Year: 1898

page_text: I, CARRIE GIBBS, of Tressillian, Marmoin Road, Southsea, Hants, Spinster, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention consists of a dummy bicycle for use by ladies' tailors in fitting
and trying on a bicycle skirt, the object of the apparatus being to enable the fit
and action of the skirt when the wearer is riding a bicycle to be observed.
Heretofore it has been usual to employ a bicycle for the purpose, which necessi-
tates the use of stands for the support of the machine and which does not admit
of the action of the skirt. when the rider is pedalling. being observed except
the driving gear be disconnected from the driving wheel or the machine be so
supported as to admit of the wheel revolving.
The object of my invention is to provide an easily movable apparatus comprising
all the parts of a bicycle essential to the purpose of trying the skirt but devoid
of bicycle wheels. It consists of a broad base from which rise pillars corresponding
in relative position and rake to the saddle pillar or down tube and steering head
tube of a bicycle frame, these pillars being fixed to the base and suitably strutted.
The front pillar is fitted with a steering handle bar and the other or main pillar
with a saddle pin and saddle, both being made readily adjustable as to height
by means of worm, rack, or screw gear, admitting of the adjustment being made
whilst the rider is mounted, so as to vary the height according to the requirements
of riders of different stature. At the lower part of the main pillar is also mounted-
a pedal crank shaft with usual pedals to admit of the pedalling action being
performed and observed. The stand is also provided with a step pillar in suitable
position to facilitate mounting.
The base of the stand is mounted on small wheels or rollers to facilitate moving
it about from place to place and these are preferably concealed beneath the base
by making the latter a casting with downwardly projecting flanges.
Tatal th: 19th of W1000
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
Chartered Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London.
I, CARRIE GIBBS, of Tressillian, Marmion Road, Southsea, Hants, Spinster, 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:
1°
"1

page_text: and trying on a bicycle skirt, the object of the apparatus being to enable the fit
and action of the skirt when the wearer is riding a bicycle to be observed.
Heretofore it has been usual to employ a bicycle for the purpose, which necessi-
tates the use of a stand for the support of the machine and does not admit
of the action of the skirt, when the rider is pedalling, being observed except
the driving gear be disconnected from the driving wheel or the machine be so
supported as to admit of the wheel revolving.
The object of my invention is to provide an apparatus which shall be readily
portable and which comprises all the parts of a bicycle essential to the purpose
of trying the skirt, but devoid of bicycle wheels.
Such an appliance is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part
of this specification wherein Figure 1 shews in perspective a general view of the
apparatus, Figure 2 being a cross sectional view of the base. Figure 3 is a vertical
section, drawn to an enlarged scale, of part of one of the pillars, shewing the
raising and lowering mechanism, and Figure 4 is a section on line 44 Figure 3.
The apparatus consists of a broad base A from which rise pillars BB, corre-
sponding respectively and in relative position and rake to the saddle pillar or down
tube and steering head tube of a bicycle frame, these pillars being fixed to the
base and suitably strutted. To this end they may each conveniently be formed
of a light tubular casting with flanged base 6 and vertical strut or rib b¹, towards
the rear side of the pillar B or B. The front pillar B¹ is fitted with a steering
handle bar C and the other or main pillar B with a saddle pin and saddle D, both
handle bar and saddle being made readily adjustable as to height. By the means
hereafter described the adjustment of the saddle can be made whilst the rider
is mounted so as to vary the height according to the requirements of riders of
different stature, but I may substitute set screws or ordinary collar clamps as
used on bicycles; for the worm and rack adjustment shewn. At the lower part
of the main pillar B, is also mounted in a suitable bearing e a pedal crank
shaft e¹, with the usual pedals E E to admit of the pedalling action being per-
formed and observed. The stand is also provided with a step pillar F in suitable
position to facilitate mounting.
The adjustment, for height, of the handle bar C and the saddle D may in
each case be provided for by attaching the part in question to a tubular stem g
telescopically socketed in the tubular pillar B or B¹.
The means whereby the telescopic movement of the stem g relatively to the
pillar is effected, and the weight upon the saddle sustained at any required
height, may consist of the mechanism shewn in detail in Figures 3 and 4. Upon
the stem g, preferably towards the rear and parallel to the axis, is fixed a rack h
gearing with a pinion i mounted to rotate upon an axis ¹ journalled in bearings
on the pillar Bor B¹. The pinion receives rotary motion from a worm j gearing
with it and mounted in bearings 1, 2, extending preferably fore and aft as
shewn, and carried by the pillar, the worm being adapted to be rotated by means
of a removable crank handle K (shewn in Figure 1) for which provision is made
on the worm shaft at k (Figure 3). It will be obvious that by the means described
the weight upon the saddle can not only be very readily raised or lowered by the
attendant whilst the rider is mounted, but will be automatically sustained at any
height to which it may be adjusted. The rack h forms a feather key which being
received in a corresponding groove h¹ (Figure 4) in the pillar B prevents the saddle
stem from moving about its axis. The pinion and worm may be combined with
a cover or shield serving to conceal the gearing and prevent entanglement of
the dress of the rider therewith, the entire gearing with, its cover occupying no
more width than the pillar and therefore in no way interfering with the "
or "hang" of the skirt.
set"
A similar adjustment may, or may not, be applied to the handle bar but it is
to be understood that I do not limit myself to the particular construction of the
pillars nor to the use of the adjustments described. In order to reduce the cost
of construction I may make the pillars B or B¹ of ordinary tubing and fix them

page_text: in sockets cast on, or in shoes bolted to, the base A, and instead of the worm and
rack adjustments for the telescopically sliding upper members, the ordinary clamp-
ing devices, as used on bicycles, may be employed for securing the saddle pillar
and handle bar at the required heights in which case the adjustment of the
former would necessitate the rider dismounting.
The base of the stand is mounted on small wheels, rollers, or preferably castors M
pivoted at m as shewn, to facilitate moving it about from place to place, these
castors being preferably concealed beneath the base by making the latter a
casting with downwardly projecting flanges as illustrated in Figure 2.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. A portable dummy bicycle for use in fitting a bicycle skirt and consisting of
a wheeled base, adjustable pillars rising therefrom and carrying the saddle and
handle bar respectively, and a pedal axle and cranks mounted to rotate in bearings
substantially as specified.
2. The herein described dummy bicycle for trying-on purposes, constructed
substantially as described and provided with means of adjusting and maintaining
the height of the saddle whilst the rider is mounted thereon substantially as
specified.
Dated mis on day ay 10
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
Chartered Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London.