Novel or Improved Appliance for use in Cycling, Adapted to Act as a Cut-wind or Prow and Dust Guard, and for other purposes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Novel or Improved Appliance for use in Cycling, Adapted to Act as a
Cut-wind or Prow and Dust Guard, and for other purposes.
We, JAMES RIMMER, of 37, Flood Street, Dudley, in the County of Worcester,
Architect, and EBENEZER PEWTRESS, of Malvern Villa, Dog Lane, The Knowle, near
Dudley, aforesaid, Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention has for its object a novel or improved appliance, for use with
a cycle, or otherwise by a cyclist, adapted to act as a cut-wind or prow and dust
guard, as a shield for a lady cyclist, and as a sail.
An appliance constructed according to this invention is formed to a shape, as
seen on plan, somewhat similar to the bow of a boat, and is fixed (preferably in
a detachable manner) to the forward framing of the cycle. The appliance is,
preferably, formed in halves divided vertically and shaped to pass down on each
side of the steering fork. The forward edge of each half is conveniently fixed
to the steering head of the cycle, and each half extends backwards in a curved or
inclined direction, and is maintained in position by suitable stays which are con-
nected with the cycle framing, such as with the upper and lower main stays.
A convenient method of fixing the forward portion of the appliance to the
framing of the cycle, is to fix a pair of clips, each having an eye on either side
thereof, to the steering head, one being fixed near to the top, and the other near
to the bottom thereof, and to form hooks upon the appliance in such position that
it can be readily hooked on to the clips, and unhooked therefrom. The stays
which assist in keeping the appliance in position may have their ends formed with
hooks, if desired, so that they may be readily connected to or disconnected from
clips, similar to those fixed to the steering head, which are fastened in suitable
position upon the framing of the machine.
Instead of forming the appliance in two parts, as above described, it may be
formed in a single piece, if preferred, in which case it is divided at the front for
some distance from its bottom edge so as to enable it to be passed down on either
side of the steering fork.
An appliance shaped to present to the wind a similar surface to that of the
appliance above described may be worn by the rider as a breastplate.
The appliance may be formed of sheet metal, leather, celluloid, or any suitable
material, or it may be constructed as an open framework and be covered with silk,
canvas or other suitable material.
An appliance of the character above described, whether attached to the machine
or worn by the rider, acts as a prow or cut-wind and enables the rider to propel
the machine with much less exertion than heretofore. This is an advantage which,
when the appliance is fixed to the machine, will be experienced more especially by
ladies, in consequence of the wind being prevented from collecting in the skirt;

page_text: and there is the further advantage that the skirt is not disarranged by the wind.
The appliance may serve also as a sail, with a following wind.
Dated this 5th day of August 1897
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicants.
Novel or Improved Appliance for use in Cycling, Adapted to Act as a
Cut-wind or Prow and Dust Guard, and for other purposes.
We, JAMES RIMMER, of 37, Flood Street, Dudley, in the County of Worcester,
Architect, and EBENEZER PEWTRESS, formerly of The Knowle, near Dudley, but
now of Lime Tree House, Rowley Regis, near Dudley aforesaid; Agent, do hereby..
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement reference being had to the drawings accompanying this specification
and to the figures and letters shewn thereon:-
This invention has for its object a novel or improved appliance for use with a
cycle or tricycle or otherwise by a cyclist adapted to act as a dust and rain
protector, a wind cutter and propeller, a shield to a lady cyclist and to prevent
wind and dust gathering in ladies dresses. The appliance can be made with
pockets at the back to hold light articles and can be unfastened and folded up
when going by railway. An appliancé constructed according to this invention
is formed to a shape as seen in elevational view Fig. 1 somewhat similar to the
bow of a boat, and is fixed (preferably in a detachable manner) to the forward
framing of the cycle.
The appliance is preferably formed in halves devided vertically and shaped to
pass down on each side of the steering fork.
The forward edge of each half is convently fixed to the steering head of the cycle
and each half extends backwards in a curved or inclined direction and is maintained
in position by suitable stays which are connected to the cycle framing to the upper
part of the front steering bar and the top curved bar leading to the saddle bar
shewn at A Fig. and A B on Fig. 3.
A convenient method of fixing the forward portion of the appliance or shield
to the framing of the cycle is to fix a pair of clips, each having an eye on either
side thereof to the steering head shewn at A Figs. 1 and 3, near to the top.
The clips are made with hinges to clasp round the bar and secured at the back
part with thumb screws (see plan view Fig. 4 shewn to enlarged scale) and hooks
are formed on the appliance in such position see Fig. 2 C C that it can be readily
hooked on to the clips, and unhooked therefrom. The stays which are made of
strong plated wire about 3/16 inche thick assist in keeping the appliance in may have
their ends formed with hooks if desired so that they may be readily connected to
or disconnected from clips D D Fig. 3.
The clips are made similar to those fixed on steering head Fig. 4 but with two
sockets on each side to receive the two stays from each side of the appliance. This
clip is fixed on the top bar which is curved leading to the saddle bar and about
eight inches behind the steering bar.
The appliance may be made of strong wire framing with two light tempered
steel bands across the front, half an inch wide fastened at each end to the wire
frame also soldered, hooks and eyes for the attaching of stays are also, made in the
wire framing in positions and as shewn at E E Fig. 2.
The appliance is not in any way connected to the steering fork as there is left

page_text: a clear space round it for freedom of action. The frame of appliance may be
covered with fine wire gause on the front side, soldered round the wire frame
afterwards covered with cloth, silk or patent leather and trimmed to any design
on the face and have tassels at the sides, or the appliance can be made of tin or
papier-mache stamped or cast to any design.
Instead of making the appliance in two parts as before described, it may be
formed in a single piece if preferred in which case it is devided at the front for
some distance from its bottom edge so as to enable it to be passed down on either
side of the steering fork and stayed at the back as if used in halves.
An appliance shaped to present to the wind a similar surface to that of the
appliance above described may be worn by the rider as a breast plate.
An appliance of the character above described whether attached to the machine
or worn by the rider acts as a prow or wind cutter and enables the rider to propel
the machine with much less exertion than heretofore. This is an advantage which
when the appliance is fixed to the machine, will be experienced more especially
by ladies, in consequence of the wind being prevented from collecting in the
skirt, and there is the further advantage that the skirt is not disarranged by the
wind.
The appliance may also serve as a sail with a following wind if the stays are
altered or opened to allow the shield to catch the wind from behind.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is:-
First. In bicycles or tricycles the application and arrangement of a shield in
combination adapted to act as a dust and rain protector, wind cutter and propeller
substantially as herein described.
Second. In combination an appliance forming a shield for attachment to the
framing of a cycle and operating as and for the purpose substantially as described.
Third. An appliance formming a shield arranged and constructed as herein set
forth in combination with a cycle or for use separately to be worn by the rider as a
breast plate as described.
Fourth. The novel or improved appliance for use in cycling adapted to act as
a cut wind or prow and dust guard, and for other purposes in manner substantially
as herein described.
1
1000
EWD. J. PAYNE & SON,
Warwick Chambers, 104, Colmore Row, Birmingham,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.