GB526773A - Improvements in or relating to velocipedes - Google Patents

Abstract

526,773. Collapsable &c. cycles. MARCELIN, A. J. March 31,1939, No. 10184. [Classes 136 (i) and 136 (iii)] A bicycle, tandem, or other cycle of the type adapted to be reduced in size to facilitate storage and transport comprises wheels and a frame of small diameter and height respectively, one or more long vertical or substantially vertical saddle pillars telescopically mounted for lowering, and foldable handle-bars, and is characterized in that the frame is of rigid construction with its upper rear part not substantially higher than the tops of the wheels, the saddle pillar is only slightly in front of the rear wheel, and the guide tube for the saddle pillar (or each pillar) traverses the complete vertical dimension of the frame and is fixed at or near its upper and lower ends respectively to upper and lower parts of the frame. In the case of a bicycle, the frame is of the low triangulated form shown, the rear being no higher, or not substantially higher, than the tops of the wheels, which are of small diameter. The saddle pillar 11 slides telescopically in a vertical guide tube 12, which is rigidly connected at its upper end to the junction of the parts 1, 2, 9 of the frame, and at its lower end to a cross-piece between the arms of the lower fork 8, thus reinforcing the frame. The saddle can thus be lowered from the riding position shown to a position approximately level with the top of the frame. The handle-bars 15 are adapted to be folded down at the sides of the frame, the inner ends 16 of the handlebar arms being rotatably mounted in sockets on the stem 4. The arms 15 are held in position by interlocking pins and notches or by intermeshing teeth on the arms and sockets, the ends of the arms being screw-threaded to receive wing-nuts which lock the parts in the required position ; a spring may be provided to assist separation of the interlocking parts. The front wheel fork 5 may be turned through 180 degrees to reduce the length of the cycle for storage. The luggage-carrier 23 is of such a form as to act as a stand to support the cycle when the latter is turned through 90 degrees into a vertical position, with the front wheel in the air. In the case of a tandem bicycle, both saddle pillars are telescopically mounted, and the rear pair of handlebars are foldably mounted on the front saddle pillar.