Improvements in and relating to Mud-guards for Cycles.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Aug., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 8th May, 1900-Accepted, 7th July, 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Mud-guards for Cycles.
We, WILLIAM JAMES STEVENS, Accountant of Bancroft Works, Bancroft Road,
Mile End, London, E., HENRY EBENEZER HARROLD, Journalist, of 13, Lewisham Hill,
Kent, and FREDERICK RICHARD BLUEMEL, Mechanical Engineer, of Bancroft
Works, Bancroft Road, Mile End, E., do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to mud-guards for cycles, and has for its object to
provide improved devices which are capable of being readily attached to and
detached from the machine and are also light and inexpensive in construction.
According to our invention the mud-guard proper is made of celluloid or steel
or other metal or material or fabric. This guard is supported by one or more
stays on each side which are secured to the wheel-axle and to the guard in various
ways as will be hereinafter indicated. We will first indicate the various methods
we have devised for securing the stays to the wheel-axle. In one arrangement
we provide a plate which is secured to the framework of the machine by means
of the ordinary nut on the axle, said plate is provided with an external pro-
jection having a T-shaped slot provided therein. The two stays are united at
the bottom end and are formed into or secured to a T-shaped piece. The
arrangement being such that the cross bar of the T can be passed through the
longest portion of the slot in the plate when the stays are arranged in a plane
at right angles to the plane of the wheel and then owing to the short cross slot
said stays can be moved through an angle of 90°, that is to say substantially
parallel to the plane of the wheel, the other end of the stays being secured to
the mud-guard in any suitable manner. Another method of securing the lower
ends of the stays is as follows: The plate has a portion struck up through it
and turned over forming a lip or hook and is also provided with two studs or
rivets a little above and to the sides of said hook, the distance between the studs
being rather greater than the width of the hook. The stays are joined at their
bottom ends to a head having a slot therein, the length of the slot being such
that the studs aforementioned can both of them readily pass through the same.
In order to attach the stays they are first of all placed in a plane nearly per-
pendicular to the plane of the wheel and the lip or hook of the plate is passed
through the slot. The stays are then moved through a right angle until the
slot in the end thereof embraces the two studs and the head lies flat against the
plate. The outer ends of the stays are held by the mud-guard as in the modifi-
cations hereinafter described. The head may alternatively be formed by suitably
bending the ends of the stays the two being formed if desired of one piece.
In another arrangement the inner ends of the stays are secured to a head which
is capable of engaging with a stud on the plate after the manner of a bayonet
catch.
In another device the plate has secured to it or is formed into a box in the
outer flat side of which is a T-shaped slot. The side of the box is under-eut
for a portion of its length or circumference so as to form together with the said

page_text: -
T-shaped slot an entrance for the stays. The inner ends of the stays are secured
together to form a T-shaped piece resembling the modification first described
which can be passed through the T-shaped slot in the side of the box after
which the stays are turned in a plane parallel to the plane of the wheel, their
lower portions passing under the under-cut side of the box and suitable stops
being provided within the box to check the movement at the desired place."
In another arrangement we provide two parallel plates at such a distance
apart as to permit of the lower ends of the stays passing between them, said
lower ends are bent to from a loop to pass round outside of the plates, the upper
part of said loop engaging in a notch in the tops of the plates and the straight
portion of the stays passing between the same.
In another arrangement we secure to the wheel-axle or to the frame a metallic
piece having a vertical projecting part and also a horizontal projecting part, the
inner ends of the stays being connected by a metallic piece having corresponding
vertical and horizontal sockets adapted to engage with the vertical and horizontal
projections before mentioned. In this casc said projections must be capable of
a certain amount of spring in order to permit them to engage with the sockets
provided for them and this we arrange by making the projections part of a
bent wire device which is formed into a suitable loop for the passage of the
axle bolt.
In another arrangement the stays are not connected together at their inner
ends but the ends are bent for a short distance so that they can lie parallel to
one another. The fixed portion which is secured to the wheel-axle or frame
comprises a box adapted to receive the ends of the stays, said box having one
or more orifices in the sides for the reception of pins and the ends of the stays
being provided with a series of notches or semi-circular apertures which when
the stays are placed together form holes corresponding to the orifices in the
sides of the box. It is clear that when the ends of the stays are placed together
and passed into the box through a slot in the end thereof the semi-circular aper-
tures can be caused to coincide with the holes in the box and a pin passed through
will secure the stays in position. We provide one hole or more in the box or
make semi-circular notches or apertures in the ends of the stays in order to
provide for adjusting the length thereof if desired. The nin which passes
through the holes in the side of the box may be connected to a spring of any
suitable description.
Our arrangements for attaching the mud-guard proper to the outer ends of
the stays can take various forms. In one arrangement the end of the stay is
formed into a kind of hook which engages with a sheath attached to the mud-
guard, the end of the hook passing through an orifice in the side of the sheath,
in which case it will be necessary in order to engage both stays with the mud-
guard that the latter should be capable of being bent to a slight extent. In
another arrangement the mud-guard has attached to it a wire or other suitable
clip, for example such a one as the well-known metal pump clip which engages
with the end of the stay between two collars provided thereon, or a flange may
be formed near the end of the stay to engage with a saw-cut in the clip to
prevent the same sliding down the stay.
Another method of attaching the stays to the mud-guards consists in providing
near the edge of the mud-guard a split tube which is somewhat conical inside,
the outer end being the smaller. The end of the stay is formed to a similar
shape so that when it is thrust into the tube it will be tightly held therein, or it
may be secured by bending over the outer end of the stays and inserting the
same in a box the surfaces in contact being roughened or serrated, so as to hold
firmly by the springiness of the metal, or the bridge may have a plate hinged to
it so slotted that the reinforced end of the stay can engage therein.
The mud-guard proper is in the usual manner secured to the framework of
the machine at one or more points by means of straps, clips or other devices.
In order to adjust the distance of the mud-guard from the centre of the wheel

page_text: so that the same fittings can be used for different sized wheels we may provide
a slot in the plate to which the lower ends of the stays are attached, through
which slot the axle bolt passes, or where the outer ends of the stays are furnished
with hooks adapted to engage with sheaths secured to the mud-guard we may
make said sheaths with two or more orifices therein with either one of which
the hooks on the ends of the stays can engage.
The various devices which we employ may be manufactured in any suitable
manner. We prefer, however, where possible to use stampings for the various
parts on account of the decrease in cost and they may be made of any suitable
metal.
T
1
1
Improvements in and relating to Mud-guards for Cycles.
We, WILLIAM JAMES STEVENS, Accountant of Bancroft Works, Bancroft Road,
Mile Ead, London, E., HENRY EBENEZER HARROLD, Journalist, of 13, Lewisham Hill,
Kent, and FREDERICK RICHARD BLUEMEL, Mechanical Engineer, of Bancroft
Works, Bancroft Road, Mile End, E., 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:-
Our invention relates to mud-guards for cycles, and has for its object to pro-
vide improved devices which are capable of being readily attached to and detached
from the machine and are also light and inexpensive in construction.
In order that our invention may be clearly understood we will describe the
same with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is an elevation of the hinder portion of a bicycle with the apparatus
in position.
Figure 2 is a front elevation, and
Figure 3a section on the line II-II of Figure 2, of the spindle end attach-
ment.
Figure 4 is a front elevation, and
Figure 5 an end elevation of a modification of the spindle attachment.
Figure a front view, and
Figure 7 a side view of another form of spindle end attachment plate.
Figure 8 is a front view of the stamping which forms the portion inserted in
the plate.
Figure 9 is a front elevation, Figure 10 an end elevation and Fig. 10 a
detail view of another modification of the spindle end of the attachment which
is shewn in Figure 1.
Figure 11 shews a bridge-piece adapted to be attached to the inside of the
mud-guard and having its ends open for the reception of the ends of the stays.
Figure 12 is a side view of the said bridge-piece shewing the engagement
of the stay end therein.
Figure 12 shows the bent end of a stay.
Figure 13 is a front elevation, and Figure 14 an end elevation of another
modification of the attachment of the stays to the mud-guard.
Figure 15 is a side elevation of another modification of the attachment of
the stays to the mud guard.
Figure 16 is an end view of the clip shown in Figure 15.
Figure Da Iront view, and
Figure 7 a side view of another form of spindle end attachment plate.
Figure 8 is a front view of the stamping which forms the portion inserted in
the plate.
Figure 9 is a front elevation, Figure 10 an end elevation and Fig. 10ª a
detail view of another modification of the spindle end of the attachment which
is shewn in Figure 1.
Figure 11 shews a bridge-piece adapted to be attached to the inside of the
mud-guard and having its ends open for the reception of the ends of the stays.
Figure 12 is a side view of the said bridge-piece shewing the engagement
of the stay end therein.
Figure 12 shows the bent end of a stay.
Figure 13 is a front elevation, and Figure 14 an end elevation of another
modification of the attachment of the stays to the mud-guard.
Figure 15 is a side elevation of another modification of the attachment of
the stays to the mud guard.
Figure 16 is an end view of the clip shown in Figure 15.

page_text: In these drawings the frame 1 wheel 2 and mud-d 3 of the cycle may be
of any desired construction, these parts forming no part of our invention. The
stays 4 are usually formed of a single piece of wire bent together at its middle
into the form shewn in Fig. 2, or the alternative construction shewn in Figure 4.
In Figures 2 and 3 the plate 5 is formed as shewn with a raised slotted part 14.
This plate 5 is secured upon the spindle 6 of the wheel by being slipped on and
fastened in its place by the nut 7 shewn in Figure 1. The raised portion of
said plate is provided with a T-shaped slot which serves for the entrance of the
end of the stays. The stays are formed of a single piece of wire bent at its
middle into the form shewn in the drawing. The T-shaped end of the stays can
therefore be passed into the slot of the box 14 at right angles to the plane of
the wheel, and by simply moving the wires sideways into the position parallel
to the plane of the wheel they are caused to firmly engage in the plate.
In the alternative form of construction shewn in Figures 4 and 5 the plate 5
has a rectangular piece stamped in its upper part, one edge of which is undercut
so as to grip the loop of the stay wires which are slipped under the said under-
cut portion as shewn in the drawing, the lower part of the plate 5 having been
previously adjusted in its place on the spindle by means of the nut 7.
In the modification shewn in Figures 6, 7, and 8 the plate 5 has fixed upon
it a stud or button 15 having pieces 16 cut out of its periphery, the edges of said
cut-out portions being under-cut substantially as shewn in the drawing. The
corresponding part 17, Figure 8, can then be slipped over the said stud and
caused to turn into its permanent position by engaging the projection on its
internal surface beneath the under-cut portions of the stud 15. "In this con-
struction the stays 4 are attached or otherwise firmly secured to the part 17, as
shewn in Figure 8.
In the modification shewn in Figures 9 and 10 the lower or axle ends of
the two stays are adapted to be placed in contact with one another in a box or
socket hereinafter described. Each of the said ends is provided with recesses 24
25 (Figure 10") which are arranged to come opposite similar recesses in the other
stay end, when both ends are inserted in their box as shewn in Figure 9. The
box 5 which is just large enough to contain both stay ends and into which the
stay ends are placed, is formed from a plate which is secured upon the spindle G
of the wheel by being slipped thereon and fastened in its place by the nut 7 as
sewn in Figure 1 where this modification is illustrated in place on a machine.
The box as above stated is formed from a plate, the upper wider portion of
which is bent over to form a rectangular box or socket as shewn in the figures.
A rivet 10 secures a leaf spring 11 or other suitably constructed spring to the
front of the box said spring being provided with a stud or pin 12 which enters
the interior of the box through a hole 8 in the front of said box. When the
two ends of the stays are inserted in the box the spring 11 is sprung away from
the box by hand and the stay ends are slid in until either the two recesses 24
or the two recesses 25 come opposite the hole 8, when the spring pressed pin,
12 is again allowed to enter the box and the adjacent recesses 24 or 25 whereby
the stay ends are secured in the box.
One construction of our device for uniting the upper end of the stays to the
mud-guard is shewn in Figures 11 and 12, in which a bridge-piece 18 is pro-
vided consisting of a strip of steel or the like folded over and shaped into an
arch corresponding to the curve of the mudguard, to the inside of which it is
rivetted, or otherwise attached. The ends of the said bridge-piece are opened
out sufficiently to admit of the insertion of the ends of the stay wires. The
ends of the stay wires are bent into the curved form shewn in Figure 12ª and
holes 19, 19 are provided in the bridge-piece for the purpose of securing or
booking the ends of the stay wires therein.
The requisite adjustment in height of the mud-guard is effected by placing
the said stay ends in the upper holes 19 or the lower holes 19ª of the bridge-
piece respectively. The mud-guard itself is usually secured to the frame by

page_text: straps or otherwise in the ordinary manner, as well as held in place by the device
of our invention.
Another method of attaching the upper ends of the stays to the mud-guard is
shewn in Figures 13 and 14, in which the upper ends of the stay wires are bent
over to form a spring clip which are roughened on their outer sides to corre-
spond with the roughened inside of the sockets 13 placed on each side of the
mud-guard. The insertion of the ends of the stays in the said sockets is effected
by simply compressing them and thrusting them into the sockets in which they
expand and retain firm hold by aid of the corrugations.
Figures 15 and 16 shew another method of attaching the stay ends to the
mud-guard. A wire or other suitable clip such as the spring clip 20, which is
such an one as the well known spring metal pump clip, is attached to the mud-
guard and is adapted to engage with the end portion 21 of the stay between the
two collars 22, 23, provided thereon. Instead of these collars however a flange
may be formed near the end of the stay to engage with a saw cut in the clip
to prevent the stay end from sliding out of the clip.
It will be obvious that some of our arrangements admit of the guard being
adjusted to the precise height above the wheel desired by the rider.
Although the device is illustrated as applied to the hind wheel of the cycle
it is equally adapted to the front wheel thereof, as will be obvious from "the
drawings.
The parts forming our invention are preferably made as stampings, but they
may be cast or otherwise made if found desirable. This may be of any suitable
metal.
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:-
:-
1. Mud-guard support for cycles, comprising a socket plate on the wheel
spindle, wire stays adapted to engage in said socket plate, projecting sockets on
the sides of the mud-guard, and means for retaining the ends of said stays in
said sockets.
2. Adjustable mud-guard support for cycles, comprising a socket plate firmly
secured to the wheel spindle, a box on said plate adapted to receive the lower
end of the stays, a spring-controlled bolt interlocking with the said stays, hollow
sockets on the mud-guard, having roughened interiors, and spring ends on said
stays roughened to correspond to the said sockets.
3. Adjustable mud-guard support for cycles, comprising an attachment to the
wheel spindle, means for engaging the lower end of the stays in said attach-
ment, bridge-pieces fixed to the mud-guard and having open ends, and bent
portions on the upper ends of the stay wires adapted to engage in slots cut in
said bridge-piece ends.
4. The several means for attaching the stays of cycle mud-guards to the
wheel spindle, substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 2 and 3,
Figures 4 and 5, Figures 6, 7, 8, and Figures 9 and 10 of the accompanying
drawings.
5. The several means for attaching the stays of cycle mud-guards to the mud-
guards substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 11 and 12, Figures 13
and 14, and Figures 15 and 16 of the accompanying drawings.
.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of London, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham.