Improvements in Velocipedes.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Nov., 1889-Accepted, 28th Dec., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Velocipedes.
I, KARL HEINRICH SCHÜRER of 12 Bahnhofstrasse, Blasewitz, near Dresden in the
Empire of Germany, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of my said 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 my invention is to effect improvements in the construction of
velocipedes, whereby the vibrations and oscillations, sustained by the wheels and
portions of the frame, in running over roads are prevented from being communicated
to the seat of the rider, the pedals, the steering rod, and steering handle bar.
My invention consists in a new and improved method of sustaining the saddle bar,
cranks and pedals, and also the handle bar and its support, by means of a spring
fixed to the back bone of safety bicycles and tricycles. The combination of the
saddle, pedals and steering rod, is so arranged that they are all maintained at a
suitable height relatively to each other, and all rise and fall together, sustained by the
spring.
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and ascertained
reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters of
reference indicate corresponding parts.
Fig. 1 is an elevation of a safety bicycle constructed in accordance with my
invention, and Figs. 2 to 8 are detail views showing the essential parts thereof.
Fig. 9 is an elevation of a tricycle, constructed in accordance with my invention,
and Figs. 10 to 17 are detail views showing the essential parts thereof.
Referring to Figs. 1 to 8, a is the back-bone of the bicycle. b is the fork
which supports the crank shaft d. c is the saddle. is one of the pedals. f is
one of a pair of radius bars, pivotted to the bearing of the driving axle and also
to the axle d, as shown in Fig. 1.
The back bone a is shown in plan view in Fig. 4, and the fork is shown in side
elevation in Fig. 2 and front elevation in Fig. 3. The fork 6 is fitted with a curved
plate g formed to receive a roller s fitted to the end of the spring (shown also in Fig. 5).
This spring is secured by the bracket i, which also serves as a support for the luggage.
carrier k, the latter being fitted with eyelets or openings for straps to which parcels or
packages may be secured.
m is the adjustable saddle bar, which supports the T headed bar m³. The saddle c
is fitted to one end of this bar, and the other end carries the steering rod n, to which
the steering handle bar n² is fitted. The lower end of this bar is fitted with a cross
head o, as shown in Figs. 1. 6. 7. and 8. The cross head o is fitted with two links PP
rigidly connected thereto. Two other links connect the links p p with the steering
head of the front wheel. By this arrangement the steering is unaffected by the
rising and falling of the seat and its appurtenances.
The rollers is capable of travelling to and fro' under the curved plate g, thus
allowing for the extension of the spring / when receiving downward pressure from
any cause. In Fig. 1 the roller s is shown in a central position in the bearing 9, and
in Fig. 6 the roller is shown in a forward position.
In adapting my invention to tricycles, the adjustable saddle bar m is mounted in
an ordinary tube b, this tube passing through a ring u, forming part of the back
bone a. At the lower end of the tube b, a fork vis fitted, pivotted to a globular
bearing was shown in Figs. 9. 11 and 13. The spring his united to the tube b by a
pair of links : as shown in Figs. 9 and 17. ff are a pair of radius bars sup-
ported at or near the front end by the fork v, a plan view of which is shown in
Fig. 12. Fig. 10 is a plan view of the back bone a with the spring h, the ring u,
and k is one form of luggage carrier, made to fold inwards, if desired. Fig. 11 is a

page_text: front view of the handle bar with its appurtenances, as herein before described. Fig. 13
is a perspective view and Fig. 14 an enlarged plan, showing the swivelling action
which takes place when lateral vibration or oscillation is encountered.
Fig. 15 is a plan view of the spring hand Fig. 16 a side view of the same. Fig. 17
is a detail view of the links x.
The connection between the steering bar n and the steering head t may be varied,
by making the bar n of any suitable length and connecting the rods to the bar o,
dispensing with the links p p.
Also the connection of the spring / with the tube 6 as shown in Figs. 9 and 11,
may be used with the bicycle shown in Fig 1. if preferred: and other parts may be
modified, and the several details, rendered interchangeable as far as practicable.
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. In the construction of velocipedes, the application and use of a spring / bolted
to the back bone, and supporting the fork and central pillar m or their equivalents,
substantially as and for the purposes herein before described and illustrated by the
drawings.
2. In velocipedes fitted with a spring h, for the purpose aforesaid, the com-
bination therewith of bars ff and r, linked to the parts sustained by the spring h,
such bars being also partially sustained by the spring, and together constituting a
parallel motion frame for the saddle and handle bar, substantially as and for the
purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated by the drawings.
3. In velocipedes fitted with a spring for the purpose aforesaid, the combination
therewith of steering links ff actuated by the handle bar n¹ steering rod n and cross
head 0,
either with or without the intervention of the links pp substantially as and
for the purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated by the drawings.
4. In combination with velocipedes as aforesaid, the luggage carrier fitted to the
back bone between the saddle and the steering head, substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated by the drawings.
5. The general construction, arrangement, and combination of the several and
respective parts together constituting my invention of improvements in velocipedes,
substantially as herein before described and illustrated by the Drawings.
Date 97th N11000
GEO. DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.