IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES TRICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES AND IN LANDS FOR AND LAY PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jaunes Simeon Edge the younger of Birmingham in the
County of Warwick Mechanical Engineer and Francis William Ticehurst of
Birmingham aforesaid Gunpowder Agent for an invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN BICYCLES TRICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES AND IN LANDS
FOR AND LAY
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Simeon Edge the
younger and Francis William Ticehurst at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents on the 21st June 1882.
JAMES SIMEON EDGE the younger of Birmingham in the County of Warwick
Mechanical Engineer and FRANCIS WILLIAM TICEHURST of Birmingham aforesaid
Gunpowder Agent "IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES TRICYCLES AND OTHER
VELOCIPEDES, AND IN LAMPS FOR, AND IN ATTACHING LAMPS TO BICYCLES
TRICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES
Our invention consists first of the following improvements in connecting the
forks of bicycles to the part called the backbone of the same. The neck of the
back-bone carries a ring or collar through which the stalk of the fork passes.
The said stalk has a cup closed at bottom and open at top the said cup being of a
size and shape suitable for the reception of the collar described. The neck of the
back-bone passes through a slot in the said cup of a sufficient size to permit of the
motion of the cup and fork through a considerable angle. Annular grooves are
made in the bottom of the cup and in the under surface of the collar, and anti-
friction balls or spheres work in the said grooves. Similar grooves are made in the
upper face of the collar and on the under face of the cover which screws on the
cup described, and anti-friction balls or spheres work in the said grooves.
use of the said grooves and antifriction balls or spheres great freedom of motion
and a firm bearing are secured between the back-bone and fork of the bicycle and
the stalk of the fork may be made shorter than usual and the head consequently
lowered.
By the

page_text: The antifriction spheres may be used with or without cages and in place of the
said spheres rings be substituted.
The arrangement of parts described may be applied to the steering mechanism of
tricycles and other velocipedes.
Our invention consists secondly in the following improvement in constructing
the pedals of bicycles tricycles and other velocipedes.
Upon the metallic axis of the pedal, we fix an india-rubber tube or hollow
cylinder and at one or more parts of the said cylinder we fix a row of metallic teeth
or a serrated metallic plate. The india-rubber tube gives a pleasant bearing to the
foot and in wet weather the slipperiness of the india rubber is neutralised by the
inetallic teeth or serrations.
Our invention consists thirdly in the following improvements in lamps for
bicycles, tricycles, and other velocipedes. Instead of introducing the oil reservoir
carrying the burner into the case of the lamp by opening a door at front of the
lamp we pass the said reservoir into the case at the bottom of the case, the said
reservoir being introduced by a vertical motion into the case and fixed by being
turned through a small angle. By the said motion the reservoir is fixed in its case
by parts resembling a bayonet joint fastening.
We arrange the mechanism for adjusting the wicks of lamps for bicycles, tricycles
and other velocipedes in the following manner. The axis carrying the button for
winding up and lowering the wick works through the case and carries at its inner
end a pinion. This pinion when the reservoir is put in its place in the case gears
with a pinion carried by the axis which effects the motion of the wick. By this
arrangement the reservoir and burner can be removed from the lamp without
displacing the button by which the wick is adjusted, the mere putting of the
reservoir into its place in the case and removing it, effecting the necessary gearing
and ungearing of the parts. This part of our invention may be applied to lamps
of the ordinary kind as well as to lamps of the kind last described.
Our Invention consists fourthly in the following improvements in attaching
lamps to bicycles, tricycles and other velocipedes. We fix on the spindle to which
the lamp is to be suspended two clips. These clips are made in halves, in order
that they may be readily put upon the spindle. They are fixed in their places by
conical screws and screw nuts by which they can be tightened to any required
degree. A divided clip is also attached to the top of the lamp. The clips on the
spindle and that on the lamp have grooves in which anti-friction balls or spheres
are placed. By this method of suspension friction is reduced and the oscillation of
the lamp diminished.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Simeon Edge the younger and Francis William Ticehurst in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th December 1882.
JAMES SIMEON EDGE the Younger of Birmingham in the County of Warwick,
Mechanical Engineer and FRANCIS WILLIAM TICEHURST of Birmingham aforesaid
Gunpowder Agent.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES, TRICYCLES AND OTHER
VELOCIPEDES AND IN LAMPS FOR AND IN ATTACHING LAMPS TO BICYCLES
TRICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES
"
Our Invention consists, first, of the following improvements in connecting the
forks of bicycles to that part called the back-bone of the same. The neck of the
back-bone carries a ring or collar through which the stalk of the fork passes. The
said stalk has a cup closed at bottom and open at top, the said cup being of a size
and shape suitable for the reception of the collar described. The neck of the
back-bone passes through a slot in the said cup of a sufficient size to permit of
the motion of the cup and fork through a considerable angle. Annular grooves aro
made in the bottom of the cup and in the under surface of the collar and anti-
friction balls or spheres work in the said grooves. Similar grooves are made in the
upper face of the collar and in the under face of the cover which screws on the cup
described, and anti-friction balls or spheres work in the said grooves. By the use
of the said grooves and auti friction balls or spheres, great freedom of motion and
a firm bearing are secured between the back-bone and the fork of the bicycle and
the stalk of the fork may be made shorter than usual and the head consequently
lowered. The anti friction spheres may be used with or without cages and in
place of the said spheres, rings may be substituted.
The arrangement of parts described may be applied to the steering mechanism of
tricycles and other velocipedes.
Our Invention consists, secondly in the following improvement in constructing
the pedals of bicycles, tricycles and other velocipedes. Upon the metallic axis of
the pedal, we fix an india rubber tube or hollow cylinder and at one or more parts
of the said cylinder we fix a row of metallic teeth or a serrated metallic plate.
The india rubber tube gives a pleasant bearing to the foot and in wet weather the
slipperiness of the india rubber is neutralized by the metallic teeth or serrations.
Our invention consists thirdly in the following improvements in lamps for
bicycles tricycles and other velocipedes. Instead of introducing the oil reservoir
carrying the burner into the case of the lamp by opening a door at front of the
lamp, we pass the said reservoir into the case at the bottom of the case, the said
reservoir being introduced by a vertical motion into the case and fixed by being
turned through a small angle. By the said motion the reservoir is fixed in its case
by parts resembling a bayonet joint fastening.
We arrange the mechanism for adjusting the wicks of lamps for bicycles tricycles
and other velocipedes in the following manner. The axis carrying the button for
winding up and lowering the wick, works through the case and carries at its inner
end a pinion. This pinion, when the reservoir is put in its place in the case, gears
with a pinion carried by the axis which effects the motion of the wick. By this
arrangement the reservoir and burner can be removed from the lamp without
displacing the button by which the wick is adjusted, the mere putting of the
reservoir into its place in the case and removing it effecting the necessary gearing
and ungearing of the parts. This part of our invention may be applied to lamps
of the ordinary kind as well as to lamps of the kind last described.

page_text: Our Invention consists fourthly, in the following improvements in attaching
lamps to bicycles tricycles and other velocipedes. We fix on the spindle to which the
lamp is to be suspended two clips. These clips are made in halves in order that they
may be readily put upon the spindle. They are fixed in their places by conical
Screws and screw bolts by which they can be tightened to any required degree. A
divided clip is also attached to the top of the lamp. The lamp clip has a groove in
which anti friction balls or spheres are placed. By this method of suspension
friction is reduced and the oscillation of the lamp diminished.
We will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying Drawings
the manner in which our Invention is to be performed.
Figure 1 represents in front elevation, the head and portion of the fork and
backbone of a bicycle the said fork being connected to the backbone according to
our invention; Figures 2 and 3 represent vertical sections of the same taken at
right angles to one another, drawn of the full size; Figure 4 is a horizontal section
of the same; Figures 5 and 6 represent a modification of the same and Figure 7
represents the parts separately.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in Figures 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6 and 7.
a is the fork of the bicycle and b is the back bone. The neck c. of the back
bone is made with a strong ring or collar d, through which the stalk e on the
fork a passes. Around the said stalk e is a tube f which acts only as a support
for the screw cap or cover herein after described, but the said tube may be omitted.
The said stalk e is furnished with a cup g closed at bottom and open at top. In
the said cup d, the ring or collar g is situated. The neck c of the backbone a
passes through the slot which is of sufficient size to permit of the motion of the
cup g and the fork carrying it through a considerable angle. The slot h in the
cup g is best seen in Figures 4 and 5; i. i. are annular grooves made in the bottom
of the cup g and the underside of the collar d. and k. k. are similar grooves made in
the upper side of the collar d and the underside of the screw cap or cover which
is screwed on the top of the cup g-In these annular grooves i, i and h. k. anti-
friction balls or spheres m. m work. Or rings n may be substituted for the
spheres m as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. Or a ring and a set of balls or
spheres may be combined in the same cup; that is, a ring may work in the bottom
grooves i, i, and a set of balls or spheres work in the upper grooves kk, or the
reverse,
The eye part of the steering handle p is placed upon the stalk e and made to
seat itself upon the screw-cap or cover, the said handle being fixed in its place by
a screw nutq screwing on the screwed end of the stalk and by a key.
When the steering handle p is moved, the cup g carried by the fork a works
upon the strong collar d carried by the back bone b, the friction between the parts
being reduced by the spheres or balls m. m, or rings n. n. in the grooves i. i.
and k. k.
As
By constructing the parts as described and represented great freedom of motion
and a firm bearing between the back bone and fork of the bicycle are secured.
a short stalk can be used with this combination of parts, the head of the bicycle is
consequently considerably lowered as represented in the Drawing.
In applying this part of our invention to the steering mechanism of tricycles and
other velocipedes we make the end of the frame or backbone which is supported
by the steering wheel with a strong collar or ring and we provide the fork of the
steering wheel with a cup and the other appliances herein before described with
respect to the bicycle head represented in the Drawing.
Figure 8 represents in plan; Figure 9 in end elevation and Figure 10 in cross
section, a pedal of a bicycle, tricycle or other velocipede constructed according to
our invention, the india rubber tread of the pedal being arranged for use;
Figures 11. 12 and 13 represent the same views as Figures S. 9 and 10 with the
toothed or serrated metallic tread of the pedal arranged for use; Figure 14

page_text: represents a portion of the pedal separately and Figure 15 represents one of the
india rubber tubes or hollow cylinders of the pedal.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in Figures S to 15.
On
a is the tubular axis of the pedal carrying the frame or side plates b. b. Fixed
to each end of the pedal frame b is a pin or axis c. secured by a screw nut e.
the said pin or axis c is a strong india rubber tube or hollow cylinder d, corrugated
preferably, the said tube or cylinder d, being situated within the metallic frame f
(shewn separately in Figure 14) the outer longitudinal edges of the said frame
being provided with rows of teeth h. The serrated frame f, h and india rubber
tube d are fixed in the pedal frame by placing them between the side plates b. b,
and passing the scrow pin or axis c, through the said frame f. h and tube d, and
fixing the axis by the screw nut c. When so secured in the pedal frame the
serrated frame f. h. and tube or cylinder d, can be turned through a quadrant so as
to present either the india rubber surface d, to the tread of the pedalist as shown
in Figures 8. 9 and 10, or the metallic serrated surfaco h, to the tread of the
pedalist as shewn in Figures 11. 12 and 13. The india rubber tube or cylinder d,
gives a pleasant bearing to the foot and when the serrated metallic teeth are
brought into use, the slipping of the foot in wet weather is prevented.
Figure 16 represents in front elevation (partly in vertical section), Figure 17 in
side elevation and Figure 18 in horizontal section, a lamp for bicycles, tricycles
and other velocipedes constructed according to our invention; Figure 19 represents
the same view as Figure 17 with the burner and oil reservoir in the act of being
fastened to the lamp case; Figure 20 represents the burner and oil reservoir with
the oil storage reservoir detached from them.
The same letters indicate the same parts in Figures 16 to 20.
a is the lamp case and b is the combined burner and oil reservoir. Into the oil
reservoir b, the wick from the burner dips as usual. The combined burner and oil
reservoir bis introduced, by a vertical motion into the lamp case a. at the open
bottom c. Below the oil reservoir b is a tubular storage oil reservoir d. which is
connected to the oil reservoir b by screwing as represented. The storage oil
reservoir d. has a projecting conical end or mouth d², for facilitating the pouring
of its contents into the oil reservoir b. In order to replenish the oil in the oil
reservoir the storage reservoir d. is unscrewed and the oil in it poured into the
oil reservoir bat top. The wick raising and lowering axis e carries a pinion fat
its inner end as usual for engaging with the wick. It also has an external pinion g;
h is the button outside the lamp case a, for raising and lowering the wick through
the axis c. The inner end of the button axis carries a pinion i, with which the
pinion on the wick pinion axis c, can be geared. is a stud on the oil reservoir b
and 7, is a vertical groove at the lower part of the lamp case a. Opening in the
Eaid vertical groove l, near its top, is an oblique slot m. In connecting the com-
bined burner and reservoir b, together with its storage oil reservoir d, with the
lamp case a, and at the same time gearing the axis of the external button / with
the wick raising and lowering axis e, the oil reservoir and burner b is introduced
by a vertical motion into the case a. through its open bottom c, the pin or stud k.
on the oil reservoir b being made to pass up the vertical groove in the lamp case
as illustrated in Figure 19. When the combined burner and oil reservoir has
reached this position, the pin is situated at the top of the groove and the two
wick pinions g. i. have the positions with respect to one another represented in
Figure 19 and indicated in dotted lines in Figure 18. In order to gear the two
pinions g, i together, the reservoir b is turned through a small angle in the case a.
The pin is thereby made to descend in the oblique slot m and the two pinions
g, i, are made to gear with one another as represented in Figures 16, 17 and 18
and the burner and reservoir are fixed in the lamp case.
reservoir bis
The pinion g
In order to detach the oil reservoir b from the lamp case, the said
turned in a direction proper to raise the pin k. in the oblique slot m.
is thereby ungeared from the button pinion i. and the oil reservoir can now be

page_text: withdrawn from the lamp case. Thus, the combined burner and oil reservoir b can
be removed from the lamp case a without displacing the wick button h, and the
incre putting of the reservoir into its place in the lamp case and removing it
effecting the gearing and ungearing of the wick pinions as before described.
The method of connecting the combined burner and oil reservoir to the lamp
case by a vertical motion through the bottom of the lamp case may be applied to
lamps in which the external wick button is not used the burner itself in this
arrangement carrying a button instead of the pinion g. The wick can only be
adjusted in the last described arrangement by opening the large front door of
the lamp.
Figures 21. 22. and 23 represent our arrangement for attaching lamps to the
shafts or spindles of bicycles, tricycles and other velocipedes; Figure 21 repre-
senting a front elevation; Figure 22 the same partly in longitudinal section, and
Figure 23 a cross section of the same, taken through the middle clip.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in Figures 21. 22. and 23.
a is the rotating shaft or spindle of the bicycle or other velocipede and b is the
lamp to be suspended thereto. On the said shaft a a divided tube c, split at its
ends is fixed by means of the two clips d, e. These clips are made in halves and
are jointed together at d. c² the clips d, e, are also screwed internally.
The middle of the divided tube c has an annular groove and its ends are screwed
at (see Figure 22) for receiving the internal screws of the clips d. e. After the
jointed clips d c. have been screwed home they are fixed by passing screw pins g. g.
through their flanged ends. Between the fixing clips d, e, is a nearly similar clip /
the halves being jointed together at 2. The clip works loosely upon the tube c,
fixed to the shaft and the said clip is furnished with an annular groove which is
situated opposite the groove in the fixed tube c. In these grooves, balls or
spheres i. i. are placed. The head of the lamp b, is furnished with a loop k
which is hooked upon the hook carried by the free end of one of the halves of
the loose clip h. The clip is secured in its place by driving home the screw m.
As the shaft . rotates the friction between the divided tube c. fixed to the said
shaft and the loose suspending clip is reduced by the antifriction balls or
spheres. i. the lateral motion of the loose clip being prevented by the fixing
clips d, e, between which it is situated.
We do not limit ourselves to the use of the loop 1, and hook for connecting
the lamp to the loose clip as other arrangements may be used for that purpose.
Having now described the nature of our Invention and the manner in which
the same is to be performed we wish it to be understood that we claim as our
Invention.
First. The improvements in connecting the forks of bicycles to the back-bones
of bicycles herein before described and illustrated in Figures 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6 and 7
of the accompanying Drawings; that is to say, providing the backbone with a
strong ring or collar and providing around the stalk of the fork, a cup for
receiving the said ring or collar on the back bone, and the combination with the
said ring or collar and cup of anti friction balls or spheres or rings for the purpose
and substantially as described and illustrated; also the application of the said
method of connection to the steering mechanism of tricycles and other velocipedes.
Secondly. The improvement in the pedals of bicycles tricycles and other
velocipedes herein before described and illustrated in Figures S. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.
14 and 15 of the accompanying Drawings; that is to say, the combination with
the india rubber tubes or hollow cylinders forming the treads of the pedals of
serrated metallic plates or frames, capable of rotating upon the frame of the pedal
so as to be brought into or taken out of use when desired substantially as
described and illustrated.
Thirdly The improvements in lamps for bicycles, tricycles and other velocipedes
herein before described and illustrated in Figures 16. 17. 18. 19 and 20 of the
accompanying Drawings; that is to say, introducing the combined burner and oil

page_text: reservoir into the lamp case at the open bottom thereof by a vertical motion and
fastening it in the case by the use of a fastening some what resembling a bayonet
joint fastening substantially as described and illustrated; also gearing the axis of
the wick raising and lowering pinion with and ungearing it from the axis of the
external wick button by the act of fastening the oil reservoir to and unfastening
it from the lamp case substantially as described and illustrated.
Lastly. The arrangement or combination of parts herein before described and
illustrated in Figures 21. 22. and 23 of the accompanying Drawings for attaching
lamps to the rotating shafts or spindles of bicycles, tricycles and other velocipedos.
In witness whereof We the said James Simeon Edge and Francis William
Ticehurst have hereunto set our hands and seals this Eighth day of
December in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
eighty two.
Witness,
RICHARD SKERRETT
37 Temple Street
Birmingham.
JAMES SIMEON EDGE JNR.
FRANCIS WILLIAM TICEHURST
(L.S.)
(L.S.)