IMPROVEMENTS IN WHAT ARE COM- MONLY KNOWN AS BICYCLES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Frederick Hunt, of Banbury, in the County of
Oxford, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WHAT ARE COM-
MONLY KNOWN AS BICYCLES."
Sealed the 29th September 1877, and dated the 13th April 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Frederick Hunt at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th April 1877.
THOMAS FREDERICK. HUNT, of Banbury, in the County of Oxford, Engineer.
IMPROVEMENTS IN WHAT ARE COMMONLY KNOWN AS BICYCLES."
This Invention has for its object the ready adjustment or shifting of the position
of the saddle of what are commonly known as bicycles, either forward or backward
along the spring or along any other suitable part of the machine, and the fixing or
holding of the said adjustable saddle in any required position without necessitating
the dismounting of the rider.
According to one mode of carrying out my Invention I attach the saddle of the
bicycle by nuts and screws or otherwise to a lever capable of pivotting in a vertical
plane upon a fulcrum, at one end contained in a clip, which loosely embraces the
spring, and is free to slide forward or backward thereon as required. The boss or
fulcrum end of the said lever is so arranged (by being made eccentric or cam shaped)
that when the free end of the lever is depressed by the weight of the rider or
otherwise the spring or bar will be firmly gripped between the said boss and tho
clip, thereby securely holding the lever with the saddle attached thereto in position.
Beneath the free end of the lever there is provided a blade or other suitable spring
which elevates that end of the lever directly the rider removes the weight or other
pressure from the saddle or lever, and by partially turning the eccentric or cam-
shaped boss in the adjustable clip will release or loosen the grip on the bicyclo
spring or bar, and consequently allow the saddle or lever to be shifted forward or
backward as may be required. This shifting of the saddle or lever may be
accomplished by the action of the rider alone, but I prefer that the forward adjust-
ment shall be rendered self-acting by the aid of a barrel, india-rubber, or other
suitable spring in connection with the saddle direct or with the clip or lever, such
spring constantly tending to draw or push the saddle forward, as the case may be.
[Price 6d1

page_text: By bringing the pressure upon the saddle again and thereby depressing the lever
the rider will effectually tighten the clip on the bicycle spring or bar, and will
thereby fix the saddle or lever in position.
If desired a piece of india-rubber or other suitable elastic or yielding material
may be interposed between the clip and the under surface of the spring or bar with
a. view to ensuring a firm grip at any part thereof should the thickness of the same
be found to vary slightly.
In order to guide the lever or the saddle in its descent to its proper position, over
the bicycle spring or bar, two guiding lugs or projections are formed on or secured
to the sides of the lever or saddle, so as to embrace the opposite sides of the spring
or bar.
If desired the separate loose clip may be dispensed with and the end of the lever
itself be made to grip the bicycle spring or bar direct, either vertically or laterally
when depressed, and to release its hold thereon when elevated. In this modification
the elevating spring underneath the lever and the adjusting spring for drawing or
pushing forward the saddle may be applied as above set forth.
I further propose in some cases to dispense with the lever and to make the saddle
itself pivot vertically on either end, so as to grip the bicycle spring or bar when
depressed, and release its hold when elevated, the grip being obtained either with or
without the intervention of the loose clip as already described. The releasing
spring may or may not be combined with this modification, as found desirable. The
lateral guides may also in this case be in one piece with the saddle or be attached
thereto separately.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Frederick Hunt in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
10th October 1877.
THOMAS FREDERICK HUNT, of Banbury, in the County of Oxford, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN WHAT ARE COMMONLY KNOWN AS BICYCLES."
My said Invention relates to adjustable saddles or seats for bicycles and other
like pedomotive vehicles, and consists of further improvements on the Invention
described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me on or about the 6th
of March 1877, No. 890.
According to my present Invention I dispense entirely with the separate loose
sliding clips and eccentrics or cams for fixing the saddle referred to in the said
Specification, and I make the end of the gripping lever or the saddle itself in such
a manner as to grip the spring, or other convenient part of the bicycle between an
upper and an under gripping surface fitted to or formed in one piece with the said
lever or saddle, such gripping surfaces being disposed at an angle to each other, that
is to say, the one is placed a little in advance of the other, so that when the weight
of the rider is on the saddle they will act as a cramp upon the spring or other con-
venient part of the bicycle, and will securely fix and retain the saddle in its
adjusted position, but will release it again so soon as the rider removes his weight
by any means, an elevating spring underneath the gripping lever or saddle lifting
the same and releasing the grip. In this free condition the saddle is drawn forward
by a barrel, india-rubber, or other suitable spring to any desired extent at the will
of the rider, thus rendering it self-adjusting in a forward direction, the adjustment
to the rear being accomplished by the action of the rider himself whilst mounted, as
described in the Specification of my said former Patent.
In order to maintain the grip and hold the saddle in its proper position whilst
the rider is in the act of mounting I use a spring or catch which is capable of being
readily engaged with the rear end of the lever or saddle so as to hold it down and
apply the grip, and of being easily released again by the rider when mounted.

page_text: With a view to accomodate my peculiar gripping lever or saddle to springs of
different thicknesses, or to regulate the amount of grip I further propose to make one
of the gripping surfaces adjustable along inclined slots in two side cheeks formed on
the said lever or saddle.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood, I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to
the several Figures on the explanatory Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed, the
same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 of my Drawings represents a side elevation (half size) of so much of a
bicycle as suffices to illustrate my present improvements, the saddle being shown as
shifted to the rear and in the position for gripping the bicycle spring, as would be
the case when the weight of the rider is acting thereon.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the gripping lever or frame of tho
saddle showing it lifted at the rear by the elevating spring beneath (so as to release
the grip), and drawn forward by the front spring.
Figure 3 is a detail plan of the gripping lever detached, looking on the under side
thereof, and showing the two gripping surfaces.
Figuro 4 is a transverse vertical section of the bicycle spring and gripping lever
mounted thereon, taken through the inclined slots in the cheeks thereof; and
Figure 5 is a similar view showing a slight modification in the lower gripping
surface in order to prevent all chance of the said surface coming in contact with or
bumping against the top of the backbone of the bicyele when riding.
A is the backbone; B, the bicycle spring; C, the saddle; D, the gripping lever
having the saddle secured thereto, but which may be made in one piece therewith;
a, a¹, are the two gripping surfaces which may be made in one piece with the
saddle or lever D, or may consist simply of two bolts passed transversely through
the end of the said lever, the one in advance of and a little lower than the other, so
as to admit the bicycle spring B between them.
In practice I find it convenient to form the upper gripping surface a¹ in one
piece with the lever or saddle, as shown, whilst the lower gripping surface consists
of a cross pin bolt a secured at each end by nuts, and adjustable along the inclined
slots b, formed in the two side cheeks c, c, of the gripping lever, whereby the
gripping lever may be made to suit springs of different thicknesses, and the amount
of grip can be regulated. It is not essential that this cross piu or bolt a should
extend across the lever, as a short projecting stud or pin may be fixed to each
cheek independently, as shown at a, a, in Figure 5, by which arrangement free play
is afforded to the spring without the risk of contact with the backbone A. Under-
neath the lever D there is provided an elevating spring E, which when no
downward pressure is exerted upon the saddle tends to maintain it elevated (as
shown in Figure 2), and free to be adjusted forward or backward along the spring B
or other convenient part of the bicycle; F is an india-rubber or other suitable
spring attached to the front end of the gripping lever D or of the adjustable saddle,
and connected with the head of the bicycle in order that so soon as the grip has
been released the said spring may draw the saddle forward (see Figure 2); as it is
convenient that the saddle shall be maintained in its position whilst the rider is in
the act of mounting, I propose to employ an india-rubber band spring G or any
convenient form of catch for engaging with a hook d in the rear end of the
adjustable lever or saddle so as to hold it down and apply the grip, the said spring
or catch being readily disengaged again by the rider when mounted.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect,
I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original, and
therefore clain as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is,-
First. The application and use in connection with adjustable seats or saddles for
bicycles or other like pedomotive vehicles of the peculiar gripping device consisting
of the combination of the lever D, and the gripping surfaces a, a¹, in conjunction or

page_text: not with the inclined slots b, b, when arranged and caused to operate together,
substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein-before described and
illustrated by my Drawings.
Second. The combination with the said peculiar gripping device of the self-acting
elevating or releasing spring E, as and for the purpose herein-before described and
illustrated by my Drawings.
Third. The combination with the said peculiar gripping device of the front
spring F, in conjunction or not with the retaining spring or holding catch G, as
and for the purposes herein-before described and illustrated by my Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Frederick Hunt, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixth day of October, in the year of our Lord Ono
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
THOMAS FREDERICK HUNT: (L.S.)

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Frederick Hunt, of Banbury, in the County of
Oxford, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WHAT ARE COM-
MONLY KNOWN AS BICYCLES."
Sealed the 29th September 1877, and dated the 13th April 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Frederick Hunt at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th April 1877.
THOMAS FREDERICK HUNT, of Banbury, in the County of Oxford, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN WHAT ARE COMMONLY KNOWN AS BICYCLES."
This Invention has for its object the ready adjustment or shifting of the position
of the saddle of what are commonly known as bicycles, either forward or backward
along the spring or along any other suitable part of the machine, and the fixing or
holding of the said adjustable saddle in any required position without necessitating
the dismounting of the rider.
According to one mode of carrying out my Invention I attach the saddle of the
bicycle by nuts and screws or otherwise to a lever capable of pivotting in a vertical
plane upon a fulcrum, at one end contained in a clip, which loosely embraces the
spring, and is free to slide forward or backward thereon as required. The boss or
fulcrum end of the said lever is so arranged (by being made eccentric or cam shaped)
that when the free end of the lever is depressed by the weight of the rider or
otherwise the spring or bar will be firmly gripped between the said boss and the
clip, thereby securely holding the lever with the saddle attached thereto in position.
Beneath the free end of the lever there is provided a blade or other suitable spring
which elevates that end of the lever directly the rider removes the weight or other
pressure from the saddle or lever, and by partially turning the eccentric or cam-
shaped boss in the adjustable clip will release or loosen the grip on the bicycle
spring or bar, and consequently allow the saddle or lever to be shifted forward or
backward as may be required. This shifting of the saddle or lever may be
accomplished by the action of the rider alone, but I prefer that the forward adjust-
ment shall be rendered self-acting by the aid of a barrel, india-rubber, or other
suitable spring in connection with the saddle direct or with the clip or lever, such
spring constantly tending to draw or push the saddle forward, as the case may be.
Prins el 1

page_text: By bringing the pressure upon the saddle again and thereby depressing the lever
the rider will effectually tighten the clip on the bicycle spring or bar, and will
thereby fix the saddle or lever in position.
If desired a piece of india-rubber or other suitable elastic or yielding material
may be interposed between the clip and the under surface of the spring or bar with
a view to ensuring a firm grip at any part thereof should the thickness of the same
be found to vary slightly.
In order to guide the lever or the saddle in its descent to its proper position, over
the bicycle spring or bar, two guiding lugs or projections are formed on or secured
to the sides of the lever or saddle, so as to embrace the opposite sides of the spring
or bar.
If desired the separate loose clip may be dispensed with and the end of the lever
itself be made to grip the bicycle spring or bar direct, either vertically or laterally
when depressed, and to release its hold thereon when elevated. In this modification
the elevating spring underneath the lever and the adjusting spring for drawing or
pushing forward the saddle may be applied as above set forth.
I further propose in some cases to dispense with the lever and to make the saddle
itself pivot vertically on either end, so as to grip the bicycle spring or bar when
depressed, and release its hold when elevated, the grip being obtained either with or
without the intervention of the loose clip as already described. The releasing
spring may or may not be combined with this modification, as found desirable. The
lateral guides may also in this caso be in one piece with the saddle or be attached
thereto separately.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Frederick Hunt in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
10th October 1877.
THOMAS FREDERICK HUNT, of Banbury, in the County of Oxford, Engineer.
'IMPROVEMENTS IN WHAT ARE COMMONLY KNOWN AS BICYCLES."
My said Invention relates to adjustable saddles or seats for bicycles and other
like pedomotive vehicles, and consists of further improvements on the Invention
described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me on or about the 6th
of March 1877, No. 890.
According to my present Invention I dispense entirely with the separate loose
sliding clips and eccentrics or cams for fixing the saddle referred to in the said
Specification, and I make the end of the gripping lever or the saddle itself in such
a manner as to grip the spring, or other convenient part of the bicycle between an
upper and an under gripping surface fitted to or formed in one piece with the said
lever or saddle, such gripping surfaces being disposed at an angle to each other, that
is to say, the one is placed a little in advance of the other, so that when the weight
of the rider is on the saddle they will act as a cramp upon the spring or other con-
venient part of the bicycle, and will securely fix and retain the saddle in its
adjusted position, but will release it again so soon as the rider removes his weight
by any means, an elevating spring underneath the gripping lever or saddle lifting
the same and releasing the grip. In this free condition the saddle is drawn forward
by a barrel, india-rubber, or other suitable spring to any desired extent at the will
of the rider, thus rendering it self-adjusting in a forward direction, the adjustment
to the rear being accomplished by the action of the rider himself whilst mounted, as
described in the Specification of my said former Patent.
In order to maintain the grip and hold the saddle in its proper position whilst
the rider is in the act of mounting I use a spring or catch which is capable of being
readily engaged with the rear end of the lever or saddle so as to hold it down and
apply the grip, and of being easily released again by the rider when mounted.

page_text: With a view to accomodate my peculiar gripping lever or saddle to springs of
different thicknesses, or to regulate the amount of grip I further propose to make one
of the gripping surfaces adjustable along inclined slots in two side cheeks formed on
the said lever or saddle.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood, I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to
the several Figures on the explanatory Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed, the
same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 of my Drawings represents a side elevation (half size) of so much of a
bicycle as suffices to illustrate my present improvements, the saddle being shown as
shifted to the rear and in the position for gripping the bicycle spring, as would be
the case when the weight of the rider is acting thereon.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the gripping lever or frame of tho
saddle showing it lifted at the rear by the elevating spring beneath (so as to release
the grip), and drawn forward by the front spring.
Figure 3 is a detail plan of the gripping lever detached, looking on the under side
thereof, and showing the two gripping surfaces.
Figure 4 is a transverse vertical section of the bicycle spring and gripping lever
mounted thereon, taken through the inclined slots in the cheeks thereof; and
Figure 5 is a similar view showing a slight modification in the lower gripping
surface in order to prevent all chance of the said surface coming in contact with or
bumping against the top of the backbone of the bicyele when riding.
A is the backbone; B, the bicycle spring; C, the saddle; D, the gripping lever
having the saddle secured thereto, but which may be made in one piece therewith;
a, a', are the two gripping surfaces which may be made in one piece with the
saddle or lever D, or may consist simply of two bolts passed transversely through
the end of the said lever, the one in advance of and a little lower than the other, so
as to admit the bicycle spring B between them..
In practice I find it convenient to form the upper gripping surface a¹ in one
piece with the lever or saddle, as shown, whilst the lower gripping surface consists
of a cross pin bolt a secured at each end by nuts, and adjustable along the inclined
slots b, formed in the two side cheeks c, c, of the gripping lever, whereby the
gripping lever may be made to suit springs of different thicknesses, and the amount
of grip can be regulated. It is not essential that this cross pin or bolt a should
extend across the lever, as a short projecting stud or pin may be fixed to cach
check independently, as shown at a, a, in Figure 5, by which arrangement free play
is afforded to the spring without the risk of contact with the backbone A. Under-
neath the lever D there is provided an elevating spring E, which when no
downward pressure is exerted upon the saddle tends to maintain it elevated (as
shown in Figure 2), and free to be adjusted forward or backward along the spring B
or other convenient part of tho bicycle; F is an india-rubber or other suitable
spring attached to the front end of the gripping lover D or of the adjustable saddle,
and connected with the head of the bicycle in order that so soon as the grip has
been released the said spring may draw the saddle forward (see Figure 2); as it is
convenient that the saddle shall be maintained in its position whilst the rider is in
the act of mounting, I propose to employ an india-rubber band spring G or any
convenient form of catch for engaging with a hook d in the rear end of the
adjustable lever or saddle so as to hold it down and apply the grip, the said spring
or catch being readily disengaged again by the rider when mounted.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect,
I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original, and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is,―
First. The application and use in connection with adjustable seats or saddles for
bicycles or other like pedomotive vehicles of the peculiar gripping device consisting
of the combination of the lever D, and the gripping surfaces a, a, in conjunction or

page_text: not with the inclined slots b, b, when arranged and caused to operate together,
substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein-before described and
illustrated by my Drawings.
Second. The combination with the said peculiar gripping device of the self-acting
elevating or releasing spring E, as and for the purpose herein-before described and
illustrated by my Drawings.
Third. The combination with the said peculiar gripping device of the front
spring F, in conjunction or not with the retaining spring or holding catch G, as
and for the purposes herein-before described and illustrated by my Drawings.
In witness whercof, I, the said Thomas Frederick Hunt, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
THOMAS FREDERICK HUNT. (L.S.)