Improvements in or connected with Velocipedes..
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 20th July, 1897-Accepted, 18th Sept., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Velocipedes..
I, GEORGE ALFRED NISBET of, 5, Knowsley Road, Battersea, S.W. Gentleman,
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 improvements in or connected with velocipedes, and
refers more particularly to those intended to be used by ladies, the object being
the construction in a simple and efficient form, of certain and various parts of a
velocipede whereby greater room is given to the rider, while mounting and dis-
mounting is considerably facilitated, the whole arrangement of the structure
being of simple form combining great rigidity and strength with ease and comfort
to the rider without undue or excessive weight.
My invention refers firstly to a novel form or improved construction of the
back portion of a velocipede frame, whereby great strength is obtained, at the same
time furnishing a flat top frame which is essential for supporting the seating device
or saddle as hereinafter more fully described, and secondly to an improved form
or construction of the front portion of the frame whereby a larger space is
obtained to accommodate the dress of the rider, these constituting the improvements
in the frame proper.
My invention further embodies an improved saddle or seating device whereby
all concussion or jolting, due to the passage of the machine over inequalities of
the road, or upon meeting an obstacle, is reduced to a minimum, thereby
affording great ease and comfort to the rider, while by my improved construction
certain adjustments may be quickly and easily effected, and I likewise provide
simple mechanism whereby the machine, when at rest, may be supported without
leaning against a wall or the like or resting the pedal upon the edge of the kerb
or other projection, thereby rendering mounting and dismounting extremely easy
and greatly facilitating the safe progression of the rider through crowded
thoroughfares.
In order that my invention may be more fully understood, I will now proceed
to describe same with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figs. 1
and 2 are a side view and perspective view respectively illustrating the form of
the rear portion of the velocipede frame according to my invention.
Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a velocipede combining some of my improvements
and fitted with the improved saddle or seating device, while Figs. 4 and 5 show
in side elevation and plan the form of the front portion of the frame of the
velocipede according to my invention.
Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of the saddle or seating device drawn to a larger
scale, Fig. 7 being a side elevation of the lower portion of same. Figs. 8 and 9
are plans of portions of the saddle.
Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a part of a velocipede showing the application
thereto of my improved supporting device, while a slightly modified form or con-

page_text: struction of the rear portion of the velocipede frame is also illustrated, said form
of construction being more clearly shown in the diagrammatic perspective view
Fig. 11 (Sheet 5).
Fig. 12 shows the details of a cross or stiffening bar which may be employed
where the machine is to be used by a gentleman.
Figs. 13, 14, 15 and 16, are details of the supporting mechanism.
According to my invention and as shown in Figs. 1 to 5, Sheets 1 and 2, of the
accompanying drawings, the rear portion of the velocipede frame comprises the
approximately horizontal tubes a a, b b, and the side tubes c c, d d, (Figs. 1 to 3);
the whole arranged in such a manner as to produce a flat topped frame for
supporting the saddle or seating device e (Fig. 3), while the front portion of the
frame comprises the semi-circular forked portion f with the extending arms f
designed to be brazed to the bottom bracket f and a continuation tube f³ designed
to be brazed to the socket of the steering tube or head of the machine f*.
The whole design of the front portion of the frame is that of an obtuse angle
and by this means a far larger space is obtained than with the ordinary or well
known design of frame, while a pair of steps are arranged upon the curved
portion of the forked part f whereby a lady is enabled to easily reach the saddle
or seat.
According to the ordinary or well known design, when a lady wishes to assume
a position upon the riding saddle she places one foot upon the raised pedal pushes
the bicycle along and while the pedal is returning springs on to the seat, which
is somewhat difficult to accomplish, and gives her no chance of lifting or arranging
her dress before taking her seat, and which at times becomes torn or disarranged.
By my improved design of frame, in combination with the steps g, mounting and
dismounting is quickly effected by placing the right foot upon right hand step
and pushing bicycle along, the left foot can then be placed upon the corresponding
step when the dress can be properly pulled up behind and the seat taken upon the
saddle, the whole dress being then in correct order.
My improved design has further advantages inasmuch as the part f¹ of the
front portion of the frame runs straight and is parallel to the ground, instead of
being curved as in the majority of ordinary machines, and by this the dress is not
held up in front by parting it between the feet, and therefore has a greater
efficiency than has hitherto been obtained, while the novel form or construction
of the rear portion of the frame prevents the dress from coming into contact with
the rear wheel of the velocipede.
Figs. 6 to 9 illustrate the construction of my improved sliding saddle or seating
device.
According to this part of my invention I provide a suitable rectangular box
or case designed to rest upon and be suitably secured to the flat top of the
velocipede frame as shown at Fig. 3.
Within the box h I provide a travelling block mounted upon two pairs of
wheels h2, h3. The ends of the axle i pass through slots formed in the supporting
lugs, while between the said axle and travelling block '', I interpose a
laminated spring and coiled or helical spring j", while the wheels or rollers h2, h3,
are mounted upon rails 2. The travelling block is traversed by two wires or
rods for the purpose of guiding same, and around which and between the
travelling block and one end of the case coiled or helical springs. (Fig. 7) are
arranged, and which always tend to force the travelling block back, said
travelling block being locked in position by the spring clip 2 (Figs. 6 and 7),
the end of which is bent at right angles and passes through the slot or opening
in the side of the box h where it is forced into close contact with the travelling
block by the spring k, while in order to release same it is only necessary to
press the lower end of the clip which draws the toothed or serrated edge of same
out of contact with the travelling block when the latter can be adjusted to the
required position and again locked by the clip.

page_text: Upon the travelling block
telescopically a second tube
a collar 13 on the outer tube
spring is arranged.
is mounted a vertical tube 7 within which works
supported upon a spiral spring 12, while between
and the lower plate of the saddle a second spiral
The saddle proper comprises the lower plate and upper plate 16, each of which
is furnished with a stiffening plate m in the form of a cross and between which are
arranged five spiral springs m¹ in the positions shown at Fig. 8, while the top
portion of the saddle may be of leather or other suitable material or padded or not
as required.
By the special arrangement of the springs m between the plates m m, a person
seated upon the front portion of the saddle depresses the whole surface of same
uniformly, whereas with the ordinary arrangement of saddle springs, the front
portion only of, the saddle would be depressed while the back would remain in a
raised position, thereby tending to tilt or throw the rider forward on the handle-
bars which disadvantage is overcome by my improved construction of saddle.
Fig. 10 illustrates a slightly modified form in the construction of the rear
portion of the frame of the velocipede, but still retaining the flat top, this modified
ferm is more clearly shown in the diagrammatic perspective view Fig. 11.
Fig. 10 also shows the application to the velocipede of my improved mechanism
whereby the latter may be supported when at rest, the details of which will be
clearly seen from Figs. 13 to 15.
My improved supporting device comprises a pair of wheels n carried by a forked
frame, the arm or continuation of which is contained within a curved
The
cylindrical case n³ containing spring mechanism hereinafter referred to.
supporting device is operated by a cord or wire o passing over suitably arranged
pulleys and entering the operating cylinder p.
attached
or fastened to a second disc q¹ (Figs. 14 and 16) furnished with lugs or pro-
jections which pass through slots or openings formed in the sides of the
curved cylindrical case n³. The disc carries two curved projecting
wires. r; r, the ends of which pass through holes or perforations in
a disc or stop r¹, while around the said wires, r, r, and between the disc q¹ and
the disc or stop r¹ a coiled or helical spring 2 is arranged which tends to force
the forked frame n¹ in a downward direction so as to bring the wheels n, n, into
contact with the ground. In order to keep the said frame in a raised position
and out of contact with the ground I provide an operating device p placed in a
convenient position near the handle bars, the said operating device comprising a
cylindrical case within which is arranged a coiled or helical spring p¹ upon which
rests a cover or disc 72 furnished with an operating handle 23 passing through a
vertical slot 2 formed in the side of the case p. In order to raise the wheels n, n
out of contact with the ground it is only necessary to push down the handle 2
thus depressing the cover or disc p2 which may be secured in the required position
by turning the handle p into one of the side slots p³. This draws up the
operating wire or cord and raises the discs q, q', within the curved cylindrical
case n³, compressing the spring 2 thereby raising the wheels out of contact with
the ground and retaining them in the raised position, while in order to bring
them into use it is only necessary to release the handle p³ from the side slot
containing it, when it is forced up to the top of the case p by the action of the
spring thereby slackening the cord or wire o and allowing the wheels n, n, to
be automatically forced into contact with the ground by the action of the spring 2
Where the velocipede is to be used by a gentleman, a suitable strengthening
rods may be provided which is furnished with suitably shaped and enlarged
ends designed to take into corresponding sockets 2 projecting from suitable
parts of the machine, catches 3 of any convenient form being provided which may
5 be turned over the enlarged end so as to prevent the rod or bar s shaking out
of position or being accidentally withdrawn,
The arm or extension n² of the forked frame in is secured to a disc

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In velocipedes, the construction of a frame comprising a rear portion of the
form or shape illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 and having a flat top for supporting a
saddle or seating device as herein described and a frout portion consisting of the
forked parts as illustrated in Figs. 3 to 5; the whole combined and arranged in
combination with a pair of steps g substantially as set forth and for the purposes
specified.
2. The improved saddle or seating device combined, arranged and operating 1
substantially as herein described and shown with reference to Figs. 6 to 9 of the
accompanying drawings.
3. In velocipedes the improved supporting device or mechanism combined,
arranged, and operating, substantially as herein described and shown with
reference to Figs. 10 and 13 to 16 of the accompanying drawings and for the 1
purposes specified.
4. The modified form of the rear portion of a velocipede frame, substantially as
herein described and shown with reference to Figs. 10 and 11 of the accompanying
drawings.
5. In combination with a velocipede such as herein described and shown, the 2
use of an additional strengthening bar s taking into sockets s, and arranged in
combination with suitable fastening devices or catches 3, substantially as herein
described and shown, and for the purposes specified.
6. The improvements in or connected with velocipedes substantially as herein
described and shown, and for the purposes specified.
Dated th
1
1007
2
F. G. CASSELL
(Of Cassell & Co.),
22, Glasshouse Street, Regent Street, London, W.,
Agent for the Applicant.