IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Leftwich, of Tufnell Park West,
Holloway, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF VELOCIPEDES."
Sealed the 14th September 1869, and dated the 19th July 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Leftwich at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 19th July 1869.
I, WILLIAM LEFTWICH, of Tufnell Park West, Holloway, in the
County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF VELOCIPEDES," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to certain improvements in the construction of
that class of velocipedes known as "bicycles," and whereby the rider is
enabled to mount and dismount with ease and without the necessity of
vaulting.
The wheels of the velocipede are arranged in the ordinary manner, the
front wheel being larger than the hinder one, and the velocipede is
actuated by foot plates which are attached to connected with the axle
[Price 8d1

page_text: of the front wheel. The seat or saddle is supported by a spring bar,
the forward end thereof being attached to a transverse pin which is
fitted in bearings attached to the main beam immediately above the
centre of the front wheel, or to the vertical frame in which the latter
rotates. The rear end of the saddle bar is unattached, but has a
transverse pin which works in slots formed in the two vertical bars
herein-after mentioned. The main beam extends in the ordinary manner
from the vertical frame which carries the bearings of the front wheel,
and to which is attached the steering fork to the hinder wheel. A guard
is placed underneath the main beam immediately above the front wheel,
for the purpose of preventing any stone or other obstruction from
interfering with the revolution of the wheel. At the junction of the
hinder end of the main beam with the axle of the hind wheel two
vertical or nearly vertical arms are fixed, the same being respectively
formed with slots therein for the reception of the pin at the rear end of
the saddle bar. The front face of each of the arms is furnished with
ratchet teeth or notches. Beneath the saddle bar is placed a spring, the
forward end of which is pivoted to a crank piece working on a pin or
pivot in a projection formed on or attached to the upper side of the
forward end of the main beam immediately behind the front vertical
frame. The last-mentioned spring passes through a loop or strap
attached to the lower face of the saddle bar at a convenient part thereof,
and through which the lower spring is free to move longitudinally. The
hinder end has two pawls or catches pivoted thereto, which are capable
of taking into the ratchet teeth or notches on the before-mentioned
vertical arms, by which, when the pawls or catches are in gear, the
saddle bar is supported in a fixed position. The bar constituting the
upper portion of the front vertical frame, and to which the steering fork
it attached, passes through a collar placed above the main beam, and in
which it is capable of turning for the purpose of steering, as well
understood. The steering fork is hinged to the vertical bar and can be
pulled downwards towards the saddle bar by the rider, it being kept in
its position when not so actuated by a curved spring. Immediately
behind the before-mentioned collar is placed a vertical pin which works
freely in a tube or socket provided for that purpose. The lower end of
the pin rests upon one arm of the before-mentioned crank piece, and upon
the steering fork being depressed towards the saddle bar a projection
formed on or attached thereto forces the pin downwards, thereby actuating
the crank piece, and by drawing the before-mentioned lower spring

page_text: forwards releases the pawls or catches from the ratchet teeth or notches
in the vertical arms at the rear, and consequently lowers the saddle bar,
the transverse pin at the end of which descends through the slots in the
arms.
Instead of employing two vertical arms the velocipede may be
constructed with one vertical arm only, the same being furnished with a
slot and ratchet teeth or notches on the front thereof, corresponding
modifications being made at the rear end of the lower spring. Greater
strength and steadiness are however obtained by means of two arms,
before described.
By these means the saddle bar can be lowered with ease for
mounting or dismounting from the saddle. The saddle bar is assisted in
returning to and retaining its normal position by a curved spring placed
between it and the main beam. The saddle is hinged at its centre to
the saddle bar, so that when the latter is lowered the rider can avoid
slipping off the saddle by throwing his body slightly forwards, and
thus bringing the saddle to a position more or less horizontal.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,"
filed by the said William Leftwich in the Great Seal Patent Office:
on the 18th January 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
LEFTWICH, of Tufnell Park West, Holloway, in the County of Mid-.
dlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of July, in the
year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
third year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said William Leftwich, Her special licence
that I, the said William Leftwich, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said William Leftwich, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN

page_text: THE CONSTRUCTION OF VELOCIPEDEE," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said William Leftwich, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Leftwich, 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, reference being made to the Drawings
hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon, that is
to say:
My said Invention relates to certain improvements in the construction
of that class of velocipedes known as "bicycles," and whereby the rider
is enabled to mount without the necessity of vaulting into the saddle,
and also to dismount with ease and safety.
The wheels of the velocipede are arranged in the ordinary manner,
the front wheel being larger than the hinder one, and the velocipede is
actuated by means of pressure upon foot plates, which are attached to
cranks connected with the axle of the front wheel. The seat or saddle
is supported by a spring bar, the forward end of which is attached to a
transverse pin fitted in bearings attached to the main beam immediately
above the centre of the front wheel, or to the vertical frame in which
the latter rotates. The rear end of the saddle bar is unattached, but has
a transverse pin, which works in slots formed in the two vertical bars
herein-after mentioned. The main beam extends in the ordinary manner
from the vertical frame which carries the bearings of the front wheel,
and to which is attached the steering fork or bar to the hinder wheel.
A guard is placed underneath the main beam, immediately above the
front wheel, for the purpose of preventing the consequences of any stone
or other obstruction from interfering with the revolution of the front
wheel. At the junction of the rear end of the main beam with the axle
of the hind wheel two vertical or nearly vertical arms are fixed, the same
being respectively formed with slots therein for the reception of the pin
at the end of the saddle bar. The front face of each of the arms is
furnished with ratchet teeth or notches. Beneath the saddle bar is

page_text: placed a spring or connecting rod, the forward end of which is pivoted or
hinged to a crank piece working on a pin or pivot in a projection formed
on or attached to the upper side of the forward end of the main beam.
immediately behind the front vertical frame. The last-mentioned spring
passes through a loop or strap, which is attached to the lower face of the
saddle bar at a convenient part thereof, and through which the lower
spring or connecting rod is free to move longitudinally. The hinder
end of the spring has two pawls or catches pivoted thereto, which are:
capable of taking into the ratchet teeth or notches on the before-
mentioned vertical arms, by which when the pawls or catches are in
gear the saddle bar is supported in a fixed position. The bar which
constitutes the upper portion of the front vertical frame, and to which
the steering fork or bar is attached, passes through a collar placed above
the main beam, and in which it is capable of turning for the purpose of
steering, as well understood. The steering fork or bar is hinged to the
vertical bar, and can be pulled downwards by the rider towards the
saddle bar, it being kept in its position when not so actuated by a
curved or other suitable spring. Immediately behind the before-
mentioned collar is placed a vertical pin, which works freely in a tube.
or socket provided for that purpose. The lower end of the pin nearly
rests upon one arm of the before-mentioned crank piece, and upon the
steering fork or bar being depressed towards the saddle bar a projection
which is formed on or attached thereto forces the pin downwards,
thereby actuating the crank piece, and by drawing the before-mentioned
lower spring or connecting rod forwards releases the pawls or catches
from the ratchet teeth or notches in the vertical arms at the rear, and
consequently lowers the saddle bar, the transverse pin at the end of
which descends through the slots in the arms.
Instead of employing two vertical arms the velocipede may be
constructed with one only, the same being furnished with a slot and
ratchet teeth or notches on the front thereof, but greater strength and
steadiness are obtained by means of two arms, as before mentioned.
By these means the saddle bar can be lowered with ease for mounting
or dismounting to or from the saddle; or in the case of the velocipede
overturning or being overbalanced the rider has only to pull the hinged
steering fork downwards towards the saddle bar, thereby lowering the
latter until his feet touch the ground, thus preventing the velocipede
from falling on its side. In the front of the steering fork or bar a fixed

page_text: frame or arm may be placed, which may be grasped by the rider so as to
hold the former in a firm position until it is desired to lower the saddle
bar. The saddle bar is assisted in returning to and retaining its normal
position by a spring or springs placed between it and the main beam.
The saddle may,
if preferred, be hinged at its, centre to the saddle bar,
so that when the latter is lowered the rider can avoid. slipping off the
saddle by throwing his body slightly forwards, and thereby bringing the
saddle to a horizontal position.
My said Invention will be more clearly understood by reference to
the annexed Drawings, and to the figures and letters marked thereon.
Figure 1 is an elevation of the velocipedes shewing in dotted lines the
saddle bar in its lowered position; Figure 2 is a front view of the hinged
steering fork; and Figure 3 is a back view of the same.
A, A, are the wheels; B is the vertical frame containing the bearings
in which the axle of the front wheel works; C is the. main beam; D is
one of the two vertical arms with the slot M, in which the transverse
pin N at the rear end of the saddle bar works; E is the hinged steering
fork, and is the projection on the same for the purpose of pressing
down the vertical pin F; G is the saddle; H, the saddle bar; I is the
lower spring or connecting rod for the purpose of releasing the pawls or
catches. K from the ratchet teeth or notches; J is the crank piece or
lever for the purpose of actuating the lower spring or connecting rod I;
K are the pawls or catches; L, the ratchet teeth or notches; M, the slot
in the vertical arms; N is the transverse pin at the end of the saddle
bar; O is the guard for preventing any stone or other obstruction from
interfering with the revolution of the front wheel; P is the spring, placed
underneath the saddle bar for the purpose of returning it to and keeping
it in its normal position; Q is the curved spring for the purpose of
returning the hinged steering fork to its normal position; R is the
break.
The above-described arrangements may be modified by making the
supports of the steering fork a fixture, and arranging the cross bar so as
to turn in its bearings, a stud being placed thereon, by which a bolt
actuating the crank piece or lever may be depressed, and instead of
employing the before-described arrangements for retaining the saddle
bar in position the lower spring may pass through grooves formed in the
fork carrying the hind wheel with a slide catch or click working in

page_text: ratchet teeth formed in a vertical arm or arms, and which catch or click
may be disconnected from the ratchet teeth by means of a cord or other
analogous contrivance.
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would
observe in conclusion that what I consider novel and original, and
therefore claim as constituting the Invention secured to me by the
said herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is, the combination and
arrangement of parts and mechanism for lowering the saddle bars of
"bicycles," substantially as herein-before described and set forth, or any
mere modifications thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Leftwich, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy.
WILLIAM LEFTWICH. (L.S.)