Year: 1897

page_text: (A communication from HENRY WESTPHAL, of Nos. 9, 11 & 13, South Union Street,
City of Chicago, County of Cook, and State of Illinois, United States of America,
Manufacturer.)
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 111, Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to a rack or stand to be used for supporting bicycles and
velocipedes, when at rest, in an upright position and for locking them in said position
to prevent their wrongful removal, and also to prevent access to the key of the lock
except by the deposit of a coin of a certain denomination or a check of a certain size,
and it consists of a box or casing which may be secured to a suitable support or the
wall or floor of a room. In this box or casing is located a lock the key-hole to which
is protected or guarded by a hinged cover, which normally lies over the key when it
is in the lock. Below the lock and pivotally secured on the box or casing, is a pair of
latches or a securing device to embrace the tire and rim of the wheel of the bicycle.
The lock and latches or securing device for the wheel are operated by means of a bar
or bolt located in the box, which bar engages both, and is provided with two pins or
projections extending through slots in a plate or casting within the box. On one of
said pins or projections is pivoted a dog, which moves the coin or check against a
lever pivoted on the aforesaid plate or casting, which lever also engages the bar by
means of a pin or projection passing through a slot in the plate. This plate is
covered by the front of the box, and is provided there-between with a guide-way for
the coin, which may be inserted in a slot in one portion of the box and removed
through an opening in another portion thereof. The other pin on the bar is used to
prevent the withdrawal of the check or coin after it has tripped the lever, which
operation is performed by raising the cover lying over the key as before stated, the
said cover being connected to the bar by means of a piece hinged at one end to the
cover and engaging the bar at its other end. To the front of the box may be secured
two parallel arms to support the wheel. To use the rack, the wheel may be placed
between the latches or within the securing device, which are always open, when the
cover for the key is in its lowered position and locked. By placing a coin or check
in the slot for its reception, the cover can then be raised, thus closing the securing
device around the wheel thereby unlocking the key, and the cover remaining
unlocked. At this time, the wheel being locked, the coin remains within the box
until the key is replaced in the lock and slightly turned, when the bar by reason of
its gravity will descend and draw down with it the cover and release the securing
devices from the rim of the wheel and the coin from the box or casing.
L
AD 1007
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: (A communication from HENRY WESTPHAL, of Nos. 9, 11, and 13, South Union
Street, City of Chicago, County of Cook, State of Illinois, United States of
America.)
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 111, Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
.ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in holders or stands, or a rack or a series of
such holders or stands to be used for supporting bicycles in an upright position, and
automatically locking them, so as to prevent their removal, the operation of the
device being controlled by a coin or disc.
The keys to the locks of the bicycle racks, stands or holders heretofore and now in
use can generally be removed, and in order to prevent their wrongful removal by
children, or mischievously inclined persons when the racks are located on the outside
of a building, the proprietor must remove them, which necessitates the rider leaving
his bicycle at the stand or rack, until he can obtain the key thereto, so that he can
unlock the rack and place and lock therein his wheel. When he desires to remove
his wheel from the rack he must return the key to the proprietor, or it may be
carried away by a mischievous boy or other person thus rendering the rack virtually
useless.
It is therefore the main object to this invention to afford a rack for bicycles in
which access to the key of the lock thereof may be obtained and the device operated
only by the deposit of a coin of a specific denomination, or of a check of a certain
size. Other objects and advantages will appear in the following description.
Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of the rack secured to a support, showing a portion
of one of the wheels of a bicycle locked therein.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan sectional view of the lower part of the casing, taken on
the line 2, 2 of Fig. 1 showing by dotted lines, the wheel between the securing
latches.
Fig. 3 is a front vertical sectional view of the casing showing the coin-controlling
mechanism on a partition or plate thereof.
Fig. 4 is a rear vertical sectional view of a like portion showing the operating-bar
and lock on the rear surface of the plate or partition, and illustrating by dotted lines,
the cover for the key in a raised position.
Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on line 5, 5 of Fig. 3
showing the construction of the casing and a portion of one of the side pieces.
Fig. 6 is a fragmental view in elevation of that part of the casing containing the
slot for the deposit of the coin.
Fig. 7 is a like view of the portion of the casing which is provided with a delivery
slot and retainer for the coin.
Fig. 8 is a view in elevation of the lock with one of the plates of the casing thereof
removed, showing the key locked in and a portion of the operating bar of the rack to
engage the lock.
Fig. 9 is a like view, showing the position of the parts when the key is removed.
Fig. 10 is a plan sectional view, taken on line 10, 10 of Figure 8.
Fig. 11 is a like view taken on lime 11, 11, of Fig. 9.
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the lock with one of the plates of the casing, the
key-guide, stay and tumblers removed, and

page_text: Fig. 13 is a plan of a portion of the top of the lock casing showing the key-hole.
Fig. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a modification, hereinafter explained, of
a detail of the apparatus.
A represents the side-pieces of the holder, and are secured parallel with each other
at the sides of the casing or box A', which may be secured to a suitable support A²,
such as a board, or the wall or floor of a building. The pieces A, are placed a slight
distance apart to admit of the wheel of the bicycle being inserted between them, and
are formed or provided in their lower parts with boxes A³, to receive the securing
latches B, which are curved at their outer portions to embrace the tyre and rim of
the wheel and have their inner parts pivotally secured on lugs B¹, on the casing. On
the top of the casing is hinged a cover C, to protect the key against removal and the
lock from being tampered with, and against rain and exposure. As shown, the
casing A¹, is preferably rectangular and has in its front part a vertical plate or
partition A+, provided with openings b, for the reception and operation of the securing
latches. The front surface of the plate A is provided near its top with a guide-way b₁
for the coin or check 62 as it is passed through the slot 63 in the upper part of the
casing. Below the guide-way and on the front of the casing A*, is pivotally secured
a lever D which carries on its upper end a pin d, which passes through a slot 64 in
the plate A and engages a recess c in the operating-bar C¹, and prevents it from
being removed. The lower part of the lever D, normally lies in an inclined position
towards the passage or way b' in the opposite side of the casing from the slot b³
and which way guides the coin, when it may pass out through the slot be in the
lower part of the casing. By locating the guide-way 65 on one side of the casing and
the exit slot 60 in the opposite side, it is evident that the lever D cannot be reached
so as to manipulate it, by means of a wire or other device inserted through said slot.
In order to prevent the coin or check b² being withdrawn through the guide-way bl
and slot 63 by means of a cord attached thereto, after it has tripped the lever D, and
released its pin d, from the operating-bar C¹, the plate A+, is provided with a vertical
slot a¹ above the slot for the operation of the projection d¹ on the operating-bar,
which projection will be raised with the bar and interposed in the guide-way b¹ and
thus prevent the withdrawal of the coin, as is apparent.
The back of the casing is provided with a number of openings d² contracted at
their upper parts to receive the screws d³ secured to the support, and the lower end
of the said back is formed with an opening d*, for a screw d the band of which is
covered or protected by the lower end of the operating-bar when it is in a lowered
and locked position, thus preventing the casing being removed from the support.
Extending vertically on the front of the plate A is a bent flange or rib e, with
which the heel e¹ of the boot-shaped dog E, impinges and forces its toe e² against the
coin or check, when the dog is raised, thereby causing the lever D, to be lifted to
the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3, and permitting the coin to pass through
the guide-way 65 and out through the exit slot. The dog E is pivoted in a pin f
on the front surface of the bar C¹ which passes through a slot f, in the plate or
partition A, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing. To the rear upper portion of the
bar C¹, is secured a pin or projection which engages the lock I, located in the
upper part of the casing, as well as the piece G, which is pivoted to the cover C, and
is provided with a slot y, somewhat enlarged at its lower end to permit of its lateral
movement on the pin c³, on the operating-bar the lower part of which extends rear-
wardly (see Fig. 5) and is provided with two downwardly and outwardly inclined
slots h for the reception and operation of the inner ends of the securing latches.
The lock which it is preferred to use, consists of two plates i i¹ the plate i being
formed with a vertical slot near its middle, which extends through the bottom of
the casing, as shown and having on its inner surface close to each of its ends
ribs m m both of which are formed with openings or recesses m² m³ in which the
sliding bolts M M¹ operate, and are thereby guided in their backward and forward
movements. The opening or recess m² is formed near the lower portion of the rib m
and the opening or recess m³ near the upper end of the rib m¹. Near their upper
portions and on their surfaces adjacent to the plate each of the ribs m and m¹ is

page_text: formed with recesses or mortices m' for the reception and operation of the spring-
actuated tumblers N, which are formed with recesses n n₁, the former of which
engages with the stay O, and the latter with the sliding rib or bead N¹ on the
piece N2 which unites the sliding bolts M, and M' and is preferably formed in cross-
section, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11 with two projections N¹ and N4, at its edges
extending in opposite directions, the flat piece №2 being provided near its lower
portion with a vertical slot N³ in which fits and operates a pin or plug p on the
bifurcated cam P, which cam is pivotally secured to the plate i at a suitable point
near the outer portion of the slot (, therein, as shown at . This cam is made, as
clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 9 and 12, with two prongs, which form an open slot
or fork into which will engage the lug or pin c on the bar C¹.
As shown in Figs. 8, 9, and 10 the tumblers N, are pivotally secured, as at o¹, on
the rod o², having its bearings in the top and bottom of the casing near the farther
end from the key-guide, and are provided with springs 03 which are interposed
between the tumblers and the plate i, and they will be thus forced forward to
engage with the bead or rib N¹, on the sliding piece N².
Near the rib m, the casing is provided in its top and bottom with suitable circular
openings a, through which is passed a split tube or key guide S, which has its
hearing for its lower end in the depending bracket S₁ on the bottom of the lock-
casing. The lower end of the key-guide S, is provided with a spring 82 which serves
to revolve the key-guide, till the split therein, through which the projections t, on
the key T, pass to engage with the tumblers, into alignment with the opening a³,
therefor in the top of the casing, and is prevented from turning the guide too far by
means of the lug or pin s secured thereto, which is so placed that it will strike the
bracket S¹ which acts as a check.
The stay O which is provided with a number of recesses o5, to correspond with the
number of projections t, on the key T, is rigidly secured in a vertical position and
longitudinally with the lock casing between the bead N¹ with the key-guide and
between the tumblers and the pieces N2. This stay is employed to regulate the com-
bination of the lock, for it is obvious that the projections ton the key must correspond
in number and dimensions with the recesses in the stay otherwise they would not pass
through the same.
It is evident that the pin or projection cs on the bar C₁ will extend into the slot
of the plate i of the lock and will engage with the open slot 2 or fork between the
prongs, and on the cam P, when the upward movement of the operating-bar C¹,
provided as before stated with the projection or pins c8, engaging with the
prongs and, will cause the cam P, to be raised to the position indicated in
Figure 9, the movement of which can by means of its pin operating in the slot N³
of the plate N2, will cause the sliding bolts M, and M¹, and the bead N¹, which are
connected to the plate N2, or made integral therewith to be retracted to the position
shown in Figure 9, which operation removes the plate N2, from interference with the
projections on the shank of the key and thus permits the key guide S, to be partly
revolved by means of the spring s², till the projections of the key are in alignment
with the opening ³, in the top of the casing, when, and not before the key may be
withdrawn and the operating-bar C, will be securely locked in said position by reason
of the engagement of the tumblers N, with the bead N'.
In order to release or unlock the operating-bar C, it will be necessary to replace
the key in the key-guide when by turning the same its projections will engage the
tumblers and will free them from engagement with the bead N', when by reason of
the weight of the bar C¹ and cam P, they will interpose the plate N2 between the
projections on the key-shank and the opening a³ in the top of the casing and prevent
the key being removed.
When it is desired to use the rack, the wheel may be placed between the latches
and a coin or check of the requisite denomination or size may be deposited in the
slot 63, from whence it will glide through the guideway 61, to the toe e² of the dog E,
and rest on the lever D, when by raising the lid or cover C, which is connected to the
bar C¹, by means of the piece G, the coin will cause the lever D to be disengaged from

page_text: the recess in the operating-bar and will permit it to be raised so that the pin c will
lift the cam P and release the key from the lock. When the above operation has
been performed, the check or coin will occupy the position shown by dotted lines in
Figure 3, and will be retained in said position till the bar is released by means of the
key to the lock, when it may be lowered, which will release the securing latches and
allow the wheel to be removed and at the same deposit the coin in its receptacle.
The modification illustrated in Figure 14 is one in which means are provided for
retaining, under lock and key the coins used in controlling the device instead of letting
them pass out of it as in the construction previously described.
In this modification the sides of the casing or box A¹ are extended downwards to
enclose a drawer A which is provided with any suitable lock and can slide upon a
bottom plate A immediately below the passage way b5 and extending right across the
base of the apparatus. The slot 66 instead of being at one side of the casing (as in
Figure 3) is formed (see Figure 14) in the bottom of the passage-way 65 the path of
the coin from the bottom of the passage-way into the drawer being indicated by the
arrow shown in the slot.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent and in what manner the same
is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A coin-feed cycle-rack or stand.
2. The combination of a rack or stand with a securing device for the wheel, and a
locking mechanism both located in the stand of a connection such as C¹ uniting the
locking mechanism and securing device and a controlling mechanism such as D d
engaging said connection and adapted to be disengaged therefrom by the deposit of
a coin or check and to thereby release the key to the lock substantially as described.
3. The combination of a rack or stand with a securing device for the wheel, and a
locking mechanism, both located in the stand of a connection such as C¹ uniting the
locking mechanism and securing device and a controlling mechanism such as D d
engaging the said connection and adapted to be disengaged therefrom by the deposit
of a coin or check and to thereby release the way to the lock and to retain the coin
or check the same being released by the insertion of the key, substantially as described.
4. The combination of a rack or stand, having a casing, a cover such as C hinged
so as to protect the lock and key thereof, a securing device for the wheel, a connec-
tion uniting the lock, securing device and cover, and a controlling mechanism such
as D d engaging said connection and adapted to be disengaged therefrom by the
deposit of a check or coin and to thereby release the key to the lock substantially as
described.
5. The combination with a rack or stand, having a casing for the operating
mechanism, a lock within the casing, a cover such as Chinged to the casing so as to
cover the keyhole of the lock, securing latches such as B pivotally secured in the
casing, an operating-bar having means at its lower part to operate the latches and a
projection at its upper part to engage the lock, a guide-way in the casing for the
coin, a lever such as D d pivoted below the guide-way and adapted to engage
the operating bar, a slotted piece, such as G pivotally secured to the cover and
engaging the projection on the operating bar a bent rib such as e on the casing and
a pivoted dog such as E on the bar adapted to impinge upon said rib, substantially as
described.
6. The combination of a rack or stand having a casing for the operating
mechanism, a lock within the casing, a cover such as C hinged to the casing so as to
cover the keyhole of the lock, securing latches such as B pivotally secured in the
casing, and operating bar such as C¹ having means at its lower part to operate the
latches and a projection at its upper part to engage the lock, a guide-way in
the casing for the coin, a lever such as D d pivoted below the guide-way and adapted
to engage the operating-bar, a slotted piece such as G pivotally secured to the cover
and engaging the projection c on the operating-bar, another projection d¹ on said
bar adapted to be interposed in the guide way to prevent the withdrawal of the coin,

page_text: a bent rib such as e on the casing and a pivoted dog such as E on the bar adapted to
impinge upon said rib substantially as described.
7. The combination of a casing having a number of openings in its back for screws
or retaining devices with a securing device for the wheel and a locking mechanism
both located in the casing, a connection such as C¹ uniting the locking mechanism
and securing device and adapted when in a lowered position to cover or protect the
lower retaining device for the casing, and a controlling mechanism such as D d engag-
ing said connection and adapted to be disengaged therefrom by the deposit of a coin
or check and to thereby release the key to the lock substantially as described.
8. In the described coin-freed cycle-rack or stand the employment of a locked
drawer such as A5 substantially as and for the purpose described.
9. The combination and arrangements of parts constituting the complete coin-
freed cycle rack or stand substantially as described and illustrated in the accompany-
ing drawings.