Improvements in Velocipedes.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 2nd July, 1889-Accepted, 31st Aug., 1889
TROVISIONAL DI MUITIVATION.
Improvements in Velocipedes.
We CHARLES PITT BYRNE of 16 Montagu Street London W. Esqr. and FREDERICK
THANKFUL HAISMAN of High Street Hanwell Machinist do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows :-
:-
A method of reducing vibration caused by steering wheels or any other wheels to
which the said method may be applicable.
The machine is severed from wheel above the crown of fork which holds said
wheel-In case of steering wheel below the bottom neck centre.
The insertion of springs, rubber or other elastic substances & bolting the parts
together form a compact & rigid feature of the machine, while enjoying at the
same time almost perfect freedom from vibration.
We sometimes fasten said fork to the machine by a hinge
the action of said hinge being controlled by springs rubber &c.
made a self supporting spring for the above purpose.
instead of the bolts;
Or the hinge may be
The same principle is pursued by severing the handle from handle bar or
other support over which is passed india rubber tubing or other elastic substance
& over this the ordinary handles-The whole when fastened forming a solid yet
antivibration handle.
Dated this 4th day of October 1888.
C. PITT BYRNE.
FREDERICK THANKFUL HAISMAN.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Velocipedes.
We CHARLES PITT. BYRNE of 16 Montagu Street London Esqr. & FREDERICK
THANKFUL HAISMAN of High Street Hanwell Machinist 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:―
The object of our improvements is by a new arrangement of springs or other
pliable substance to reduce the vibration from steering wheels or such other
wheels to which our said arrangement may be applicable.
In order that our method may be thoroughly understood, reference is made to
accompanying drawings-Fig. I represents in plan a series of arms designed to
maintain our springs in position & dividing a circle into three or more equal
parts-preferably six as shewn.
One such set of arms projects from the crown of fork holding the wheel & a
corresponding set from the extremity of the steering post or other portion of the
machine to. which said wheel is to be connected. At ends of said arms are formed
bearing surfaces centrally pierced with holes & through said holes we pass steel
bolts joining corresponding arms each to each. Fitting tightly around the said bolts
are placed spiral springs arranged as shewn in Fig. 2 which represents a side view
of one pair of arms-viz.: one spring between head of bolt & one arm, one between the 2
arms & one between one arm & the nut securing the bolt. Variations may be made in the
shape of the springs bolts or arms, or the bolts may be locknutted in one or other set of
arms, or the bolts may be of square, round or other section working in square round or
other holes, or some arms may be hinged together while springs are used on others, or the
hinge itself may be made of a self supporting spring, or the bolts may be dispensed with
& the connection made by springs rivetted or otherwise secured between corre-
sponding arms, or the arms themselves may be made to serve as springs; or other

page_text: pliable substance may be used in place of steel springs; or other modification-so
long as the freedom of motion combined with torsional rigidity (i.e. certainty of
steering) which we claim as a feature of novelty is retained.
We are aware of previous attempts to reduce vibration by severing such wheels
from the machine; but the parts have been again brought into contact by means of
studs slides or guides fixed parallel to each other, confining the action of the springs
to one direction only. We disclaim the use of such methods which would defeat
the object of our improvements-nor do we claim the use of springs as such; but
only our arrangement of the same or any modification acting in a similar manner
for a similar purpose as herein explained. Our method allows of motion in other
than one direction, in fact enables the wheel to yield to shocks striking it in any
direction. While by dividing the circle into three or more equal parts & holding
corresponding points together we obtain a practically rigid steering point.
Another result of our division of the circle is that as (in turning) one spring goes
out of action, another comes into play to replace it. We also provide for the return
shock viz. some of the springs receive the shock & others the recoil which would
otherwise be felt equally with the first (action & reaction being equal & opposite).
Finally our screwed bolts & nuts allow for adjustment of the tension on the
springs.
Having now particularly described & ascertained the nature of our said Inven-
tion & in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what wo
claim is In apparatus for reducing vibration in Velocipedes.
1. Our arrangement of arms projecting from crown of fork holding wheel, as
described & explained.
2. Our arrangement of corresponding arms on that portion of the machine to which
said wheel is to be connected as described & explained.
3. Our arrangement of springs with reference to said arms as described &
explained.
4. The complete severance of said wheel & fork from the machine & the recon-
nexion wholly through springs or other pliable substance as described & explained.
The word fork is intended to include any apparatus for holding a wheel while allowing
it to revolve on its proper axis.
5. The obtaining a motion yielding to shocks in various directions while retaining
a rigid steering point as described & explained.
6. The abolishing any central stud confining motion to one straight line.
7. The abolishing any spring inside steering rod to prevent wheel falling out.
8. The adjustment of tension on our springs by screwed bolts.
9. The combination of all or any of the above features of novelty all or any sub-
stantially in the manner & for the purpose above described & explained.
Dated this First day of July 1889
CHARLES PITT BYRNE.
FREDERICK HAISMAN.