Year: 1885

page_text: I FELIX WOOD of 6 Queens Terrace Surbiton in the County of Surrey Bicycle
Maker do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:—
This invention has for its object the dispensing with the usual rack-and-pinion
steering for velocipedes with its consequent rattling or vibration and is designed
to provide a simpler and effective arrangement. It consists in arranging a steering
rod of metal or other material (or elastically covered metal or other material) to
slide between rollers or discs arranged to grip its sides one or both of the said
rollers or discs being caused to rotate by a suitable handle or handles or other
means.
I prefer to construct the discs or rollers in two portions carrying flanges one
screwing into a boss on the other so that a rubber ring, advantageously of concave
section (for a round or oval steering rod) may be expanded by screwing one portion
into the other.
The discs or rollers may be set up to each other by slot screw spring or
otherwise or be fixed in position and the pressure on the steering rod be adjusted
by expanding the elastic material on their peripheries or elastic material carried
by the steering rod.

page_text: I FELIX WOOD of 6 Queens Terrace, Surbiton in the county of Surrey, Bicycle
Maker, do hereby declare the nature of my invention as above and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :--
This invention has for its principal object the dispensing with the rack and
pinion so frequently employed and which is objectionable on account of its liability
to rattle or vibrate, and relates to an improved apparatus for steering velocipedes
which is designed to provide a more simple and effective arrangement..
By my invention, on those velocipedes provided with what is known as
"handle
bar steering," I supply a ready means of checking the too facile movement of the
steering wheel or wheels and so render the said wheel or wheels less liable to
swerve from the course in which they are placed by the movement of the handle
bar.
Referring to the accompanying drawings and to the figures and letters of
reference marked thereon
Fig. 1. shews a perspective view of my invention as fitted to a tricycle in lieu of
the usual rack and pinion arrangement.
I arrange a steering pivot or stem A which is mounted in a bracket B as usual
and furnished with a handle C. This pivot or stem A carries at its lower end an
elastically surfaced roller D which is mounted on a sleeve E and constructed as
hefeafter described, this sleeve E carries extensions F. F' in which are formed
slots G. G and in these coincident slots I arrange a pin or stud H forming the
axis of another elastically surfaced roller D' and which pin or stud H is capable of
being clamped in any suitable position in the slots G. G₁ by lock-nute H¹ or
otherwise.
Between these rollers D. D¹ is nipped the steering rod I connected to the
steering wheel as is usual in the ordinary rack and pinion or like steering. On
turning the pivot or stem A by its handle C roller D is caused to revolve and push
the steering rod I forward or backward the other roller D¹ also revolving from
frictional contact.
This roller can by its slot adjustment be set up to the rod I and roller D or,
I may provide means for adjusting both rollers towards each other, or for directly
driving one from the other so as to both propel the steering rod in either direction.
Fig. 2. shews a section and Fig. 3 a sectional plan of a method which I find
advantageous in the construction of the aforesaid rollers D. D¹. It consists in
making the body of the rollers in two portions carrying flanges J. J. J having a
screw Kentering a tapered boss K¹ on flange J the rubber ring L being compressed
between the flanges J. J1 as they approach each other and so expanding its
diameter. This ring may consist of one annular piece of rubber or I may use
washers of leather or other suitable material and rubber alternately or otherwise
packed in layers and confined between the flanges J. J¹ or I may if desired turn
over the edges of these flanges to form lips to confine the ring L more effectually.

page_text: Fig. 4. shews an alternative mode of carrying out my invention wherein in
place of elastically surfaced dises bearing on a rigidly surfaced rod I use an
elastically surfaced rod and rigidly faced discs. D. D¹ formed with suitable
peripheral surfaces to grip the rod I which is covered by an elastic or rubber
Bleeve I which may be compressed against a shoulder 13 and so expanded by a
nut I'
Fig. 5. is a plan and Fig. 6 an elevation as applied to so-called “ Cripper
steering" or to "Safety" bicycles of the so called "Rover" type. In these I cause
both rollers D. D¹ to move bodily together as well as to rotate on their axes.
From the steering post or fork MI produce an arm N and to it I pivot at a
connecting rod P This is pivoted at Qto a bracket or pair of plates R carrying
rollers D. D' adjustable towards each other by their axes moving in slots in the
plates or bracket R or otherwise.
The rollers nip a rod or stem S fixed by bracket T to the backbone of the
machine and which rod or stem S may be corrugated as shewn for the purpose of
affording a firm grip of the rollers. I may if desired cover this rod or stem with
elastic material and use rigidly surfaced rollers to bear thereon as in Fig. 3.
It is evident that any movement of the steering post or stem by the operation
of the handle-bar will cause the connecting rod P to pull forward or push back
the bracket R and its rollers D. D¹ causing the same to travel on the fixed rod or
stem S and so, on the handle bar being released, it will tend to maintain the
steering wheel in any position obtained by so placing the handle bar before
releasing the same.
By the word discs I also include segments as I may so arrange these so that, a
partial revolution may operate the steering of the velocipede to its fullest extent.
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
First. In steering gear for velocipedes the employment of elastically faced discs
nipping a steering rod capable of longitudinal movement by and between such
discs on their rotation as described.
Second. The alternative arrangement of solid faced discs nipping an elastically
covered rod substantially as described.
Third. Providing means for adjusting such rotating discs to or from the steering
rod substantially as described.
Fourth. The arrangement as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the accompanying
drawings wherein the rollers D. D' are caused to rotate on their axes and move
bodily while gripping a fixed guide rod substantially as described.
Fifth. The combination of flange J carrying screwed boss K with flange J¹
carrying tapered boss K' and the elastic ring L capable of compression between
such flanges substantially as and for the purposes described.
Sixth. The construction of steering gear for velocipedes substantially as described
and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
PQPPLEWELL, COLTON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.