Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Jan., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 20th Nov., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 21st Dec., 1888
I, ALFRED EASTHOPE, of the Midland Cycle Company, of 24 St. John Street,
Wolverhampton, in the County of Staffordshire, Cycle Manufacturers, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates first, to an improved construction of frame for rear-driving
safety bicycles, and analogous types of Velocipedes, and secondly to an improved
construction of spring handle bar and brake mechanism for all types of Velocipedes ;
and it has for its objects, the diminuition of vibration and the isolation of the
rider therefrom, and the more perfect manipulation of the brake from a spring
handle bar.
I attain these objects in the following manner;-The frame for rear-driving safety
bicycles and analogous types of..Velocipedes, is of the type known as the " cross
frame," but instead of making the frame carrying the driving wheel, pedal crank axle
and seat in one rigid piece, it is made in two pieces hinged together and controlled by
a suitable spring. The one part of the frame consists of the usual fork to carry the
driving wheel, and the usual tube extending downwards to carry the pedal crank axle,
but not extending above its junction with the fork. The other part of the frame
consists of the usual backbone and the usual tube extending up to carry the seat
support. This tube is however fixed on the end of the backbone approximately at
right angles thereto. This part of the frame is hinged to the other part at the root
of the fork carrying the driving wheel, by a taper pin or any other suitable form of
hinge joint. On to the underside of the forward end of the backbone is mounted a
small cylinder in which is fitted a piston or plunger working against a spring in
compression. The end of the piston or plunger is connected with the lower extremity
of the tube carrying the pedal crank axle by a suitable tie rod.
The improved spring handle bar is an improvement on the one set forth in the
specification of my Patent No. 5940 of 1887. The cranked or curved handle bar is
pivotted by a transverse pin to a suitable plate on the top of the steering post or head,
and its movement is controlled by a spiral spring encircling the said steering post or
D

page_text: head, a suitable collar encircling the post or head and bearing on the underside of
the spring being connected to the handle bar, or to the socket carrying it, by a
suitable connecting link. Immediately below the lowest position this collar can
assume, a cross lever is pivotted to the steering post or head. One end of this
lever is connected by a suitable link to the collar bearing against the spring, and
the other end is connected to the brake spoon lever, which is pivotted to the
steering post or head in the usual manner, by a stiff thrust connecting rod. The
length of the arms of the cross lever are so proportioned as to give a considerable
movement to the brake spoon without decreasing the leverage, so that although
the ordinary movement of the handle bar due to the vibration of the machine does
not apply the brake, yet by pressing the said bar further down the brake is
applied. No exertion is required to apply the brake other than resting the weight
of the upper part of the body on the handle bar through the arms.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer & Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, 71 & 72, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in and relating to Velocipedes.
I, ALFRED EASTHOPE of the Midland Cycle Co. of 24 St. John Street,
Wolverhampton in the county of Staffordshire, Cycle Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention relates to an improved construction of spring handle bar, and brake
mechanism of all types of velocipedes, and it has for its objects, the diminuition of
vibration, and the isolation of the rider therefrom, and the more perfect manipulation
of the brake from a spring handle bar.
Since filing the provisional specification of my application I find that the other
part of my said invention was not new and novel at the date of my said application,
and I therefore drop that part of my said invention and make no claim therefor.
My invention so far as it relates to the spring handle_bar, is an improvement on
the spring handle bar set forth in the specification of my Patent No. 5940 of 1887.
The cranked or curved handle bar is pivotted by a transverse pin to a suitable
plate on the top of the steering post or head, and its movement is controlled by a
spiral spring encircling the said steering post or head, a suitable collar encircling the
post or head and bearing on the under side of the spring, being connected to the
handle bar or to the socket carrying it by a suitable connecting link.
The improved brake mechanism for use with spring handle bars consists of a cross
lever pivotted to the steering post or head. One end of this lever is connected by a
suitable link to the collar bearing against the spring controlling the movement of the
handle bar as hereinabove described, or direct to the moving part of the handle bar
or socket carrying it, and the other end is connected to the rod for operating the
brake whether such brake is of the spoon lever, or strap and drum brake type, and
whether such brake is applied to the front steering or any other wheel or wheels.
The leverage of the cross lever is so proportioned as to give a considerable movement
to the brake rod without materially decreasing the power, so that although the
ordinary movement of handle bar due to the vibration of the machine does not
apply the brake, yet by pressing the end of the said bar further down the brake is
applied.
In order that my invention may be fully understood I will more particularly
describe it making reference to the accompanying drawing throughout the several
views of which similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing are broken views in side and front
elevation respectively showing my improved spring handle bar also my improved
brake mechanism as applied to such a handle bar, and Figure 3. is a broken view in
side elevation showing my improved brake mechanism as applied to spring handle bars
generally.

page_text: Referring to Figures 1. and 2. The transverse handle bar A is mounted in a
socket B which is hinged by a transverse bolt c to a plate or seat formed on or
fixed to the top of the handle bar pillar C adapted to fit in the steering post, head,
or socket of the machine. The handle bar A is cranked or curved in the horizontal
plane to bring the knobs or handles A¹ in the rear of the fulcrum of the socket B.
On the front of the socket B are snugs b, b to which is connected by a bolt da lever D
fixed to or forming part of a collar D¹ encircling the handle bar pillar C'. Encircling
the pillar C¹ between the collar D¹ and the plate or seat C on the top of the pillar
is a spiral spring E in compression. It will be seen that the function of this
spring E is to keep the handle bar A in its normal position, and to restore it thereto
after depression. This forms my improvement on the spring handle bar set forth in
my prior Patent hereinbefore referred to.
Referring to the same figures; on the pillar Cimmediately below the lowest
position the collar D¹ can assume, is pivotted at c¹ a cross lever F the rear end of
which is connected by a suitable link G with a snug d' on the collar D¹. On the
front end of the cross lever F is pivotally mounted a boss H adapted to receive
one end of the brake rod J which is locked thereto by means of the set screw h
threaded in the boss H, or by any other equivalent device.
It will be seen on reference to Figure 1 that on the depression of the knobs or
handles A¹ the brake rod J is pushed downwards as indicated in dotted lines.
This movement of the brake rod may be communicated to the brake in any
convenient and suitable manner.
.
Figure 3. illustrates another method of constructing my improved brake mechanism
for spring handle bars. In this case the handle bar Á is assumed to be mounted
so as to fulcrate in its socket B, the said movement being controlled by a spring
or springs in any suitable manner. This merely by way of illustration.
In such a case I form on, or fix to, the handlebar A a snug or its equivalent b
which is connected by a link G with a lever F pivotted at c¹ to the handle bar pillar ("
as shown. The free end of this lever F is adapted to receive the brake rod J in
the manner hereinabove described.
Where the brake rod requires to have an upward movement to apply the brake
I vary the position of the fulcrum of the lever F, and the point of connection of
the link G thereto, as illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 3. Where the motion
of the brake rod J is communicated to the brake through levers or cranks capable
of varying the leverage and movement of the said rod, I sometimes couple the
said rod direct to the handle bar or socket so as to take its motion direct
therefrom.
I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the exact details of
construction as hereinbefore described and shown, but I hold myself at liberty to
make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of my
invention.
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. The improved spring handle bar for velocipedes, constructed, arranged, and
operating, substantially as set forth.
2. In a spring handle bar for velocipedes, the combination with the cranked or
curved bar, of the socket B carrying the said bar and hinged by the bolt c to the plate
or seat C formed on or fixed to the pillar C, the link D connecting the collar D' with
the snugs b, b on the socket B, and the spring E encircling the pillar C₁ and acting
between the collar D' and the plate or seat C, all combined, arranged, and operating,
as and for the purpose set forth.
3. In a velocipede having a cranked or curved handle bar fulcrated in its socket so
that its knobs or handles are capable of depression, actuating the brake by means of
the said movement of the handle bar, as set forth.
4. In a velocipede having a handle bar cranked or curved in the horizontal plane

page_text: to bring the knobs or handles in the rear of the pillar carrying it, and fulcrated in
or about its socket or support so that the knobs or handles have a movement in an
approximately vertical plane controlled by a suitable spring or springs, connecting
the said handle bar to the brake rod either directly or indirectly through suitable
levers and coupling links, so that the brake can be applied by depressing the knobs
or handles of the said bar, as set forth.
5. In a velocipede the combination of the cranked or curved handle bar A mounted
to fulcrate at or about its point of support on the pillar C, the spring adapted to
control the movement of the said handle bar, the lever F pivotted to the pillar C", the
link G connecting the lever F with the handle bar or an attachment thereon, either
directly or indirectly, and the brake rod J connected to the lever F, all combined,
arranged, and operating, as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 20th day of November 1888.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.