GB449319A - Improvements in or relating to spring-forks for the steering-wheels of motor-cycles and similar vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

449,319. Spring forks. MACBETH, C., 67, Norwich Union Chambers, Birmingham. Dec. 7, 1934, No. 35129. [Class 136 (iii)] In spring forks for the steering - wheels of motor - cycles &c. of the type in which the fork is connected to the steering - stem by a system of parallel-motion suspension links, rubber torsion springs are combined with or embodied in the parallel-motion linkage. In the form shown in Fig. 1, two rubber torsion-spring members b, which may be of the kind described in Specification 419,291, are mounted on the steering- head c provided on opposite sides with spindles c<1> for the upper links d, a stationary disc member b<2> of each spring being anchored to the head c and a torque disc member b<3> being connected to the link d so as to oscillate therewith and thus twist the rubber block, which is vulcanized or otherwise secured to the discs. The inner disc b<2> may be splined to a sleeve c<2> projecting from the head c. The links d may be secured to the outer faces of the discs b3 by spaced bolts which may be set in one of several different positions with respect to the discs, so as to adjust the torque loading on the rubber blocks ; or other methods of adjustment may be provided. A number of modifications are described. In that shown in Fig. 5, the rubber blocks of torsion springs b applied to the inner ends of the upper links d are enclosed in housings b<2>, which are adjustably secured to the stationary discs and are clamped to the lower end of the steering-head by downwardlyextending arms b<4>; split clamp-rings b<5> around the housings are provided with lugs g for securing the handle-bar h. In the form shown in Fig. 6, a single upper link d is provided, rotatably mounted on a spindle c<1>, a spring member b being mounted on each side, with the stationary discs b<2> splined to the ends of the spindle.