Improvements in Bicycle Supports.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Nov., 1897-Accepted, 22nd Jan., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bicycle Supports.
We, JOSEPH FREDERICK FURLEY, of North Sydney, in the Colony of New South
Wales, Farrier, and EBENEZER FORSYTH, of Willoughby, in the Colony of New
South Wales, Accountant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
-
The object of this invention is to provide an improved bicycle support, that
will enable a bicycle to be retained in an upright position when stationary.
Other bicycle supports have been invented, but have in many cases been found
defective in operation, with some, it is necessary for the rider to dismount in order
to bring the support into position, and in most cases, the front or steering wheel
is at liberty to swing, and bring a strain on the support.
Now this invention provides a bicycle support that can be brought into opera-
tion in an instant by the rider without dismounting; and which will lock the front
or steering wheel, the support may also be removed or thrown out of operation
in an instant, thus a bicyclist finding himself in an awkward and dangerous
position among street traffic, and having no room to dismount, may stop his
bicycle and instantly bring the support into operation, remaining in his saddle
until he is safe to proceed.
Bicycles fitted with this invention would be especially suited for the use of
military, postmen, messengers, or the like, for in the case of military one part of this
improved bicycle support, could be used to carry a rifle or the like. But in order
that this invention may be more fully understood reference will now be made
to the accompanying sheet of drawings, which forms a part of this specification,
and in which ;-
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bicycle fitted with this invention.
Figure 2 is a view of the support in operation looking from the front..
Figure 3 is a view of the support, closed or out of operation.
Figure 4 shows the method of attaching the support to a ladies' bicycle.
Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail shewing locking device.
In all figures similar letters are used to denote similar parts.
The top frame tube A, is provided in a suitable position with a band B, which
band is cut, and has the flanges C and C¹, through which the bolts D are passed
to tighten the same on to the tube; on one side of the band B is provided the
sleeve E. The lower frame tube F is provided with a similar attachment to that de-
scribed above, secured on the top frame tube A, these attachments may be secured
in the manner described, or in any other suitable way, but in any case they must
be firmly fastened.

page_text: The rod G is passed through the sleeves E, E, and also through the head piece H,
the collar I secured to the rod G prevents the latter from falling through the
head piece H, more than a given distance. A spiral spring J is placed around
the rod G between the under side of the head piece H, and the top of the lower
sleeve E. The legs K, K, are hinged (one on either side) to the head piece H at L,
the bars or rods M, M, are hinged at N to the legs K, K, while the inner end of the
rods M, M, are hinged at O, to the rod or centre leg G.
The stay P, jointed at Q, is also hinged at R to the rod or centre leg G, the
other end is attached to the crank bracket c, in such a manner' as will permit it
to assume the position shewn in dotted lines in Figure 1.
A light rod S is hinged to the head piece H, a grooved attachment T, secured
to the front fork. U, is provided to receive the other end when the support is in
operation. On one side of the band B, attached to the top frame tube A, is secured
a short tube V, through which the locking bar W passes, being provided on the
outer end with the ring X, a short spiral Y is placed around the bar W inside the
tube V, the inner end of this tube V. abuts on to the upper sleeve E, through which
a small opening is made to permit of the entry of the locking bar W. Two
slots Z and Z¹, are provided in the rod or centre leg G, in suitable positions to
admit the locking bar W.
In the construction of ladies' bicycles the top and lower frame tubes are closer
than in gentlemen's, this necessitates a slightly different attachment which is
shewn in Figure 4, the difference being that instead of placing the spiral spring J
in the position shewn in Figures 1, 2, and 3. it is passed over the lower frame
tube F, (Figure 4) and the two ends attached to the head piece H.
:
In a suitable position on the outer side of one of the legs K, may be, provided a
loop or cup, a, for the purpose of receiving the end of an umbrella or rifle, the
other end may be held by passing a rubber band around the upper frame tube A,
thus keeping the umbrella or rifle in an upright position against the leg K.
The operation of this invention will be as follows.. When the bicycle
is being ridden the support would be raised into the position shewn
in Figure 3, and the locking bar W. will have passed into the slot 7,
retaining the support in this position. To bring the support into operation, the
rider is required to withdraw the locking bar W by the ring X, releasing the rod
or centre leg G. which will fall by its own weight until the collar I, strikes the
head piece H, the spiral J then forms a resistance to the downward movement
of the head piece H, and the legs K, K. While the rod is descending the distance
before the collar I strikes the head piece H, the lower ends of the legs K, K, are
moved slightly outwards by the intervention of the rods M. M, it is then necessary
to press with the hand the knob b, thereby forcing the rod G downwards, and the
legs K, K, downwards and outwards until the locking bar W enters the slot Z. in
the rod G, and retains the support in the position shewn in Figure 2. The spiral J
will then be compressed and the stay P will assume the position shewn. in
Figure 1, the object of this stay being to prevent any forward or backward move-
ment of the support. To lock the front wheel the rod S is placed in the grooved
attachment T and the bicycle will now stand in an upright position without the
slightest risk of falling.
To throw the support out of operation it is necessary to withdraw the locking
bar W from the slot Z this will permit the compressed spiral J to expand and raise
off the ground the whole of the support, the rod G is then raised by the hand, until
the locking bar W enters the slot 71, the lower ends of the legs K, K, will then be 5
drawn inwards by the rods M, M, the whole assuming the position shewn in
Figure 3, and the stay P will be drawn upwards and be held in the position shewn
by dotted lines in Figure 1.
The spring attachment for ladies' bicycles arranged as before described will
operate in the reverse way to that used on gentlemen's bicycles, where as the latter
would be compressed the former would be extended the normal position of the
5

page_text: springs being reverse. A modification may be made in the construction of the rod
or centre leg G by jointing the same in such a position as will enable the top end,
when the support is in the position of Figure 3 to be folded back over the top
frame tube A.
Another modification may be made by substituting a flat spring having a locking
knob to engage with the slots Z, and Zi, in lieu of the locking device shewn in the
drawings (Figure 5).
Other slight modifications may be made in the construction without departing from
the spirit of the invention. We propose to construct the invention of metal, but
it may be constructed in part of any suitable material, and for lightness the
legs K,K, could be of wood fitted with metal shoes and heads. The shoes of the
rod G, and the legs K, K, are shewn forked, but they may be constructed circular
and flat.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is: -
1st. In a bicycle support, a vertical centre rod or leg as G. passing through a
head piece, connected to two legs as K, K, said legs having hinged connections at
or near the lower ends of same to the centre rod or leg, adapted to be so operated
that a downward or upward, and outward or inward movement, may be imparted
to legs K, K, by the centre rod or leg G, substantially as herein described, ex-
plained, and illustrated in the drawings.
2nd. A bicycle support with a vertical rod or centre leg, passing through ver-
tically secured sleeves, and a head piece as H, having hinged thereto the outer
legs K, K, connected at or near their lower ends with the vertical rod or centre
leg, the downward movement of same being regulated by a spiral spring placed
around a part of the vertical rod or centre leg, between one of the vertical sleeves
and the head piece, the said vertical rod or centre leg being governed in its down-
ward passage by a collar, placed above the head piece, substantially as herein
described, explained, and illustrated in the drawings.
3rd. In a bicycle support, a vertical rod or centre leg as G, passing through a
head piece as H, with the legs K, K, hinged thereto, and provided with hinged
connections to the vertical rod or centre leg at or near their lower ends; a jointed
back stay as P, loosely connected with the crank bracket at one end, the other end
being hinged at or near the lower end of the rod or centre leg, substantially as
herein described explained, and illustrated in the drawings.
4th. A bicycle support having a vertical rod or centre leg as G, passing through
a head piece as H, with the legs K, K, hinged thereto, a light rod as S, hinged to
the head piece H, adapted to be received in a grooved attachment, secured to the
front fork, for the purpose of locking the pilot wheel and preventing the same
swinging, substantially as herein described, explained, and illustrated in the
drawings.
5th. A bicycle support having a vertical rod or centre leg as G, passing through
sleeves as E, E, and a head piece as H, the latter having legs K, K, hinged thereto,
and the said legs having hinged connections at or near their lower ends, with the
rod or centre leg. An automatic locking bar as W, adapted to engage with slots
or openings provided in the vertical rod or centre leg, so as to retain the support
in various positions, substantially as herein described, explained, and illustrated
in the drawings.
6th. A bicycle support having a vertical rod or centre leg as G, passing through
sleeves as E, E, and a head piece as H, the latter having legs K, K, hinged thereto,
and the said legs having hinged connections at or near their lower ends, with the
rod or centre leg. A loop or cup on one of the said legs adapted to support an
umbrella, rifle, or the like, substantially as herein described, explained, and illus-
trated in the drawings.
7th. The combination and arrangement of the various parts, herein described,

page_text: explained, and illustrated altogether forming the Improved Bicycle Support sub-
stantially and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 16th day of November 1897.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.