Certain Improvements in Bicycles.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Mar., 1887.
Specification Accepted, 7th Apr., 1887,
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Certain Improvements in Bicycles.
I, JAMES BRUSIE, residing at No. 570 Thirteenth Street in the city of Oakland,
county of Alameda, and State of California, one of the United States of America,
Merchant, 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:
My Invention relates to the class of bicycles. My Invention consists in the attachment
thereto of small auxilliary wheels, one on each side of the main wheel, and one in front,
said wheels being so connected and arranged that the auxilliary side wheels may be
used alone, or the auxilliary front wheel may be thus used, or all together, and said
wheels may be adjusted so as to raise them from the ground or throw them down to
it, as desired.
The object of my invention is to insure safety in mounting, in riding, and in
dismounting.
The accompanying drawings will explain my invention.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of my bicycle.
A is the large wheel, B is the small wheel,
Figure 2 is a front elevation of same.
Cis the back-bone, Dare the forks, E is the steering-center, F is the handle-bar, G is
the saddle, H are the cranks, and I are the treadles.
About the axle of the large wheel A, though not directly thereon, but upon the
boxes of the axle, is pivoted a flange J, one on each side.
This flange has radially-projecting wings j. To the rearmost wing of each flange is
bolted an arm k, in the lower end of which is mounted an auxilliary side wheel K. To
the lower wing of each flange is bolied the leg of a forked arm 7, embracing the main
wheel, and in the lower end of which is mounted an auxilliary front wheel I.

page_text: on each side of the large wheel A, and has its head fitted over and guided by a curved
bar N, the upper end of which is secured to the head of the machine in suitable
manner. This bar has a series of holes or indentations for the purpose of receiving a
small spring-bolt m, or other fastening on the lever M, whereby the lever may be held
in the position to which it is adjusted. To further guide the lever and also to provide
a support for the curved guide-bar N, so that it will not have a tendency to settle
down on the wheel, a small pin or bolt is passed transversely through the upper
portion of the lever under the curved bar.
The operation of these attachments is as follows:—
By pulling the lever M. up, the flanges are turned about the axle, so that the
auxilliary front wheel is raised and the auxilliary side wheels K are moved down to
the ground.
safety.
The machine will thus be supported at a stand-still, and the rider may mount with
If not sufficiently expert to start from a stand-still, he may keep the side
wheels down until he has acquired momentum.
Then by pushing the lever M. down, the auxilliary side wheels are raised from the
ground, and the auxilliary front wheel is moved down to a position near the ground,
and being forward of the pivotal center of the machine and center of gravity, it will
prevent the rider from being thrown over the head of the machine.
Upon desiring to dismount from a stand-still, he again moves the lever up, thereby
bringing the auxilliary side wheels down to the ground. It will be seen that the
employment of the winged flanges J, provides for the ready application and removal
of all these attachments, or any portion of them.
If the rider wishes to dispense with them, either permanently or temporarily, he
simply takes out the several bolts which secure the arms k, l, and the lever M, to the
flanges, and he can then remove the auxilliary wheels and the lever.
He may allow the flanges to remain, or if he wishes he may remove them also by
releasing the axle from its box.
Thus the side wheels may be used alone, or the front wheel thus used, or all together,
as may be desired.
It is obvious that if there is no object in providing for the removal of these
attachments, the flanges, arms, and lever might be made integral, or any portion of
them.
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 attachment, consisting of auxilliary wheels mounted and carried by
arms pivoted about the axle of the large main wheel of the machine as a center, a
lever connected with the arms and passing up beside the main wheel to within reach
of the rider, whereby the auxilliary wheels may be adjusted to or from the ground,
and a guide-bar for directing and securing the fever, substantially as described.
2. A bicycle attachment, consisting of the auxilliary side wheels, located one on each
side of the large main wheel of the machine, and mounted in arms pivoted about the
axle of the largo wheel as a center, whereby the auxilliary wheels may be adjusted to
or from the ground, a lever for effecting this adjustment, and a guide-bar to direct
and hold the lever, substantially as described.
3. A bicycle attachment, consisting of an auxilliary front wheel located forward of
the vertical plane of the axle of the large main wheel of the machine and mounted in
an arm pivoted about said axle as a center, a lever within reach of the rider, whereby
the auxilliary front wheel may be adjusted, and a guide-bar directing and securing the
lever, substantially as described.
4. A bicycle attachment, comprising arms pivoted about the axle of the large main

page_text: wheel of the machine as a center, and carrying in their lower ends auxilliary wheels,
a forked lever embracing the main wheel and connected with said arms, whereby they
are moved on their pivotal centers to adjust their wheels, and a curved guide-bar
secured to the head of the machine, and passing down over the large main wheel for
directing and securing the lever, substantially as described.
5. A bicycle attachment, comprising flanges pivoted about the axle of the large
main wheel of the machine as a center, arms bolted radially to said flanges and adapted
to be readily applied and removed, auxilliary wheels carried by said arms, and an
operating lever bolted to said flanges, whereby it may be readily applied and removed,
said lever being adapted to turn the flanges on their centers, whereby the auxilliary
wheels are adjusted, substantially as described.
6. A bicycle attachment, comprising flanges pivoted about the axle of the large
main wheel of the machine as a center, and having radial wings, arms removably
connected with the wings and carrying auxilliary wheels, a forked lever embracing
the main wheel, and removably connected with the wings of the flanges, and a curved
guide-bar for directing and securing the lever, substantially as described.