresponding parts throughout
the drawings.
The salient points of my invention are the novel manner adopted by me of
duplicating or compounding and arranging bearings so that one may revolve, or
oscillate within the other, or revolve or oscillate upon the other as may be desired,
and by constructing said bearings so as to have connected thereto and radiating
therefrom an arm, or arms which may be connected to, or form in themselves rois
or forks, or pairs of rods or forks, carrying upon the ends other bearings, or a
spring or springs, and fulcrumed upon, and constituting a lever oscillating from a
predetermined centre. And I wish it understood that in forming the various parts
hereinafter described and constituting the said invention that, I may construct them,
(unless otherwise expressed) of brass, iron, steel, nickel, gun, bell, or any other metal,
or combination or alloy of metals, cast or otherwise as may be desired, and parta
that are spoken of as attached to each other; I may (unless otherwise expressed) so
attach them by welding, brazing, shrinking, sweating, or any other suitable means,
and Imay vary the combination of the parts relatively to each other in any desired
manner, or form for the same purpose and to attain the same object, without departing
from the principle of my invention.
In carrying my invention into effect I construct a first, or primary spindle
bearing A formed in the manner shewn by the sectional view Fig. 1 Sheet 1 and
attach thereto and radiating therefrom at any desired angle relatively to the plane
thereof, arms or projections B, C, D) or E, or B, C, D and E as may be required, and
attach thein to tubes, rods, forks or yokes constituting the velocipede or other machine.
Fitting upon the outside of A but not fixed thereto I provide a casing F, half of
which is shown in elevation by Fig. 3 Sheet I, and by the side view Fig. 4 Sheet 1.
Two such pieces when placed face to face surround A as shown. by sectional view
Fig. 9, said pieces F have each four lugs, or projections a aa a provided with
suitable bolt holes, so that when the pieces F are placed face to face surrounding A
they may be held in that position by bolts and nuts or the like passing therethrough.
The ends of F are bevelled internally at so as to fit upon similar bevels formed
upon the exterior of A. Upon either or both of the pieces F are arms or projections F
Fig. 4 Sheet 1 for the same or a similar purpose to those described. at A Fig. 1.
will be easily understood that A can revolvo or oscillate within F or F revolve or
oscillate upon A as required. Or I may construct A in the manner shewn by
Figs. 5 and 6 Sheet 1 and attach thereto radial arms B, C or D, or B, C and D as
may be desired and for the same, or similar purposes to those described by Fig. 1.
In the case shewn by Fig. 5 Sheet 1 dispense with the casing E, the position of
the arms B, C and D necessitating this, and in lieu thereof 1 provide an annular V or
other shaped groove e upon and within the external periphery of each end of A, and
construct an external bearing or bearings G to fit therein, shewn by Figs. 7 and 8
It

page_text: Sheet 1 these, being like F made in two pieces, and are formed internally at e to fit
within tho V or other shaped groove e in A Fig. 5 when fitted upon but not fixed
thereto. Each of the half brackets G provided with lugs or projections and
bolt holes similar to those on F and are when placed together upon A in the manner
described bolted or otherwise connected in the same way as the pieces F previously
mentioned. The half brackets G may either or both be provided with an arm G
for the same or similar purposes to Fig. 4 previously described. Or I may in
certain cases construct cand e in such a manner as to be able to interpose balls as
bearings therebetween. Whichever of the above methods I may adopt the primary
bearings A are formed internaily the same, and are constructed with recesses e and e
one at each end thereof, preferably but not imperatively about twice the diameter
of the bore for the shaft or spindle into each of which I force a metallic bottomless
cup and shewn in position by Fig. 9 Sheet 1 and in elevation by Fig. 10
Sheet 1. and are formed externally to exactly fit the recesses e and e¹ but
internally, cup shaped as shewn for purposes to be hereinafter explained.
I have previously mentioned that whichever of the methods of constructing A
externally I may adopt, internally they are the same as each other, therefore, in
describing the method of connecting the bearings to the axle I have chosen to
illustrate in Fig. 11 Sheet 1. the method shewn by Fig. 5.
Upon one end of the crank shaft or axle Hattach the crank I, the chain wheel J
and a circular disc K providing with a central bore, upon one edge of which I form
a circular shaped groove. The diameter of K is such as to fit freely within the
mouth of the cup 1, so that when A is slid upon H a ball bearing space is left
between the inside of and the groove in K, and in this spaco I place a suitable
number of metallic balls g. The opposite end of H is provided with a screw-thread
and upon this I screw a disc L similar to K but shaped external to receive a spanner,
balls g¹ being interposed between L and f. A can now be screwed upon H until A
is in a proper position to permit H to revolve freely therein. The arrangement of
Fig. 11 so far forms no part of my invention only as regards the manner of' con-
structing A and its manner of operating. The arms B, Oanil D upon A are used
as an oscillating lever for carrying the bearing of the trail or driving wheel or
wheels and for attachment to the spring in the same manner as G and Gin Fig. 14
hereinafter explained. Upon the free end of H I screw one or more lock nuts M to
retain L in position, and upon the space left on I fix the other crank N, the
pedals being attached to N and I in the usual way, and suitable holes, or cups for
lubrication may be provided in any approved manner.
Or I may as an alternative method arrange my bearings in the manner shewn by
Fig. 12 Sheet 2. In this case I dispense with the primary bearings 1, 2, 5 and 6,
and in lieu thereof I employ four broad netallic rings 0, 0, P and P. Upon the
outer surface of each of which, centrally, I form an annular semicircular or other
shaped groove, and fix said rings by any suitable means upon the shaft H preferably
in the position shewn by Fig. 12 Sheet 2.
I have previously mentioned that I may in some cases construct G Fig. 7 Sheet. 1
in such a manner as to interposo balls as bearings between G and c Fig. 5 Sheet 1.
To attain this I dispense with the V shaped projection e' or G and in lieu thereof
form a semi-circular or other shaped groove therein. The bracket G thus formed I
adopt for use in the method shewn by Fig. 12 Sheet 2. In this arrangement I use
eight of the pieces shown by Figs. 7 and 8 Sheet 1, or four complete brackets as
shewn by Fig. 13 Sheet 2. Two pairs, each with two arms G and G as shewn by
Fig. 14, and two pair each with one arm, and to avoid confusion of the parts I
choose to designate the inside pair, the seat bearing brackets and have letter them
and their arms G. The pair G are bolted together surrounding O, and P, while
the pair Gare bolted together surrounding O, and P, in such a manner that the
grooves in G, and G, and the grooves in 0, 0, P and P₁ coincide and form annular
circular or other shaped grooves, or channels, into which may, or may not have been
previously placed a suitable number of balls n. In the view Fig. 12, Sheet 2, the
brackets G and their arms G' and Gare shewn in section, and describe a section

page_text: :
taken upon an imaginary horizontal line through the centre of the smaller view
Fig. 13. The brackets G are not shewn in section, but simply divided, and
present in Fig. 12 Sheet 2 the inner face of one half similar to Fig. 7 Sheet 1. By
this it will be understood that the unseen arms upon the half brackets Gin Fig. 12
are at right angles with the arms G₁ upon G, and that G, and G can freely
oscillate upon and around the rings 0, 0, P and P until fixed to the frame or
other part of the machine in the manner hereinafter described. Or I may dispense
with the rings 0, 0, P and P¹ and form annular semicircular grooves in H at a
similar distance from the ends thereof, and cause G and G to engage therewith in
a similar manner to that at Fig. 12 Sheet 2. Or I may form internal semicircular
grooves in F Fig. 3, Sheet 1, as shewn by the dotted lines thereon, and place O¹
and Pupon H in such a manner that P may engage therewith in a similar manner
to G, or F may be used direct upon H wlien annular grooves are formed therein
as just described, or conical projections may be formed upon O' and P similar to b₁
upon A, Fig. 1 Sheet 1 so that the bevel upon F may engage therewith and revolve
or oscillate thereupon. Or I may form annular semicircular grcoves upon the exterior,
of A Fig. 1 Sheet 1 as shown by the dotted lines, so as to coincide with the grooves
in F, Fig. 3 Sheet 1, this will be understood by reference to the dotted circles
in Fig. 9.
It will be understood that whichever of the methods 1 may adopt, the projecting
arm, or arms, of the first or primary bearings A, and the arm, or arms upon the
outer bearings F, or G, each radiate from the same centre, te.--the axis of the
spindle H.
I have previously mentioned in the preamble hereof that my invention relates to
improvements in the construction of velocipedes generally. In Fig. 14 Sheet 2 I
have elected to illustrate the manner in which 1 construct safety bicycle, adopting
therein the method shewn by Fig. 12. Referring again to Fig. 12, the arins G¹³ are
curved and joined so as to become one arm, or fork, embracing both brackets, and
constructed so as to form a ring in the end thereof. In constructing a safety
bicycle the arms upon Gmay be formed so as to become part of, or be connected
to, and support the seat bearing standard Q, while the arms Garo connected by the
ring to one end of a spiral or other spring R, connected to the back bone S or
other part of the machine, a screw i, projecting from the bottom end of R passes
through h, and is held in that position by a nut screwed thereon, which also serves
to regulate the tension of R according to the weight of the operator. The arms G
upon G, may be bent if necessary and constructed so as to form a fork, or be con-
nected to a fork carrying the spindle H¹ of the rear or driving wheel. Or they may
be straight and connected thereto by suitable means, or to bearings, or to projections,
or arms upon bearings within which H may revolve. A chain T engages with a
chain wheel upon the spindle H, and a preferably, smaller but similar wheel U
upon the spindle H. The weight of the driver when seated upon is practically
borne by the tension of the spring R, the elasticity of which permits me to dispense
with a spring beneath the seat of the driver as hitherto adopted in similar macliines.
I am enabled by this means to maintain the distance between the driver and the
crank axle, and consequently the pedals thereof always constant and invariable.
The back, or driving wheel bearing arm G being also fulcrumed upon the same
centre, i.e. the axis of H, said driving wheel is free to ride or rise over obstructions,
or ruts without imparting vibration to the rider. The motion of H when obstructions
are encountered by the driving wheel, describes the arc of a circle around the axis
of H, as shewn by the dotted lines through H', yet still maintains a constant and
invariable distance between H and H', and H and the seat of the driver. The position
of the driving wheel and rocking lever G and G" under such circumstances is shewn
by the dotted outline thereof. I may in certain cases supplement, or dispense with
the spring R by the application of a second spring in, or about the position shewn
by the dotted lines R' Fig. 14 which may be caused to act in unison with R when
used in conjunction therewith, but in an opposite manner, that is to say, R exercises
its tension against expansion whereas R' would be arranged to act against

page_text: compression, and to attain this I may construct R telescopically, and interpose a spiral
spring or springs, or I may construct R in such a manner as to form a cushion by
compression of the air within said telescope. Although I have shewn in Fig. 14
Sheet 2, the steering fork as bearing directly upon the axle of the front wheel, I may,
in order to further reduce vibration construct a rocking lever and spring therefor,
similar to G G and R but I do not claim this as forming any part of my
invention.
In applying my invention to the construction of tricycles, and quatuorcycles, I
arrange the axle of the back or driving wheels within a bearing of either of the
types herein described and shewn, and connect the arm or arms Gradiating from
the bearing upon the bottom bracket to similar or other arms connected to, with, or
upon the bearing carrying the back axle or spindle H', or the arm or arms G" may
carry the back axle or spindle H, or a bearing carrying the back axle or spindle H¹
as may be desired.
Lam aware that rocking shafts have been adopted hitherto in the construction of
similar machines, but these have, always beon to the best of my knowledge and belief,
arranged in such a manner that the fulerum of said rocking lever has been that of a
stationary spindle, or a spindle which oscillates without revolving, or transmitting
power and applied to the steering wheel or wheels only, and also in the oscillation of
an upright seat tube, in such cases the spindle being that of the driven wheel which
does not transmit power, and I am not aware that a rocking lever fulcrumed upon
or from the axis of the driving, or crank spindle, and maintaining a constant and
unvarying distance between the driver and the crank axle, and between the crank
axle and the axle of the driving wheel, has ever hitherto been adopted. My invention
therefore consists of the method and means as herein described and shewn of
combining or coupling bearings whereby I am enabled to hinge the body or frame
of a velocipede to the driving wheel or wheels thereof, from, or at the same centre, or
axis as that of the revolving or driving spindle which transmits the power to said
driving wheel, or wheels, the oscillation of said driving wheel or wheels being
controlled and aided by the tension of a spring or springs in overcoming or sur-
mounting obstructions or undulations without imparting vibration to the driver or
drivers or impeding the propulsion of the machine.
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.
First For improvements in the construction of velocipedes and other machines
and in bearings or brackets therefor, the construction, use and application of the
various parts, and the altornative methods of employing same substantially as and
for the purposes herein described and shewn by the drawings hereunto appended.
Second For improvements in the construction of velocipedes and bearings or
brackets therefor the use and application of a bearing A with radial arms B, C, D
or E or B, C, D and E in combination with a divided case or bracket F carrying
an arm or arms F1, the cups fand and grooved discs K and L.substantially as and
for the purposes herein described and shewn by reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 9 and 11
of the accompanying drawings.
Third For improvements in the construction of velocipedes and bearings or
brackets therefor the use and application of a bearing A with radial arms B, C or D
or B, C and D, and provided with V or other shaped grooves e upon the periphery
of the ends thereof, in combination with a divided outer bearing or bracket G,
formed to fit and revolve or oscillate within c and around A, with or without the
interposition of balls between G and c, with an arm or arins G upon G, the cups f
and and grooved dises K and L, substantially as and for the purposes herein
described and shewn by Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 11 of the appended drawings.
Fourth For improvements in the construction of velocipedes and in bearings or
brackets therefor, the use and application of grooved rings O, O', P and P¹, connected
to the driving or other spindle H in combination with bearings or brackets G and G

page_text: shaped internally to fit within the annular grooves in O, O', P or P¹, or grooved or
otherwise shaped internally to coincide with the grooves in O, O', P and P' for the
reception of balls, with project-arms G₁ G" and G joined or connected in pairs,
or separate, and fashioned in any desired manner, the case or bracket F with internal
grooves to coincide and operate with or upon O and P, which may or may not be
provided with conical annular projections to coincide with on F, substantially as
and for the purposes herein described and shewn by Figs. 3, 12 and 13 of the accom-
panying drawings.
Fifth For improvements in the construction of velocipedes and bearings or
brackets therefor the method and means of forming an oscillating lever or levers by
the adjustment or arrangement of any combination of the arms B, C, D, E, F¹, G¹,
Gor G fulcrumed at or upon the axle or driving spindle H and oscillating from
the axis thereof, and carrying at one end singly or in pairs the axle, or bearings. of
the axle of the driving wheel, or wheels, and connected by a spring or springs R or R'
or R and R to the frame of the machine, the utilization of any of the said arms
singly or in pairs connected to, or forming the seat bearing standard Q, the method
and means of maintaining a constant and unvarying distance between the driver and
the crank spindle H and between the crank spindle H and the spindle EL', the manner
of arranging the chain wheels J and U so that U may oscillate and describe a section
of a circle around J for the reduction or destruction of vibration, and without
impeding the working thereof, substantially as and for the purposes herein described
and shown by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 22nd day of November 1890.
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
4, Moorfields, Fore Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant..