Securing the Wheels of Bicycles and other Vehicles.
Year: 1886

page_text: Securing the Wheels of Bicycles and other Vehicles.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn, in the county of Middlesex,
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communication from
Anson P. Merrill, of Fall River, in the county of Bristol, Massachusetts, United
States of America, Gentleman) 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 devices for locking together the wheels of a bicycle or
other velocipede or for locking either the wheels of any perminent object, and has
for its object to furnish a neat portable device which the rider may carry in the
pocket or tool bag, and thus always have it for use.
This invention consists in the improved device which I shall now proceed to
fully describe.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a bicycle, having this improved device.
applied to the wheels thereof.
Fig. 2 is an elevation of this improved lock, having the key inserted and
showing its open position in full lines and closed position in dotted lines.
Fig. 3 is a similar view, one side of the box or central tube being removed, and
the locking spring being thrown out of engagement by the key.
Fig. 4 is a central, longitudinal section through the device in its closed, locked
position.
Fig. 5 is a similar view in its open position, and
Fig. 6 shows the key.
Like letters of reference mark the same parts wherever they occur in the several
figures.
Referring specifically to the drawings by letters, A, is a large or main wheel of
an ordinary bicycle, and B, the small wheel.
The other parts of the bicycle being of ordinary construction and having no
relation to, or effect upon this invention, will not be specifically described but only
incidentally mentioned.
C, represents this improved locking device which is composed of two end
hooks, D, & E, a central tube or box F, and a locking spring G, the central tube,
locking spring, and end hook, E, being secured together in proper operative position
by means of a rivet or other equivalent fastening device H.
The main body of the end hook D, is of a proper size to fit snugly and slide in
the tube F, and is provided with a slot I, and a hook J, with the former of which,
the end hook of the locking spring G, engages when the device is in its. closed,
locked position, as shown in Fig. 4.

page_text: When the device is in its open unlocked position, the hook J, serves to prevent
the entire withdrawal of the end hook D, from the tube F, as shown in Fig. 5, by
coming in contact with the end hook of the locking spring.
The forward or inner end of this end hook D, and the portion thereof,
immediately in front of the slot, I, are beveled or inclined so that the end hook or
the locking spring will ride over them and properly engage the slot, I, and hook, J,
automatically when the end hook is slid into the tube.
The inner end of the end hook E, fits in one end of the tube F, leaving sufficient
space on one side for the insertion of the locking spring G,
A key-hole K, is formed in one side of the tube F, to receive a proper key L,
which when inserted, is in position to engage, when turned, with the inner side of
the locking spring, and throw it against the side of the tube as shown in Fig. 3,
disengaging its locking hook from the slot, I, and leaving the end hook D, free to
be partially removed from the tube, as may be desired.
When it is desired to lock any two parts together by means of this device, the
end hooks are drawn sufficiently far apart to give room enough between their ends
to pass them over the portions to be locked together, and when so engaged, the
hooks are pressed towards each other, until the locking spring, as before described,
automatically engages the notch, I, bringing the parts into the secure locked
position shown in Fig. 4, where they will remain until unlocked by the key. The
importance of a device of this kind to riders of bicycles or other wheels to be
readily observed. The different parts may be finished by nickle plating, enameling,
or otherwise, to correspond with the finish of the wheel, and a thoroughly effective
device is sufficiently small to be carried in the vest pocket if desired, there being
no necessity of having it weigh more than an ounce.
It always ready for use, easily manipulated, effective in operation, and can be
made at a very reasonable cost.
By its use the rider is enabled to prevent unauthorized use or carrying off of his
machine from the place of deposit, as he may, as before stated, and shown in Fig. 1,
lock the two wheels together so that they cannot turn or lock any part of the
machine to a rigid object.
:
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention 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 :-
1st. A bicycle lock consisting essentially of two open end hooks adapted to slide
toward or from each other, and a locking spring for securing them in locked
position, as set forth,
2nd. In combination, the end hooks, central tube, and locking spring, the end
hook D, having notch, I, and the locking spring being secured to the end hook, E,
as set forth.
3rd. In combination, the end hook, E, central tube, F, and locking spring G,
rigidly secured together, and the end hook D, having slot I, and hook J, and
adapted to slide within the central tube, as set forth.
4th. In combination, the end hook, E, central tube, F, locking spring G, rivet H,
end hook D, having slot I, and hook J, the central tube being provided with a
suitable key-hole as set forth.