Improvements in Toe Clips and Pedals for Velocipedes.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd May, 1893-Accepted, 23rd July, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Toe Clips and Pedals for Velocipedes.
We, WILLIAM JOHN GROTENHUIS and HENRY TURNER SIDWAY, both of
of
54, North Clinton Street, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States,
America, Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of our invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
com-
Our invention relates to that class of toe clips which are used in connection
with the pedals of bicycles, tricycles, and similar vehicles, and also to a
bined pedal and toe clip as it is also used in connection with such vehicles, and
has for its object the providing of a simple, economical and efficient toe clip.
A further object of our invention is to provide a simple, economical and
efficient combined pedal and toe clip.
The invention consists principally in the combination of a metal plate adapted
to be secured to a pedal and a cover portion formed of leather or similar material
held in position by means of elastic strips of metal.
The invention consists further in the combination of a pedal pin and base
plate rotatably mounted thereon and a flexible yielding cover portion secured to
such base plate.
The invention consists further and finally in the features, combinations and
details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of a complete toe
clip embodying our improvements; Fig. 2 a plan view of the same looking
at it from the top; Fig. 3 a plan view looking at it from the bottom; Fig. 4
an end view; Fig. 5 a plan view of our improved combined pedal and toe clip
looking at it from above; Fig. 6 a plan view of the same looking at it from
below; and Fig. 7 a sectional elevation taken on the line 3 of Fig. 5 looking
in the direction of the arrow.
In the art to which this invention relates it is well known that the rider of
a bicycle, tricycle or similar vehicle experiences considerable difficulty in keeping
his or her feet on the pedals, especially when riding over small obstructions such
as pebbles and loose dirt roads. In order to overcome this objection various
styles of toe clips have been designed, the majority of which are composed of
metal, and which are objectionable in that they bear on the tender part of the
feet much to the annoyance and discomfort of the rider as well as the destruction
of his shoes. There is another class of toe clips in which leather has been used
but which is objectionable in that it is liable to stretch during the lifting motion
of the feet and during damp weather sags to such an extent as to make it
objectionable in that the feet cannot be readily inserted in the pedals.
It is also well known that in the use of ordinary pedals having toe clips
removably secured on the same they are cumbersome in that the weight is in
excess of what it should be and they are unsightly from a mechanical and artistic
standpoint.
The principal objects of our invention, therefore, are to remove the objections
above noted and as they exist in the prior art, and to provide (1) a toe clip,
preferably an adjustable one, which may be taken off or placed on an ordinary

page_text: pedal, and (2) to provide a combined pedal and toe clip both of which will be
economical to construct and repair and which will add to the efficiency of the
wheel, all of which will hereinafter more fully appear.
In constructing a toe clip-see Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4-in accordance with our
improvements we make a plate A which is intended to be arranged in a flat
plane and which is provided with a bracket or lug portion B bent at right
angles to the plate. This lug portion is provided with a slot C through which
a screw may be passed for the purpose of adjustably securing the plate to the
pedal portion D as shown in Fig. 1.
In order to limit the position of the foot on the pedal and prevent its slipping
forward too far the front end of the plate is provided with two up-turned lips E
against which the toe of the shoe may impinge and prevent the shoe from coming
too far forward.
In order to form a lifting portion for the clip as well as to assist in keeping
the foot in position from lateral movement a cover portion F is provided of
suitable leather or similar yielding material such as felt or rubber. This yielding
cover is preferably slitted longitudinally, one end of each piece being riveted or
otherwise secured to the metal plate, while the free ends are perforated and
provided with eyelets so that a lace may be passed therethrough for the purpose
of adjusting the cover to any sized foot.
The leather cover if used alone would be objectionable in that it would soon
stretch, become limp and in damp weather sag to such an extent as to render it
practically useless. In order to over-come this objection we prefer to provide
two elastic strips of metal G which have one end preferably secured to the metal
plate through the leather and the opposite or free ends bent backwardly and
secured to the cover at or near the free ends of the cover by means of rivets or
eyelets.
The advantages of a toe clip constructed in accordance with our improvements
are apparent in that efficient means is provided for securely holding the foot
on the pedal and which permits it at all times to be easily withdrawn and at the
same time protecting the foot from injury and the rider's shoe from being
impaired.
In constructing a pedal-see Figs. 5, 6 and 7-in accordance with our im-
provements we use a pedal pin H of the desired size and shape and which is
preferably provided with a threaded socket portion h adapted to be removably
secured in the crank of a velocipede.
In order to provide a secure resting place for the foot we provide a foot plate I
and rotatably secure it to the pedal portion by means of the sleeve i which for
the sake of economy is secured to the foot plate by means of the screw rivets 2¹
though it may be made all in one piece from a forging or stamping.
This foot plate is provided with a rearwardly and downwardly extending
lug I¹ and upwardly extending lips which act as stops against which the toe
of a shoe will impinge so as to limit or assist in positioning the foot.
To assist in preventing the foot from slipping the foot plate at or near its
rear end portion is preferably provided with a number of serrated teeth 12 which
extend upwardly so as to contact the sole of a shoe and prevent slipping.
It is well known that in fast riding and in climbing hills it is advantageous
to apply a lifting force to the pedal as well as a downward thrust and in order
to accomplish this result as well as assist in holding the foot on the foot plate
we provide a cover K formed of leather or similar yielding material and which
has its ends & secured to the base plate by means of the rivets k¹. In the drawings
we have shown this cover as extending over the foot plate in the shape of a
pocket or what might properly be called a stirrup. Ordinarily this yielding
portion if formed solely of leather would become stretched, limp and sag so as
to be practically useless. In order to prevent this objectionable feature elastic
strips L of metal are provided which have one end as at / riveted to the foot
plate and preferably through the leather while their opposite or free ends extend

page_text: upwardly and over the cover towards the rear portion at which point they are
While we
riveted at and assist in maintaining the cover in position for use.
have shown these metallic strips as made in two parts it is possible to make them
in one piece connected together and riveted at one or more points to the cover;
it is sufficient if they be elastic enough to permit the insertion, and "give" to
the foot as well as maintaining the cover in its operative position.
The advantages of a pedal constructed in accordance with our improvements
are that it is extremely light to place on a bicycle; it is economical to manufacture;
it is of a satisfactory appearance to the mechanic and designer and is efficient
in operation.
While we have described our invention with more or less minuteness as regards
details and as being embodied in certain precise forms, we do not desire to be
limited thereto unduly, any more than is pointed out in. the claims. On the
contrary, we contemplate all proper changes in form, construction and arrange-
ment, the omission of immaterial elements and the substitution of equivalents
as circumstances may suggest or necessity render expedient.
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 toe clip for velocipede pedals consisting of a metal base plate, a cover
secured to the base plate and formed of leather or similar yielding material,
and elastic strips of metal secured to the cover to assist in maintaining it in its
operative position, substantially as described.
2. A toe clip for velocipede pedals consisting of a metal base plate adapted
to be removably secured to a pedal portion, up-turned lips on the front end
of the base plate to position the foot, a cover formed of leather or similar material
secured to the base plate, and an elastic strip of metal secured to the cover to
assist in holding it in operative position, substantially as described.
3. A toe clip for velocipede pedals consisting of a metal base plate having
a down-turned lug at the rear end provided with a perforation for adjustably and
removably securing it to a pedal and up-turned lips at the front to position the
foot, a cover formed of leather or similar material secured to the base plate, and
an elastic strip of metal secured to the cover and the base plate to assist in
maintaining the cover in operative position, substantially as described.
4. A toe clip for velocipede pedals consisting of a metal base plate, a cover
portion secured thereto and formed of leather or similar yielding material, and
elastic strips of metal secured at one end to the base plate bent upward and
over the cover portion and secured at their free ends to the cover portion to
assist in maintaining it in operative position, substantially as described.
5. A toe clip for velocipede pedals consisting of a metal base plate adapted
to be adjustably secured to a pedal, a cover portion divided longitudinally and
each piece secured at one end to the base plate and provided with perforations
at or near their free ends, a lace passed through such perforations to secure the
free ends of the cover together and an elastic strip of metal for each half of the
cover secured at one end to the base plate and passed up and over the cover and
secured at their free ends to the cover near its rear edge, substantially as
described.
6. In a pedal for velocipedes, the combination of a pedal pin adapted to be
secured to the crank of a velocipede, a foot plate provided with bearing portions
and rotatably mounted thereon and a cover portion secured to the foot plate
and adapted to embrace a portion of the foot, substantially as described.
7. In a velocipede pedal, the combination of a pedal pin adapted to be secured
to the crank of a bicycle, a foot plate extending transversely across and provided
with bearing portions by which it is rotatably mounted on the pedal pin, and
a cover portion rigidly secured to the foot plate and adapted to embrace a
portion of a rider's foot, substantially as described.

page_text: 8. In a velocipede pedal, the combination of a pedal pin adapted to be secured
to the crank of a velocipede, a foot plate extending transversely across and pro-
vided with bearing portions by which it is rotatably mounted on the pedal pin,
and a cover portion formed of flexible or yielding material rigidly secured to the
foot plate and adapted to embrace a portion of the rider's foot, substantially as
described.
9. In a velocipede pedal, the combination of a pedal pin adapted to be secured
to the crank of a velocipede, a foot plate extending transversely across and pro-
vided with bearing portions by which it is rotatably mounted upon the pedal
pin, a serrated portion at or near the rear portion of the foot plate, a lip or lips
at the front portion of such foot plate, and a cover portion formed of yielding
material rigidly secured to the foot plate and adapted to embrace a portion of
the rider's foot, substantially as described.
10. In a velocipede pedal, the combination of a pedal pin adapted to be secured
to the crank of a velocipede, a foot plate extending transversely of and provided
with bearing portions by which it is rotatably mounted upon the pedal pin, a cover
portion formed of leather or similar fielding material rigidly secured to the
foot plate so as to embrace a portion of the rider's foot, and an elastic strip or
strips of metal secured to the foot plate and the cover portion so as to yieldingly
hold the cover portion in operative position, substantially as described.
11. In a velocipede pedal, the combination of a pedal pin adapted to be secured
to the crank of a velocipede, a foot plate extending transversely of and provided
with bearing portions by which it is rotatably mounted on the pedal pin, a serrated
portion on such foot plate at or near the rear part thereof, a lip or lips extending
upwardly at the front part of the foot plate, a cover portion formed of leather
or similar material rigidly secured to the foot plate, and at least two metallic
strips secured at one end to the foot plate at each side thereof and at their
opposite ends secured to the cover so as to flexibly hold such cover in its operative
position, substantially as described.
Dated this 2nd day of May 1898
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.