Improvements in Cycles.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Nov., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 13th Feb., 1895-Accepted, 16th Mar., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cycles.
I, ALBERT TROUVÉ of 15 Rue des Halles, Paris, France, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to cycle-frames and its principal objects are to increase
the stability of the machines and to render their steering more sensitive. The
stability of cycles depends, first, on the action of gravity, and secondly, on that
of steering. In cycles as ordinarily constructed, the force of gravity and that
produced by steering act at points that are not definitely fixed.
I have therefore endeavoured to determine the most favourable points at which
these two forces should act, and I have designed the cycle hereinafter described in
accordance with the results obtained.
The accompanying drawings show in side elevation a bicycle constructed
according to this invention. The bicycle comprises a frame which is or may be
composed of steel tubes brazed in the ordinary way but is so constructed that
gravity acts exactly midway between the two wheels A and B, for which purpose
the junction C of the saddle-supporting tube is situated on the front vertical
tangent DE of the hind wheel B, and that the point of action of the steering-
bar G is situated on the rear vertical tangent H J of the front wheel A.
In the usual safety bicycle, the front wheel has been loaded only very slightly
and has possessed great ease of rolling-movement. In consequence of my improved
distribution of the load between the two wheels, I have been obliged to incline
the steering fork to a greater extent than ordinary.
This new arrangement of this frame renders the steering much more sensitive,
and the frame itself is rendered shorter, and consequently lighter without loss of
strength or rigidity.
These arrangements are applicable both to cycles adapted for a single rider and
also to tandem cycles.
I, ALBERT TROUVÉ, of 15 Rue des Halles, Paris, 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 :-
This invention relates to cycle-frames and its principal objects are to increase the
stability of the machines and to render their steering more sensitive.
The stability of cycles depends, first, on the action of gravity, and secondly, on
that of steering. In cycles as ordinarily constructed, the force of gravity and that
produced by steering act at points that are not definitely fixed.
D

page_text: I have therefore endeavoured to determine the most favourable points at which
these two forces should act, and I have designed the cycle hereinafter described in
accordance with the results obtained.
The drawing left with my Provisional Specification shows in side elevation a
bicycle constructed according to this invention. The bicycle frame is or may be
composed of steel tubes brazed in the ordinary way but is according to this
invention so constructed that gravity acts exactly midway between the two
wheels A and B, for which purpose the junction C between the rear end of the
horizontal saddle-supporting tube or bar and the rear portion of the cycle frame is
situated on the front vertical tangent D E of the hind wheel B and that the
junction F between the front end of the said saddle-supporting tube or bar and
the steering-bar G is situated on the rear vertical tangent H J of the front
wheel A.
In the usual safety-bicycle, the front wheel has been loaded only very slightly
and has possessed great ease of rolling-movement. In consequence of my improved
distribution of the load between the two wheels, it has been necessary to incline
the steering fork to a greater extent than ordinarily. As a result of this
arrangement, the horizontal component of the pressure exerted along the steering
fork is greater and the vertical component less than is the case when the
junction F is located in a more forward position so as to be well over the wheel, as
in the constructions heretofore usually adopted.
This new arrangement of the frame renders the steering much more sensitive,
and the frame itself is rendered shorter, and consequently lighter without loss of
strength or rigidity. It has been found by experiment that it is easier to drive a
cycle having a frame constructed according to this invention than one having a
frame constructed in the usual manner and it is considered that high gears may
be advantageously employed in my unproved cycle.
My invention is applicable both to cycles adapted for a single rider and also to
tandem cycles.
Having now particularly described and ascertamed the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
A cycle in which the junctions C between the rear end of the saddle supporting
tube or bar and the rear portion of the cycle frame is located in the front vertical
tangent of the hind wheel, and the junction B between the front end of the said
saddle supporting tube or bar and the steering bar is located in the rear vertical
tangent of the front wheel substantially as described and shown.
Dated this 13th day of February 1895.