Improvements in and relating to Velocipedes.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Nov., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 29th Sept., 1890-Accepted, 1st Nov., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Velocipedes.
WILLIAM CHARLES SURPLICE East End Cycle Depôt Old Christchurch Road
Bournemouth Hants Cycle Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
A speciality much required, to promptly secure rifle to cycles, for military
purposes.
The stand permanently attached to hold cycle erect, combined with reversible
action break holder, fixes cycle in readiness for immediate use, combined with rifle
carrier, sight, and breach protector. Allows prompt and ready access to the rifle
when above speciality is attached to cycles.
Materials used leather and metal.
My speciality is herein more fully described in detail and is fixed by means of
screw bolts on which is placed small coil spring which allows the free action of the
stand. The stand is thrown out at an angle of 45 from the screw bolt pivot on which
it works, to the ground to form a perfect rest to secure cycle in an upright
position.
From the pivot on which the stand works is a horizontal rod of metal to gun carrier
which clips the gun in the small of the stock.
And to secure gun clip with more rigid fixing there are two rods which extend to
the hub of the hind wheel and are fixed by means of screw nuts which makes a firm
and rigid support for the rifle.
And for the protection of the lock of the rifle a piece of leather is used to form
covering and in order to properly secure the rifle a round nozzle of leather is made
which is secured at the head of the cycle by means of screw bolt and half round brass
clips.
Into the nozzle the end of the rifle is pushed forming sight protector and in order
to perfect, and as a necessary part of the said invention.
The break lock which is fitted on the handle by half rounds and screw bolts and
nuts has a reversible thumb action worked by means of a spring acting on the brass
or metal of which it is fashioned.
And when it is used it forms a secure lock to break by means of rackit into which
the metal lever fixes itself tbus forming one complete speciality of which the above
particulars are the Provisional Specifications.
25th day of November 1889.
ALFRED THOMPSON,
St. John's Wood Road, Bournemouth.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Velocipedes.
I, WILLIAM CHARLES SURPLICE, East End Cycle Depôt, Old Christchurch Road,
Bournemouth, Hants. Cycle Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion 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 improvements in velocipedes with special reference to those
employed for military purposes. It has for its object chiefly to provide means for
carrying a rifle, to lock the front wheel, and to retain the velocipede when stationary
in a nearly upright position, in order that the rider may dismount, detach the rifle,
and, after placing the rod or stand hereinafter referred to in the necessary position,
remain in action without giving any other attention to the velocipede which is
rendered self supporting and acts as a guide when firing.
[Pmca Ri

page_text: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a rear driving safety bicycle to which my improve-
ments are adapted.
Figures 2 and 3 represent respectively side and end elevational detached views of
the framework for carrying the rifle and means for supporting the velocipede.
Figures 4 and 5 represent an adjustable spring catch for carrying the supporting
rod or stand when not in use.
Figures 6 and 7 show respectively an end and side elevation of the sight protector
for carrying the muzzle of the gun.
Figure 8 is a front elevation and Figure 9 a side sectional elevation of the double
action break holder for locking the front wheel.
Figure 10 is a detached side elevation and
Figure 11 a plan of the locking portion of said break holder.
Like letters of reference denote corresponding parts or members throughout the
several views.
Referring to Figures 1 to 5 inclusive A is the supporting rod or stand pivotted at a
to a metallic plate bolted to the frame of the velocipede, the rod A where pivotted
being provided with a suitable spring washer. When in use this pivottel rod or stand is
lifted out of the adjustable spring catch c Figures 4 and 5-which is preferably bolted
to the back stay supporting the mud guard or to any other convenient part of the
machine, and is turned on its centre until the end rests upon and pierces the ground
as far as the flange or stop a', thus serving as an effectual rest for the machine which
is thereby supported in a nearly upright position.
In order to lock the front wheel I provide a double action brake holder Figures 8
to 11. J is the handle bar, K the brake lever, L is a clamp firmly secured to the
handle bar J. A downwardly projecting rod M is suspended from a pivot j formed in
the lower half of said clamp L The rod M is formed with a number of serrations or
teeth extending throughout its entire length to serve as a rack. The lever K of the
break passes between the two halves of a sliding clamp N, the lower half of this sliding
clamp being formed at the rear with an extension N1, the rod M passing freely through
an opening in this extension so as to allow the clamp N to have free vertical move-
ment coincidently with the action of the break lever. A catch O is pivotted on each
side at to the extension N1 of the clamp N; and, to facilitate its manipulation is
provided with projecting ends m, n. The pivotte catch O, which is shown locked
with the teeth of the rod M in Figures 8 and 9 and in the unlocked position at
Figures 10 and 11, is formed with bevelled ends o adjacent to the pivot l, these
bevelled ends bearing against the spring P. This spring, which is secured at one end
to the lower portion of the clamp N; the other end fitting within the recess », serves
to retain the pivotted catch in either the open or closed position.
The rifle B Figure 1 is supported in the following manner. A fork or support dis
carried from the axle of the rear wheel and is provided on one side, with a casing or
socket C containing one or more strong, coiled spiral springs. A spindle or rod d'
works telescopically within the casing C, this spindle or rod having a support e at its
upper end within which the stock of the rifle is carried. A rod which is pivotted to
a lug on the plate extends horizontally or nearly so rearwards and is adjustably
secured to the plate g. The rifle support e is connected to the plate g and hinged at gl
the joints and the spring in the casing C allowing the rifle to have a certain amount
of vertical motion in order to overcome the shock or vibration transmitted from the
rear wheel when riding over rough or uneven road or ground surfaces.
The protector for the breech of the gun comprises a flap D of leather or other
.suitable material one end of which is secured to the plate g the other end overlapping
on the opposite side and secured by the stop h. A pad E of india rubber or other
resilient material is provided on the inner side of the flap D. When the flap is secured
to the stop this pad is firmly pressed against, and thus protects the breech of the
gun from dust and moisture and prevents all rattle.
The sight protector F Figures 6 and 7 is secured to the steering post socket I by
the clamp G. This protector F comprises a preferably cylindrical casing of leather

page_text: open at one end to receive the muzzle of the gun, and closed at the other, the edges
of the leather casing are united together by an overlapping metal plate H secured by
rivets or equivalent means.
It will be seen from the foregoing description that a velocipede to which my
improvements are adapted possesses several important advantages; inasmuch as, I
may state, that not only is the rifle carried in an efficient, simple, and noiseless
manner, but that an expert rider, with a little practice, is enabled to dismount,
lock the front wheel, unhook the supporting rod or stand, detach the rifle and be in
readiness for action in the remarkably short time of three seconds.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it to be understood that I am
aware it has already been proposed to employ a hinged rod or stand for supporting
bicycles in nearly a vertical position and I make no claim in respect of same per se,
but what I claim is :-
First The improvements in and relating to velocipedes substantially as herein set
forth in the accompanying drawings.
Second: In a velocipede intended to carry a rifle or the like, the combination of a
fork d spring and spring casing C, rifle support e, and rod d' free to work within the
casing C, connecting rod f, plate b, and hinged rod for connecting the rifle support e
with the plate g or rod f substantially as herein set forth.
Third In velocipedes such as those referred to in the preceding claim the employ-
ment of a breech protector D rubber block E sight or muzzle protector F and means
for securing or fastening same substantially as set forth.
Fourth In a break holder for velocipedes the combination with a toothed rod,
rack, or equivalent M preferably suspended on a pivot j from a clamp L on the handle
bar, of a sliding clamp, socket or equivalent N carrying the break lever, said sliding
clamp or equivalent being provided with a pivotted double acting catch O adapted to
engage the teeth of the aforesaid toothed rod or rack substantially as herein set forth
and for the purposes specified.
Fifth The improvements in and relating to velocipedes substantially as set forth
and shown Figures 1 to 7 inclusive of the accompanying drawings.
Sixth The improvements in and relating to velocipedes substantially as herein set
forth and shown Figures to 11 inclusive of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 27th day of September 1890.
JAMES STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers, 20, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.