Improvements in or relating to Bicycles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Apr., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 28th July, 1896--Accepted, 19th Sept.. 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Bicycles.
I, JAMES GOOD CURTIS 7 Camden Place Cork Ireland Fellow Royal
College Surgeons Ireland do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in or relating to bicycles, and consists in
providing, immediately underneath the saddle at the junction of both bars or at
any other convenient part, an extended hollow bar of suitable length, having a
bayonet lock on it into which a handle with cross bars sufficiently long for a person
behind the bicycle to keep the latter steady and draw it backwards and forwards
as desired whilst a person was learning to ride, this arrangement obviating the
necessity of the teacher keeping his hand on the saddle and handle whilst
teaching.
Dated this 16th day of Anril 1896
HUGHES, SON & Co.,
Agents.
I, JAMES GOOD CURTIS, of No. 7 Camden Place, Cork, Ireland, Doctor, 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 cycles, and has for object to provide
simple and convenient means whereby bicycles may be steadied and drawn backwards
and forwards whilst the rider is learning without the necessity as heretofore of the
teacher keeping his hands upon the saddle and handle bar.
In accordance with this invention the bicycle is furnished or provided, immediately
under the saddle at the junction of both bars, with a rearwardly extending hollow
bar of suitable length having a bayonet lock or joint into which a handle with
cross bars of a convenient length is inserted which a person behind the bicycle
may hold and thereby steady the machine or draw same backwards or forwards.
And in order that this invention may be fully understood and readily carried
into effect I will describe same with reference to the accompanying drawings upon
which
Fig. 1 represents in side elevation a bicycle fitted with my steadying apparatus.
Fig. 2 is an elevational view shewing the parts disconnected,
Fig. 3 is a sectional view shewing the parts connected and in position and
Fig. 4 illustrates a modification of the same.
Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in each of the figures.
Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 a is the rearwardly extending hollow
bar aforesaid in which fits, and is securely held therein, the stem b of the steadying
handle c, d is a spigot fixed in the bar a and e a spring catch carried upon the
stem 6 of the auxiliary handle c. f is a bayonet slot formed in the stem b and in

page_text: which works the spigot d. To attach the handle c to the bicycle the stem bis
inserted within the bar a in such manner that the spigot d travels in the slot, or
groove of the stem b eventually by a partial turn of the handle locking itself in
the portion g of the bayonet slot f. By pressing upon the button h whilst the
bandle is being placed in position the spring catch e is raised and the stem b
afforded a free passage within the bar a until arriving at the aperture in the
bar a when upon releasing the button h the catch e enters the hole i and in
conjunction with the spigot in bayonet slot locks the handle and securely holds it-
in position.
The permanent alterations to the bicycle in the arrangement illustrated in
Figs. 1, 2, and 3 aforesaid are-the extended portion of saddle bar a with the
addition of the spigot d, and the hole i.
In Fig. 4 is illustrated a modification in which the handle stem slides over
(instead of within) the bar a. The portion a forms part of the collar k through
which the saddle bar spindle passes for which purpose the cullar k is extended
downwards on the back bone as indicated from line to line m.
To attach the handle the spring catch e is drawn out and the stem b is caused to
slide over the bar a until the spigot d is locked in the portion g of the bayonet slot
formed in this instance with the hollow stem b. The spring catch e is then released
and catches in the opening i on the arm a and the handle is securely locked in
position.
In this modification the permanent alteration to the bicycle is the solid
projection a not necessarily of the exact form shewn so long as it affords the
requisite means for attaching the handle to the bicycle.
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 I
claim is :--
1. The improvements in and relating to cycles, substantially as, and for the
purposes hereinbefore described and shewn.
2. In bicycles the auxiliary handle and connections constructed and arranged
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated for the purpose of allowing
the bicycle to be controlled from behind by a teacher or other person as and when
required all as above set forth.
Dated this 27th day of July 1896.
HUGHES, SON & Co.,
38, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.