A New or Improved Protecting Device or Apron for the use of Cyclists.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 28th Oct., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Protecting Device or Apron for the use of
Cyclists.
I, WILLIAM GREEN, of, Grasmere, Wonersh, Guildford, Surrey, 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 follow-
ing statement:-
This invention relates to a new or improved device or apron for the use of
cyclists, designed to be worn in addition to the ordinary cyclist's cape, for the
protection of lady and gentleman riders from rain, mud and the like in wet
weather, the more particular objects of this invention being to provide a simple
and efficient device of this nature for the protection of the legs and knees that
is not liable to get out of order, and which is secured to the front of the machine
in such a manner as not to restrict the movements of the rider in any way;
it is further extremely light and occupies but little space when not in use, while
it is quickly and easily secured in position when required, and is particularly
suitable for tourists, doctors, ministers, workmen, policemen and other cyclists
who are compelled to ride in rainy weather.
In order that this invention may be fully understood I will now proceed to
describe same with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-
Fig. 1 is a view of the apron open and unattached to a machine.
Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a safety bicycle showing this improved apron
applied thereto.
Figure 3 is a diagrammatic front view of a safety bicycle with the protecting
device or apron in position, and Fig. 4 is a partial plan illustrating a slight
modification of the invention.
The protecting device or apron a is preferably formed from a sheet of water-
proof material and is furnished along its upper edge with a sufficient number
of straps hooks or other attaching devices such as b by means of which its upper
Towards its lower
edge may be secured, to the handle bars of the machine.
extremity a suitable hole or perforation c is formed designed to enclose the head
of the machine just above the crown plates d of the front fork f, while its lower
separated extremities or flaps are designed to pass under the tube t connecting
the bottom bracket with the head of the machine, where they overlap and are
secured together by buttons, straps or other suitable fastening devices such as h.
At a convenient part of the apron a a suitable aperture is formed, through
which the lamp bracket ¹ passes, while just above the separated extremities or
flaps g, a stiffening rib m of any suitable description is secured to the inner side
of the apron, and which is designed to bear against the head of the machine so
as to keep the sides of the apron sufficiently apart as at p, and prevent them
blowing against the knees of the rider when pedalling.
In this manner and as will be seen from the drawings, the front and a part
of the sides of the machine are enclosed in such a manner as to afford a very
thorough protection to the knees and legs of the rider against wet or rain, while
I wish it to be understood that I do not restrict myself to the exact shape of the

page_text: device as shown in any of the views, the essential features being an upper edge
secured to the handle bars and a part to cover the front of the machine, the
divided extremities or flaps designed to overlap and be secured beneath the tube
connecting the bottom bracket with the head of the machine, and the side
pieces n (Fig. 2), while the brake operating lever may be either arranged inside
or outside the apron as required.
In the modified form of apron shown in Fig. 4, the straps or other fastenings
for securing same in position are not affixed to the top edge of the apron but
at a sufficient distance therefrom, while the apron a is formed in such a manner
as to allow of the top part r folding completely over the handle bars so as
to enclose them. This addition to the apron would only' be advisable where the
whole of the handle bars are in a horizontal plane or where the extremities rise
towards the rider, as, in the event of the handle bars dipping or the extremities
falling towards the rider, such a part or covering would only serve to collect
the rain and discharge it over the legs and knees of the rider.
777 T
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 new or improved protecting device or apron for the use of cyclists,
consisting of a sheet of waterproof material furnished at its upper edge with
suitable attachment devices such as b, a front part al designed to cover the front
part of the machine, a hole or perforation such as c designed to encircle the head
of the machine just above the crown d of the fork f, the divided extremities or
flaps g designed to pass under the tube and overlap and be secured, an aperture
such as k and a suitable stiffening rib such as m, the whole forming front and
side protection to the legs and knees of the rider, substantially as herein described
and shown with reference to the accompanying drawings.
:
2. In a protecting device or apron for the use of cyclists, the combination
with a main part al having divided overlapping extremities or flaps such as 7,
of suitable attachment devices such as band h, an aperture such as k, a stiffening
rib such as m and a hole or perforation such as c, the whole arranged substantially
as herein described and shown with reference to the accompanying drawings, and
for the purposes specified.
3/. The modified form of the device or apron, substantially as described and
shown with reference to Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 23rd day of Sentember 1800
CASSELL & Co.,
22, Glasshouse Street, Regent Street, London, W.,
Agent for the Applicant.