Improvements in or relating to Bicycles or like Vehicles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Mar., 1896-Accepted, 9th May, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Bicycles or like Vehicles.
A communication by CHARLES L. TRAVIS, of Minneapolis, in the State of
Minnesota, United States of America.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of The Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street,
Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, 118 New Street, Birmingham in the
County of Warwick and 31 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, 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 like vehicles, and particularly to such as
are jointed and provided with a yielding member to take up the jar and concussion
occasioned by obstacles and irregularities in the roadway or surface over which the
vehicle travels.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bicycle showing the invention applied thereto;
Fig. 2 a sectional view showing the construction of the yielding member;
Figs. 3 and 4, views showing details of construction of said member;
Fig. 5 a bottom plan view illustrating the method of joining the rear wheel fork
to the front frame;
Figs. 6 and 7 sectional views on the lines x- and y-y respectively, of Fig. 5;
Figs. 8 and 9, longitudinal sectional views of a modified form of the yielding or
telescopic brace; and
Fig. 10, a perspective view showing the several members separated.
In Fig. 1 of the annexed drawings there is shown a bicycle embodying the usual
diamond frame. A indicates the front rigid portion of said frame, comprising the
head a, upper bar b, lower bar c, and saddle post standard d, at the lower end of
which is located the barrel or shell e carrying the pedal shaft B.,
The rear portion of the frame comprises the rear wheel fork C and yielding
member D. The rear fork is flexibly connected to the front frame in rear of the
barrel e, and the yielding member D is flexibly connected at its lower end to the
rear end of the fork C, and at its upper end to the saddle post standard at or near
its top.
The connection of the rear fork C to the front frame will be made as close as
practicable to the barrel e in order that there shall be no appreciable variation in
distance between the axis of the pedal shaft and that of the rear wheel.
From actual use it is found that the mode of connection shown in Figs. 5,
6 and 7 answers admirably.
Referring to said figures, it will be seen that the pedal shaft barrel e is provided
with two rearwardly extending ears or lugs ff, having transverse openings there-
through. The inner ends of the tubes or rods, forming the rear fork C, are secured
to a web or frame E. This web or frame consists of a rounded head or crossbar F,
two rearwardly extending arms G G, and a web or brace H. The head F is
provided with slots or recesses g g adapted to receive the lugs ff, and also with a
round opening extending throughout its length and registering with the openings
in the lugs or ears. A pin I is passed through these openings and secures the web
or frame to the barrel e. It is of course desirable that the frame E should turn on

page_text: the pin I, in that the pin I has a greater bearing or more extended wearing surface
therein, than it has on the lugs or ears ff. To this end means are employed for
holding the pin stationary with relation to said lugs, and allowing the head F to
turn on the pin.
The under portion of the center of the head is cut away to form a slot h,
exposing the pin I, as will be clearly seen upon reference to Figs. 5 and 6. At
this point a hole will be drilled into said pins to admit the end of a key or stud J,
the other end of which is securely fastened to the barrel e. This key or stud will
effectually prevent the piu I from turning in the ears or lugs ff, and consequently
the frame E will have to turn on said pin. The pin I is also secured against
end wise movement by the key or stud J, and thus all threading and nuts are
dispensed with. The frame or web E will be drop forged, the transverse opening
through the head drilled out, and the slots gg and h cut away or milled out. The
rearwardly extending arms G G will be drilled out, and the ends of the rear fork
securely brazed therein. The web or brace H securely holds the arms G in their
proper position and materially adds to the stiffness of the structure.
K indicates the rear wheel, the axle of which is carried in the rear end of fork C
as usual. Said wheel will be provided with a sprocket wheel, and driven by a chain
from a sprocket wheel on the pedal shaft, or in any other suitable manner.
The yielding member D comprises the fork or brace L pivoted to the rear
fork C at its end, the compressible portion M, and means for connecting said latter
portion to the saddle post standard."
Broadly stated, the yielding portion comprises two telescopic members, an air
cushion and a compressible spring, all adapted to act in conjunction with each other
and take up the jar and concussion communicated to them through the frame.
The head or cross bar i of the fork L is formed with an internally threaded
opening j, and an annular chanuel or groove k, said channel being provided with a
female screw thread.
N denotes a tube, threaded at its lower end and mounted in the opening j. The
lower end of the tube will be securely and tightly closed, the purpose of which
will be presently explained.
A coiled spring O is screwed into the annular channel or groovej, as will be
clearly seen upon reference to Figure 2. A socket or cap piece P is flexibly
connected to the upper end of the saddle post standard, said socket piece being
provided with a transverse opening to receive a bolt by which it is connected to
said standard. The interior of the socket piece is formed with a central screw
threaded recess and an annular channel or groove m, said channel being provided
with a female screw thread and adapted to receive and securely hold the upper end
of spring O.
Into the central recess of the socket or cap piece there is secured a tube Qof
such diameter that its end fits closely into the tube N which it enters. The lower
end of this tube is formed with a series of depressions n into which any suitable
packing may be placed. Ordinarily if the joint between the tubes or telescopic
members be made close enough, no packing need be employed, a small amount of
oil between said members being found to give excellent results in retaining the air
in the chamber formed by said parts when they were brought together and the
spring put under compression.
R iudicates a check valve designed to communicate with the chamber formed by
the telescopic tubes, said valve seating outwardly, as will be seen upon reference to
Figure 4. The valve is shown as mounted in the cap piece or socket P, though of
course it may be located at any convenient point.
If the parts of the telescopic member are made to fit close enough and a heavy
lubricant be employed, the check valve may be dispensed with, as it is found from
actual experience that the air does not escape from between the tubes when the
spring is compressed and the air in the chamber or chambers is likewise compressed.
The construction set forth in Figures 8, 9 and 10 and hereinafter referred to at
length, shows a construction wherein the check valve is dispensed with.

page_text: The tube P will of course be of such length that under no circumstances can the
grooved portion thereof come above the upper end of the tube N.
The parts of the yielding member being assembled, the spring is put under a
slight torsional strain which tends to more securely hold the ends of the spring in
place, and at the same time prevent any rattling of the parts.
The construction set forth in Figures 8, 9 and 10 will now be described. Here
the yielding section or parts comprise a tubular shell a' at the top of which is a
cap or plug, preferably brazed to the tube; and a second tubular shell of
a size to receive and closely fit the shell a', said second shell forming the upper
member or extension of a fork d' which straddles the rear wheel fork near the rear
end of the latter. Within the shells a' and e' is placed a strong spiral spring D'
which is advisably made of gradual taper that it may yield more readily in one
than in another portion.
The plug or cap is centrally bored to near its top, leaving a space for the
redared upper end of spring D and centering the same in shell a'. For the
purpose of centering the lower portion of spring D' and preventing shell a from
rubbing against it, a spring case or cup e is placed within the lower shell c', the
lower end of which is enlarged to fit nicely in shell b, while its body is of a
diameter to pass freely into the shell a'.
It is well known that less friction is produced between dissimilar metals and
alloys, properly selected, than between two parts of like metal or alloy, brass an'l
steel, for instance, giving less friction than steel and steel or brass and brass.
To secure the advantage of such combination or relation, the construction
illustrated in Figures 8, 9 and 10 is adopted, where the shell a will be seen to
consist of two thicknesses of metal. Of these the inner tube or body of the shell
is of steel, while the outer thickness is of brass or like alloy, soldered or sweated
upon the steel tube.
Various modes of uniting these sections may be employed.
It is proper to say here that the spaces between the tubes are necessarily
exaggerated somewhat in the drawings for clearness of illustration, but the fit
should be a reasonably close one in practice. Having the brass cup or case e¹ next
to the spring D' and within the shell a', and the brass covering or shell a¹ next to
the inner surface of shell c', it will be seen that brass and steel are opposed or
brought into working relation at all points, and that thus friction and wear are
lessened.
In the practical use of a telescopic spring brace of this character, it has been
found difficult to so proportion the stiffness of the spring and the range of move-
ment to the weight of the rider as to adapt the device to yield properly to light
and heavy jars or jolts, and the consequence has been that a middle ground has
necessarily been sought, resulting in a somewhat inadequate play when riding over
a road of only moderate roughness, and an undue play when riding over very
rough roads.
The present invention overcomes this difficulty, and causes the cushioning action
or effect to be proportioned directly and exactly to the unevenness encountered, and
the consequent rise and fall of either wheel relatively to the rider. This desirable
result is attained by the aid of a pneumatic spring or cushion acting in conjunction
with and supplementing the spring D'.
Shells a¹ and fit so closely together that when a fairly thick lubricant, such as
vaseline or a heavy oil, is applied between them, they work airtight together, and
consequently any air contained within them as they first begin to telescope, must
remain therein and be more or less compressed as the telescoping or sliding
together proceeds.
The better to ensure retention of the lubricant in the space between the two
hells, circumferential grooves f' are formed in the shell a'. These grooves become
filled with the lubricant and ensure a tight joint at all times.
In practice the spring D¹ is heavily coated with vaseline or other comparatively
thick lubricant to keep it from rusting and prevent its coils from rubbing either

page_text: upon one another or upon the interior of the shell a' or cup e¹, should they come in
contact with the latter. If it be desirable at any time to reduce the air space
within the telescopic member, it may be done by putting a larger quantity of
vaseline in the cup or spring case e', or by inserting a stem or spindle of wood or
other like material, as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 9.
The space between shell e and cup or spring case may likewise be reduced by
the use of vaseline or other lubricant, if desired, this of course being a part of the
confined air space. The lubricant gives a free and noiseless action of the parts,
but of course it will work out upon the exposed portion of shell a', and if not
prevented, will flow down over the outside of shell e. To guard against these
undesirable conditions, an outer or covering shell y' is provided, the upper end of
which is made fast to cap 61, and the lower end of which reaches a short distance
over shell, when the spring D' is fully extended as in Figure 8. When the
shells a and c are telescoped beyond their normal extent, the covering shell or
guard g moves further downward over the shell c' as in Figure 9.
To preclude the entrance of dust within the cover and to prevent the escape of
lubricant, a circumferential groove &' is spun or otherwise formed in the lower end
of shell or guard gl in which is seated a ring or washer of felt or like material,
which maintains always a close joint between the shells gl and e', and yet prevents
any cutting or grinding of one by the other. To facilitate the entrance of shell e
into the washer or ring, the upper end of said shell is bevelled as in Figures 8,
9 and 10.
The guard shell g' may be made fast to cap & in any convenient way, the
drawing showing it fitting against a shoulder of the cap and secured by a screw.
Under the construction herein set forth any lateral or side play of the rear frame
will be prevented by the telescopic members. Since the leverage is but slight at
the upper end of the yielding member, the telescopic members may be made small and
light.
A long and elastic spring is employed, and the diameter of the same may be
varied at pleasure, to render its action stiff or easy, to suit the tastes of the
individual riders. In no instance, however, should the coils come into contact with
the telescopic members, as such contact would cut or wear away the spring, and
also cause the same to cramp.
In passing over an unevenness or obstruction in the roadway, the spring will be
compressed, and the tubular sections being brought together, the air confined in the
chamber or chambers formed thereby will also be rompressed, and the action of
the spring checked as it nears the end of its movement.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In a bicycle or like vehicle, the combination with the rigid front frame, of the
rear jointed frame flexibly connected thereto, said rear frame having a yielding
member embodying a telescopic section, and a coiled spring encircling said
section.
2. In a bicycle, the combination with the rigid front frame, of the rear jointed
frame flexibly connected thereto, said rear frame comprising the rear wheel fork, and
a telescopic fork or brace flexibly connected to the outer end of the latter and to
the upper rear part of the front frame, the telescopie portions being encircled by
a coiled spring.
3. A spring member for bicycle frames, comprising a fork adapted to embrace
a wheel, a tubular casing secured to the head of the fork, a spring also secured
to the head of the fork and encircling the tubular casing, a socket or cap piece
secured upon the upper end of the spring, and a tubular casing secured to the
socket or cap piece and adapted to telescope with the casing carried by the head
of the fork.
4. In combination with the rigid front frame, the rear jointed frame flexibly

page_text: connected therewith, the spring member of which comprises a fork or brace
connected to the rear end of the rear wheel fork, a tubular shell extending
upwardly from the head of the fork, a coiled spring having its lower end secured
to said head and encircling the tubular shell, a socket or cap piece secured to the
upper end of the spring and provided with a tubular shell adapted to telescope
with the tubular shell carried by the head of the fork, and means for flexibly
connecting said socket to the upper end of the saddle post standard.
5. In a bicycle or like vehicle, the combination with the rigid front frame, of
the yielding jointed frame flexibly connected thereto, the yielding member of which
has a combined spring and pneumatic cushioning action.
6. In a bicycle or like vehicle, the combination with the rigid front frame, of
the yielding jointed frame flexibly connected therewith, the yielding member of
which comprises a telescopic portion having a confined-air chamber formed
therein, and a coiled spring adapted to act in conjunction with said air chamber.
7. A spring member for bicycle frames, embodying two telescopic sections
forming an enclosed air chamber, and a check valve communicating with said
chamber.
8. A spring member for bicycle frames embodying two telescopic sections
forming an enclosed air chamber, a check valve communicating with said chamber,
and a coiled spring encircling said telescopic sections and tending normally to keep
said sections in an extended position.
9. In a bicycle, the combination of the rigid front frame, the rear jointed frame
flexibly connected therewith, said rear frame comprising the rear wheel fork
connected to the front frame at or near the pedal shaft hanger, a brace or fork
flexibly jointed to the rear wheel fork at or near its end, a tube mounted upon
the head of brace, a spiral spring also mounted on said head and encircling the
tube, a cap piece or socket secured upon the upper end of the spring, and flexibly
secured to the upper end of the saddle post standard, a tube extending from the
cap piece and telescoping with the lower tube, and an outwardly seating air check
communicating with the air space formed by the telescoping tubes.
10. In a bicycle, the combination of the rigid front frame, and the flexible
rear frame jointed thereto, a joint or connection for the rear wheel fork com-
prising perforated lugs or ears extending from the rigid frame, a frame or web
provided with a tubular head having slots formed therein to receive the lugs, a
pin passing through said tubular head and the openings in the lugs, and arms
extending rearwardly from the head adapted to receive the ends of the rear wheel
fork.
11. In combination with the pedal shaft hanger, the perforated lugs formed
thereon, a web or frame provided with a tubular head having slots adapted to
receive the lugs, a pin passing through said tubular head and the openings in the
lugs, and means for preventing the pin from turning.
12. In combination with the pedal shaft hanger having perforated lugs formed
thereon, the web or frame E, comprising a tubular head having slots formed
therein to receive the lugs, a pin passing through the tubular head and openings
in the lugs, a slot in the head, a hole in the pin in line with said slot, and a key
rigidly secured to the barrel and passing into the hole in the pin, whereby said pin
is prevented from turning or moving end wise.
13. In combination with the rear wheel fork, the frame or web E, having the
tubular slotted head, the rearwardly extending arms to embrace the ends of the
fork, and a web connecting the ends of the arms.
14. In combination with a rigid front frame, a rear-wheel fork flexibly connected
with said front frame, a brace flexibly connected with the rear-wheel fork and with
the front frame, and comprising shells a and c fitting air-tight one within the
other, and a spring D enclosed within said shells and bearing at its ends against
the outer ends of said shells, substantially as described and shown.
15. In a bicycle, a spring brace or support comprising two tubular shells fitting
air-tight one within the other and closed at their outer ends, and a metallic spring

page_text: located within said tubes and bearing against their closed ends, substantially as
described and shown.
16. In a spring brace or support for bicycles and like vehicles, the combination
of shell a having a cap or end piece provided with a central socket or cavity
of smaller diameter than the shell, a second tubular shell arranged to telescope
with the first, and a spring enclosed within said shells and having one end seated
within the socket of the cap of the first shell, substantially as set forth.
17. In a brace or support for bicycles and like vehicles, the combination of a
pair of tubular shells arranged to telescope one within the other, a cup or case
smaller than said shells, centrally located therein, and a spring extending from
the closed outer end of one shell to the closed outer end of the other, and seated
within said cup or case, for the purpose explained.
18. In a brace or support for bicycles and like vehicles, the combination of
shell a provided with cap b', having a central cavity, shell c arranged to telescope
with shell a, spring-cup or case e' placed within and concentric with shell c', and
spring D¹ having one end seated in the cavity of cap b, and the other end
seated in cup or case e', substantially as shown and described
19. In combination with tubular shell c', tubular shell a' provided with
grooves and arranged to telescope within tube c', substantially as shown.
20. In combination with steel tube c, steel tube a' faced on the outside with
brass, brass cup or shell e located within shell c¹, and steel spring D' seated
within cup or shell e', whereby brass and steel surfaces are brought into opposition
throughout.
21. In a telescopic brace of the character described, the combination of a steel
shell c', and a brass covered steel shell a' fitting within the same.
22. In combination with the telescoping tubular sections a¹ and c', a guard
shell connected with the outer end of shell a¹ and provided with internal
packing ring, substantially as and for the purpose explained.
23. The herein described brace or support for bicycles and like vehicles,
comprising shell a¹ with its cap b', shell c, spring cup or case el, spring D¹ and
outer shell or gaard g', all combined and arranged to operate substantially as set
forth.
Dated this 16th day of March 1896.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents.