Improvements in connection with Velocipedes and similar Vehicles.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Feb., 1892-Accepted, 12th Mar., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in connection with Velocipedes and similar Vehicles.
1, SIMEON BILLETT, of 50 Old Market Street, Bristol, in the County of
Gloucester, Tailor and Outfitter, 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 :-
The improvements constituting my present invention consists of a novel, light
and efficient manner of suspending the frame or body of a bicycle, tricycle or similar
or other vehicle upon the axle or axles of the wheels thereof by means of suitable
springs for the purpose of providing greater elasticity with less vibration than
obtains with the methods hitherto adopted for the same or like purpose.
The manner in which I attain this is by providing upon each axle of the wheel
or wheels at each end of the hubs thereof a pair of metallic plates so constructed
that one may slide vertically within suitable guides formed within or upon the
other. The stationary or guide plates of each pair mount upon the axles and
connect the sliding plates with the ends of the fork or forks of the steering wheel
and those of the frame of the machine, and by the interposition of suitable springs
a perfect elasticity is provided between the axles and the frame of the machine, the
tensions of which operate in supporting the weight of the rider or riders and
preventing vibration when the wheel or wheels encounter obstructions within the
path or track thereof.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood I have annexed a sheet of
drawings in which :-
Fig. 1 is a part sectional end view of part of the front or steering wheel of a
bicycle or tricycle constructed with the improvements forming the subject of my
invention.
Fig. 2 is a side view of so much of same as is necessary to enable my invention
to be understood.
Fig. 3 is a horizontal section upon the line A. B. Fig. 2.
In the accompanying drawing I have chosen to illustrate my invention in
connection with the front or steering wheel of a bicycle or tricycle and the manner
in which the same is used upon the rear wheel or wheels will be rendered clear in
and by the statement hereinafter contained.
In carrying my invention into effect in so far as regards the front or steering
wheel I provide a metallic plate A one face of which is recessed in such a manner
that vertical guides a, a' are formed upon the sides thereof or connected thereto,
one of said plates A Í mount upon each end of the axle B, and retain it thereon by
means of a suitable lock nut or nuts b, the end of B would be preferably reduced in
diameter for the reception of A so that this may abut against the ball bearing
plate C or its equivalent and suitable pins or studs c may if necessary be
interposed between A and C to steady their connection. A metallic plate, D
is arranged to slide vertically within the guides a, a', of the plate A and
provided with a central opening or an equivalent hollow upon its back surface,
in order that it may slide vertically within a, a', clear of the nut or nuts b.
The upper surface of A would be preferably widened or swelled outwardly at d,
so that suitable bolts e, may pass upwardly therethrough and hold and retain
upon the upper outer surface of A, a coach or other like multiple plate spring E
which may consist of any number of such plates according to the weight of the
rider the machine is constructed to carry and are provided if necessary with
the usual guide studs common to such springs generally. The outer ends of E
incline upward from A and suitably formed so as to be connected by bolts or other
means to the ends of a depending bow or D spring F which extends downwards
Doll

page_text: therefrom beneath the plate A. and preferably widened and thickened at its lower
extremities so as to be of the same or greater width than A and D combined.
To the lower extremity f I attach two or more bolts g, which extend vertically
therefrom in an upward direction into suitable recesses formed in the lower end
of the sliding plate D, and surrounding these between D and fl provide spiral or
other springs h the tension of which tend to force D in an upward direction
within A and from f. Upon the lower ends of each of the plates D and upon the
outer faces thereof, I provide a horizontal stud i and upon this is mounted the lower
ends of the front or steering fork G which may be retained thereon by suitable
lock nuts k, a metallic washer or washers m may be interposed between G and D
to prevent friction, or an extension may be formed upon D as an equivalent
therefor.
The weight of the rider upon the machine would by the medium of the fork G
be conveyed to the plate D which would be lowered thereby within a, a³, against
the tension of the springs h, and if the said weight be excessive so as to collapse
these the same would be borne by the spring F, and through this by the spring E,
so that the weight of the rider is absolutely borne upon the springs, h, F, E, in the
ratio of their respective tension, and it is obvious that if an upward pressure be
given to the wheel K, such for instance, as when this is riding over obstructions
within its path that the same pressure would be imparted to the plate A and the
spring E, and the tension of this being in excess of F, and F slightly in excess
of h, it follows that a graceful; easy and perfect elasticity is provided between the
seat of the rider and the point of contact with the wheel and the ground, or any
obstruction that may occur suddenly thereon, and vibration or shock entirely
avoided.
A suitable stay rod or rods H or their equivalents would be pivotally connected
to each plate A and the frame of the machine in such a manner that while freely
permitting the vertical movement of A would act as a preventative to the
Oscillation thereof upon the axle B. In Fig. 2 I have shown only one such rod
or stay that being connected to the lower end of A, but this may be connected to
the centre or other part of A as may be desired or may be branched so as to
embrace the upper and lower extremities of A, or two such rods may be employed
one connected to the upper and the other to the lower end of A and attached to
separate or different parts of the frame of the machine as may be needed.
The foregoing arrangement of my invention would be the same in connection 35
with the hind or driven wheel of a bicycle, suitable provision being made if
necessary for its connection to that end of the hub upon which is mounted the
wheel for carrying the chain.
A slight deviation from the foregoing arrangement may be necessary in connection
with tricycles, according to the particular construction of the machine, that is to say, 4
a pair of plates A, D, and their accessories would be provided in connection with
each end of the back fork or forks or in other words two such pairs of plates and
their accessories for each hub or bearing of the rear or driven wheels, in which
case I may form suitable threads upon the axle for the reception of the lock
nuts 6 or may retain them in position by the agency of pins or screws or other
suitable means.
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:-
1st: For improvements in connection with velocipedes and similar vehicles the 50
method and means herein described and shewn of suspending the frame of the
machine upon the axles of the wheels thereof by the means of sliding plates and
suitable springs for promoting elasticity and reducing vibration or shock, the whole
connected combined and operating substantially as set forth and illustrated by the
accompanying drawings.
2nd. In combination with a bicycle, tricycle, or similar machine the construction and
5.5

page_text: use of recessed plates A with guides a, a¹, connected thereto or formed therewith
and mounted upon the axles of the steering and driven wheels by the means of lock
nuts b, or their equivalent and each carrying a sliding plate D, having recesses for
the reception of vertical bolts g, surrounded by spiral springs h, and connected to
the lower extremities f, of a bow or D shaped spring F, borne upon, and connected
at its upper extremities to, a horizontal coach or like multiple plate spring E,
centrally connected by bolts or screws to the upper surface of the plate A. The
studs or pins i, upon the sliding plates D, carrying the lower ends of the steering
or other forks G, with stay rod or rods H, connecting the plates A. with the frame
of the machine, the whole connected, combined and operating substantially as
and for the purposes herein described, and in the manner shown by the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 11th dow of Rohm 180
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
4, Little Moorfields, Fore Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.