Improvements in Bicycle Supports.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Sept., 1398-Accepted, 5th Nov., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bicycle Supports.
I, GEORGE HIPWOOD, of 420, Columbus Avenue, in the City of Boston, County
of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, United States of America, Wood Carver,
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 invention relates to that class of bicycle-supports in which the supporting
device is attached to the bicycle and remains in position while the machine is
in use; and it relates particularly to that class of supporting attachments in which
the device can be brought into operation by the rider from his seat while the
machine is in motion and support said machine in an upright position while it
is moving over the ground and, until and after it has come to a stand-still, and be
withdrawn from a supporting position by the rider from his seat whether the
machine is stationary or in motion.
The invention consists in certain novel constructions and arrangements of parts
whereby the above mentioned effects are produced in such a manner that a broad
base of support is furnished; whereby ample provision is made for the movement
of the legs and feet of the rider and the pedals of the machine; whereby the device
is when raised swung rearward and inward toward the wheel; whereby provision
is made for the yielding of the attachment to obstructions on the ground when
lowered without impairing its efficiency and for locking such attachment in differ-
ent positions; and whereby in other respects the device is rendered more efficient
in operation and simple in construction.
The nature of the invention in detail is fully described below, and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bicycle of the safety type provided with my
attachment which is illustrated in full lines as in position for supporting the wheel,
and in broken lines as raised.
Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the same.
Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevation or detail of the operating and locking
mechanism-portions being broken out the better to illustrate the construction.
Figure 4 is a plan view of the same.
Figure 5 is a vertical section taken on line X, Figure 3.
Figure 6 is an enlarged plan taken on line Y, Figure 1-a small portion being
represented as broken out."
Figure 7 is an inside elevation in detail showing the means of connecting the
jointed brace and connecting the rods with the supporting legs.
Figure 8 is an enlarged detail in side elevation and vertical section of the lower
end of one of the supporting legs.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts:
A and A¹ represent portions of the frame of an ordinary bicycle; A" is the
rear fork; a is the rear or driving wheel, and a¹ the pedals, all constructed as usual,
Prine Q17

page_text: B (Figures 1, and 6) is a clip made in two parts and clamped to the
portion A of the frame by means of suitable bolts b and b¹. The two portions
of this clip are formed with rearward extensions B' from which extend the tubular
supports B. These supports extend oppositely at the substantially upward and
rearward angles shown in Figs. and 6 for a purpose below described. Extending
into these tubular supports, supported thereby and turning therein, are the upper
inwardly bent ends of the supporting legs C, such portions C¹ being substan-
tially at right angles with the main portions of the legs. The legs are each
formed with a central rearwardly extending curvature C (Figure 1) and are
adapted to be swung down into the position indicated in full lines in Figures 1
and 2, and swung up and back into the positions indicated in broken lines in
said figures. When the legs are down, their lower ends touch the ground outside
of the rear wheel and in front of the part of the wheel which rests on the ground.
Hence there are three resting points constituting a broad base of support like
that of a tripod. The curvatures allow the legs to be brought well forward, thus
making a firmer support, without interfering with the pedals or the foot of
the rider. When the legs are raised they extend on lines which are not inhar-
monious with the lines of the machine, and, by reason of the directions of the
opposite, upward, outward and rearward angles of the tubes B', the legs are
when raised swung inward toward the rear wheel, and assume the position indi-
cated by broken lines in Figure 2, tnus occupying as little space as possible when
not in use.
The two legs are connected by a jointed lever or toggle D whose
opposite ends are pivotally connected to cars D₁ extending from collars or clips E
rigid on said legs, as shown in Figures 2 and 7, and when the legs are swung
down for use as supports they spread and the jointed lever D strengthens and
acts as a brace, or the joint may go a trifle forward of a straight line.
Set on the upper side of the portion A of the frame of the bicycle, is a curved
frame H consisting of a tube formed on its upper edge with a longitudinal
groove H¹. See Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5. The ends of this frame H are seated on
rubber cushions I which absorb vibration and prevent injury to the frame of
the bicycle. Within the groove H¹-preferably near its opposite ends-the
tube H is provided with perforations h. A plate or web H" is rigidly secured
to the under side of the tube H and is provided with a hinged clip F whereby the
contrivance is secured to the part A by a bolt F¹. A lever K is pivoted at k
to the clip, and is pivotally connected at K¹ to the jointed forward ends of the
connecting rods L, whose rear ends are secured to the ears 7 on the inner sides
of the clips E. See Figures 1, 2, 6 and 7. The upper end of this lever is provided
with the rigid wings N. A handle P is hinged at 1" to the lever K, and is
provided with the engaging dog P. A V-shaped engaging tooth or pawl R
is loose on the pivot Pi and extends on opposite sides of the dog P. A spring S
is secured centrally to the handle and bears normally on the opposite ends of
the pawl R.
In practical operation, when it is desired to lift the support from the position
indicated in full lines in the drawing, and swing it back into the position indi-
cated in broken lines, the handle P is pushed forward until it strikes the wing N
in front of it. This causes the rear tooth of the pawl R to be lifted from the
perforation into which it extends, by means of the dog P¹ which is swung up
by the forward movement of the handle, and as the handle is moved forward into
the position indicated in broken lines in Figure 1 it carries with it the lever K
(from which the wings N extend) and pushes up the legs C by means of the
iods L, the forward, tooth of the pawl R dropping into one of the forward holes h
in the groove H¹. During this operation the pawl slides in said groove, and the
spring S forces the pawl into operation. To drop the legs the operation is reversed.
Thus the support is locked in either a raised or dropped position. In order to
avoid the legs of the rider, the rods L are curved inwardly at L' (Figure 6).
The legs which are preferably tubular-have pivoted to their lower ends at n

page_text: castors consisting of shanks T and wheels T. See Figure 8. The lower forward
portions of the ends of the legs are recessed up at C and the corresponding por-
tions of the shanks are extended up at T so that the center of the wheels T" may
be a trifle forward of the lines of the legs, being held in such position by the
springs V. In case a large stone or obstruction is met by the castors, the
portions T double back, as shown in broken lines in Figure 1, and pass over it,
and immediately return to their original position. By means of the construction
of the parts C and T any danger of these parts doubling back without meeting
an obstruction is avoided.
As will readily be seen, the support can be dropped while the machine is in
motion or at rest, and especially when it is about to be brought to a stand-still.
It is deemed to be particularly useful in military service, for firemen, postmen,
messengers etc., and for ladies and all others desiring to be seated on their
bicycles while not in motion.
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. In a bicycle support, the sustaining rods C pivotally secured at their upper
ends to the upper portion of the frame of the bicycle above the driving wheel
and substantially under the saddle and adapted when dropped to rest on the
ground on opposite sides of the rear wheel and in front of the point of contact
of the rear wheel with the ground, and being when in such dropped position
substantially vertical, whereby a broad base having the effect of a tripod is
provided for sustaining the bicycle, said rods C being provided centrally with the
positive rearward curvatures or recesses C but being otherwise straight, substan-
tially vertical and extending from the ground to a point well above the driving
wheel, whereby the rods may be well forward without interfering with the feet
of the rider upon the pedals; and mechanism secured to the frame of the bicycle
within reach of the rider whereby the sustaining rods may be swung rearward
and upward, substantially as set forth.
2. In a bicycle-support, in combination with a bicycle, the clip B rigidly
secured to the portion A' of the frame, said clip being provided with the rearward
extensions B and each said extension being formed with the tubular supports Bu
extending oppositely at substantially the upward and rearward angles described;
the supporting rods C bent at their upper ends at C inward at substantially
right angles and with said ends extending into and swinging in said tubular
supports B; and mechanism secured to the frame within reach of the rider
whereby the sustaining rods may be swung from a substantially vertical dropped
position in front of the axle of the rear wheel rearward, upward and at inward
angles toward said wheel, substantially as set forth.
3. In a bicycle support, in combination with a bicycle, the clip B secured to
the portion A of the frame and provided with rearward extensions B₁; the
tubular supports B extending outwardly, rearwardly and upwardly therefrom
at substantially the angles described; the sustaining rods C swinging in said
tubular supports by means of the right-angled upper portions ("the jointed
lever or brace D pivoted at its opposite ends to and connecting said sustaining
ruds; a handle pivotally connected to the frame of the bicycle within reach of
the rider; and rods L connecting said handle with the sustaining rods, whereby
the sustaining rods are adapted to be swung from a substantially vertical position
on the ground upward, and rearward at inward angles toward the driving wheel,
substantially as set forth.
4. In a bicycle-support, in combination, the sustaining rods C pivotally secured
at their upper ends to the frame of the bicycle; the curved or arc-shaped frame II
provided with the groove H₁ suitably perforated at h, said frame being secured
to the frame of the bicycle within reach of the rider; the lever K pivotally

page_text: connected with the bicycle frame and set radially with relation to the curved
frame H, said lever being provided with the stops or wings N; the handle P
pivotally connected at P with the lever K and provided at its lower end with
the engaging dog P₁; the rocking pawl R pivotally secured to the lever K and
adapted to drop into said perforations ; the spring S secured to the handle and
bearing upon the pawl; and the rods L connecting the lower end of the lever K
with the supporting rods, substantially as set forth.
5. In a bicycle-support, the sustaining rods C pivotally connected at their upper
ends with the frame of the bicycle and adapted to be located in a dropped position
and swung rearward into a raised, position; and castors hinged to the lower ends
of said rods and set with the axles of the wheels slightly forward of the pivotal
connection between them and said rods, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
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GEORGE HIPWOOD,
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.