Improvements in and connected with Cycles, Buses, and other Wheeled Vehicles.
Year: 1894

page_text: This Print is in accordance with the Original Specification as it stands after
Amendment (under Section 18 of the Patents, &c. Act, 1883), as allowed
by the decision of the Comptroller General of the 12th day of June 1896.
Date of Application, 13th Aug., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 13th May, 1895-Accepted, 29th June, 1395
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Cycles, Buses, and other
Wheeled Vehicles.
I, GEORGE BAILLIE MAIN of Orleans, Pollokshields, in the County of Renfrew,
North Britain, Oil Manufacturer and Refiner, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
The great aim in cycling at present, and a very proper one too, is to have a
machine which will travel over smooth and rough roads causing little or no jolting
to the rider and so making cycling a pleasure. Many attempts have been made to
construct such a machine, the chief and hitherto most successful of which is that
known as "
a pneumatic." This although so far successful has its drawbacks in so
far as the pneumatic tyre is liable to become punctured through coming in contact
with some sharp stone or other obstacle thus allowing the air to escape. In such
cases, which are not infrequent, the machine becomes useless until the tyre has been
repaired and reinflated or a fresh one substituted thereby not only causing a great
deal of inconvenience but considerable expense. Many devices have been tried to
make the tyres puncture-proof but none of these, so far as I am aware at least, have
been an absolute success.
The object of my invention is to construct a machine which will entirely obviate
the aforementioned difficulties and that at less cost than by the present system of
pneumatic tyres.
In carrying my invention into practice I dispense with the pneumatic tyres
altogether and use the ordinary metal rim wheel with or without a cushion or solid
tyre. On the intermediate frame of the machine I fix an air pad or cushion, and
on the stay I fix a similar pad, and to the splashboard at the rear portion of the
machine, I also attach a like pad. The seat pillar consists of two parts, one of
which consists of a fixed hollow tube preferably oval, square, diamond or other
shape and with a slot about midway between the two ends, while the other part
consists of a moveable rod or tube of similar shape which freely moves up and down
in the fixed hollow tube or on the outside of it while the machine is in motion. To
this moveable rod or tube the seat is attached and to the lower end of it where the
slot is situated there is connected one end of another bar or rod-or these two may
be in one piece the other end having a curved or other suitably shaped piece fixed
to it which bears on the pneumatic cushion or pad on stay. To the top part of the
rod or to each end of the seat I fix other bars or rods each terminating with a.
similar curved or other suitably shaped piece which rests on its respective air
cushion or pad. If necessary these curved or other suitably shaped pieces may be.

page_text: provided with suitable guides. I may also have a spiral or other spring in the
lower part of the seat pillar which is acted upon by the lower end of the moveable
rod on which the seat is carried.
By my improvements it will thus be obvious that in travelling along a rough or
uneven road or coming against some stone or other obstacle the shock or concussion
is split or broken up so that before reaching the rider-whose weight is carried, is
supported, or rests on air tubes, rubber or metal springs as will be hereafter
described it is practically almost entirely absorbed. Under the present system
of pneumatic tyres the most tender part of the machine, that is to say the pneumatic
tyres themselves, receive the first impact on coming in contact with the ground and
bence as already explained the great danger of the tyres becoming punctured and
so rendered useless. Under my improvements this is entirely reversed inasmuch
as I leave the shock or concussion of the first impact to the rims of the wheels,
allowing the remaining and already partly absorbed concussion only to be dealt
with or taken up by the air pads or cushions, which as they never come in contact
with the ground cannot possibly become damaged or punctured as is the case with
the existing pneumatic tyres.
Of course it is to be understood that I do not confine myself to the number or
arrangement of the air pads or cushions as described as fewer or more may be used
and they may be somewhat differently arranged as may be found desirable. I may
also dispense with the spring in the seat pillar.
As an alternative method of obtaining the same result without deviating from the
principle of my invention I dispense with the use of air cushions and 1 rest or
support the seat or springs in the following manner. In addition to the moveable
tube on which the seat is carried as before mentioned I also fix at or near the ends
of the seat other bars or rods forked if necessary. These bars or rods extend
beyond the intermediate frame of the machine and have rubber or other springs
fixed to their ends, the other ends of the springs being connected to the frame of
the machine. I may also make similar attachments to the stay or other suitable
parts of the machine.
It is also to be understood that I do not confine myself to air pads or
cushions as described as solid or hollow rubber tubes, balls, or springs may
be employed.
As indicated, one of the important features of my invention is the use of a
moveable seat in contradistinction to the present universal fixed seat of existing
cycles.
I have only described my improvements as applied to cycles, but it is to be
understood that these are also applicable to buses, hansoms, cabs and other wheeled
vehicles with slight modifications.
Dated this 11th day of August 1801
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agents.
Improvements in and connected with Cycles, Buses, and other
Wheeled Vehicles.
I, GEORGE BAILLIE MAIN, of Orleans, Pollokshields, in the County of Renfrew,
North Britain, Oil Manufacturer and Refiner, 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 :-
The great aim in cycling at present, and a very proper one too, is to have a
machine which will travel over smooth and rough roads causing little or no jolting
to the rider, and so making cycling a pleasure. "Many attempts have been made to

page_text: construct such a machine, the chief and hitherto most successful of which is that
known as the "pneumatic tyre." This, although so far successful, has its draw-
backs, in so far as the pneumatic tyre is liable to become punctured through
coming in contact with some sharp stone or other obstacle, thus allowing the air to
escape. In such cases, which are not infrequent, the machine becomes useless until
the tyre has been repaired and reinflated, or a fresh one substituted, thereby not
only causing a great deal of inconvenience, but considerable expense. Many
devices have been tried to make the tyres puncture-proof, but none of these, so
far as I am aware at least, have been an absolute success.
The object of my invention is to construct a machine which will entirely obviate
the aforementioned difficulties, and that at less cost than by the present system of
pneumatic tyres.
In order that my invention may be properly understood and readily carried into
effect I have hereunto appended two sheets of drawings showing my improvements.
as applied to a cycle, of which-
Figure 1 is a side elevation.
Figure 1 is a detached view showing how the cushion is attached.
Figure 2 is a view showing the spring arrangement hereinafter described.
Figure 3 is a detail view of the forked bar and spring hereinafter referred to.
I
In carrying my invention into practice I dispense with the pneumatic tyres.
altogether and use the ordinary metal rim wheel A, with or without a cushion or
solid rubber tyre. On the intermediate frame B of the machine I fix an air pad or
cushion C, and on the stay D I fix a similar pad or cushion C, and to the splash-
board Fat the rear portion of the machine I also attach a like pad or cushion.
These air pads or cushions are preferably fixed in the following manner.
provide for each air pad or cushion C a grooved-shaped piece U corresponding to
the length of the respective air pads or cushions C, and these are bolted or other-
wise secured to the frame B, stay D, and splashboard F respectively, and in these
grooved pieces U the air pads or cushions Care placed as shown more particularly
in Figure 1. The ends of the air pads or cushions are hooked on to their
respective parts as shown. The seat pillar consists of two parts, one of which
consists of a fixed hollow tube H, preferably oval, square, diamond, or other shape,
to prevent the scat from turning or twisting round, and with a slot I about midway
between the two ends, while the other part consists of a movable rod or tube L of
similar shape, which freely moves up and down in or on the fixed hollow tube H,.
while the machine is in use. To this movable rod or tube L the seat M is attached,
and to the lower end of it, where the slot I is situated, there is connected one end
of another bar or rod L³, the end having a curved or other suitably shaped piece N
fixed to it, which bears on the pneumatic cushion or pad C on stay D. To each
end of the rod O to which the seat M is connected, I fix other telescopic bars or
rods P, Q, respectively, each terminating with similar curved or other suitably
shaped pieces N, which rest on their respective air cushions or pads C. The seat,
of course, is capable of being adjusted to suit the rider, as shown.
Under the present system of pneumatic tyres the most tender part of the machine,
that is to say, the pneumatic tyres themselves, receive the first shock or concussion,
coming as they do first in contact with the ground, and hence as already explained
the great danger of the tyres becoming-as they so frequently do-punctured and
so rendered useless. Under my improvements, however, this is entirely reversed,.
inasmuch as I leave the shock or concussion of the first impact to the rims of the
wheels, allowing the remaining, and already partly absorbed concussion to be dealt
with or taken up by the air pads or cushions (, which, as they never
contact with the ground, cannot possibly become damaged or punctured, as is the
case with the existing pneumatic tyres.
come in
By my improvements I also prevent the entire weight of the machine bearing on
the air cushions, thereby preventing them from becoming so soon worn done as the
existing pneumatic tyres.
Of course it is to be understood that I do not confine myself to the number or

page_text: arrangement of the air pads or cushions as described, as fewer or more may be used,
and they may be somewhat differently arranged as may be found desirable. I may
also dispense with the spring in the seat pillar.
In
As an alternative method of obtaining the same result, without deviating from
the principle of my invention, I may dispense with the use of the air cushions or
pads, and I rest or support the seat on springs in the following manner.
addition to the movable tube L on which the seat M is carried as before mentioned,
I also fix at or near the ends of the seat other bars or rods S forked if necessary.
These bars or rods S extend beyond the intermediate frame of the machine, and
have rubber or other springs T fixed to their ends, the other ends of the springs T
being connected to the frame of the machine, as indicated in Figures 2, and 3.
I may
also make similar attachments to the stay or other suitable parts of the
machine.
It is also to be understood that I do not confiue myself to air pads or
cushions as described, as solid or hollow rubber tubes, air-balls, or springs may be
employed.
As indicated, one of the important features of my invention is the use of a
movable seat in contradistinction to the present universal fixed seat of existing
cycles.
My improvements may also be adapted to cycles having pneumatic tyres.
I have only described my improvements as applied to cycles, but it is to be
understood that these are applicable to buses, hansoms, cabs or other wheeled
vehicles. In such cases the air pads or cushions may be arranged between the
body of the vehicle and the axle and wheels, the object being to prevent
the vibration coming from the ground reaching the occupants of the vehicle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :-
In cycles, buses, cabs, hansoms, or other wheeled vehicles, constructing these in
such a manner, as to cut off the jolting from the rider, passengers, or occupants
without at the same time any risk of puncturing in travelling along a rough or
uneven road, or in coming against some sharp stone or other obstacle, which is so
common with existing pneumatic tyres, substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated on the accompanying sheets of drawings.
Dated this 11th day of May 1895.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agents.