IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1884

page_text: DE MULLICATION.
I HENRY LEEMING, of 60 Alexandra Road, Manchester, Lancashire Engineer do
hereby declare the nature of said Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCIPEDES
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to improvements in that class of velocipedes known as
"front steerers," and my improvements consist in the application of two springs to
the steering wheel in the manner bereinafter shewn and described, my object being
to cause the steering wheel to resume its normal position-i.e in a straight line
with or parallel to the remaining wheel or wheels of the machine-whenever the
rider takes bis hands off the handle bar.
And in order that my invention may be fully understood and readily carried.
into effect I will proceed to describe the accompanying sheet of drawing reference
being had to the figures and letters marked thereon.
Figure 1 is a plan and Fig 2 a side view of a tricycle to which my improvements
are applied. Figs. 3 and 4 are detailed views on an enlarged scale illustrating one
method of applying the springs and Figs 5 and 6 are similar views illustrating a
modified method. Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several
views.
In the arrangement illustrated by Figs 1. 2. 3 and 4, the tricycle shown is
provided with double driving gear, and is steered by means of a handle a¹ on an
adjustable bar a connected to the front or steering wheel b in the usual manner;
the bar a is fixed in and supported by the swivel forked bracket c shown in
Figs. 2. 3. and 4, which is formed with two projections c c; the projection c² has
a cone bearing formed in it to receive one of the conical ends of a stud d, formed
with the stay d, which is secured to and forms part of the frame of the machine;
the other conical end of the stud d' has its bearing in a piece e which is screwed
into the projection c¹ and secured in its place by a lock nut f; the arms c³ of the
forked swivel bracket c have holes in them through which are passed loosely the
studs g held in position by the locknuts h and formed at their inner ends with
button shaped heads which bear against the end of the stay d; on the studs are
fitted the spiral springs i, which bear against the arms c³ and the back of the
button heads of the studs g, and thus exert an equal pressure on each side of the
stay d and swivel bracket c.

page_text: Whenever the handle a' is moved to deflect the steering wheel b, and alter the
course of the machine one of the springs i is compressed, but as soon as the pressure
exerted on the handle a¹ ceases this spring i is again free and so forces the swivel
bracket c back into position and thus causes the steering wheel b to resume its
normal position, i.e parallel with the two back wheels of the machine.
Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a slightly modified arrangement of the springs.
In this arrangement the swivel bracket c is not forked but instead of the arms c³
is formed with a cross bar c, and the stay d is provided with a corresponding cross
bar d³, which is always parallel to the cross bar ct, when the steering wheel b is in
its normal position.
The springs i in this arrangement act in a manner similar to that previously
described with reference to Figs 5 and 6.
Although I have only shewn my improvements applied to a tricycle I would
have it clearly understood that they may also be applied to bicycles, particularly to
bicycles which have a small wheel in front. My invention may also be applied to
a velocipede with more than one front steering wheel.
I would farther have it understood that the springs may be applied to the
handle bar or arranged in other convenient positions so long as they cause the
steering wheel (or wheels) to resume its (or their) normal position substantially in
the manner described.
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 a velocipede the use and application of two springs arranged to bring the
steering wheel back to its normal position.
2. The mechanism for effecting the return of the steering wheel to its normal
position substantially as herein described and as illustrated by Figs. 3 and 4.
3. The mechanism for effecting the return of the steering wheel to its normal
position substantially as herein described and as illustrated by Figs. 5 and 6.
Dated this 26th day of November 1884
H. B. BARLOW,
Agent for Applicant,
17, St. Ann's Square, Manchester.