Improvements in Mounting the Frames of Bicycles or similar Machines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Dec., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Sept., 1897-Accepted, 22nd Jan., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mounting the Frames of Bicycles or similar
Machines.
I, ERNEST AUKLAND, of 80, Bishopsgate Street, in the City of London, Insurance
Clerk, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improved means applicable for use in mounting the
frames of bicycles, tricycles or similar machines, upon their wheels with
to affording a yielding support between either the front wheel and the frame or
between the rear wheel and the frame or at both these points; thus avoiding the
discomfort to which a rider is at present subjected when passing over rough or
uneven ground.
In applying my invention to a bicycle, by way of example, the frame, instead of
being mounted upon the axles or hubs of the front and rear wheels respectively,
is carried upon levers each of which is mounted at one extremity upon one of these
centres, the opposite extremity of each lever being connected to the frame by means
or through the intervention, of a spring or springs.
The lever which serves to carry the front fork is by preference shaped to follow
the configuration of that fork; and its upper or free end is attached to the frame
through the intervention of a spring which may be arranged either in tension or
in compression. The lever which serves to carry the rear fork may be
straight; its forward or free end being in like manner connected through the
intervention of a spring either with that portion of the frame which extends from
the saddle pillar to the bottom bracket or thence towards the hub of the rear wheel.
Both spring attachments are by preference furnished with means whereby their
effect may be varied and adjusted to suit the fancy of the rider.
T1
001 1
en
1000
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
Chartered Patent Agent,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mounting the Frames of Bicycles or similar
Machines.
I, ERNEST AUKLAND, of 80, Bishopsgate Street, in the City of London, Insurance
Clerk, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same
[P11

page_text: is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the follow-
ing statement:-
This invention relates to improved means applicable for use in mounting the
frames of bicycles, tricycles or similar machines, upon their wheels with a view
to affording a yielding support, between either the front wheel and the frame or
between the rear wheel and the frame or at both these points, thus avoiding the
discomfort to which a rider is at present subjected when passing over rough or
uneven ground.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig: I is an elevation of a rear-driving safety
bicycle having the frame mounted according to my improved method. Figs. 2, 3
and 4 are respectively a side view, a plan and a transverse section illustrating the
mode of pivoting the levers in the front fork and rear frame-stays; Fig. 4 being
a detached view of the lower extremities of the front fork. Figs. 5 and 6 are
detached views, in end and side elevation respectively (drawn to a smaller scale), of
the lower extremities of the rear frame-stays. Figs. 7 and 8 are, respectively, a
view looking towards the rear of the front fork and a side view of the mode of
connecting the levers with the frame. Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are views illustrating
the mode of applying my improvements to a machine of the existing type.
In applying my invention to a rear-driving safety bicycle, by way of example,
the frame A, instead of being inounted upon the axles or hubs of the front and
rear wheels respectively, is carried upon levers B 13 each of which is mounted at
one extremity upon one of these centres, the opposite extremity of each lever
being connected to the frame by means, or through the intervention, of a spring or
springs, which may be arranged either in tension or compression. The lever B
which serves to carry the front fork a is by preference shaped to follow the con-
figuration of that fork; and its upper or free end b is attached to the frame through
the intervention of a spring C. The lever B which serves to carry the rear fork
may be straight; its forward or free end b' being in like manner connected, through
the intervention of a spring C, either with that portion of the frame which extends
from the saddle pillar to the bottom bracket or to the rear frame-stay a¹.
Each of the extremities a² of the front fork a or of the rear frame-stay a enters
a slot in the lever B or B. I prefer to employ a ball-bearing at this connection
with a view to ensuring a rigid joint. The bearing illustrated comprises a pair of
cones d'd mounted on a spindle c. The cone d is free on the spindle while the
cone dis screwed thereon. The bosses ds of the cones enter the bore a in the
fork or frame-stay ends, and the cones are prevented rotating by means of feathers
ff which enter a feather-way a in the bore a³. The spindle e is furnished with
a flat sided head el and the parts are secured in position by a nut e; a split pin
being employed if found requisite for preventing the displacement of the nut e².
The balls are retained in place by screw cups hh; the latter being held by means
of split bosses i and taper nuts k k¹.
Each rear frame-stay a (Figs. 5 and 6) ends in a casting having a flat portion a
and a lateral socket . Into the latter the rear extremities of the back fork are
secured.
One end of the spring, whether pertaining to the front or to the rear lever is
bent for the purpose of entering a hole made for its reception in the upper end of
the lever (see Figs. 7 and 8). The other end c of the spring is bent into the form
of a hook and resides in the interior of the spring. Attachment of the spring to
the frame is effected by means of a rod which is passed between two of the coils
of the spring and through the hooked portion C; the latter serving to maintain
the rod in a central position. The ends of the rod are passed through clips and
secured by nuts. By altering the position of the rod so as to leave more or less of
the coils of the spring free, the effect of the spring may be varied or adjusted to suit
the fancy of the rider.
In mounting an existing machine according to my improved method, the front
forks are preferably reversed as shown in Fig: 9. The rear fork may be furnished
with a casting such as a* having a tail piece a**.

page_text: By my improved mode of mounting, the jars and strains conveyed to the frame-
work in travelling over ordinary roads are reduced, thus permitting of lighter
construction being adopted, and the attainment of greater speed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :-
In bicycles or similar machines, the improved method of and means for mounting
the frame substantially as herein described; same comprising a forked or bi-part
lever, whereof each member is pivoted at an intermediate point in its length, and
has one of its arms mounted on the axle of the wheel, whilst the other arm is joined
to the corresponding arm of the other member, these arms being attached by means
of a spring to the frame.