Improvements in Springs for the Support of Velocipede Saddles and other analogous purposes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Mar., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 20th Dec., 1890-Accepted, 20th Apr., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Springs for the Support of Velocipede Saddles
and other analogous purposes.
FREDERICK WESTWOOD, 324, Cheapside, Birmingham, Agent, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to obtain a spring for the support of a velocipede
saddle, child's perambulator, horse carriage or any analogous purpose, that shall be
lighter more elastic (together with destroying the vibrations in travelling) and yet
stronger than has hitherto been found possible to obtain.
To effect this construct a series of U shaped hollow wires similarly constructed
to umbrella wires of a thickness and size compatible with the various purposes
required. These I form together into corrugated plates of any form or width
required, in the following manner.
Placing two of the U shaped wires side by side thus UU (section) I then join
them together by placing another over them in the opposite direction either single
or joined and so form them into plates of any width required; or I may when a
very thin plate or wire is required place them so that one of the hollow wires fits
inside the other.
To prevent them falling to pieces, they are bound together by clips at any
distance required.
These plates are found to be capable of great resisting power and may be bent
into any shape required.
That my invention may be the more clearly understood I will describe its
application to the saddle of a velocipede.
To the leather top which, strictly speaking, is the saddle proper, I may apply it
in the following manner.
At the neck or front of the saddle, I fasten a socket the size and shape of
which admits the corrugated plate to be inserted; and at the stern or back I
construct a similar contrivance, or may be I construct three or more at various
distances. Into these sockets I fasten the plates bending them in the from of arcs of
a circle or any convenient shape or I might in some cases bind them to the leather of
the saddle, and the saddle, when so constructed in either of these ways, or I might
in some cases bind them to the leather of the saddle and the saddle when so con-
structed in either of these ways acts as a self tension saddle that is it is tensioned
by the weight of the rider.
In the case of a horse carriage or similar vehicle they would be formed into
various shapes to take the place of flat-plate springs or other similar springs as
usually used.
The above being my said invention I would add in conclusion that I do not bind
myself to any details mentioned only so far as not to depart from the essentials of
this my said invention.
Dated this 18th day of March 1890.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Springs for the Support of Velocipede Saddles
and other analogous purposes.
FREDERICK WESTWOOD, 324, Cheapside, Birmingham, Agent, 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 my invention is to construct a spring for the support of a
velocipede saddle, childs perambulator, horse carriage or other analogous purpose,
that shall be lighter, more elastic, and stronger than has been found possible to
obtain.
To effect this construct a series of U shaped hollow wires of a thickness and
size compatible with the various purposes required, and these I form together into
corrugated plates of any form or width required.
And that my invention may be more clearly understood 1 will describe it by aid
of the sheet of drawings accompanying.
Fig. 1 shews the section of the U shaped wire.
Fig. 2 shews the section of the series by placing them side by side.
Fig. 3 shews the section of a series joined at the top, and formed like corrugated
plates.
Fig. 4 shews the section of the series fitting into each other forming the complete
spring.
Fig. 5 shews the section of a narrow plate formed by a smaller U shaped wire,
fitting inside a larger one, also forming a complete spring.
My method of use is as follows: I place the U shaped wires side by side as
shewn at Figs. 2 & 3 (Fig. 2 showing the single wires or plates, Fig. 3 showing
the joined wires or plates). I then join them together by placing over them in the
opposite direction another series, and so form them into plates of any required
width as shewn at Fig. 4. Or I may when a very narrow plate is required form
them as shewn at Fig. 5.
These spring plates are found to be of a very great resisting power and may be bent
into any shape required. They may be used in any form for the purposes herein-
before mentioned.
To the saddle of a velocipede the spring may be applied as follows.
At the neck or front of the saddle (saddle here refers to the leather top i.e. the
saddle proper). I fasten a socket the size and shape of which admits the corru
gated plate to be inserted and at the stern or back I construct a similar contrivance
or may be I construct three or more at various distances.
Into these sockets I fasten the plates bending them in the form of arcs of a
circle or any convenient shape or I might in some cases bind them to the leather
of the saddle and the saddle when constructed in either of these ways acts as a
self tension saddle i.e. it is tensioned by the weight of the rider.
In the case of a horse carriage or similar vehicle they would be formed into
various shapes to take the place of the flat plate springs or other similar spring
as usually used.
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
claim is :-
A spring for the support of velocipede saddles and other analogous purposes
consisting of hollow wires either single or joined in corrugated sheets fitting int
each other substantially as herein described and illustrated.
AL: 104, or of March 1891
FREDERICK WESTWOOD.