Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Nov., 1895-Accepted, 18th Jan.,
1896
A communication from OSCAR MOORE SHANNON, 65 South Canal Street, Chicago,
Illinois, United States of America, Manufacturer.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, 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 :-
The matter of disposing of bicycles, both at honie and in offices and other
places of storage, more or less convenient of access to the owners, occasions them
considerable trouble and inconvenience. In the home of the rider, a bicycle, if
propped against a wall-the ordinary manner of disposing of it while out of use-
is liable to injure the wall; and the bicycle is liable to become marred by falling
down, or by being rubbed against. This and other objections attend the common
manner of disposing of bicycles while out of use in offices and other storage
places.
While various means have been provided for locking and dismantling a bicycle,
with a view to preventing a purloiner thereof from using it as a means of escape,
by riding it, the means referred to do not secure the bicycle against being carried
off; nor is my correspondent aware of any securing means for a bicycle that may
not, more or less readily, be severed from their mooring by a thief bent on stealing.
the wheel.
The primary object of this invention is to provide means for supporting a bicycle,
when out of use, in upright position and for effectually holding it, at the same
time, against unauthorized detachment from its keeper.
To this end for supporting the bicycle, at one of its wheels, in upright position,
means are provided affording at the same time a keeper or lock so fastened to a
stable object, such as a wall, post or floor, that the bicycle can not be separated
from its keeper, nor the latter, practically, from the object to which it is fastened,
without first unlocking the keeper to release the bicycle. And for the aforesaid
purpose it is preferred to provide a lock of peculiar construction.
Referring to the accompanying drawings-
Figure 1 shows the improved device, by a view in side elevation, in one of its
operative positions, namely fastened to the side of a post, and engaging a wheel of
a bicycle, of which only a broken portion is shown, in side elevation;
Figure 2 is a view in front elevation of the improved device enlarged over the
scale observed in Figure 1;
Figure 3, a view in rear elevation of the lock-case;
Figure 4, a view in front elevation of the back for the case, through the
medium of which the case is removably fastened to the post or other stable
object;
Figure 5, a section taken at the line 5 on Figure 2 and viewed in the direction
of the arrow;
Figure 6, a section taken at the line 6 on Figure 2 and viewed in the direction
of the arrow, but showing the lock in elevation and the case adjusted on its back,
fastened in operative position ;
Figure 7, a view in rear elevation showing the mechanism of the lock enlarged.
over the scale observed in Figure 2 ;
Figure 8, a similar view of the same, with the tumblers removed;

page_text: Figure 9, a similar view of the same, with the tumblers, shield-plate and other
details removed;
Figure 10, a section taken at the line 10 on Figure 7, viewed in the direction of
the arrow, and showing the key inserted and as turned one-fourth of a revolution
toward the right; and
.
Figure 11, a sectional view of the slotted key-arbor detail.
A is the block or case, formed as a casting of any suitable strong and durable
material, preferably malleable iron, and having, as an essential feature, a longitudinal
recess r, which should be central of the case and of the form, or substantially the
form, in cross section, of that portion of the tire-encircled wheel B of a bicycle
which is to be inserted into it and locked. At the opposite sides of the case are
shown enlargements affording housings q and q', or chambers, flanking the concavo-
convex wall of the recess r, for the internal mechanism, such as is hereinafter
described, or intended for the same general purpose. In one side of the case, as in
the housing 9, is the lock C, the preferred, but not essential, construction of which
is that hereinafter described, and which engages with one end of a swinging bolt p,"
hinged at the opposite side of the recess r, at the housing g', wherein, in a com-
partment formed within it, is provided a spring o tending to throw out the bolt
when unlocked; the bolt, in its locked position, spanning the recess and being,
preferably, of a curved shape, longitudinally, to conform to the cross-section of the
inner circumference of the rim of a wheel B.
The
D is the back of the case, which should conform to the shape of and fit within
the inner edge of the case; and the back carries, on its inner face, two rectangular
lugs n and n', adjacent to openings n (see Figure 4) through which project
sockets n³ on the under convex surface of the wall of the recess when the case A'
is applied to the back D, to receive the lugs and thus support the case.
relative arrangement of the lugs n n', with the adjacent openings n², and the
sockets n³ is such as to enable the latter to be readily slipped over the lugs with
either end of the case uppermost, so that the key-hole a in the case may be either
on its right or left side, according to convenience. A feature of the lock C is an
inner reciprocable bolt v to enter an opening v¹ near either of two corners of the
lock D (depending on which end of the case A is uppermost by its adjustment,
upon the back); and until the bolt v is withdrawn from its opening v', the case can
not be moved lengthwise (upward) on the back D to cause the sockets n³ to clear
the lugs n, n', so that the bolt affords a stop against separation of the case from
its back. This back is rigidly fastened, by screws or other means, for the use of
my improved device, to some stable object, as a post E or the wall of a room or
compartment, in either of which locations it occupies a vertical position; or to a
floor, in which location it occupies a horizontal position.
The case being formed, as it preferably is, entire or seamless, without parts
riveted or otherwise fastened together, and covering the back D at which this
improved device is rigidly fastened in place, obviously the device can not be
removed from its support without removing the latter with it (which is a practical
impossibility) unless by unlocking the device to withdraw the bolt v from the
back, when, by forcing the case longitudinally, the sockets n³ are caused to clear
the lugs n, n' to enable the case to be separated from the back.
To support and lock a bicycle by means of this improved combined support and
keeper therefor, the wheel (preferably, but not necessarily, the rear wheel) is
inserted into the recess r,-the bolt p being opened for the purpose, when the
bolt is swung across the inner circumference of the wheel and engaged with the
lock C.
Thus a bicycle may be held in its proper, upright, position and locked in a
suitable and safe manner.
To adapt this improved device the better for its purpose, the lock C may be, and
preferably is, of a special construction; and it should be a suap-lock for engaging
the bolt p automatically in inserting its free end into the opening pl of the lock-
case, and be adapted to permit the bolt p to be opened and withdraw the bolt v by
.
:

page_text: means of a single key inserted into the one key-hole. Accordingly, the lock-
construction has been devised of which the following is a description:
The mechanism of the lock C is contained in a case m, shown as rectangular in
form and having in the center of its opposite sides, openings affording bearings
for the ends of a rotary slotted key-arbor m', enlarged and circumferentially
flanged, as shown at t, about its outer end portion and reduced near its opposite
end where it passes through an annular key-guard m² in the bottom of the case m,
surrounding the opening therein, and having a radial slotted extension m³. In the
lock-case, on the bottom or inner surface thereof, to one side of the key-guard, is
confined a plate (see Figure 9) against a spring and having longitudinal slots *
and near opposite corners for limiting the reciprocating motion of the plate
by the posts which extend through the slots from the back of the lock-case; and
the plate carries the perpendicular studs and 16, while in its edge adjacent to
the key-arbor is provided the rectangular recess widened toward the edge of the
plate by forming the concave segmental sections 18 affording guide-bearings for the
end of the slotted extension of the key-guard m², which is on the same plane with
the plate.
Imposed upon the plate and pivoted to the rear post is a reciprocable catch-
plate controlled by a spring k at one end and having near it opposite end a
slot through which the stud 1 projects; and from the end of the plate kadjacent
to the slot ², there projects the hook-shaped catch into the opening in the
lock-case which the similarly-shaped catch on the free end of the swinging
bolt p enters to engage the catch k³, which is beveled, as shown at al, along one
edge toward its inner end and bears laterally against the stud 1. Moreover, in
the edge of the plate k, adjacent to the recess in the plate is formed a concave
recess to clear the stem of the key-arbor ml. On the plate k are imposed, one
upon the other, the tumblers i, h and g, each pivoted upon the innermost post land
controlled by a spring w; the tumblers being all of substantially the same con-
struction with concave recesses in their edges adjacent to the key-arbor, for the
same purpose as the recess s in the plate k, and each tumbler having a T-shaped
slot g near its outer end, through which the stud 1 extends.
The bolt v, which projects through an opening in the lock-case at the side or
edge thereof opposite that in which the opening p¹ for the bolt p is provided, is
carried by a reciprocable plate f having a recess f¹ in its edge adjacent to the key-
arbor in shape like the recess 17 in the plate l, except that it has only one rear
concave segmental guide-edge 18 for the key-guard m². The plate f carries a
bearing f for one end of a rod f2 supported at its opposite end in a rigid bearing f³
in the lock-case and surrounded by a spiral spring / confined between said bearings
to tend to hold the bolt v in its outermost position; and, as shown in Figure 8, a
further guide for the reciprocating plate fis afforded by a tongue f" in the lock-
case projecting into a longitudinal slot f extending inward from the adjacent cud
of the plate f. At its inner recessed edge, the plate f is overlapped by a guard-
plate e rigidly fastened at e¹ in the lock-case to prevent access, as by a wire,
through the key-arbor to the recess f¹ for the purpose of forcing the plate fin the
direction of withdrawing the bolt v to release the case A from its back D and
thereby enable the case to be carried off with the bicycle it is holding.
To open the lock a key K is inserted into the slotted key-arbor m, and to permit
the insertion in a manner to render the key operative for unlocking the device the
slot in the radial extension of the key-guard m² and that in the arbor must coincide.
Then, on inserting the key, its extreme end c¹ will find bearing in the hole provided
in the inner side of the lock-case; its bit e will be in the slot of the rotary key-
guard, and its other bit-portions engage the tumblers i, h and g by turning the key
toward the right, whereby the tumblers are turned against their springs on their
common pivot till the stems of their T-shaped slots 9 are brought into alignment
with the stud 1, when the slotted extension m³ of the key-guard will have entered
the recess in the plate and reached a position of bearing against the inner
edge of the recess. By then continuing to turn the key, the extension m³, by

page_text: bearing against the plate 7, retracts it against its spring, thereby drawing the
stud along the inclined edge of the catch ³ on the pivotal plate k and forcing
that catch laterally out of engagement with the catch p² on the bolt p, which latter,
thereupon, under the recoil of its controlling spring o, is withdrawn, or opened, to
permit the bicycle, held by it, to be removed. Further turning of the key K
eventually brings the slotted extension m³ of the key-guard m² after it has
inoperatively passed the segmental concave section 18, into engagement with the
further or outer straight side of the recess in the plate f, thereby, in continuing
to turn the key, forcing that plate against the resistance of the spring f, and
withdrawing the bolt from its opening in the back-plate D to permit the
case A to be separated therefrom if desired. Of course, when, in the rotation of
the key-guard m³ its extension m³ clears the plate l, the latter, the plate k carrying
the catch and the tumblers are returned by the recoil of their controlling springs,
to their normal relative positions; and the same is true of the plate carrying the
bolt v, when the key-guard extension clears the slot f¹.
It is to be understood that while it is preferred to equip this device with a lock
of the character of that described, involving as its essential principle the double
lock feature controlled by one key for unlocking the case of the device and the
connections thereof with the object to which it is secured, that part of the invention
relating to the case for holding the bicycle at its wheel and its fastening to a stable
object is not limited to having used with it the particular character of lock referred
to; nor is this invention in the lock limited to the particular details thereof shown
and described, as they may be variously modified without departing from the
invention.
Having now particularly described & ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent & in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. As a new article of manufacture, a combined support and keeper for a bicycle
comprising a block to be secured to a stable object and provided with a seat for a
bicycle-wheel, said seat comprising an elongated recess in the block, substantially
of the shape of the section of the wheel which enters it, and a bolt adjustable to
span said recess for locking the wheel therein, substantially as described.
2. As a new article of manufacture, a combined support and keeper for a bicycle,
comprising a case provided with a recess affording a seat for a bicycle-wheel, a
bolt adjustable to span said recess for locking the wheel therein, a lock for the
bolt, and a separable back secured on the case by which to fasten it to a stable
object and having the point or points of so fastening it covered by the case,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. As a new article of manufacture, a combined support and keeper for a bicycle
comprising a case provided with a recess affording a seat for a bicycle-wheel, a
bolt adjustable to span said recess for locking the wheel therein, a separable back
on the case by which to fasten it to a stable object and having the point or points
of so fastening it covered by the case, and locking-means in the case for the bolt
and for separably securing the back on the case, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
4. As a new article of manufacture, a combined support and keeper for a
bicycle, comprising a case provided with a recess affording a seat for a bicycle-
wheel, a lock in the case at one side of the recess, a swinging bolt hinged at one
end to the case at the opposite side of said recess and adjustable to span said
recess and engage said lock, and a separable back for said case normally locked
therein and by which the device is fastened to a stable object, substantially as
described.
5. As a new article of manufacture, a combined support and keeper for a
bicycle, comprising a case provided with a recess affording a seat for a bicycle-
wheel, a lock in the case at one side of the recess provided with a spring-catch
and a reciprocable bolt, both operative by a single key for the lock, a swinging

page_text: bolt hinged at one end to the case at the opposite side of said recess and
adjustable to span said recess and engage said catch, and a separable back for
said case, by which the device is fastened to a stable object, and secured by said
reciprocable bolt, substantially as described.
6. As a new article of manufacture, a combined support and keeper for a
bicycle, comprising a case provided with a recess affording a seat for a bicycle-
wheel, sockets on the convex wall of the recess, a lock in the case at one side of
the recess, provided with a spring-catch and a reciprocable bolt, a swinging bolt
hinged at one end to the case at the opposite side of said recess and adjustable to
span said recess and engage said catch, a back for the case, provided with lugs for
engaging said sockets, and upon which the case is adjustable from either end, the
back being secured by said reciprocable bolt and affording the means for fastening
the device to a stable object, substantially as described.
7. As a new article of manufacture, a combined support and keeper for a
bicycle, comprising a case A provided with a recess having sockets n³ on the
convex side of its wall, a lock in the case at one side of the recess, provided with
a spring-catch and a reciprocable holt v, a spring-controlled swinging bolt p hinged
at one side to the case at the opposite side of said recess and adjustable to span
said recess and engage said catch, a back for the case provided with openings n²
and and with lugs n and n' for engaging said sockets, the back being secured at
one of its openings by said reciprocable bolt and affording the means for
fastening the device to a stable object, substantially as described.
8. As a new article of manufacture, a combined support and keeper for a
bicycle, comprising a case provided with a recess affording a seat for a bicycle-
wheel and provided with a separable back by which the device is secured to a
stable object, a swinging bolt hinged at one end to the case at one side of the
recess, and a lock in the case at the opposite side of the recess, comprising a
case C containing a spring-controlled reciprocable plate provided with a recess i
and carrying studs and 1°, a spring-controlled plate k pivoted on said plate and
having a slot k through which the stud / projects and a catch k³ to be engaged
by the catch on the free end of said engaging bolt and provided with a beveled
edge a, spring controlled tumblers provided on the plate k and having slots y¹
through which said stud 1 extends, a spring-controlled reciprocable plate having
a recess and carrying a bolt v to engage said back, and a key-guard m² having
a slotted extension m³ and a slotted key-arbor m¹ between the plates and f
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
9. As a new article of manufacture, a combined support and keeper for a
bicycle, comprising a case provided with a recess affording a seat for a bicycle-
wheel and provided with a separable back by which the device is secured to a
stable object, a swinging bolt hinged at one end to the case at one side of the recess
and a lock in the case at the opposite side of the recess, comprising a case C con-
taining a spring-controlled reciprocable plate provided with a recess and
carrying studs 5 and 16, a-spring-controlled plate k pivoted on said plate land having
a slot through which the stud projects and a catch ³ to be engaged by the
catch on the free end of said swinging-bolt and provided with a beveled edge a¹,
spring-controlled tumblers provided on the plate k and having slots gl through
which said stud 16 extends, a spring-controlled reciprocable plate having a
recess and carrying a bolt v to engage said back, a guard-plate e for the
plate f, and a key-guard m² having a slotted extension m³ and a slotted key-
arbor m between the plates and f, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
Dated this 28th day of November 1805
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.