Improvements in Cycles.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Apr., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 19th Jan., 1891-Accepted, 21st Feb., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cycles.
I, ROBERT SAMUEL LOVELACE, of Henstridge, in the County of Somerset,
Cycle Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My present invention consists partly in improvements on certain features of my
invention for "Improvements in Cycles" for which I made application for Letters
Patent 20th Feby. 1889, No. 3056, and partly in other novel features. My
present improvements relate to the construction of bicycles of the "safety" class,
but certain of such improvements are also applicable to bicycles, tricycles, and
cycles in general.
In Fig. 3 of the drawings accompanying my aforesaid Application, No. 3056
of 1889, a long rod m is shewn which can enter a hole in a bracket p to lock the
steering-wheel and prevent it swinging round when the machine is leaning against a
wall or other support. In this case the rod m was operated at top on the handle
bar by the ring, but according to my improved arrangement, I provide a short
rod to slide in the bracket p, this rod when not in use, is held down clear of the
steering wheel pillar, by a spring, and it is provided with a small stud working in a
groove in the bracket. To lock the wheel, the rod is pushed up till it enters a hole
or socket in the bottom of the pillar, and the stud is clear of its groove, it is then
turned partly round, so that the said stud prevents its descent. In a diamond
frame" safety bicycle, the said rod may be arranged to slide in a socket fixed to the
upper member of the frame.
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The arrangement of spokes shewn in Figs. 4 and 5, of my aforesaid drawings,
cannot conveniently be applied to a narrow rim, as there is not room for the spokes
to be placed opposite each other; in such cases I make two holes, one in front of
the other, and near together for each pair of spokes going to opposite sides of the
hub, this gives practically all the advantages of the former arrangement, while it
enables the method to be applied to narrow rims.
The arrangement of brake mechanism shewn in Fig. 1 of my aforesaid drawings,
may be applied to a "diamond frame" by carrying the rod U through the lower
member of such frame.
In place of the usual key or wedge for attaching the cranks to the pedal shaft, I
form a clip on the end of the crank to embrace the shaft. A flat is formed on the
shaft and the clip is tightened by a set screw. By this means a crank can be
instantly tightened or removed, as may be required. An improved method for
providing for the chain adjustment consists of the following arrangement. The
driving wheel fork is formed of two round or oval tubes secured at the pedal shaft
ends in clips on the ends of a short cross-bar fixed to the bottom of the seat pillar.
The pedal shaft bearings are each provided with a lug to enter and slide in the ends
of the aforesaid tubes, and a rack is formed on the under sides of these lugs. A.
bolt passes through the jaws or lugs of both the clips, and pinions are journalled
on this bolt between each pair of lugs to gear with the said racks.
A short square, or a feather, is formed on the bolt at each part which receives a

page_text: pinion, so that the bolt can slide within the pinions, while at the same time com-
pelling them to turn with it. A milled head is fixed on one end of the bolt, by
turning which the two lugs carrying the pedal shaft bearings can be caused to
advance or retire equally, to adjust the chain. The bolt is provided with a nut
under the milled head aforesaid and a plain head at the other end, while a piece
of tube is slipped over the bolt between the clips, so that when the chain is
adjusted the whole arrangement can be rigidly tightened up by means of the
said nut.
The handle bar consists of a straight tube having short tubes, carrying the
handles, affixed to the ends at suitable angles, by means of my improved joint
(see No. 3056 of 1889). These short tubes are open at both ends, and perforated,
so that when the machine is travelling, a current of air is always passing through
them, and through the handles, keeping the hands cool.
Dated this 19th day of April 1890.
AMBROSE MYALL,
21, Cockspur Street, S.W., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED).
Improvements in Cycles.
I, ROBERT SAMUEL LOVELACE, of Henstridge, in the County of Somerset,
Cycle Manufacturer, 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 :-
My present invention consists partly-in-improvements on certain features-of-my
invention for "Improvements in Cycles" for which I obtained Letters Patent
20th February 1880 No: 3056, und partly in other novel features. My present
improvements relates to improvements in the construction of bicycles of the "Enfety"
elase, but certain of such improvements are also applicable to bicycles, tricycles,
and cycles in general.
In the accompanying two sheets of drawings,
Fig. 1 is a part sectional elevation of the steering head of my safety bierele,
shewing an improved means of locking the steering wheel.
Fig. 1 Sheet No. 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of my improved crank.
Figs. 2, 3, and 4, and 5 Sheet No. 1, are views, partly in section, of my improved
chain adjustment, as applied to a safety bicycle, and
Figs. 5, 6, and 7, and 8 Sheet No. 2, are views of my improved arrangement for
attaching the spokes to the wheel rims.
Fig. 9 is a view, partly in section, of my improved handle bar:
Similar letters of reference denote similar parts throughout the drawings.
In Fig. 3 of the drawings accompanying my aforesaid Specification, No. 3050-of
1880, a long rod-m-is shewn, which can enter a hole in a bracket-p to lock the
steering wheel, and prevent it swinging round when the machine is leaning against
a wall or other support. In this ease the rod m was operated at top on the handle
bar by the ring 9. In my improved arrangement, as shewn in Fig. 1, where-k-is-a
tube-or pillar carrying the handle bar at its upper end and united to the pro-
longation L' of the steering wheel fork by the bracket 1, and M is the pivot of the
back bone; I provide a short-red-m, sliding in the bracket-p affixed to the piece M,
and furnished with a milled head 2, or other similar device, and a short stud
or pin 3. This red, when not in use, is held down clear of the steering wheel
piller k, by a spring 4, the stud 3 entering the recess p'in the bracket p. To lock
the steering wheel, the red mis pushed up till it enters a hole 5 in the bottom of
the pillar-k, and the stud 3 is clear of the recess p', the rod -is-then turned partly
round, so that the stud abutting on the bracket p prevents the descent of the rod.
To release the wheel, it is only necessary to rotate the rod till the stud is over the
recess, when the spring 4 pulls it down.

page_text: In a diamond frame" safety bicycle, the-rod-m may be arranged to slide in a
suitable-socket-fixed to the upper-member, or members of the frame.
The arrangement of brake mechanism, shewn in Fig. 1 of the drawings of my
aforesaid Specification No. 3056 of 1880, may also be conveniently applied to a
"diamond frame "machine, by carrying the rod U through the lower member of
such-frame.
In place of the key or wedge usually employed for fixing the cranks to the pedal shaft,
crank axle I employ the arrangement shewn in Fig. 1. The crank C is cut through
at C' so that the portion C forms a clip. A bolt C³ passes through the crank and
the part C3, so that by tightening the bolt, the crank is caused to rigidly grip the
pedal shaft crank axle. A flat C is formed within the orifice in the crank, and a
similar flat is provided on the shaft to prevent the crank turning thereon, or these
parts-may be made-square, hexagon or of other suitable form to attain the same
result. The bolt is preferably screwed into the part C², so that the nut forms a
lock-nut. This crank can be instantly attached, tightened, or removed by merely
screwing up or slackening the bolt, while it gives a better grip than the ordinary
arrangements at present in use. The crank is preferably placed on the shaft pedul
crank aale, so that the pressure of the foot on the pedal is-in when driving forward
tends to close the slot C₁as sh non by the direction of the arrow in driving forward the
accompanying drawings.
My improved method of providing for the chain adjustment is shewn in Figs. 2.
3, 4 and 4. Fig. 32 is a cross-section through the lines Z Z in Figs. 43 and
4. Fig. 3. is a longitudinal section through the line Y Y in Fig. 3, 2. and
Fig. 4. is an elevation of Fig. 32. The driving wheel fork is formed of two
round or oval tubes QQ, brazed at the pedal shaft crank arle ends into clips 6. 6.,
formed on the ends of a short cross-bar 7 brazed to the bottom of the scat pillar P.
The pedal shaft crank aale bearings 8. 8. are provided with two projecting rods 9. 9.
fitted to slide within the ends of the tubes Q Q, and a rack 10. is formed upon or
affixed to each rod 9. A bolt 11 passes through the jaws of the clips 6. 6. and
carries a pinion 12 between each pair of jaws the said pinions gearing with the
racks 10, 10. The bolt is made square for the greater part of its length so that
it can slide within the pinions while at the same time compelling them to turn with
it when rotated. One end of the bolt is screwed and furnished with a nut 13, this
end terminates in a milled head 14, while the other end is provided with a round
head 15, having notches around its circumference, which can engage with a stud 16,
fixed on the jaw of the clip. The central part of the bolt passes through a tube 17
placed between the clips. To adjust the chain, the nut 13 is unscrewed and the
bolt pushed in so that the head 15 is clear of the stud 16, the bolt with the pinions
can then be rotated by means of the milled head, thereby moving the pedal shaft
in or out as required. The bolt is now pulled back, so that the stud 16 re-engages
with the head 15, preventing rotation of the bolt and the nut is screwed up. The
tube 17 forms an abutment between the clips, so that the tightening of the nut
causes the clip to grip the rods 9. 9. and lock the pedal shaft in the required
position, while at the same time all strain is taken off the racks and pinions. The
ends of the tubes Q Q within the clips are necessarily split, as shewn.
In place of the indented head 15 and stud 16, a square, or other suitably shaped
head may be used dropping into a similarly shaped recess in the clip, and in place
of the bolt 11, having a square formed upon it, a hexagon or other suitable shape
may be used, or a round bolt may be employed with a groove in it and feathers in
the pinions, or vice versa.
In a
"diamond frame" machine the boss P¹ for the seat pillar is not required.
In this case two lugs P2 P3 are provided for the tubes P3 P³ as shewn in
dotted lines in Figure 2. Sheet No. 1. of the accompanying drawings.
In the improved arrangement for attaching spokes to the wheel rims, I make two
holes in the rim one in front of the other and near together, but slightly on the
skew, that is to say the holes are made in a line which is a diagonal to the rim, the
holes are counter-sunk on the inside to receive the heads of the spokes and one spoke

page_text: of each pair goes to one end of the hub and the other spoke to the other end, as
described in my prior Specification Patent No. 3056 of 1889. In applying this
arrangement to a hollow rim I make use of the modification shewn in Figs. 5. 6,
and 7 and Sheet No. 2. of the accompanying drawings. Fig. 65 is an enlarged view
of the underside of a hollow rim for cushion tyres, Fig. 76 is a cross section
through the rim shewing the spokes in place, and Fig. 7. is a still further
enlarged longitudinal section through the line X X in Fig. 65, with one spoke
only in place. In this case three holes 18, 19 and 20 are pierced in the rim 21, in
line with each other, the centre hole 18 being large enough to admit the head of
the spoke v.
The other holes 19 and 20 are counter-sunk on the inside and a slot
is then cut connecting the holes so that they present the appearance shewn in
Fig. 5. The spokes are inserted head first through the centre hole, and then
slipped to each end of the slot, when the heads drop into the counter-sinks, which
retain them firmly in position, as shewn clearly in Fig. 7. By this means I am
enabled to replace broken spokes without disturbing the rubber tyres, and no holes
are required on the outer side of the hollow rim. The holes in a solid rim may
also be made on this principle, if desired.
Fig. O is a full-sized-plan, partly-in-cross-section;-of-my-improved-handle-bar.
This consists of a straight or suitably-curved tube W, having short-tubes W
enrrying the handles-W2, affixed to the ends at any suitable angle by means of my
improved joint as described in my prior Specification No. 3050 of 1880.
These short tubes-W' are open at both ends, as shewn, so that when the-machine
is travelling, a current of air is always passing through them and through the
handles, keeping the hands-cool. The tubes W' may in addition be perforated if
desired.
The improved means for locking the steering wheel, could if desired be-applied
to-Cripper" trierele. The improved crank is applicable-to-any form of cycle,
ne are also the spoke attachment and the ventilated handle bar, while the chain
adjustment can be used-on-almost any form of chain geared eyele.
I am aware that it is not new to form the boss of a crank in the form of a clip so that
it can be easily and readily attached and detached to and from a pedal-crank axle, also
that it is not new to attach the spokes to the rim of a wheel by means of "key-let" holes,
and further that it is not new to adjust the tension of the driving chain by means of
a rack and pinion, and I therefore do not claim these devices broadly.
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. The method of locking the steering wheel of a safety bicycle or "Cripper"
tricycle, by means of a sliding spring bolt in, substantially as described and shewn
with reference-to Fig. 1 of the necompanying drawings.
2. The method of attaching a crank to the pedal shaft of a eyele, by means of a
elip C-and-belt-C³, substantially as described and shewn with reference to Fig. 2
of the accompanying drawings.
1st. In a detachable crank for cycles, making the boss of the crank adapted to receive
the pedal-crank axle in the form of a clip, by means of a longitudinal slot formed
tangentially to the eye in the said boss, the said slot forming a "flat" in the circum-
ference of the said eye, and providing for the contraction of the said clip by means of a
trunsverse bolt passing through the crank clear of the eye in the loss thereof, and
adapted to screw into the lip of the clip and to be locked after adjustment by means of
a lock nut, substantially as set forth.
3. 2nd. The arrangement device for adjusting the chain of a cycle, consisting
essentially of the rods 9, 9, with having racks 10, of the bolt 11 with milled head and
lock nut of the pinions 12, 12, mounted on the said bolt of the locking device 15. 16. and
of the clips 6, 6, all constructed arranged and operating substantially as and for the
purpose hereinbefore described and shewn with reference to Figs. 2. 3, and 4, and a
of the accompanying drawings.

page_text: 4. 3rd. In a cycle wheel wherein a pair of spokes, one from each end flange of the
hub meet at or about the same part of the rim, attaching them thereto, slightly in
advance of each other, and on a diagonal line with the rim, by means of a double
key-let hole substantially as hereinbefore described, and shown by Figs. 5. 6. and 7 of
the accompanying drawings.
5. In the hollow or solid rim of a eyele, the arrangement for attaching the spokes
thereto, substantially as described and shewn with reference to Figs. 6, 7, and 8 of
the accompanying drawings.
G. The combination with the handle bar of a eyele of short open, or open-and
perforated tubes W', carrying the handles, substantially as and for-the-purposes
described.
AMBROSE MYALL,
21, Cockspur Street, London, S.W., Agent for the Applicant.