Toe Clips for Bicycle Pedals.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Apr., 1897-Accepted, 17th July, 1897
Toe Clips for Bicycle Pedals.
I, BERNARD MORGENTHAU, of No. 17 Quincy Street Chicago, County of Cook,
State of Illinois, United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the
nature of my invention for Toe Clips for Bicycle Pedals and in what manner
the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
The object of the invention is to provide a Toe Clip of novel and simple con-
struction wherein the foot may be easily inserted therein, which may be adjusted
to any style shoe, and which will engage the foot in such a manner as to hold it
in the proper position, preventing side slipping or jarring off the pedal, and wherein
is avoided the use of racing straps, and from which the foot may be readily detached
in case of accident.
The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination, location
and relative arrangement, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown
in the accompanying drawings, and finally specifically pointed out in the appended
claims.
In the drawings-
Fig. 1 is a view in top plan of a toe clip embodying my invention.
Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the same.
Fig. 3 is a view in end elevation of the same.
The toe clip forming my invention is preferably formed of a single integral
piece of metal, A, preferably of spring material, having a depending portion, B,
slotted, as at C, to receive securing means, by which the same is mounted upon or
adjacent to the pedal of a bicycle, and the body part curved into substantially
U shape from the depending portion B, thereby forming an opening or seat to
receive the toe and ball of the foot of the rider. The top part of the toe clip is
provided with side extensions, I, preferably curved to approximately the curvature
of the top part of the foot or shoe of the rider and extending preferably slightly
forwardly and downwardly with respect to the clip and in the direction of the heel
of the shoe. These side extensions D are preferably of spring material. For the
sake of lightness and neatness of appearance the body part of the clip at the bend
of the Ushaped portion thereof is preferably split or bifurcated, as indicated at E.
leaving the legs, F, to join the top and bottom portions of the clip. Similarly, and
if desired, the side extensions D may also be perforated by means of the slots G.
The clip embodying my invention may be stamped out of any suitable spring
material or metal, the natural resilience and springiness of which enables me to
secure the advantages above enumerated and to avoid the objections present in
the use of toe clips of the ordinary construction. And while I have shown the
side extensions D as having the slots or openings G therein, of course it will be
understood that such openings may be omitted if desired, and said extensions
formed solid. I do not desire, therefore, to be limited or restricted to the exact
form and arrangement shown, as many variations therefrom would readily suggest
themselves to persons skilled in the art and still fall within the spirit and scope
of my invention.