Improvements in Bicycles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 12th May, 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bicycles.
I, JOEL MIX GILBERT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Clinton, in
the County of Middlesex, and State of Connecticut, U.S.A. Salesman, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to bicycles and similar vehicles, and the object thereof, is
to provide an improved guiding mechanism for this class of vehicles, also to provide
an improved seat, rest or support for the body, which may either serve as an
ordinary seat, or which may be turned so as to support the body in an upright or
standing position; a further object being to provide improved steering mechanism
which is particularly adapted for use in connection with my improved seat or
support for the body of the operator, the latter being so constructed and arranged
that it is capable of being adjusted in such manner as to serve as an ordinary seat,
so as to support the body of the operator, in an upright or substantially upright
position, and at any desired inclination; a further object being to provide a seat
rest or support for the body of the character specified, which may be so adjusted
as to enable the operator to place his entire weight upon the pedals in the
operation of the machine, and with this and other objects in view, the invention
consists in the construction, combination and arrangements of parts hereinafter
described.
In the practice of my invention, I provide a frame which consists of the
forward yoke in which the guide wheel is mounted, and which is provided at its
upper end with a rod with which the guiding or steering mechanism is connected,
and a rigid frame connected therewith by means of a tubular head, in which the
rod is free to revolve, said rigid frame consisting of two rods which extend from
the tubular head downwardly and backwardly, and connected with a fork in which
the pedal shaft is mounted, and in the rear end of which the drive wheel is
mounted, and extending upwardly, and backwardly from the separate sides of
the fork are two tubular rods each of which is provided at its upper end with
a rod which extends downwardly, and also connects with the rear end of the
fork.
The drive wheel is provided with the usual sprocket wheel and a similar
sprocket wheel is mounted on the pedal shaft and I also provide an adjustable
support for the seat or body rest which comprises two rods which are mounted in
the tubular rod and which are adjustable therein, by means of set screws.
The tubular rods and adjustable rods are inclined backwardly, and the adjustable
rods are connected at their upper ends by a cross bar and at the top of the
adjustable rods are rigidly secured two curved horizontal steel rods which are
designed to support the body or seat, and these steel rods are also preferably
flattened so as to permit of a spring action, and their projecting rear ends are
connected by a cross bar.
The seat or body rest or support is made of leather, or other preferred material,
and is made to conform to the posterior parts of the human body either when in
a sitting or standing position, and is so formed as to admit of the free movement
of the body, especially of the lower limbs and also so as to hold the body securely
and steadily in place, whether in a sitting or upright position.
The leather seat or cushion of the body rest, is supported by a metal frame
which is made in two sections, the upper and outer section being composed of a
rod which is flat on its under, and convex on its upper surface, and around which

page_text: the edge of the leather which forms the seat or body rest is passed, and to which
the leather is secured, and by means of a flat semi-circular ring which is secured
to the part by bolts, rivets, or in any other desired manner.
The central part of the frame of the seat or body rest or support consists of
straps of metal which cross from the upper or back part, of the frame to the
lower outer corners thereof, and I also provide transverse straps the leather being
placed at the extreme lower side, and being connected with the lower outer ends
of the straps and at the extreme lower outer corners of the seat or rest, or the
frame thereof, and in connection with the transverse straps and the band is
employed a central strap which is secured to these parts in any desired manner,
and this entire frame together with the covering or cushion therefor, is so shaped
as hereinbefore stated, so as to conform to the posterior parts of the body, either
when sitting or standing and connected with the lower outer corners of the frame
or support of the seat or rest, are projections or shoulders with which the ends of
the curved spring horizontal bars or rods are pivotally connected; and secured to
the back of the frame of the seat or body support, are two segmental bars which
project outwardly and downwardly, and which pass through apertures or openings,
in the outer ends of the horizontal bars or in the cross bars as may be desired,
and the position of the segmental bars and consequently the position of the seat
or rest is adjustable by means of this construction, for which purpose ordinary set
screws are employed."
The segmental bars are not connected directly with the frame of the seat or
body rest, but are connected with elliptical springs which in turn are connected
with the frame, in any desired manner, and these springs instead of being elliptical
may be of any preferred form, and the object thereof, is to provide a yielding
support for the seat or body rest, as will be readily understood; and by means of
this construction, as will be apparent, I provide a safe and convenient practical
seat or body support, which may be used as an ordinary seat when desired, and
when it is desired to throw the weight of the body upon the pedals, may be
raised almost into an upright position and formed simply a rest or support
for the body when it is desired to throw the weight of the body upon the
pedals.
My improved steering or guiding mechanism consists of a horizontal bar which
is rigidly secured to the upper end of the rod, and the ends of which are bent
upwardly and outwardly, to form extensions, and within the central portion of
the bar, or that portion thereof formed by the upwardly directed arms may place
a box or casing of any desired form or construction, said box or casing being
designed to receive various articles, tools, &c., and being provided at its end with
segmental curved springs by which it is connected with the arms of the bar.
Rigidly connected with each of the extensions, of the bar is a yoke the ends of
the sides of which are connected with the extensions and this yoke is adapted to
serve as a support for the handle bar, which comprises a spring yoke which consists
of a cross bar, on which the handles are secured, and said spring arms which are
preferably of the form of an ogee curve, the ends thereof, being curved inwardly
across the yoke, and being inserted into sockets which are secured to or formed on
the clamps or bands which are mounted on the extensions of the bar, each of
which is enclosed by two jaws which are united by a cross bar or head, beneath
which the sockets are passed, and mounted on the extensions of the bar between
one of said jaws, and the clamps or bands and on each end of said bar is a spring,
one end of which is secured to one of said jaws, and the other to the inner side of
said clamps, or to the sockets, which are formed thereon, or secured thereto, and
the ends of the spring arms, are preferably connected by a cross bar, and if preferred,
this cross bar may be used to connect the sockets.
Mounted on the yoke support at the points where the spring arms of the handle
bar cross the same, are adjustable rings or bands cach of which is provided with a
lug, projection or catch which is adapted to enter a corresponding notch or recess
formed in the spring arms and in operation, when it is desirable or necessary the

page_text: connection between the spring arms and the fastening devices may be broken by
simply pulling backward on the handle bar, and when this connection is broken the
handle bar will be raised by the springs until the sockets or projections strike upon
the cross bands by which the jaws are united.
The central portion of the handle bar is preferably outwardly curved or yoke
shape and the handles may be constructed in any desired manner, and composed of
any desired material.
And the object of this construction is to provide a broad tread for the drive
wheel whereby the bicycle, if my invention be applied thereto, will be more steady,
and be retained in an upright position, without the same amount of effort, as
when an ordinary wheel is employed; and the construction and operation of this
feature of the device will be apparent without further description.
In operation the vehicle is mounted in the usual manner and when desired, it
may be operated in the usual manner, it being understood that the handle bar is
used for guiding the machine, as usual in this class of devices. Whenever it is
desirable or necessary however, the seat or body rest may be raised in which
position, the entire weight of the body may be put upon the pedals, at the same
time that the handle bar is securely grasped in the hands, and in this position, the
body will also be firmly supported by the body rest, and the entire weight and
strength may be devoted to propelling the machine.
It will also be understood that the position of the handle bar is such as to
facilitate this operation, and if at any time it becomes necessary to quickly
dismount, or such act is desirable, by giving a quick pull on the handle bar, the
connection thereof, with the fastening devices may be broken and the handle bar
raised to its highest position, by the spring when the rider may dismount as
quickly and easily as with ordinary machines of this class, and the form and
construction of the handle bar, and the guiding mechanism connected therewith,
is such as to facilitate the operation of the machine, or vehicle as herein described,
and to assist in supporting the body of the operator, in an upright position, the
arrangement of the handles being such as to aid in the movement of the feet, as will
be readily understood.
Instead of using the double form of construction herein described, by which the
seat or body rest is supported, 1 may employ a single rod for the seat or body
rest as is usual in the present forms of machines, and a single adjustable rod for the
seat support, and in place of the curved horizontal steel rods I may employ a
single bar or rod provided at one end with an aperture, adapted to receive the
curved segmental bar, but one of which would be employed, and in this case, the
inner end of the horizontal steel rod or bar would be provided with arms by
means of which connection would be made with the lugs or projections of the frame
of seat or body rest.
Dated this 19th den of May 1906
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.
1, JOEL MIX GILBERT, residing at Clinton, in the County of Middlesex, and
State of Connecticut, United States of America, Salesman, 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 invention relates to bicycles and similar vehicles, and the object thereof is

page_text: to provide an improved mechanism for this class of vehicles which will project
upwardly in front of the rider to enable the vehicle to be steered or guided while
the rider maintains an upright position, and also to provide a guiding mechanism
which is adapted to swing upwardly out of the way of the rider when mounting or
dismounting, and with these and other objects in view the invention consists in the
construction, combination and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and
claimed.
The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the
accompanying drawing forms a part, in which the separate parts of my improve-
ment are designated by the same numerals of reference in each of the views and in
which ;-
Fig. 1, is a side view of a bicycle provided with my improvement;
Fig. 2, is a plan view of the guiding or steering mechanism;
Fig. 3, is a side view of a detail of the steering or guiding mechanism;
Fig. 4, is a side view of the construction shown in Fig. 2;
Fig. 5, a section on the line 5, 5, of Fig. 2; and,
Fig. 7, a perspective view of a box or casing, which may be connected with the
steering or guide mechanism in which various articles may be placed.
In the drawing forming part of this specification, A, represents the drive
wheel, and B, the guide wheel of an ordinary bicycle, and in the practice of my
invention I provide a frame which consists of the forward yoke b, in which the
guide wheel is mounted, and which is provided at its upper end with a rod 6 2, with
which the guiding or steering mechanism is connected, and a rigid frame con-
nected therewith by means of a tubular head 63, in which the rod b 2, is free to
revolve, said rigid frame consisting of two rods C and C 2, which extend from the
tubular head 63, downwardly and backwardly, and connected with a fork D, in
which the pedal shaft d, is mounted in the rear end of which the drive wheel A,
is mounted and extending upwardly, and backwardly from the separate sides of the
fork D, are two tubular rods F, each of which is provided at its upper end with a
rod E, which extends downwardly, and also connects with the rear end of the
fork D.
The seat L, is supported by a frame L 2, mounted on rods G, which pass into
the rods E, and said seat is pivotally connected with the frame L2 at L 3, and
the rear portion thereof is adapted to be adjusted by a segmental bar L 4, which
passes through the rear portion of the frame L 2.
The drive wheel A, is provided with the usual sprocket wheel a, and a similar
sprocket wheel a 2, is mounted on the pedal shaft.
My improved steering or guiding mechanism consists of a horizontal bar M,
which is rigidly secured to the upper end of the rod 62, and the ends of which are
bent upwardly and outwardly, to form extensions m, and within the central portion
of the bar M, or that portion thereof formed by the upwardly directed arms m 2,
may place a box or casing m 3, of any desired form or construction, said box or
casing being designed to receive various articles, tools, &c., and being provided at
its end with segmental curved springs m 4, by which it is connected with the arms m 2,
of the bar M.
Rigidly connected with each of the extensions m, of the bar M, is a yoke N, the
ends of the sides of which are connected with the extensions m, and this yoke N,
is adapted to serve as a support for the handle bar, which comprises a spring
yoke O, which consists of a cross bar O 2, on which the handles O 3, are secured
and side spring arms O4, which are preferably of the form of an ogee curve, the
ends thereof, being curved inwardly across the yoke N, and being inserted into
arms 05, which are secured to or formed on the clamps or bands O6, which are
mounted on the arms m 2, of the bar M, each of which is enclosed by two jaws P,
which are united by a cross bar or head P 2, beneath which the arms O 5, are
passed, and mounted on the arms m 2, of the bar M, between one of said jaws, and
the clamps or bands 06, is a spring P 3, one end of which is secured to one of said
jaws, and the other to the inner side of said clamps, or to the arms O 5, which are

page_text: formed thereon, or secured thereto, and the ends of the spring arms 04, are
preferably connected by a cross bar O 7, and if preferred, this cross bar O 7, may
be used to connect the arms O 5.
Mounted on the yoke support N, at the points where the spring arms 04, of
the handle bar cross the same, are adjustable rings or bands R, each of which is
provided with a lug, projection or catch R 2, which is adapted to enter a corre-
sponding notch or recess R 3, formed in the spring arms 04, this feature of the
construction being best shown in Fig. 5; and in operation when it is desirable or
necessary, the connection between the spring arms O 4, and the fastening devices R,
inay be broken by simply pulling backward on the handle bar, and when this
connection is broken the handle bar will be raised by the springs P 3, until the
arms or projections O 5, strike upon cross heads P 2, by which the jaws P, are
united.
The central portion of the handle bar is preferably outwardly curved or yoke
shaped as shown in Fig. 2, and the handle O3, may be constructed in any desired
manner and composed of any desired material.
The operation will be readily understood from the foregoing description when
taken in connection with the accompanying drawing and the following statement
thereof.
In operation the vehicle is mounted in the usual manner and when desired, it may
be operated in the usual manner, it being understood that the handle bar is used
for guiding the machine, as usual in this class of devices.
It will also be understood that the position of the handle bar is such as to
facilitate this operation, and if at any time it becomes necessary to quickly
dismount, or such act is desirable, by giving a quick pull on the handle bar, the
connection thereof, with the fastening devices R, may be broken and the handle
bar raised to its highest position, by the springs P3, when the rider may dismount
as quickly and easily as with ordinary machines of this class, and the form and
construction of the handle bar and the guiding mechanism connected therewith, is
such as to facilitate the operation of the machines, or vehicles as herein described
and to assist in supporting the body of the operator, in an upright position, the
arrangement of the handle being such as to aid in the movement of the fect, as
will be readily understood.
It will thus be seen that I accomplish the object of my invention by means of
devices which are simple in construction and operation, and which will not materially
add to the cost of the bicycle. It will also be apparent that these improvements
may be applied to tricycles and other vehicles of this class, and it is evident that
changes in, and modifications of the construction herein described, may be made
without departing from the spirit of my invention or sacrificing its advantages,
and I reserve the right to make all such alterations therein, and modifications
thereof, as fairly come within the scope of the invention.
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 :-
1. A bicycle, provided with a frame, a guiding or steering mechanism constructed
as herein described and as shown in the drawings.
2. The combination with the frame of a bicycle or similar vehicle, of a guiding
mechanism, which consists of a cross bar rigidly secured to a vertical rod which is
adjustably connected with the forward fork of the machine, said cross bar being
provided with a backwardly directed yoke which is adapted to support a handle
bar which is provided with curved spring arms which are connected with the ends
of the cross bar, and which rest upon backwardly directed yoke, substantially as
shown and described.
3. The combination with the frame of a bicycle or similar vehicle, of a guiding
mechanism which consists of a cross bar rigidly secured to a vertical rod which
is adjustably connected with the forward fork of the machine, said cross bar being

page_text: provided with a backwardly directed yoke which is adapted to support a handle
bar which is provided with curved spring arms which are connected with the ends
of the cross bar, and which rests upon said backwardly directed yoke, the arms of
said handle bar being connected with clamps or bands which are mounted on the
ends of the cross bar, and the ends of said cross bar being also provided with jaws
between which said clamps or bands are mounted, said jaws being connected by
cross heads which limit the movement of the handle bar, substantially as shown
and described.
4. The combination with the frame of a bicycle or similar vehicle, of a guiding
mechanism which consists of a cross bar rigidly secured to a vertical rod which is
adjustably connected with the forward fork of the machine, said cross bar being
provided with a backwardly directed yoke which is adapted to support a handle
bar which is provided with curved spring arms, which are connected with the ends
of the cross bar, and which rest upon said backwardly directed yoke the arms of
said handle bar being connected with clamps or bands which are mounted on the
ends of the cross bar, and the ends of said cross bar being also provided with jaws
between which said clamps or bands are mounted, said jaws being connected by
cross heads which limit the movement of the handle bar and each of said clamps
.or bands being provided with springs one end of which is secured thereto, and the
other rigidly connected with one end of said jaws, or with the cross bar, substan-
tially as shown and described.
5. The combination with a bicycle or similar vehicle of a steering or guiding
mechanism consisting of a cross bar rigidly secured to the forward vertically
adjusting rod of the frame, said cross bar being provided with a backwardly
directed yoke, and a handle bar which is adapted to rest thereon, said handle bar
being provided with spring arms which extend across said yoke and which are
connected with said yoke being provided with rings or clamps which are provided
with projections or locking devices which are adapted to engage with said spring
arms and from which said spring arms are adapted to be disconnected, as and for
the purpose set forth, and substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 8th day of February 1897.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.