A New or Improved Device for Use by Cyclists.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Aug., 1895-Accepted, 28th Sept., 1895
A New or Improved Device for Use by Cyclists.
I, CHRISTOPHER JOHN FRANCIS MARTIN of 4, Wellington Street, Eastwood,
Nottingham, Traveller, 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 :-
This invention relates to a device for use with cycles, and has for its object to
provide an arrangement by means of which greater power may be obtained without
increasing the strain on the rider. In riding in the ordinary manner a considerable
strain is put upon the handle bars when riding at a high speed in order to obtain a
greater pressure upon the pedals. My invention is intended to provide a means by
which this increased pressure on the pedals may be obtained without requiring the
use of the arms, at the same time giving increased support to the body. I propose
to employ a belt or band which encircles the waist or hips of the rider. To the
front of this belt a strap or connecting piece is fitted attached at its extremity to a
hook or other suitable device secured on the frame of the machine. The retained
device is preferably fitted to the upper tube of the frame and can be adjusted to
any required position. Thus on riding the cycle the rider will in pressing on the
pedals pull on the band and connecting piece in position to the pressure on the
pedals. Support is thus given to the back of the rider which enables the cycle to
be easily ridden at a considerable speed without touching the handle bars.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had to
the accompanying sheet of drawings in which
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cycle and rider fitted with my improved device,
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the band and connecting piece and
Fig. 3 is a detail view of the hook or retaining piece on the cycle.
A is the belt or band secured around the waist or hips of the rider as shown
clearly in Fig. 1. The belt is furnished with a buckle which enables it to be
adjusted.
To the front of this belt a strap or connecting piece B is secured, this strap being
also preferably furnished with a buckle or other means for attaching its length.
This connecting piece may be secured to the belt by an arrangement which is easily
detached such as a book and socket or other well known device enabling the rider to
detach the connecting piece at once when required. The belt itself may also be
arranged to be easily removed and left on the machine when the rider dismounts.
The retaining device C is secured as shown in Fig. 1 to the top tube of the frame
a short distance in front of the saddle. This device is preferably placed close to
the rider in order to obtain the most advantageous angle for the pull on the strap
and band.
This device is in the form of a short book e secured to the tube by means of a
clamp and bolt or screw. This hook is short so that when the link or loop at the
end of the connecting piece is passed over it it will retain the connection when the
rider is pulling against it, but the rider can immediately detach himself by a slight
motion so that he is able to dismount immediately.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is :-
LY An in ved davive for use be evelists consisting of an adiustment from