Improvements in Velocipedes.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Oct., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 12th July, 1893-1ccepted, 28th Aug., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Velocipedes.
I, THOMAS KNOWLES, of Norwood Road, Southport, in the County of Lancaster,
Cotton Spinner, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to velocipedes, and consists in improvements in the
construction of the framework of velocipedes by which I enable any desired degree
of flexibility and elasticity to be obtained in the directions in which flexibility and
elasticity may be required, while I also enable the framework of the machines to
be made as rigid as may be desirable in the parts in which rigidity may be required.
The improvements in which my invention consists also enable the construction of
the framework of velocipedes to be simplified and made lighter than hitherto and in
some inodes in which my invention may be employed I enable the distance between
the saddle of a machine and the handle-bar or purchase-handles of such machine to
be kept approximately uniform, and in some modes in which my invention may be
employed prevent vibration in a vertical direction imparted to the wheels from
being transmitted to the rider of a machine through the pedals.
1
According to my invention I construct the framework of a velocipede so that the
saddle which may be supported by a spring of any suitable kind such as those
already in use, shall be supported by means of links, struts or rods so arranged and
connected to the framework by which the wheels of the velocipede are connected
that the upward and downward movements of the axles of the wheels will tend to
cause the links, struts or rods to be turned about the points at which they are
Connected to the part upon which the saddle is mounted rather than to push or pull
upon the said part.
According to one method of accomplishing the object of my invention I cause
the part or parts upon which the saddle of a velocipede is mounted to be connected
by means of a rigid connection or a pivot or hinge or pivots or hinges of any
suitable kind to, or to be formed in one piece with the bracket or brackets in which
the crank-shaft or other part upon which the pedals of the relocipede may be.
mounted and I also cause the part or parts upon which the saddle is mounted or a
part or parts connected thereto to pass through a guide or guides which is or are
preferably provided with anti-friction rollers or like devices to facilitate the
movement of the framework by which the wheels are connected in relation to the
part or parts upon which the saddlo is mounted. I connect the part or parts upon
which the saddle is mounted to the framework connecting the wheels of the
velocipede by means of links, struts or rods each of which may at one or both
ends be provided with a. hinge. or hinges of any suitable kind or other devices by
means of which it may be made capable of turning or oscillating in an upward and
downward direction in relation to the parts to which it is connected. I provide
one or more or all of the links, struts or rods above mentioned with suitable
anti-friction rollers or other devices by which it or they rests or rest upon a portion
or portions of the framework connecting the wheels of the velocipede and I provide
the said link, strut or rod, or links struts or rods with a spring or springs tending to
push or pull the said link, strut or rod or links, strute or rods in a direction' opposite
to that in which the weight of the person riding the velocipede tends to move such
link, strut or rod or links, struts or rods. I provide any suitable device or devices
by means of which the pressure or tension exerted by the spring or springs
aloresaid may be adjusted in accordance with the weight of the person intending to
ride the machine or for any purpose as may be desirable. In cases in which the
power applied to the pedals of the velocipede is transmitted to the driving wheel or
driving wheels thereof by means of a chain or any kind of gearing in which it
may

page_text: be necessary that the distance between the axle or axles of the driving wheel or
driving wheels and the crank-shaft or other part upon which the pedals are mounted
shall remain uniform I connect the' bracket or brackets supporting the crank-shaft
or other part upon which the pedals are mounted to the framework adjacent to the
axle or axles of the driving wheel or driving wheels by means of a link or strut or
links or struts which may be provided at one or both ends,as may be necessary or
desirable with a hinge or hinges of any suitable construction.
According to another mode of accomplishing the object of iny invention I support
the saddle of the velocipede in a manner similar to that above described but instead
of connecting the part or parts upon which the saddle is mounted to the bracket or
brackets supporting the crank-shaft or other part upon which the pedals are
mounted I cause such bracket or brackets to be connected to the framework
connecting the wheels of the velocipede.
In a velocipede constructed according to my invention and especially when the
bracket or brackets supporting the crank-shaft or other part upon which the pedals
are mounted are connected to the part or parts upon which the saddle is supported
the rider being supported by a spring or springs which acts or act in a direction
greatly inclined to that of the vibration of the framework connecting the wheels of
the velocipede, a small compression or expansion of the said spring or springs
suffices to absorb or compensate for a considerable movement of the said framework
so that any vibration of the machine is much less likely to be trausmitted to the
rider than in velocipedes as hitherto constructed and the framework connecting the
wheels of a velocipede not being required to support all or a great part of the weight
of the rider by its central portion can be made lighter than in velocipedes as
hitherto constructed while the portions of the framework which require to be
rigid can be made, as rigid as or more rigid than in machines as hitherto
constructed.
"
By providing some of the links, struts or rods employed in a velocipede
constructed according to my invention with springs as above described and
providing the other links, struts or rods with hinges or pivots, the movement of the
framework conuecting the wheels and of the handle-bar or purchase-handles in
relation to the saddle may be controlled as may be necessary and the saddle may
be caused to afford the necessary support to the rider in any required direction.
Although my invention is primarily applicable to rear driven safety bicycles my
invention is also applicable to bicycles of other kinds and to tricycles.
Dated this Eleventh day of October 1892.
.
HOWARD
CHEETHAM,
Manchester, Agent to the Applicant.
:!
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Velocipedes.
, THOMAS KNOWLES, of Norwood Road, Southport in the County of
Lancaster, Cotton Spinner 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 :—
My invention relates to velocipedes and consists in improvements in the con-
struction of the framework of velocipedes by which I enable any desired degree of
Bexibility and elasticity to be obtained in the directions in which flexibility and
elasticity may be required while I also enable the framework of the machines to be
made as rigid as may be desirable in the parts in which rigidity may be required.
The improvements in which my invention consists also enable the construction of
the framework of velocipedes to be simplified and made lighter than hitherto and
insome modes in which my invention may be employed 1 enable the distance
between the saddle of a machine and the handle bar or purchase handles, of such
machine to be kept uniform.

page_text: According to my invention I 'construct the framework of a velocipede sò that
the saddle which may be supported by a spring of any suitable kind such as those
already in use shall be supported by means of links, struts or rods so arranged and
connected to the framework by which the wheels of the velocipede are connected
that the upward and downward movements of the axles of the wheels will tend to
cause the links, struts or rods to be turned about the points at which they are
connected to the part upon which the saddle is mounted rather than to push or pull
upon the said part in an upward or downward direction.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is a side view of one form of safety-bicycle constructed according to my
invention and Figs. 2 and 3 are views of parts detached.
(a) (a) and (b) are the links or struts. by means of which the part (c) carrying
the saddle (d) of the machine is supported. Although the saddle (d) is not so
shown in Fig. 1 it may be provided with a spring of any suitable form. The links
or struts (a) (a) of which there are two secured together by a bridge-piece (a¹) as
is more clearly shown in Fig. 2, are each so connected to the part (c) upon which
the saddle (d) is mounted by means of a stud (e) passing through the eyes or
lugs (a) formed upon the links or struts (a) and a lug or projecting part formed
upon the part (c) by which the saddle (d) is supported. The links or struts (a) are
capable of turning upon the stud (e). Each of the links or struts (a) is connected
at its other end to a link or strut (6) by means of a stud () which passes through
jaws (a) formed on such link or strut (a) and through such link or strut (b). Each
of the links or struts (6) which are placed one at each side of the driving wheel (y)
and of which one only is shown in Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings is formed
with a part which is embraced by jaws (4) formed upon one of the struts or
links (h) in which the axle of the driving wheel (g) is mounted which struts or
links () are formed with ears or projecting parts (h) which embrace and are
capable of being turned upon suitable projections formed on the bracket () in
which the crank-shaft (j) of the safety-bicycle is mounted. The struts or links (b)
are connected to the struts or links (h) by means of studs (¹) which pass each
through the jaws (41) formed on one of the links or struts (4) and through the part
of the strut or link (b) embraced by such jaws (¹). (k) are rods each of which is
formed with jaws (1) embracing oue of the links or struts (b) and secured thereto
by means of a stud (m) which passes through the jaws (¹) and through such link
or strut (b). The rods (k) pass through and are secured to a cross-bar (42).
Through the cross-bar (4) passes a rod (4) formed with screw-threads and having
screwed upon it a nut (). To the rod () is connected one end of a spring (n)
the other end of which is secured to a tube or bracket (o) through which passes the
stem of the front fork (p) in which is mounted the front wheel (g) of the safety-
bicycle. By means of the nut (4) the spring (a) may be subjected to any required
tension as may be necessary or desirable from time to time..
Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings is a side view of another form of safety-
bicycle constructed according to my invention and Fig. 5 shows a part detached.
As the safety-bicycle shown in Fig. 4 is generally similar to that shown in Fig. 1,
I shall apply to parts thereof the same letters of reference as are applied to
corresponding parts shown in Fig. 1 and shall not describe such parts more than
may be necessary. The safety-bicycle illustrated in Fig. 4 differs from that'
illustrated in Fig. 1 in that instead of the rods (k) and spring (n) being employed
two springs (r) each connected at one end to one of the links or struts (b) and at
the other end to one arm of a lever (s) which is mounted and capable of turning or
Oscillating upon a stud (t) projecting from a bracket (t) secured to the tube (v)
which is connected at its lower end to the bracket (i) carrying the crank-shaft (j)
of the safety-bicycle.
Fig. 6 is a side view of another form of safety-bicycle constructed according to
my invention. The safety-bicycle illustrated in Fig. 6 being generally similar to
those illustrated in Figs. I and 4, I shall so far as may be possible apply to parts
shown in Figs. 6 the Rame letters of reference as are applied to corresponding parts

page_text: in Figs. 1 and 4, and shall not further describe such parts except in so far as may
be necessary. In the safety-bicycle illustrated in Fig. 6 the links or struts (a) are
respectively connected to links (6) which are formed so that they may act as springs
and are secured in any suitable manner to the links or struts (h) in which the axle
of the driving wheel (g) of the safety bicycle is mounted which links or struts (h)
are mounted and capable of being turned upon projections formed on the bracket (i)
in which the crank-shaft (j) of the safety-bicycle is mounted.
Fig. 7 is a side view of another form of safety-bicycle constructed according to
my invention. As the machine illustrated in Fig. 7 is similar in many respects to
those illustrated in Figs. 1, 4 and 6, I shall apply to some of its parts the same.
letters of reference as are applied to corresponding parts shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 6,
aud only describe such parts in so far as may be necessary. In the safety-bicycle
illustrated in Fig. 7 the struts or links (a) instead of being connected to struts or
links (6) as in the machines illustrated in Figs. 1, 4 and 6, are respectively provided
with bowls or rollers (w) each of which is capable of revolving on a stud (c)
secured in the link or strut (a) in which it is mounted. Each of the bowls or
rollers (w) is capable of running upon a rail or guide (3) formed upon one of the
struts or links (h) in which the axle of the driving wheel (g) of the safety bicycle
is mounted, which struts or links (4) are mounted and capable of being turned upon
projections formed upon the bracket (i) in which the crank-shaft (j) of the safety-
bicycle is mounted. To the struts or links (a) are connected rods (A) and a
spring (n) similar to those illustrated in Figs. and 3. The rails or guides (y) of
which one only is shown are provided with upwardly projecting parts (y) which
serve to limit the movement of the bowls or rollers (w) thereon in the direction
opposite to that indicated by the arrow (A). Springs (r) such as are illustrated
in Figs. 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings but provided with means such as
screws and its by which their tension may be adjusted may be substituted for the
spring (») illustrated in Fig. 7.
The movement of the struts or links (a) iu the direction indicated by the
arrow (A) is limited in any suitable manner such for instance as by means of
buffers of any suitable kind interposed between the struts or links (a) and the
tube (v) with which such struts or links (a) are employed or between the said
tube () and the struts or links (4) or in the case of the machine illustrated in
Fig. 1a cross-bar covered with indiarubber or other elastic material may be secured
to the rods (4) in such position that by arriving against the tube (v) connecting
the part (c) to which the saddle (d) is secured to the bracket (i) in which the
crank-shaft (j) is mounted such cross-bar will prevent the spring (n) 'from
contracting beyond the extent which may be desirable. In the case of the machine
illustrated in Fig. 7 the rails or guides (y) are provided with upwardly projecting
parts (y) to which, and to the upwardly projecting parts (3), bars (2) are secured
by means of sorews or other suitable means, beneath which bars (2) project the
studs () upon which the bowls or rollers (w) are mounted, the upwardly projecting
parts (2) serving to limit the movement of the bowls or rollers (w) in the direction
indicated by the arrow (A) and the bars (2) serving to prevent the bowls or
rollers (w) from being put out of position when the rider dismounts from 'the
machine or when the machine may be lifted from the ground.
Although in Figs. 1, 4, 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings only one side of
each machine illustrated is shown it will be obvious to persons couversant with the
construction of velocipedes that links or struts (a) and 'links or struts (A) and
certain of the parts connected thereto or employed in conjunction therewith are
repeated or applied at each side of each of such machines.
In each of the safety-bicycles illustrated in 'the 'accompanying drawings the
spring or springs employed tends or tend to move the struts or links (a) in the
direction indicated by the arrow (A) and the part (c) which supports the saddlo (d).
is connected rigidly to tho framework' in which the axle of the front wheel (y) and
the crank shaft () are mounted but the saddle (d) and rear or driving wheel (y)
are capable of moving freely and to a very considerable extent in relation to each

page_text: other, the driving wheel (g) being capable of moving upwards and downwards
without appreciably affecting the position of the saddle (d). The movements of
the driving wheel (9) due to vibrations and shocks from obstacles or from travelling
over uneven surfaces, being in a direction greatly inclined to the links or struts. (a):
by means of which the spring or springs employed, support the saddle (d) and the
weight of the rider, the upward and downward movements of the driving wheel (g)
have little effect upon the saddle (d) and rider. The movements of the rigid
framework in which is mounted the front wheel (7), due to vibrations and shocks
from obstacles or from travelling over uneven surfaces tending to turn such rigid
framework in relation to the links or struts (4)'in which the driving wheel (g) is
mounted and the construction above described permitting the turning of the said
rigid framework in relation to the struts or links (h) the vibrations of the front
wheel are compensated for or prevented from affecting the rider of the safety-
bicycle to an appreciable extent.
In a velocipede constructed according to my invention the rider being supported
by a spring or springs which acts or act in a direction greatly inclined to that of
the vibration of the framework connecting the wheel of the velocipede a small
contraction or expansion of the said spring or springs suffices to absorb or.
compensate for a considerable movement of the said framework so that any
vibration of the machine is much less likely to be transmitted to the rider than in
velocipedes as hitherto constructed, and as the weight of the rider is supported in
very great part by the spring or springs provided in accordance with my invention
instead of by the framework connecting the wheels of the velocipede, the frame-
work connecting the wheels of the velocipede not being required to support all or
a great part of the weight of the rider by its central portion acting as a beam can
be made lighter than in relocipedes as hitherto constructed while the portions of
the framework which require to be rigid can be made as rigid as or more rigid
than in machines as hitherto constructed.
In a safety-bicyole constructed according to my invention the distance between
the saddle and the crank-shaft and the distance between the saddle and the handles
of the machine are kept uniforin being unaffected or affected to only a very small
extent by vibration imparted to the framework of such bicycle whereas in inost
safety-bicycles hitherto constructed the movements of the springs provided to
absorb or compensate for the vibration imparted to the framework of such machines
have caused or allowed the distance from the saddles to the crank-shafts and the
distance from the saddles to the handles to vary to a very considerable extent.
In the safety-bicycles which are illustrated in Figs. 1 and 7 the tension to which
the spring or springs is or are subjected may be varied by means of the nuts (4)
as may be necessary or desirable to adapt the machines for the use of riders of
different weights. Means such as screws and nuts may also be provided for
varying the tension of the springs shown in Figs. 4 and 5 in order to adapt the
machine illustrated in Fig. 4 for the use of riders of different weights.
Although my invention is primarily applicable to rear-driven safety-bicycle my
invention is also applicable to bicycles of other kinds and to tricycles, the manner
in which my invention is to be applied to bicycles of other kinds and to tricycles
being without further description apparent from the foregoing and the accompanying
drawings.
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'
olaim is :-
1. In a safety-bicycle or other velocipede the combination of struts or links (a)
and (b), spring (n) and rods (4) and means for adjusting the tension of such
spring (n), all arranged employed and operating substantially in the manner
hereinbofore described in reference to and illustrated in and by Fig. 1 of the
accompanying drawings.
2. In a safety-bicycle or other velocipede the combination of the struts or

page_text: links (a) and (b) springs (r) (r) and lever (s) with or without means for adjusting
the tension of such springs (7), all arranged, employed and operating substantially
in the manner herein before described in reference to and illustrated in and by
Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings.
3. In a safety-bicycle or other velocipede the combination of the struts or
links (a) and struts or links (6) formed to act as springs, arranged, employed and
operating substantially in the manner hereinbefore described in reference to and
illustrated in and by Fig. 6 of the accompanying drawings.
4. In a safety-bicycle or other velocipede the combination of the struts or
links (a) provided with bowls or rollers (w) and rails or guides (y) on which such
bowls or rollers (w) may move and a spring (n) or springs (r) and means for
adjusting the tension of such spring (a) or springs (r), all arranged, employed and
operating substantially in the manner hereinbefore described in reference to and
illustrated in and by Fig. 7 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this Eleventh day of July 1893.
HOWARD
CHEETHAM,
Manchester, Agent to the Applicant.