Improvements in Apparatus for Keeping the Front Wheels of Bicycles and Cycles Perfectly Straight and Steady to the Front.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 13th May, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 28th Oct., 1896-Accepted, 19th Dec.. 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Keeping the Front Wheels of
Bicycles and Cycles Perfectly Straight and Steady to the
Front.
I THOMAS HENRY SIMMONDS of 16 & 18 Peartree Street Goswell Road E.C.
in the County of London Box Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This my invention consists of a brass tube of about one inch or less in diameter
& about four inches long the ends of this tube being enclosed by a flat brass
casting screwed into the centre of one end is fixed a ball which works in a
socket of a clip fixed on the top rail of the frame of the machine immediately in
front of the saddle. Inside this tube is a spiral spring, through which is a rod
with a metal plate at one end & a ring at the other projecting through the other
brass end consequently when the ring is pulled the spring compresses &
springs back when released, to this ring is attached a cord or chain looped in the
centre and attached to the handle bar on both sides of centre upright, halfway
bettween upright & handle so that by the tension of the spring on the handle
bar the front or steering wheel is kept in possition straight to the front.
The novelty & advantage I claim in this invention is as follows
1st. The front wheel of a bicycle or cycle will travell straight without
wabbleing.
2nd. The front wheel being steadey prevents the machine slipping.
3rd. The arms of the rider are releived from the continuous strain.
4th. When passing bettween two vehicles the front wheel being steady largly
prevents the liability of accident.
5th. When the machine is not in use, the front wheel being held in possition it
cannot fall & be damaged.
Dated the Eleventh day of May 1896.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Keeping the Front Wheels of
Bicycles and Cycles Perfectly Straight and Steady to the
Front.
I, THOMAS HENRY SIMMONDS of 16 & 18 Peartree Street, Goswell Road, E.C.
in the County of London, Box 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 :-
This my invention consists of a brass tube of about one inch or less in diameter
and about four inches long the ends of this tube being enclosed by a flat brass

page_text: casting screwed into the centre of one end is fixed a ball which works in a
socket of a clip fixed on the top rail of the frame of the machine immediately in
front of the saddle. Inside this tube is a spiral spring through which is a rod
with a metal plate at one end and a ring at the other projecting through the
other brass end, consequently, when the ring is pulled the spring compresses and
springs back when released, to this ring is attached a cord or chain looped in
the centre and attached to the handle bar on both sides of centre upright, halfway
between upright and handle so that by the tension of the spring on the handle
bar the front or steering wheel is kept in position straight to the front.
In order that my invention may be fully understood I will now refer to the
annexed drawings in which :-
Figure 1. is a plan view showing my invention in position.
Figure 2. enlarged view of the steerer removed.
a is a cylinder which contains the spiral spring c which acts upon the piston
or rod which is attached to the cords d, d by any suitable connection such as
the ring. The cylinder or casing a is secured to the frame g of the machine by
means of a ball and socket joint j or other suitable form said joint being secured
to the frame of the machine by means of the clip or the like k. ee are clips
which are attached to the cords d, d and grip the handle bar h of the machine,
and owing to the action of the spring e will tend to keep the front or steering
wheel of the machine in the desired direction at the same time allowing the
handle bars to be moved when required.
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 :-
1. In steering gear for bicycles in combination two cords secured to the handle
bar one on each side of the axis of same, by means of clips a regulating spring
carried in a cylinder or casing a piston or rod in said cylinder or casing acted
upon by the said spring and connected to said cords, a pivot or swivel joint for
attaching said cylinder or casing to the frame of the machine substantially as
described and illustrated herein.
Dated this 28th day of October 1896
E. EATON,
Agent for Applicant.