Improvements in Bicycle Stands or Supports.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 25th June, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 25th Mar., 1898-Accepted, 20th May, 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION,
Improvements in Bicycle Stands or Supports.
I, RICH AFFORD, of Withington Villa, Tuffley Avenue, Gloucester in the
County of Gloucester, Timber Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows: —
•
The invention relates to improvements in bicycle stands or supports and has
for its object to obtain a simple and inexpensive device which will occupy little
space and effectually answer the purpose of the elaborate arrangements at present
in use.
In carrying the invention into effect and according to one arrangement a
rectangular frame is formed by four bars fastened together in any suitable manner,
and at its lower part this frame is provided with feet consisting of crossbars
unequally fastened to the uprights of the frame so that they project more on one
side thereof than on the other, and these feet are preferably provided with wheels
or runners by the aid of which the stand or support may be wheeled about.
The rectangular frame is at one end braced by means of a diagonal strut fastened
to one of the vertical posts and to the lower horizontal bar and this strut also
serves the purpose hereinafter referred to.
Upon the upper horizontal bar are mounted with capability of sliding for
adjustinent one, two or more hooks adapted to engage the frame of the bicycle
and support the same with the wheels clear of the ground in such manner that
the latter may be readily turned for cleaning or other purposes, whilst the strut at
the same time prevents the front or steering wheel turning upon its steering axis.
According to a modification the upper and lower horizontal bars are each
centrally divided and the parts are connected together by suitable hinge joints,
whilst their outer ends are pivotally connected with the posts or uprights so that
the horizontal bars may be folded and the posts caused to closely approach cach
cther and thus compact the device for storage, and the strut in this case is con-
nected with the lower horizontal bar and one of the posts with capability of
folding.
In order to hold the upper horizontal bar rigid against downward pressure the
same is provided with a sliding sleeve or collar or equivalent device adapted to
embrace the hinge joint in the expanded position of the stand, and hold the
same rigid.
As a further modification the posts or uprights are formed in two parts tele-
scopically engaging each other, and the upper parts are raised to the maximum
height of the stand by means of coiled springs which are normally held in com-
pression with the upper part of the frame in its depressed condition by means
of spring bolts or latches which engage slots or their equivalent in the upper or
moveable parts of the posts and the strength of the springs is so proportioned that
upon a machine being placed upon the hooks of the stand and the latches or bolts
withdrawn from the posts the bicycle will by means of the coiled springs be
automatically raised to a convenient height for manipulation and in order to

page_text: hold the frame in this position the latches or bolts automatically engage other
holes or their equivalent provided in the upper parts of the posts in the raised
position thereof and thus hold the entire device rigid until it is again required
to be put out of use.
The entire device is of a simple and inexpensive character and when collapsed
or folded occupies very little space so that it can be stowed away, whilst at the
same time when in use it efficiently supports the bicycle with the wheels clear of
the ground and with the cranks clear of the stand so that the wheels may be
rotated at will!
Dated this 95th der of June 1907
Improvements in Bicycle Stanus or supports.
I, RICH AFFORD, of Withington Villa, Tuffley Avenue, Gloucester, in the 1
County of Gloucester, Timber Merchant, 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:
-
The invention relates to improvements in bicycle stands or supports, and has
for its object to obtain a simple and inexpensive device which will occupy little a
space and effectually answer the purpose of the elaborate arrangements at present
in use.
In carrying the invention into effect and according to one arrangement a
rectangular frame is formed by four bars fastened together in any suitable manner,
and at its lower part this frame is provided with feet consisting of crossbars 2
unequally fastened to the uprights of the frame so that they project more on one
side thereof than on the other, and these feet are preferably provided with wheels
or runners by the aid of which the stand or support may be wheeled about.
The rectangular frame is at one end braced by means of a diagonal strut fastened
to one of the vertical posts and to the lower horizontal bar, and this strut also a
serves the purpose hereinafter referred to.
Upon the upper horizontal bar are mounted with capability of sliding for
adjustment one, two, or more hooks adapted to engage the frame of the bicycle
and support the same with the wheels clear of the ground in such manner that
the latter may be readily turned for cleaning or other purposes, whilst the strut at a
the same time prevents the front or steering wheel turning upon its steering axis.
According to a modification the upper and lower horizontal bars are each
centrally divided, and the parts are connected together by suitable hinge joints,
whilst their outer ends are pivotally connected with the posts or uprights so that
the horizontal bars may be folded and the posts caused to closely approach each 4
other and thus compact the device for storage, and the strut in this case is con-
nected with the lower horizontal bar and one of the posts with capability of.
folding:
In order to hold the upper horizontal bar rigid against downward pressure the
same is provided with a sliding sleeve or collar or equivalent device adapted to
embrace the hinge joint in the expanded position of the stand and hold the
Bame rigid.
1
As a further modification the posts or uprights are formed in two parts tele-
scopically engaging each other, and the upper parts are raised to the maximum

page_text: height of the stand by means of coiled springs which are normally held in com-
pression with the upper part of the frame in its depressed condition. by means:
of spring bolts or latches which engage slots or their equivalent in the upper or
movable parts of the posts and the strength of the springs is so proportioned that;
upon a machine being placed upon the hooks of the stand and the latches or bolts
withdrawn from the posts, the bicycle will by means of the coiled springs be
automatically raised to a convenient height for manipulation and in order to
hold the frame in this position the latches or bolts automatically engage other.
holes or their equivalent provided in the upper parts of the posts in the raised.
position thereof and thus hold the entire device rigid until it is again required.
to be put out of use.
And in order that the said invention may be more clearly understood and
readily carried into effect, I will proceed aided by the accompanying drawings..
more fully to describe the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bicycle stand or support constructed according
to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a similar view showing a bicycle in position upon the stand.
Figure 3 is an end view of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a detail view of a portion of the top bar illustrating more particu-
larly the construction and arrangement of the hooks.
Figure 5 is a view taken at right angles to Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a side elevation of a folding stand or support constructed according
to the present invention.
Figure 7 is an end view thereof.
Figure 8 is a similar view to Figure 6, but showing the stand or support collapsed
for transport or storage:
Figure 9 is an end view thereof.
Figure 10 is a side elevation representing a further modification in which springs
are employed to raise the cycle into position and showing the upper bar in its
depressed position.
Figure 11 is an end view thereof.
Figure 12 is a vertical longitudinal section of part thereof taken on the line 1-1
of Figure 11.
Figure 13 is a side elevation of the stand partly in section showing the upper
bar in its raised position, and
Figure 14 is a horizontal section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 10 showing
more particularly the method of constructing the hollow posts..
In the several figures in which like parts are indicated by similar letters of
reference Figures 1 and 3 and 6 to 11 and 13 are drawn to an increased scale with
respect to Figure 2 and Figures 4, 5, 12, and 14 are drawn to a still further
increased scale.
Referring to Figures 1 to 5 a represents the lower horizontal bar of the frame or
support, a represent respectively the front and rear vertical bars or posts,
and as represents the upper horizontal bar, the posts as being rigidly fastened
at a to the upper and lower bars as a by means of nails, screws, or other suitable
means.
The front and rear posts a' a descend slightly below the bottom bar a, and have
transversely fixed thereto feet consisting of crossbars b unequally arranged with
respect to the posts a¹ a so that they project more upon one side than upon the
other, and thus afford a broader base on the weight carrying side of the stand, and
these feet bare provided with wheels or runners 2 by the aid of which the stand
or support may be wheeled about; or the wheels or runners b might if desired be
dispensed with.
:
The rectangular frame consisting of the horizontal bars and vertical posts, is at
one end braced by means of a diagonal strut a rigidly fastened to the front vertical

page_text: post a and to the lower horizontal bar a by means of screws or other suitable
fastenings and this diagonal strut a' also serves the purpose hereinafter referred to.
Upon the upper horizontal bar a³ are mounted with capability of sliding for
adjustment two, or there might be more hooks c formed with square eyes c¹ which
embrace the bar a³, and these hooks are adapted to engage the frame of the
cycle d as represented at Figures 2 and 3 and support the same with the wheels
clear of the ground in such manner that the latter may be readily turned for
cleaning or other purposes, whilst the strut a at the same time prevents the front
or steering wheel d¹ from turning upon its steering axis d² and thus holds it steady
during such operation.
In the example given at Figures 6 to 9 the device is substantially the same as
that herein before shown and described, except that the upper and lower horizontal
bars a³ a are centrally divided at a and the parts are connected together by suitable
hinges a whilst at their outer ends the bars a a³ are at a pivotally connected with
the posts or uprights a¹ a² so that the horizontal bars aa³ may be inwardly folded
and the posts a¹ a caused to closely approach each other as represented at Figures 8
and 9, and thus compact the stand for storage or transport.
In order to facilitate the folding, the horizontal bars a a³ are arranged on opposite
sides of the posts a¹ a², and the strut at in this case is at one end pivotally connected
at a* to a fitting carried by the post a', whilst at its other end it is formed with a
hole therethrough to receive a thumb screw which screws into the lower
horizontal bar a, and thus the strut a may be fixed with the lower hori-
zontal bar a or may be disconnected therefrom, and folded against the post a¹
in the collapsed condition of the device as shown more particularly at Figure 8.
In order to hold the upper horizontal bar aª rigid against downward pressure
it is provided with a sliding sleeve or collar a', or it might be an equivalent device
adapted to engage the hinge joint as in the expanded position of the stand and hold
the same rigid and if desired the lower horizontal bar a may be provided with a
similar device.
In the example given at Figures 10 to 14 the stand is constructed in such manner
as to automatically raise the bicycle into a convenient position for cleaning, and
for this purpose the posts or uprights al as are formed tubular by fastening
together two grooved bars of wood each formed with a semi-circular groove therein,
as shown more particularly at Figure 14, and within the tubes thus formed are
placed coiled springs e whilst the upper horizontal bar a³ is provided. with down-
wardly extending rods a¹* a²* against the ends of which the coiled springs e act to
raise the horizontal bar a³ to the required elevation.
The coiled springs e are normally held in compression with the upper part of the
frame in its depressed position as represented at Figures 10, 11, and 12 by means of
spring bolts or latches f carried by the posts a a² and which engage slots or
notches a formed in the rods or upper or movable parts a* a* of the posts a¹ a³
and the strength of the springs e is so proportioned that upon a bicycle being placed
upon the hooks c of the stand and the latches or bolts f withdrawn from the
notches a of the movable parts al* a2* of the posts the bicycle will by means of the
coiled springs e be automatically raised to a convenient height for manipulation,
and in order to hold the same in this position other notches or they might be
holes are provided in the movable parts a* * of the posts which are auto-
matically engaged by the latches or bolts f in the raised position of the upper
part of the frame, and the entire device is thus held rigid until it is again required
to be put out of use when the upper part of the frame may be depressed' until the
bolts or latches f engage the upper notches or recesses a³ thus holding the upper
part of the frame in its depressed position in readiness for future use.
:
It will be obvious that the construction of the telescopic posts and other details
of the device may be to some extent modified without departing from the spirit
of the invention.
The entire device which may be made of any suitable material is of a simple and
inexpensive character and when collapsed or folded occupies very little space so that

page_text: it can be easily stowed away whilst at the same time when in use it efficiently
supports the bicycle with the wheels clear of the ground and the cranks clear of the
stand so that the wheels may be rotated at will.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. A bicycle stand or support comprising a rectangular frame unequally disposed
crossbars or feet fixed to the base of the frame and if desired provided with wheels
or runners, a diagonally disposed strut connecting the front post and lower hori-
zontal bar of the frame and forming a rest for the front wheel of a bicycle and two
hooks mounted with capability of sliding on the upper horizontal bar of the frame
and adapted to support a bicycle clear of the ground substantially as herein shown
and described.
2. A bicycle stand or support comprising a rectangular frame formed of two posts
and two horizontal bars pivotally connected with the ends of the posts and centrally
divided and there united by hinge joints, sleeves or the like for stiffening the
joints at the times required, a diagonally disposed strut connecting the front post
and lower horizontal bar with capability of folding and forming a rest for the front
wheel of a bicycle, two hooks mounted with capability of sliding on the upper
horizontal bar and adapted to support a bicycle clear of the ground and unequally
disposed crossbars or feet fixed to the base of the frame substantially as herein
shown and described.
3. A bicycle stand or support comprising a rectangular frame formed of two
telescopic posts and two horizontal bars fixed with the ends of the posts, unequally
disposed crossbars or fect fixed to the base of the frame, two hooks mounted with
capability of sliding upon the upper horizontal bar of the frame and adapted to
support a bicycle clear of the ground, a diagonal strut connecting the front post
and lower horizontal bar and forming a rest for the front wheel of the bicycle,
springs within the lower parts of the telescopic posts and acting against the upper
parts thereof and adapted to raise the bicycle from the ground, notches or their
equivalent in the upper or movable parts of the posts, and spring catches or bolts
carried by the lower parts of the posts, these parts being so arranged that they will
hold the movable part of the frame either in its depressed or raised position
substantially as herein shown and described.
WHITE & WOODINGTON,
Rooms 221-225, Birkbeck Bank Chambers,
Southampton Buildings, London, Agents.