Improvements in Apparatus for Allowing Riders to Start Safety Bicycles and other Velocipedes whilst Seated on the Saddle, and to Dismount.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Jan., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 18th Oct., 1890-Accepted, 22nd Nov., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Allowing Riders to Start Safety
Bicycles and other Velocipedes whilst Seated on the Saddle, and
to Dismount.
SEPTIMUS JOHN COLLIER Cycle Agent Old Hall Whitefield near Manchester do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The scat pin to which the saddle spring is fixed slides through two guide lugs, or
inside a tube so that apart from the adjustment allowed for different lengths of leg
the seat pin can be let down sufficiently to enable the rider to be seated on the saddle
and have their feet on the ground both at the same time this enables the rider to
start the machine by placing one foot on the pedal and the other being on the ground
they can push off and so start the machine. When the machine is started the saddle
is lower than the height required for riding.
Under the seat pin or round it is fitted a spring which when the rider sits in the
saddle their weight compresses but after the machine has been started, by taking
their weight off the saddle the spring causes it to lift up to the height required for
riding. A spring catch secures the seat pin when it is forced up by the spring. A
rod to the handle bar can be attached to the catch and when this is pulled the weight
of rider lowers the saddle for dismounting.
1 Lennone. 1900
J
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Allowing Riders to Start Safety
Bicycles and other Velocipedes whilst Seated on the Saddle, and
to Dismount.
$
SEPTIMUS JOHN COLLIER Cycle Agent Old Hall Whitefield near Manchester 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:-
This invention applies to safety bicycles, particularly ladies' safeties, and by its
use the process of mounting the machine is free from the danger and inconvenience
attending the present general method of mounting. The seat pillar is provided, (apart
from the adjustment for length of leg) with suitable slides running through or upon
guides fixed to the frame of the machine. The seat and the slides can be lowered
by drawing out a stop and applying pressure upon the saddle, and this act brings into
action a spring so arranged as to bring the saddle and guides back to their original
position, when the pressure on the saddle is released. When the saddle is held down
the rider can sit upon it and have the feet upon the ground; one foot is then placed
on a pedal and the machine pushed off by the foot on the ground. When started the
weight is taken off the saddle by resting on the pedals and the saddle is lifted into
the position for riding by the aforementioned spring or other means and a catch holds
it in place. A modification of the above is to have the saddle on hinged arms or
levers allowing the saddle to drop for the purpose of mounting.
In order to render more clear the nature of the above invention I make reference
to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is a front view of the constructive arrangements-the seat pillar A shewn
in section to expose the spring P within it in extension the seat being at the required
height for riding.
Fig. 2 is the same view shewing the sliding action of central boss connecting the

page_text: slides S S and which slides outside the seat pillar A. To this central boss is fixed
the spring catch C which engages with the hole O Fig. 3, or other arrangement in
the pillar A, when the seat is at the desired height.
Fig. 3 shews a side view of the arrangement with the seat depressed when first
mounted by the rider for starting or dismounting, the small portion of the spring
in lower part of seat pillar being shewn compressed.
All the letters in the separate figures have reference to the same parts in each.
The method of working the above is as follows:
The catch on spring catch C is disengaged from the seat pillar by its withdrawal
from the opening O (Fig. 3) the pressure or weight of the body depressing the seat
Ο
and by means of the central slide S (Fig. 1) compressing the spring P thus allowing
the seat to drop so that the feet of the rider may touch the ground. In this position
the rider gives the necessary momentum to start the machine and ou springing
on the pedals the weight of the rider on the saddle is released and by the action of
the compressed spring P in the seat pillar A, the seat is raised until the catch (
engages with the opening O (Fig. 3) and the whole is locked together at the desired
height.
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:
1st. The principle of lowering the seat or saddle of ladies' or similar safety bicycles
and velocipedes for the purpose of mounting with ease and safety, and,
2nd. The principle of lifting the saddle to the proper position for riding after the
machine is started.
Dated this 17th day of October 1890.
SEPTIMUS JOHN COLLIER.