Improvements in Luggage-carriers, adapted particularly for Use on Bicycles or similar Vehicles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 6th May, 1896-Accepted, 4th July, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Luggage-carriers, adapted particularly for Use on
Bicycles or similar Vehicles.
A communication from THE ROCHESTER BICYCLE COMBINATION HOLDER
COMPANY, (a corporation existing under the laws of the State of New York)
doing business at Rochester, County of Monroe, and State of New York,
United States of America.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 111 Hatton Garden, 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 :-
This present invention has for its object to provide an improved luggage-carrier
adapted particularly for use on bicycles or similar vehicles, which is not only
light, but is capable of being folded or knocked-down into small compass when not
in use, and it consists in certain improvements hereinafter described and the
novel features pointed out.
The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a carrier constructed in accordance with this
invention, applied to the front tube or frame of a bicycle.
Figure 2, a similar view of the same partly folded.
Figure 3, a side elevation showing the carrier folded.
Figure 4, a longitudinal-sectional view.
Figure 5, a plan view of the base frame or support.
Similar reference letters in the several figures indicate similar parts.
In carrying out this invention a support or base A is provided, preferably in
the form of a curved plate or support adapted to partially embrace the head,
front tube, or other convenient portion of a cycle frame, and arranged upon this
base or support and extending preferably radially therefrom, are suitable arms or
strips B pivoted to said base and arranged to turn up in a plane at right angles to
the plane of the semi-annular base and against the tube or head, said arms
having pivoted to their outer ends suitable arms B', the upper ends of which
latter are connected by flexible connections, preferably in the form of links C,
pivoted to each other by suitable fastenings, such as eyelets or tubular rivets c,
and to the ends of the vertical arms or strips B1 by similar rivets c¹. The
connections between the strips B and B are preferably eyelets or tubular rivets b,
but it will be understood that other forms of hinged connections could be
employed between the armus B and B and between the arms B' and the flexible
connections between them. The inner ends of the arms B may be pivcted to the
support A in any suitable manner, but it is preferred to form said support of a
plate more or less flexible so as to conform to the shape of the tube or support
to which the carrier is to be applied and having suitable lugs a, a¹, the former
being located beneath the space between the upper lugs a', and between the lugs
passes an encircling band D, preferably of wire, extending around the support A,
and upon which the perforated or looped ends of the arms B are pivoted. This
band D extends around the rear of the base A and is adapted to form a means
for the attachment of the holder to the bicycle frame, the ends being provided

page_text: with eyes through which are passed a bolt E having a securing nut E' thereon,
and it is preferably off-set at d, as shown in Figure 5, which not only prevents its
displacement on the base or support A, but serves to bring the rear portion
thereof in close contact with the head or front tube of the bicycle, but it will be
understood that instead of this form of pivotal connection between the arms B,
said arms could be otherwise pivoted and also the means of attachment to the
bicycle frame could be varied, but the construction shown is preferred on account
of its simplicity and cheapness.
The rear arms B of the series extend substantially in the same plane on opposite
sides of the support A, and instead of making the arms B2 of wire, as are the
others, they are preferably formed of steel strips having the ears B³ on their ends
to which are pivoted the ends of the last of the series of links C connecting the
upper ends of the arms B'. In order that the receptacle or holder formed by
the arms B and B may be held extended and as a means for causing the proper
folding of the device, and further, to prevent articles in the holder from falling
out at the rear, suitable toggles are provided upon the rear sides, formed of a long
arm F (pivoted to the support A and preferably upon the band D at one end),
and shorter links F¹ pivoted to the. outer end of these strips F and also at e to
the uprights B2, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. These arms F are preferably
about the same length as the arms B', but the links F are preferably slightly
shorter than the distance between the pivotal point e and the point of connection
between the arms B2 and the first or end arms B so that when the arms F are
folded up against the bicycle frame, in the position shown in Figure 3, the pivotal
point or connection between the toggle arms may be sprung toward the bicycle
head or tube and hold the parts folded. The extreme ends of the arms F are
preferably provided with lugs f extending over the links F forming stops for
preventing the downward movement at the point of connection between the toggle
arms Faud F and maintaining them in the position shown in Figure 1, when
the folding carrier is open, thereby forming collapsible ends for the receptacle or
carrier.
The operation of the device will now be readily understood, a reference to
Figure 1 showing the device in position for use and adapted to receive and retain
any article or packages placed within it and to safely transport them, the lugs a
on the support A serving to retain the arms B substantially horizontal. When,
however, the carrier is not to be used, it may be folded to the position shown in
Figure 3, by raising the outer ends of the links F by means of suitable knobs G
for the purpose and folding inward the arms B1 on the pivots b to the position
shown in Figure 2, then said arms B' are turned substantially parallel with the
arms B and the latter are folded up against the bicycle head or tube to the
position shown in Figure 3, the links C turning on the pivots between them and
the arms B', and also the pivots between each other. The upper ends of the
strips B may be secured together by any suitable band or fastening in the
position shown in Figure 3, when not in use, thus occupying very little room.
It is is obvious that any suitable form of flexible connections can be arranged
between the upper ends of the armis B¹ to prevent the outward movement of the
latter, and to define the upper edge of the carrier when open, and in some
instances my correspondents prefer to employ a light chain instead of the links C
shown, particularly on bicycles which have a brake-bar or link extending parallel
with the head or front tube, as this would allow the carrier to be folded up to
the position shown in Figure 3, and the chain or flexible connection would
permit the proper movements of the pivoted supports close against the bicycle-
head.
This attachment can be made very light and strong, and its capacity of folding
into a small compass enables the rider to have a bundle-carrier for use 10
emergencies that will not render the machine unsightly under ordinary
circumstances.
Though my correspondents have shown the arms B and B as made of wire, it

page_text: is obvious that flat strips could be used if desired, and while it is preferred that
the arms B extend radially from the support, this is not essential.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondents, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In a luggage-carrier, the combination with the support, of the arms pivoted
thereto having the arms pivoted at their outer ends, and flexible connections
between the latter, substantially as described.
2. In a luggage-carrier, the combination with the support, of the radial
supporting arms pivoted at their ends to the support and arranged to fold toward
the support and each other, and securing devices for attaching said support to a
cycle frame, substantially as described.
3. In a luggage-carrier, the combination with the support, of the radial
supporting arms pivoted thereon, the arms pivoted to the ends of the radial arms
and adapted to fold down upon them, and securing devices for attaching said
support to a cycle frame, substantially as described.
4. In a luggage-carrier, the combination with the support, of the radial
supporting arms pivoted thereon, the arms pivoted to the ends of the latter, the
connecting links pivoted to the arms and to each other, and securing devices for
attaching the support to a cycle frame, substantially as described.
5. In a luggage-carrier, the combination with the support, of the radial
supporting arms pivoted thereon, the arms pivoted to the ends of the latter, and
flexible connections between them, the toggle-arms pivoted to the support, and to
the arms on the radial arms, substantially as described.
6. In a luggage-carrier, the combination with the support having the spacing
and supporting lugs, the radial arms having the pivoted extensions on their outer
ends, of the encircling band on which the radial arms are pivoted, and detachable
connections between its ends, substantially as described.
7. In a luggage-carrier, the combination with the support, of the radial arms
pivoted thereon, the arms pivoted to the ends of the radial arms, and the links
pivoted to the arms on the radial arms, and to each other, the arms B2 having
the ears B, the toggles pivoted to the arms B2 and the support, substantially as
described.
8. In a luggage-carrier, the combination with the support, of the arms pivoted
thereon having the vertically extending arms pivoted to their ends, flexible
connections between the latter and the toggles connecting two of the vertical arms
with the support, substantially as described.
Dated this 6th day of May 1896.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.