Improvements in Bicycles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Sept., 1897-Accepted, 10th Sept., 1898
Improvements in Bicycles.
I, ARTHUR JOHN CUMING, of 71, Cathedral Square, Christchurch, in the
Provincial District of Canterbury, in the Colony of New Zealand, Journalist, do
hereby declare the nature of my 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 provides the following improvements in bicycles :-A cheaper
mode of constructing the frame, the resulting article being stronger; a more
effective arrangement of springs between the frame and the wheel spindles whereby
vibration is diminished, and an improved mode of constructing the handles which
gives a wider variation in the height of grip without altering the adjustment and
enables them to be employed as a parcel carrier.
My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which,―
Fig. 1 is a side elevation, and
Fig. 2 a plan of a bicycle embodying my improvements.
Fig. 3 detail views of a guide rack and roller.
Figs. 4 & 5 respectively a side and end elevation of the lower rear portion of
bicycle frame illustrating a modification.
Fig. 6 a side elevation of the upper portion of a steering head showing a handle
bar and handle.
Fig. 7 an end perspective view of handles with an attachment for carrying
parcels.
Similar letters and numerals of reference indicate the same or corresponding
parts in all the figures.
Referring first to Figs. 1 & 2 :-
My bicycle frame is mainly composed of two separate continuous tubes (1) (2)
one upon either side of the seat pillar (3) and steering head (4) to which they are
connected by brazing, riveting or other usual means. Each tube is bent into &
semi-circular shape at the front of the machine and supports one side of the
brackets (27) (28) carrying respectively the top and bottom ball races of the
steering head. From the top ball race bracket (27) to the seat pillar (3) each tube
is approximately straight and horizontal, it then curves rearwardly and downwardly
to behind and below the driving wheel spindle (15).
From the bottom ball race bracket (28) each tube is carried in a convenient curve
beneath the usual position of the bottom bracket, it then curves upwardly and
a horizontal straight portion (10) is carried above the spindle of the driving wheel
to meet the other end of the tube to which it is connected by a set screw (26)
or by other usual means.
-
The bottom bracket (5) rests across and is brazed upon the tubes (1) (2) in a
position where they are bent downwardly to receive it as shown.
Bridge pieces (6) connect the frame tubes (1) (2) in as many places as may be
necessary for strengthening purposes.
The upper and lower ends of the seat pillar tube, and also the bottom bracket;
have brackets (7) which are fixed across and tie the frame tubes together.

page_text: Vertical guides (8) upon either side of the machine are formed upon sliding
sockets (9) having set screws (30) and adjustable upon the straight portions (10)
of the tubes (1) & (2) which are screwed and provided with adjusting nuts (11)
and (12).
**
Stays (13) secured at one end to the bottom bracket (5) pass through plates
upon the guides (8) to the ends of the tubes forming the frame to which they are
secured by set screw (14). Sorew nuts upon the stays upon either side of
guides (8) permit adjustment of the guides.
The opposite ends of spindle (15) of the driving wheel are carried in motion
blocks (16) which slide in the guides (8).
Spiral springs (17) secured upon spindle (15) upon both sides of the machine,
have their outer ends secured to pins (18) fixed to socket (9) or any convenient
part of the frame.
By means of the adjusting nuts (11) (12) the driving wheel may be adjusted
to regulate the tension of the driving chain when sneh is employed; or for any
other purpose..
t
..
One side of each guide may be formed with rack teeth and the motion blocks
substituted by toothed rollers (20) (shown in the detail views Fig. 3) engaging in
the rack.
The spindle, having a toothed roller at each end, movement up or down of the
frame upon one side of the machine revolves the spindle and ensures a corresponding
movement of the frame upon the other.
In the modification shown in Figs. 4 & 5 the vertical guides are made tubular and
have telescopically sliding sockets (16) which take the place of the motion blocks
and receives the ends of the wheel spindle (15). Helical springs (17) upon the
guides being arranged between the sockets and fixed flanges (29) upon the
guides.
The fork (a) has upon each leg b, a depending bracket (19) strengthened by
the curved stay tube (20) which is secured at both ends to the leg, the brackets
being bifurcated to form guides for motion blocks carrying the ends of the steering
wheel spindle. Springs (22) upon either side surround and are secured to, the
spindle at one end, and to pins upon the forks at the other.
The handles shown in Figs. 6 & 7 are constructed by forming a circular grip
loop (23) upon both ends and nearly at right angles to the handle bar (24).
The middle of the handle bar is held in a clamp (25) upon the top of the steering
stem in a well known manner, so that the bar can be revolved and secured when
the grip loops are in a desired position.
Pliable reticular material may be fixed upon and carried across from one grip
loop to the other to form a receptacle for parcels as shown in Fig. 7.
The grip loops may be covered with leather or other suitable material.
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. A bicycle frame the main portion of which is formed of two continuous tubes
bent to the required shape arranged opposite each other and connected by bridge
pieces and also by brackets upon the steering head and seat pillar tube which
are arranged between them and to which they are connected substantially as
herein described and illustrated, in the drawings.
2. In combination with a bicycle frame, slide blocks upon the ends of the driving
wheel spindle working in guides upon the frame, springs secured at each end of
the spindle having their opposite ends secured to fixed parts of the frame
substantially as specified and illustrated.
3. In combination with a bicycle frame, tooth wheels upon the ends of the
wheel spindle working in toothed guides upon the frame, springs secured at each
end of the spindle having their opposite ends secured to fixed parts of the frame
substantially as specified and illustrated.

page_text: 4. In combination with a bicycle frame, tubular guides depending therefrom
upon each side having sockets sliding telescopically over them which receive the
opposite ends of the wheel spindle. Springs surrounding the guide between said
sockets and flanges fixed upon the guides substantially as and for the purposes
herein described and illustrated-particularly in Figs. 4 & 5.
5. In combination with front forks of a bicycle, bifurcated brackets fixed at the
lower end of each leg of the fork forming guides for motion blocks upon the ends
of the wheel spindle, springs at each end of said spindle having one end secured
thereto and the other end secured to the fork substantially as specified and
illustrated.
6. In combination with a bicycle frame guide brackets formed upon sockets
sliding upon straight portions thereof, and adjustable by nuts thereon, said brackets
forming guides for motion blocks upon the ends of the wheel spindle, springs being
interposed between said spindle and the frame substantially as and for the purposes
herein specified and illustrated.
7. In combination the bicycle frame composed of the two correspondingly bent
tubes (1) (2) arranged upon opposite sides of the steering head and seat pillar tube
to which they are secured, guide brackets adjustable by ncts upon the screwed
lower rear portions of the frame upon either side receiving motion blocks carrying
the ends of the wheel spindle, springs being interposed between said spindle and
the framing substantially as specified and illustrated.
8. In combination with the forks of a bicycle a bifurcated bracket at the lower
end of each leg thereof, each bracket being formed upon a socket fixed upon the
leg and stayed by a curved tube fixed at each end to said leg and forming a support
for the lower portion of the bracket. Motion blocks upon the ends of the wheel
spindle guided by the brackets, and springs interposed between said spindle and
the forks substantially as specified and illustrated.
9. The improved handles for a bicycle consisting of circular grip loops upon the
ends of, and nearly at right angles to the handle bar substantially as specified and
illustrated.
10. In combination circular grip loops upon the ends of the handle bar of a
bicycle and reticular material secured to each loop and extending from one to the
other whereby a receptacle for parcels is formed substantially as specified and
illustrated.
Dated this zoth day of July 1697.
BREWER & SON,
London and Leeds, Agents for the Applicant.