Improvements in or pertaining to the Frames of Velocipedes.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Apr., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 6th Jan., 1894-Accepted, 6th Apr., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or pertaining to the Frames of Velocipedes.
I ARTHUR SYDNEY BOWLEY of The Short Street Cycle Works Reading in
the County of Berks Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
An evil is experienced in all or most velocipedes and perhaps more especially in
rear-driving safety bicycles in that the steering post and fork and the fork part
of the frame are comparatively weak and have a tendency to buckle and sometimes
even to break while the steering wheel frequently vibrates considerably. The object
of my invention is to remedy this evil.
To carry out this object to the lower end of the steering fork is attached or
connected or round the steering wheel axle is mounted on each side a stay which is
led upwards inclinedly forming an angle with the fork. In any desired position on
the frame of the velocipede behind the steering post, and so far from the same as
may be convenient in each case is attached and secured to such part of the frame a
short arm. According to one method of construction this arm terminates in and as
a short transverse sleeve wherethrough loosely passes and wherein can slide a curved
bar or tube or an arc to the two ends whereof the aforesaid two stays are connected
which consequently are not parallel with each other but are spread out away from
each other. According to another method of construction the arc is rigidly attached
and secured to or is formed with and on the end of the arm and the two stays
which in this case may be parallel with each other or nearly so are so mounted on
this arc in any convenient or usual manner that they can slide along the same.
both cases the arc is transverse to the plane of the frame of the velocipede and the
stays in connection therewith will support the lower ends of the steering fork and
therefore take off or lessen the strain on the upper part of the fork and the steering
post and stiffen the fore part of the frame as is desired while the steering will not
be interfered with as the arc can slide in the sleeve or the stays can slide along the
arc as the steering post is turned.
In
It may sometimes be advisable to prolong the aforesaid short arm on the other
side of that part of the frame to which it is attached and secured and similarly to
attach and secure the end of the same to another part also of the frame so that it
may form a stay between these two parts of or positions on the frame. For example
in those safety bicycles that have diamond shaped frames the arm would be attached
and secured to and on the lower front member of the frame at the desired distance
from the steering post and then this arm could be prolonged and the end thereof
could be attached and secured to one of the upper members of the frame or to the
saddle post.
Any suitable ball bearings can be fitted in the sleeve or in the ends of the stays
for or on the are as also in the other ends of the stays on the steering wheel axle if
so arranged.
In rear-steering velocipedes my invention would be fitted in the same manner
except that as is indeed obvious the arm would be attached and secured to the
frame before the steering post instead of behind the same.
Doted this 6th day of A 1002

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or pertaining to the Frames of Velocipedes.
1, ARTHUR SYDNEY BOWLEY Percy Villa Tooting in the County of Surrey,
Engineer 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 :-
An evil is experienced in all or most velocipedes and perhaps more especially in
rear driving safety bicycles in that the steering post and fork and fore part of the
frame are comparatively weak and have a tendency to buckle and sometimes even
to break, while the steering wheel frequently vibrates considerably. The object of
my invention is to remedy this evil.
In order the more clearly to explain this my invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed I refer to the accompanying drawing.
In Figure II shew a side view of the device as fitted on to an ordinary diamond
pattern safety bicycle frame.
and
Figure 2 is a ground plan of the arc and sleeve B and stays C in Figure 1,
Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6, are various methods of fitment in section of the arc and
sleeve.
To carry out the object of this my invention in the one form as in Figures 1, 2,
and 41 bolt on or otherwise attach to the lower ends of the fork D Figure 1 on
each side thereof by means of an eye or other device at its lower end the stay C
Figure 1 and through the eye or hole or other suitable or adjustable device in or
attached to which, may pass, the steering wheel axle. This stay C Figure 1 is led
upwards inclinedly forming an angle with the fork D Figure 1. In any desired
position on the frame of the velocipede behind the steering post and so far from
the same as may be convenient in each case is bolted on or otherwise firmly secured
to such part of the frame, the sleeve B in Figures 1 and 2 or other suitable guide
wherethrough passes and wherein can slide the curved bar, tube or arc E in
Figure 2 and C in Figure 4 to which the aforesaid stays C are connected as in
Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4.
In
According to another method of construction the sleeve B in Figures 1, 2 & 4 is
rigidly attached and secured to or made one with the upper ends of the stays Cas
in Figures 5 and 6 in which case the curved bar or arc E in Figure 2 and A in
Figures 5 and 6 is bolted on or attached or otherwise firmly secured to the frame.
both cases the arc is transverse to the plane of the frame of the velocipede and
preferably at right angles with the steering post D in Figure 2 and the stays in
connection therewith will support the lower ends of the steering fork and therefore
take off or lessen the strain on the upper part of the fork and steering post and
stiffen the fore part of the frame as is desired while the steering will not be
interfered with as the arc can slide in the sleeve or the stays can slide along the arc
as the steering post is turned.
It may sometimes be advisable to affix between the saddle post or other part and
the lower member of the frame the stay or truss A as in Figure 1.
Any suitable ball or other bearings may be used in order to lessen the friction in
the working of the arc and sleeve aforesaid and for example in Figure 3 I show a
method in the fitment of rollers which may be used in place of the ordinary sides of
the sleeve. Also in Figure 61 show how that balls may be used to intervene
between the arc and sleeve. These balls may be kept in position when the arc is
out of the sleeve by a mouth being secured over them to the sleeve or guide the
holes or slot in which will only allow the balls to protrude sufficiently to answer the
purpose.

page_text: In rear steering velocipedes my invention would be fitted in the same way or
manner except as is indeed obvious the arc or sleeve and stays would be attached or
secured or mounted on to the frame before the steering post instead of behind the
same.
I have thus described and I have shewn in the drawing a most convenient,
suitable and effective method or methods of fitting this my invention, but I do not
limit myself thereto for my invention and the several parts thereof can be constructed
and fitted and made of such forms and proportions as may be desirable or convenient
in any particular case as indeed is sufficiently obvious.
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
The improvements in or pertaining to the frames of velocipeḍes hereinbefore
described and shewn in the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 6th day of January 1894.
ARTHUR S. BOWLEY.