An Improved Automatic Toe-clip for Pedals of Cycles.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Dec., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 5th Mar., 1900-Accepted, 7th Apr., 1900
An Improved Automatic Toe-clip for Pedals of Cycles.
We, THOMAS GIDLEY HOWDEN, of "Willrose," Barry Street, Kew, near
Melbourne, in the Colony of Victoria, Engineer, and HENRY WHARTON SHAW, of
Oxford Chambers, Bourke Street, Melbourne aforesaid, Manufacturer's Agent, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has been devised in order to provide an improved automatic
toe-clip for attachment to pedals of cycles, which will allow the foot to take the
pedal readily, automatically come up over the foot, and afford a more secure
grip whilst at the same time instantly releasing the foot at the will of the rider.
To this end the clip is made in two main parts hinged and connected together,
so that when not in use it will be in a perfectly open position not over the pedal
as usual and the foot may take the pedal as easily as if there were no ordinary
fixed clip. As the foot takes the pedal the forward pressure of the toe operates
against an upright connecting link of the clip and causes the movable portion
of the clip to come up over the foot further than usual and so afford a better
grip, and enable the foot to pull with as much effect as if it were strapped to
the pedal. The clip is kept in position by the forward pressure above mentioned,
so that the withdrawal of the foot instantly allows the movable portion of the
clip to fall back into its open position.
The fixed portion of the clip is connected to the pedal in any convenient
manner for instance with rat-trap or metal pedals it may be simply clamped to
the front bar, or extensions from the frame fitting above and below the pedal,
may be clamped by screws, or bolts and nuts on either side of the hub of the
pedal; this latter arrangement being particularly suitable for pedals with rubber
treads.
The movable portion of the clip is pivoted upon the fixed portion, which projects
forwardly from the pedal, whilst an upright link or presser piece is connected
to said pivoted portion of the clip, so as to be operated by the toe of the rider and
draw the pivoted part of the toe clip over the rider's foot.
con-
The upper end of this upwardly projecting link or presser piece is pivotally co
nected or hinged to the fixed portion of the clip.
A cross bar or roller is preferably fitted to the upper extremity of the movable
portion of the clip, in order to strengthen it, and afford a better resistance for the
foot when pulling upwardly.
Dated this First day of November One thousand eight hundred and ninety-
nine

page_text: "
An improved Automatic loe-clip for redals of Cycies.
We, THOMAS GIDLEY HOWDEN. of "Willrose," Barry Street, Kew, near
Melbourne, in the Colony of Victoria, Engineer, and HENRY WHARTON SHAW, of
Oxford Chambers, Bourke Street, Melbourne aforesaid, Manufacturer's Agent, 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 follow-
ing statement:-
This invention has been devised in order to provide an improved automatic
toe-clip for attachment to pedals of cycles, which will allow the foot to take the
pedal readily, automatically come up over the foot, and afford a more secure
grip whilst at the same time instantly releasing the foot at the will of the rider.
In order that the invention may be clearly understood we will describe it by
reference to the accompanying drawings in which,
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pedal fitted with one of our improved auto-
matic toe clips shown in its open position, that is ready to receive the cyclist's
foot.
Figure 2 is a similar view showing said clip in its closed position.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in both figures.
Our improved clip is made in two main parts A and B hinged and connected
together, as illustrated at C, so that when not in use the clip will be in a perfectly
open position as illustrated in Figure 1, that is not over the pedal as usual and
the foot may take the pedal as easily as if there were no ordinary fixed clip.
The fixed portion A of the clip is connected to the pedal in any convenient
manner for instance with rat-trap or metal pedals it may be simply clamped to
the front bar, D as shown, or extensions from the frame fitting above and below
the pedal may be clamped by screws or bolts and nuts on either side of the hub
of the pedal; this latter arrangement being particularly suitable for pedals with
rubber treads.
The movable portion B of the clip is pivoted at C upon the fixed portion A
which projects forwardly from the pedal, whilst an upright link or presser piece E
is connected to the lower end of said pivoted portion of the clip, so as to be
operated by the toe of the rider and draw the pivoted part of the toe clip over
the rider's foot.
The upper end of this upwardly projecting link or presser piece E is pivotally
connected by other links F with the fixed portion A of the clip.
A cross bar or roller G is preferably fitted to the upper extremity of the movable
portion A of the clip, in order to strengthen it, and afford a better resistance for
the foot when pulling upwardly. As the foot takes the pedal the forward pressure
of the toe operates against the upright connecting link or presser piece E and
causes the movable portion of the clip to project over the foot as illustrated in
Figure 2 and so affords a better grip, and enables the foot to pull with as much
effect as if it were strapped to the pedal. The clip is kept in position by the
forward pressure above mentioned, so that the withdrawal of the foot instantly
allows the movable portion of the clip to fall back into its open position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:-
Our improved automatic toe clip consisting of a fixed part (as A) projecting
forwardly from the pedal, a movable portion (as B) pivotally mounted upon the

page_text: fixed portion, an upright link or presser piece pivotally connected to the lower
end of said movable portion and extending upwardly to other links (as F) whereby
said link or presser piece is pivotally connected with the fixed portion of the clip
substantially as and for the purposes herein described and explained and as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this Wifth day of Wanch One thousand ninò hundred
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicants.