Improvements in Mud Guards for Velocipedes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Mar., 1897-Accepted, 15th May, 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mud Guards for Velocipedes.
I, WILLIAM BOURKE, of 273, Macon Street, Brooklyn, Kings County, New
York, U.S.A., Manufacturer, 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 improvements in mud guards, and has for its object the
prevention of the mud which adheres to the tires of a cycle, or like device, when
being used upon wet or muddy roads, from being thrown up from the tires upon
the person of the rider, or against the frame or other upper portions of the cycle.
The invention consists in providing a thin piece of metal to which a thin piece of
sheet rubber, or other flexible substance is secured and both being shaped upon one
edge to correspond with the cross-sectional shape of the outer portion of the tire,
and the rubber being arranged so as to bear slightly against the tire, and the metal
plate being shaped so as to have a frictional trunnion like bearing upon a shaft
which holds the device in proper position with relation to the tire, through two
wire brackets each of which supports an end of the shaft, and being approximately
of a "V" shaped construction and the ends of which being connected to the forks
of the cycle in such a manner as to connect the whole device in a suitable manner
in a proper position against the tire.
The nature and objects of my invention will be more fully understood by what is
hereinafter described and set forth, and as will be more especially pointed out in
the claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings which are to be taken
in connection with this specification and which form a part thereof, and in which
similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
In the drawings:
:-
Figure 1, represents a side elevation of a cycle provided with a pair of my
improved mud guards, the spokes of the wheels being omitted that the invention
may be more clearly seen and described.
Fig. 2, represents a full sized front elevation of the invention and in correct
relation with tire, a portion of which is shown in section for the purpose. This
figure also shows the manner in which the device is mounted upon the shaft, and
the connections of the latter with the braces through which the guard is maintained
in its position against the tire.
Fig. 3, represents a side elevation of the guard and the braces and shaft
connections as seen in Fig. 2, and looking from right to left in the latter figure.
Fig. 4, represents a section of Fig. 2, on the line, a,b, and in which the fit of
the plate upon the shaft, and the sectional form of both portions of the device, can
be more readily seen and understood. This figure also shows in dotted lines, an
auxiliary plate which can be applied to the device, and which is intended to have
its edge arranged in close proximity to the tire without touching the latter, and for
the purpose of removing any large accumulations of mud which might adhere to the
tire too firmly for removal by the rubber portion of the guard.
Fig. 5, represents a front elevation of the shaft, and shown as detached from the
other parts of the device.
.
Fig. 6, represents a front elevation of the auxiliary plate shown in the dotted
lines in Fig. 4, and in its relative relation with the tire a portion of which is shown
in section.
In the drawings, A, represents a thin sheet of rubber or similar flexible material

page_text: The
the inner edge of which is shaped to conform to the cross-sectional shape of the
outer portion of the tire, B, as seen at A 1, in Fig. 2, and which is adapted to brush
against the surface of the tire as the latter revolves when the cycle is in use.
brush, A, is clamped between the two end portions, C, C 1, of the metal plate, C 2,
and which is held in position therewith by means of the clamp screws, D, D 1, having
the nuts, D2, D3, which are provided for the purpose. The plate, C 2, is doubled
over so as to conform to the shape of the shaft, E, which in cross-section
is shown as having two straight sides, E1, E2, and a curved side, E 3,
and the purpose of which is to give the plate, D2, a bearing connection
with the shaft, E, somewhat similar to the connection of the blade with the handle
in an ordinary pen-knife. Whenever the plate, C2, is moved around upon the
shaft, E, the sections, C, C 1, spring apart sufficiently to permit the rotation of the
plate as the spring in a pen-knife allows the blade to be opened from the handle, and
the flat sides, E1, E2, are arranged at right angles with each other so as to hold the
plate, C, firmly in either the position as shown in Fig. 4, by the full lines, or else
in that shown by the dotted lines and which are intended to be at an angle of 90°
with reference to that of the former position. The tension of the plate, C2, upon
the shaft, E, is regulated by the tension screws, F, F 1, having the nuts, F2, F3,
for the purpose, and which also serve as a means of securing the auxiliary plate, G,
to the plate, C 2, as indicated in Fig. 4.
The guard is secured in position against the tire by means of a pair of
"V" shaped brackets or braces, H, H 1, each of which has an eye, H2, H3,
respectively, formed at its apex and through which the ends, E4, E 5, of the
screw, E, extend which are threaded and provided with nuts, E6, E7, respectively,
and by means of which the shaft, E, and the braces, H, Hi, are secured together.
Washers, E8, E 9, and E 10, E 11, are provided to make the connection between
the shaft, E, and the braces, H, H 1, more effective, while allowing the plate, C2,
to be rotated upon the shaft. The inner washers, E 10, E 11, are fitted over the
ends, E4, E5, of the shaft, E, in such a manner as to prevent the shaft, E, from
turning independent of the washers, and each of the latter is provided with a
lug, E 12, as seen in Fig. 4, which projects between the legs of the braces, H, H 1,
and thereby prevents the washers, and consequently the shaft, E, from turning
whenever the plate, C2, is moved upon the shaft during the adjustment of
the same.
Each of the braces, H, H 1, has both of its ends secured to convenient portions
of the cycle frame by suitable clip devices, 1, 1 1, which fit upon the rear
forks, J, J 1 or else the steering fork, J 2, according as the guard is to be applied
to the rear or front wheel, B2, B3, respectively. The result of this construction
is that the braces, H, H 1, and the shaft, E, when secured to each other and to the
forks of the cycle, straddle the wheel while holding the guard in a correct position
behind the wheel and against the tire and at an angle of about 60° with the level of
the ground, and at which point the mud or water that adheres to the tire when the
cycle is used in wet weather or on muddy roads, or pavements, is brushed off by the
rubber brush, A, which touches the tire very slightly and thereby preventing
the mud from flying from the tire up against the rider.
When large pieces of mud or other substances adhere to the tire so firmly that
the brush could not remove the same on account of it flexibility, then the plate, G,
when applied in the manner as shown and described will accomplish this purpose
on account of its more rigid character, and by reason of the space between the edge
of the plate and the surface of the tire no undue friction is exerted upon the tire as
would be the case if the plate itself had a direct contact bearing on the tire like
that of the brush.
When a cycle is being ridden in dry weather, or over dry pavements, and
consequently there being no need of using the guard at all, it can be adjusted to
the position indicated by the 'dotted lines in Fig. 4, or as seen behind the front
wheel in Fig. 1, and in which position the guard is entirely clear of any contact
with the tire and thus any unnecessary friction upon the tire, or wear of the brush

page_text: becomes obviated. On account of the spring tension bearing of the guard-plate
upon the shaft, and the shape of both these parts of the device where they connect
with each other, the adjustment of the brush against the tire, or clear of it as may
be required can be effected by moving the outer edge of the plate into the correct
position with the foot, thus avoiding the necessity of manipulating it and thereby
obviating stooping over, or soiling the bands in case the guard was muddy when in
use. On account of the frictional grip of the guard-plate upon the shaft, the
former will move away from the tire in case some foreign substance that might
become imbedded in the tire so firmly that the guard could not remove the same,
and if the latter were rigidly connected to the shaft, might cause damage either to
the tire or the guard. This feature of the invention constitutes a point of merit
peculiar to it, and as compared with any guard mechanism in which such a
contingency was not provided for.
The upper legs of the braces may be detached from their connections, I, with
the upper rear forks of the cycle, and the guard can then can be swung around up
under the saddle as indicated in Fig. 1, the clip connections, I 1, of the lower legs
of the braces with the lower rear fork are made of a pivotal character for this
purpose, and an extra pair of clips one of which is shown at 12, may be provided
to secure the upper legs of the braces to the lower rear fork if it is desirable that
the clips, I, should be left in their own normal positions for future use, upon the
upper rear fork.
This adjustment of the rear guard is provided that the rear
wheel may be fitted into a rack, or in the case of shipment in a crate, or as may be
found otherwise convenient.
The guard is connected to the steering fork, and it of course moves around laterally
with the fork as the wheel is moved in the act of steering, so that the guard is always
in its proper position against the tire and behind the wheel no matter how the wheel
is manipulated through the handlebar mechanism.
The brush, A, being detachable from the plate, C2, is easily renewable when
required.
It can thus be seen that I provide a simple inexpensive device for the
purposes intended and one that in every way meets the requirements of such an
appliance.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
claim, is-
1. In combination with a cycle, a mud guard consisting of a brush adapted to
bear against the outer surface of the tire and having a bracket mechanism by which
it is secured in position with relation to the tire and the bracket mechanism being
connected with the frame of the cycle, substantially as specified.
2. In combination with a cycle, a mud guard consisting of a brush of flexible
material adapted to bear against the outer surface of the tire and having a bracket
mechanism by which it is secured in position with relation to the tire and the
bracket mechanism being connected with the frame of the cycle, substantially as
specified.
3. In combination with the cycle, a mud guard baving a brush adapted to
bear against the outer surface of the tire and having a bracket mechanism by which
it is secured in position with relation to the tire and the bracket mechanism being
connected with the frame of the cycle, and the brush being connected with the
bracket mechanism so as to admit of its bearing contact against the tire being
released, substantially as specified.
4. In combination with a cycle, a mud guard consisting of a brush adapted to
bear against the outer surface of the tire and having a bracket mechanism by
which it is secured in position with relation to the tire and the bracket mechanism
being connected with the frame of the cycle, and the brush having a spring tension
connection with the bracket mechanism by means of which it may be released from
its bearing contact with the tire, substantially as specified.

page_text: 5. In combination with a cycle, a mud guard consisting of a brush adapted to
bear against the outer surface of the tire and having a bracket mechanism by which
it is secured in position with relation to the tire and the bracket mechanism being
connected with the frame of the cycle, and comprising a pair of brackets one of
which is connected with the fork on each side of the wheel by suitable clip devices
and their outer extremities being connected by a shaft and upon which a brush
plate has a spring tension grip, and the brush secured to the plate and arranged so
as to bear against the outer surface of the tire or release contact therewith
according as the position of the plate is changed upon the shaft, substantially as
specified.
6. In combination with a cycle, a mud guard consisting of a brush adapted to
bear against the outer surface of the tire and having a bracket mechanism by which
it is secured in position with relation to the tire and the bracket mechanism being
connected with the frame of the cycle, and an auxiliary plate connected with the
brush mechanism and adapted to be arranged in close proximity to the tire without
touching the latter, substantially as specified.
7. A mud guard for a cycle consisting of a plate having its broad surface
approximately at right angles with the surface of the periphery at the point of
contact therewith and having a bracket connection with the cycle by which it is
secured in proper position therewith, substantially as specified.
8 A mud guard for a cycle consisting of a brush adapted to make contact with the
tire and an auxiliary plate arranged in close proximity with the tire without touching
the latter and both the brush and auxiliary plate being connected together by a
plate having a rotable bearing upon the shaft, and the shaft being provided with
brackets having connections with the frame of the cycle, and all combined,
substantially as specified.
9. A mud guard for a cycle consisting of a flexible brush adapted to make
contact with the tire, a brush plate to which the brush is secured having a rotable
connection with the shaft, a shaft upon which the brush plate is rotably mounted
and having its extremities threaded and provided with nuts, and a pair of brackets
one of which is arranged upon each side of the wheel their outer extremities being
connected to the threaded portions of the shaft and their inner extremities being
connected with convenient portions of the cycle frame by means of suitable clip
devices, and all being combined, substantially as specified.
10. In a mud guard for a cycle the combination of the brush, A, the brush
plate, C2, and the shaft, E, and the brush plate, C2, having a spring tension
rotable bearing upon the shaft, E, and the shaft, E, being provided with flat
sides, E 1, E 2, and by means of which the brush plate, C 2, may be adjusted so as
to hold the brush in different positions with reference to the surface of the tire,
substantially as specified.
11. In a mud guard for a cycle, the combination of the brush, A, the brush
plate, C2, and the auxiliary plate, G, and the shaft, E, upon which the brush
plate, C2, is rotably mounted and has a spring tension bearing thereon, substan-
tially as specified.
12. In a mud guard for cycles, a pair of brackets one of which is arranged upon
either side of the wheel and their inner extremities being connected to the frame
by means of suitable connecting devices in combination with a mud guard secured
to their outer extremities having a broad surface substantially at right angles with
the periphery of the wheel as described.
00 "
F. BOSSHARDT & Co.,
4 Corporation Street, Manchester, Agents to Applicant.