Improved Seat Pillar or Saddle Support for Bicycles, Tricycles, Motocars, and other Carriages.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Jan., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 20th Feb., 1897-Accepted, 22nd May, 1897
Date of Application, 15th Jan., 1097
Complete Specification Left, 20th Feb., 1897-Accepted, 22nd May,
1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Seat Pillar or Saddle Support for Bicycles, Tricycles,
Motocars, and other Carriages.
EDWARD THEODORE BAKER c/o Edward Baker & Sons Granville Street
Birmingham Manufacturer, WILLIAM HARRIS SNELLING 119 Icknield Port Road
Birmingham Engine Fitter do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
A seat pillar to overcome oscilation & jar in bicycles tricycles motor cars & horse
carriages. The seat pillar or pillars to be constructed of two tubes telliscoped one into
the other the outside tube closed at one end & containing a small quantity of water,
the inner tube closed at one end with a leather bucket, a round india rubber ring
a brass cone being used to keep the leather pressed against the sides of the outer
tube, the other end of inner tube carries the seat or saddle. The seat pillar is charged
with air by forcing the inner tube into the outer tube; the inner tube is kept in place
by a cotter thro the outside tube with a slot to allow of its working up & down on
a cushion formed by the air & water thus doing away with all oscilation & jar. An
air hole a short distance from the top of the outside tube enables the seat pillar to be
recharged with air by taking out cotter & raising bucket on inner tube above air hole,
but not out of the outside tube. The weight which the seat or saddle is required to
carry regulates the amount of water used. To be made either as a component part or.
as a part of the machine motor car or carriage.
Dated this 14th day of January 1897.
EDWARD THEODORE BAKER.
WILLIAM HARRIS SNELLING.
Improved Seat Pillar or Saddle Support for Bicycles, Tricycles,
Motocars, and other Carriages.
We, EDWARD THEODORE BAKER, c/o Edward Baker and Sons, of Granville Street,
in the City of Birmingham, Manufacturer, and WILLIAM HARRIS SNELLING, of
119 Icknield Port Road, City aforesaid, Engine Fitter 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 :-
This invention rèlates to an improved seat pillar or saddle support for bicycles,
tricycles, motocars, and other carriages, and has for its object to reduce the vibration,
jar, and oscillation experienced by riders when travelling over uneven road surfaces
and obstacles.
It is the experience of nearly every cyclist, even though riding a pneumatic
wheeled cycle, to be affected by the disadvantages hereinbefore referred to, and to
overcome the same, which is the object of this invention, the said pillar or saddle
support is constructed and mounted resilient or cushioned.

page_text: In carrying out this invention the vertical arm of the L pin or saddle supporting
bar, which hitherto has been fixedly connected to the vertical pillar of a cycle framing,
is built similar to a piston or plunger, a cup leather being provided at its extreme
lower end, and the same is arranged to work air-tight within either a loose socket
member capable of being clamped to the vertical framing pillar of the cycle, or the
vertical pillar itself, in which latter case the said pillar meniber is closed at its lower
end near the bottom bracket. The outer tube or cylinder of these telescoping parts
contains a small quantity of liquid such as water and this, in combination with the
air confined between the cup leather of the plunger and the surface of the water
and end of the outer tube or cylinder, as aforesaid, constitutes the important feature
in the invention's success; the air forming the elastic medium for giving the resiliency
and sensitiveness required to the plunger part, and the liquid the means for charging
the said air with water globules for making a perfect joint between the cup leather
and the cylinder. The plunger or piston member is kept in a position normal, and
with the air under sufficient pressure to carry the weight of the rider, by a cotter
or cross pin, which passes through the telescoping parts and is affixed within the walls
of the outer tube; a slot in the plunger member being provided as a clearance to the
cotter, which allows the plunger member freedom of movement in a downward
direction. An arrangement for setting up the cup leather on the end of the plunger
is also provided, so as to ensure a good fit within the cylinder.
In the accompanying sheet of drawings the invention is practically set forth,
Fig. 1 showing in diagram the same applied to a safety bicycle as a component part.
Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are enlarged views thereof, the first two being partly in section
and partly in elevation, and the last-named, Fig. 4, a section upon the dotted line A B.
The arrangement in these views is as a component part, capable of being applied to
the vertical pillars of all existing cycle frames, and Fig. 2 represents the said part;
clamped in position, whilst Fig. 3 is the same separate therefrom.
:
a is the pin or saddle supporting member consisting of a saddle attachment:
arm a, and a vertical tubular arm a³, connected by an elbow a. The arm a³, which
is circular in cross section, is closed at its lower end a³, and fitted with an expansible
cup leather b, having within its inside a rubber ring 62, carried upon a coned'
seating 63, threaded upon a screw pin 64; a nut and washer 65, 66, being also provided
to compress the rubber ring 62, as aforesaid, and so extend the cup leather b. This
vertical arm a³ is adapted to fit telescopically within a cylindrical socket or tube c,
closed at its bottom c², and enlarged at its crown ; a shoulder c¹ being formed
underneath the latter to abut against the top face of the vertical pillar of the cycle
framing, hereinafter more fully described, when the said socket part is clamped in its
position therein.
C,
and also
Driven crosswise through the walls of the enlargement c³ of the socket
through the slots a, a', of the vertical arm a³ of the L pin a, is a stop cotter or pin d,
for the purpose of retaining the plunger in a normal compressed condition sufficient
to support resiliently the weight of the rider; the slotted parts a³, a², forming
clearances for the further downward movement of the plunger a³ when necessary.
Within the bottom of this socket c a small quantity of water is placed, minute
particles of which combine with the air within the socket each time the plunger is
depressed and charge it with water globules, which latter collect upon the walls of the
socket and effectively make a perfect working joint between the cup leather and
the cylinder; the air within the said socket, compressed by the plunger, forming the
resilient or cushioning medium. We wish it to be observed that the socket is a short
one, (probably six or eight inches long) and that the air within the socket is not
forced in under pressure or, in other words, the socket is not inflated, the air only:
being compressed from its atmospheric condition by the insertion of the plunger into
the socket; the presence of the water enabling sufficient pressure to sustain a rider's
weight to be obtained, the variations of which latter are regulated by the amount of
water placed within the socket. The heavier the rider the greater is the quantity of
water required; the same bringing about the result by decreasing the air space"
between the surface of the water and the end of the piston.

page_text: A small hole is provided through the walls of the socket part c, at a point rear-
of the cup leather, either for letting in a fresh supply of air, or for putting in an
extra quantity of water; the accomplishment of which can only be effected when the
said cup leather is in a position higher within its socket than is the hole c. This.
position of the cup leather can only be obtained by knocking out the cotter pin d.
The socket part c, and the L pin carried by it, is bodily clamped within the vertical.
pillar member e of the cycle framing by the split lug or clip e³, through the efforts of
a screw pin ³.
The presence of the liquid within the socket c, effectively keeps the cup leather bin.
a soft condition, or from becoming dry and losing its nature.
In Fig. 5 the invention is set forth as applied to the vertical pillar member e of a.
cycle framing, and not as a loose component part, but the construction in every
respect, with the exception of the loose socket, is the same as that set forth with.
reference to the preceeding figures; the bottom of the member e being arranged at.
any point within the interior so as to limit the length of the plunger part if necessary.
In the arrangement shown in Fig. 5 a full length of the vertical pillar member is..
used but this, as previously intimated, need not be so. It is preferable to construct
this invention according to Figs. 1-4, the liquid, which forms the important feature
in combination with the air, allowing such a short length socket to be used. In actual
use with the rider seated upon a saddle supported upon the L pin member the latter-
is practically in suspension within its socket, so that all joltings and vibrations can
be checked by the compensating downward movement of the L pin and plunger.
member within the socket.
Having now. particularly described and ascertained the nature of our inven---
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we-
claim is :-
:-
First. In resilient pillar supports for saddles or seats, constructing the same of
two telescoping parts, one a plunger carrying a distensible cup leather, and th
other a socket or cylinder, having between them both air and liquid, substantially
as described.
Second. A resilient pillar support for saddles or seats, built as a component part,.
comprising a short socket or cylinder c, a plunger a³ fitted with a distensible cup-
leather b, having between them air and liquid, substantially as described with.
reference to Figs. 1-4.
Third. The combination of the socket or cylinder c, plunger a³, a stop cotter d...
and clearance slots a, a', substantially as described.
Fourth. The combination with a pillar member e, having a split lug e², of a
socket or cylinder c, and a plunger a³, substantially as and for the purpose described
and set forth.
Fifth. In resilient pillar supports for saddles and seats, providing the distensible.
cup leather of the plunger member thereof with a compression ring 62, coned
seating, screw stalk 6, and a nut and washer 65, 66, substantially as described
and set forth.
Sixth The general arrangement and construction of the parts set forth in
Figs. 1-5.
:
gs. 1-5.
Dated this 19th day of February
HUST
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 11, Burlington Chambers, New Street, Birmingham,
Also at Liverpool, London, and Manchester, Agents for the Applicants..
Dated this hot day of Febru
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 11, Burlington Chambers, New Street, Birmingham,
Also at Liverpool, London, and Manchester, Agents for the Applicants..