Improvements in Means for Adapting the Handle Bars or other Tubular Portions of Velocipedes to Contain Matches or other Articles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 27th Mar., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for Adapting the Handle Bars or other
Tubular Portions of Velocipedes to Contain Matches or other
Articles.
We, HARRY JAMES HUMPHREY, Civil Engineer, of No. 64 Washington
Lane, Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, THOMAS ARGUE MCDOWELL,
Clerk, of No. 2511 N. 7th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, GEORGE
RIDLEY Jr. Machinist, of 20th and Race Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
and WALTER LINCOLN BURR, Salesman, of No. 1021 Walnut Street,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, all of the United States of America, 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 invention consists in adapting the handle bar or other tubular portion of
the frame of a bicycle as a receptacle for a box to contain matches and other
articles serviceable for bicyclists and others, and providing said parts with means,
whereby the box may be retained in position, and with means whereby. the box
may be automatically thrown out on release of its holding or locking device.
Referring to the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 represents an end view of a match box applied to the haudle bar of a
bicycle.
Figure 2 represents a longitudinal section thereof, on line x, x, Figure 1.
Figure 3 represents a perspective view thereof, on a reduced scale, the box being
in open condition.
Figure 4 represents a perspective view of the end plate of the box.
Figure 5 represents a section on line y, y, Figure 4.
Figure 6 represents a side elevation of the catch or lock of the box, and
Figure 7 represents a partial side elevation and partial vertical section of the
catch or lock of the box, and the plate to which the same is fitted.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.
A designates part of the handle bar of a bicycle, and B the grip or handle
thereof, the outer end of the latter being provided with the cap C, in which is the
opening D, and closed portion or wall E.
F designates a box for containing matches, pins or other articles used by
bicyclists, the same having its upper portion cut away as at G, leaving the
shoulder H, near the inner end, the latter being closed as seen in Figure 2.
On the outer end of the cut-away portion of the box is the closing plate .J, to
which is fitted the dog or catch K, whose nose is adapted to engage with the
iuner side of the wall E, it being noticed that said plate and wall form continuities
of each other, so that when the box is in its normal position, its outer end is
closed or covered so that escape of the contents of the box is prevented.
Within the bar A is the plug or block L, which is firmly held in place,
and between which and the inner end of the box F is the spring M, whose
tendency is to force out the box when the catch K is moved from engagement
with the wall E.
The catch K is fitted in a recess in the plate J, and has at its lower end
the foot N, which when the catch is raised abuts with the shoulder P within
said plate J, so as to limit the upward motion of the catch.

page_text: Within a recess in the plate J, is a spring Q, which bears upwardly against
the catch K, and serves to retain the same in elevated and consequently closed
position.
Attached to the catch is the knob or button R for conveniently operating or
moving the same in opening direction.
It will be seen that when access to the box is desired, the knob R is moved
so as to lower the catch K from engagement from the wall D, whereby the
plate J may pass through the opening D, and as the spring M exerts its
pressure on the box, the latter quickly moves outwardly, limited by the contact
of the shoulder H with the wall E, the main portion of the box being, outside
of the handle, so that its contents are accessible, as will be apparent in
Figure 3.
By forcing in the box, the spring M is again compressed, and when the nose, of
the catch reaches the wall D, it rides thereon and lowers, compressing the spring
until said nose clears said wall, when the catch under the pressure of said spring Q
rises and engages with the back of the wall, thus locking the box in the handle, as
shown in Figure 2, the box being then comparatively concealed, while the end of
the cap C is closed as shown in Figure 1.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1st. A box adapted to be fitted within a handle or other tubular portion of a
bicycle and provided with means for retaining the same therein.
2nd. A box adapted to be fitted within a tubular part of a bicycle and provided
with means for locking the same to said part, and a spring for automatically
throwing out said box.
3rd. A bicycle handle having a cap thereou, in combination with a box which is
freely fitted within said handle, a catch on the box adapted to engage with
said cap, and a spring within said handle adapted to automatically throw out said
box.
4th. A handle with a grip and cap in combination with a box which is removably
fitted in said handle, means for retaining said box within said handle, and a
shoulder on the box for limiting the outward motion thereof.
5th. A box in combination with a plug, and a spring interposed between
said box and plug, said parts being adapted to be fitted with a handle or other
tubular portion of a bicycle, the box being movable and the plug stationary, and
the box being provided with means for locking it to said handle or portion.
6th. A box adapted to be fitted within the handle or other tubular portion
of a bicycle, and provided at its outer end with a plate to which is fitted a
catch and spring for causing the locking of the box with said handle or portion.
7th. A box for matches or other articles adapted to be received within the
handle of a bicycle, the cap of suid handle having an opening for the passage of
the cap, and a wall with which a lock on the box engages, the end of the cap being
comparatively closed by said wall and the outer plate of said box.
Dated this 6th day of November 1896.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.