IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Frost. Foster, of Kensington Park, for the
'Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES."
Sealed the 9th March 1880, in pursuance of an Order of the Lord Chancellor, and
dated the 5th September 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Frost Foster at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th September 1879.
CHARLES FROST FOSTER, of Kensington Park. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES."
This Invention relates to an improvement in the construction of bicycles; and
consists of a combination of the spring and saddle frame of the bicycle in one
homogenous and solid piece, in place of the saddle and spring being in two or more
distinct parts bolted or otherwise fastened together, as has hitherto been the case
in all descriptions of bicycles.
For this purpose I make the saddle frame and the spring of the bicycle in one
piece joined by welding, forging, or brazing together so as to form one solid piece
only.
This Invention presents the advantage of a great saving of weight, and also
enables the spring to be brought down nearer to the back-bone of the bicycle in
consequence of the absence of bolts, nuts, rivets, or other attachments of the saddle
frame to the spring and thereby enables the rider to use a larger driving wheel
without undue extension. There is also a far greater amount of spring obtained,
as not only is the elasticity of the spring itself interfered with by the attachments
of the ordinary saddle, but the curve of the upward spring that supports this saddle
frame has also itself a considerable elasticity. And lastly all accidents in road
practice or racing are entirely avoided that arise from the saddle slipping by
reason of the nuts, bolts, or other attachments working loose, which accidents have
been hitherto unavoidable.
This Invention also reduces the expense of the saddle and spring of all bicycles
about 15 per cent.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent and of an
Order of the Lord Chancellor filed by the said Charles Frost Foster in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th March 1880.
CHARLES FROST FOSTER, of Kensington Park.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES."
This Invention relates to an Improvement in the construction of bicycles; and
consists of a combination of the spring and saddle frame of the bicycle in one
homogeneous and solid piece, in place of the saddle and spring being in two or more
distinct parts bolted or otherwise fastened together, as has hitherto been the case
in all descriptions of bicycles.
For this purpose I make the saddle frame and the spring of the bicycle in one
piece joined by welding, forging, or brazing together so as to form one solid piece;
A and B.
This Invention presents the advantage of a great saving of weight, and also
enables the spring to be brought down nearer to the back bone of the bicycle in
consequence of the absence of bolts, nuts, rivets, or other attachments of the saddle
frame to the spring, and thereby enables the rider to use, a larger driving wheel
without undue extension. There is also.a far greater amount of spring obtained,
as not only is the elasticity of the spring itself interfered with by the attachments
of the ordinary saddle but the curve of the upward spring that supports this
saddle frame has also itself a considerable elasticity; and lastly all accidents in
road practice or racing are entirely avoided that arise from the saddle slipping by
reason of nuts, bolts, or other attachments working loose; which accidents have
been hitherto unavoidable.
This Invention also reduces the expense of the saddle and spring of all bicycles.
Having now described the nature of my Invention and the manner in which the
same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to
the precise details, before described as the same may be varied without departing
from the nature or principle of my said Invention. But what I claim as new and
desire to be secured to me by the lierein before in part recited Letters Patent is,
the combination of the saddle frame, and the spring of the bicycle in one solid
piece as herein before described and illustrated..
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Frost Foster, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fourth day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty..
CHARLES FROST FOSTER. (L.S.)