Improvements in Cycles and such like Vehicles, whether Motor or otherwise.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 15th May, 1897-Accepted, 14th May, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cycles and such like Vehicles, whether Motor or
otherwise.
I, JAMES THOMAS ELLIS, of 5, Hargreave Terrace, Terenure Road, Rathgar,
Co. Dublin, Title Investigator, 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 has for its object improvements in cycles and such like vehicles,
whether motor or otherwise, appertaining to various parts thereof videlicet;
handle bars, brakes, lubricating, bell shields, and locking bearings.
My improvements in reversable handle bars and brakes of cycles and such like
vehicles are as follows; -I have the handle bar A¹ separate from the stem but
adjustable thereto by such methods as follows. To each side of the bar centre
I have a clip A Fig. 1 shaped so as to have a projecting arm, or lips 65 and b',
through which there passes holes 66 and 68 from front to back. The head of the
stem B may be T shaped, or have a collar B Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5 thereon forming
a Thead, one of the ends of the radial arms thereof being slotted, the other being
rounded and preferably screw threaded as at 61, 62, Figs. 1 & 2. To the end b
I attach (so that it can rotate thereon) preferably by screwing, a lug, b3 Fig. 1,
the further end of which is slotted and holed. Into this slotted arm b* I pass
the lip of the handle bar clip A and pivotally lock it thereto by means of a pin
passing through the holes 66, or by other equivalent and well known means. The
other clip end 67 I pass into the slot in the other arm b¹ of the collar and secure
it thereto by a pin 68 or other convenient means, but so that such clip can be
easily detached from the collar. When this clip is dis-connected from the collar,
the handle bar A¹ being pivotally attached to the lug 3 at the other end of the
collar can be turned uprightly in line with the stem B and then brought side-
ways downwardly in line with the frame by giving it a quarter turn, when the
lug (being screwed) will turn on its point of attachment on the collar arm.
To secure a more rigid connection between the handle bar and stem, and
diminish the twisting strain on the clips when steering, I may have the top of
the stem flatted or squared exteriorly, or interiorly by having same plugged,
or having the top of the connecting collar grooved or flatted or squared. The
central part of the bar is also flatted or squared but reversely and fits into or
upon the stem or collar top, and such central part may be integral with the bar
or separate therefrom, as in Fig. 3, and attached thereto by the connecting clips A
as at C, Fig. 1, or equivalent means.
The stem collar B may be integral with the stem or may be secured thereto
by brazing or in any convenient manner, or may be in two parts bolted together,
or bolted and hinged together, and the connecting bar clips A may be integral
with the bar, or secured thereto by brazing or bolting, or be bolted and hinged
thereto, and if secured thereto by bolting or such like means the handles can be
sloped to any desired angle at pleasure.
In a modified or alternative form of the foregoing I may have the connecting
clips A or one of them with a ring headed bolt preferably as shown at 6 Fig. 7
or equivalent such as 610 Fig. 6, to screw into onto or upon such clip A, or so

page_text: attached thereto as to be rotatable, the ring head 69 passing into the collar slot
and pivotally, or otherwise, attached thereto by a bolt as 612 Fig. 4 or other
equivalent means. In such case I would dispense with the lug b above mentioned,
and I may attach to the other clip A, Fig. 4 a screw threaded bolt 3 having a
winged nut 64 thereon.
This bolt passes into the slot 615 Figs. 4 & 5 and is retained therein by the
screwing up of the winged nut 6 I may have the pivotal part of the stem
collar B to the front or back of the stem, or to central upper part thereof, prefer-
ably as shown in Fig. 30 and in such case would have the connecting pivotal part
or clip A of the handle bar to the centre instead of one to each side.
To reverse the handlebar by the method shown in Fig. 1, the bolt 68, which
secures the clip end 67 in the collar slot b', is withdrawn and the handle bar may
then be brought into an upright position, turning so on its pivotal bolt 66. It
may then, if desirable, be turned downwardly into line with the frame, the lug b³
turning on the collar end .
In the method shown by Fig. 4 the lug 610 screws onto the pin of the clip A.
To reverse this adaption the wing nut is slacked when the clip bolt may be
withdrawn from the collar slot & the handle bar brought into an upright position
turning on the pivotal pin 612 and when in this position it may be turned side-
ways, the pin of the clip A. turning in the lug 6º.
So that a brake, when used, may also reverse and turn with the handle bar, I
have the head of the brake stem Fig. 10 enlarged, with a slot a² therein, and a
pin hole a through same. I have a lug a Fig. 9 the end of which is adapted
to lie in such slot a² and pivotally held thereto by a pin. The top of this lug
is also slotted as at a but crossways to the stem head slot, and in this upper slot
the end of the brake lever a Fig. 11 lies, held therein by a pin passing through
holes a³.
In a further arrangement of the brake I have the end of the lever a projecting
a little beyond its connection to the rod or lug and suitably bent as at a Fig. 13.
A little way from the top the rod or stem a¹ Fig. 14 has a shoulder or bearing
plate as upon which loosely rests a collar al having a hole through which the
upper part of the rod passes, this collar has one or more slots all for the attach-
ment of the lever lug end. Or instead of having the lever attached to such collar,
I may have a collar shaped as a Fig. 15 to which I may attach the above
mentioned lug at by the pin E, Figs. 17, 19, 20 securing the lever end thereto
through the slots a. This lug may also have to one side thereof a short arm D,
Fig. 18 for the purpose of engaging against the bearing plate a8, which it can
only do when turned sideways as in Fig. 19.
The shoulder a or equivalent may be integral with the brake rod, or may be
shaped as in Fig. 16 and project eccentrically to one side as at F, Figs. 16, 17,
18, 19 and be secured thereto by screwing or other convenient means so that the
eccentric projection F may be turned around and brought from under the lug or
lever arm, D, as in Fig. 20 and the handles and brake lever turned upright or
sideways without braking the wheel. In cases in which the brake spring is
secured, as is usual, between the brake lever and the handle bar I may have to the
top of the rod a' a nut screwed thereon to lock against the lug when riding.
I may also have the bearing plate G Fig. 23 with a slot g¹ therein through
which the brake rod a passes, and loose thereon, but kept from falling downwards
by a nut or a shoulder (H) on the rod. The back part of the plate has a narrow
point I adapted to pass into a pin hole J¹ in the tube J of the machine to lock
the steering. This plate may also be so grooved or shaped, that the pressure of
the lever end against it in reversing, slides or forces it against the tube.
The lever at the place of its connection to the handle bar may be shaped and
slotted as in Fig. 29 or in such like manner for the travel of the connecting pi
in reversing, or the connecting clip or equivalent, may contain such a slot, o
the slot may be to the head of the brake rod or the connecting lugs or equivalents
and I may have thereto a lock nut to prevent any rattling or sliding when riding

page_text: arm may be turned and brought under the bracket thereby preventing
the brake from rising. Or I may so place the nuts or arm to any other part of
the rod or lever that they may bear against any rigid part of the handle bar, stem
or frame, or attachments thereto, preferably as shown at Figs. 35, 36, 37, Fig. 35
showing the lever el with a hole e into which is passed the pin e³ (Fig. 36) the
enlarged part or nut e of which may be eccentric. If this lever e¹ be depressed
the pin or nut may be so turned as to have the enlarged part brought under the
handle bar and the lever prevented from rising. Fig. 37 shows an eccentric or
wedgelike arm that may be pivotally attached to the pin of the brake clip, so
that when lever is depressed the arm may be turned round till it comes between
handlebar and lever keeping the latter from rising.
I might also attain the same object by reversing the arrangement and having
the nut, arm or equivalent to the frame, or stem, so that when turned around such
nut or equivalent would come immediately over, and against, a projection on the
rod or lever when depressed, such as over the adjusting nut, or against the top
of the rod or lever, as at d³ Fig. 25. Such nuts, arms or equivalents may be
screwed to the stem or frame or attached thereto by means of a clip.
In a further improvement I may also have the eccentric arm or nut so gapped,
slotted, or otherwise adapted that it may not only brake the wheel, but, if so
desired, also lock the steering. Such eccentric would preferably be shaped as in
Fig. 26 and pivotally attached to a bolt on the brake rod preferably the adjusting
bolt and locked thereto by a winged nut thereon, I would have a pin hole in the
tube J (as in Fig. 23) into which the pin K would take. Or I would have to
the tube a clip or equivalent of any convenient construction, such for instance
as shown in Fig. 27 secured thereto by the bolt M, and having a radial shoulder LL
which has a hole L into which is screwed a bolt such as M. This bolt pivotally
secures and locks to the clip shoulder L L a bearing arm Fig. 28 by slot N therein,
one end of this arm is gapped to engage with a bolt or equivalent such as the
adjusting bolt on the brake rod to lock the steering. When not in use this arm
is turned into line with the handles. To brake the wheel and lock the steering
the brake is depressed, the bolt loosed, and then the locking arm swung around
until the gapped end engages with the rod bolt, the clip bolt being then tightened
the brake is prevented from rising.
Or I might have the locking arm terminating with a pin 0, Fig. 31 and have
on the brake rod or adjusting pin a collar, l'ig. 32 having holes O¹ the pin on
the arm engaging with one of the holes. Or I might have to the brake rod a
nut or shoulder (P Figs. 34, 34") such nut or shoulder having a pin Q lying loosely
on the rod. and above this shoulder P I have a plate shaped as R Fig. 33 having
therein the slot R' and holes S, the shoulder pin Q passes into one of these holes
retaining the plate. This plate has its back part pointed or pin shaped as at T
to take into a pin hole in the steering post. Above the plate I have a jam
nut U Fig. 34.
To lock brake and steering, the handle is depressed and the nut brought up
so that the plate can be raised from connection with the pin Q, its point T is
then pushed into the locking pin hole in the steering post and the plate locked
in that position by the jam nut.
Such nut or arm as described at Fig. 25 might very conveniently be rotably
attached to the clip or equivalent whereby the lever is secured to the handle bar.
My improvements in connection with the lubricating of the bearings of cycles
and such like vehicles are as follows; I have secured to the outer bearing, such
as to a wheel hub X Fig. 38 by screwing same to the oiling hole thereof, X¹, a
tube or box X Figs. 38 & 39, for containing oil, further securing same thereto
by a clip or clips, preferably a spring clip, (as shown at X³ in Fig. 38). The top
of the box has a hole X Figs. 38 and 39 for the filling in of the oil, and to this
is secured, preferably by brazing, a hollow nut V and into this is screwed or rotably
secured, a closing cap (VI). Integral with this cap or bolted or otherwise
secured to same, I have a rod W or equivalent, the inner or further end of which

page_text: is tapered or screw threaded, or otherwise adapted to plug or close the orifice (X5)
in the box by which the oil passes therefrom into the bearing, and I may also
have such rod or pin so connected to the cap as to be adjustable to the oiling hole
so that, if desirable, oil may percolate slowly therethrough, preferably as shown
at W Fig. 39 in which the rod is shown screwed into the cap V, I may also
secure the box by means of a clip or bolt to the spokes or side of the hub or
equivalent. To admit oil into the bearing the cap or rod is partly unscrewed
thereby leaving the oiling hole open for the passage of oil through same.
These
oil containing boxes may be of any suitable shape, but preferably cylindrical,
and of celluloid, xylonite, tin or other suitable material. I may also have in
connection with the closing pin a spring or such like means for keeping the oiling
hole closed using well known means for ejecting the oil through the hole. The
oil box would also be secured to the hub or equivalent by a hollow screw passing
through the oiling hole in each, and such screw may be brazed to the oil box.
My improvements also relate to attachments for cycles and such like vehicles
in connection with the bells thereon whereby articles (such as a cape) may be kept
from touching against or lying upon the dome or gong thereof and thereby
stopping or deadening the sound. I attach, preferably by one or more clips or
equivalents, to the machine, and so as to cover the dome or gong, but without
touching or resting thereupon, one or more auxiliary domes or covers of any
suitable shape as in Figs. 40 41 42, by being formed dome shaped, but they may
be stamped out of one piece and bent as necessary and of any material such as
metal, xylonite, celluloid, interlaced or meshed wire, cane or the like. I would
have the clips or equivalents brazed or fastened thereto, or in one therewith, as
shown at H in Fig. 40 for securing by the bell bolts, or as H' in Figs. 41 and 42
for clipping on to the bar, or may secure same without clips or arms by a hole
through the centre to the bell bolt.
My improvements in the locking of bearings consists in adjustably connecting
to the hub, bottom bracket, or equivalent, a clip or lug (Fig. 43), one part of
which may be bolted or hinged and bolted, as at a to the other part. One part
of this clip has thereto a screw threaded tubular boss b Fig. 43. Into this I
screw a hollow screw pin c, Fig. 44, the lower end d whereof is tapered or
narrowed, the hollow of the upper or outer part e being squared or otherwise
adapted to take a key. When this screw pin is within the tubular boss its
pointed end may protrude there through (Fig. 45) on the screwing thereout by
the key. The interior of the upper or outer end f of the boss is narrower than the
lower end so as to retain the pin, or it may be retained by means of a cap or
collar or equivalent, brazed or rigidly secured to the boss. This cap would have
a central hole for the admission of the key to the pin, and lastly to prevent dust
from entering the hole I have attached to the boss a lid or closing cap k screwed
or loosely pinned thereto as by pins g. I attach this clip to the hub or bracket
so that the pin may be immediately over the the oiling hole, the turning of such
screw pin by means of the key projecting such pin further through the oiling
hole until it is forced against the axle to prevent or retard rotation.
may have
the axle or part thereof, serrated or flatted or otherwise adapted so as to have a
gripping or bearing surface for the pin end to bear against, and I may have a
spring Fig. 46 to bear against the shoulder or upper part of the pin and pre-
vent it from working downwards and accidentally locking the machine while
being ridden.
Fig. 47 shows clip with boss, for attachment to a down tube at the bottom
bracket.
It will be understood that 1 do not limit myself to the precise methods of detail
or construction above mentioned or in part shown in the accompanying drawings,
as there are various practically equivalent methods of attaining my object, but
reserve to myself the right to make such changes as may be necessary in the
attainment of my object, from time to time, such as would fairly fall within the
scope of my invention.

page_text: I am aware that other means of locking the spindle and socket have been dis-
closed and I do not therefore broadly claim the locking of the spindle and socket
save as to the locking thereof. in combination with a detachable clip.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I hereby declare
that what I claim is:-
i. Securing the handle bars of cycles and such like vehicles to the head of the
stem thereof by means of clips, substantially as herein before specified or in
the drawings particularly shown, for the purposes stated.
2. In a cycle and such like vehicle the combination of handle bars pivotally
attached to the stem thereof or to a retaining collar on said stem, with means for
retaining the said bars in the position for steering, for the purposes stated, as
hereinbefore specified and set forth.
3. In a cycle and such like vehicle the combination of vertically turning or
parallel swivelling handle bars to a retaining collar, or equivalent, on the stem,
with means for retaining the said bars in a horizontal position for steering,
substantially as hereinbefore stated for the purposes set forth.
4. In a cycle and such like vehicle a handle bar that can be turned vertically
and then parallel with the machine, or parallel and inwardly against the machine,
for the purposes herein before described.
5. A handle bar for cycles and such like vehicles, pivotally attached by means
of a clip or lug to the stem or collar, or equivalent, thereto attached, or also
swivelly attached thereto by an intermediary lug, pin or bolt, substantially as
hereinbefore described, for the purposes stated.
6. In a cycle or such like vehicle, securing the lever of a vertically turning
or parallel swivelling brake, to the rod thereof by the means substantially as in
the foregoing writing specified, or in the drawings, or some of them, particularly
set forth, for the purposes stated.
7. In a cycle or such like vehicle, the combination with a vertically turning
or parallel swivelling handle bar, of a slotted lever, or a slotted rod, or a slot in
the clip whereby the lever is connected to the handle bar, for the purpose of allow-
ing said lever to be turned with the bar.
8. In a cycle or such like vehicle, constructing or shaping the connecting end
of a brake lever in such fashion that on reversing the same and the handle bar
into line with the stem or parallel with the machine such lever end may keep the
brake locked against the wheel.
9. In a brake for cycles and such like vehicles, connecting the lever or equiva-
lent to the rod in such manner that the lever is loosely secured directly or through
intermediary collars, lugs or plates to the rod, so that on the reversal of such
brake lever the brake may be pressed against the wheel and kept in that position.
10. In a cycle brake the combination therewith of the bearing plate F and lug
or equivalents, for the purposes, and substantially as hereinbefore stated, and in
the drawings set forth.
11. In cycles and such like vehicles, the combination of a vertically turning
handle bar and brake lever, substantially as hereinbefore described and set forth,
for the purposes stated.
or
12. In a cycle and such like vehicle, the combination of a handle bar and brake
lever vertically turning swivelling parallel with or against the frame.
13. In a cycle and such like vehicle, the combination with a vertically turning
handle bar and brake lever of means for locking the brake against the wheel.
14. In a cycle or such like vehicle, the combination with a handle bar and
brake lever that may be turned vertically parallel with the machine or parallel
or
and
and inwardly against the machine of means for locking the brake against the
wheel.

page_text: 15. In a cycle or such like vehicle, locking the brake against the wheel by
the reversal of the handle bar and brake lever.
16. In a cycle and such like vehicle locking the steering by the turning or
reversal of the handle bar and brake lever.
17. In a cycle or such like vehicle, locking the brake against the wheel and
locking the steering, by the turning or reversal of the handle bar and brake lever.
18. In a cycle or such like vehicle, the combination with a turning or reversing
handle bar, or turning or reversing brake lever and handle bar, of detachable and
adjustable clips connecting the handle bar and stem whereby the slope of the
handles may be adjusted.
19. In a cycle or such like vehicle, the combination of a vertically turning,
or parallel swivelling handle bar and brake lever, means of adjusting the slope
of the handles, means and methods for causing the brake to be pressed and kept
locked against the wheel, and means and methods for locking the steering,
substantially as hereinbefore described and in the accompanying drawings in
part illustrated.
20. In a cycle or such like vehicle, means and methods of locking or partly
locking the brake against the wheel, when riding or out of use, substantially as
hereinbefore described and in part set forth in Figs. 24 and 25 of accompanying
drawings.
21. In a cycle or such like vehicle, the combination with the tube, handle bar
or stem, and the brake rod, or that part of the lever between the connecting clip
and the rod head of methods and means for the purpose of locking or partly
locking the brake against the wheel substantially as described or referred to in the
hereinbefore descriptive writings relative thereto or set forth in the drawings.
22. In a cycle or such like vehicle, the means and methods of locking the brake
against the wheel, and also locking the steering, substantially as herein before
described and in part shown in Figs. 13 to 29 and 31 to 34°.
23. In a cycle or such like vehicle, the combination with the brake or a part
thereof, or an attachment thereto, and a part of the machine, of methods and
means of locking the brake against the wheel locking the steering.
or
and
24. In a cycle the combination with the exterior of the bearings cases thereof,
of a box, tube or case, for containing a supply of oil.
25. In a cycle, the combination with the exterior of the hub or equivalent of
an oil containing box or equivalent, and retaining clips with means for retaining
the oil in such box or equivalent, and means for ejecting same therefrom into
the bearing.
26. In a cycle, the means and methods for carrying a supply of oil with each
bearing, substantially as hereinbefore described and shown in Figs. 38 and 39
of accompanying drawings.
27. In a cycle or such like vehicle, the combination therewith and the bell
thereof, of a detachable and adjustable dome or cover for shielding such bell.
28. In a cycle or suchlike vehicle methods and means for preventing articles
carried thereupon, or by the rider, from resting upon and deadening or stopping
the sound of the bell carried thereon.
29. In a cycle or such like vehicle the means herein before described for attach-
ing and securing a dome or cover for shielding a bell carried thereon.
30. In a cycle or suchlike vehicle, covering or shielding the bell carried
thereon with a dome or cover of any suitable shape or material, and attaching
same, substantially as herein before described.
31. In a cycle or such like vehicle, locking the spindle and outer socket by the
means substantially as set forth in Figs. 43 to 47 in accompanying drawings or
means and methods equivalent thereto.
32. In a cycle or such like vehicle, the combination with the outer socket, or
equivalent, of an adjustable and detachable clip having thereto means whereby

page_text: the socket, or a bolt, or screw, or equivalent, adjusted thereto by such a clip, may
be locked against the spindle to retard or prevent the motion of the vehicle.
Dated this 12th day of May 1897.
JAMES THOMAS ELLIS,
Applicant.