The evening times., 1896-04-10
INVENTORS QUEER ideas
Patents for Devices to Answer
Strange Needs.
BIKES PECULIAR FUNCTIONS
II Is Made in Order to Run, Swim
or Fly-A Face Protector for Men.
Canopy to Cover Modest Women
Who Ride wheeIs-A Wonderful
Plant Food.

Among the pa tents issued for queer invcb-
tions this wees is one Tor a novel conbina-
| ton bicycle which may be propelled over
| and. ice or water, a the Will OF the rider.
The patcntcc is from Grand Forks. North
| Dakota. His scheme is 10 have bicycle
rugged with runners To Toe lowered on ice
| floats or minia turc canoes ON either side Of
| ;hc bicycle frame which may be dropped
upon rods below the pedals arc, and thus
| permit the bicyclist tu cross streams safely.
| boat fashion. This bicycle combine Is de-
signed for long-distancc runs in the country,
! and one or them will he employed this sum
! mer to make Il "trip around the world.
The inventor is thinking OF adding pair
! of large wings to the ice and water attach
mcDts, 10 enable the rider TO clear fences,
| bitches or other CbstruCtions without stop
ping his metal stccd. When complete the
bicycle can run, swim, skate or fly at will,
it is claimed.
A st. Louisan has an invention, known as
a face protector, by the use OF which he
proposes to keep mans face clear of beard,
also to give the feminine features a healthy,
clear complexion. His protector" is a
sort OF mask containing miniature oval WIN
lows for the eyes. and when worn Will give
or a Chinese warrior Of moiiacvai tunes in
his war mask.
CANOPY FOR BICYCLES.
Jennie Reid, OF Pond Creek station, In
dian Territory, believes more females woHid
5ecomc bicycIists but for their modesty.
5 TIC has therefore patented canopy Tor
bicycles which will protect the rider from
:hc glare Of the sun or the downpour "f
RAIN, as wen as the curious gaze OF the pub
lie, by means Of curtains, which may be
hung from the edge OF the canopy To the
heels OF the rider, completely screening her
and making the wheel as much place OF
retirement as the interior OF family
coupe.
August Kiesow, OF London, England,
came to the rescue OF careless housewives
and servant girls by securing from Uncle
Sam a patent for his Don-eXplodable kcro-
scne lamp. He prevents explosions by max
ing it Impossible when the lamp is at an
angle for the flame TO communicate With
he oil reservoir. This is accomplished by
a peculiarly shaped tube valve, through
which the wick passes. In case the lamp
containing this tube oyerturns the valve
automatically closes tightly the oil exit.
lie claims it Will be possible TO play Il
game of shuttlecock and battlcdore or
baseball with one OF his protected lamps
without the slightest danger of an cXpio-
sion or the sending of i soul to eternity by
the kerosene route.
Another odd bicycle patent is that of
Oscar n. Shannon, of Riverside, III. His
scheme is to have frames erected along the
curb-stones of various streets, 10 be pro-
md .b-n
nook is to contain a groove TO engage the
fore wheel of a bicycle. and the lock to Sc
curcly hold the same.
ANTI-THIEF RACKS.
His idea is to prevent thieves from stealing
the bikes, and the inventor suggests that
oicyciistS he taxed by the city government
to pay for these anti-thief racks. He also
says every rider can carry with him his own
.ock.
A Iong-haired individual called on a pat
ent attorney yesterday, and wanted him TO
secure Il patent for his wonderful plant
fool
Il have over million tons Of it, said
the stranger, land it is stored in a cave
near my home in Missouri. The food costs
me about cents ton, and'it can be sold
.or 25 cents per pound, and be in great de.
mand. like self.raising buckwheat flour on a
frosty morning."
The MssOurian claimed that a teaspoon
.ul of the substance placed at the root of
a rose bush would make the plant fairly
bristle with flowers in one day, and that
each rose would be as large as a head Of
cabbage. Also that a small quantity OF the
food placed about the base of fruit
10. haar frui in lin,
night.
why said the man, 'the tree would
grow 50 fast you could See it grow and the
apples or peaches forming. 1t will make
cornstaIks reach the highest of pine trees
and watermel0ns grow as big Is hogsheads.'
The Missourian finally became excited
and wanted to swear the attorney to Sc
crecy. so he would not give away the won
derful secret. The man finally became so
demonstrativc that IT became necessary
TO send for policeman to have him re-
moved.
-