Improvements in or relating to Protectors or Guards as applicable 66 to Cycles and known as Mud Guards
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Nov., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 5th June, 1893-Accepted, 8th July, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Protectors or Guards as applicable
66
to Cycles and known as Mud Guards."
We THOMAS HUGH VIGURS of Lime Place Villa Street, Hockley Machinist
and DAVID PEACH of 160 Burbury Street, Engineer, both of Birmingham do
hereby declare the nature of our said invention to be as follows
The object of our invention is to provide improved mud, chain and leg guards
for cycles. These protectors or guards are to prevent mud from the road being
thrown from the wheels of the machine on to the person or clothes of the rider,
and to prevent dirt from the chain soiling the shoes or clothes of the rider and to
We will
prevent any altrition or rubbing of the wheel against the riders trousers.
first describe our invention as applied as a mud-guard to the rear wheel of a safety
bicycle.
We provide a fork made of metal of light section, tubular or solid. The two
ends of this fork are affixed to the frame of the machine, at, or close to the bearings
of the axle of the rear wheel. This fork is long enough to enclose the rear half
of the rear wheel which revolves within it, the position of this fork is between the
vertical and horizontal, usually inclined about thirty degrees to the horizontal
plane. The fork is secured in that position by stays, preferably one on each side
of the rear wheel, which stays are attached at their upper end to the frame of the
machine behind and below the rider, and at their lower and rearward end to the
fork at or its bifurcation. We provide a scraper made of sheet metal, or leather,
or vulcarized rubber or a combination of two materials one rigid and one flexible.
This scraper is shaped to fit the outer part of the tyre or periphery of the rear
wheel. The scraper is supported in, and carried by the inner part of the fork at
or near its bifurcation, it has a motion to and fro in the longitudinal direction of
the fork. This motion is of limited extent and is for adjustment only merely to
suit the varying sizes of the rear wheels, or to allow for wear in the scraper itself.
When this scraper is properly adjusted in its position by means to be presently
described, any mud which the wheel may take up from a dirty road will be removed
and will drop back directly on to the road.
We thus avoid the use of the unsightly shields which are now in use for the
purpose of mud guards, and the accumulation of dirt which are formed in these
shields.
We will now describe methods of adjusting the scraper to the wheel.
In the method which we prefer, we cut a slot longitudinally in each side of the
fork, a little way from the bifurcation and we provide a pin at the rear end of the
scraper, the ends of this pin, and also the sides of the scraper work in these slots
which form a guide for the scraper. The scraper we form partly of metal and
partly of a flexible material such as leather, vulcarized rubber, or canvas and
rubber or material capable of giving a wiping or removing action to the tyre of
the wheel as it passes.
At the metal back of the scraper is a boss which receives the end of a screw.
This screw passes through a tapped hole at the extreme rear end of the fork it is
provided with a head by which it is turned, and a lock nut to hold it securely in
position when adjusted. The end of the screw revolves in a boss on the back of
the scraper it has a groove in it which takes into a pin in the boss of the scraper
in a well known manner, so that the scraper may be both caused to advance or to
recede by means of the screw.
In a modification we use a telescopic action by providing at the back of the
scraper or mud-guard a turned piece of metal which fits into a bored hole at the

page_text: bifurcation of the fork and either by friction or the use of a set screw or mechanical
equivalent, we adjust the position of the scraper to the wheel.
In a cheaper form of guard we make the fork of light tubes of circular section,
and the scraper is formed of a piece of sheet india rubber provided with four india
rubber bands one at each corner. Two of these. bands are slipped on to one leg of
the fork, and two on to the other and they grip the legs of the fork so tightly by
their elasticity that when placed in the proper position with regard to the wheel
they will not be moved away by the jarring of the machine, and yet they do not
hold so tightly but that readjustment may be made when desired.
As a protection for the tyre. The danger of travelling rough or country roads,
and the constant liability of the tyre picking up sharp cutting substances, it is well
known that it is the first contact that picks up the cutting substance and a repetition
of pressure by additional revolutions of the wheel which causes the puncture in
the tyre and thus determines the journey so that by the application of the scraper
adjusted as above set forth, any cutting substance taken up by the tyre would be
directly removed before injury was effected.
We have described the guard as applied to the rear wheel but either form of
guard can be applied to either wheel in a desired position, if at the front the stays
being attached to the front wheel main fork.
A modification of the same can be applied to or adjacent to the gear wheel on
the crank spindle so as to remove dirt therefrom in this case the fork which carries
the scraper is very short:
We may modify the form of the guard or protector, making it of a shape partly
to fit the tyre of the wheel that is like a short piece of the shields or mud-guards
now in use, but carried by a fork and with the means of adjustment to a convenient
part of the wheel as hereinbefore described.
It will be perceived that the parts may be stationary, or interchangeable and can
be acted upon by an unskilled person.
Dated 22nd November 1892.
THOS. KENDRICK,
Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Protectors or Guards as applicable
to Cycles and known as Mud Guards."
66
We, THOMAS HUGH VIGURS, of Lime Place, Villa Street, Hockley, Machinist,
and DAVID PEACH, of 160 Burbury Street, Engineer, both of Birmingham, do
hereby declare the nature of our said invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
Our invention relates to protectors or guards, the object of which is to prevent
mud from the road being thrown from the wheels of the machine on to the clothing
or person of the rider, and also to prevent dirt from the chain soiling the clothing
upon the leg of the rider, and further that with the means employed for removing
the mud or dirt, any obstacle or sharp cutting substance that may be picked up
while travelling would also be removed and the cutting or puncturing of the tyre
prevented.
And in order that this our said invention may be more clearly understood, we
shall now proceed more particularly to describe the same, reference being made to
the sheet of drawings hereunto annexed, to the various figures and letters marked
thereon, that is to say:-
Fig. 1 is a view in plan as when in application of a mud guard or protector as
applicable to cycles, and constructed according to our invention.
Fig. 2 is a side view of same.
Fig. 3. is a section of the rear or driving wheel of a safety-bicycle, with the said

page_text: mud guard or protector affixed to or upon the spindle of the hub, and adjacent to
the bearings.
Fig. 4 is a view in plan (as when in application) of a mud guard or protector
as applicable to cycles, in a cheaper form, and constructed according to our
invention.
Fig. 5 is a side view of same.
Fig. 6 is a view in plan as Fig. 1 with telescopic action to be employed as a
means of adjustment.
Fig. 7 shows a telescopic arrangement for adjustment of parts.
Fig. 8 is a view in plan as when in application of a mud guard or protector,.
constructed according to our invention, with part of shield as now in use, but shaped
to fit the tyre of the wheel.
Fig. 9 is an end view of same.
Fig. 10 is a view in elevation of the mode of fastening our mud guard or protector
to part of the framing of a "Cross frame," safety bicycle.
Fig. 11 is a side view of same.
Fig. 12 is a view in elevation of a mode of fastening our mud guard or protector
to part of framing of a "Diamond frame," safety bicycle.
Fig. 13 is a side view of same.
The same letters of reference upon the several figures indicating like or
corresponding parts.
The following construction of parts as indicated by letters to figures constitute our
invention.
In Figs. 1 and 2 detached, a is the fork constructed from a strip of metal, each
end provided with apertures b; at the bifurcation a', the scraper consists of c, a clip
which is rigid (metal by preference) to which is securely connected the (" wiper") d,
preferably made of india rubber, or of any elastic, or other material to effect the
purpose, shaped as d', to fit or partly fit the tyre.
°
These parts are supported and carried by a of a, and has a motion to and fro,
longitudinally with the fork a, this motion is limited and for adjustment only,
effected thus, e, e, are longitudinal slots, in which c, works and is guided; f, is the
boss into which the screw g, enters after passing through a tapped hole in a, g, is
slotted at h, for actuating as required to proper adjusting, when the lock nut i,.
secures the same.
:
In Fig. 3, we shew the same in application to its purpose, viz. to the tyre o, of
the section of rear wheel of a safety, affixed by the apertures b of a, engaging upon.
the spindle of the hub k.
In Figs. 4 and 5, we shew our invention in a cheaper form of guard or protector..
We here construct the fork a from a rod of wire of light sectiou, solid, or tubular,
the metallic clip c, is dispensed with and wiper d is formed in one piece from a
sheet of india rubber, or of any elastic or yielding substance, or any substance to
effect this purpose. 1, 1, 1, 1, are projecting bands or arms one at each corner, each
provided with a hole at m, so as to admit two of the said bands passing upon the one
leg of the fork a, and two upon the other leg a, the grip caused by their elasticity
causes it to remain when fixed in a proper position for its purpose, readjustment or
removal can be effected readily.
In some cases we may reduce the depth of the wiper d and employ two projecting
bands or arms, one for each leg, or an india rubber or elastic band fed upon a a and
shaped as d' for the wiping purpose.
In Fig. 6 detached, the telescopic action for adjusting the wiper d, consists of
the turned or tubular part n, which passes into the split tubular section p, provided
with the collar q, for receiving the screwed pin r, n, will move freely for adjustment
in p, until controlled by v.
In Fig. 7 a, as Figs. 4 and 5 is shown to move with a telescopic action, by the
rod or wire moving in the tubes, a², for adjustment, the fixing to be afterward
described.
In Fig. 8, we shew connected to the screw g, in connection with a, the short.piece

page_text: of shield or mud guard as now in use, shewn s, one end of which is fitted with india
rubber as the wiper.
Fig. 9 is an end view of same.
In Figs. 10 and 11, we shew our mode of fastening the fork a, to, or in connection
with the frame t, of a "Cross frame" safety, by the employment of the clip u which
is placed upon the spindle j, of the hub k, and secured by the lock nut v, the clip u,
is formed with the circular aperture u' for receiving the fork a, and the screw u²,
(when proper adjustment has been effected) is fed up to a, and is thus securely held,
and shewn in application in Figs. 4 and 5.
In Figs. 12 and 13 we shew our mode of fastening the fork a, to or in connection
with the frame t of a "Diamond frame" safety, by the employment of the clamp
clip u, which is placed upon the spindle i, of the hub k, and secured by the lock
nut v, the clamp clip u is formed with the circular aperture w³, for receiving the
fork a, it is formed with lips u³, and the screw u², passes through them (when
proper adjustment has been effected) and u² fed up, a compression takes place
and a, is securely held, this is chiefly applicable to a, when formed of tube, or
telescopic as Fig. 7.
The above being our said invention we wish to say that we do not confine
ourselves to the precise details or arrangements of parts, as shewn on the
accompanying sheet of drawings, as we may alter or modify the same without
departing essentially from our said invention."
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is
1st. In a protector or mud guard for cycles, the combination, a fork of metal for
affixing to the cycle, the bifurcation of which is provided with a clip working in
slots for receiving an india rubber or elastic or suitable wiper, fitting or partly
fitting the tyre, adjustable by means of a screw, secured by lock nut, substantially
as herein before set forth and described.
2nd. In a protector or mud guard for cycles, the combination, a fork of metal,
wire, or tubular, for affixing to the cycle, the bifurcation of which is provided with
a wiper formed from a piece of india rubber, or elastic substance, fitting or partly
fitting the tyre, having projecting arms with holes for fitting upon the said fork,
and also for adjustment, substantially as herein before set forth and described.
3rd. In a protector or mud guard for cycles, the combination, a fork of metal,
wire or tubular for affixing to the cycle, the bifurcation of which is provided with
a clip for receiving an india rubber, or elastic, or suitable wiper, fitting or partly
fitting the tyre, adjusted by a telescopic action, substantially as herein before set
forth and described.
4th. In a protector or mud guard, for cycles, the combination, a fork of metal,
wire, or tubular, for affixing to the cycle, the bifurcation of which is provided with
a short shield, fitted with an india rubber wiper, connected to a screw, and which
serves for adjustment, substantially as herein before set forth and described in the
foregoing Specification and illustrated upon the accompanying sheet of drawings.
Dated 5th June 1893.
THOS. KENDRICK,
Agent.