US2178708A - Velocipede structure - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 7, 1939. s 'A. sNEtL 2,178,708

VELOCIPEDE STRUCTURE Original Filed March 22, 1937 INVENTOR SAMUEL A.SNELL BY- I ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 7, 1939 UNHTE STATES PATENT QFFIQ VELOCIPE'DE STRUCTURE corporation of Ohio Original application March 22, 1937, Serial No.

Divided and this application March 28, 1938, Serial No. 198,508

4 Claims.

This invention relates generally ,tojuvenile vehicles such as velocipedes and constitutes a division of my application filed March 22, 1937, bearing Serial No. 132,415. 7

One of the essential objects of the invention is to provide a velocipede wherein the backbone is flexible so that it will materially improve the riding qualities and will effectively cushion the rider from shocks and jars which are ordinarily received from velocipedes of conventional design.

Another object is to provide means for concealing the connections between the backbone and the front fork and the connections between the backbone and seat post.

Another object is to improve the backbone construction of velocipedes so that they will be strong and durable, pleasing in appearance, and economical to manufacture.

Other objects, advantages and novel details of construction of this invention will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a velocipede embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the backbone, rear platform and rear axle;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 44 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 6;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of the rear platform, cap, and backbone with parts broken away and in section;

Figure '7 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 1-! of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawing, A is the backbone, B is the front fork, C is the handlebar, and D is the rear platform or step of a Velocipede embodying my invention. As shown, the backbone A comprises essentially a strip 1 of spring steel having a closed return-bent portion 2 at its forward end and an open return-bent portion 3 at its rear end. Preferably the strip l and the closed return-bent portion 2 have vertically aligned openings 4 and 5, respectively, that receive the upstanding shank 6 of the front fork and are rigidly fastened together in rear of said fork by a bushing I that receives the supporting post 8 for the seat 9. Any suitable means such as a screw Ill carried by the bushing I may be used to hold the seat post 8 in proper position. Bushings I! and l2 are anchored in the openings i and 5, respectively, and form bearings for the shank B of the fork. Preferably this shank ii is tubular in form and receives the depending post E3 of the steering bar. A collar M is sleeved upon the post 43 and shank '6 and is fastened thereto by a suitable screw I5.

In the present instance the shank 6 is formed separately from the fork proper l6 and has a flanged portion ll welded thereto. i8 is a fender for the front wheel 59 mounted on the fork proper l6 and provided upon opposite sides of the fork with suitable braces 29. For propelling the wheel 59, there is an axle 2i journaled in the furcations of the fork B and provided with suitable cranks 22 and pedals 23. The open return-bent portion 3 of the backbone extends through a depending flange 24 of the rear platform D under the latter and preferably has a substantially U-shaped portion 25 receiving the axle 26 for the rear wheels 2'1. As shown in Figure 5, a portion 28 of the platform D is crimped down upon the axle 26 in the U-shaped portion 25 and cooperates with the latter to retain the axle. A washer 29 rests upon the platform D over the crimped portion 28, and bolts 30 extend through the washer 29, platform D and return-bent portion 3 of the backbone upon opposite sides of the axle 26 and are engaged beneath the return-bent portion 3 with nuts 3| to firmly hold the parts together. Any suitable means such as the cap 32 vmay be used to cover the washer 29 and bolts 30. Preferably this cap 32 is formed of sheet metal and has lugs or tongues 33 extending through slots or holes in the platform D and bent laterally with respect thereto so that the cap will be retained in place.

To conceal the connections between the backbone A and fork B and to provide a pleasing appearance, I have provided a pair of ornamental side plates 34 of sheet metal that are mounted upon opposite sides of the backbone at the forward end thereof. As shown, these plates 34 substantially conform to the loop 35 formed by the backbone strip l and return-bent portion 2 thereof and have marginal flanges 35 that embrace said parts. Any suitable means such as bolts 31 and nuts 38 may be used to hold the plates 34 in place. To strengthen the structure, a bracket 39 is located in the loop 35 between the plates and is also held in place by the bolts 31 and nuts 38.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a velocipede, a backbone having a closed elongated loop at its forward end, side plates at opposite side edges of said loop and cooperating therewith to form a closed chamber, a reinforcing bracket within said closed chamber, and means including a connection between said plates for holding said bracket.

2. In a velocipede, a backbone comprising a strip of spring steel having a portion at one end bent back upon itself and providing an elongated closed loop, side plates mounted upon opposite sides of said loop and forming therewith a closed chamber, a reinforcing member within said loop between said side plates, and a connection between said side plates extending transversely of said loop and holding said reinforcing member.

3. In a velocipede, a backbone having an elonand connections between said side plates at spaced 10 points longitudinally of said chamber including means supporting said'reinforcing member.

SAMUEL A. SNELL.

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