Fork & Framework
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Sept., 1887
Complete Left, 16th June, 1888
Complete Accepted, 20th July, 1888
I DAVID GEO. WESTON Cycle Manufacturer 211 Essex Road, London, N. in the
County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
A Spring Fork & Framework for reducing the vibration on passing over rough
roads, suited to Bicycles and Tricycles with 2-3 or more wheels.
It has been found by long experience on the road, that a rigid Framework causes a
deal of vibration to be felt by riders, I am aware there has been various contrivances
for obviating this, but I claim as entirely new, my invention herein described.
Above the Crown of the Fork to the Front Steering wheel of Bicycle or Tricycle
I attach a Spring and to the upper part of Spring the tube that carries the Handle
Bar-This spring is in shape resembling the letter U placed horizontally, the open
ends to the front of machine. This spring may be made of flat spring steel or separate
curled steel rods-the spring in either form may have extra Spring within, or a Pin
passing up into the tube that carries the Handle Bar, this tube works within a socket
or by Bicycle neck in connection with a longitudinal Frame continued as a Fork and
secured to the rear wheel or wheels so as to allow perfect steering-This longitudinal
frame has on either side studs from which depend rods fixed at their lower ends to a
collar-through this collar and fork is passed vertically a tube carrying a seat at top
and the foot crank driving gear below, which transmits the motion of cranks by chain
to the rear wheel or wheels-This vertical tube is supported by a spiral spring placed
around it thus a collar is fixed to the upper part of tube above spiral spring-the
lower end of spring resting on the collar, depending by rods from fork-allowing the
longitudinal frame to rise or fall on passing over rough roads.
The vertical tube is connected by a rod above the longitudinal frame to the front
steering so that the distance from the Handle Bar to the rider does not alter by the
action of machine nor does the distance of seat and chain gear alter or rider would
loose power. The chain gear is stayed from the rear wheel or wheels to the lower
part of vertical tube, this is to keep chain gear in proper position.
I further make the chain gear adjustable for stretch or wear and a suitable brake is
itted.

page_text: The action of machine will now be seen-The front wheel on meeting with
unequal road-rises and by the aid of the spring over front fork glides easily-and
prevents the shock being felt-The vertical tube and frame allows the rear wheel or
wheels to rise and fall without inconvenience to rider-the spiral spring stopping
vibration under the seat. The rider being supported on springs both at the front
forks and at seat connections-travels easier without jolts or shakings yet allways in
proper position for exerting full power.
The vertical tube may be controlled by a spring inside suitably arranged.
Dated this Sixteenth day of September 1887.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Velocipedes.
I, DAVID GEORGE WESTON of 211 Essex Road London, N. in the County of
Middlesex, 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 :—
An improved Spring Fork and Framework for checking the vibration on passing
over rough roads, suited to Bicycles and Tricycles with 2, 3, or more wheels.
It has been found by long experience on the road that a rigid framework causes a
deal of vibration to be felt by the rider of Velocipedes.
I am aware there has been various contrivances for obviating this, but I claim as
entirely new my invention herein described. Above the Crown of the Fork to the front
steering wheel of Bicycle or Tricycle I attach a spring, it is in shape resembling the letter U
placed horizontally. This spring may be made of flat spring steel as fig. 1ª or curled
steel rods fig. 1b-the spring in either form may have extra spring at the open part
shewn at figs. 1A 1B 1C 1" or a pin P fig. 1 passing up into the tube connection to the
handle bar. this pin or stem works in a slotted piece S fig. 1 which is held fast in
tube A-the flat sides of the pin bearing in the slot, this slot is longer than the flats
on the pin so that the pin can play freely, but have no lateral weakness, the slot being
capable of adjustment for wear by means of the screws shewn S*-I place around the
pin a spiral spring to take some of the load or work off the springs shewn at I fig. 1B.
When necessary to compress these springs to suit riders of different weights they can
be done so by the screwed rod and nut shewn at T fig. 1B.
In fig. 1 I show the pin in front of the fork-it works in a slot at Z and is sur-
rounded by a spring and has a screwed part shown Z this does the compressing
without extra rod shewn at T fig. 1-the tube A may work in a socket or by Bicycle

page_text: neck on the frame. This frame called longitudinal will be of any suitable shape to
connect front and rear wheel or wheels as shewn in the drawings.
This framework has on either side studs or projections fig. 2 B between which I
place a collar R fig. 5-the depending rods described in provisional specification are
not required this collar I will in future term the rocking peice. I pass through this
vertically a tube or rod-I will call it the vertical tube shewn V figs. 2-3, carrying
the seat and crank driving gear the tube V can slide up and down in the rocking
peice, this peice R has 2.tapped holes one on each side and a hole in line with the
vertical tube through which the guide rod G works-this rocking peice is supported
in the projections on frame by means of screws and the tapped holes in it shown at
fig. 5. it oscillates or swings with the action of machine.
The vertical tube is made of one straight tube curved at its lower end—it is entirely
separate from the frame and is supported thus. Secured to its upper part is a collar K
fig. 2. below this and around the tube V is placed a spiral spring fig. 2 M. the lower
part of spring resting on the rocking peice. to the collar K I fix a guide rod G. this
passes through the hole in the rocking peice. this rod 1 thread at the free end H
passing through the hole in R. and fit a nut to compress the spiral spring around
vertical tube this rod serves as a steady or guide to the vertical tube. the rod
connecting the vertical tube to the front steering described provisionally I disclaim
the use of.
The Tricycle frame fig. 4 is made to allow the tube V to pass. of 2 tubos connected
at U to the front part and at W to the tube bridge carrying the driving axle of
tricycle it is made as drawn to support tube V so that it can be used by riders of either
sex the frame fig. 2 is unsuitable for a Lady to ride. it may be made of one tube with
opening to allow V free action. I prefer 2 tubes as in plan 4 F.
The vertical tube and chain gear in Bicycle or Tricycle is controlled and stayed by
2 stays. one on each side of tube and working on stud screws on the framework near
the axle. or I may make stays flexible to work up and down by action of the vertical
tube. one end secured to the frame. the other end to the vertical tube, they need have
only slight play and may be of any section steel suited. they are shewn curled at fig. 6.
but they may be straight. I do not claim the use of stays except they be of the spring
form and secured at each end to the tube V and frame.
The chain is adjusted for stretch or wear by any of the usual methods and a suitable
brake is fitted.
Having described the vertical tube with the spring acting outside. I will now
describe same with spring acting inside the tube fig. 3-At a convenient part of the
tube 1 cut a slot through it. this is to allow a screwed bolt to pass, on this bolt I rest
a disc D inside the tube, on this I place a spiral spring N. working freely in the tube,
above the spring I rest another disc D and above this disc I fasten inside the tube a
threaded collar C. this collar is to receive a screw formed outside a short tube E for
compressing spiral spring as may be required. this screwed tube has a nut L to lock
it in position. the seat rod can be held in this tube. and allow adjustment to riders
height. I use a rocking peice as before. but with holes in side not tapped. one of the
holes in projections on frame is tapped to receive bolt on which rests the disc D in
tube. thus the vertical tube is supported by spring inside resting on the bolt. that
passes through the projections. rocking peice. and tube from side to side of frame this
bolt can be locked by nut outside screwed hole in projection on frame. The vertical
tube is stayed as before described-and the action is identical.
In order to plainly shew and fully describe my invention, the 2 sheets of drawings
with figs. and letters are for reference as follows-
Figs. 11° 11° 1° shews the spring action over the steering wheel.
Fig. 1. P. the pin or stem in front. side. and plan.
Fig. 1 S. the slotted peice in section. plan. and elevation.
Fig. 1 the fork and action from the front. with slotted part bearing on sides of
pin P.
Fig. 2. the vertical tube action. and longitudinal frame, spiral spring M outside
tube
the projections B. guide G. rocking veice R. and stays J in position.

page_text: Fig. 3. vertical tube with spring action inside.
Fig. 4. Tricycle frame and vertical action suited to riders of either sex.
Fig. 4 F. Plan view longitudinal frame.
Fig. 5. Rocking peice showing tapped hole.
Fig. 6. Spring stays for preserving the distance from axle to chain gear on
tube V.
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
Claim 1st. The combination of the curled steel rods-or spring of Flat Steel-with the
pin or stem and extra spring at the open part shewn in Figs. 1 1 1 1d for use above the
crown of steering wheels in Bicycles or Tricycles for checking vibration at the Handle
Bar.
2nd. A vertical tube or rod. the seat at the top and crank driving gear at the bottom.
made of one tube. not fixed to any part of the framwork of Bicycles or Tricycles, but
capable of sliding up and down freely, supported and controlled by springs and collars
as Figs. 2. 3. 4--or mere modification of the same.
3rd. The Tricycle Frame fig. 4 formed of one or more tubes through which works
a vertical tube controlled by spring.
4th. A Rocking peice R guide rod G.
5th. The slotted peice S. to take up looseness on stem P fig. 1.
6th. The use of spring stays for the purpose described fig. 6.
Deted this Sixteenth de
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