Improvements in Bicycles.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SP
Improvements in Bicycles.
I WILLIAM JOHN TANNER of 4 Rosary Gardens Kensington Gentleman do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
An arrangement whereby the pedals of bicycles are made to fold against the
machine in order to reduce the space occupied by the bicycle when not in use and
also to save the pedals from being injured when being carried. My arrangement
consists of a hinge at the place where the pedal and the bar supporting the pedal
meet and it is so constructed that when the machine is in use the pedal is kept rigid
at right angles to the bar in all parts of the revolution of the pedal but when out of
use the pedal can be folded against the machine in a compact form. I arrange a bolt
key or the like in such a manner that the hinge is prevented from turning when the
pedal is either set for use or folded against the machine.
I, WILLIAM JOHN TANNER, of 4 Rosary Gardens, Kensington, London, 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,
reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters and figures
marked thereon, that is to say:
My improvements in bicycles have reference more particularly to an improved
construction of folding pedal, whereby the same can be readily turned to lie parallel.
with, or against, the crank so as to economise space in housing the machine, or when
the same is to be stored, or packed for transit.
For the purpose of my Invention, each pedal, and its pin, is carried by a knuckle
or block which is movably connected to the free end of its corresponding crank, and
into such end I provide a bolt, catch, or the like, for automatically locking the pedal
in its folded, or unfolded, position.
A convenient arrangement consists in securing each of the pedal pins to the
knuckle or block, and pivotting or hinging said knuckle into its corresponding crank,
the free end of which is forked to receive it, the arrangement being such as to allow
the knuckle to be turned at a right angle to the crank, and so bring the pedals
parallel with their respective crank.
The knuckle or block is formed with a shank having a recess or notch into which
the bolt, catch, or the like, engages in order to lock the knuckle and so retain the
pedal firmly in the operative position.
Means are provided to enable the bolt to be withdrawn from the recess or notch,

page_text: when it is required to fold the pedal; and, if desired, a second recess or notch may
be formed, also in the shank of the knuckle, into which said bolt can engage to retain
the pedal when folded, and prevent it falling down.
And in order that my Invention may be readily understood, I will describe the same
fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a view shewing the pedal folded against the crank.
Fig. 2 a view shewing it unfolded and secured in its operative position, and
Fig. 3 a view of the same drawn at right angles to Fig. 2, and partly broken away
to clearly shew the locking bolt and the means for retiring the same.
Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view, in section, shewing the parts locked in their operative
position.
Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on the line x, x, of Fig. 3, and
Fig. 6 is a detached view of the pivotted knuckle or block.
In carrying out my Invention, I form the free end of the crank a as a fork or
bifurcation a to receive the knuckle 6 carrying the pedal pin and its pedal. This
knuckle is provided with a shank 61 (formed at right angles to the pedal pin) which
fits into the forked end at of the crank. A pivot pin 2 secures the knuckle and
crank together and enables the former to be turned, as shewn in Fig. 1. The
shank has a notch or recess 63 in its uppermost end to receive the locking bolt, and
may be cut away at an angle, as shewn at b, to abut against the correspondingly
shaped part a2 of the forked crank.
c, is the locking bolt; it works in a guide hole a³ in the crank and is caused to
engage in the recess or notch b³, under the action of a coiled spring d, and to thus
keep the pedal in its normal or operative position when the machine is in use.
Through the upper part of the locking bolt, passes a cross pin e by means of which
such bolt can be withdrawn from the notch or recess b³, and said pin is adapted to
slide in slots a formed in the crank.
To prevent grit or dirt entering these slots at, cover plates fare provided, and are
secured to the ends of the pin e. They have their upper ends bent to form lips or
catches for manipulating the locking bolt c, and so releasing the knuckle b when it
is required to fold the pedal. The tight fit of the parts, together with the pressure
of the locking-bolt on the knuckle are considered sufficient to prevent the folded
pedal from falling down; but, if desired, a second notch may be provided in the
shank b¹ so that the bolt c shall slip into it and lock it.
To fold the pedal, it is only. necessary to lift the locking bolt, by means of the
lips or catches f, out of engagement with the knuckle, and then, by means of the
pedal, turn the knuckle into a position at a right angle to the crank, so causing
the pedal to lie parallel with said crank.
It is obvious that instead of the arrangement hereinabove described., the knuckle
or block 6 may be forked, the end of the crank made to fit into it, and the bolt or
catch be suitably arranged to retain the parts in position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same may be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A folding pedal for bicycles in which the pedal and its pin are carried by a
knuckle or block movably connected to the free end of the crank, and in which end
means are provided for locking the pedal in the required position, substantially as
described.
2. In a folding pedal for bicycles a knuckle or block provided with a notched or
recessed shank and pivotted in the free end of the crank which is forked to receive
it, said knuckle or block being adapted to carry the pedal pin and allow the pedal
to be folded against, or parallel with, the crank, substantially as described.
J
3. In a folding pedal for bicycles, the combination of a pivotted knuckle or block
(carrying the pedal pin), a crank having a forked extremity to receive said knuckle
or block, and a bolt or catch arranged in the crank and adapted to enter a notch or

page_text: recess in the shank of the knuckle and automatically lock the pedal in its operative
position, substantially as described.
4. In a folding pedal for bicycles, the combination of a knuckle or block (carrying
the pedal pin), a crank having its free extremity forked, into which the shank of
said knuckle is pivotted, a spring bolt or catch provided with a lifting pin adapted to
work in slots in the crank, and cover-plates carried by the lifting pin and forming, at
same time, a means for releasing the bolt or catch, substantially as described.
5. My improved folding pedal for bicycles, substantially as hereinbefore described
and shewn with reference to the annexed drawings.
ERNEST DE PASS,
Chartered Patent Agent,
78, Fleet Street, London, and 5A, Market Street, Nottingham,
Agent for the Applicant.