Improvements in and relating to Velocipedes.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 7th May, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 29th June, 1894-Accepted, 4th Aug., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Velocipedes.
I, CHARLES BYRNE, of 16 Montagu Street, Portman Square, London, in the
County of Middlesex, Cycle Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to an improved construction of velocipede, and it consists in
mounting the saddle and pedal-crank axle on a frame which is suspended from the
main frame carrying the driving wheel or wheels, and in certain improvements in
the details of construction, the object being to enable the rider to assume any given
position backwards or forwards-within determined limits-with respect to the
pedal-crank axle, thus enabling him to better utilize his strength in propelling the
machine.
As applied to a rear-driving front-steering bicycle, the fork or frame carrying
the front steering wheel is of the usual description and presents no novel features.
The main frame carrying the rear driving wheel preferably consists of four straight
tubes, two of which depart from the top of the steering socket or head and the
other two from the lower end thereof, each of the said pairs of tubes running
straight to and meeting at a point adapted to receive the axle of the driving wheel,
each pair of tubes forming a fork in which the wheel rotates. The tubes forming
this main frame may if desired be coupled together by short stays or struts. The
rear ends of the double fork constituting the main frame may be slotted in the
usual manner to receive the axle of the driving wheel. The bearing bracket
carrying the pedal-crank axle is carried by a fork or its equivalent which is hinged
to the rear part of the main frame preferably at or about the axis of the driving
wheel and the tube adapted to carry the saddle is pivotted to the lower forward
end of this back fork preferably at or about the axis of the pedal-crank axle. The
tube carrying the saddle is also pivotted at a suitable point to a link which is
pirotted to the forward part of the main frame at any suitable spot. It will thus
be seen that with this construction the rider is enabled to vary his position with
respect to the pedal-crank axle.
To brace the tube carrying the saddle and prevent it from bending under the
weight of the rider it is stayed by means of one or more wire stays passing over a
bridge or its equivalent at or about the centre of its length.
To keep the saddle in a rear or backward position for mounting, the step is
mounted on a rearward extension of the lower back fork carrying the pedal-crank
axle behind the axis of the driving wheel, so that when the rider places his weight
on the step the saddle is brought into its most rearward position.
I prefer to hinge the lower back fork to the main frame in the following
manner :-On each of the ends of the double fork forming the main frame I form
or fix a cone the apex of which points inwards, and in the rear end of each member
of the lower back fork is formed a cone-shaped hole adapted to fit over the cones
carried by the main frame. The two parts forming each hinge are held together
by means of a bolt adapted to be screwed into the cone, the head of the said bolt
bearing against the inner side of the lower back fork end. The end of the bolt is
hollowed out and threaded internally, the end of this hollow bolt is then split in
one or more places longitudinally. To lock this bolt in position after the necessary
adjustment of the coned hinge has been made, a threaded plug is screwed into the
end of the bolt to expand it and thereby jam it into the thread of the cone. As
an alternative construction the cones may be formed on or fixed to the ends of the

page_text: members of the lower back fork and the coned holes made in the ends of the main
frame.
The other hinges of the frame are preferably constructed in the following
manner:- -One part of each hinge consists of a tube or socket having coned
recesses in its ends, and the other part of the hinge consists of a crutch-shaped
piece adapted to carry a spindle having cones of the usual type which engage with
the coned recesses in the other part of the hinge and form an ordinary cone
bearing. The crutch-shaped piece is preferably slotted to receive the spindle and
the cones thereon are provided with dowel pins or their equivalents adapted to
engage with the slotted ends of the crutch-shaped piece to prevent them from
rotating. The outer faces of the slotted parts of the crutch-shaped piece are also
recessed to receive round nuts which will retain the spindle in position even after
they have been slackened to allow of the adjustment of the bearing, which is
effected by turning the spindle by means of a screw-driver slot in one or both of
its ends. Balls or spheres may be interposed between the cones of the bearings to
form ball bearings.
Dated this 7th day of May 1894
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Velocipedes.
I, CHARLES BYRNE, of 16, Montagu Street, Portman Square, London, in the
County of Middlesex, Cycle Manufacturer, 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 of velocipede, and it consists
in mounting the saddle and pedal-crank axle on a frame which is suspended from
the main frame carrying the driving wheel or wheels, and in certain improvements
in the details of construction, the object being to enable the rider to assume any
given position backwards or forwards-within determined limits-with respect to
the pedal crank axle-thus enabling him to better utilize his strength in propelling
the machine, and generally to improve this type of velocipede by removing or
overcoming its many known defects.
I attain this end in the manner shown by the accompanying drawings which
illustrate by way of example-a rear-driving front steering safety bicycle
constructed according to my invention.
Referring to the drawings,
Figure 1 Sheet No. 1 and Figure
Sheet No. 2 are views in side elevation
showing the frame carrying the saddle and pedal-crank axle in its extreme backward
and forward position respectively.
Figures 3 and 4 Sheets No. 1 and 2 respectively are broken views in side
elevation showing an alternative method of carrying the driving wheel and the
action of the step with respect to the suspension frame.
Figure 5 Sheet No. 3 is a view in perspective of the main frame.
Figures 6 and 7 Sheet No. 3 are views in sectional plan and side elevation
respectively on an enlarged scale-showing the construction of the joint by which
the lower back fork is connected to the main frame, and
Figures 8 and 9 Sheet No. 3 are views in sectional plan and side elevation
respectively on an enlarged scale-showing the construction of the other joints
used in the frame of the inachine.
Throughout the views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.

page_text: The fork A carrying the front steering wheel X is of the usual description and
presents no novel features. The main frame B consists of four straight tubes b, b',
63, and 6, two of which 6 and 6' depart from the top of the steering socket or
head and the other two 62 and 63 from the lower end thereof, each of the said
pairs of tubes running straight to and meeting at a point adapted to be pivotted to
the fork C carrying the driving wheel X and pedal crank axle D each pair b, b³,
and ', 63, of tubes forming a fork in which the driving wheel rotates. The tubes
may if desired be coupled or braced together by one or more cross stays or bars b³.
The rear ends of the double fork constituting the main frame B may be slotted in
the usual manner to receive the axle of the driving wheel XI. The pedal-crank
axle bracket D is carried by a fork C or its equivalent which is hinged to the rear
part of the main frame B at or about the axis of the driving wheel, and the tube E
adapted to carry the saddle Y is pivotted to the lower forward end of this fork C
at or about the axis of the pedal-crank axle. The tube E carrying the saddle is
also pivotted at a suitable point to a link F which is pivotted at its other end to
the steering socket or head or to any other convenient part of the forward end
of the main frame B. As an alternative construction the driving wheel may be
mounted in the fork C in which case the ends of the members of the fork Care
slotted in the usual manner to receive the axle of the driving wheel X' and the
main frame B is pivotted to the members of the fork C as near to the slots therein
as is convenient as shown by Figure 3 Sheet No. 1 and Figure 4 Sheet No. 2, so
that the tension of the driving chain does not vary with the movement of the
frame.
It will thus be seen that the saddle is free to move backwards and forwards
with respect to the pedal-crank axle thus enabling the rider to vary his position
with respect thereto so as to utilize his strength in propelling the machine to the
best possible advantage.
To brace the tube E and prevent it from bending under the weight of the rider
when it assumes a position out of the vertical, it is trussed by means of one or more
stays e passing over a bridge or its equivalent at or about the centre of its length.
The bracket L carrying or forming part of the hinge by which the tube E is
pivotted to the arm or link F may conveniently form the bridge as shown by
Figure 1 Sheet No. 1 and Figure 2 Sheet No. 2.
The rear end of one of the members of the fork C is extended to a point in the
rear of the axle of the driving wheel, forming an arm G on the free end of which
is mounted the step g. As an alternative construction the arm G may be formed
independent of the fork C and be attached to the end thereof. It will be seen that
when the rider places his weight on the step-in the act of mounting-the saddle
is brought from its forward position as shown by Figure 2 to its most rearward
position as shown by Figure 1.
In order that the width of the tread be not increased 1 construct the various
hinges in the following manner which gives great stability, large bearing surfaces
and perfect adjustment.
I make the hinge by which the fork C is connected to the main frame B in the
following manner :-On each of the ends of the double fork forming the main frame B
I form or fix a male cone H the apex of which points inwards, and at the rear ends
of the members of the fork C at a point slightly in advance of the slots therein to
receive the axle of the driving wheel are formed cone-shaped holes or female
cones H¹, H', adapted to fit over or receive the cones H, H, on the main frame.
The two cones forming each hinge are kept engaged with each other by means of
a screw passing through the cone H' and screwing into the cone H, the head
of the screw bearing against the inner side of the fork C. The screw his drilled
out to form a hole which is threaded internally and the end of it is then split in
To lock the screw h
one or more places as shown by Figures 6 and 7 Sheet No. 3.
in position after the necessary adjustment of the coned hinge has been made, a
tapered screw J is screwed into the hole ² to expand the screw h and thereby jam
it into the threads of the cone H, or the hole may be tapered and the screw J

page_text: be made parallel. As an alternative construction the male cones may be formed
on or fixed to the ends of the members of the fork C and the female cones be made
in the ends of the main frame B.
The other hinges of the frame are preferably constructed in the following
manner-One part of each hinge consists of a tube or socket K carrying female
cones k, k, and the other part of the hinge consists of a crutch-shaped bracket L
carrying a spindle M having male cones m, m, of the usual type the one fixed
thereon and the other adjustable thereon-which engage with the female cones k, k,
and form an ordinary cone bearing. The ends 1, 1, of the brackets L, L, are slotted
to receive the spindle M, and the adjustable cone m thereon is provided with a
dowel pin or projecting piece m' adapted to engage with one of the said slotted
ends 1, 1, to prevent it from turning or rotating on the spindle during adjustment.
The outer faces of the slotted parts 1, 1, of the bracket are recessed to receive
round nuts N, N, on the ends of the spindle M, so as to retain the spindle in
position even after the said nuts have been slackened to allow of the adjustment
of the bearing, which is effected by turning the spindle M by means of a screw
driver slot in one or both of its ends. It is immaterial which part of each hinge is
carried by the main frame. Balls or spheres may be interposed between the cones
to form ball bearings.
Those parts to which no special reference has been made present no novel
features and may be of the ordinary construction.
I am aware that velocipedes have already been made with the parts of the frame
carrying the pedal-crank axle and the saddle pivotted to the other part of the
frame and controlled by springs, and I do not therefore claim such as my invention,
but
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 improvements in velocipedes, substantially as and for the purpose
hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
2. A frame B for a velocipede consisting of a steering socket or head band of
four straight tubes b, 1, 2, and 3, either with or without one or more cross
stays or bars, all arranged as herein before described and as illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
3. In a velocipede the combination of the main frame B, consisting of a steering
socket or head and of four straight tubes b, b, 2, and 3 adapted to carry the
driving wheel as herein before described and of the suspension frame consisting of
the fork C carrying the pedal-crank axle bracket D, of the tube E carrying the
saddle and of the arm or link F, as set forth.
4. In a velocipede the combination of the main frame B, consisting of a steering
socket or head 6 and of four straight tubes b, b1, b2, and 63 as herein before described
and of the suspension frame consisting of the fork C carrying the axle of the
driving wheel and the pedal-crank axle bracket D, of the tube E carrying the
saddle and of the arm or link F, as set forth.
5. In a velocipede having a main frame B and a suspension frame formed of the
members C, E, and F, mounting the step g on an arm forming a rearward extension
of one of the members of the fork C, as and for the purpose set forth.
6. In a velocipede having a frame consisting of a fork such as C carrying
the driving wheel and pedal-crank axle bracket a tube such as E carrying the
saddle, and an arm or link such as F hinged together and suspended from the main
frame B; forming or mounting an arm G on one of the members of the fork C to
form a rearward extension thereof to carry the step g, as and for the purpose set
forth.
7. In a velocipede, the combination of the frame B, of the fork C carrying the
pedal-crank axle bracket D, of the tube E carrying the saddle Y and trussed by
one or more stays e, of the arm or link F. of the extension G of one of the

page_text: members of the fork C and of the step g, all combined arranged and adapted to-
operate, as and for the purpose set forth.
8. In a velocipede of the type hereinbefore described, a hinge for connecting the
suspension frame to the main frame consisting essentially of a male cone H and a
female cone H¹ carried by, mounted or formed in the main and suspension frame
respectively; of a screw h having a hollow split stem passing through the female
cone and threaded into the male cone to keep the two parts engaged; and of a
screw J threaded into the hollow split stem of the screw / to expand the said screw
and lock it in position, as set forth.
9. In a velocipede of the type hereinbefore described, a hinge for connecting the
parts of the suspension frame together and to the main frame consisting of a tube
or socket K carrying female cones k, k, of a crutch-shaped bracket L having slotted
ends 1, 1, adapted to carry the spindle M; of the two male cones m, m, mounted on.
the spindle M and adapted to engage with the female cones k, k, the one male
cone m having a dowel pin m¹ or its equivalent to engage with one of the slotted
ends of the bracket L; and of round flat nuts N, N, threaded on the ends of the
spindle M to lock it to the bracket L and adapted to fit in recesses in the outer
faces of the ends 1, 1, of the bracket L, as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 29th dow of June 1804
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.