Improvements in or relating to Bicycles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Apr., 1896-4ccepted, 19th Dec., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Bicycles.
We ROBERT KOLBABA, Engineer Marien Gasse 10, and HERMANN GLÄSER
Manufacturer, Kuhngasse 43 both of Vienna in the Empire of Austria 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:-
The object of this invention is to adapt a bicycle of the usual form and size for
the transport of goods and of invalids without materially increasing the weight.
For this purpose the frame may be divided between the wheels and the whole
60 adjusted that the wheels, normally placed one behind the other, are side
by side.
When so placed they are suitably stayed and combined say with an ambulance
or stretcher of suitable construction.
This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is an elevation of one form of bicycle embodying this invention,
Fig. 2 shows the bicycle adapted for carrying purposes.
Fig. 3 is a plan of the same.
Fig. 4 shows the same combined with an ambulance.
Fig. 5 is a plan view of Fig. 4.
Figs. 6 to 17 are details of construction Figs. 7 to 17 being drawn on an
enlarged scale.
This velocipede has, as usual two wheels 1 and 2, the large and small chain
wheels 3, 4, chain 5 and pedals 6.
The frame is similar to those usually employed, comprising the front fork 7,
steering rod 8 the handle-bar 10 constructed as will hereafter appear, the rear
fork 11 stay rods 12 and 13 the saddle-bar 14 and saddle 15.
This
The stays which connect the steering rod 8 with the stay 12 are of novel or
improved construction and consist of the parts 16, 17 and 18, 19 respectively.
The portions belonging to the back wheel 2 are united by a stay 20 a similar
stay 21 being provided for the parts belonging to the front wheel. Fig. 7 shows
how these two stays 20 and 21 may be shaped so as to fit into one another.
arrangement would permit the whole velocipede to be divided into two separate
portions were it not that a bar 22 is connected by hinges 23, 24 with the parts 8
and 12 of the frame, as clearly shown in Fig. 7. When the bicycle is converted
for carrying purposes, the bar 22 forms one of its main stays, the handle-bar 10
serving as another.
It is evident that means must be provided to prevent separation of the two
parts when the whole is to be used as an ordinary bicycle. This may conveniently
be effected by the locking device also shown in Fig. 7. On one of the stays 21 a
spring bolt 25 is provided, which may be rotated by means of a lever 26. The
lower end of the bolt 25 is shaped as represented in Fig. 17. It engages with the
Stay 22 by a suitable aperture in the latter and when turned through an angle
of 90° locks the parts together. On the stay 19 and at the part 27 a fork 28 is
hinged. This fork has hooks 29 fitting into eyes or holes 30 on the front fork 7
so as to fix the front wheel when the velocipede is converted into a carrier. In its
normal condition the fork 28 lays back against the stay 19 where it is retained by
a spring 31. On the front fork a stay 33 is provided turuing on 32, a similar
stay 35 turning on 34 being provided on the rear fork 11. Both these stays have
books 36 and serve to strengthen the machine when converted, and for this

page_text: purpose engage with holes or recesses 37 and 38, in a boss 39 on stay 22. As
will be seen in the detail-views Figs. 9 to 11, the hooks are provided with notches 40
for engagement with springs 41 so that they will be firmly held, yet readily
disconnected.
A locking device 42 similar to that herein above described (25) is illustrated
in Figs. 13-16 and serves to secure the handle-bar 10 in the bearing 43 on the
steering rod 9. Spring-arms 44 bearing upon the handle-bar 10 operate the
bolt 42. The handle-bar 10 is thus readily removable; beyond the handles it
carries studs 45 fitting into sleeves 46 provided on projections 47 of the
stays 20, 21, so that the handle-bar serves as a second stay when the machine is
used as a carrier.
When the wheels are side by side, and fixed as will be understood from the
foregoing description, any carrying device may be applied to the machine, being
attached either to the stay 22 or to the handle-bar 10.
For military purposes the ambulances or stretchers usual in most armies may be
employed, or an ambulance such as shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 5 may be used.
This is readily taken to pieces or fitted up, and can be easily be transported, and
may be used for carrying goods if desired.
Two bearing bars 48 preferably fitted with handles 49 are connected by a
fabric 50 capable of being stretched by a crossbar 51. The crossbar may con-
veniently be fitted with a foot-rest 52 and with straps 53 for tightening the fabric
longitudinally.
At 54 the bearers 48 are attached to the projections 47. As will be seen in
Figs. 6, 2, 3 and 4 straps 56 are attached to the fabric and hooks 57 engage with
the handle-bar 10 so as further to tighten the fabric longitudinally. From the
point 55 the fabric is inclined upwards to form a head-rest or pillow 58 and at 59
are provided stays 60 fitting sockets 61 on the handle-bar 10 so as to permit the
head-rest 58 to be tightened.
This form of ambulance or stretcher is easily fitted up or dismounted and can
conveniently be carried on the sides of the machine.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is.
1) A velocipede capable of being used as a velocipede or converted into a
carrier and having a divided frame the parts whereof are attached to a bar so as
to be parallel thereto when the machine is used as a bicycle, being placed at right
angles to said bar when the machine acts as a carrier, substantially as set forth
and as specified with reference to the accompanying drawings.
2) In a convertible bicycle the arrangement of the divided frame consisting of a
front fork carrying the front wheel, steering rod and parts connected therewith,
hinged to the bar 22, the rear fork carrying the rear-wheel and the parts connected
with it, similarly hinged to the bar 22 in combination with the stays for fixing
the parts in the required position as set forth and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
3) In a convertible velocipede such as set forth the construction and arrangement
of the handle-bar so as to enable the same to be used as a second stay and also to
support the carrying device as set forth.
4) The combination of a convertible velocipede with an ambulance or stretcher
constructed and arranged as set forth and substantially as shown in the accompanying
drawings.
Dated thin 10t 2
CA
11000
BERNHARD DUKES,
226 High Holborn, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicants.