Improvements in and in the Manufacture of Foot-rests for Cycles and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 14th July, 1897
Complete Specification Left. 14th Apr., 1898-Accepted, 28th May, 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and in the Manufacture of Foot-rests for Cycles
and the like.
I, ALFRED SMITH, of 15, Tenby Street, in the City of Birmingham, Cycle
Accessories Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to foot-rests for cycles and the like, and consists in certain
improvements in the construction and manufacture, which combines neatness and
simplicity with a minimum cost of production. The invention has been chiefly
considered for adaptation and attachment to the lower front bar tubular member of
the cycle framing, and it is upon that member that the foot rest will be found
more convenient, but it can also be applied to any other of the framing's
tubular members.
The invention comprises a foot rest in double order made from strip metal or
cast, or, in other words, a pair of rests and an attachment clip practically all in
one piece. The foot rest comprises a semi-circular middle set-back part, projecting
from which, at each side, is an extension or wing, the latter to form the treads for
the feet, and, when the same is made from a blank of strip metal, a suitable strip
length is taken, and the middle part shaped, by suitable tools, into a semi-circular
set-back portion; the edges abounding the wing extensions being curled or cupped-
up on both sides. The extreme edges of the latter are serrated to present a good
grip to the soles of the boots, and strengthening ribs are formed at the junction of
the wings and the semi-circular middle part to give strength to the said wings.
A semi-circular band, made from a short length of strip metal, is also formed as a
counterpart to the semi-circular part of the foot rest proper, and these two parts
constitute a split clip for attachment to the tubular member of the framing; screw
bolts or set pins being used for joining up.
If rubber treads to the wings are desired a longitudinal slot or piercing is formed
through the metal of the middle of the winged parts, into which is forced T or other
suitable sectioned blocks of rubber; the result being that the slots or piercings
hold the rubber in position, as the introduced blocks cannot pull through the
slots.
In a modification the whole of the attachment clip and wings may be made from
one strip blank, by turning the metal over upon itself in double order, and threading
portions of it through loops or piercings at the junction of the semi-circular clip part
with the wings, and forming the termination into a semi-circular half clip part with
a free end; the attachment of the latter, after the clip's introduction upon the framing
member, being through a screw pin.
Such a clip is extremely serviceable for lady riders owing to its easy affixment. To
ensure its attachment not damaging the tubular member to which it is connected it
can be felt lined.
D
1011 3
fT... 1007

page_text: Improvements in and in the Manufacture of Foot-rests for Cycles
and the like.
I, ALFRED SMITH, of 15, Tenby Street, in the City of Birmingham, Cycle Accessories
Manufacturer, 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 foot rests for cycles and the like, and consists in certain
improvements in their construction and manufacture which combine neatness and
simplicity with a minimum cost of production. The said invention has been chiefly
considered for its adaptation to the lower front bar member of a cycle's framing, as it
is upon that member that the foot rest will be found of the greatest utility, although
it is also applicable to other members of the cycle's framing.
According to this invention the foot rests are made either from strip metal or froin
castings, and practically all in one piece, and they comprise a pair of tread parts
and an attachment clip, the latter disposed so as to space the said tread parts.
In order to illustrate the invention annexed hereto is a sheet of drawings and
thereon the said foot rests are shown made from strip metal or from a blank; it being
obvious to anyone experienced in the art how to build the same of a casting. In the
said sheet of drawings,
Fig. 1 shows the invention in side elevation and also how it is applied to the lower
frame bar member of a cycle, the said view showing rat trap treads, whilst Fig. 2
sets forth a similar view, but with the lower half of the attachment clip portion
disconnected from the clip body, in order to show how the said rests are put on and
taken off the aforesaid cycle frame bar.
Fig. 3 is an end elevation of Fig. 1, and Figs. 4 and 5 show the blanks from which
the said foot rests and their means of attachment are formed.
In Figs. 6 and 7 are shown a method of applying rubber treads to the said rests,
the said views being respectively an elevation and a section.
In Fig. 8 is set forth a modification of the foot rests Fig. 1, and in this view the
whole of the parts including the attachment clip are made from a single metal
blank.
In Fig. 9 the application of the invention to the lower front frame bar of a Humber
patent safety cycle is set forth.
The foot rests in Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings comprise tread parts a, a², and
attachment clip-like portions c, c², the latter portion being practically a strap for
embracing the member to which the foot rests are to be connected. The clip-like
portion c is a set back concavity formed from the centre part of the blank, Fig. 4,
and it spaces and connects the tread parts a, a², which practically project therefrom
at each side like extensions or wings. These tread parts a, a², are each of an
irregular sided U or trough section, and the edges thereof are formed with teeth a³, at;
those on the one side d of the treads being lower than those upon the other side in
order to give the desired inclination for the tread of the feet of the rider. The clip-
like portion c², which is made from the blank Fig. 5, is formed semi-circular at its
middle, and its terminations c³ constitute ears. Holes care formed through these
ears, and also through the top portion of the foot rests at d³, for the passage of
clamping screw pins d³, which are fitted with the usual nuts. The tread parts a, a²,
of the foot rests, Figs. 6, and 7, are formed with dove-tailed channels e, into which are
slid and fixed rubber or like blocks e², the same being capable of being renewed when
The dove-tailed grooves e are fashioned, in a press, by suitable tools, from the
metal at the tread parts of the blank.
worn.
The foot rests and their attachment means in Fig. 8 are formed from a single

page_text: metal blank by turning the metal over upon itself and returning the base portions of
the treads in double order, which is clearly shown in the fig.
If necessary, strengthening ribs can be formed near the junctions of the treads
with the clip-like portions c, in order to give a greater power of downward resistance
to the said wings, and with reference to Figs. 6 and 7 the rubber blocks may be
inserted in piercings in the wings or treads, or the rests, for their affixment, the
same being of such a size that they cannot pull through the said slots easily.
The clip portions of the foot rests will in most cases be lined with felt, in order to
prevent the attachment of it damaging the cycle framing member.
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 :-
First. Foot rests characterised by outwardly extending portions a, a², spaced,
divided, and connected by a clip like part c, and formed in one piece therewith, the
said clip-like part constituting part of the means for connection of the foot rests when
applied, and a clip like portion or strap c² which constitutes the other half of the
attachment means to the foot rests and which is connected to the parts c by screw
pins or their equivalents, substantially as set forth.
Second. In foot rests as claimed in the preceding claim, making them from strip
metal blanks, and of two parts only, substantially as described.
Third. Making the tread parts U or trough-sectioned, and inclining the tips thereof
substantially as described in Figs. 1-5.
Fourth. In foot rests as claimed in the first claim, the method of attaching rubber
blocks to the tread portions, substantially as set forth.
Fifth. Foot rests characterised by outwardly extending tread portions, spaced,
divided, and connected by means for connecting them to a cycle or the like, the
whole being formed from a blank of metal, substantially as set forth in Fig. 8.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
11, Burlington Chambers, New Street, Birmingham,
also of Liverpool, London and Manchester,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.
Dated this torn day Apr 100.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
11, Burlington Chambers, New Street, Birmingham,
also of Liverpool, London and Manchester,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.