Improvements in Steps for Bicycles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 26th May, 1896-Accepted, 11th July, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steps for Bicycles.
I JAMES MORAL KEEN, Watchmaker and Jeweller, of Digby, Nova Scotia
Canada 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 improvements in steps for bicycles, and its object is to
provide an improved construction of steps which are pivotally connected with one.
of the axles of the machine, and provided with a lever or pawl adapted to engage
with a ratchet wheel fixed to the wheel on the axle, so that when the step is
depressed, by a person mounting the bicycle, the lever or pawl will rotate the
ratchet and supporting wheel secured thereto, to start the machine.
The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts heroin-
after fully described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawing:
Figure 1, is a side elevation of a bicycle provided with my improvement ;
Figure 2, is an end view;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the step detached from the machine;
Figure 4 is a detailed enlarged view of my improvement.
In the said drawing, the reference numeral 1, designates the front wheel of a
bicycle, 2 the fork, 3 the handle bar, 4 the frame, 5 the rear fork, 6 the rear wheel,
7 its shaft or axle, 8 the saddle, 9 the driving sprocket, 10 the cranks, 11 the pedals,
and 12 the sprocket chain connected with the sprocket, (not shown), secured to the
rear wheel 6. These parts may be of any ordinary or suitable construction, and
form no part of the present invention.
Secured to the wheel 6, on the side opposite the sprocket thereof, is a ratchet
wheel 13, with which engages a pawl or lever connected with the step upon which
the rider of the bicycle places his foot in mounting the bicycle. In the present
instance, this step is shown as being made in two sections, the inner one of which
consists of a piece of spring wire, coiled as shown, to form a sleeve, see Figure 3,
which is journaled on a stud 6 above the axle 7, and then extended outwardly, and
then transversely, and then backward, forming arms 14, 14, and 1. One of the
ends of the wire is secured to the said axle." Pivotally connected with the said
arms 15 is the front section of the step consisting of a piece of wire, one end of
which is coiled around said arm, and then extended outwardly, forming an arm 16,
then transversely, forming an arm 17, and then backwardly, forming an arm 18,
which is coiled around the arm 15 and then extended downward and backward
forming a lever or pawl 19, the end of which is bent at a right angle forming an
arm 20 adapted to engage with the said ratchet wheel. The coils on the arms 16
and 18 are loose on arm 15, so that the latter forms a pivot for the said front section.
The operation is as follows:
As the rider steps upon the step preparatory to mounting the bicycle, it is
depressed by his weight, causing the lever or pawl engaged with the ratchet wheel
to be actuated, which will rotate the wheel 6, and start the machine. When the
weight is relieved, the pawl or lever will be returned to normal position by the coiled
spring encircling the axle 7, of the wheel 6.
The step or toe piece may be provided with a spiral spring, if desired, to throw
the lever clear of the ratchet when the pressure of the foot is taken off.
I do not wish to limit myself to the details of construction, above described, as

page_text: many different modifications may be made in the step and its construction, without
departing from the principle of my 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 :
1. The combination with the axle and wheel of a bicycle and the ratchet wheel
secured to said wheel, of the pivoted step and the lever connected therewith engaging
with said ratchet wheel and adapted to rotate the same when the lever is depressed,
substantially as described.
2. The combination with the axle and wheel of a bicycle and the ratchet wheel
secured to said wheel, of the pivoted spring actuated step and the lever connected
therewith engaging with said ratchet wheel and adapted to rotate the same when the
step is depressed, substantially as described.
3. The combination with the axle and wheel of a bicycle, and the ratchet wheel
secured to said wheel, of the step section comprising the coiled wire the lateral and
transverse arms, and one end of said wire pivoted to a stud above the said axle, the
front section consisting of a piece of wire bent to form lateral and transverse arms
and the lateral arms coiled around the transverse arm of the said coil, and one of said
wires extended to form a lever or pawl having its end bent at an angle and
engaging with the ratchet wheel, substantially as described.
Dated this 26th day of May 1896.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.