Improved Construction of the Framing or Forks of Bicycles, Tricycles, or similar Velocipedes, for Reducing the Vibration of such Machines whilst being Ridden.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Jan., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 17th Apr., 1891-Accepted, 23rd May, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Construction of the Framing or
Forks of Bicycles,
Tricycles, or similar Velocipedes, for Reducing the Vibration of
such Machines whilst being Ridden.
WILLIAM SMITH (trading as Smith Bros.) 63 Piccadilly Hanley, Staffordshire,
Velocipede Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
:-
This my invention relates more particularly to an improved construction of the
forks of bicycles, tricycles or similar velocipedes, by the use of, or with which I am
enabled to greatly reduce the vibration of such vehicles whilst being ridden.
To carry my invention into practice, I make the lower ends of the fork or forks
of such machines a little longer than usual, and somewhat in the form of a segment
of a circle, with the free ends turned upward, to each side of the lower part of the
improved constructed fork by means of a rivet, bolt and nut or the like I attach
horizontal or nearly horizontal metal plates of any suitable shape and size a short
distance above the bottom of the said fork, in and through each of the said metal
plates I form a hole in which I fit or fix the axle on or to which the wheel is fitted,
to the free end of each of the said metal plates I attach by any suitable means one
end of a metal spring of any suitable shape and size, the other end of each of the
springs I fix or secure to the upturned ends of the fork by rivets, pins, bolts or other
suitable means.
Another mode of carrying my said invention into practice is by substituting two
springs of suitable size and shape in lieu of the aforesaid metal plates, so that in
this mode of carrying my invention into practice I use four separate springs, and
attach one end of each spring to two vertical metal slides, in which said vertical
metal slides the axle of the wheel or wheels is or are attached. The lower part of
or each prong of the fork may be made in one with the body of the fork, or they
may be inade separately and bolted, rivetted or otherwise fastened on or secured to
the lower ends of such forks, either while constructing such forks, or they may be
adapted to, or fixed to the forks of existing velocipedes.
Dated this 17th day of January 1891.
JOHN NEWTON,
Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Construction of the Framing or Forks of Bicycles,
Tricycles, or similar Velocipedes, for Reducing the Vibration of
such Machines whilst being Ridden..
WILLIAM SMITH (trading as Smith Bros.) 63 Piccadilly Hanley, Staffordshire,
Velocipede Manufacturer, 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 :-
This my invention relates more particularly to an improved construction of the
forks of bicycles, tricycles or similar velocipedes and with which I am enabled to
greatly reduce the vibration of such vehicles whilst being ridden.
To carry my invention into practice I make the lower end of the fork or forks of
such machines a little longer than usual, and somewhat in the form of a segment
of a circle in side elevation with the free or fore ends turned upward. To each
side of the lower part of the improved constructed fork I attach by means of a

page_text: rivet, bolt and nut or the like one end of a suitably shaped metal plate of any
suitable size a short distance above the bottom or lower part of the said fork. In
and through each of the said metal plates I form a hole in which I fit or fix the
axle on or to which the wheel is fitted, to the free end of each of the said metal
plates I attach by any convenient means, or in any suitable manner, one end of
metallic springs of any suitable shape and size, the outer end of each of the springs
I attach or secure to the upturned ends of the fork by rivets, pins, bolts or other
suitable means.
Another mode of carrying my said invention into practice is by substituting two
springs of suitable size and shape in lieu of the aforesaid metal plates, so that in
this mode of carrying my invention into practice I use four separate springs, and
attach one end of each spring to two vertical metal slides, in which said vertical
metal slides, the axle of the wheel or wheels is attached or fitted.
The lower part of, or each prong of the fork may be made in one with the body
of the fork, or each prong of the fork may be made separately, and bolted, rivetted
or otherwise fastened on or secured to the ends of the body or such forks, either
while constructing such forks, or they may be adapted to or fixed or attached to the
forks of existing velocipedes.
In order that my invention may be more readily understood and explained in
detail I have hereunto annexed a sheet of drawings on which letters of reference
are marked on corresponding parts on all the figs. alike.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1. is a side elevation of a cycle or velocipede, usually known as a "diamond
frame safety bicycle," drawn about one twelfth of its full size, shewing my improved
construction of fork, with metal plates and springs attached or fitted thereto, for
the purpose of reducing the vibration of such machine or vehicle whilst being ridden.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of one of the prongs of my improved fork,.shewing one
of the metal plates and springs connected thereto, the said prongs being attached
or connected to the lower end of the fork of an ordinarily constructed bicycle or
tricycle by means of a bolt and nut.
Fig. 3 is a modification of Fig. 2, and
Fig. 4 is a plan view of Fig. 3,
Figs. 2, 3 and 4 being drawn about one-half of their full size.
At Fig. it will be seen that the lower end a² of the metal fork a is made
somewhat in the form of a segment of a circle. A short distance above the lower
part of, and on each side of the lower part a² of the metal fork a 1 attach by
means of a bolt and nut ba metal plate c of any suitable shape and size, so that the
said plates c are capable of vibrating on the said bolt.
The front wheel d of the machine being fitted or fixed on an axle e, which axle
is capable of rotating or being rotated in suitable bearings formed in or through
the metal plates c.
To the free end of each of the metal plates c I attach or connect one end of a
metallic spring of any suitable shape and size, the outer end of each of the
metallic springs f I attach or secure to each of the upturned ends a³ of the prongs
of the metal fork in any suitable manner.
At Fig. 2, a is the lower part of an ordinarily constructed metal fork of a bicycle,
having lower metal parts a² somewhat in the form of a segment of a circle secured
to each prong of the said fork by means of a bolt and nut b, the said bolt passing
through the holes or bearings in which the axle of the wheel of an ordinary bicycle
or tricycle revolves. At or near each end of the metal bolts 6 connecting the
segmental arms a² to the fork a I place a metal plate c, which plates are capable of
vibrating thereon.
The axle e of the wheel or wheels of a cycle would be fitted in, and capable of
rotating in suitable bearings formed in or through the metal plates c, to the free
end of each of the metal plates c I attach one end of a metallic spring f of suitable

page_text: shape and size, the outer end of each of the metallic springs f, I attach or secure
to the upturned ends a' of the metal prongs a' of the fork a in any suitable manner.
At Fig. 3 which is a modification of Fig. 2, the prongs or arms a somewhat in
the form of a segment of a circle are secured one to each prong of an ordinarily
constructed fork of a cycle, by means of a bolt a nut b, the said bolt b passing
through the holes or bearings in which the axle of a wheel of an ordinary cycle
revolves. To a projection formed on each of the prongs or arms a³, or on the
lower part of the fork a, I secure or attach a suitably shaped metal plate c, by
means of a bolt and nut c², on or near the ends of which bolt the said metal plates c
are capable of vibrating.
The axle e of the wheel or wheels of a cycle would be capable of rotating in
suitable bearings formed in or through the metal plates c. To the inner or free end
of each of the said metal plates c I attach one end of metallic springs of suitable
shape and size, the outer end of each of the said metallic springs f I attach or
secure to each of the upturned ends a³ of the metal prongs or arms a of the fork a
in any suitable manner.
It will be understood that when the front wheel d of a cycle or similar machine
is fitted with a fork or detachable arms or prongs made according to my invention,
comes into contact with and passes over any obstacle in its path, the concussion
caused will be compensated by means of the springs and metal plates c.
Although I have described my improved framing, forks, or detachable prongs or
arms in connection with the front wheel of a bicycle, I wish it to be understood
that the said improved constructed framing or forks can be applied to the hind
wheel or wheels of such machines or vehicles in a somewhat similar manner to that
described in connection with the front wheel or wheels of such velocipedes.
It will be understood that metallic springs may be used in lieu of the metal
plates c if desired.
Should the fork a³, or either of the springs be accidentally or otherwise broken
or damaged or rendered useless, the nuts on Figs. 1 and 2, and c² on Figs. 3 and 4
can be screwed up tightly with a spanner or other suitable means, so as to grip or
jamb the plates c against the sides of the fork and render them rigid, so that the
bicycle or the like can be ridden until arriving at a place where the damaged or
broken parts could be repaired or replaced.
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. The construction of the framing or forks of bicycles, tricycles or such like
machines or vehicles, consisting of the combination of the portions a², metal plates e,
metallic springs fand a bolt and nut or the like, of any convenient shape and size
for the purpose of reducing the vibration of such machines or vehicles whilst being
ridden, as herein substantially described, set forth, and fully illustrated at Fig. 1 of
the drawings hereunto annexed.
2ndly. The construction and adaptation to the framing or forks of bicycles,
tricycles or such like machines or vehicles of detachable metal prongs or arms a³,
metallic springs f, and a bolt and nut b, or cor the like of any convenient shape
and size, for the purpose of reducing the vibration of such machines or vehicles
whilst being ridden, as herein substantially described, set forth and fully illustrated
at Figs. 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings hereunto annexed.
Dated this 16th day of April 1891
JOHN NEWTON,
Agent for Applicant.