Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 6th June, 1887
Complete Left, 6th Dec., 1887
Complete Accepted, 6th Jan., 1888
JAMES JOSEPH KEATING 22 Bachelors Walk Dublin Clerk I do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
At the ends of a cycle fork are hinged two short levers. Upon one pair of ends of
said levers the axle of the cycle wheel is securely attached. Upon the other pair of
ends of the above mentioned levers a pair of connecting rods are hinged. These
connecting rods pass through and are supported by a pair of spiral springs by means
of a nut and washer. The spiral springs rest upon brackets forged upon or brazed
upon the cycle fork. In use the springs are compressed.
Dated this fourth day of June 1887.

page_text: 1, JAMES JOSEPH KEATING of 22 Bachelors Walk, Dublin, Clerk, 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 invention relates to a spring fork for bicycles, tricycles and other velocipedes,
and it has for its objects the construction of the said spring fork in a more simple and
effective manner than has hitherto been done. I attain this object in the manner
illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a view in side clevation
showing one prong of a fork embodying my invention, and Figure 2 is a view in front
elevation showing more particularly the construction thereof.
Throughout these views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
On each end of the prongs A of a fork are fixed or formed the female part B of a
hinge or joint in which is pivotted by a suitable boltba lever C the one arm of which
is considerably longer than the other. The end of the long arm of the lever C is
shaped to receive the axle X of the wheel it carries, and the end of the short arm
is hinged to the end of a rod D by a suitable pin c. The free end of the rod D is
threaded to receive a nut d. On the joint piece B is formed an eye bracket B¹
through which the rod D passes. This eye bracket is formed at right angles to the
prong of the fork so that the rod D lies parallel therewith. Encircling the rod D is a
spiral or volute spring E which bears against the bracket B' at one end and against
the nut d at the other end. By adjusting the position of the nut d on the rod D the
strength of the spring may be varied as desired. On the lever C in close proximity
to the point at which it is pivotted to the prong of the fork, is formed a projection c¹
arranged to engage with the shoulder of the female part B of the hinge when the
lever has moved through a given radius, thus forming a knuckle joint the function of
which is to prevent the wheel carried by the fork, touching the top of the said fork in
case one or both of the springs break.
It will be understood that each prong of the fork is fitted as hereinbefore described
and that the axle X of the wheel carried by the said fork is mounted in the free ends.
of the levers C, C, in the usual manner.
By constructing a spring fork in the manner herein before described and shown by
the accompanying drawing, I obtain a maximum amount of movement of the wheel
with a minimum amount of movement of the springs, and furthermore as the said
springs are always in compression there is less liability of their breaking.
I am aware that spring forks consisting of jointed arms or levers in combination
with springs have already been used and therefore I do not broadly claim such an
arrangement but 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. In a velocipede, a spring fork constructed specifically as set forth.
2. In a velocipede, forming or fixing on each end of the prongs of a fork a bracket

page_text: forming the female part of a hinge or joint and a circular eye at right angles to the
female part of the said hinge, as and for the purpose set forth.
3. In a velocipede pivotting two levers to brackets formed on the ends of the prongs
of a fork and providing the said levers with projections to engage with the said
brackets to form knuckle joints or hinges, as and for the purpose set forth.
4. In a velocipede, the combination with the prongs A of the fork, of the hinge
brackets B, the eye brackets B', the levers the rods D lying parallel to the prongs A
of the fork and the springs E as set forth.
5. In a velocipede the combination with the prongs A of the fork, of the hinge
brackets B, the levers C pivotted thereto by the bolts b, the rods D provided with
nuts d, the eye brackets B' supporting the springs E, all arranged and operating
specifically as set forth.
6. In a spring fork of a velocipede consisting of two hinged levers or arms
supporting the wheel carried by the said fork and controlled by springs in compression,
arranging the said levers and springs so that the ends of the levers carrying the
said wheel have a greater movement than the ends controlled by the springs as set
forth.
7. In a spring fork for a velocipede consisting of two levers pivotted to brackets
formed on or fixed to the ends of the prongs of the fork and controlled by two springs
in compression, mounting the said springs on rods pivotted to the opposite ends
of the said levers and supporting the springs so that they lie parallel with
and in close proximity to the prongs of the said fork.
Dated is on day oL December 100
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.