Improvements in Velocipedes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Apr., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Dec., 1893-Accepted, 20th Feb., 1897
Improvements in Velocipedes.
I PHILIP THOMAS GODSAL of Willowbrook near Eton in the County of
Bucks, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates more particularly to bicycles, but it is also applicable more
or less to tricycles and other velocipedes, the objects of the invention being (1) to
do away with the front steering handles, and all the gear that comes in front of the
greater part of the body of the rider, so that the rider may readily get clear of
the machine, in case of a fall, or an accident, or threatened accident; (2) to lighten
the machine; (3) to make a bicycle more compact, and more convenient for stowing
away or for packing; and generally to simplify the construction and improve the
working of velocipedes.
I propose to provide adjustable steering handles in rear of, or along-side the
saddle, for those that require them, but for the purposes of my invention. I may
mount the saddle or seat so that it may be turned to the right or left by the
movement of the rider's body.only.
In carrying out my invention, I cut away the front handles, handle bar, and the
bandle bar stem, leaving only sufficient frame to form a head for the fork of the
front wheel, and I may use a front wheel of smaller diameter than the hind
wheel. I also make the frame preferably somewhat the shape of a ladies'
bicycle.
In order to steer, I employ a steering post, which I may place just in rear of,
and parallel with, the down tube, the steering post being mounted in suitable
bearings. Near its lower end, the steering post is conveniently connected with
the fork crown of the front wheel, so that, by turning the steering post, a turning
motion is imparted to the steering wheel.
To turn the steering post, I may use a rigid steering bar of the ordinary
construction, but I prefer that the arms of the steering bar shall be hinged
to a socket mounted on the post, so that the bars can turn down for packing.
The handles of these arms I may make adjustable to any height, at the will of
the rider, when seated, by pivotting the arms to rods which are connected or
pivotted to a sliding piece mounted on the steering post, and having a catch
actuated by a spring, which snaps automatically into notches formed on the
steering post. The spring catch has a wire or rod, or lever, attached to it,
with a loop at the other end, placed conveniently to the rider's hands, so that
the catch may be released, when required, to raise or lower the arms.
In some cases, I may prefer to place the steering post inside the down tube.
In order to steer by means of the horizontal turning movement of the saddle,
the saddle pillar may be a prolongation of the steering post, or fixed to it in any
convenient manner.
Or I may have a fixed saddle, and mount on the steering post, arms which may
be arranged to fit against any convenient position of the body of the rider, so that,
by a slight movement of the body, the steering,may be effected.
Dated this 2nd day of April 1896.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: I PHILIP THOMAS GODSAL of Willowbrook, near Eton in the County of
Bucks, 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 :-
This invention relates more particularly to bicycles, but parts of it are also
applicable to tricycles and other velocipedes. The objects of the invention are
(1) to do away with the front steering handles of bicycles, and all the gear that
comes in front of the greater part of the body of the rider, so that the rider may
readily get clear of the machine in case of a fall, or an accident or threatened
accident; (2) to lighten the machine; (3) to make the machine more compact and
more convenient for stowing away or for packing, and, generally, to simplify the
construction and improve the working of velocipedes.
To this end, I provide steering handles in rear of, or along-side the saddle, for
the purposes of my invention, or I may mount the saddle or seat so that it may be
turned to the right or left by the movement of the rider's body only, and thus effect
the steering of the machine.
In carrying out my invention, I remove the front handles, handle bar, and the
handle bar stem, leaving only sufficient stem to give a firm bearing for the fork of
the front wheel. I prefer also to use a front wheel of smaller diameter than the
hind wheel, and to form that part of the frame which connects the fork with the
down tube, of plates, but I may use tubing, as usual.
In order to steer, I employ a steering post, which I may place just in rear of,
and parallel with, the down tube, the steering post being mounted in suitable
bearings carried by the down tube. Near its lower end, the steering post is
conveniently connected with the fork crown or stem of the front wheel, so that,
by turning the steering post, a turning motion is imparted to the steering wheel in
a manner now well understood.
To turn the steering post, I use a rigid steering bar of any convenient
construction.
In some cases, I may prefer to place the steering post inside the down tube.
In order to steer by means of the horizontal turning movement of the saddle, the
saddle pillar may be a prolongation of the steering post, or fixed to it in any
convenient manner.
And in order that my invention may be clearly understood, I will now proceed
to more fully describe it, reference being had to the annexed drawings, in
which
Fig. 1 is a side view of a bicycle constructed according to my invention ;
Fig. 2 is a front view; and
Fig. 3 is a side view, partly in section, shewing a modification in the steering
mechanism.
A is the down tube, at one end of which is mounted the saddle, while at the
other end are the bearings for the crank axle.
B are the back stays, and C is the gear case, behind which are the distance bars,
as usual. D is the steering post, which is mounted in bracket bearings A', A',
carried by the down tube A.
The steering post is formed with ball bearings, the general construction of which
will be readily seen in the enlarged view, Fig. 3, of the modification.
The steering post is provided with a steering handle D', of any convenient
construction, and adapted thereto in any convenient manner, and at the bottom of

page_text: the post is a cross head D³, to the opposite ends of which, steering rods D³,
connecting it with the fork stem, are attached.
F is the steering fork, which is provided with only sufficient stem to give a strong
rigid bearing.
This fork E is connected to the down tube A by means of the plates G G¹, in
such a manner that the plates may be readily detached from the down tube, to
facilitate the packing or storage of the machine.
The connection may, however, be by tubes in the usual way.
The stem E of the fork E is inserted in a sleeve H (or it may be sockets)
provided with lugs H, and to these lugs the plates G G¹ are bolted. In like
manner, the bracket bearings A' of the down tube A are provided with lugs, to
which the opposite ends of the plates G G¹ are bolted, the plate G being bolted to
the lug of the bracket A2, and the plate G¹ to the lug of the crank axle bearing,
not shewn, because hidden by the gear case C.
The stem E is fitted with a cross head E2, the ends of which project through
slots in the sleeve or socket H, to receive the steering rods D³.
By means of the plates G G', I obtain such elasticity as may be desired in the
frame, besides providing a broad foot-rest or deck, out of the way of the steering
rods and protecting them.
In the modification Fig. 3, the steering post D is placed inside the down
tube A, and carries the saddle pin and the steering bar D¹, which are solid
therewith, so that the steering post may be turned by the movements of the
rider's body.
In this arrangement, the down tube is divided into two parts, as shewn, in order
to provide for the cross bead D2 of the steering mechanism.
I would here remark that the details of construction of the ball bearings, or the
mountings of the steering post and other parts, form no part of my invention, and
may be varied according to the fancy of the manufacturer.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The general construction and arrangement of bicycle as herein shewn and
described.
2. A bicycle in which the ordinary steering post, steering bar, and handles, are
removed, so as to leave an open front, as and for the purposes set forth.
3. A velocipede in which the steering post, provided with steering bar and
handles, and suitably connected with the steering wheel fork, is placed immediately
below the saddle, as shewn and described.
4. A velocipede in which the steering post and saddle are rigidly connected,
so that the steering may be effected by the movement of the rider's body, as set
forth.
Dated this 22nd dor of December 1906
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.