AN IMPROVED METHOD OF MOUNTING THE STEERING WHEELS OF VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1885

page_text: Velocipedes.
"
We JOSEPH HENRY DEARLOVE of Rydon Street, New North Road, in the
parish of Islington, in the County of Middlesex, Cycle Manufacturer; and HARRY
THRESHER of Dalston Lane, in the parish of Hackney, in the county as aforesaid,
Mechanic, do hereby declare the nature of our said invention for AN IMPROVED
METHOD OF MOUNTING THE STEERING WHEELS OF VELOCIPEDES," to be as follows:-
Instead of mounting the steering wheel of a Velocipede in a vertical fork with
the head over the top of the wheel we mount it in a horizontal fork terminating
in a vertical bead attached to the frame of the machine in the rear of the wheel.
By this arrangement we are enabled, 1st to dispense with some of the usual parts
and so reduce the weight of the machine; 2ndly by making the horizontal fork of
spring steel we give the steering wheel a certain amount of elasticity which absorbs
the vibration set up by it; and 3rdly to use a large steering wheel which makes
the machine run much steadier than a small one, without any of the drawbacks
attendant on the use of a large wheel with the usual vertical fork.
We control the steering wheel either by a rack and pinion or by a transverse
handle bar or by any other convenient method. The controlling mechanism is
attached to the end of the fork in close proximity to the head, or to any other
convenient part of the horizontal fork.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Agent for the Applicants.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Mounting the Steering Wheels of
Velocipedes.
We JOSEPH HENRY DEARLOVE of Rydon Street New North Road, in the
parish of Islington in the county of Middlesex, Cycle Manufacturer and HARRY
THRESHER of Dalston Lane, in the parish of Hackney in the county as aforesaid,
Mechanic do hereby declare the nature of our said invention for "AN IMPROVED
METHOD OF MOUNTING THE STEERING WHEELS OF VELOCIPEDES," and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
Instead of mounting the steering wheel of a velocipede in a vertical fork with
the head over the top of the wheel, we mount it in a horizontal fork terminating
in a vertical head attached to the frame of the machine in the rear of the wheel.
By this arrangement we are enabled First; to dispense with some of the usual
parts and so reduce the weight of the machine. Secondly by making the horizontal
fork of spring steel we give the steering wheel a certain amount of elasticity
which absorbs the vibration set up by it, and Thirdly to use a large steering wheel
which makes the machine run much steadier than a small one, without any of the
.drawbacks attendant on the use of a large wheel with the usual vertical fork.
We control the steering wheel either by a rack and pinion, or by a transverse
handle bar, or by any other convenient method. The controlling mechanism is
attached to the end of the fork in close proximity to the head, or to any other
convenient part of the horizontal fork.
.
In order that our invention may be fully understood we will more particularly
describe it with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which similar parts
are marked with like letters of reference.
Figs. 1 and 2 are a side elevation and plan respectively showing the application
of our invention to a velocipede having a loop frame and in which the steering
wheel is controlled by a.rack and pinion steering gear. Referring to the figures,
A designates the steering wheel which is mounted in the horizontal fork B made
of spring steel, and arranged with its thinnest edge in the horizontal plane so that
it will have a certain amount of elasticity in a vertical direction. The free end of
the fork B is connected to the frame of the machine X by a vertical joint or head C
by which the wheel may be turned for the purpose of steering the machine.
D designates the mud guard. Y the main axle of the machine, and Z the pedal
crank axle. On the end of the fork B is attached a short lever E to which is
connected the steering rod F provided at its free end with a rack controlled by a
vertical spade handle through a pinion in the usual manner. Figs. 3 and 4 are
a sido elevation and plan respectively showing the application of our invention
to a velocipede having a central tube frame, and in which the steering wheel is
controlled by a transverse handle bar. Referring to the figures, A designates the
steering wheel, B the horizontal spring fork, which is connected at its free end to
a short curved tube D to which is attached the steering spindle C which is
continued upwards through a socket forming part of the frame of the machine X

page_text: and carries a transverse handle bar in a convenient position for the rider.
Y designates the main axle of the machine, and Z the pedal crank axle. As the
tube D, which we prefer to make of a crescent shape, turns with the wheel, it acts
as a mud guard, a plate d being extended downwards to make the guard low
enough. The length of the tube D depends upon the size of the steering wheel
and the inclination of the steering post, and we sometimes dispense with it entirely
and connect the steering spindle C direct on to the free end of the fork B.
It will be seen that a steering wheel mounted as hereinbefore set forth will
rise more readily over obstacles on the road, and owing to the elasticity of the fork
will do so with less shock to the machine than if it were mounted in the ordinary
vertical fork.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is
First. The combination of the horizontal spring fork B, and the vertical head C,
as, and for, the purpose herein before set forth.
Secondly. The combination of the horizontal spring fork B, the curved tube D,
and the vertical steering spindle C, all combined, arranged, and operating, as and
for the purpose herein before set forth.
Thirdly Mounting the front or steering wheel of a tricycle, or other velocipede,
in a horizontal spring fork, as aud for the purpose hereinbefore described and
shown.
Fourthly. In a tricycle the combination of the central tube frame, the steering
wheel mounted in an horizontal fork, the curved tube and the raked steering post
and spindle controlled by a transverse handle bar, all arranged and operating as
hereinbefore set forth.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Agent for the Applicants.