A Velocipede Crank Grip Lock for the Prevention of Theft or Use by an Unauthorized Person.
Year: 1897

page_text: A Velocipede Crank Grip Lock for the Prevention of Theft or Use by
an Unauthorized Person.
I, JAMES CHARLES RALLS, of 22, Old Church Road, Clevedon, Somerset, Watch-
maker, &c., do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
This invention relates to a contrivance for securing the crank of a velocipede
in such a manner as to prevent its being ridden away with by a thief, or used
by an unauthorized person.
It can be fitted to any velocipede.-When in use it projects straight out as
shown in Fig. 3 but when not in use it can be turned round and down as shown
by the dotted lines at x in Fig. 2, in which position it hangs clear of the feet
and apparel of the rider.
The advantages of this crank grip lock over the ordinary ways of securing a
velocipede from unauthorized use are principally; 1-that it obviates the necessity
of carrying about a detached lock and chain or other means for securing the
velocipede from use; 2-that it can be used for temporarily securing the crank
without using the key; 3-that the grip bow cannot be set free by using the key
alone 4, It can be attached with equal facility to a vertical horizontal, or
slanting part of the frame of the velocipede.
Fig. 1. Is a longitudinal section showing the grip-lock in position for use;
the side covering plate is removed from the lock to expose the mechanism;-The
mechanism shown in the drawing is on the same principle as the mechanism of
the lock invented by me but any other mechanism can be used.
Fig. 2. Is a transverse section on the line x. y. Fig. 1 in this section the
plates or shuttles of the lock are shown in an open position.
Fig. 3. Is also a transverse section of the lock showing the plates or shuttles in
a locked position.
Fig. 4. Is a side view of the crank grip lock.
The construction of the grip lock is as follows:-a, is a portion of the tube
forming the frame of the Velocipede: b, is a clip band, made in two halves
and secured to the frame with screws by means of the lugs c, c,; a special arrange-
ment for making these screws thief proof is by cutting a small groove or drilling
a small hole across the threads, into which a pin is driven so that they cannot
be unscrewed: this clip-hand has a broad groove round it in which the swivel
ring d, travels; the swivel ring d, is also made in two halves which are fitted in
their position in the groove by the lugs e, e, and screws e¹, e¹, which are secured
in the manner above described with a pin.
On one half of the swivel ring two lugs f, f, (Figs. 1 & 4) are provided and
the shank g is hinged between them with the rivetted pin h:- A special contrivance
for keeping the shank of the grip lock in the required position consists of a spring
holder working loose between the lugs f, f, but held firmly against the base
of the shank by the broad flat bow springs i, i, the upper end of these springs

page_text: are hooked over the pins j, j, and are kept in their position by the eccentric
links 1, 1, the lower end of the spring presses upon the lugs c, c; the use of this
spring holder and springs is to retain the shank of the grip lock in a horizontal
position when in use, or in a vertical position when not in use; any other
description of springs may be used for this purpose, as a scroll spring to snap
over a steady pin, a strong spiral spring and the like. The shank 9 is made
of sufficient length only to allow the grip lock to lay close to the tubing of the
frame when not in use:-The shank g, walls v, v, and back w―of the grip lock
are made in one piece, the front covering plate g² is secured in its place by rivets
passing through to the back of the lock.
The crank grip m is a circular bow; but may be made square or any other
figure; at one end it has a hinge joint turning upon the pin m¹ which is rivetted
between the two cheeks, n, n. of the grip lock case, the other end is formed
with a ratchet shaped hook which when pressed into the lock forces back a
spring hook o which drops into the hook of the bow and holds it firmly; in
ordinary use the grip lock can be left in this position if desired and the grip bow
can be released at pleasure by pressing the button p, in this case the plates or
shuttles, of the lock will be in the unlocked position shown in Figures 1 & 2 the
notches r, being all in line. To securely lock the crank grip m the key must
be used, which when turned a quarter round in one direction moves the plates
or shuttles across the studs which is fixed at the back of the spring hook o and
prevents it being pushed back by the pin into the notches r (Figs.
& 2) as
is shown by the position of the plates in Fig. 3; by turning the key a quarter
round in the opposite direction the plates will be again moved back into the
position shown in Fig. 2 and the pin p being pressed in the grip bow m will be
released. Any other lock than one having a key with bits on both sides moving
the plates in opposite directions can be used; if a key with bits on one side of
the stem be used the mechanism and keyhole will be arranged accordingly.
Having described the nature of my invention and the manner in which the
same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:-
FFF
The invention of an entirely novel contrivance for the prevention of theft of
velocepes, the advantages of which have been herein before set forth.
Dated this 23rd day of January 1897.
A Velocipede Crank Grip Lock for the Prevention of Theft or Use by
an Unauthorized Person.
I, JAMES CILARLES RALLS, of 22, Old Church Road, Clevedon, Somersetshire,
Watchmaker, etc., 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 a contrivance for securing the Crank of a Velocipede
in such a manner as to prevent its being ridden away with by a thief or used
by an unauthorized person.-It can be fitted to any velocipede. When in use
it projects straight out as shown in Fig. 3 but when not in use it can be turned
round and down as shown by the dotted lines at æ in Fig. 2 in which position it
hangs clear of the feet and apparel of the rider.
The advantages of this Crank Grip Lock over the ordinary ways of securing a
velocipede from unauthorized use are principally (1) That it obviates the necessity

page_text: ng about a detached lock and chain or other means for securing the
velocipede from use. (2) That it can be used for temporarily securing the crank
without using the key. (3) That the grip cannot be set free by using the key
alone. (4) It can be attached with, equal facility to a vertical, horizontal or
5 slanting part of the frame of a velocipede.
The Drawings referred to are those left with the provisional specification.
Fig. 1 Is a Longitudinal Section showing the Grip Lock in position for use;
the side covering plate is removed from the Lock to expose the mechanism; The
mechanism shown in the drawing is on the same principle as the mechanism of
the lock invented by me Patent No. 27133 bearing date 28th November 1896
which is absolutely unpickable, but other mechanism can be used.
Fig. 2.-Is a Transverse Section on the line a, y. Fig. 1.-In this section the
plates or shuttles of the lock are shown in an open position.
Fig. 3. Is also a Transverse Section of the lock showing the plates or shuttles in
a locked position.
Fig. 4. Is a side view of the Grip Lock.
The construction of the Grip Lock is as follows.-a. is a portion of the tube
forming the frame of the velocipede,-b, is a clip band made in two halves
and secured to the frame with screws by means of the lugs c. c.; a special arrange-
ment for making these screws thief proof is by cutting a small groove or drilling
a small hole across the threads into which a pin is driven so that they cannot
be unscrewed,This clip band has a broad groove round it in which the swivel
ring d. travels, the swivel ring, d. is also made in two halves which are fitted
in their position in the groove or collar by means of the lugs, e, e, and screws e¹ e¹.
which are secured in the manner above described with a pin:-On one half of the
swivel ring two lugs f. f. (Figs. 1 & 4) are provided and the shank g is hinged
between them with the rivetted pin :--A special contrivance for keeping the
shank of the Grip Lock in the required position consists of a spring holder k
working loose between the lugs f. f. but held firmly against the base of the shank
by the two broad flat bow springs i, i, the upper ends of these springs are hooked
over the pins j. j. and are kept in their position by the eccentric links 1. 1. the
lower ends of the springs press upon the lugs c. c. of the swivel ring d.-The
use of this spring holder and springs is to retain the shank of the grip lock in a
horizontal position when in use or in a vertical position when not in use as
shown by the dotted lines at æ in Fig. 2, any other description of springs may
be used for this purpose, as a scroll spring to snap over a steady pin; a strong
spiral spring and the like. The shank g, is made of sufficient length to allow
the grip lock to lay close to the tubing of the frame when not in use. The
shank g, walls v, v, and back w of the grip lock are made in one piece, the front
covering plate g² is secured in its place by rivets passing through to the back
of the lock. The Crank Grip m, is a circular bow, but may be made square or
any other figure, it has at one end a hinge joint turning upon the pin m³ which
s rivetted between the two cheeks n, n, of grip lock case, the other end is
ormed with a ratchet shaped hook which when pressed into the lock forces back
spring hook o, which drops into the ratchet shaped hook of the bow and holds
t firmly in ordinary use the grip lock may be left in this position, and the
rip bow can be released at pleasure by pressing the button p, in this case the
lates, or shuttles, of the lock will be in the unlocked position shown in Figs. 1
nd 2 the notches r, being all in line; --to securely lock the Crank Grip m, the
ey must be used, which when turned a quarter round in one direction moves the
lates or shuttles across the tongue s, which is fixed at the back of the spring
ook o, and prevents it from being pushed back by the pin and stud into the
otehes r, Figs. 1 and 2 as is shown by the position of the plates in Fig. 3.-By
urning the key a quarter round in the opposite direction the plates will be
gain moved back into the position shown in Fig. 2 and the pin p being pressed
the grip bow m will be released: -any other lock than one having a key with
its on both sides moving the plates in opposite directions can be used, but if a

page_text: key having bits on one side only is used the key hole and mechanism will be
arranged accordingly.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is: :-
A novel improvement in contrivances for prevention of theft or unauthorized
use of velocipedes, the advantages of which have been herein before set forth.
Dated this Twenty-third day of October 1897.
JAMES CHARLES RALLS.