Year: 1897

page_text: I, FRANCIS MORTIMER (Merchant) of 638, West End Avenue, New York City, in
the County and State of New York, United States of America, do hereby declare the
nature of this Invention to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to provide a steering device for bicycles arranged to
normally hold the steering wheel in alignment with the rear or driving wheel and at
the same time permit the rider to conveniently turn the steering wheel to the right
or the left according to the desired direction in which the bicycle is to travel, the
steering wheel instantly and automatically returning to its normal position upon the
rider releasing the pressure on the handle bars.
The invention consists of springs and brackets or arms for connecting a part of the
rigid frame with the steering post or fork for the front wheel to keep the latter
normally in line with the driving wheel and permit the rider to turn the fork carrying
the steering wheel. The springs are secured at their rear ends to the transverse
bolt of a clip, bracket, or arm secured to the back bone or upper brace forming part
of the rigid frame of the bicycle. The springs diverge in a forward direction from the
clip and are secured at their forward ends to clips, arms, or brackets, respectively
secured to the members respectively of the front fork carrying the steering wheel.
The springs are so adjusted that they hold the fork in a normal position, that is
they hold the steering wheel in alignment with the rear or driving wheel of the
bicycle. When the rider turns the handle bar and consequently the fork to the
right or left to steer the bicycle in a corresponding direction, one of the springs is
extended and the other compressed so that upon the rider releasing the pressure on
the handle bar the said springs in regaining their normal position will draw the
steering fork back to its normal position and consequently the steering wheel back
into alignment with the rear or driving wheel of the bicycle.
I do not limit myself to the precise construction of the device as described as it
is evident that other suitable forms may be readily substituted without departing
from my Invention.
n
T
11th of Tann 1907
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steering Devices for Bicycles.
I, FRANCIS MORTIMER, Merchant, of: No. 1166 West Seventy-ninth Street, in the
City of New York, State of New York, United States of America, late of 638 West
End Avenue, New York City in the County and State of New York, United States
of America, 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 :-
The object of this invention is to provide a new and improved steering device for
bicycles, arranged to normally hold the steering wheel in alignment with the rear or
driving wheel, and at the same time permit the rider' to conveniently turn the
steering wheel to the right or the left according to the desired direction in which the
bicycle is to travel, the steering wheel instantly and automatically returning to its
"normal position upon the rider releasing the pressure on the handle bars.
"The invention consists of springs and brackets or arms for connecting a tight and
rigid frame with the steering post or fork for the front wheel, to keep the latter
normally in line with the driving wheel and permit the rider to turn the fork
carrying the steering wheel.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing in which the figure is a
perspective view of the improvement.
The improved steering device for bicycles is provided with springs A A1, secured
at their rear ends to the transverse bolt B' of a clip, bracket or arm B, secured to
the back bone or upper brace C forming part of the rigid frame of the bicycle. The
springs A and A1 diverge in a forward direction from the clip B and are secured at
their forward ends to clips, arms or brackets D and D¹ respectively of the front fork E
carrying the steering wheel F. The springs A and A¹ are so adjusted that they
hold the fork E in a normal position, that is, they hold the steering wheel F in
alignment with the rear or driving wheel of the bicycle.
When the rider turns the handle bar and consequently the fork E to the right or
left to steer the bicycle in a corresponding direction, then one of the springs A or A¹
is extended and the other compressed, so that upon the rider releasing the pressure
on the handle bar, the said springs in regaining their normal position will draw
the steering fork E back to its normal position, and consequently the wheel E back
in alignment with the rear or driving wheel of the bicycle.
It is expressly understood that the springs permit the rider to turn the front fork
and the steering wheel, either to the right or the left according to the direction in
which the bicycle is to travel, the said springs returning the fork and steering wheel
to their normal position as soon as the rider releases the pressure on the handle bars.
I do not limit myself to the precise construction of the device as shown and described,
as it is evident that other suitable forms may be readily substituted without deviating
from my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
A steering device for bicycles comprising springs and brackets or arms for
connecting a part of the rigid frame with the steering post or fork of the front
wheel, to keep the steering wheel normally in line with the driving wheel and normit

page_text: the rider to turn the fork carrying the steering wheel, substantially as and for the
purpose herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 1st of May 1897.
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHES,
76 Chancery Lane, For the Applicant.