Improvements in or relating to Racks or Holders to be Used for Supporting and Locking Cycles or the like in Position.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Feb., 1896-Accepted, 30th May, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Racks or Holders to be Used for
Supporting and Locking Cycles or the like in Position.
A communication from HENRY WESTPHAL, of Nos. 9 11 and 13 S. Union Street,
City of Chicago, County of Cook and State of Illinois, United States of
America, Manufacturer.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent 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 following statement :-
This invention relates to improvements in racks or holders to be used for
supporting and locking bicycles in an upright position, so as to prevent their
removal; and it consists in certain peculiarities of the construction, novel arrange-
ment and operation of the various parts thereof, as will be hereinafter more fully
set forth and specifically claimed.
The objects of this invention are first, to provide a rack or holder, in which one
of the wheels of the bicycle may be locked and supported in an upright position;
and second, such a rack or holder which may be readily secured to a suitable
support, in such a manner that it cannot be removed therefrom, except by the use
of a key which may be employed for unlocking or releasing the wheel, or by means
of a key or other instrument employed solely for the purpose of disconnecting the
rack from the support.
Figure 1, is a view in side elevation of a portion of the wheel of a bicycle,
showing it held in an upright position by means of my rack secured to the wall or
other suitable support.
Figure 2, is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a portion of the rack or holder
with the locking mechanism, and illustrating the parts in the positions they will
occupy when secured on the wall or support and when ready to receive the wheel.
Figure 3, is a vertical sectional view, taken on line 3, 3, of Figure 2, showing
the interior of the front part of the casing and the sliding or operating bar in
position thereon.
Figure 4, is a plan sectional view, taken on line 4, 4, of Figure 2, showing by
continuous lines the position the latches will occupy when ready to receive the
wheel, and by dotted lines their position when the wheel shall have been placed in
the rack.
Figure 5, is a rear perspective view of a portion of the casing for the operating
mechanism.
Figure 6, is a perspective view of the interior of a portion of the rear plate or
part of the casing, showing the dog or detent pivoted thereto and adapted to
engage a catch on the support to prevent the removal of the rack.
Figure 7, is a perspective view of a key to be used for disengaging the dog or
detent from the catch.
Figure 8, is a view in elevation, partly in section, of the lock used in the rack,
with one of the plates of the casing thereof removed, showing the key locked in,
and a portion of the operating bar of the rack to engage the lock.
Figure 9, is a view in elevation, partly in section, of the lock, with one of the
plates of the casing thereof removed, showing the position of the parts when the
key is removed.
Figure 10, is a plan sectional view, taken on line 10, 10, of Figure 8.

page_text: Figure 12, is a perspective view of the lock with one of the plates of the casing,
the key-guide, stay and tumblers removed.
Figure 13, is a plan view of a portion of the top of the lock casing showing the
key-hole.
Figure 14, is a view in elevation illustrating a modification in the construction
of my rack, showing a portion of one of the wheels of a bicycle supported thereby
and locked in place. And
Figure 15, is a vertical sectional view, taken on line 15, 15, of Figure 14, of the
casing detached, showing the mechanism for operating the cover for the key to
the locking mechanism, which has been removed.
A, represents the wall or other suitable support to which the rack may be
secured at a proper height to engage and lock the wheel. To the wall or
support A, or to a horizontal board or piece A', thereon, may be secured by means
of screws b, or otherwise, a guide-plate B, having openings b', 62, which I usually
employ to indicate the proper positions of the retaining screws B₁, and B', for the
casing, and pivoted dog or detent therein, as will be presently explained.
While I prefer to use the plate B, for the purpose of a guide as above set forth,
yet I may omit the same and secure the retaining screws B', and catch B³, to the
support, without employing it. The casing is composed of a hollow or box-like
front portion C, of substantially the shape illustrated in Figures 2 to 5, inclusive
of the drawings, and has secured on its walls or sides c, near their rear edges, a
back-plate C', which is formed with openings c', for the reception of suitable bolts
or screws ², which engage the bosses c³, on the inner surface of the box or front
portion C, as shown in Figure 2, and hold the two portions firmly together. These
bosses c³, as shown, are preferably rectangular in shape, and may act as guides for
the operating bar D, which is formed with vertical slots d, and d, in its upper and
lower portions respectively, for the reception of the bosses c³, and the lower
one, also, for the reception of the projection e, on the arm E, of the
pivoted lever E, which is raised by the pressure of the wheel A2, of the bicycle
against the arm, which depends in front of the casing, and near the securing
latches. The upper end of the operating bar D, is provided on its rear surface
with a pin or projection d, to engage the cam of the locking mechanism, employed
for securing the bar in a raised position, and which is located in the upper and
enlarged part C, of the casing. The lower portion of the operating bar D, is
formed with slots d³, to each side of the lower vertical slot d', for the reception and
operation of the inner parts of the securing devices or latches F, which are bent or
curved, as shown in Figure 4, and have the bearings for their inner and downturned
ends, in a suitable ledge e, on the back plate C, of the casing. These latches
extend through suitable openings c, in the box or front part C, and near its lower
end. As is clearly shown in Figure 3 of the drawing, the slots d³, in the lower
portion of the sliding or operating bar D, are inclined inwardly or towards each
other, and then made vertically, thus forming of the lower part of said bar, an
anchor-shaped piece, having flukes or arms d', which are so beveled on their
adjacent surfaces, as to cause the free ends of the latches or securing devices F, to
be drawn towards each other, when the operating bar is raised, in which position
the inner portions of the latches F, or the horizontal portions thereof, between the
front of the casing and their downturned ends, will rest in the vertical parts d³, of
the slots d³, thus preventing the possibility of forcing the sliding or operating
bar D, downward by prying apart the outer or free ends of the latches, as might
occur if the inner portions of the latches rested on the inclined part of the slots.
It will also be observed by reference to Figure 2 of the drawing, that the rear
surface of the lower part of the operating bar is formed with an enlargement d, to
rest loosely against the ledge c', of the back-plate, thus aiding in holding the bar
in its proper position against the inner surface of the front part of the casing.
The back part or plate C', of the casing, is formed at about its middle with an
elongated opening or slot c, through which may extend into the casing the
head B³, of the catch B2, for the pivoted dog or detent G, which is of substantially

page_text: the form illustrated in Figures 2 and 6 of the drawing, i.e. is formed at its upper
part with a transverse portion 9, having its ends bent at right angles thereto, to
form the arms g', which are pivotally connected to suitable lugs c', on the inner
surface of the back-plate C', at a suitable distance above the slot or opening c
therein. The upright portion of the dog or detent G, is formed with ledges or
steps g, and g³, on its surface adjacent to the back-plate, and with an extension g',
at its lower end. The step or ledge g³, is designed to engage the lower part of the
head B³, of the catch B2, which head has its upper part beveled, as shown, in order
to permit the step or projection g³, to pass freely thereover, when the casing is
being placed in position. The upper part of the cross-piece g, of the dog, is formed
or provided with an arm 9, to engage a pin or projection, on the key-guide S, of
the lock, which pin may be used for the double purpose of disengaging the step or
projecting portion g³, of the dog, from the head B³, as well as, to prevent the key-
guide being turned too far.
Just above and below the opening e, in the back plate, are formed other
openings c, which are enlarged at their lower parts to admit of the heads of the
retaining screws B', which are inserted through said enlarged portion, after which
the plate C, is pressed downward, the shanks of the screws B', fitting in the upper
parts of the openings e, as shown in Figure 2, in which position the step or
projecting part g³, of the dog will engage the lower surface of the head B3, of the
catch B2, and prevent the casing being lifted or removed from the retaining screws,
whose heads are larger than the reduced part of the slots c³, and rest on the inner
surface of the back-plate. In the casing and operating bar D, and in front of the
arm 9, of the dog, are formed openings c, and do, through which may be passed
a wire or other instrument, to contact with said arm and thereby disengage the
dog from the retaining catch. This can be done only by partially raising the
bar D, by pressing on the arm E', of the lever E, and causing the projection e, to
lift the bar, until the opening do, therein is brought into alignment with the
opening co, in the casing; for it is obvious that when the bar is raised so as to lock
the wheel in the rack, or lowered as shown in Figure 3, that the openings will be
out of alignment and it will be impossible to reach the arm 96, therethrough.
Sometimes I form one of the walls c, of the box or front part C, of the casing, at a
point on a horizontal line with the extension g', of the dog or detent, with au
opening c, through which a key C³, or other suitable instrument may be inserted
between the inner surface of the back-plate C', and said extension to disengage the
dog from the head B³, of the catch. For this purpose I prefer to use a key made
of flat material and twisted, as shown in Figure 7, so that by forcing the end of
said key into the casing, it, the key, will be turned by reason of the twist therein,
and will liberate the dog from the catch. It is obvious, however, that other forms
of keys or instruments may be used for this purpose.
To the face or front of the casing, and near each side thereof, are secured in any
suitable manner, side-pieces H, which may be of any ornamental design and shape,
but preferably somewhat circular, as shown, to conform to the curve of the tire of
the wheel. These side-pieces are placed parallel with each other, and at a
sufficient distance apart to admit of the free insertion there-between of the tire, and
are formed in their lower parts with recesses h, or outward bends for the reception
and movement of the latches F. To one of the side-pieces H, is pivoted the
lever E, which has secured thereto, or formed integral therewith at its inner end, a
downturned and outwardly projecting arm E, on the rear surface of which and
extending through the slot d', in the casing, is a lug or projection e, to engage and
lift the sliding or operating bar D, as before mentioned.
By reference to Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings, it will be seen that the arm E,
extends downward between the latches F, so that when the wheel is inserted
between said latches, and pressed against said arm, the bar .D, will thereby be
raised, which operation through the medium of the inclined slots d³, in the lower
part of the bar will cause the latches to assume the position indicated by dotted
Lines in Figure 4, thus embracing the tire of the wheel and preventing its removal.

page_text: The lock which I prefer to use, consists of two plates i, i, the plate i, being
formed with a vertical slot 1, near its middle which extends through the bottom of
the casing as shown, and having on its inner surface close to each of its ends the
ribs m, m³, both of which are formed with openings or recesses m², m³, in which
the sliding bolts M, M', operate, and are thereby guided in their backward and
forward movements. The opening or recess m², is formed near the lower portion
of the rib m, and the opening or recess m³, near the upper end of the rib m'. Near
their upper portions, and on their surfaces adjacent to the plate i', each of the ribs m,
and m¹, are formed with recesses or mortises m, for the reception and operation of the
spring-actuated tumblers N, which are formed with recesses n, n', the former of
which engages with the stay O, and the latter with the sliding rib or bead N¹, on
the piece N, which unites the sliding bolts M, and M', and is preferably formed
in cross-section, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, with two projections N¹, and N', at
its edges, extending in opposite directions. The flat piece N2, being provided near
its lower portion, with a vertical slot N³, in which fits and operates a pin or lug p
on the bifurcated cam P, which cam is pivotally secured to the plate, at a suitable
point near the outer portion of the slot i, therein, as shown at . This cam is made
as clearly shown in Figures 8, 9, and 12, with two prongs r,, which form an open
slot or fork r², into which will engage the lug or pin da, on the bar D.
As shown in Figures 8, 9, and 10, the tumblers N, are pivotally secured.as at o¹,
on the rod o², having its bearings in the top and bottom of the casing, near the
farther end from the key-guide, and are provided with springs o3, which are
interposed between the tumblers, and the plate 2, and that they will be thus forced
forward to engage with the bead or rib Ni, on the sliding piece N³.
Near the rib m, the casing is provided in its top and bottom, with suitable
circular openings a, through which is passed a split tube, or key-guide S, which
has its bearings for its lower end in the depending bracket S¹, on the bottom of the
lock casing. The lower end of the key-guide S, is provided with a
spring s², which
serves to revolve the key-guide, till the split therein, through which the projections t,
on the key T, passes to engage with the tumblers, into alignment with the openings a³,
therefor in the top of the casing, and is prevented from turning the guide too far
by means of the lug or pin s, secured thereto, which is so placed that it will strike
the bracket S', which acts as a check.
The stay O, which is provided with a number of recesses o, to correspond with
the number of projections t, on the key T, is rigidly secured in a vertical
position, and longitudinally with the lock casing, between the bead N₁, and the
key-guide, and between the tumblers and the piece N2. This stay is employed to
regulate the combination of the lock, for it is abvious that the projections t, on the
key, must correspond in number and dimensions with the recesses in the stay,
otherwise they would not pass through the same.
It is evident that the pin or projection d³, on the bar D, will extend into the
slot 1, of the plate i, of the lock, and will engage with the open slot, or fork
between the prongs r, and r, on the cam P, when the pressure of the wheel against
the arm E', through the medium of the projection e, will lift the bar D, provided
as before stated with the projection or pin d, engaging with the prongs, r
and will cause the cam P, to be raised to the position indicated in Figure 9, the
movement of which cam by means of its pin p, operating in the slot N³, of the
plate N2, will cause the sliding bolts M, and M³, and the bead N', which are
connected to the plate N2, or made integral therewith, to be retracted to the
position shown in Figure 9, which operation removes the plate N2, from interference
with the projections on the shank of the key, and thus permits the key-guide S,
to be partially revolved, by means of the spring s2, till the projections of the key
are in alignment with the opening a³, in the top of the casing, when, and not
before the key may be withdrawn and the operating bar D, will be securely
locked in said position, by means of the engagement of the tumblers N, with the
bead N¹.
In order to release or unlock the operating bar D, it will be necessary to replace

page_text: the key in the key-guide, when by turning the same, its projections will engage the
tumblers, and will free them from engagement with the bead N1, when by reason
of the weight of the bar D, and cam P, they will be lowered, as shown in
Figure 8, which operation will interpose the plate N', between the projections
on the key-sbank and the opening a³, in the top of the casing, and prevent the key
being removed.
1
In Figures 14 and 15, I have illustrated a modification in the construction of my
rack, which consists in forming the parallel side pieces H', about semi-circular in
shape, as shown, and providing them at their lower portions with a base H³, which
may be secured to the floor, by means of screws or otherwise, and while I may
use the operating mechanisin above described, yet I may adopt that illustrated in
Figure 15 of the drawing, which consists in pivotally securing to the top of the
enlarged portion C, of the casing, a cover B, which extends over the opening b₁,
for the key T, to the locking mechanism, and prevents the same being reached
without raising the bar D, which engages the lock. The cover B, is provided at.
its pivoted portion with an arm b, which extends into the box C, and engages a
weighted dog be, pivoted to the front of the casing, and which is prevented from
dropping too far, so as to be out of engagement with the arm, by means of a
lug ', on the casing. When the bar D, is raised, the lower portion of the dog b
will also be lifted thereby, as shown by dotted lines in Figure 15, which
operation will liberate the arm, and allow the cover B', to be raised, so that
the key T, to the lock may be reached and the same operated, so as to unlock
the wheel.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :
1. The combination with a rack or stand, of a pair of latches pivotally secured!
therein and adapted to engage the wheel of a bicycle, a locking mechanism located
in the rack, a sliding bar having at its upper portion means to engage the lock,
and inwardly inclined slots in its lower part for the latches, and a lever fulcrumed
to the rack and adapted to engage the sliding bar and raise the same by the pressure-
of the wheel, substantially as described.
2. The combination with a rack or stand, of a pair of latches pivotally secured
therein and adapted to engage the wheel of a bicycle, a locking mechanism located
in the rack, a sliding bar having at its upper portion means to engage the lock
and provided in its lower part with inwardly and downwardly inclined slots for
the latches, said slots terminating in vertical openings, and a lever fulcrumed to the
rack and adapted to engage the sliding bar and raise the same by the pressure of
the wheel, substantially as described.
3. The combination with a rack or stand, of a pair of latches pivotally secured
thereon and adapted to engage the wheel of a bicycle, a locking mechanism located
in the rack, a sliding bar connecting the lock and latches, means for raising said.
bar and placing the latches in engagement with the wheel by the pressure thereof,
retaining devices secured to a support, a casing having openings in its rear part
for the reception of the retaining devices, and a dog or detent pivotally secured in
the casing and adapted to engage one of the retaining devices to prevent the
removal of the rack, substantially as described.
4. The combination with a rack or stand, of a pair of latches pivotally secured
therein, a sliding bar connecting the rack and latches, means for raising said bar
and placing the latches in engagement with the wheel by the pressure thereof,
retaining devices secured to a support, the casing having enlarged and elongated
openings in its rear part for the reception of the retaining devices, a dog or detent
pivotally secured in the casing, and adapted to engage one of the retaining devices.
to prevent the removal of the rack, and means for disengaging the dog or detent.
from said retaining device, substantially as described.
5. The combination with a rack or stand, of a pair of latches pivotally secured

page_text: therein, a locking mechanism located in the rack, a sliding bar having at its upper
portion means to engage the lock, and provided in its lower part with inwardly and
downwardly inclined slots for the latches, means for raising said bar and placing
the free ends of the latches towards each other, retaining devices secured to a
support, a casing having openings in its rear part for the reception of the retaining
devices, a dog or detent pivotally secured on the casing and adapted to engage one
of the retaining devices to prevent the removal of the casing, and means for
disengaging the dog or detent from said retaining devices, substantially as
described.
6. The combination with one or more retaining devices secured to a support, of a
piece provided with openings for the insertion of said retaining devices, a dog or
detent pivoted to said piece and adapted to engage one of the retaining devices,
substantially as described.
7. The combination of the adjustable retaining devices B', and B2, each being
provided with a head, with a plate or its equivalent having elongated and enlarged
openings for the reception of the retaining devices, and a dog or detent pivoted
to said plate and adapted to engage the catch or retaining device B², substantially
as described.
8. The combination of the adjustable retaining devices B', and B2, secured to a
support, each being provided with a head, with a casing having openings for the
reception of said retaining devices, a dog or detent pivotally secured in the casing
and adapted to engage the catch or retaining device B2, and means for disengaging
the dog from said catch, substantially as described.
9. The combination with a rack or stand, of a pair of latches pivotally secured
therein, a locking mechanism located in the rack, a sliding bar having at its upper
part means to engage the lock, an opening do, and means at its lower part to engage
the latches, means for raising the bar, retaining devices secured to a support, a dog
having an arm 93, and pivoted to the casing, and adapted to engage one. of the
retaining devices, a casing having openings in its rear for the reception of the
retaining devices, and an opening co, in its face for the insertion of a pin or the like
to pass through the opening do, in the bar and to contact with the arm 9, of the
dog, substantially as described.
10. The herein-described dog or detent consisting of the upright portion G,
having a ledge or projection g³, the transverse part g, provided with the arms g',
and projection 9, substantially as described.
11. The combination of the casing, with the cover B, having the arm 6, projecting
into the casing, the dog 66, pivoted to the casing and adapted to engage said arm,
the sliding bar D, and a mechanism to raise the same and to cause it to lift the dog,
substantially as described.
Dated this 14th day of January 1896.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.