CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES, AND IN THE PARTS ORDINARILY USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH
Year: 1877

page_text: 1
LETTERS PATENT to John Richard Dedicoat, of Pegasus Works, Coventry, in
the County of Warwick, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN
BICYCLES, AND IN THE PARTS ORDINARILY USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Richard Dedicoat at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd January 1877.
16
JOHN RICHARD DEDICOAT, of Pegasus Works, Coventry, in the County of
Warwick. CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES, AND IN THE PARTS ORDINARILY
USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH."
:
My Invention consists of the improvements herein-after described in the con-
struction of bicycles; and in the parts that are used in connection with the same :-
Firstly. I construct a bicycle with the ordinarily tubular backbone or frame
composed of iron or steel. At the upper and extreme end of the same immediately
over the front wheel and to the upper part of the steering or guiding fork I arrange
a hollow head or socket, with a circular pin in its centre, the said pin being con;
nected to the backbone or frame. Upon the upper and lower parts of this pin and
working freely are spiral or other springs, the object of which is to give ease and
elasticity to the rider. The spring hitherto used is dispensed with.
Secondly. Upon the backbone or frame I attach a moveable clip, and to this is
affixed the saddle. Previously the saddle has been arranged to the spring that I
have dispensed with.
I
Thirdly. In the interior of the tubular backbone or frame I arrange a cord,
metallic or otherwise, at the one end of which is attached a self-adjusting brake
acted upon by a spring internally guided by a plunger. At the other end of the
backbone and near the handle of the guiding fork I construct a lever; this acts
directly upon a roller or pulley wheel, and is the means of applying the brake when
so required or releasing the same.
Fourthly. The treadles or pedals imparting motion I construct of of two sides,
flat, or approaching thereto. Working freely upon a pin as herebefore, but upon
these sides or flats I attach india-rubber of a corrugated or embossed surface by
cementing or otherwise; this gives a grip to the foot.

page_text: Fifthly. The step I arrange to a rod circular in form, and to rise or fall, having a
catch, the said rod working in two brackets. Between these brackets and upon the
rod is fed a spiral spring, so that when pressure is applied to the step the spring
will yield, allowing the catch to be placed under the uppermost bracket, but when
the foot is applied it becomes released, and the force of the spring greatly assists in
mounting.
Sixthly. I construct a wrench for the above. of a series of different formed
spanners suitable for the requirement, and portable or folding. Where strength or
leverage is required it is gained by the action of one against a check or seat upon
the other.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said John Richard Dedicoat in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd July
1877.
JOHN RICHARD DEDICOAT, of Pegasus Works, Coventry, in the County of Warwick.
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES, AND IN THE PARTS ORDINARILY USED
IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.”
My Invention consists of the improvements herein-after described in the con-
struction of bicycles, and in the parts that are used in connection with the same:-
Firstly. I construct a bicycle with the ordinary tubular backbone or frame composed
of iron or steel. At the upper and extreme end of the same immediately over the
front wheel and to the upper part of the steering or guiding fork I arrange a hollow
head or socket, with a circular pin in its centre, the said pin being connected to the
backbone or frame. Upon the upper and lower parts of this pin and working freely
are spiral or other springs, the object of which is to give ease and elasticity to the
rider. The spring hitherto used is dispensed with.
Secondly. Upon the backbone or frame I attach a moveable clip, and to this is
affixed the saddle. Previously the saddle has been arranged to the spring that I
have dispensed with.
Thirdly. In the interior of the tubular backbone or frame I arrange a cord,
metallic or otherwise, at the one end of which is attached a self-adjusting brake
acted upon by a spiral or other spring guided by a plunger. At the other end of
the backbone and near the handle of the guiding fork I construct a cam lever, and
this acts upon another lever. I connect the cam lever to the handle bar, and it is
then actuated by a chain or cord or may be by the hand alone.
Fourthly. The treadles or pedals for imparting motion I construct of two sides,
flat, or approaching thereto, working freely upon a pin as heretofore, but upon these
sides or flats I attach india-rubber of a corrugated or embossed surface by cementing
or otherwise; this gives a grip to the foot.
Fifthly. The step I arrange to a rod circular in form, and to rise or fall, having a
catch, the said rod working in two brackets. Between these brackets and upon the
rod is fed a spiral spring, so that when pressure is applied to the step the spring
will yield, allowing the catch to be placed under the uppermost bracket, but when
the foot is applied it becomes released, and the force of the spring greatly assists in
mounting.
Sixthly. I construct a wrench for the above of a series of different formed
spanners suitable for the requirement, and portable or folding. Where strength or
leverage is required it is gained by the action of one against a check or seat upon
the other.
And, lastly. I adopt an alarm bell to attach to the bicycle of any shape required,
constructed thus:-At its upper part I arrange a slide or tube regulated by a slot and
pin, the object of 'which is to press upon the clapper when not required by a down-
ward pressure. The action reversed releases the same and the ringing obtained by
the motion of the bicycle.

page_text: I will now proceed to describe my Invention more fully in detail, reference being
had to the Drawings hereunto annexed and to the letters marked thereon.
Fig. 1 represents a side view of my Invention constructed with the ordinary
tubular backbone a immediately over the front or driving wheel b, and to the upper
part of the guiding fork "c" I arrange the hollow head or socket indicated at d, into
the interior of which is a circular pin, being a part of a; this finds its bearing upon
the spiral spring e. A section is here removed to more clearly illustrate the same.
fis the saddle connected to a by the screw clips g, g. In the interior of a I adopt a
chain or cord, a chain by preference; this is connected to the self-adjusting brake h,
acted upon by a spiral spring, and guided by a plunger. This break is released
from its bearing by means of the cam lever i acting against the lever j, and to this
is attached the other end of the chain, as shewn at k. I connect the cam lever to
the handle bar, as shewn, by the chain for releasing the break, or it may be actuated
by the hand alone. The treadles I propose making in form or outline elliptical,
with the two flats or bearings working upon a pin as heretofore, but I apply to
these bearings india-rubber of a corrugated or embossed character, indicated at m,
as shewn in Fig. 1 and also in Fig. 1. The step n I arrange to a circular rod
working freely in the brackets o, o, the said step rising and falling. Upon this rod
is fed a spiral spring p, so that when pressure is applied to the step n the spring p
will yield, allowing the catch q to be placed under the catch 1, the object of which
is that when the foot is applied for mounting the bicycle, with the required inward
movement, it will release the cateli q from 7, and greatly assist the rider in mounting,
as shewn in Drawing. By a downward movement the catch q will become re-
engaged under r.
In Fig. 2 I shew my improved combination wrench or spanner constructed of
different series or sizes suitable for the requirement and screw driver in connection
with the same. In Fig. 3 it is shewn ready for use, with one arm against the check
or scat a. In Fig. 4 it is shewn in a portable form.
In Fig. 5 I shew my alarm bell. a is the body of an ordinary bell; b is a sliding
tube regulated by the slot and pin c; in the interior of a is the clapper. When
desirous of notifying the approach of the rider the tube is brought outwards; an
inward movement of the same gives silence, as it compresses the clapper.
Having thus described the nature and object of my said Invention I would
observe in conclusion that I do not restrict myself entirely to the above description,
as various modifications may be made without departing from the features of my
said Invention, but what I do claim and desire to be secured to me by the herein-.
before in part recited Letters Patent is, the certain improvements in bicycles, and
in the parts ordinarly used in connection therewith, substantially as herein-before
described and shewn on the accompanying Drawings, or any mere modification
thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Richard Dedicoat, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
Witness,
THOMAS KENDRICK.
JOHN RICHARD DEDICOAT. (L.S.)