Improvements in the Method of and Means employed for Steering Velocipedes, said Improvements being applicable also for other purposes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Feb., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 19th Nov., 1890-Accepted, 20th Dec., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Means employed for Steering
Velocipedes, said Improvements being applicable also for other
purposes.
I, FREDERICK ARTHUR BIRKS, of 7 Pryme Street, Hull, Commercial Clerk, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to the employment of means hereinafter described for
facilitating the steering of velocipedes, such invention serving at the same time as
a convenient means for carrying luggage and for supporting or resting the back of
the rider.
The device or contrivance in accordance with my invention comprises either a
suitable flexible or a rigid framework of light construction and of any convenient
material secured to the back of the rider by a strap or by straps which pass round
the body or waist, whilst the arms of the rider pass through loops or through
openings provided at each side of the aforesaid framework. Two straps or equivalent
flexible contrivances are secured to the upper portion of the framework at each side or
at the top thereof, these straps passing to the handle bar of the velocipede where they
are loosely secured by passing through a loop, or round a small guide wheel or runner,
and from whence they are continued back to the lower sides of the framework
where they are securely fastened in any desired manner and position. A suitable
arrangement of rubbers or springs might be employed for intercepting vibration and
a knapsack or luggage carrier buckled or otherwise be attached to the aforesaid
framework.
By the employment of the above described arrangement the rider of a velocipede,
such as a rear driving safety bicycle or cripper pattern tricycle possessing a sensitive
steering wheel, can manipulate the same with great ease and safety and the hands be
removed from the handle bar without causing any deviation in the course of the
machine, whilst, on the other band, the back of the rider is supported in such a manner
that any fatigue experienced when riding is considerably reduced.
Dated this 18th day of Fabenry 1800
JAMES
STEVENSON,
20, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Means employed for Steering
Velocipedes, said Improvements being applicable also for other
purposes.
I FREDERICK ARTHUR BIRKS of 7 Pryme Street, Hull, Commercial Clerk, 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:
My invention relates to the employment of means hereinafter described for
facilitating the steering of velocipedes, such invention serving at the same time as a
convenient means for carrying luggage and for supporting or resting the back of
the rider.
The device or contrivance in accordance with my invention comprises either a
suitable flexible or a rigid framework of light construction and of any convenient
material secured to the back of the rider by a strap or by straps which pass round the

page_text: body or waist, whilst the arms of the rider pass through loops or through openings
provided at each side of the aforesaid framework. Two straps or equivalent flexible
contrivances are secured to the upper portion of the framework at each side or.at the top
thereof these straps passing to the handle bar of the velocipede where they are loosely
secured by passing through a loop, or round a small guide wheel or runner, and from
whence they are continued back to the lower sides of the framework where they are
securely fastened in any desired manner and position. A suitable arrangement of
rubbers or springs might be employed for intercepting vibration and a knapsack or
luggage carrier buckled or otherwise be attached to the aforesaid framework.
By the employment of the above described arrangement the rider of a velocipede
such as a rear driving safety bicycle or cripper pattern tricycle possessing a sensitive
steering wheel, can manipulate the same with great ease and safety and the hands be
removed from the handle bar without causing any deviation in the course of the
machine, whilst, on the other hand, the back of the rider is supported in such a
manner that any fatigue experienced when riding is considerably reduced, at the
same time, the rider by leaning back and exerting pressure upon the connecting straps
is enabled to put more power into his stroke, thereby increasing his speed when racing
and ascending bills.
In the annexed drawing I have illustrated one form of steering apparatus which I
employ although 1 wish it to be understood that I do not in any way restrict my
invention to the particular arrangement here shewn.
A is the handle bar of the velocipede shown in dotted lines. The steering apparatus
comprises essentially a waist belt B, back straps C, arm loops or straps a, steering
straps D, and springs or rubbers E for intercepting vibration. To the rear of the
waist belt B, which is capable of ready adjustment, I attach the lower end or ends
of one or more straps or equivalent connections C, which, extending upwards so as to
bear against the back of the rider are fastened together by horizontal straps c. These
back straps C, may be formed with extensions D or the steering straps or equivalents D
may be separately secured to the back straps. The steering straps D pass over the
shoulders and are continued to the front until they nearly reach the handle bar A when
they are each passed round a small guide wheel, pulley or roller 6 forming part of the
spring or rubber connections or couplings E, the book of each connection E gripping
the handle bar A or entering openings formed in the lugs of clamps F secured to the
handle bar. The steering straps D after passing over the guide runners 6 are then
continued rearwards and secured to the waist belt B. Two straps or loops a which
are secured to the back straps C pass under each arm of the rider, the ends of
the straps or loops being provided with buckles, through which the straps D are
passed and afterwards secured.
When the apparatus is to be utilized for carrying luggage or for similar purposes
it may be provided with additional straps and buckles secured to the back straps C
or cross pieces c. Before dismounting the rider can instantly detach the hooks of the
couplings E from the handle bar A or clamps F; although, should occasion arise
however, he can alight without doing so.
In order to simplify the before mentioned apparatus I could dispense with the waist
belt B and back straps C and extend the connecting straps D over the shoulders and
pass them under the arms, the loops a being dispensed with.
The apparatus herein before described and intended for the purposes specified in the
preamble of this Specification can be constructed in various other ways to suit the
taste of the rider or for special requirements whilst at the same time still retaining
the features characteristic of my said invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :
An apparatus designed for steering velocipedes by the motion of the body and
shoulders of the rider, for supporting the back of the rider and for enabling him to
put additional power into his stroke; comprising either a rigid or a flexible framework

page_text: secured to the body and shoulders of the rider by a waist belt and shoulder straps ;
steering straps or connections for operating the handle bar of the velocipede and means
for intercepting vibration as herein set forth.
Dated this 31st day of October 1890.
JAMES
STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers, 20, High Holborn, W.C., Agent for Applicant.