Improvements in and relating to Cycles.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Cycles.
1, THOMAS WATSON of Lake View, Lurgan, Ireland, Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to cycles the object being to reduce the vibration
communicated to the body and the arms and hands through the seat and handles.
According to my invention I insert a steel or other spring inside the handle stem of
the cycle between the steering stem and the cross handle stem whereby the vibration
communicated to the arms and hands is greatly reduced. I also insert a steel or
other spring on the front wheel steering standard at the bottom. This spring may be
placed between a shoulder on the steering stem and a suitable projection on the
inside of the main frame and another steel or other spring may be placed between
the top of the main frame and a boss or collar on the steering stem. The
insertion of either or both of these springs reduces the vibration communicated to
the body.
I also insert a steel or other spring in the tube in which the saddle standard rests,
or if preferred a pneumatic tube can be used, the stem of the saddle being provided
with a suitable plunger which acts against the spring or air buffer. A pin and slot
or other suitable means should be provided to prevent the saddle support from turning
axially in the tube. I also bend or crank the tube which supports the saddle so that
the upper part of the tube may be vertical and the rider may therefore have a
perpendicularly supported seat or saddle. The spring or pneumatic tube last described
may be fitted in the vertical part of the tube.
Dated this 25th day of May 1896
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 and 56 Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.
Improvements in and relating to Cycles.
I, THOMAS WATSON of Lake View, Lurgan, Ireland, Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of the said invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
This invention relates to cycles, the object being to reduce the vibration
communicated to the body and arms through the seat and handles and rear of
frame.
According to my invention I place a steel or other spring inside the handle stem
tube (or steering stem) of the cycle, between the lower end of the handle stem and
the bottom of the handle stem tube, whereby the vibration communicated to the
arms and hands is greatly reduced. 1 also place a steel or other spring on the

page_text: steering standard; this spring is preferably placed hetween a shoulder or collar on
the bottom of the steering standard and a projection on the frame of the cycle.
The insertion of this spring or these springs greatly reduces the vibration
communicated to the body of the rider. Other springs may for the same purpose
be similarly placed in the fork of the rear wheel. I also provide a projection on
the main frame where the horizontal arms are attached to prevent the springs and
plungers from coming out of frame when the cycle is lifted from the ground.
I also place a steel or other spring in the tube in which the saddle stem rests;
or I may use a pneumatic tube; in either case I make the saddle stem to act as a
suitable plunger by attaching to it a plunger or a piston rod and piston which, acts
against the spring or air buffer. I provide a pin and slot or other suitable means
in order to prevent the saddle support from turning axially in the tube, while
allowing it sufficient vertical play. I also provide that the rider shall have a
perpendicularly supported seat or saddle; this I effect by bending or cranking the 1
tube which supports the saddle stem and saddle, so that the upper part of the tube
may be vertical; or alternatively I may connect the saddle standard tube to the frame
of the cycle in such a manner that the said tube is vertical.
I will now proceed to illustrate and particularly describe my invention with
reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a side elevation partly sectional of a
bicycle in which my improvements are embodied.
A is a steel helical spring placed inside the handle stem tube or steering standard B,
between the lower end of the handle stem C and the bottom of the tube or standard B,
or a projection in the same. D is a pin or bolt on C, free to work in a vertical
direction in the slot E in the handle stem tube B, but preventing the horizontal
inotion of C in the tube B. This slot allows of the vertical motion of C against the
spring A.
By this arrangenient the vibration communicated to the arms and hands is found
to be greatly reduced.
F is a helical steel spring placed on the front wheel steering standard B, between a
shoulder or collar a on the said standard and a projection on the lower end of the
tubular portion e of the frame of the machine.
G is a helical steel spring in one of the limbs of the fork of the rear wheel inside.
the fork tube, and between a projection in the fork tube and a vertical plunger I
connected to the axle. H is a bolt connecting the stay H' to the frame, and which
allows the stay H' to conform to the motion of the spring G. This motion is
limited by projection H2, and the spring G is thus prevented from falling out when
the bicycle is lifted from the ground. There should be a similar spring arrangement
in each limb of the fork.
K is a steel helical spring placed inside the saddle stem tabe N between the lower
end of saddle stem plunger L and the bottom of the tube N or a projection in the
same. The saddle is connected to the saddle stem in such a manner as to permit
of its being raised or lowered as desired.
M is a slot and holt arrangement (similar to D and E) for allowing the planger L
to move vertically in the tube N, but not axially. It will be seen that the saddle or
seat is perpendicularly supported, this being effected by mounting the tule N vertically
as shown and connecting it at the lower end d to the part N of the frame of the cycle,
instead of as heretofore carrying the saddle support in an inclined direction straight
from the saddle to the frame at e. The tube N and the frame part N together
constitute the saddle supporting tube, the bend or crank at d allowing the tube N to
be vertical.
It will be understood that my invention applies to other cycles than bicycles.
Having now particulariy described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 deciare that what I
claim. is :-
1. In a cycle, a spring acting between the handle bar stem and the handle bar stem
tube, substantially as and for the purpose described.

page_text: 2. In a cycle, a spring acting between the steering standard and a part of the main
frame, substantially as and for the purpose described.
3. In a cycle, the combination of a spring acting between the handle bar stem and
the handle bar stem tube and of a spring between the steering standard and a part of
the main frame, substantially as and for the purpose described and shown.
4. In a cycle, springs acting in the forks of the rear wheel, substantially as and for
the purpose described.
5. In a cycle, a spring acting between the saddle stem and the saddle stem tube,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
6. In a bicycle, a seat- or saddle-supporting tube so bent, cranked or constructed
that the rider has a perpendicularly supported seat or saddle, substantially as herein-
before described.
7. The improved cycle shown in the accompanying drawing and hereinbetore
described.
Dated this 27th day of January 1807
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 and 56 Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.