Improvements in Package Carriers for Bicycles and the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Nov., 1899-Accepted, 9th Deo.,
1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Package Carriers for Bicycles and the like.
I, CHARLES WILLIAM SMITH, of 133, Handy Street, City of Cleveland, State
of Ohio, United States of America, Physician, 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 specification ;-
-
My invention relates to improvements in devices for carrying packages on
bicycles and the like, the object, being to produce a carrier or greatest possible
strength and rigidity, least possible weight, noiseless, of economical construction
and offering the least amount of atmospheric resistance.
The annexed drawings and the following description, set forth in detail certain
mechanism embodying the invention; such disclosed means constituting but one
of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.
in the accompanying drawings;
Figure represents a side elevation of a bicycle with my improved package
carrier attached thereto; Figure 11 represents a perspective view of said carrier
detached from the bicycle; Figure 11 represents a ront view of the detached
carrier; Figures IV and V represent enlarged detail views of the end of the rear
bicycle fork showing also that portion of the carrier attached thereto; and
Figure VI represents the carrier detached and covered by a waterproof hood or
cover, a portion of the latter being broken away to disclose the carrier beneath.
The improved carrier consists of two parallel lateral sides a constructed of open
wire or similar net work, joined by a top portion b, bottom portion o, and rear
portion & formed upon a continuous curve, preferably similar to that shown in
Figure I; and a front inclined portion e parallel, or substantially parallel, with
the rear bicycle fork.
A hood or shield f is formed, and projects within said carrier to receive the
rear bicycle wheel, and extends from the bottom of the receptacle to within a
short distance of the top of the front portion e.
The top and rear portions are also constructed of open wire or other net work,
the top being provided with a suitable door g which may be provided with a lock.
The lateral sides a are each provided with a circumferential flange a which
projects outwardly from its respective side and prevents the latter from injury by
contact.
The front portione is provided with two apertures e¹e each covered with wire
or net work similar to that covering the top and rear portions of the carrier, and
is further provided with glove-clasp fasteners e², to which a water-proof hood or
cover O may be secured as shown in Figure VI, similar fasteners being provided
at the bottom and rear portion to hold the said hood at other points as is neces-
sary to properly secure same.
Traversing the inside of the receptacle in a transverse direction, and secured
to the bottom thereof, is a removable upright wall or stop h, extending one in
each side of the hood as shown in Figure II.
To the lower part of the front wall of the receptacle are secured two forks j
which are located one on each side of the hood or shield f.

page_text: The rear axle of the bicycle is provided one on each side with two lateral exten-
Bions k, Figure V, each such extension being threaded to receive two nuts ₹ and m,
between which each of said forks j is placed and secured.
the
It is seen that by manipulating these nuts and adjusting the forks
carrier may be adjusted laterally and the rear wheel hence adjusted laterally in
the hood.
To the upper part of said front wall is secured a clamp n provided with rubber
contact piece by means of which the carrier may be secured at this point to the
upper portion of the rear fork as shown.
The above described construction is such as to render the carrier entirely free
from noise to which other devices of this class have always been subject, there
being no straight plates or sheets running perpendicularly to or at obtuse angles
with the direction of motion in jolting. The open or curved construction causes
the device to offer the least amount of atmospheric resistance compatible with
rigidity and strength.
The stop walls make it possible to arrange the heavier packages to be carried
nearer the center of support of the carrier, and hence causes the center of gravity
of the loaded carrier to fall near the rear axle, whereby the stability of the com-
bination is increased to the greatest possible extent.
Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed,
instead of the one explained; change being made as regards the mechanism herein
disclosed, provided the means covered by any one of the following claims be
employed.
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 bicycle package carrier, consisting of a receptacle composed of two rigid
flat sides, a front portion, and a top, bottom and rear portion formed upon a
continuous convex curve, substantially as set forth.
2. A bicycle package carrier, consisting of a receptacle composed of two rigid
flat sides, an inclined front portion, and a top, bottom and rear portion formed
upon a continuous convex curve, substantially as set forth.
3. A bicycle package carrier consisting of a receptacle composed of two parallel
lateral sides constructed of open wire or similar net work, each such side provided
with a circumferential flange secured thereto and projecting outwardly therefrom,
and a top, bottom and rear portion formed upon a continuous curve, substantially
as set forth.
4. The combination with the rear fork of a bicycle, of a package carrier secured
to said fork and consisting of a receptacle composed of two lateral sides, a top,
bottom and rear portion formed upon a continuous curve, and an inclined front 4
portion, substantially parallel with said rear fork, substantially as set forth.
5. The combination with the rear fork of a bicycle, of a package carrier secured
to said fork and consisting of two lateral sides, a top, bottom and rear portion
formed upon a continuous curve, and an inclined front portion, said bottom portion
provided with an upright wall or stop traversing said receptacle in a transverse
direction, substantially as set forth.
6. A bicycle package carrier consisting of a receptacle composed of two parallel
lateral sides constructed of wire or other net work, each such side formed with a
top, bottom and rear portions formed upon a continuous curve, the top and rear
portions of one of said sides being joined to the top and rear portions of the other 5
side with similar wire or net work, the front and bottom portions of the carrier
provided with means for securing the carrier to the rear axle and rear fork of a
bicycle; the middle of the front portion having a hood projecting from it into the
receptacle and adapted to receive and form a guard for rear wheel of such bicycle,
substantially as set forth.
7. A bicycle package carrier, consisting of a receptacle comprising two perpen-
6

page_text: dicular sides, an inclined front portion, a top, bottom and rear portion formed
upon a continuous curve and joining said sides to form a closed receptacle, each
said side provided with a flange projecting laterally therefrom around its entire
circumference, said top portion provided with a door, and said front portion pro-
vided with means for securing the carrier to the rear fork of a bicycle, the
inclination of said front portion being substantially equal to that of said rear
fork; and a hood or shield secured to said bottom and front portion projecting
into the receptacle and adapted to receive the rear bicycle wheel, substantially
as set forth.
Valeu mis own way of November 1899,
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.