Improvements in Locking Apparatus for Bicycles and similar Vehicles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Feb., 1897
Complete Specification Left 18th Oct. 1897-Accepted. 1st Jan.. 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Locking Apparatus for Bicycles and similar
Vehicles.
I, PIERRE ALEXANDER CHEVALIER, residing at Rosary Hill Unionville, in the
County of Westchester, and State of New York, United States of America, Student,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to locks for bicycles and similar vehicles, and the object
thereof, is to provide an improved combination lock for vehicles of this class which
may be applied thereto, whenever desired, and which cannot be opened or unlocked
except by one possessing a knowledge of the combination.
In the practice of my invention, I provide a lock for the purpose herein specified,
the main portion of which consists of a main tube on which is mounted a sliding
sleeve, said tube being provided at its opposite ends with openings, and with a
longitudinally movable tube which is mounted therein, and connected with and
adapted to move with said sliding sleeve, said longitudinally movable tube being
provided at one end with a tubular extension which projects through the opening
in one end of said main tube, and its other end with an opening which corre-
sponds with that in the adjacent end of the main tube.
Within said longitudinally movable tube is a spring operated plunger, con-
sisting of a piston, provided with a shank which is adapted to be projected through
one end of the sliding tube, and the adjacent end of the main tube and mounted in
said longitudinally movable tube is a plurality of disks which are also longitudin-
ally movable, and adapted to be operated by a key, the construction and arrange-
ment of these parts being such that when the key is inserted, the disks will be
forced inwardly, and the plunger forced in the direction of the opposite end of
the tube in which it is mounted so as to project the shank with which said plunger
is connected through the end of the sliding tube, and the corresponding end of the
main tube.
I also secure to the rim of one of the wheels of the vehicle, a ring through which
said main tube is adapted to be passed, and in the parts of the frame between which
said wheel is mounted, I form openings, and in practice, the locking device is
passed through said ring, and the wheel is turned so that the opposite ends of the
main tube of the locking device, will register or come in contact with said open-
ings in the frame, and then by operating said sliding sleeve, the tubular extension
on one end of the longitudinally movable tube is projected through one od said
openings in the frame, and the shank of the plunger may then be projected through
the other opening by means of the key which is inserted through said tubular
extension.
That part of the frame through which the tubular extension of the longitudinally
movable tube of the locking device passes, is also provided with a stationary ring
and a revoluble disk which is mounted therein, and said disk is provided with a

page_text: central opening which corresponds with that in the frame through which said
tubular extension passes, and said stationary ring is provided with the letters of
the alphabet, which are arranged in a circle thereon, and said disk is also provided
with said letters which are arranged in a circle thereon, in the reverse order, and
in practice, I provide a key which consists of a shank which is provided with a
head, and on which are placed the letters of any particular word, and also the
letter "K" and the shank of the key is provided at the end opposite said head
with a key head which is irregular in form, and said disks in the longitudinally
movable tube are also provided with central openings which are similar in form to
the key head, and the longitudinally movable tube is provided at the end thereof
in which said disks are placed with rdial ribs, and said disks are provided in their
perimeters with corresponding notches or recesses, and also with a plurality of other
notches or recesses which are of less depth, than those which correspond with the
ribs, and said ribs decrease in size from their outer ends inwardly and extend about
one-quarter of the length of the longitudinally movable tube.
By connecting the locking device with the rim of the wheel, and by adjusting
it with reference to the frame of the vehicle, as hereinbefore described, and insert-
ing the key, the disks or plates may be operated so as to project the shaft of the
plunger, and at the same time said disks or plates may be turned so as to securely
lock said shaft in the projected position, and when this is done, the locking device
will be locked or secured to the frame, and the ring through which said locking
device is passed, and which is connected with the rim of the vehicle, being inside
of said rim it will be apparent that the wheel cannot turn.
The device may be unlocked by reversing, the above described operation, or by
inserting the key and manipulating the disks so as to place them in such position
that the main notches or recesses therein will register with or correspond in position
with said ribs, at which time the spring operated plunger will be forced in the
direction of the tubular extension of the longitudinally movable tube, and the
shank of the plunger will be withdrawn from the frame of the vehicle or that part
thereof, through which it passes.
This device is simple in construction and operation and perfectly adapted to
accomplish the result for which it is intended, and is also comparatively inexpensive.
Dated this 8th day of February 1897.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE
40 Chancery Lane London W.C. Agents.
Improvements in Locking Apparatus for Bicycles and similar
Vehicles.
I, PIERRE ALEXANDER CHEVALIER, residing at Neperan, in the County of West-
chester, and State of New York, United States of America, late of Rosary Hill, Union-
ville, Student, 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. locks for bicycles and similar vehicles; and the object
thereof, is to provide an improved combination lock for vehicles of this class which
may be applied thereto, whenever desired and which cannot be opened or unlocked
except by one possessing a knowledge of the combination.

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accompanying drawing forms a part, in which :-
Fig. 1, is a side view of a portion of a bicycle, provided with my improvement;
Fig. 2, a back view thereof;
Fig. 3, a plan view of a part of my improved lock which is secured to the vehicle;
Fig. 4, a section on the line 4, 4 of Fig. 1;
Fig. 5, a longitudinal central section of the body portion of the lock;
Fig. 6, a similar view, showing the parts in a different position;"
Fig. 7, a side and end view of the key;
Fig. 8, a section on the line 8, 8, with the key removed;
Figs. 9, 10, and 11, plan view of different combination disks which I employ;
Fig. 12, a section of a modified form of construction; and,
Fig. 13, a section on the line 13, 13, of Fig. 12.
In the drawing forming part of this specification, the separate parts of my im-
provement are designated by letters and numerals of reference throughout the
several views, and in the practice of my invention, I provide a lock for the purpose
herein specified, the main portion of which consists of a tube 15, which is pro-
vided at one end and centrally thereof, with an opening 16, and at the other end
with a reduced extension 17, and mounted centrally of the tube 15, is a concentric
tubular casing 18, which is connected therewith, by radial arms 19.
Mounted on the tube 15, at one end thereof, is a tubular sleeve 20, the inner end
of which fits between the corresponding end of the casing 18, and the tube 15, and
which is provided centrally of its outer end with an opening 21, the walls of which
are beveled outwardly in such manner that the outer portion of said opening is
larger than the inner portion thereof, and on the opposite end of the tube 15, is a
similar tubular sleeve 22 the inner end of which is open, and adapted to slide within
the casing 18, and the outer end of which is provided with a central opening 23,
through which the tubular extension 17, of the tube 15, is adapted to pass.
Formed in the end of the tube 15, adjacent to the tubular extension 17, are
radial ribs 24; which decrease in size or width from the end of the tube inwardly
as clearly shown in Figs. 5, and 6, and three of these ribs are preferably employed
as shown in Fig. 8, and mounted in said tube is a piston or plunger 25, provided
with a shaft 26, which extends outwardly through the opening 16, in the end of
the tube 15, and the opening 21, in the end of the sleeve 20, and the extended
end of said shaft, is provided with an annular shoulder 27, and with a head 28,
which is adapted to fit in the enlarged opening 21, in the end of the tubular
sleeve 20, but cannot pass inwardly through said opening, and mounted on said
shaft is a spiral spring 29, one end of which bears upon the plunger or piston 25,
and the other end on the end of the tube 15.
I also provide a plurality of disks 30, which as shown in the drawing are five
in number, but the number of which may vary and the inner or last disk is
designated by the reference numberal A, and the outer or first disk by the refer-
ence numeral B, and the three intermediate disks are each designated by the
reference numeral C.
The last disk A, is shown in Fig. 11, the first disk B, in Fig. 9, and one of the
intermediate disks C, is shown in Fig. 10, and each of these disks is provided with
three radial notches or recesses a, which correspond with the ribs 24, in the tube 15,
and the notches or recesses a, in the outer or first disk B, are deeper than those
in the inner or last disk A, while the notches or recesses in the intermediate disks C,
decrease in depth from the first or outer disk B, to the last or inner disk A, and
the intermediate disks C, are each provided with supplemental notches or
recesses a², eight of which are preferably employed.
I also employ a key 31, which is shown in Figs. 6, and 7, and which consists of
a main shaft 32, provided with an extension 33, at the end of which is a head 34,
and the outer end of the shaft 32, is provided with a cross head or handle 35, and
in practice, I select five letters, or a word consisting of five letters, and these
letters are placed on the shaft 31, of the key, and said shaft is provided with a

page_text: corresponding number of notches or marks 36, and also with the letter K, and I
also secure to the rim of the wheel of the bicycle or other vehicle, a ring 57, through
which the casing 18, of the body portion of the lock is adapted to be passed, and
I form in the sides of the yoke 38, in which the guide wheel 39, is mounted, open-
ings 40, and 41, which are shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, and one of which is
shown in full lines in Fig. 4, and the side of the yoke 38, in which the opening 41,
is formed, is also shown in section in Fig. 4.
The head 34, of the key is irregular in form as shown in Fig. 7, and each of
the disks 30, including the inner or last disk A, the outer or first disk B, and the
three intermediate disks C, are each provided with a central opening D, which is
similar in form to the head of the key and rigidly mounted on the outer side of
the fork 38, or that side thereof, in which the opening 41, is formed, is a ring 42,
within which is mounted a disk 43, which is provided with a central opening 44,
similar to the openings D, in the disks 30.
The disk 43, is free to revolve within the ring 42, and is adapted to be revolved
by the head of the key of the shaft thereof, and the main part 32, of the shaft
of the key is similar in form in cross section to the head 34, thereof.
The ring 42, which is rigidly secured to the yoke is provided with the letters of
the alphabet which are arranged in regular order thereon, and the disk 43, is pro-
vided with the same letters arranged in the reverse order, and the operation will
be readily understood from the foregoing description when taken in connection with
the accompanying drawing and the following statement thereof.
The main or body portion of the lock is adapted to be passed through the ring 57,
and between the separate sides of the yoke 38, in such manner that the tubular
extension 17, of the tube 15, and the opening 21, in the ends of the tubular sleeve 20,
will register with the openings 40, and 41, in the sides of the yoke 38, when the
wheel is turned into proper position, and then by manipulating the casing 18, the
extension 17, of the tube 15, may be forced into the opening 41, in the yoke 38.
The key is then inserted and the disks 30, are forced inwardly, into the position
shown in Fig. 6, when the outer end of the shaft 26, will be forced through the
opening 40, in the opposite side of the yoke 38, after which the key is turned and
manipulated until it is passed through all of the disks 30, up to the last disk A.
This operation dis-arranges the disks 30, so that they cannot be forced outwardly,
by the spring 29, by reason of the fact that the notches or recesses, therein, no
longer correspond in position with the position of the heads or ribs 24, in the tube 15.
After the disks have been forced backwardly into the position shown in Fig. 6,
by the head of the key, it will be understood that the key must be turned so
that the head 34, thereof, will enter the corresponding opening D, in the first disk,
after which the head of the key must be so turned that it will enter the corre
sponding central opening in the next disk C, and so on, until the key or the head
thereof, has been passed through all of the intermediate disks, and manipulating
the key so as to pass it through the disks mentioned, the first disk and the disks C.
in their respective order are each turned so that the above result is produced, and
the parts of the lock will be in the position shown in Fig. 6.
In order to unlock the apparatus, the disks 30, may be turned so that the notches
or recesses a, in all of them will correspond in position with the ribs 24, formed in
the tube 15, and this can only be done in the following manner.
Supposing the apparatus to be provided with five of the disks 30, as herein
described, and the secret of combination word for opening the lock consisted of the
letter K, followed by the letters of the word " PARIS as shown and described;
the key is inserted through the ring 42, the disk 43, and into the tubular exten-
sion 17, of the tube 15, and into said tube until the letter "P" of the word
PARIS" which is found on the shaft of the key reaches the opening in the
disk 43, the key is then turned until the letter "P" on the disk 43, comes opposite
the letter K, on the ring 42; the key is then drawn out till the next letter A "
of the key comes to the surface of the disk 43, and is then turned until the
65

page_text: letter "A" of the disk 43, comes opposite to the letter K, of the ring 42, and this
operation is repeated with the letters "R", "I" and "S", on the key, and at the
instant that the inner or last disk A, is so manipulated, the spring 29, will force
the plunger or piston 25, inwardly, and the lock will be operated, the disks 30,
and the key being forced outwardly by said spring, and the shaft 26, being drawn
inwardly as will be. readily understood.
The object of the small notches or recesses a, with which all the intermediate
disks C, are provided, is to render all opening of the apparatus or the unlocking
of the same impossible by any other person than the one in possession of the com-
bination; and without these notches or recesses it would be comparatively easy for
one possessing the key to turn the said disk, and bring the notches or recesses a,
into line with the ribs 24.
The employment of the supplemental notches or recesses a², in the intermediate
disks, render this operation practically impossible, and the difficulty is also in-
creased rather than diminshed by omitting the supplemental notches or recesses in
the first or outer disk B.
It will be understood that the difficulty of unlocking the apparatus may be in-
creased by increasing the number of the disks, and it will be apparent that the
number of these disks 30, may be increased to any desired extent, the letters on
the shaft 32, of the key being always so arranged as to correspond with the number
of said disks, independently of the letter K, which is also necessarily employed, as
herein shown and described.
The small or supplemental notches or recesses a³, amy be of any desired depth,
and the same may, if desired, be all of unequal dimensions though always smaller
or of less depth than the notches or recesses a, and it will be observed that in the
operation of the device as hereinbefore described, by means of the key, the disk 43,
is turned within the ring 42, by means of the main shaft 32, of the key and the
operation of the apparatus depends almost entirely on the form of the central open-
ing in the disk 30, and the position of said openings with reference to the main
notches or recesses a, and the fact that the key can only enter the disks when the
latter are in a certain position, or when the key is held in a certain
position; and by varying the position of the openings in regard to
said larger notches or recesses a, it becomes necessary to turn the key,
and consequently the disk 43, in a different way or direction in order that the
notches or recesses a may correspond in position with the position of the ribs 24,
in the tube 15.
In order to detach or unlock the apparatus as hereinbefore described, it becomes
necessary to turn the disks so that their larger notches or recesses a, may be in
line with the ribs 24, and in this operation, it is necessary to begin with the inner
disk A, and work each successive disk into its proper position. When the disks
are loosely mounted in the tube 15, and are flush with, or adjacent to each other,
this operation is difficult by reason of the fact that one of said disks in the manipu-
lation thereof, may turn the inner one adjacent thereto, which has already been
properly located and in order to prevent this, a number of devices may be provided;
and in Figs. 12, and 13, I have shown one form of device or construction by which
this result may be accomplished.
This device consists of a tube 45, in which the disks 30, are mounted, and
between said disks which are also designated by the reference letters A, B, and C,
are placed disks 46, which are secured in place by pins 47, and each of which is
provided with a large central opening 48, through which the head of the key may
be passed, and these stationary disks 46, are also provided with notches or recesses,
similar to those formed in the disks 30, and the tube 45, is similarly provided said
tube being split longitudinally at three different points as clearly shown in Fig. 13,
so as to correspond with the position of the notches or recesses a, and also with
the ribs 24, in the tube 15, and it will be understood that the tube 45, moves longi-
tudinally with the disks 30, while said disks 30, are free to revolve therein, the
disks 46, by which they are separated being held stationary.

page_text: This device is perfectly adapted to prevent the accidental turning of the disks 30,
in the manipulation thereof, by the key, as herein before described, and it will be
apparent that other changes in, and modifications of the construction herein
described may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention or
sacrificing its advantages.
It will also be apparent that instead of forming the holes or openings 40, and 41,
in the sides of the yoke 38, I may secure brackets or clamps to said yoke at each
side thereof, in which the holes 40, may be formed, and thus avoid the cutting or
weakening of the sides of said yoke.
Although I have described the sleeves 20, as being formed separately and indepen-
dently movable, said sleeves may be connected and form a single sleeve or casing,
in which event said sleeve or casing will be provided with longitudinal slots in its
opposite sides through which the radial arms 19, will pass; and if said sleeves be
formed separately as herein described, it will be necessary to provide means to
prevent them from being detached from the tube 15.
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
1. A lock for bicycles and similar vehicles, which is adapted to be passed through
a ring secured to the rim of one of the wheels, and to be connected with the fork
in which said wheel is mounted, substantially as shown and described.
2. A lock for bicycles and similar vehicles which is adapted to be passed through
one of the wheels, and to be connected with the fork on which said wheel is mounted
said lock consisting of a main central tube which is provided at one end with a
tubular extension, and at the other with an opening, said tube being also provided
centrally with a concentric casing which is secured thereto, and at each end with
a tubular sleeve, in which said central tube is adapted to move, one of said sleeves
being provided with an opening through which said tubular extension passes, and
the other with an opening which corresponds with that formed in the adjacent end
of the central tube, said inner tube being also provided with a movable piston or
plunger, and a shaft which passes through one end of the central tube, and through
the end of the corresponding sleeve mounted thereon, and on which a spring is
mounted, which is adapted to force said piston or plunger and said shaft inwardly,
and means for operating said piston or plunger and said shaft, and for locking the
latter and the central tube in the projected position, substantially as shown and
described.
3. A lock for bicycles and similar vehicles, which is adapted to be passed through
one of the wheels, and to be connected with the fork in which said wheel is mounted,
said lock consisting of a main central tube which is provided at one end with a
tubular extension, and at the other with an opening, said tube being also provided
centrally with a concentric casing which is secured thereto, and at each end with a
tubular sleeve, in which said central tube is adapted to move, one of said sleeves
being provided with an opening through which said tubular extension passes, and
the other with an opening which corresponds with that formed in the adjacent end
of the central tube, said inner tube being also provided with a movable piston or
plunger, and a shaft which passes through one end of the central tube, and through
the end of the corresponding sleeve, mounted thereon, and on which a spring is
mounted, which is adapted to force said piston or plunger and said shaft inwardly,
and means for operating said piston or plunger and said shaft, consisting of a
plurality of disks mounted in the end of said central tube, adjacent to the tubular
extension thereof, said disks being provided in their perimeters with notches or
recesses, and said tube with corresponding ribs, and means for manipulating said
disks, substantially as shown and described.
4. A lock for bicycles and similar vehicles, which is adapted to be passed through
one of the wheels, and to be connected with the fork in which said wheel is mounted,

page_text: said lock consisting of a main central tube which is provided at one end' with a
tubular extension, and at the other with an opening, said tube being also provided
centrally with a concentric casing which is secured thereto, and at each end with a
tubular sleeve, in which said central tube is adapted to move, one of said sleeves
being provided with an opening through which said tubular extension passes, and
the other with an opening which corresponds with that formed in the adjacent end
of the central tube, said inner tube being also provided with a movable piston or
plunger, and a shaft which passes through one end of the central tube, and through
the end of the corresponding sleeve mounted thereon, and on which a spring is
mounted, which is adapted to force said piston or plunger and said shaft inwardly,
and means for operating said piston or plunger and said shaft, consisting of a
plurality of disks mounted in the end of said central tube, adjacent to the tubular
extension thereof, said disks being provided in their perimeters with notches or
recesses, and said tube with corresponding ribs, and means for manipulating said
disks, consisting of a key, the shaft of which is provided with a number of letters
or with characters which correspond with said disks, and a ring secured to said
yoke of the frame of the vehicle, on which are formed the letters of the alphabet,
a disk mounted in said ring, which is also provided with the letters of the alphabet
arranged in the reverse order, said parts being constructed, combined and arranged,
substantially as shown and described.
5. A lock for bicycles and similar vehicles, which is adapted to be passed through
one of the wheels and to be connected with the fork in which said wheel is mounted,
said lock consisting of a main central tube which is provided at one end with a
tubular extension, and at the other with an opening, said tube being also provided
centrally with a concentric casing which is secured thereto, and at each end with a
tubular sleeve, in which said central tube is adapted to move, one of said sleeves
being provided with an opening through which said tubular extension passes, and
the other with an opening which corresponds with that formed in the adjacent end
of the central tube, said inner tube being also provided with a movable piston or
plunger, and a shaft which passes through one end of the central tube, and through
the end of the corresponding sleeve mounted thereon, and on which a spring is
mounted, which is adapted to force said piston or plunger and said shaft inwardly,
and means for operating said piston or plunger and said shaft, consisting of a
plurality of disks mounted in the end of said central tube, adjacent to the tubular
extension thereof, said disks being provided in their perimeters wth notches or
recesses, and said tube with corresponding ribs, and means for manipulating said
disks, consisting of a key, the shaft of which is provided with a number of letters
or with characters which correspond with said disks, and a ring secured to said
yoke of the frame of the vehicle, on which are placed the letters of the alphabet,
a disk mounted in said ring, which is also provided with the letters of the alphabet
arranged in the reverse order, said disks being each provided with a central open-
ing which is irregular in form, and the head of the key and that portion of the
shaft on which the letters or characters are placed being similar in form, sub-
stantially as shown and described.
6. A lock for bicycles and other vehicles consisting of a central tube as 15, pro-
vided at one end with an extension 17, longitudinal ribs 24, and longitudinally
movable and revoluble disks 30, and a spring operated piston or plunger as 25,
provided with a shaft as 26, which is adapted to be projected at one end of said
tube, and means for operating said disks, and the said plungers, substantially as
shown and described.
6. A lock for bicycles and other vehicles consisting of a central tube as 15, pro-
vided at one end with an extension 17, longitudinal ribs 24, and longitudinally
movable and revoluble disks 30, and spring operated piston or plunger as 25, pro-
vided with a shaft as 26, which is adapted to be projected at one end of said tube,
and means for operating said disks, and the said plungers consisting of a key
constructed as described, and said tube being provided with a concentric casing,

page_text: and with movable sleeves which are mounted on the end thereof, substantially as
shown and described.
Dated this 18th day of October 1897.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE
40 Chancery Lane London W.C. Agents.