A New or Improved Support or Supporting Device for Velocipedes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Dec., 1897-Accepted, 5th Mar., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Support or Supporting Device for Velocipedes.
I, GEORGE SCOPES, of Needham Market, Suffolk, Wire Worker, 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:-
My invention relates to a new or improved support or supporting device for
velocipedes, and which is more particularly intended for use in connection with
railway luggage vans, to facilitate the safe and easy transit of bicycles, although it
may be used as a cycle support in other places as required, the object being to pro-
vide a simple and inexpensive device capable of being easily fixed in position, and
which efficiently supports the bicycle, and in such a manner as to allow of several
of them being arranged to occupy a minimum of space, at the same time allowing
of their ready removal as required, while when the device is not in use it can be
arranged in such a manner as to be carried, by suitable springs, to the roof of a
luggage van or in a vertical position against a wall or the like so as to leave the
floor space clear.
In order that my invention may be fully understood, I will now proceed to
describe same with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a
diagrammatic view of a bicycle arranged in connection with my improved support-
ing device, within a luggage van, Fig. 2 being a diagrammatic view representing a
cross section of the van and showing the arrangement of the supporting devices
which are preferably of alternate lengths so as to efficiently support machines of
various sizes.
Fig. 3 shows the device secured directly to a side wall and supporting a machine.
Fig. 4 is a plan of the device separately, Fig. 5 being a side view of my
improved device.
Fig. 6 is a side elevation of one of the hooks detached and drawn to an enlarged
scale.
In carrying my invention into practical effect I take a sufficient length of wire,
thin metal tubing, or other suitable material and bend it into the form shown in
Fig. 4 which comprises two arms a, a, a central or connecting piece c and the
bearing pins or ends d, which are indicated in dotted lines. The ends d pass
through links and around their ends spiral springs g are arranged, and form
additional bearings, the one end of the spring h entering the wall, cross beam or
the like, while the other end h' is extended for a sufficient distance and bent round
the arms a, a, of the device, in such a manner as to carry it up against the roof (in the
case of a luggage van) or into a vertical position as partially indicated in dotted
lines in Fig. 3. when not required for use. Upon the centre piece c I arrange two
hooks m, one of which is shown detached (Fig. 6) each hook comprising a link k
by means of which it is secured to the cross or connecting piece c and a hooked
portion which is preferably covered with india rubber or other suitable soft
material. Between the two hooks m. I arrange a wire device n for the purpose of
enabling the machine to be locked to the supporting device.
In order to support a velocipede, by means of my improved device, the back
wheel is preferably placed between ribs or runners r (Fig. 3) arranged upon the

page_text: floor, when the device is brought down and the hooks m placed between the handle
bar as shown (Figs. 1 and 3) in such a manner that the front wheel is raised clear of
the ground, then, if required, the arms n¹ of the locking device n may be brought
round the tubular portion of the handle bar and secured by means of a padlock or
in any other suitable manner.
In applying my invention to a luggage van, a series of my supporting devices
are preferably fixed to a cross piece w arranged a sufficient distance from the back
of the van (Figs. 1 and 2), and in such a manner as to allow of a row of bicycles
being arranged side by side so as to occupy but little space.
The bicycles and their supporting devices may be either arranged across the
end or ends of the van as shown or they may be arranged so as to run lengthwise
down the van where the doors on the one side are locked, in which case the support-
ing devices are preferably secured to detachable supporting bars designed to enter
into sockets or the like in such a manner as to readily allow of their being removed
from side to side of the van according to the side upon which the dour or doors are
locked.
The arms a of my improved device may be of any required thickness and of
sufficient length for the purpose in view, which may vary considerably according
to requirements, while the hooks m and locking device n may be arranged to turn
either in an inward or outward direction as illustrated at Figs. 4 and 5 respectively.
Instead of ribs or runners such as r, any equivalent device or arrangement for
preventing the back wheel of the machine from shifting may be employed if
necessary.
In some cases the springs g of the device may be dispensed with and the
arms a, a allowed to hand down in a vertical position when not required for use.
Although, as herein stated, my improved device is more particularly intended for
use in connection with railway luggage vans and the like, yet it is obvious that
it fulfils all the requirements of an ordinary stand or support when arranged in a
convenient position for use, say against the side wall of a house or shed or against
the outside of an inn, tavern, or the like.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is: :-
1. The new or improved support or supporting device for velocipedes, consisting
essentially of pivotally hinged arms a, a, central or connecting piece c, carrying
hooks such as m, with or without springs g as required, and designed to be secured
to a cross bar or beam or side wall or the like, the whole combined and arranged
substantially as herein described and shown and for the purposes specified.
2. In combination with a supporting device such as above claimed, the means
for locking the machine to the said supporting device as shown at n (Figs. 4 and 5),
substantially as set forth.
3. The new or improved support or supporting device for velocipedes,
substantially as herein described and shown, and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 14th day of December 1897.
F. G. CASSELL,
(of Cassell & Co.),
22, Glasshouse Street, Regent Street, London, W.,
Agent for the Applicant.