Improvements in Cycles..
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 12th June, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 5th Aug., 1893-Accepted, 28th Oct., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cycles..
I, WILLIAM BASKERVILLE, Tea Merchant, 38 New Brown Street, Shudehill,
Manchester, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to cycles, especially to the species known as the Safety bicycle;
and may be divided into two parts. The first part consists of a combined brake
and foot-rest, and dispenses with the cumbersome brake now in use.
I make my
brake of a steel spring which I fasten to the base of the frame-head of the bicycle
or to the forks of the front wheel by means of a screw, a thumb-screw clip, or by
any other suitable means. This spring is made any suitable length, width, or
strength, and is preferably shaped to the wheel. To the end of the spring and at
right angles to it, I attach a metal plate, about 2 inches long and 1 inch broad.
This plate has two side wings, each about 1 inch deep and bored out to admit of a
steel rod or tube being passed through. I next procure a steel rod or tube of any
desired length, which may be covered with india-rubber, leather, or other suitable
material, and pass it through the side wings of the plate, leaving projections on the
outer sides of the wings of 2 or 3 inches. That portion of the rod or tube which
lies between the two wings of the plate acts as a brake when brought in contact
with the tyre, and the projections act as foot-rests.
It is clear that when the
bicycle is in motion and the feet are placed on these projections, a little pressure
will bring the rod or tube in contact with the tyre, and thus cause it to act as a
brake; so that a cyclist may ride down the steepest of hills with his feet at rest,
knowing that by a little pressure of the foot he can stop his bicycle within a few
feet of any given point.
That portion of the steel rod or tube between the wings of the plate may be
shaped to the contour of the tyre, in which case the brake, when applied, covers a
larger surface of the tyre, and is more powerful..
Instead of the metal plate with side wings, I can attach a piece of metal to the
end of the spring, shaped like a V, the apex being the point of fastening. At each
base I fasten my foot-rests, whilst inside I place a piece of metal, rubber, or any
other suitable material, shaped to the tyre. It is evident that when I press on the
foot-rests, the spring gives way and the interior of the V comes into contact with
the tyre, and thus acts as a powerful brake. It is also evident that when I cease
to use any pressure on the foot-rests, the spring will return to its normal position
and so release the brake.
I have another way of applying and releasing the brake. In place of the steel
spring which I fasten to the frame-head or forks of the front wheel, I substitute a
steel rod, to the end of which I attach two metal gripes, shaped to fit the tyre or
the rim of the bicycle. These gripes are joined by a hinge, which allows either
gripe to be moved without disturbing the other. I place a spring either inside or
outside the gripes, which keeps them from touching the tyre or rim of the bicycle ;
whilst at each side I fasten my foot-rests. When in their normal position, these
gripes stand clear of the tyre and rim; but a little pressure of the foot will bring
either gripe into contact with the tyre or rim of the bicycle, and cause it to act as
a brake. It is clear that if both feet are used, the two gripes working from the
hinge will act as an extremely powerful brake; whilst when the feet are removed,
the spring will return the gripes into their normal position. The interior of the
gripes can be covered with india-rubber, leather, or other suitable material.
In my steel spring or in my steel rod, to which the brake is fastened, I can make
slots which will enable me to fasten my brake and foot-rests anywhere between the

page_text: frame-head or forks and the end of the steel spring or steel rod. Also my steel
spring could be inade of two or three parts if desired.
The second part of my invention is a detachable mud-guard, which can be made
of tin, steel, or other suitable material. I attach my mud-guard to the end of my
brake by a screw or other means, and preferably make it V shaped, having the
apex to the tyre of the bicycle. By this means the mud thrown up will catch the
mud-guard at an angle and thus be scattered wide of the rider.
Dated this Tenth day of June 1893.
WM. BASKERVILLE.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cycles.
I, WILLIAM BASKERVILLE of 38 New Brown Street, Manchester, Tea
Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
My invention relates to cycles, especially to that class known as "Safeties" and
consists first of a combined brake and foot rest, and secondly of a detachable mud
guard.
And in order that my improvements shall be the more clearly understood and
carried into practical effect, I have hereunto annexed a sheet of drawings, and will
now proceed to describe the same with the assistance of the various figures and
letters of reference marked thereon.
Fig. 1 is a front view and Fig. 2 a side view of so much of the wheel and fork of
a safety-bicycle as is necessary to illustrate my improved brake and foot rest
applied thereto.
Fig. 3 is a diagram view shewing the whole machine and the position of the
brake and foot rest in relation to the other parts of the machine.
In accordance with my invention I dispense with the cumbersome brake now in
use and employ, by preference, a spring rod A more or less designed to follow
the curvature of the wheel B, one end of which rod is secured to the base C of the
steering or frame head D, whilst the opposite end of such rod which terminates at
a point which will form a convenient elevation for the feet of the rider is fitted
with a brake block E, also with two foot rests F, F. Upon these latter the rider
of the machine may place his feet, say in going down hill and the spring rod A is
of such a temper that normally and even with the weight of the riders feet on, it
will cause the brake block to lie clear of the wheel tyre, but immediately a little
extra pressure is brought to bear upon the foot rests which can readily and
sensibly be done by the rider, the brake block E will touch the wheel tyre and so
arrest or impede the motion of the machine as desired.
The method of securing the rod A to the steering head D may be effected in
several ways. In the case of new machines it may be effected by passing the rod loosely
through a hole formed in the frame base C and fixing it by nuts G (see Fig. 2) on
either side, or it may be effected by screwing the rod directly into the said hole or
by other equivalent means. In the case of old or existing machines the attachment
may be effected by employing a plate H (see Figs. 4 and 5) to the centre of which
is secured the rod A and which plate is "yoked or clamped to the frame base C
by means of hooks I. I passing round the narrow parts J. J (seen more clearly in
Fig. 1) of the frame base C, the ends of said hooks passing through holes in the
plate H and all of said ends being secured by nuts J'. The bottom edge of said
plate H in coming close to the periphery of the tyre will act as a thorn catcher
and so protect a pneumatic tyre from puncture.
Instead of a single rod, a pair of rods A' A' may be used as seen in Figs. 6 and 7
with their extremities at K formed to hook round the narrow parts J. J of the

page_text: frame base C and designed to take through holes in the clamping plate L to receive
the clamping nuts L'.
It will be obvious that the spring rod A may partake of two or three forms, say
with a coil or two in its length, but it is preferred to form it as shewn in Figs. 1, 2,
and 3.
-
The brake block E consists, by preference, of solid rubber, made plain or if
desired shaped to the curvature of the tyre and said block is held within a plate M
secured to the rod A by means of set screws M¹ M² and formed with two ears or
end pieces N. Through these end pieces and through the rubber brake block E,
I pass a rod or narrow tube O leaving an equal length of said tube or rod projecting
on each side of the block (see Fig. 1) and upon each projecting extremity I fit a
rubber or other suitable sleeve or pad P which is retained by the enlarged end Q
and set screw R. The projecting extremities of the rod or tube O form convenient
rests for the feet of the rider as aforesaid and enable him to exercise pressure on
the brake.
In lieu of employing a rubber block E, I may provide that portion of the rod or
tube which lies between the ears of the plate M with an enlargement, of such a
shape that it may serve the purpose of a brake block, and to increase its efficiency it
may be curved to the contour of the tyre.
A modification of the brake consists of a piece of metal arranged inverted
V fashion, the apex of the inverted V formation being affixed to the spring rod A,
whilst the foot rests are formed separately from each other and attached to each of
the sides of the brake. The inside of the brake may be shaped to the tyre and
fitted with rubber or other material. It is evident that when sufficient pressure is
put upon the foot rests the interior of the brake coming in contact with the tyre
will effectually arrest the movement of the wheel.
A further modification of my improved brake consists of a pair of "grips" U.
(see Fig. 9) supported by rod A which in this modification will be rigid and which
grips are shaped to fit the tyre or the rim of the cycle. These "grips" are hinged
together at V which allows either "grip" to be moved without disturbing the
other, and either inside or outside of the "grip" I place a spring Y to keep
them from touching the tyre, and to each of said "grips" I affix a foot rest F.
When in their normal position these "grips" stand clear of the tyre and rim,
but a little pressure of the foot will bring one or both of them into contact
with the tyre and so cause them to arrest the movement of the wheel. The
interior of the "grips" may be covered with india-rubber, leather or other suitable
material.
In the spring rod or rods aforesaid I may provide slots to enable the brake
and foot rests to be adjusted in position along the length of the rod or rods to
suit the convenience of the rider and the said rods may be made in parts so as
to work telescopical or otherwise.
"
In accordance with the second part of my invention which consists of a
detachable mud guard, I employ the mud guard S made of thin metal or other
suitable material, but preferably of a paper known as the Willesden" paper,
which is exceedingly light and well suited to the purpose and I affix said mud
guard to the brake and foot rest appliance aforesaid. To facilitate the fixing
of the mud guard and keep it a suitable distance away from the wheel of the
machine I employ a strip of thin steel T or similar material secured to the plate M
by set screws M' M² the strip being formed with a key slot to receive the heads
and shanks of the said screws. In the length of said strip similar key slots are
formed designed to receive the head and shanks of studs or buttons fixed to the
underside of the mud guard and thus hold the mud guard in position. The mud
guard can be of V section as illustrated in Fig. 8 the strip T being provided with
transverse strips T' corresponding to the section of the mud guard so that the mud
thrown up shall be scattered wide of the rider. This improved section of mud.
guard and mode of mounting may be applied to the back wheel of this particular
class of machine, also to the wheels of other cycles. In this way I combine the

page_text: brake, foot rests and mud guard together and it will be seen that facility is
afforded for readily detaching the mud guard from the brake portion in fine
weather or when it is not required to be used. Lastly it will be obvious that the
brake applice may extend from the forks of the wheel and may be considerably
varied without departing from my invention.
Having thus 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 :-
:―
1st. In cycles a foot rest so arranged as to act as a brake upon the wheel of the
machine at the will of the rider and by the pressure of his feet substantially as set
forth.
2nd. In cycles the use and employment of a spring 1od or its equivalent secured
at one extremity to the steering frame of the machine and at the other extremity
fitted with a brake block or shoe of any convenient form and with a set of foot
rests all mounted and operating substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore
described and illustrated on the accompanying drawing.
3rd. In cycles the combination of my improved brake appliance and foot rest
with a detachable mud guard affixed and mounted by means of a metal strip T with
or without strips T¹ substantially as set forth.
Dated this 4th day of August 1893.
JOHN G. WILSON & Co.,
Agents.