Dri Bi
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Dec., 1887
Complete Specification Left, 15th Sept., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 19th Oct., 1888
1 GEORGE PATRICK of 529 King's Road Chelsea Engineer do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
-
My invention relates to an improved construction in Rear Driving Bicycles or
Tricycles, and consists of the introduction of a spring between the main horizontal
carrying frame or back bone, supporting the rider, and that part of the mechanism
holding the driving wheel or wheels; the object of this construction being to
neutralize by spring action, the jar that would otherwise be transmitted to the rider,
when the driving or other wheels come into contact with any impediment on the road.
I construct the main framework of my Rear Driving Bicycles or Tricycles in the
usual manner; there is the ordinary horizontal backbone, crossed by & secured to a
vertically inclined bar or tube sometimes called the pedal tube; this pedal tube carries
at its upper end, above the backbone, the saddle and is attached at its other lower end,
under the backbone, to a horizontally inclined distance piece-The horizontally
inclined distance piece, stretches between the lower end of the aforesaid pedal tube
and the axle of the driving wheel or wheels, to which it is attached; hence a triangular
frame is formed, having for one side part of the horizontally situated backbone, for
another the lower part of the vertically inclined pedal, tube, & for another the hori-
zontally inclined distance frame; but whereas in most other bicycles or tricycles of
this construction the sides of this triangular frame are rigidly connected to each other,
in, mine a spring is introduced, between the upper backbone and lower horizontal
distance frame; and in order to benefit by this spring, I give the distance frame a
pivoting action at its juncture with the crossbar. The spring may be of any form
or material, one, end may be attached to either the lower distance frame itself or to
the axle of the driving wheel or by any convenient attachment to either and the other
end, may be secured to or press against, the upper backbone, or vice versa it may be
secured to the upper backbone, and press against the lower frame.
It will be seen that if the driving wheel momentarily rises over any obstacle on
the road, the tension of the intervening spring will prevent this action being trans-
mitted to the horizontal backbone on which the rider is seated, and that the lower
distance frame will simply move slightly upward with the axle as it turns on the
pivot, by which it is connected to the cross bar.
Dated: bis 16th day of December 1:887

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bicycles, Tricycles, and other Velocipedes.
I GEORGE PATRICK of 529 King's Road Chelsea London 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 an improved construction in Rear Driving Bicycles,
Tricycles or other Velocipedes and consists of the introduction of a spring or springs
between the main horizontal carrying frame or backbone supporting the rider, and
that part of the mechanism holding the driving wheel or wheels. The object of this
construction is to neutralize by spring action, the jar that would otherwise be trans-
mitted to the rider, when the driving wheel passes over rough ground or comes into
contact with any impediment on the road.
I construct the inain framework of my rear driving bicycles or tricycles in the
usual manner. There is the ordinary backbone as shewn at A Fig. 1, forked at the
driving wheel end, and secured midway to a vertically inclined pedal tube or
bar B.
This
The pedal tube carries at its upper end above the backbone, a saddle C and at its
lower end, the crank axle E to which the pedal is attached it has also connected
to this lower end by means of the pivot F a distancing frame G.
distancing frame stretches between the aforesaid pedal tube B and the driving
wheel axle H to which it is secured. Hence à triangular frame is formed
having for one side the forked part of the horizontally inclined backbone A, for
another the lower part of the vertically inclined pedal tube B and for another, the
horizontally inclined distancing frame G; but whereas in most other bicycles or
tricycles of this construction, the sides of the triangular frame referred to, are rigidly
connected to each other; in mine springs are introduced between the upper back-
bone A and the lower distancing frame G as shewn at K Fig. 1.
In the drawing given at Fig. 1, only one spring shews, as also only one side of the
backbone fork and distancing frame; the duplicates of these being in similar positions
on the other side of the wheel.
I usually employ two springs of the form shewn at K Figs. I & II, the ends being
bent round so as to form loops, which can be held by pivots. The object of securing
the distancing frame to the pivot F is to give to the ends carrying the driving wheel
axle, freedom to oscillate in harmony with the movement of the springs.
I further provide small metal and rubber buffers, which are fixed respectively to the
horizontally inclined backbone and distancing frame as shewn at L & M Fig. I:
These buffers regulate the minimum distance, that the backbone and distancing
frame shall approach to each other, during any sudden compression or breaking of
the springs.
I do not bind myself to either the form or number of springs employed; nor to
the exact method of attachment. Any or all of the springs may he secured to the
driving wheel axle instead of the distancing frame, or to any intervening attachment

page_text: belonging to either the backbone, distancing frame or driving wheel axle; they may
also be secured only at one end and press freely with the other, or be secured at
both ends as shewn in drawing.
I am aware that in bicycles and tricycles, in which the backbone has not been pro-
longed towards the driving wheel axle; springs have been introduced between the
vertically inclined pedal tube & distancing frame, and that the crank axle in such,
has been supported by the distancing frame instead of the vertically inclined pedal
tube: but by the method I employ of placing the springs between the driving wheel
end of the backbone and distancing frame or driving wheel axle, & supporting the
crank axle by the lower end of the vertically inclined tube or bar; I maintain, that
not only is freer action given to the movement of the distancing frame, in as much
as the pressure of the foot is not directly transmitted to it; but also that the strain
due to the weight of the rider, is transinitted in a more advantageous manner
through the horizontally inclined backbone to the driving wheel axle.
Although I usually support the crank axle, by the vertically inclined tube or bar,
for reasons stated; I may in some cases support it by the distancing frame.
From the description given it will be seen that if the driving wheel momentarily
rises over any obstacle on the road; the tension of the intervening spring or springs
will prevent this action being transmitted through the backbone to the rider, and
that the lower distancing frame will move slightly upward with the driving wheel
axle as it turns on its pivot.
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--
1. The use of a spring or springs in Bicycles, Tricycles, or other Velocipedes con-
structed on the rear driving principle: when such spring or springs are situated or
introduced between the portion of the backbone reaching towards the driving wheel
axle and the distancing frame or driving wheel axle; as substantially set forth and
described.
2. The use and application of rubber and metal buffers, as described; in in com-
bination with the use of springs as set forth in claim 1.
3. The use and application of a pivotted distancing frame, as described; in com-
bination with the use of springs as set forth in claim 1.
Dated this 15th day of September 1888.
GEORGE PATRICK.