Improvements in Velocipedes.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Feb., 1889
Complete Specification Left 19th Oct. 1889-Accented 23rd Nov. 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Velocipedes.
I, EDWIN JABEZ BIRD of West Street, Bower Lane Quarry Bank near Brierley
Hill, Engineering Draughtsman do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
The front or Pilot wheel to be connected by levers B, with springs C, outside guide
rods E working in oscillating sockets F. The driving wheel or wheels to be held in
a frame binged on a joint G and held in position by a spring H. The bracket to
he hinged on a pivot G' and the driving chain adjusted by a nut 0. The Brake
Cone P to be held on the Crank shaft by a feather Q; and the Boxes R worked by
levers T, bringing the boxes together, untill they grip the cone between them.
Dated this 7th day of February 1889.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Velocipedes.
1, EDWIN JABEZ BIRD of West Street, Bower Lane Quarry Bank near Brierley
Hill Engineering Draughtsman 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 frame consists of a front steering pillar "A" (as shewn on the drawings left
with the Provisional Specification) for carrying the pilot wheel, at the ends of the
forks of which are levers "B" and springs "(one end of the levers being prepared
to receive the pilot wheel spindle and the other end the springs; the fulcrums "D"
for carrying the levers, being between the pilot wheel spindle and the springs.
These springs which are for reducing vibrations that are received by the pilot
wheel, and conveyed to the handle bar, are placed below the levers, and held in position
by the guide rods "E," which work through oscillating sockets "F," to allow for
the varying angles of the guide rods.
The centre portion of the frame is for connecting the front and back parts together;
the connection with the front part being made with a cone or socket head, and at the
back part with hinged joints G. G'.
The top hinged joint is the one on which the back part of the frame oscillates,
and the bottom joint is connected to the spring or springs for reducing the vibrations
which the back or driving wheel may receive.
The back part of the frame is for carrying the driving wheel or wheels, swing
bracket and cone brake; at the top it is connected to a pivot "G" which forms the
hinge in the top joint for connecting to the centre part of the frame; on this pivot
the back part of the frame oscillates, and with this pivot as a centre the spindle of
the driving wheel moves in a circular direction from the joint G¹, when subjected
to shocks, the spindle being at the extreme end of the back part of the frame.
The lower joint of the back part of the frame is for receiving the spring or
springs "H" which reduces the vibrations in the driving wheel.
**
The spring or springs are attached to the bottom part of the centre portion of the
fraine, and is connected to the joint by a box "J" or lugs.
The swing bracket "K" has two distance bolts "G" and "L" for holding the sides
together, the top distance bolt "G"is the pivot on which the bracket is hung, and
the bottom one "L" carries the links "M" for adjusting the driving chain. The
links have elongated holes, and adjustment is effected by a bolt "N" (passing
through the links), which is attached to the back part of the frame; the bolt being
stationary.

page_text: When adjusted the links are locked by a nut "O," a distance washer or ferrule
being inserted to keep the links a proper distance apart.
The brake consists of a cone or cones "P" prevented from turning on the crank
shaft by a feather "Q," but with an allowance for lateral movement to allow for any
irregularities in the working of the brake boxes "R."
The brake boxes which are for producing friction on the cone or cones, are threaded
on to the distanco bolts that conuret the bracket sides together, the bolts acting as
guide rods to guide the boxes on to the cones; when not in action the boxes are held
apart and prevented from rubbing on the cones by springs "S," which are also
threaded on to the holts between the lugs of the boxos.
The boxes are actuated by lovers "T" oscillating on pivots "U" fasianed to
the sides of the bracket; the levers have horizontal and vertical arms, the horizontal
arins being lifted by a rod “V” cause the vertical arms to press against the hoxer,
bringing them together until they grip the cone, thus breaking the speed of
the crank shaft and also the driving wheel, which are connected to each other by a
chain.
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 1
claim is :-
1. That by the use of the springs described, the wheels will surmount obstacles
with less vibration to the rider ilmn if rigid.
2. The springs being in compression and also protected by guide rods, necidents by
the breaking of the springs would be brought to a minimum.
3. The rider would be able to travel rough roads with greater ease and comfort
than with a rigid frame.
When
4. That the machine by the application of the springs would be stronger.
coming in contact with obstacles the force of the shock would he reduced, thus
causing less strain to the machine.
5. At no time will the distance between the seat and the handle har vary.
6. That by the use of the cone brake, the rider would be able to apply greater
resistance to the speed of the machine with less inconvenience from the cramping of
the hand as experienced by other brakes.
7. That with the swing bracket the chain can be adjusted with greater accuracy,
as the crank shaft will always be parallel to the driving wheel spindle, and at
right angles to the chain, thus preventing any undue friction or strain on the chain.
8. The simplicity and speed by which the chain may be adjusted, by unlocking the
mut "O" palling the swing bracket untill the chain is adjusted and then locking tho
nut again.
9. The rigidity and strength of the swing bracket, by being held at four different
points, thus preventing any tendancy on the part of the crank shaft to devinte from
a parallel line with the driving wheel spindle.
10. The novelty of isolating the wheels independently from the rider, without
experiencing any inconvenience.
11. The novelty of the cone brake for producing friction.
12. The method of adjusting the chain quickly and correctly by means of the swing
bracket.
.
Datel this 18th day of Oriation 1980
EDWIN JABEZ BIRD.