Improvements in Steering Mechanism for Cycles.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Aug., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 24th May, 1894-Accepted, 30th June, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steering Mechanism for Cycles.
We THOMAS VANN, of Redhill Road, Hay Mills, in the County of Worcester,
Mechanic, and HENRY MORRIS, 9 Clifton Road, Moseley, in the County of
Worcester, Tinner and Galvanizer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the combination and arrangement of
mechanism for steering cycles, and more particularly intended for what are known
as rear driven "safeties." Its object is to facilitate the straight steering of the
machine when being ridden, and to similarly facilitate its being pushed along when
not ridden, so as to lessen the care and guidance usually required, and consists in
effecting such object or objecte in a simpler manner than heretofore.
I will describe it for instance as applied to a "safety" machine ;-
To the upper end of the (steering) front fork is rigidly secured, in any con-
venient manner, a bracket or arm, which extends rearwards in line with the frame
of the machine, and preferably beneath the lower bar of the frame. To this
bracket or arm is now secured the one end of a wire spiral spring, whose other
end is similarly secured to a bracket, hook or other connection upon the said
lower bar of the frame. This latter bracket, hook &c., is preferably adjustable
along the said bar, so that the strength of the pull of the spring may be increased
or decreased if desired.
If desired in some cases, the first bracket may be attached to the steering head
above the upper bar of the frame, and the spring lie above the said upper bar, and
having its other end secured to a bracket &c. carried upon such upper bar, but we
prefer the manner before mentioned as being more conveniently out of the way.
An indiarubber spring may be used if desired instead of a metal one.
Thus in a simple manner the steering wheel is always tended towards a straight
line or direction, so that the rider needs exercise but little care in steering, and
the machine be easily pushed (unridden) along without controlling the steering
handle.
Dated this 23rd day of August 1893.
DOWATY
CHARLES T. POWELL,
Applicants' Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steering Mechanism for Cycles.
We, THOMAS VANN, of Redhill Road, Hay Mills, in the County of Worcester,
Mechanic, and HENRY MORRIS, of 9 Clifton Road, Moseley, in the County of
Worcester, Tinner and Galvanizer, 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 relates to improvements in the combination and arrangement of
mechanism for steering cycles, and more particularly intended for what are known
as rear driven "safeties." Its object is to facilitate the straight steering of the
machine when being ridden, and to similarly facilitate its being pushed along when
not ridden, so as to lessen the care and guidance usually required, and consists in
effecting such object or objects in a simpler manner than heretofore.

page_text: We will describe it for instance as applied to a "safety" machine :-
To the upper end of the (steering) front fork is rigidly secured, in any con-
venient manner, a bracket or arm, which extends rearwards in line with the frame
of the machine, and preferably beneath the lower bar of the frame. To this
bracket or arm is now secured the one end of a wire spiral spring, whose other
end is similarly secured to a bracket, hook or other connection upon the said lower
bar of the frame. This latter bracket, hook &c. is preferably adjustable along the
said bar, so that the strength of the pull of the spring may be increased or decreased
if desired.
If desired in some cases, the first bracket may be attached to the steering head
above the upper bar of the frame, and the spring lie above the said upper bar, and
having its other end secured to a bracket &c. carried upon such upper bar, but
we prefer the manner before mentioned as being more conveniently out of the
way. An indiarubber spring may be used if desired instead of a metal one.
In order to make this our invention more clear, we have appended hereunto
an illustrative sheet of drawings, upon which are figures and numbers of reference,
similar numbers referring throughout the several views to the same thing or part,
and in which :-
Fig. 1, is a general view of the invention as applied to a cycle.
Fig. 2, is a detailed view of the front bracket.
Fig. 3, is a detailed view of the rear adjustable bracket.
4, is the front steering fork, to which is secured the bracket 5. This bracket
may be made in various ways, the method shown being very convenient, in which
the clip bands 6, 6, are made to embrace the fork, and clamped together by means
of the bolts 7, 7. We now make the bracket 5 of wire, whose ends 8, 8, are
secured upon the bolts 7, 7, and thereby the whole is secured firmly to the fork 4.
9, is the clip bracket, secured to the lower bar 10, of the frame of the cycle, by
means of the bolt 11. 12, is the spiral spring whose one end is secured upon the
bolt 11, and whose other end is hooked upon the bracket 5. In order to increase
or decrease the strength of the pull of the spring 12, the clip bracket 9, may be
adjusted as desired along the bar 10.
Thus in a simple manner the steering wheel is always pulled towards a straight
line or direction, so that the rider needs exercise but little care in steering, and
the machine be easily pushed (unridden) along without controlling the steering
handle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
In steering mechanism for cycles, the combination with the steering fork 4, and
frame 10, of the brackets 5 & 9, and spring 12, substantially as described and
shown.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
12, Cherry Street, Birmingham, Applicants' Agent.