Improvements in or relating to the Heads and Frames of Velocipedes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Improvements in or relating to the Heads and Frames of Velocipedes.
I, JOHANN SCHOTT-CZETEN, of 109, Ackerstrasse, Berlin, Germany, Inventor
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The present invention concerns a system by means of which cyclists can displace
the centre of gravity of the machine proportionally with the conditions of the
inclination of the road.
This arrangement consists in fixing upon the front tube or hollow stem which
forms the prolongation of the front-fork, a threaded tubular spindle in such a
way that there remains a certain free space between the two; the threaded spindle
has at its lower part a case in which balls are placed, this case corresponding with
a cone fixed at the lower end of the hollow stem afore-mentioned, whilst at the
upper end of the spindle a small conical cog-wheel is wedged this wheel has upon
its upper face a circular groove for the balls; these being kept in their place by
a cone wedged upon the hollow stem of the handle-bar, that is to say to the first
mentioned stem.
Above this latter cone is fixed by means of a tightening screw, a piece in the
form of a stirrup terminating in a well dressed cylindrical part at right angle
to the above-mentioned stem.
A conical cog-wheel turns freely on this cylindrical part by means of balls held
on one side by a shoulder of this part and on the other by a cone fixed with a
nut to the extremity of the said cylindrical part. This conical wheel gears with
the first, and on its back face the arm of a small crank is fixed, by which it is
turned, thus putting into rotation the first conical wheel and the threaded spindle
upon which the latter is wedged.
On the threaded spindle is a cylindrical nut which can rise or descend along
this spindle according to the direction in which the crank is turned; this nut is
provided with two rectangular shoulders terminating in hollowed circular parts
by which the nut is connected with the extremities of the tubes which connect the
front and back part of the machine.
The rising or the lowering of the nut consequently determines the displace-
ment of the different parts of the machine in either direction and consequently
the displacement of the center of gravity of this machine.
Dated this 92nd day of Notambar 1905

page_text: Improvements in or relating to the Heads and Frames of Velocipedes.
I, JOHANN SCHOTT-CZETEN, late of 109, Ackerstrasse, Berlin, Germany, but
now of Mariupol, Russia, Inventor, 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 subject of the present invention is an arrangement by which it is rendered
possible for the cyclist to alter the centre of gravity of the velocipede in a pro-
portion corresponding to the conditions of inclination of the ground, either during
the ascent of an acclivity, or during the descent of an incline after a run on level
or flat ground.
The annexed drawing represents a vertical section through the front fork stem
of a velocipede, showing in section the parts which form the subject of the present
invention.
This arrangement consists in mounting upon the tube or the hollow front
stem A, forming the prolongation of the fork of the front wheel, a screw-threaded
sleeve or tubular piece B in such a manner that there will exist between the two
a certain amount of clearance space, say of about 15 millimetres. The screw-
threaded sleeve or tubular piece B is provided at its lower end with an annular
bearing piece or ball race which corresponds to a cone piece d provided at the
lower end of the hollow stem A, whilst at the upper end of the screw threaded
tubular piece or sleeve B is provided a small toothed wheel likewise fitted with
an annular bearing piece or ball race for the balls which are maintained in the
said race by the cone piece f. Upon the screw threaded tubular piece or sleeve B
is screwed the cylindrical nut or piece M which is provided with two rectangular
shoulders or projections m the extremities of which are provided with apertures
to receive the tubes or members connecting the fore part of the velocipede with the
rear part thereof.
The mechanism for transmitting the movement of the crank handle S to the
screw threaded tubular piece or sleeve B, in order to effect the raising or lowering
of the nut or piece M accordingly as the cyclist is running on an up gradient or
upon a down gradient, is constructed as follows:
A mitre or bevel toothed wheel X is keyed upon the upper part of the screw
threaded tubular piece or sleeve B which forms the principal feature of the
patent, and is provided on its upper surface with a circular groove or path
forming a race for balls, which latter are retained in the said ball race by the cone
piece f. Above the last mentioned is secured, upon the stem A of the front or
steering fork, a stirrup shaped piece 1, fixed by means of a clamping screw .
The piece D terminates in a truly turned cylindrical part H, upon which cylindrical
part H, a bevel or mitre toothed wheel X of a corresponding pitch to the bevel
or mitre pinion X is arranged to turn freely through the medium of a ball race
or path formed by a shoulder upon the piece D, and by a cone piece D' which
latter is fixed to the screw threaded extremity of the said piece i) by means of
a nut E which acts upon the said cone piece D' through an interposed clamping
washer r.
Upon the rear face of the bevel or mitre pinion X is fixed, by means of screws V,
and the arm of the operating crank handle S.
It will be clearly seen by an inspection of the annexed drawing, that the
rotation of the crank handle S in the one direction or the other will effect the
movement or adjustment in a corresponding direction of the screw threaded
tubular piece or sleeve B, and consequently also the raising or lowering of the
nut or piece M.

page_text: 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. An arrangement for the adjustment of velocipedes, characterised by a mov-
able connection of the frame of the velocipede with the stem A of the front fork,
which admits of the centre of gravity of the velocipede being altered in proportion
to the inclination of the wheel.
2. The combination of the mechanism mentioned in the first claim, characterised
by the combination of a screw threaded tubular piece or sleeve B, surrounding the
stem of the fork of the front wheel, which tubular piece or sleeve, connected to
the frame of the velocipede by a nut, can be rotated by means of a crank handle S.
and of suitable transmission mechanism, substantially as herein above described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 24th day of August 1898.
J. P. BAYLY,
18, Fulham Place, London, W., Agent for the Applicant.