IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS FOR BICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Edmund Leeson, of Oldham, in the County of
"
Lancaster, Clerk, for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS FOR
BICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED
THEREWITH,"
°
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Edmund Lecson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd September
1881.
JOHN EDMUND LEESON, of Oldham, in the County of Lancaster, Clerk.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS FOR BICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES, AND IN
APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH."
My improvements relate, firstly, to a spring apparatus which I place between
the lamp and the bicycle or other velocipede, by which I prevent the said lamp
from being extinguished by travelling over rough or uneven roads or surfaces.
For the above purpose I use two frames formed by bars connected together by
end pieces, such frames being jointed or hinged together by means of the before
named end pieces. One of the above named frames I connect by a hinged
joint to the bicycle or other velocipede, the other frame being jointed to the
lamp.
To one of the bars of the above named frames I attach one end of a spring
or springs, the other end thereof being connected to a bar of the other framno
jointed to the one above referred to, such spring or springs aforesaid tending to
draw the lamp upward, such movement being limited by means of a spring or
springs. When the bicycle or other velocipede is travelling over a rough or
uneven road or surface the above described frames and springs will prevent the
lamp from becoming extinguished by the jolts or jars arising from the said rough
uneven road or surface.
The above described hinged frame will maintain the aforesaid lamp in a position
at right angles to the part to which it is attached, while at the same time permitting
it to move upward and downward.

page_text: In some instances I also connect to the above named frames other arms jointed
to each other and also jointed to the lamp, so as to constitute a parallel motion,
which tends to keep the lamp above named in a vertical position.
The second part of my Invention refers to arrangements by which lamps used
in conjunction with bicycles or other velocipedes may be readily and securely
attached to or removed from the axle of the front wheel or other part upon which
they may be placed.
For this purpose I employ plates, one end of such plates being jointed to the
lamp; the other end thereof I form of a curved shape, so as to constitute a hook
to be placed upon the axle or other suitable part of the bicycle or other velocipede.
To the above described curved or hooked plates I joint others in such manner that
they in conjunction with the curved plates previously described may constitute a
clip or clips for embracing the axle or other part of the bicycle or velocipede upon
which they may be placed, and I retain them in such position by means of a stop
or catch hinged to the above plates, the said stop or catch being forced forward by
means of springs.
When it is desired to remove the above described apparatus from the part upon
which it has been placed, the aforesaid stop or catch is withdrawn, and the hinged
portion may then be turned and the clip opened. Within that portion of the
above described curved plates which embraco the axle or other part upon which
they are placed I place leather or other suitable material, thereby avoiding noise or
rattle which might otherwise arise, or I mount pullies or bowles of leather or other
suitable material upon the aforesaid hooked clip, thereby reducing the friction
when the said clip is placed upon the axle of the bicycle or other velocipede.
The above described arrangements, constituting the second head of my Invention,
may be used in combination with the arrangements described under the first head
of my Invention, or may be used separately as may be desired. The third part of
my Invention refers to the construction of lamps used for bicycles or other
velocipedes, and consists in connecting the oil vessel or part of the lamp which
contains the oil and wick to the body of the lamp by means of a hinge or joint, so
that the said oil vessel and its wick may be turned downward when it is desired to
fill, light, or clean the same.
When the oil vessel is turned upward for closing the lamp, it is retained in such
position by means of a hinged catch or clip.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Edmund Leeson in the Great Seal Patent Offico on the
23rd March 1882.
JOHN EDMUND LEESON, of Oldham, in the County of Lancaster, Clerk.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS FOR BICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES, AND IN
APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH."
My improvements relate, firstly, to a spring apparatus which I place between
the lamp and the bicycle or other velocipode, by which I prevent the said
lamp from being extinguished by travelling over rough or uneven roads or
surfaces.
For the above purpose I use two frames formed by bars connected together by
end pieces, such frames being jointed or hinged together by means of the before.
named end pieces. One of the above named frames I connect by a hinged joint to
the bicycle or other velocipede, the other frame being jointed to the lamp. To one
of the bars of the above named frames I attach one end of a spring or springs,
the other end thereof being connected to a bar of the other frame jointed to the
one above referred to, such spring or springs aforesaid tending to draw the lamp
upward, such movement being limited by means of a spring or springs. When the
bicycle or other velocipede is travelling over a rough or uneven road or surface tho
above described frames and springs will prevent the lamp from becoming
extinguished by the jolts or jars arising from the said rough uneven road or
surface. The above described hinged frame will maintain the aforesaid lamp in a
position at right angles to the part to which it is attached, while at the same time
permitting it to move upward and downward. In some instances I also connect to
the above named frames other arms jointed to each other, and also jointed to the
lamp, so as to constitute a parallel motion, which tends to keep the lamp above
named in a vertical position.
The second part of my Invention refors to arrangements by which lamps used
in conjunction with bicycles or other velocipedes may be readily and securely
attached to or removed from the axle of the front wheel or other part upon which
they may be placed.
For this purpose I employ plates, one end of such plates being joined to the
lamp; the other end thereof I form of a curved shape, so as to constitute a hook
to be placed upon the axle or other suitable part of the bicycle or other velocipede.
To the above described curved or hooked plates I joint others in such manner that
they, in conjunction with the curved plates previously described may constitute a
clip or clips for embracing the axle or other part of the bicycle or velocipede upon
which they may be placed, and I retain them in such position by means of a stop
or catch hinged to the above plates, the said stop or catch being forced forward by
means of springs. When it is desired to remove the above described apparatus
from the part upon which it has been placed, the aforesaid stop or catch is
withdrawn and the hinged portion may then be turned and the clip opened.
Within that portion of the above described curved plates which embrace the axle
or other part upon which they are placed I place leather or other suitable material,
thereby avoiding noise or rattle which might otherwise arise, or I mount pullies
or bowles of leather or other suitable material upon the aforesaid booked clip,
thereby reducing the friction when the said clip is placed upon the axle of the
bicycle or other velocipede.
The above described arrangements, constituting the second head of my Invention,
may be used in combination with the arrangements described under the first head
of my Invention, or may be used separately, as may be desired.-

page_text: The third part of my Invention refers to the construction of lamps used for
bicycles or other velocipedes, and consists in connecting the oil vessel or part of the
lamp which contains the oil and wick to the body of the lamp by means of a hinge
or joint so that the said oil vessel and its wick may be turned downward when it
is desired to fill, light, or clean the same. When the oil vessel is turned upward for
closing the lamp it is retained in such position by means of a hinged catch or.
clip.
In order that my Invention may be better understood and more readily carried
into effect, I will now proceed to describe the same, reference being made to the
accompanying Drawings.
The first part of my Invention is shown by Figs. 1, 2, and 3. Fig. 1 is a front,
and Fig. 2 a side view at right angles to Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a detached view in-
section and relates to a method of connecting the lamps used in connection with
bicycles to the part from which they are suspended. Similar letters of reference
are applied to corresponding parts throughout the whole of the Drawings.
At 1 is a lamp of any ordinary construction, and which in this instance is
suspended from the axle 2 of one of the wheels of a bicycle. As some of the parts
are repeated at opposite sides of the apparatus I shall apply thereto similar letters of
reference, with the addition of an asterisk (*). To the top of the lamp 1 aro
attached lugs 3, 3*; to these lugs 3, 3*, by means of pins 4, 4*, are jointed arins
5, 5*, formed upon a plate 6 extending across between them, their opposite ends
being jointed at 7, 7*, to the ends of arms 8, 8*, formed upon opposite ends of a
plate 9, the other ends of the last-mentioned arms being jointed to the lugs
10, 10, formed upon a tubular clip 11, embracing the axle 2 or other part as
ordinarily employed for attaching lamps to bicycles. The pin 12, upon which the
arms 5, 5*, 8, 8*, are hinged, extends across between such arms, and around it are
mounted two coiled springs 13, 14, one of their ends 13*, 14*, passing through
slots 15, 15, formed in and extending from the plate 9. The ends 13**, 14**, of
the springs 13, 14, opposite to those above referred to pass downward and press
against the edge of the plate 6, extending across between the armis 5, 5*. "The
action of the parts above referred to is as follows:-
-
The tortion of the springs 13, 14, causes their ends 13**, 14**, to press against
the plate 6 in the direction of the arrow A, while at the same time their other
ends 13*, 14*, are pressing against the lower ends of the slots 15, 15*, formed upon
the plate 9 so as to tend to force such plate 9 and arms 8, 8*, in the direction of
the arrow B.
The above described action of the springs 13, 14, tends to resist the weight of the
lamp 1. The strength of the springs 13, 14, is so adjusted that the normal position of
the arms 5, 5*, 8, 8*, will be about the position shown in the Drawing, but should the
bicycle pass over anything which causes the part to which the lamp is attached to
become suddenly raised, such raising of the part will carry with it the upper ends
of the arms 8, 8*, which turning upon the pins 12 will through media of the slots
15, 15, formed in the projection formed upon the plate 9, will act upon the ends
13, 14, of the springs 13, 14, so as to farther compress them, such compression
causing the ends 13**, 14**, of the said springs to act with increased strength
upon the plate 6, and will cause the arms 5, 5*, to be turned upward in tho
direction or the arrow C, such movement raising the lamp 1 until the arms 5, 5*,
8, 8* assume their normal pesition.
I will now suppose that the bicycle pass into a depression which will cause the
part 2 to which the lamp is attached to descend, the arms 8, 8*, will be turned
upon the pins forming their joints in a direction opposite to the arrow B, such move-
ment will lessen the strength of the springs 13, 14, and allow the weight of the
lamp 1 to turn the armis 5, 5*, in a downward direction opposite to that of the
arrow C until the arms 5, 5*, 8, 8*, again assume their normal position relative to
each other. As the part 2 rises and falls, such rising and falling being resisted by
the inertia of the lamp 1, such movement will be gradually transmitted to the
lamp through media, of the springs 13, 14, and in cases where the part 2 is rapidly,

page_text: raised and lowered, as when the bicycle is travelling over rough or uneven surfaces,
the inertia of the lamp will through media of the arms 5, 5*, 8, 8*, and springs
13, 14, prevent its rapidly following the upward and downward movements of the
part 2.
If from any cause the arms 5, 5*, 8, 8*, should approach each other beyond a
certain point, the projecting part 16 formed upon the plate 9 will be brought
against the ends 13**, 14**, of the springs 13, 14, and pressing them in a direction
opposite to that of the arrow A brings their other ends in contact with a raised
rib 17 formed upon the plate 6, and the arms will be forced downward until the
buffer 18 upon the underside of the plate G arrives against the top of the lamp 1,
when the lamp will be forced downward by the pressure of the part 16 upon the
springs 13, 14. The buffer 18 prevents any noise or rattle which might otherwiso
arise from the contact of the plate 6 with the top of the lamp. Upon the above
described downward movement of the arms 5, 5*, 8, 8*, ceasing the said arms will
assume their normal position.
The bar 12 is secured at its ends to the frames 5, 5*, thereby compelling the
lamp when approaching or receding from the part 2 to maintain a position parallel
therewith. To the top of the lamp I attach a lug 19, turning upon which is
mounted one end of an arm 20, jointed at its other end to an arm 21, the other
end of which turns upon a stud 22 formed upon the bar 23, as the bar 23 and the
top of the lamp approach or recede from each other the arms 20, 21, open and
close, the lainp is thereby retained in a vertical position.
The second part of my Invention is illustrated by Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. At
24, 24, are plates or frames formed of a hook shape, so as to be capable of being
hooked or placed upon any desired part 26 of the bicycle or other velocipede, which
in this instance is the axle of the front wheel. From extended parts 24**, 24*.*
of the franes 24, 24*, the lamp is suspended by means of the bar 25, which passes
through holes formed in the ends of the extended parts 24**, 24**, of the frames
or plates 24, 24*. The lamp, as shown in the Drawing, is connected to the frames
or plates by the apparatus previously described under the first head of my
Invention, but the lamp may be attached directly to the plates or frames 24, 24*,
if desired. In order to avoid noise or rattle I insert strips of leather 27, 27*,
between the plates or frames 24, 24*, and the part 26, by which they are sup-
ported, and I secure the strips of leather to the said plates 24, 24*, by forming
projecting pieces 28 upon the plates or frames 24, 24*, which I bend over so as to
retain the strip of leather in position. To the plates 24, 24*, are hinged other
plates 29, 29, by means of pins 30, 30°; these plates when in the position shown
serve to retain the hooked plates 24, 24, upon the axle 26, or other part upon
which they are placed. Through the plates 24, 24, I form slots 31, 31*, passing
through which and extending across between the plates is a bar 32, having collars
at its end to prevent its sliding longitudinally. Extending across between the
plates or frames 24, 24, to which it is secured, is a plate 33; attached to the
plate 33 is a curved spring 34, the free end 34* of which presses against the bar 32,
tending to force it in the direction of the arrow D. The spring 34 is secured to
the bar 32 by means of a looped wire or clip 35. Upon the ends E, E*, of the
plates 29, 29°, are formed notches or teeth, into which the bar 32 is capable of
taking when the plates 29, 29*, are placed in the position shown in the Drawing,
and is retained in contact with the teeth of the plates 29, 29*, by the spring 34.
When it is desired to remove the hooked plates 24, 24*, from their support 26, the
bar 32 is drawn back within the slots 31, 31*, against the force of the spring 34,
the hooked plates 29, 29*, may then be turned downward by means of the bar 36,
connecting the plates 29, 29*, together; the hooked plates 24, 24*, may then be
removed from the part 26, upon which they are suspended. When it is again
desired to secure the hooked plates 24, 24*, upon the axle 26 or other part from
which it is desired to suspend the lamp, the curved plates 29, 29*, are turned in
the direction of the arrow F; the ends E, Ex, of the curved plates 29, 29*, will force.
back the bar 32 against the force of the spring 34 until one of the notches.or teeth.

page_text: formed in the curved plates 29, 29*, arrives opposite the said bar 32, which will
then be forced forward by the spring 34, thereby locking the curved plates 24, 24*,
around the axle 26, and preventing their being opened by any jolt or jar to which
the axle 26 or other part from which the hooked plates are suspended may be
subjected; but if from any cause the curved plates 29, 29, should become liberated
from the bar 32, it can only be turned in a direction opposite to the arrow F to
the position shown by the dotted lines, as such movement will have brought a
part of the back of the curved plates 29, 29*, in contact with the back of the
hinge 30**, 30***, which will act as a stop to prevent its further outward move-
ment. As the part 20 would have to pass beyond the dotted line G before it
could become clear of the curved plates 29, 29*, and hooked plates 24**, 24***,
there will be little likelihood of the lamp becoming freed from the axle 26.
Instead of using the strips of leather, as shown at 27, 27*, I propose in some
cases to use bowls or rollers, as shown in the detached view Figs. 7 and 8, Fig. 8
being a view taken at right angles to Fig. 7. Upon the curved plate 24 I form
extended portions 37 which are bent so as to form jaws, within which I mount the
bowls or rollers 38 capable of being rotated upon pins 39, 40*, secured to the
plates 24. The circumferences of the bowls 38 rest upon the axle 26, which when
it revolves rotates the bowls upon their pins 39, 40, thereby offering less resistance
to the revolution of the axle than when strips of leather are used as previously
described in reference to Figs. 4 and 5.
When the lamp 1 is suspended from the axle 26 of a bicycle, and within the
spokes of the wheel, as shown in Fig. 4, I attach to the cross plate 33 a short
pillar 41 through which I form a slot, through which slot pass two rods 42, 43,
having their ends abutting against the hubs 44, 44, of the wheel of the bicycle,
and which pass through apertures formed in extended portions 33*, 33**, of the
plate 33. The rods 42, 43, being retained in any desired position by means of a
thumb screw 45 screwing upon a thread formed upon the upper part of the
pillar 41, so as to bind the rods 42, 43, against a collar 41* formed upon the
pillar 41, a washer 46 being placed between tho rods 42, 43, to assist in securing
the said rods in the position desired. By means of the rods 42, 43, the hooked
plates 24, 24*, are prevented from moving longitudinally upon the axle 20, thereby
keeping the said lamp in a central position relative to the hubs 44, 44*. Upon
the ends of the rods 42, 43, I fix leather washers for the purpose of preventing any
noise which might otherwise arise from the contact of the rods 42, 43, with the
bubs 44, 44*.
The third part of my Invention is illustrated by Figs. 9, 10, and 11, Fig. 10 being
a front view, Fig. 9 a side view, and Fig. 11 a back view of a lamp for bicycles or
other velocipedes constructed according to my Invention.
At 47 is the body of the lamp constructed in any ordinary manner, below which
I place the vessel 48 for containing the oil and wick 49, such oil vessel being
attached to the body of the lamp by means of hinged joints 50. To the body of
the lamp and jointed thereto by its ends is a clip formed of wire, the central
part 51 thereof being bent downward so as to pass below a pin 52 projecting from
the oil vessel 48 for retaining it in position, as shewn by the full lines; but
when it desirable to fill or light the lamp for use the clip is withdrawn in the
direction of the arrow H, the oil vessel 48 may then be turned downwards into the
position, shown in the Drawings by the dotted lines J, and filled or lighted, after
which it may be turned upward into the position, shown by the full lines of the
Drawing. In some cases I also provide a second pin 53 secured to the oil vessel 48,
which when allowed to rest upon the clip 51 will retain the oil vessel in a position,
such that a light may be readily applied to the wick 49, after which the oil vessel
is raised and supported upon the pin 52. The lamp is provided with an ordinary
door for the purpose of allowing the lamp to be more readily cleaned. It may be
desirable when lighting or trimming the lamp to keep the oil vessel previously
described in a horizontal or nearly horizontal position, which may be accomplished

page_text: by inclining the body of the lamp while turning the oil vessel upon the hinge 50,
as illustrated by the diagram, Fig. 12.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner in which
the same is to be performed, I desire it to be understood that I claim as secured to
me under the above in part recited Letters Patent,―
Firstly. The combination of hinged or jointed arms or plates with a spring
or springs for connecting the lamps used in connection with bicycles or other
velocipedes to the parts from which such lamps are suspended, substantially in the
manner and for the purposes herein before shown and described in reference to
Figs. 1, 2, and 3.
Secondly. The combination of hooked plates 24 with the curved clip 29 and
parts connected therewith, substantially in the manner and for the purposes
described and shown in reference to Figs. 4, 5, and 6.
Thirdly. In lamps used in conjunction with bicycles or other velocipodes,
connecting the oil vessel to the body of the lamp by means of a hinged joint,
substantially in the manner and for the purposes described and shown in referenco
to Figs. 9, 10, 11, and 12.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Edmund Leeson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty second day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
Signed, sealed, and delivered by
the within named John Edmund
Leeson in the presence of
HOWARD CHEETHAM,
Assistant to W. T. Cheetham,
Patent Agent,
JOHN EDMUND LEESON. (L.S.)
18, St. Ann Street,
Manchester.