Improvements in Bicycles.
Year: 1895

page_text: Improvements in Bicycles.
I, LUCIEN STEPHEN CRANDALL, of the Village of Parish, County of Oswego,
and State of New York, Gentleman, 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 :-
My invention relates to mechanisms for steadying bicycles, for mounting, or for
supporting them in an upright position when not in use.
My object is to provide such a mechanisin comprising legs connected to a lever,
by which they can be swung forward to steady or temporarily support the bicycle,
for mounting, means being also provided if desired, for automatically throwing
them out of the way when out of use; further means being also provided for
locking them in their projected position to give permanent support to the bicycle
when out of use.
My invention consists in the several novel features of construction and operation
hereinafter described and which are specifically set forth in the claims hereunto
annexed.
It is constructed as follows, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,
in which-
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a bicycle to which my invention is applied, showing
the legs in full lines, thrown back, and in dotted lines as thrown into position for
steadying or supporting it.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail in plan perspective of the steadying or supporting
mechanism, the dotted lines indicating the position of the parts when out of use.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail, in front elevation of the same, the dotted
lines showing the legs in position to steady or support the bicycle.
Fig. 4 is a sectional detail in bottom plan, of same, showing particularly a lock
for holding the legs when projected, the dotted lines indicating the lock applied to
one of the legs.
A is a bicycle of any ordinary construction here shown as a ladies wheel for
illustration only, as my invention is applicable to any style of bicycle; and a is
the frame bar. Upon this bar the sectional clip 6 is secured by a bolt or bolts b¹,
the bottom thereof being widened out and provided with the inclined or cam
edges c, having when desired, a stop shoulder c'. Upon the sides of these clips
the angle bars d are pivoted each having in its horizontal portion a slot d', and
dll is a foot-lever or treadle secured to said angle bars, or integral therewith, so that
in effect said treadle is pivotally mounted.
The legs e are hinged to said angle bars, pass through the slots d' therein, and
are held in engagement with the cams c by means of a suitable spring, as h, secured
to said legs.
Upon the bottom of said clip the lock-bar m is pivoted having a concavity m¹
which engages with one of said legs and having an arm or knob n by which it is
operated. When the foot is applied to the lever d" pressing it down, said legs are
forced downward and forward and outward according to the divergence of said
cams, until they strike the shoulders c', in which position they will steady the
bicycle so long as the pressure continues, as in mounting, which is a great con-
venience especially to ladies, and is of utility to men also as it avoids all of the
jumping onto the saddle from the rear, and the rider can get one foot onto the
pedal ready for starting before removing the other foot from the lever.

page_text: When the pressure is released, the spring will throw the legs back into the
position, shown in Fig. 1.
When desired to support the bicycle permanently the legs are projected, as
aforesaid, and the lock bar swung into engagement with one leg, thereby locking
both legs in their projected position, from which they are released by pushing
back said lock bar.
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. The combination, with a bicycle-frame, of a clip secured thereto having
cam-edged projections, angle-bars pivoted upon said clip and having their
outward armis slotted as shown, a treadle secured to the vertical arms of said
angle bars, and legs hinged to said vertical arms and passing down through said
slots and engaging with said cam-edges.
2. The combination, with a bicycle-frame, of a clip secured thereto having
cam-edged projections, swinging angle-bars slotted in their horizontal projections,
a treadle secured to said angle-bars and adapted to swing them and legs secured
thereto engaging with said cam-edges and passing through said slots and adapted
to traverse them longitudinally when the angle-bars are swung, and means to
automatically retract said legs when the pressure is removed from the treadle.
3. The combination, with a bicycle-frame, of a clip secured thereto, a lever
pivoted upon said clip, legs hinged to said lever and a lock-bar adapted to engage
with one of said legs.
Dated the 10th day of Sentember 1895.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.