CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO VELOCIPEDES, AND IN PART APPLICABLE TO OTHER WHEELED VEHICLES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Smallwood, and Edward Ward Cooper, both of
Coventry, in the County of Warwick, Machinists, for an Invention of
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO VELOCIPEDES, AND IN PART APPLICABLE
TO OTHER WHEELED VEHICLES..
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Smallwood and
Edward Ward Cooper at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
17th July 1882.
THOMAS SMALLWOOD, and EDWARD WARD COOPER, both of Coventry, in the
County of Warwick, Machinists, " CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS RELATING
VELOCIPEDES, AND IN PART APPLICABLE TO OTHER WHEELED VEHICLES
"
TO
This Invention relates to certain improvements in velocipedes, and in part
applicable to other wheeled vehicles.
The improvements have reference to an improved arrangement and method of
applying the centres to the steering or other parts of velocipedes, so as to greatly
lessen the tendency to wear the centres out of truth, and to avoid certain other
disadvantages inherent to existing arrangements.
According to the present improvements, we employ independent rotating or
loose centres, of a spherical, conical, tapering, or other suitable shape, in such a
manner as that the friction and wear is not confined to one part as in existing
arrangements, but is even about all parts, owing to the automatic changing of
position of the loose centre on account of its freedom to move or shift in its
position. We prefer to use a spherical form of centre in lieu of a conical or other
form as being the most effective and simplest to make. The ends of the centre-
spindle at the neck of the backbone of the velocipede, are correspondingly recessed
and conformed to the shape of the centres, the positions of which are secured, with
ease of removal, by screw or other and correspondingly conformed sockets carried
by the fork.

page_text: The Invention also comprises, as applicable to velocipedes and to other wheeled
carriages, a simple and effective method of keeping the balls in their positions in
the hubs of such vehicles as are fitted with them; and the improved method
consists in inserting or screwing a slotted collar or other similar or equivalent
piece of metal into the flange of the hub or other part where the balls are used, in 6
such a manner as to act on the inner circle formed by the position of the balls, and
thereby to keep them in their respective places; the collar being preferably slotted
to give a necessary amount of spring to keep it in position; an important advantage
arising from such an improved arrangement, as compared with existing arrange-
ments, is, that the balls can be more readily got at, and taken out for cleaning, or 1
repairs, or renewal, and replaced, upon the metal collar being simply withdrawn.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Thomas Smallwood and Edward Ward Cooper in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 16th January 1883.
THOMAS SMALLWOOD, and EDWARD WARD COOPER both of Coventry in the
County of Warwick Machinists. © CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS RELATING то
VELOCIPEDES AND IN PART APPLICABLE TO OTHER WHEELED VEHICLES"
This Invention relates to certain Improvements in Velocipedes, and in part
applicable to other wheeled Vehicles.
The Improvements have reference to an improved arrangement and method of
applying the centres to the steering or other parts of Velocipedes, so as to greatly
lessen the tendency to wear the centres out of truth, and to avoid certain other
disadvantages inherent to existing arrangements.
According to the present improvements, which are illustrated in Figure 1. of the
accompanying drawings, we employ independent rotating or loose centres 2 of a
spherical, conical, tapering, or other suitable shape, in such a manner as that the
friction and wear is not confined to one part thereof as in existing arrangements,
but is even about all parts, owing to the automatic changing of position of the
centres on account of their freedom to move or. shift their position. We prefer to
use a spherical form of centre in lieu of a conical or other form as being the most
effective and simplest to make. The ends 3 of the Centre-spindle 4 at the neck 5
of the back bone 6 of the Velocipede, are correspondingly recessed and conformed to
the shape of the Centres 2, the positions of which are secured, with ease of removal,
by screw or other and correspondingly conformed sockets 7, carried by the head 8
of the fork 9.
The Invention also comprises, as applicable to Velocipedes and to other wheeled
Vehicles, a simple and effective method of keeping the balls in position in the hubs
of such vehicles as are fitted with them. This improved method is illustrated in
Figures 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings, and it consists in inserting or
screwing a slotted collar 10 or other similar or equivalent piece of metal into the
flange 11 of the hub 12, or other part where the balls 13 are used, in such a
manner as to act on the inner circle formed by the annular position of the balls,
and thereby to keep them in their respective places, the collar preferably being
slotted, as shewn in Figures 2 and 4 to give a sufficient amount of spring to keep
it in position. An important advantage arising from such an improved arrange-
ment, as compared with existing arrangements, is that the balls 13 can be more
readily got at, and taken out for cleaning, or repairs or removal, and replaced, upon
the metal collar 10 being simply withdrawn.
Having now described the nature and object of our said Invention together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into
practical effect, we would remark in conclusion that what we claim as our
Invention secured to us by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent, is,
1. The improved arrangement and method of applying the centres to the
steering or other parts of Velocipedes, substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.
2. The improved method and means of keeping the balls in position in the hubs

page_text: of such Vehicles as are fitted with them, substantially as herein before described
with reference to Figures 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.
In witness whereof we the said Thomas Smallwood and Edward Ward
Cooper have hereunto set our hands and seals the ninth day of January
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty three.