Axle Bearing Patent by the
Comet Cycle Company

Charles Lavendar of Toronto, Canada came up with a new and innovative design in 1893 for an axle bearing. This new design was not just limited to bicycles, but it could be used for all kinds of vehicles including velocipedes and motor cars at that time. We also feature another one of Lavendar's inventions for a velocipede axle. The Comet axle bearing was designed to be easily detachable that it could be removed for cleaning or maintenance. The design consisted of a bearing case and a collar, and was manufactured by the Comet Cycle Company of Toronto. The set screw provided added security and ensured that the bearing would not unscrew, while also allowing for easy realignment in case of any twists or bends to the frame. A detailed cutaway drawing of this patent was also included in the newspaper of that time.

Comet Axle Patent Review

In the accompanying sketch is shown an illustration of a self-righting axle bearing designed, patented, and manufactured by the Comet Cycle Company of Toronto, and is adapted more particularly for bicycles and like vehicles. This patent is breifly described in this newspaper for your review.

The axle bearing consists of a bearing case and a collar formed integral with the bearing case as shown in this patent sketch. The axle bearing case is reamed out to form an opening to receive the adjusting cones provided with the surfaces for the axle bearing balls. The collar is fitted to receive the shank of the vehicle, and the collar is securely held in place by means of a set screw. By reference to the sketch it will be noticed that the bottom seat of the bearing case is movable on recount of being cut entirely through the bearing case and partially through at the other side from the opening in the collar. This construction admits of the bottom seat of the bearing case serving as a lock to prevent the unscrewing of the adjusting cones within the bearing case. This newspaper also shows the 1893 patent cutaway drawing of the bicycle axle bearing.

The bottom seat of the bearing case is crowded against the thread at the under side of the adjusting cones by means of the pressure of the set screw. The advantages of a bicycle axle bearing of this description from 1893 is that in the event of a twist or bend to the frame of the bicycle the set screw can be loosened and the axle bearing instantaneously righted, thus relieving the axle from binding on the bicycle axle bearings. The newspaper claims that this bicycle axle patent was awarded in 1983.

Summary

In conclusion, the axle bearing patent by the Comet Cycle Company, designed by Charles Lavendar of Toronto, was a novel invention in the field of bicycles. The self-righting axle bearing was made for all forms of vehicles, including bicycles, velocipedes, and motor cars. The axle was designed to be readily detached for cleaning or maintenance. The design consisted of a bearing case, a collar, and an adjustable set screw that could right the axle bearing in the event of a twist or bend in the frame of the bicycle. The advantages of this invention allowed for smooth and efficient operation of bicycles and other vehicles. This patent, awarded in 1893, highlights the innovative spirit and ingenuity of the Comet Cycle Company and Charles Lavendar.