Improvements in and relating to Bicycles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Dec., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Sept., 1897-Accepted, 20th Nov., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Bicycles.
I, GEORGE CAMERON DOUGLAS, of 41 Reform Street, Dundee, in the County
of Forfar, Scotland, Patent Agent and Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in bicycles, the object being to mitigate
the effects of vibration.
In carrying out my invention, I introduce single or duplex springs between the
frame and the axles of the wheels, such springs being preferably of the type
which is used in carriages, that is to say they may be composed of one or more
laminated plates.
Sometimes I may make them in the form of a loop.
The axle of each wheel is fitted with two of these sets of springs, one on each
side of the wheel.
Another part of my invention consists in a method of adjusting the tension of
the chain by means of screws and nuts applied to the rear axle in the known way
such device being used either in combination with the above mentioned springs,
or in combination with any other suitable kind, such as spiral, volute, or the like.
Dated this 23rd day of December 1896.
GEO. C. DOUGLAS & Co.,
41 Reform Street, Dundee, Agents for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Bicycles.
I, GEORGE CAMERON DOUGLAS, of 41 Reform Street, Dundee, in the County
of Forfar, Scotland, Patent Agent and 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 improvements in bicycles, the object being to mitigate
the effects of vibration.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of performing or carrying
the same into effect or practice may be properly understood, I have hereunto
appended two explanatory sheets of drawings in which the same reference numerals
are used to indicate corresponding parts in all the figures where shown.
Figure 1. (Sheet 1) is a side elevation showing a spring applied to the rear wheel
of a bicycle.
Figure 2. (Sheet 2) is a view looking in the direction of the arrow A. (Figure 1).
[Price 8d.1

page_text: It shows in section at B. B. (Figure 1) the method of attaching the spring to the
frame fork and also an end view of the arrangement.
In carrying out my invention I preferably introduce a single set of springs 10.
between the frame 11. and the axle 12. of the wheel 13, such springs being pre-
ferably of the type which is used in carriages, that is to say they may be composed
of one or more laminated plates.
The axle of each wheel is or may be fitted with two of these sets of springs, one
on each side. The brackets 14. are attached to the forks 15. of the frame by
means of the bolts 16. and nuts 23. The axle 12: is attached to the guide brackets 17.
by its nuts 18, such guide brackets in turn being attached to the springs by the
bolts 19. and nuts 24. The action of these guide brackets 17. is such that although
the axle is free to rise and fall to some extent yet it cannot move backwards and
forwards, and consequently the tension due to the pull on the chain does not affect
the wheel. The links 20. permit of the springs adjusting themselves to the
varying compression in the usual known way.
Another part of my invention consists in a method of adjusting the tension of
the chain by means of screws 21. and nuts 22. applied to the rear axle in the
known way. On slackening the nuts 23. the brackets 14. and with them the
axle 12. may be drawn back by means of the nuts 22. acting on the adjusting
screws 21. and so the driving chain is tightened. The general arrange
ment is such that the axle can be firmly attached to its brackets 17.
and the brackets 14. similarly attached to the frame of the machine. By the
use of springs such as described, the rigidity of frame is maintained, the distance
between the saddle and the crank axle is or may be invariable and the vibration
due to riding on rough roads is materially lessened, thus saving the wear and tear
of the machine and the rider.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
(1). In bicycles, the combination and arrangement of parts, consisting of the
springs 10, frame 11, axle 12, brackets 14, bolts 16, nuts 23, guide brackets 17,
nuts 18, bolts 19, nuts 24, and links 20, substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
(2). In bicycles, the combination and arrangement of parts consisting of the
tension screws 21, nuts 22, axle 12, brackets 14, bolts 16, nuts 23, and frame 11,
substantially as described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
(3). In bicycles, the combination and arrangement of parts for reducing the
vibration of the frame and for adjusting the tension of the chain, as described and
illustrated.
Dated this 21st day of September 1897
GEO. C. DOUGLAS & Co.,
41 Reform Street, Dundee, Agents for Applicant.