Improvements in Supports for Cycles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Feb., 1896-Accepted, 28th Mar., 1896
Improvements in Supports for Cycles.
A communication from HERMAN LIENEWEBER, Mechanic, of South Chicago,
Illinois, United States of America.
1, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Ageut, 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 :-
The object of this invention is to provide an adjustable support for a bicycle
when at rest to sustain it in erect position with the rider mounted thereon or not and
to facilitate learning to mount and ride.
In the accompanying drawings-
Figure 1 shows a safety-bicycle provided with the improved attachment;
Figure 2, a broken view of a portion of the attachment; Figure 3, a similar view
of a part presenting the opposite side; Figure 4, a similar view, with the fulcrum
point shown in section, of another portion of the same;
Figure 5, a view in side elevation of parts shown in Figure 2, but with other
parts removed;
Figure 6, a section taken at the line 6 on Figure 7;
Figure 7, a section taken at the lines 7-7, on Figure 2;
Figure 8, a view like that presented by Figure 2, of other parts of the
attachment;
Figure 9, a broken view showing cam-details;
Figure 10, a section taken at the line 10 on Figure 8;
Figure 11, a section taken at the line 11 on Figure 8;
Figure 12, a section taken at the line 12 on Figure 8;
Figure 13, a section taken at the line 13 on Figure 7;
Figure 14, a sectional view taken at the line 14 on Figure 1, diagrammatic in its
nature, showing the adjustment relative to the rear wheel of the bicycle, of
the bracing-legs; and
Figure 15, a broken view showing the means of connection between the mechanism
at the rear and that at the front of the bicycle.
A is a safety-bicycle. On the lower chord A' of the bicycle-frame is supported
the forward portion of the attachment and the detailed construction of which is as
follows:
A sleeve is fastened about the chord A¹ and is extended in two upright
plates and 2, which terminate each in a segmental series of ratchet-teeth ; and
between the plates is a reinforcing plate 3 also terminating in a segmental series of
ratchet-teeth, the three parts and being firmly secured together by the
screw. The three sets of ratchet-teeth thus formed coincide, so that they
practically form one segmental set. The three plates are embraced transversely
across their outer ends by a yoke-plate B having a louger pendent arm q and
a shorter pendent arm g¹ respectively adjacent to the plates and 2, and fulcrumed
upon a headed pin p which passes through the plates and yoke-arms. D is a yoke-
shaped dog seated in a recess t in the outer end of the yoke-plate B to cross the
ratchet-teeth and embrace the arms and g¹ to which it is reciprocably fastened
through elongated openings and by screws 3; and at its outer end the dog D
carries a stud o, affording a guide for a spiral spring o' confined against the dog by
D7

page_text: a bracket o secured to the outer end of the yoke-plate B. E is a lever bent
as shown at and provided with a washer to about an elongated opening to in the
lever, through which it is fulcrumed on the pin p, the washer bearing against the
outer side of the arm g and fitting against the concaved expanded extremity of
the dog D. The lever E carries a projection n to engage the yoke-arm 9, as and
for the purpose hereinafter described; and the outer end of the lever is formed
with a split springy socket E¹ to receive the handle E2, which is removably
fastened at its lower end in the socket by tightening the latter through the medium
of a thumb-screw m, working in the threaded openings of lugs m' projecting from
the adjacent edges of the socket. A pin pl passes through the lower end portion
of the army of the yoke-plate B, and has confined upon it a thimble p2 about which
is wound a spring F having one end fastened to a stud s on the plate and its
opposite end formed into an elongated loop s¹ and fastened through the latter by a
studs to the lever E; and on the pin p at the opposite side of the arm q is a
thimble p³ against which is confined on the pin, a clip p having fastened to it one
end of the chord G. From the forward edge of the plate there projects a stop y
for the lever E.
The rear mechanism of the attachment involves the following described
construction :
On a seat-post bracing back-bar A2 is rigidly fastened a collar I, from which
there extends toward the adjacent lower bar A³ of the rear fork, a curved finger A.
Near the rear axle the bar A³ is surrounded by a sleeve k having the upward
extending wings k', which embrace the lower end of the finger and are flanked
by reinforcing plates 2, the latter, the wings, and the finger being rigidly fastened
together by bolts ; and the sleeve k carries a cam k. About the sleeve k is a
cylindrical head H having an elongated slot i in its upper side, through which the
parts and pass, the slot being wider than the combined thickness of these
parts; and the head H is split along its under side and is extended from along
opposite sides of the split into pendent arms H' and H2, between which is fulcrumed
at za leg 1. As shown the leg I is slightly curved in a backward direction and
is bifurcated toward its lower end where it carries a roller j. The upper end of the
leg is formed with cam-shaped extremities and at its opposite edges. L is a
cam-bar supported to slide between the pendent arms H and H2 to engage at its
cam-portion with the cam-end of the leg 1; and it carries a stop g which projects
through an elongated slot g' in the arm for limiting the extent of motion of the
cam-bar, which is provided on its forward end with a ring g2. On the arm H', near
its lower end, is fastened one end of a spring f, which passes about a bracing-clip f
to the stop g.
Precisely the same mechanism as that described on the parts A3 and A3 of the
rear fork of the bicycle is also provided on the part corresponding with the part A³
and on the part A (Figure 14) of the rear fork of the frame.
The cord G passes from the clip pt of the forward mechanism about a guide-
pulley e (Figure 1) on the lower end of the seat-post A; and adjacent to this
guide-pulley the cord is fastened to a cross-head d, from opposite ends of which the
cord extends as branches G¹, G', which are respectively connected with the rings g³
on the ends of the two cam-bars L.
The operation is as follows:
The springs f tend normally to force the cam-bars L backward and thereby turn
the legs I, by engagement of the cam-bars with the cam-extremities h and ¹³, in a
forward direction, as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 1, where they contact at
their lower ends with the ground to brace the bicycle. This tendency is normally
resisted by the engagement with the ratchet-teeth of the dog D, under the
influence of the spring o¹ to hold the yoke-plate B from being swung in a forward
direction by the force of the springs. To cause the legs to contact with the
ground, the rider, from the bicycle-seat S, pulls upward on the handle E* whereby
the dog D is raised against its spring of and frees the yoke-bar from the ratchet-
tecth permitting the springs to act against the lugs g on the cam-bars L, forcing

page_text: the latter backward and causing their cam-portions to act against those on the
legs I and turn them on their pivots in the necessary direction to bring their feet-
portions or lower ends into contact with the ground. This motion of the
cam-bars pulling, through the medium of the cords G G' against the pivotal
yoke-bar B turns it upon its fulcrum p to a position of parallelism with the lever E.
When the legs I are being thus moved forward below their fulcrums by the
rearward motion of the cam-bars L, the latter being slightly beveled, as shown at c
in Figure 12 on their rear ends, they contact with the cams k on the sleeves k
whereby the cylindrical heads H are turned to swing the arms H1 H2, and the legs
held between them in an outward direction from the positions of the legs represented
by the dotted lines to those represented by the full lines in Figure 14, whereby the
bracing effect of the legs is accordingly enhanced.
To cause parallel motion of the legs, the arms H¹ and H for each leg should be
caused to hang parallel with each other. Accordingly these arms are twisted in an
outward direction toward their forward edges, as represented diagrammatically
in Figure 12, wherein the dotted line at represents the line of one of the
bars A or A and its oblique relation to the arms H' and H2. To raise the legs I,
the rider pulls in a backward direction upon the handle E2; and by the resultant
turning of the lower end of the yoke-bar B in a forward direction it pulls on the
cord G G¹, thereby pulling forward the cam-bars L, and, by the engagement
of their cams with the cam-ends of the legs, releasing them to the position shown
by the full lines in Figure 1, and causing them by their weight as they rise to turn
the heads H to bring the lower ends of the legs convergently toward the wheel.
On releasing the handle E its controlling spring F acts to force the lever E
carrying the handle, to incline in a forward direction where it is out of the way
until it is obstructed at the stop y.
The rider may loosen the thumb-screw m and take out the handle E2 carrying it
along with him whereby the means for raising the legs are removed, thus affording
a safeguard against having this bicycle ridden off by a thief.
One of the more particular advantages incidental to the use of the improved
attachment, and to which reference has not heretofore been made, relates to its use
on a bicycle employed for military purposes, wherein the riding soldier may fire his
weapon with steady aim from his seat on the bicycle when at rest.
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. In a bicycle-attachment, the combination of a pair of pivotal legs to extend,
and be swung for their adjustment, backward and forward at opposite sides of the
rear wheel of the bicycle, an operating handle to be supported on the bicycle
forward of the seat, and connections between the handle and legs for raising and
lowering the legs with relation to the ground by operating the handle, substantially
as described.
2. In combination with a bicycle, a bracing attachment having legs pivotally
supported from the frame adjacent to the axle of the rear wheel to extend, and be
swung for their adjustment backward and forward, at, opposite sides of said wheel,
an operating handle supported on the frame adjacent to the steering-post, and
connections between the handle and legs for raising and lowering the legs with
relation to the ground by operating the handle, substantially as described.
3. In combination with a bicycle, a bracing attachment having legs pivotally
supported from the frame adjacent to the axle of the rear wheel to extend, and be
swung for their adjustment backward and forward and inward and outward, at
opposite sides of said wheel, an operating handle supported on the frame adjacent
to the steering-post, and connections between the handle and legs for raising and
lowering the legs with relation to the ground by operating the handle, substantially
as described.
4. In combination with a bicycle, a bracing attachment comprising armis depending

page_text: . at opposite sides of the rear wheel, bracing-legs pivotally supported on said arms
to swing backward and forward, an operating handle supported on the frame
adjacent to the steering-post, and connections between the handle and legs for
raising and lowering the legs with relation to the ground by operating the handle,
substantially as described.
5. In combination with a bicycle, a bracing attachment comprising arms pivotally
supported on the lower bars of the rear fork of the bicycle-frame to swing back
and forth with relation to the rear wheel, legs pivotally supported on the arms to
swing backward and forward at opposite sides of said wheel, an operating handle
supported on the frame adjacent to the steering-post, and connections between the
handle and legs for raising and lowering the legs with relation to the ground by
operating the handle, substantially as described.
6. In combination with a bicycle, a bracing attachment having legs pivotally
supported from the frame adjacent to the axle of the rear wheel to extend, and be
swung for their adjustment, backward and forward, at opposite sides of said wheel,
an operating bar supported on the frame adjacent to the steering-post, a handle
separately connected with the bar for actuating it, and connections between said bar
and legs for raising and lowering the legs with relation to the ground by operating
the handle, substantially as described.
7. In combination with a bicycle, a bracing attachment comprising arms depending
at opposite sides of the rear wheel, spring-controlled bracing-legs pivotally supported
on said arms to swing backward and forward, and provided with cams at their upper
ends, cam-plates reciprocably supported to engage said leg-cams, and engaged by
the leg-controlling springs, an operating handle supported on the frame adjacent
to the steering-post, and connections between the handle and said cam-plates for
actuating them against the leg-cams, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
8. In combination with a bicycle, a bracing attachment comprising arms pivotally
supported on the lower bars of the rear fork of the bicycle-frame to swing back and
forth with relation to the rear wheel, spring-controlled bracing-legs pivotally
supported on said arms to swing backward and forward and provided with cams at
their upper ends, cam-plates reciprocably supported to engage said leg-cams, and
engaged by the leg-controlling springs, said cam-plates having beveled ends,
stationary cams on said lower bars in the path of said beveled ends of the cam-
plates, an operating handle supported on the frame adjacent to the steering-post,
and connections between the handle and said cam-plates for actuating them against
the leg-cams, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
9. In combination with a bicycle, a bracing attachment comprising sleeves k on
the bars A and A' of the bicycle-frame and provided with cams, cylindrical
slotted heads H surrounding said sleeves and carrying pendent arms H and H2
having springs thereon, said arms H containing elongated slots gl, collars / on the
bars A of the frame and having finger extensions connected with sleeves k by
wings extending from the edges of its slot, legs I pivotally supported between
said arms and having cams H and H' at their upper ends, cam-plates L reciprocably
supported between said arms and beveled at their rear ends, lugs y extending from
the plates through said slots g' and engaged by the springs f, an operating handle
supported on the frame adjacent to the steering-post, and connections between the
handle and said cam-plates for actuating them against the ieg-cams, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
10. In combination with a bicycle, a bracing attachment having spring-controlled
legs pivotally supported from the frame adjacent to the axle of the rear wheel to
extend, and he swung for their adjustment backward and forward at opposite sides
of said wheel, a ratchet and spring dog device on the bicycle-frame adjacent to the
steering-post, a pivotal yoke-bar carrying said dog, a spring-controlled operating
lever connected with said yoke-bar, and a connection between said yoke-bar and
legs whereby the legs are adjusted on their pivots with relation to the ground by
operating said lever, substantially as aid for the purpose set forth.

page_text: 11. In combination with a bicycle, a bracing attachment having spring-controlled
legs pivotally supported from the frame adjacent to the axle of the rear wheel to
extend, and be swung for their adjustment backward and forward, at opposite sides
of said wheel, a segmental ratchet-device fastened to the bicycle-frame near the
steering-post, a yoke-bar B pivotally supported on said ratchet-device and carrying
a spring-dog D, an operating lever E, fulcrumed to said yoke-bar and controlled
by a spring F, a handle E2 separably connected with the operating lever, and a
flexible connection between the yoke-bar and said legs, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
12. In combination with a bicycle, a bracing attachment comprising arms
depending at opposite sides of the rear wheel, spring-controlled bracing-legs
pivotally supported on said arms to swing backward and forward and provided
with cams at their upper ends, cam-plates reciprocably supported to engage said
leg-cams and engaged by the leg-controlling springs, a ratchet-device rigidly
supported on the bicycle-frame adjacent to the steering-post, a yoke-bar B
pivotally connected with said ratchet-device and carrying a spring-dog D, a spring-
controlled lever E fulcrumed on said yoke-bar and provided with an operating
handle E, and a flexible connection between said yoke-bar and said cam-plates,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
13. In combination with a bicycle, a bracing attachment comprising arms
pivotally supported on the lower bars of the rear fork of the bicycle-frame to
swing back and forth with relation to the rear wheel, bracing-legs pivotally
supported on said arms to swing backward and forward and provided with cams at
their upper ends, spring-controlled cam-plates L, reciprocably supported to engage
said leg-cams, said cam-plates having beveled ends, stationary cams ou said
lower-bars in the path of said beveled ends of the cam-plates, a ratchet-device
rigidly fastened to the bicycle-frame near the steering-post, a yoke-bar B pivotally
supported on said ratchet-device and carrying a spring-dog device D, a spring-
controlled operating lever E provided with a handle E' and fulcrumed on said
yoke-bar, and a flexible medium G G¹ connecting said yoke-bar with said cam-
plates, the whole being constructed and arranged to operate substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
14. In combination with a bicycle, a bracing attachment comprising, in com-
bination the following elements, viz.: Collars on the frame-bars A2 and having
projecting fingers l', sleeves k on the frame-bars A3 A', provided with cams g', and
wings k embracing said fingers, slotted cylindrical heads H surrounding said sleeves
and carrying pendent arms containing slots g', and carrying springs f, legs I pivoted
to said arms and having cams hat their upper ends, cam-plates L beveled at
their rear ends and carrying lugs g confined in said slots g', and engaged by the
springs f, a ratchet-device on the bicycle-frame and adjacent to the steering-post, a
yoke-bar B pivoted to said ratchet-device, and carrying a spring-dog device D, a
spring-controlled lever E fulcrumed to said yoke-bar and provided with an operating
handle E, and a cord G G¹ connecting said yoke-bar froin its lower end with the
forward ends of said cam-plates.
Dated this 14th day of February 1896.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.