Velocipedes adapted for Laying Conductors and for Use as Telegraph or Telephone Stations.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Dec., 1894-Accepted, 9th Feb., 1895
Velocipedes adapted for Laying Conductors and for Use as Telegraph
or Telephone Stations.
I, RAPHAEL HERMANN WOLFF, of 115 West 70th Street, in the City, County
and State of New York, in the United States of America, Manufacturer, 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 has reference to improvements in bicycles and especially to a
bicycle for military purposes. It has for its object to provide a bicycle containing
complete means for establishing an electric telegraph or telephone circuit to afford
communication between outlying posts, etc.
To this end my invention consists essentially in a bicycle or other velocipede
provided with a support for a reel of wire and with electric communicating
apparatus, all constructed to cooperate in establishing and working a temporary
line.
The nature of my invention will be best understood when described in connection
with the accompanying drawings, in which :-
:-
Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a bicycle embodying my invention.
Figure 2 is an end elevation of the reel support and reel.
Figure 3 is a sectional side elevation of the same.
Similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts.
Referring to the drawings, the letter A designates a support for a reel B of
insulated wire w. In this instance I have shown said support to consist of a
metallic casing a supported by tubular members D secured to the frame of the
bicycle. The casing a is provided with radial slots c in its sides to receive the
pintled of the reel B; and is closed, with the exception of an orifice e for
the passage of the wire, by a hinged cover f. In this manner the wire is kept
dry, and also free from injury by abrasion.
On the handle bar C (Fig. 1) of the bicycle is secured a bracket D' constructed
to hold the necessary equipments for establishing a complete telegraphic line, as
well as a telephonic line if desired.
Any suitable telegraphic transmitting instrument, such as the key K, and a
suitable receiving instrument are mounted on this bracket in as compact a manner
as possible, preferably on the cover of the casing enclosing the battery E.
When the bicycle is supplied with telephonic apparatus, the receiver R is
preferably suspended by holders g from the front of the bracket. The construction
of telegraphic and telephonic instruments being well known, it is not considered
necessary to enter into a detailed description of the same. Any suitable con-
struction may be employed for throwing either the telephone or telegraphic
apparatus into the circuit.
In laying the temporary line, the end of the wire w on the reel B is made
fast at head-quarters, and, as the rider goes forward the wire is uoreeled. The
rider from, time to time, secures the wire to some convenient object, such as a
tree, either directly, or by means of suitable insulators. To enable a long line to
be laid, the bicycle is provided at convenient points with means for holding one
or more extra reels B₁ of wire. In the example illustrated, I have shown the
steering fork F provided on opposite sides with studs h on which the reels B*
can be placed and secured.

page_text: At the end of the line the rider grounds the battery wire by the use of a
suitable plate i provided with a binding post i¹, to which latter one wire from
the battery is secured. The plate is preferably provided with a head j in order
that it can be driven into the ground.
The end of the wire w may be secured in the pintle of the reel, and placed in
electrical connection with the battery through the metallic frame of the bicycle,
in which case the rubber tires of the bicycle will give a perfect insulation from
the ground; or at the end of the line, the wire may be cut and secured directly
to the binding post at the battery.
With a wheel constructed as herein described a telegraphic or telephonic circuit
can be quickly established between head-quarters and outlying posts, or between
two or more outlying posts; and reports received and instructions given with
great facility.
I do not wish to restrict myself to the particular means illustrated for supporting
the reel, or the telegraphic apparatus, or to the location of such parts, since it
is evident that the same can be altered without departing from the spirit of my
invention..
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, I declare that what I claim is :—
1. The combination with a bicycle, of a reel support attached to and in electrical
connection with the frame, a battery mounted on the frame and having one pole in
connection with the same, and electrical communicating apparatus, substantially as
described.
2. A bicycle provided with a slotted casing to receive a reel, and a hinged cover
for said casing, substantially as described.
3. A bicycle provided with a reel support and with electrical communicating
apparatus, substantially as described.
4. A bicycle provided with a reel support fixed to a rearward extension of
the frame, and with electrical communicating apparatus substantially as described.
5. A bicycle provided with a reel support fixed to a rearward extension of
the frame, one or more additional supports for extra reels, and electrical com-
municating apparatus, substantially as described.
6. A bicycle provided with a reel support fixed to a rearward extension of
the frame, and electrical communicating apparatus attached to the handle bar,
- substantially as described.
7. A bicycle provided with a reel support, a reel having its wire placed in
electrical contact with the pintle, and electrical communicating apparatus,
substantially as described.
Dated this 17th day of December 1894.
HARRIS & MILLS,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Patent Agents.