Improvements in Frames for Safety or Rear-driving Cycles.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 28th J.n., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 26.h Oct., 1895-Accepted, 28th Feb., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Frames for Safety or Rear-driving Cycles.
SAMUEL FARNSWORTH 280 Osmaston Road Derby Foundry Manager do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows, and as shewn on the
accompanying drawing
I construct the frame of hollow steel tube or other suitable material with suitable
connections and of approved design but instead of a rigid connection of the back
tubes A with the bottom or pedalling bracket B the tubes A one on each side the
back wheel are provided with an eye end fitting perfectly round the end of
bracket B so as to work somewhat freely thereon as a joint a cross-stay X bracing
the two ends together. The top back tubes C one ou each side the wheel are
securely coupled together with a crossplate D and a tube E is securely fixed one
on each side of wheel to said crossplate and tubes A. On the seat-pillar tube is
securely fixed another crossplate G similar to D with a circular eye-hole at each
end through which the curved ends of tubes C are free to move. Between the two
crossplates D and G an air-tight bag of rubber or other material of sufficient
strength is fixed provided with a suitable valve whereby an approved air-pressure
can be maintained so as to form a cushion reducing the vibration of the back wheel
when travelling. I also place a crossplate H on the front forks in the centre of
which between the forks a thin tube of approved length is fixed which tube will
just freely slide inside the usual internal tube of the ball head. I fix another
crossplate K to the end of the internal tube of the ball head carrying the bottom
ball race and with eyes each side through which the ends of front forks will just
freely move. Between these two crossplates H and KI also place an airtight
bag with valve as before described acting as a cushion reducing vibration from the
front wheel. Small caps are fitted on the sliding ends of tubes C and the front
forks so as to maintain them in their respective positions when the weight of the
rider is off the machine.
Dated this 26th day of January 1895.
I SAMUEL FARNSWORTH of 280 Osmaston Road Derby Foundry Manager
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 consists in improvements in frames for safety or rear-driving
cycles and is illustrated in the drawings left with my Provisional Specification.
The principal object of my invention is to prevent the communication to the
rider of the cycle of the vibrations and concussions caused by the wheele travelling
over uneven surfaces whereby greater ease and comfort may be secured than has
heretofore been obtained by riders of such machines.

page_text: In my invention very successfully attain this object by means of an improved!
frame containing or including pneumatic spring bags in relation to the front and'
rear wheels thereof.
The drawing filed with my Provisional Specification is a side elevation of the
frame shewing the position of the pneumatic spring bags with one method of their
attachment.
I construct the frame of hollow steel tubes or other suitable material with
suitable connections and of approved design but instead of a rigid connection of
the lower back tubes A. one on each side of the back wheel with the pedal crank
shaft bracket B as heretofore I provide the tubes A with an eye end to each of
them preferably conical internally and made to fit perfectly upon and around the
outer ends of bracket B which is shaped preferably bi-conically to fit them, the
outer ends being the smaller whereon they can work somewhat freely as a joint.
A cross-stay X is provided for connecting the two tubes A and securely bracing
the two ends together with its screwed ends. The upper tubes C one on each side
of the wheel are securely coupled together by means of a crossplate D preferentially
fitted to receive oue end of my improved pneumatic spring bags. Tubes E one on
each side of the back wheel are securely fixed to the crossplate D and to the lower
tubes A near to the bracket B so that the tubes A. C. E. and their connections
form a rigid double triangular frame carrying the back wheel and free to move on
the bracket B as a centre. On the seat pillar tube is securely fixed another cross-
plate G preferably opposed to and substantially parallel with the plate D. and
prepared to support the other end of pneumatic spring bag. The plate G-has a
circular eye hole at each end and through these eyeholes pass the ends of tubes C
which are curved so that the centres of curvature are in the axis of bracket B.
Between the two crossplates D and G a suitable pneumatic spring bag of rubber
or other material is placed and by its elasticity absorbs as far as possible the
vibrations of the back wheel and the triangular frame when travelling.
In combination with this arrangement of the back wheel I may also place a cross-
plate H on the front forks in the centre of which between the forks a thin tube of
approved length is fixed which will just freely slide inside the usual internal tube
of the ball head. I fix another crossplate K to the end of the internal tube of the
ball head carrying the bottom ball race and with eyes on each side through which
the ends of front forks will just freely move.
Between these crossplates H and K I also place a pneumatic spring bag with
valve as before described for reducing the vibration from the front wheel. Small
caps are fixed on the sliding ends of front forks and of the tubes so as to
maintain them in their respective positions when the weight of the rider is off the
machine.
I may, and prefer to, apply to this invention the improved construction of
pneumatic spring bag which is shewn and described in the Specification accom-
panying my Application for Patent No. 20321/95 dated 29th October and the
method of applying them will be readily understood without further explanation
than is given herein and in the said Specification.
The said improved cushions may be made separately and interposed in the open
spaces between the plates D and G or H and K or the end plates which hold
the edges of the covers of the interior air-cushion may be formed by the said
plates D. G. H. K. made with suitable flanges to afford the necessary recesses to
hold the edges of the said covers as fully explained in the aforesaid Specification.
Where I use that form of my improved cushion in which the two end-plates are
connected by toggle jointed plates or arms then the guidance afforded by the
sliding of the tubes such as by the ends of tubes C sliding in plates G or the
extension of the front fork ends and the provision of the tube on plate H to :l de
in the steering head may be dispensed with.
But where I retain the last-mentioned tube on plate H and at the same time use
my improved air-cushion the latter would have to be provided with an orifice
through its centre for passage of the internal tube without touching or gripping

page_text: the same the air-pressure being maintained by the cover flanges being pressed in
the recesses of the end plates and by one end of each of the sliding tubes being
hermetically sealed.
I am aware that various methods have been proposed for the application of air-
cushioning to cycle frames and particularly to the steering head and saddle support
and that inflated bags and sliding tubes have been applied to these parts. I do
not claim broadly any such application of pneumatic cushioning but,
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-.
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim, is,
In a frame for safety or rear-driving cycles.
1. The construction of said frame in two parts whereof the rear part for
carrying the rear wheel is of a triangular -nature hinged at one lower corner to
the front part and spaced at its apex from the front part by a pneumatic
cushion.
2. The construction by which the rear wheel is carried by a double triangular
frame hinged to or upon the pedal crank shaft bracket and spaced from the seat
pillar bracket by a pneumatic cushion to operate in the manner specified.
3. The construction of frame of two parts one of them comprising the two.
tubes A having eye ends encircling the pedal crank shaft bracket B and the
tubes C and E together with the plates D and G a pneumatic cushion separating
plates D and G and means for retaining the two parts of the frame in the same.
plane.
4. In a frame comprising the rear and fore parts hinged below and cushioned.
above as described the arrangement of pneumatic cushioning for the front forks or
steering head substantially as set forth.
Dated this 25th day of October 1895.
SAMUEL FARNSWORTH.