A New or Improved Rest, Stay, or Prop for Velocipedes.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 11th May, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 12th Feb., 1894-Accepted, 17th Mar.,
1894-
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Rest, Stay, or Prop for Velocipedes.
WALTER KNIGHT Florist and Nurseryman Tettenhall near Wolverhampton
Staffordshire do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
That my invention consists of a rod or roda attached to the velocipede which
will be carried parallel when the machine is in motion, but on stopping the
machine the rod or rods may if wished be placed at an angle of 45 degrees more
or less from the machine and so form a prop, rest, or stay to the machine.
11th May 1893
WALTER KNIGHT.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Rest, Stay, or Prop for Velocipedes.
I, WALTER KNIGHT, of Tettenhall, near Wolverhampton in the County of
Stafford, Florist and Nurseryman, 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 has for its object the employment of a rest, stay or prop, for
the common description of velocipede usually known as a safety" bicycle, in such
manner that a rod forming the supporting portion of the rest, stay, or prop may
be carried in position completely out of the way when not in use, and may when
the rider has dismounted from the machine be readily turned down on either side
thereof to act as a prop and thus support the machine.
The above object is effected, according to this invention, by pivoting to the
forward end of the framing, such as to the steering socket or head, by means of
a universal joint, a rod which is readily adjustable as to length, and of which the
outer end is bifurcated. The pivot centre of the rest is in position a little above
the backbone or tube which joins the steering socket or head with the bottom
bracket, and when the rest is not in use the rod is in position slightly above such
backbone or tube, with the two prongs of the bifurcated end passing on opposite
sides, respectively, of the lower end of the seat pillar tube or, preferably, on
opposite sides, respectively, of the socket within which the lower end of such tube
is fixed. The rod thus lies snugly in position parallel with and immediately over
the backbone or tube joining the steering socket or head with the bottom bracket,
and is not only quite out of the way, but does not detract materially from the
appearance of the machine; and the engagement of the bifurcated end with the
framing securely prevents the rod from getting out of place in travelling.
When the rod is to be used for propping the machine, it is first shortened to
clear the bifurcated end from the framing, and is then turned down sideways and
the outer end rested upon the ground, the length being adjusted as required. The
wheels of the machine both rest upon the ground and the machine should be leant
sufficiently against the rod to ensure its stability.
A link which is pivoted at one end to the rest rod is formed with a hook at its
outer end, which is engaged, when the rest is in use, with a spoke of the steering
wheel to prevent the machine running forwards or backwards, according as the
ค.

page_text: tendency may be owing to the nature of the ground. This link is closed up against
or near to the rest rod and retained by a spring clip or other holder, when not
required for use.
In order that, the invention may be clearly understood, I will now proceed to
describe a convenient practical application thereof, by the aid of the accompanying
drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon.
E
Figure 1 is a side elevation of as much of a safety bicycle as will suffice for
the purpose of the present description, and shews my improved rest applied
thereto.
Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line .cx of Figure 1.
In each of these views the rest is shewn by full lines in position when out of
use, and by broken lines in position when in use as a prop.
Figure 3 is a side elevation, to an enlarged scale, of the rest and of the portions
of the framing immediately adjacent thereto, the rest rod and backbone of the
framing being shewn as horizontal for convenience of illustration.
Figure 4 is a plan of the parts shewn by Figure 3; and
Figure 5 is a section through the rest taken in position to shew the front view
of the spring clip hereinafter described.
The rest rod Å is formed telescopic, so as to be readily adjustable as to length,
that is to say, it consists of a tubular portion a, and of a portion 6 capable of sliding.
therein. The portion b may be securely fixed from sliding within the portion a
by means of a thumb-screw e which passes through a slot d formed through the
upper side of the portion a and is screwed into the portion b, a collar e of the
thumb-screw bearing against the upper side of the portion a. The forward end of
the portion a is connected by means of a universal joint, as shewn, with a clip B
which is fixed around the steering socket or head C of the machine in position.
preferably, immediately above the connection of the backbone G with such socket
or head. The outer end of the portion 6 of the rest is formed bifurcated, as
shewn, and when the rest is out of use, the prongs ff pass, respectively, on
opposite sides of the socket D within which the lower end of the seat pillar
tube E is fixed. Pieces of india rubber tube are, preferably, stretched over the
prongs (and they may be cemented thereon for security) to prevent vibration in
travelling. A link h is pivoted at one end to a mounting i, which is swivelled to
the portion a of the rest, and such link is formed with a hook j at its outer end.
When the rest is not in use, the link is pushed up between the sides of a spring
clip k, which is fixed to the portion a of the rest; and it is preferred that the
connection of the rest rod with the clip B shall be at such distance above the
backbone G as to allow for the room occupied by the link and the parts which
carry it, between the under side of the rest rod and the upper side of the back-
bone. The mounting i may be swivelled to the rest rod by passing its shank up
therethrough and riveting it loosely on the upper side thereof. The spring-clip k
may pass around the rest rod and be held thereto by means of a screw 1; and
the two sides of the clip, which together hold the link h, are shaped, as shewn by
Figure 5, opening outwards from one another at their lower ends from about the
point m, and widening out from one another above, so that as the link is pushed up
between the ends of the springs it opens them out until it is within the space above
the point m, when the return of the springs ensures their securely retaining the
link; and the reverse action of course opens out the springs again, and allows the
link to be withdrawn clear of the clip.
When the rest is to be used as a prop, the thumb-screw c is slackened back, and
the portion of the rest is slid inwards, to clear the bifurcated end from the
socket D; the rest rod is then turned down sideways into the position shewn by
broken lines Figures 1 and 2, the rod being adjusted to the required length; and
the hooked end of the link is engaged with one of the spokes of the steering
wheel F, as clearly indicated by broken lines in Figures 1 and 2. In Figures 1
and 2 the machine is shewn as if standing upright, but it of course leans against
the rest rod when the same is used to prop it up.

page_text: It is preferred that the rest rod, when not in use, shall be in position within.
the plane of the framing as shewn, but it may of course be pivoted somewhat at
one side of the framing and lie, not within, but near to and parallel with the plane
of the framing, when out of use.
A chain or cord, having a hook at one end, may be used in lieu of the link above.
described, and be wound around the rest rod or around a portion of the framing-
when not in use; but a chain or cord is obviously not so convenient for the purpose-
as a link.
While however it is much preferred to combine with the rest rod a.
link, chain or cord formed with or having a hook at its outer end, for use more.
especially when the machine is to be supported on uneven ground, its employment
is not essential.
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 :-
1. A rest, stay or prop for a safety bicycle, formed with a rod which is pivotally
connected at one end to the framing of the machine so that it may be turned
down at one side of the machine and its lower end be rested upon the ground,
and be used in such position to prop the machine when the machine is leaned
against the upper end of the rod, substantially as described.
2. A rest, stay or prop for a safety bicycle, formed with a rod which is connected
with the framing by means of a joint which allows it to be moved both vertically
and laterally so that it is capable of being used in position with its outer end
resting on the ground, to act as a prop to the machine, and of being moved
upwards and sideways to lie snugly in the plane of the framing, or near thereto,.
substantially as described.
3. A rest, stay or prop for a safety bicycle, formed with a rod which is pivotally.
connected with the framing and made adjustable as to length, so that it may be
shortened for facility of fixing it in position out of the way, and be lengthened
when required for use as a prop, substantially as described.
4. A rest, stay or prop for a safety bicycle, formed with a rod which is
pivotally connected to the framing and made adjustable as to length, and has the
outer or free end adapted for engagement with a portion of the framing, substan-
tially as described..
5. A rest, stay or prop for a safety bicycle consisting of a rod pivoted to the
framing, and a link chain or cord, formed with or having a hook at its outer end,
pivoted thereto or connected therewith, substantially as described for the purpose-
set forth.
6. A rest, stay or prop for a safety bicycle, substantially as described and
shewn by the drawings herewith, whether the link formed with a hooked end is
used or not.
Dated this 10th day of February 1894
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.