Improvements in the Frames of Velocipedes.
Year: 1897

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION..
Improvements in the Frames of Velocipedes.
We PETRUS JOHANNES HERES, Painter of 13 Poeldyksche straat and AUGUSTE
KLEIN, Dyer of 1A Plaats, The Hague, in the kingdom of Netherlands. do hereby.
declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement;-
-
Everybody knows the many inconveniences attached to the use of pneumatic
tires in cycles. We intend to do away with these inconveniences by substituting
the pneumatic tires by spiral springs fixed in the hollow stems of the machine,
completely deadening the shocks, easily fitted together, of a very solid construction
and whose application does not require great modifications in the construction
of ordinary cycles.
The annexed drawing represents a form of execution of a bicycle fitted with
the organs which form the object of the present invention.
In this drawing:
Fig 1 represents an elevated view of the frame of the cycle.
Fig 2 shows an elevated view of the complete machine.
The frame of the new machine has the same shape as the ordinary ones; it is
composed like the latter, of a back fork, a support-stem for the saddle, a front
steering-fork, a fork connecting the bracket with the back-fork, the tube N con-
necting the bracket with the tube of the steering stem and the top bar M.
The modifications made in this frame and which constitute the present invention,
consist of the following arrangements:-
-
The hollow cylindrical stem A, which is connected with the pedal bracket S
is open at its upper end to allow a stem B, which forms the saddle support, to
penetrate with a soft friction.
The lower end of this stem B lies, in the interior of the bar A, on the upper
part of a spiral spring which is located in the tube A and rests upon the bottom
of this tube.
The stem B possesses, at a certain point of its height and towards the back part
of the machine, a steel snug which can slide in a longitudinal groove made in
the side of the tube A. This snug allows the upward and downward movement
of the stem. B in the tube A, but prevents its deviation and consequently that of
the saddle in the horizontal plane.
The two branches D of the front fork, which is worked by the handle-
bar, are formed of tubes with oval section and having the same section
along its whole length; these tubes have their lower ends open. A spiral spring l
also of an oval shape, is fixed in each tubular branch D and into each of them an
oval section stem is introduced to which the axle of the steering-wheel is fixed.
The upper end of the stem E comes into contact with the lower end of the
spring fixed in the tube D. This possesses two grooves R diametrically opposite

page_text: each other; in the sides of the stem E are holes facing each other in such a way
that when the hollow stem E is introduced into the tube 1), these holes face the
grooves of the latter; a pin K is then driven into these holes, the ends of which
surpass each side of the tube D, this pin forming a slide in the grooves for the
upward and downward movements to which the stem E is subjected during the
running of the machine, these movements being caused by the shocks received by
the wheel. This pin is intended to prevent the stem E from getting out of the
tube D.
A ring Q soldered or brazed to the end of the tube D serves to consolidate
this extremity, this consolidation being rendered necessary by the oblique efforts
to which it will be subjected by the stem E which is supported by the axle of
the steering wheel.
A support stem of the mud-guard is fixed to this ring.
The two branches F of the back fork are arranged nearly in the same way as
the branches D of the front-wheel fork. They are each composed of a tube l
having also a constant section along its whole length; this tube, which is also
open at its lower extremity, contains also a spiral spring r¹ and possesses a ring Q¹
brazed near its extremity.
The branches G of the fork which connects the pedal bracket S with the back
fork are connected with the stems F by means of sockets H; each of these sockets
is fixed to the end of one of the stems F. A stem J is introduced into the open end
of the tube F, upon which stem, as shown in the drawing, the axle of the back
wheel and the chain tightener L are fixed. A pin K' serving for the same purpose
as the pin K of the branches D is placed in grooves R¹ made in the tube F in the
same way as the grooves R in the tubes D.
It is easy to see, by a glance at the drawing that the shocks received by the
wheels, when the machine is in motion, will be completely deadened by the arrange-
ment of the springs and stems described above. Pneumatic tires can therefore
be suppressed and substituted by cushion or solid rubber tires or any other kind of
tire.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed We declare that what We
claim is:
1. A new arrangement of bicycle frame, distinguished by the substitution of
pneumatic tires by spiral springs placed in the hollow stems of the machine to
produce a smooth running.
2. In a spring frame for cycles the arrangement of the saddle support stem,
penetrating the diagonal tube of the frame fixed to the bracket, which stem rests
upon the upper extremity of a spiral spring placed in the said tube, the above
mentioned support stem having a snug sliding in a groove made in the side of
the tube, and allowing the upward and downward movement of the support stem
in the said tube, but preventing any deviating movement of the stem and, con-
sequently of the saddle which it supports.
3. In a spring-frame for cycles the arrangement of the branches of the front
fork, these branches being each composed of two parts, in one of which a spiral
spring is located and the other part penetrating the first by the bottom and bearing
upon the lower end of the said spring; a pin, fixed after the introduction of the
lower part of the branch into the upper part, slides in grooves made in this latter
to hold the lower stem in the upper tube, at the same time allowing the upward
and: downward movement of the former in the latter.
4: In a spring frame for cycles the arrangement of the back fork, composed of
elements similar to those of the front-fork connected with the bracket connecting
fork by means of a coupling box or socket H and the lower stem which enters the
upper spring tube being fixed to the axle of back wheel and receiving the chain-
tightening apparatus.

page_text: 5. A new kind of velocipede frame substantially as described above and shown
in the subjoined design.
L. DUVINAGE
Agent for Applicants.