The record-union., 1898-09-03
extremes of high and low positions and

extremes of high and low positions and
all ranges between is put out by an
Illinois man. He fits the bar to any
wheel. In appearance the attachment
is neat, but its construction is so novel
that it is doubtful if it will find favor
among the quieter riders. Two plates
are fitted, one projecting from the top
OF the head, and the other from the
under side of the fork crown. The up
per plate has a short stem Of the size
of the handlebar stem, and is clamped
to the head in the same manner. The
lower plate is screwed to the fork
crown. Both plates have slight projec-
t1onS at their outer ends, which projec-
tions slip respectively into the upper
and lower ends of a piece of tubing
lying parallel with and directly in front
of the head tube of the bicycle On this
tube is removably clamped the handle
bar. This may be slipped up and down
on the auxiliary head tube, and may be
turned up or down as desired, thus Civ
ing on occasion the lowest of low bars,
or an extremely high position.
In France a married woman must not
ride a bicycle in the public streets or
parks without permit, and she cannot
get the permit from the authorities
without the written consent of her hus-
band. The women bicycle riders of
Russia have even greater difficulties to
contend with. In that country women
are not even permitted to possess a BIZ
cycle without first Obtainining the con-
sent of the Government. A year ago
few women rode bicycles in Russia, and
those who did were mostly members of
the royal family and the nobility.
An elastic steel chain for bicycles is
device recently patented in England.
Each link is SO shaped that its ordi-
narily curved length straightens slight
ly under the stress caused by pedaling.
When the pull ceases or is lightened
the links shorten TO their original cur
vature. Among the claims of the in
ventor is that the elasticity of this
chain compensates for the inequalities
of the road and variations of foot pres
sure and thus a more constant driving
force is assured.
A ST. Louis inventor has patented an
odd bicycle product which he confident
ly claims will go a mile a minute. The
saddle is placed at the end of an oscil-
lating lever, and the rider by teeter-
ing" up and down sets in motion train
of mechanism acting upon the rear hub.
A Canadian inventor places faith in
protective belt for preventing pune
lures. The belt is of puncturep proof
material, and so fashioned as to cling
to the tire. A feature of the device is
roller affixed to bracket for main
tanning the tire shield at constant ten
sion on each wheel.
Another puncture- proof device IN tires
has been patented by Texas man. He
places a tube of rawhde within other
tubes of fabric. He claims the resil-
iency of the tire is not affected. An
other wheel of peculiar model is adapted
for vehicles, but may be utilized for
bicycles 1t has two rims with a row
of steel springs between. The outer rim
is faced with rubber. An Englishman
has created another tire of the rubber
ball variety. He builds a rim with
small compartments, and squeezes in
to each compartment a hollow inflated
rubber ball. The whole is then covered
with a canvas strip.