Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 8th July, 1897-Accepted, 14th Aug.,
1897
I, HENRY ANDREW CHRISTY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Jackson,
in the County of Jackson and State of Michigan, U.S.A., Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of ths 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 attachments to bicycles, but more particularly to body-
supports or rests for supporting the body of the rider of the bicycle.
The principal object of the invention is to provide a cushioned support of the
bicycle so arranged as to afford a rest on or against which the pubic bone of the
rider of the bicycle may rest, to enable the rider to occupy different positions in
propelling the machine, and to give ease and comfortable support in riding, where-
by the rider is enabled to utilize to greater advantage the force exerted on the
cranks or pedals in propelling the machine, and particularly when riding long
distances or in speeding or racing.
The invention will first be hereinafter more particularly described, with reference
to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and then
pointed out in the claims at the end of the description.
Referring to the drawings, in which similar letters of reference are used to denote
corresponding parts in different views, Figure 1 represents a fragmentary side ele-
vation of the seat supporting portion of a bicycle frame, with my improvement
attached thereto.
Figure 2 is a similar view illustrating a modification of the means for supporting
or attaching the pad or cushion in proper position on the machine.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of a fragmentary portion of the bicycle frame, illus-
trating another modification of the means for supporting the pad or cushion on
the bicycle frame; and
Figure 4 is a cross-section taken on the line IV-IV of Figure 2.
The attachment is designed to be secured to any of the bicycles in common use,
and may be variously constructed, as regards the material of which the pad or
cushion is formed, and the support and the means for attaching the same to the
bicycle frame.
In the form shown in Figure 1, A denotes a single cushion or pad constructed to
afford a soft rest or support against or on which the pubic bone of the rider
mounted on the bicycle may rest, so as to enable the rider to throw his body for-
ward onto such rest, particularly when travelling long distances or in speeding
or racing, and to enable him to assume an inclined position on the machine, so that
his feet may be directed against the foot-pedals so as to give increased leverage
and force in propelling the machine, as well as affording ease and comfort in riding
and in a change of position.
The pad or cushion A may be formed of any suitable material such as rubber,
or a pocket containing curled hair, or other soft and yielding substance, or a
pneumatic cushion may be employed. It is preferably adjustably attached to a
supporting bar B, which latter may be rigid or constructed of spring metal so as

page_text: use.
to afford a yielding support. The bar B may be secured to the top-bar C of the
bicycle frame in such position that the pubic bone of the rider of the bicycle
may abut against or rest on said pad, and the pad is preferably adapted to be
adjusted along said bar for the purpose of raising and lowering it thereon to suit
different riders, or the same rider under different conditions or requirements in
The supporting bar B is also preferably adjustably attached to the top-bar of
the frame by a suitable clamp b, by which the pad may be adjusted toward or from
the seat, to adapt it to be arranged in different positions to conform to different
requirements in use. The bar B may consist of a stout flat spring, though a wire
spring or rod may be used; and rigid or non-adjustable fastenings may be em-
ployed for connecting and securing the pad to its spring or other supporting
means, but adjustable fastenings are preferred. It may also, in some cases, be
found desirable to use a practically rigid bar for holding the pad or cushion, as
shown for instance in Figure 2, in which case the cushion A¹ may be backed by
a spring, if desired, so as to afford a yielding resistance and a comfortable rest
for those parts of the body that may come in contact therewith. The pad in this
instance is made vertically adjustable by providing a stem a' which projects into
a socket in the support B1; the latter being secured to the top-bar of the frame
by means of a suitable clamp 61. By means of the clamps 6 and b¹, the pad
supporting bars may be adjusted forward and back, for the purpose of moving
the cushion or pad nearer to or further from the seat, as may be desired, and also
rotatively on the bar to which it is secured, so as to adapt the cushion to be turned
towards the right or left, to enable the rider to adjust and secure the same in
different positions.
In the modification shown in Figure 3, the construction is substantially the same
as shown in Figure 2, except that the supporting bar B2 is inclined rearwardly and
secured by means of a suitable clamp 62 near the head or post which supports the
handle-bar; the pad being mounted on a stem a³ which projects into a socket
in the supporting bar and is secured by a suitable clamp 63 to permit different
adjustments of the pad.
I thus provide a simple and efficient body-support or rest adapted to be secured
to various forms of bicycles or other velocipedes, whereby the rider may utilize his
propelling power to the best advantage so as to secure great speed while racing,
and at the same time provide an easy and comfortable rest or support, so that the
rider may partly or wholly remove his weight from the saddle when taking long
or other rides.
It has heretofore been proposed to provide a rest or support for the chest or
weight of the rider of a bicycle: the support being attached to the frame of the
machine in such manner as to adapt it to be adjustable in height and forward and
back to suit the requirements of different riders, and hence I do not claim such
prior contrivances. My invention is designed to provide a pad or cushion pecu-
liarly adapted to form a rest for the pubic bone of the rider mounted on the
machine a single pad being employed, though of course in the use of the word
"single" I do not desire to be restricted to obvious modifications in the form of
the pad which will secure the same results as a single pad operating in the same
manner, though possibly divided into two or more parts or sections connected
together.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In combination with a bicycle frame, a single elastic pad or cushion supported
on said frame so that the pubic bone of the rider of the bicycle may abut against
or rest on said pad, to afford ease and comfort in riding, and to enable the rider by
a change of position to utilize to greater advantage the force exerted on the cranks
or pedals in propelling the machine, substantially as described.
2. In combination with the bicycle, a cushioned body-support comprising a

page_text: supporting bar mounted on the frame thereof and carrying a single pad or cushion
arranged in proper relation to adapt it to abut against the pubic bone of the rider
mounted on the machine, and means for raising and lowering said pad and for
adjusting it toward or from the seat, substantially as described.
3. In combination with the bicycle, a spring bar secured at one end to the frame
thereof, and having a single pad or cushion on its free end arranged in such
relation as to provide a yielding rest or support for the pubic bone of the rider
mounted on the machine, substantially as described.
Dated thie 8th day of July 1897
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.