US2630334A

US2630334A - Tricycle attachment device

Info

Publication number: US2630334A
Application number: US179205A
Authority: US
Inventors: Franklin J Ewers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1950-08-14
Filing date: 1950-08-14
Publication date: 1953-03-03
Anticipated expiration: 1970-03-03

Description

March 3, 1953 F. J. EWERS 2,630,334

TRICYCLE ATTACHMENT DEVICE Filed Aug. 14, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet l I INVENTOR. FRANKL/N J Ewe/2s A rroR/vE vs MarchB, 1953 F. J. EWERS TRICYCLE ATTACHMENT DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 14, 1950 INVENTOR. fRMm/A/ J [III/[R6 BY M n 777% A TroE March 3, 1953 F. J. EWERS 2,630,334

TRIYcpE ATTACHMENT DEVICE Filed Aug. 14, 1950 s Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR. fQAA/KA/A/ .J Ewe-es BY M 1 ?7A'M'A Patented Mar. 3, 1953 UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE TRICYCLE ATTACHMENT DEVICE Franklin J. Ewers, Seattle, Wash.

Application August 14, 1950, Serial No. 179,205

10 Claims.

This invention relates to tricycle attachment devices.

It is an object of my invention to provide tricycle attachment means so that various devices simulating a wrecker hoist, a dump truck or the like can be readily and easily attached to standard tricycles.

It is a further object of my invention to provide tricycle attachment devices which not only may be installed or removed with great ease but which at the same time provide a structure which is substantially rigid after installation and when in use.

It is a further object of my invention to provide such type of structure having characteristics so the same can be readily sold in knockeddown form and in a compact package, and at the same time, a structure which is easy and simple to assemble by an average person.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an attachment 'of the character described which may be attached without change upon a large variety of tricycles, many of which are in the hands of consumers and users.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an attachment of the character described which will not require structural changes to a tricycle to attach the same to a tricycle.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description of the same proceeds and the invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, since obvious modifications will'occur to a person skilled in the art.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tricycle having secured thereto a device of my invention, and with the forward portion of the tricycle broken away;

Fig. 2 is a detached elevational view of the attachment device shown in Fig. l, and with the chain hoist removed;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view, with parts shown in elevation and parts broken away, taken substantially on broken line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified form of my invention;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view, with parts shown in elevation, takensubstantially on broken line 5--5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the modified form of my invention also shown in Figs. 4. and 5;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view, with parts broken away, of a still further modified form of my invention;

Fig. 8 is an elevational view, with parts shown in section, taken substantially on broken line 88 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary enlarged view showing the'details of the latch mechanism shown in Fig. 7, and with parts shown in section; and

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating the hinge support for the dump device illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings, a fragment of a common type of a tricycle is shown and comprises wheels l6, foot or strap plate Ii, tubular cross support 12, longitudinal tubular support l3, seat It, seat post I5, and seat post set screw l6. As is customary with seat posts in tricycles, the set screw l6 may be loosened and then the seat post adjusted as to height and then the set screw l6 tightened to maintain a desired adjustment, or the seat post l5 may be removed after loosening'set screw IS.

The standard i! may be of inverted V-form and bent from a single pieceof tubular material. The standard I! thus comprises two vertical posts secured together at their upper end portions and spaced apart at their lower end portions. A T-shaped support comprises a tubular portion I8 rotatably mounted on a cross brace l9 secured between the legs or posts of the standard I1. I have indicated that the cross brace l9 may be welded at its end portions to the legs of said standard ll.

Before the cross brace I9 is welded, the tubular portion I8 is inserted in place and is mounted for rotary movement on said cross brace l9. A tubular portion 20 combines with the tubular portion l8 to form a T-shaped brace, and the tubular portion 20 is secured to tubular portion I8 as by welding.

The tubular portion 20 terminates in a flattened end portion 2| provided with a plurality of holes 22 therein. The holes 22 are of a size to slidably receive therethrough the seat post It.

In view of the cross brace 19, which is welded to the legs of the standard H, the same becomes a brace A-member. A crank 23 has an extended portion 24, which is slidable in tubular member 25, and the said extended portion of crank member 23 and the tubular member 25 are held against sliding movement by set screw 26. An opening 21 is a through opening in one leg of the standard I1, and the opening 28 in the other leg of the standard extends only through one wall thereof. Thus, to insert the crank member in place, it is only necessary to loosen set screw 26, align tubular member 25 with

openings

21 and 28 and then longitudinally slide the portion 24 of the crank 23 through opening 21, through the opening in tubular member 25, and through the opening 28. Thereafter, the set screw 26 may be tightened and the parts will be held in place. In order to prevent rotation of the tubular member 25 when a load is being carried by the hook 29, a chain 30 is provided, which chain 30 is secured to the appropriate leg of the standard I! and has its other end portion terminating in a hook 3| which may be engaged with the crank arm portion of crank member 23.

At the upper end of the standard IT, a pulley 32 is connected, as by a through bolt 33. A chain 34 is secured to and reeved about tubular member 25, extends upwardly and about pulley 32, extends downwardly therefrom and terminates in hook 29.

The lower end portions of the legs or posts of the standard I! are each provided with a through slot 35 (Fig. 3) which may be rectangular in section and of a size to slidably receive straps 36. In order to prevent longitudinal sliding movement of the straps 36 relative to the slots 35, a shelf 31 (Fig. 3) is provided within each leg of the standard I! and suitable means, such as metal screws 38 secure each strap 36 to its associated shelf 31. thus connected intermediate and substantially at the midportion of their lengths to the legs of the standard I! and more particularly to the shelf 31. The straps 36 are made of flexible material and terminate in a plurality of openings 33 at the end portions of each strap. After the device is suitably in place as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3, nut and bolt means 40 secure the lower end portion of each of the legs of the standard ll to the foot or step plate When the device of Figs. 1 to 3 is packed for shipping, the set screw 26 is loosened and the crank 23 and tubular member 25 are removed. The T-member comprising portions I8 and 20 is rotated so that the flattened end portion 2| of the T-member fits between the legs of the standard I1, and the portion 2| is toward the top or apex of the standard I1. The size of the package in which the device may be thus shipped will depend upon the length and width of the A-member, as the other parts, including crank 23, tubular member 25, and the T-member |82||--2| will all interfit within the limits of the A-member.

In order to assemble the device in place on a tricycle, it is only necessary to loosen set screw I6 and remove seat post l5. Thereafter, seat post l5 can be inserted through an opening 22 in the flattened end portion 2|, and after the seat I4 is adjusted as to height, the set screw I6 can be retightened. Thereafter, the lower end portions of the legs of the standard II are caused to rest upon desired portions of the foot plate II. The lower end portions of the legs of the standard I1 may be relatively close to each other to increase the number of tricycles to which my device may be attached. The foot plate II is rather common on tricycles of today, as it functions as a cross brace for the tricycle, a covering for the axle 4| of the The straps 36 are tricycle, and proves very amusing to children when they are riding on the tricycle standing on the footplate I. Due to the various sizes and shapes of footplates II, as now on the market and in use, the straps 36, which are made of flexible material, may be bent to snugly fit around the footplate H and then the end portions of the straps 36 secured together by inserting the nut and bolt means 40 through appropriate openings 39 and then tightening said nut and bolt means.

By employing a three-point suspension or attachment of my attachment to a tricycle, the device will always fit, even though irregularities occur in the construction of tricycles. Also, the device is very rigid when in use and at the same time the attachment is of very light weight.

The structure illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings where two tubular members are employed may take other forms and still be within the scope of my invention. Thus, I have illu trated a device in Figs. 4 to 6 of the drawings where the structure is obtained from stampings. Stampings provide for relatively rigid but yet inexpensive construction, and hence I have shown my invention where stampings are utilized.

In said Figs. 4 to 6, inc., the parts of the tricycle illustrated and described in connection with Figs. 1 to 3, inc., may be similar and are thus given similar numbers. Thus, in Figs. 4, 5, and 6, I have shown wheels l0, foot or step plate I tubular cross support 12, longitudinal tubular support I3, seat l4, seat post l5, seat post set screw l6, and axle 4|, and have given said parts the same numbers as they were numbered in Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings, as said parts may be identical.

In lieu of the standard ll of the previous fi ures I employ two mated frame sections 42 which function as posts. Each of these frame sections 42 is made by a stamping process where the metal is stamped to form depressions 43 and the two pieces of metal are spot welded together at various locations to provide for a double thickness and reinforcing braces. Thus, each of the frame sections 42 is free from sharp corners and the like, has structural rigidness due to the double thickness of metal and the braces provided, and has an unusually pleasant eye appeal to children as it reminds them of fabricated structural girders. Each of the frame sections 42 is preferably provided with the overhanging upper end portions 44. Blocks 45 may each have a vertical portion (Fig. 5) to which a frame section 42 may be pivotally connected, as by a nut and bolt means 46.

A strap 41 functioning similar to the strap 36 of the previous figures may be secured to the horizontal portion of the block 45, as by welding. The straps 4'! are provided with opening 48 which are similar to the openings 39 and a nut and bolt means 49, which is similar to the nut and bolt means 40 of the previous figures, may be employed for similar purposes. The T- member comprises a cross brace metal strap 50 (Figs. 4 and 6) having down turned portions 5| (Fig. 6) at each end portion thereof, which downturned portions 5| are each secured to a frame section 42, as by nut and bolt means 52. The metal strap 50 is connected with a longitudinal strap 53, as by welding. The longitudinal strap 53 terminates in a portion 55 havin a plurality of openings 56 therein. The metal strap 50, longitudinal strap 53, and openings 56 provide for a T-member which .functions the same as the I -member Comprising portions I8, 20, land openings 22 described in connection with Figs. lto 3.

A bell crank member 51 functions similarly to the crank '23, but is held in place by a simpler construction, which may be used in the form of my invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3. Two openings are provided in the extended portion 58 and are spaced apart a distance slightly less than the spacing between the frame sections 42 at the level of the crank 51. Then the endof portion 58 which is away from crank 5'! is inserted through on of the aligned opening 59 in frame sections 42 and two washers 6!) are placed between the frame sections 42 and slide onto the extended portion 58. Then the said end of extended portion 58 is inserted through the remaining opening 59 in the other of the frame sections 42 and the washers spread so they will contact 'the'inner "surfaces "of the frame sections 4.2. Then cotter pins 6! are insertedin the said openings in the extended portion 58 and the ends appropriately bent. By having the washers secured to :the extended portion '58 and having each of the washers contacting an inside surface of a section 42, the crank is rotatably mounted by the frame sections 42 and endwise movement of the portion 58 is prevented. The upper portions of the frame sections 42 are held together by nut and bolt means 62. The same .nut and bolt means 62 may-mount a. pulley 63 over which may be threaded a chain 64 carrying a .hook 65. The other end of the chain 64 has one end portion connected with portion 58 of the crank 51, and is then reeved thereabout, thus portion 58 also functions as a drum around which chain 64 may be wound.

A chain 66, functioning similar to chain 30 to prevent rotation of bell crank 51 when hook 65 is carrying a load, is indicated and one end portion thereof may be connected directly or indirectly with frame sections 42 by any suitable means. In the drawings, it i indicated that said chain is connected to the strap 50 by nut and bolt means 52. Again the chain 66, like the chain 30, carries a hook 6? to engage with the crank portion of the bell crank 51.

It is believed that the mode of operation of the structure illustrated and described in connection with Figs. 4 to 5 inclusive, is apparent and particularly so in view of the rather detailed description given inconnection with Figs. 1 to 3, and thus no further description will be given. The chief advantages of the construction shown in Figs. 4 to 6 inclusive is the appearance, sturdiness, and economy of production. Also, the device of Figs. 4 to 6 inclusive requires less packing space and thus reduces shipping costs. Furthermore, the device can be readily assembled by an average person and from very simple instructions.

Referring now to Figs. '7 to 10 inclusive, I have indicated another type of device which may be attached to a tricycle by the use of devices embodying my invention. Again, the parts of the tricycle which are similar to those parts mentioned in the previous figures are given similar numbers. Thus, in Figs. 7 to 10, I have shown wheels 10, foot or step plate I I, tubular cross support l2, longitudinal tubular support [-3, seat Id, seat post t5, seat post set screw [6, and axle 4i. A standard of substantially U-shape comprises arcuate tubular legsor posts 88 and transverse tubular member 69 interconnecting said 6. legs 68. The lower endtportionszof the arcuate legsBB may be connectedto the foot'splate .H :by either the construction shOWnJFigsl to 3 :o! the drawings :or athe construction shown in Figs"; to 6 of thedrawings, and as .aniillustration thereof I haveshown the-same constructionillustratedin Figs. 1 to 30f the drawings and thus Ih'aveindicated straps 36, a:xle-4l,"and nut and bolt means 40. The transverse-member 69 (Fig. 7) pivotally supports a tubular'member 10 having an end portion H having holes 12 therein. The parts 10, H, and I2 correspond respectively to the

parts

20, 21 and 22 of .Figs. 1 to 3 in function. Thus the arcuate legs 68 and transverse member v69, which form .in general a U-shape member, are connected to .a tricycle by substantially the same means illustrated in the previous figures. The transverse member 69 ,pivotally supports tubular member 10, as by sleeve bearing 1! (se also Fig. 9) rotatably mounted on transverse member 69 and welded to tubular member 10. Collars 1-8 limit 'en'dwise movement oifthe sleeve bearing TI. The sleeve bearing 11 and collars 1 8 must be inserted in place before the legs 68 are bent as respects the transverse member '69 to form a tube of the shape shown. The collars 18 are adjustable lengthwise "of the transverse'member 69 by set screws (-8 shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. First the set screws are loosened and the collars 18 are longitudinally adjusted and thereafter such adjustment is held by tightening "the set screws in accordance with common practice.

-A-tub-like-portion 13 simulating the body of a dump truck ispivotally suppoited *on arcuate legs '68 by cross shaft '14. The cross shaft 14 maybe secured to thespaced apart legs 68, as by aligned openings in the inner walls of legs 68, into which the end portions of cross shaft 14 are projected. There will be enough give in the U-member 68-69 during assembly to spring legs 68 apart to insert cross shaft 14 in place. Thereafter, a cross brace 15 is inserted in place, as by welding the end portions thereof to legs or posts 68, and thereafter the legs are fixed relative to each other to ho-ld cross shaft' l l in place. The cross brace 15 also functions as a stop when the body portion 13 is in the dash line position shown in Fig.8 of the drawings and arrests the downward or clockwise movement (as respects Fig.8) of the body portion 13 after the same has been released. The cross shaft 14 mounts the body portion 13 rotatably as respects the legs 68. Thus the cross shaft '14 maybe rotatable in openings in the legs 68 and/or the shaft 14 may be'ro-tatable in clamp 1 6 (Fig. 10) welded to the underside of the body portion 13.

In view of the similarity of the three-point suspension or three-point support of the U-member 68'69, tubular member 10, and perforate end :portion H to the parts described in connection with the previous figures, it is believed unnecessary to make further description of the means of attaching and detaching .the device of Figs. 7*to 10, inc., to a tricycle.

A looking and releasing device for the body portion .13 comprises a lever 19 which is pivotally mounted on transverse member 69. Fig.9 has been taken on a section through sleeve 11, and lever 19, in said figure, is mounted on the portion of member 69 which is in the background. A cam portion 8| of lever 19 functions to engage the upper rounded edge portion 82 of the body portion 13. The said edge portion 82 is formed about the usual reinforcing rod "80. Upon eou 'terclockwise movement'of the'lever'fll, as respects Fig. 9 of the drawings, or in other words, move ment of the lever 19 from the full line to the dash line position shown in Fig. 9, the body portion 13 is positively urged in a clockwise direction about shaft 14 to the dash line position shown in Fig. 9. If the body 1 3 is empty or is properly loaded, such movement will cause the same to dump. In order to return the body 13 to its normal position, an arm 83 is provided which is preferably detachably secured to the body 13, as by inserting the arm 83 in an opening in the upper edge portion of the body 13, which may be readily provided by omitting rod at such area. Arm 83 may be secured in place by set screws 84.

Thus, in operation of the body 13 is moved from its dash line position to its full line position in Fig. 8 by employment of the arm 83 and at the same time manipulating lever 1.9 so that the edge portion 82 of the body 13 is engaged within the recess 85 (see Fig. 9) of the lever 19 and the lever 19 is moved to its full line position shown in Fig. 9. The center of gravity of the body 13, when empty, so far as turning movement about cross shaft (4, is such that the body 13, as viewed in Fig. 8 of the drawings, tends to turn slightly counterclockwise and is just past dead center. Thus, the arm 83 will function as a stop when it engages transverse member 69. At the same time, movement in the opposite direction, or in a clockwise direction, is prevented because of engagement of the upper edge 82 of the body portion 13 in the recess 85 of the lever 19. When the body portion '13 is empty or is loaded to maintain the same center of gravity, then when the lever arm 19 is moved from its full line position in Fig. 9 to its dash line position, the cam 8| will urge the body portion 13 in a clockwise direction and the fragment of the body '13 is shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings will move from the full line position to the dash line position and thus start body portion 13 rotating in a clockwise direction and by gravity the said body portion 13 will move from the full line position shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings to the dash line position and cause the same to dump.

To pack the device shown in Figs. 7 to 10 for shipment, the arm 33 is removed and the lever 19 rotated until the flattened portion 86 is adjacent the upper edge 82 of the body portion 13 and then the body 13 may be rotated substantially 90 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 7. Thus, the lower rounded portion of the body 13 will follow substantially the same curve as the curvature of leg 68 and a compact device is provided, the overall dimensions of which are only slightly larger than the overall dimensions of the body 13.

In a general way, I have shown devices for attaching mechanical utility devices such as wrecker chain hoists and dump trucks to a tricycle, and such attaching devices cooperate with the seat post and step plate of a tricycle. In the various forms of my invention, I have shown vertically extending post members, as the legs of standard ll of Figs. 1 to 3, the frame sections 42 of Figs. 4 to 6, or the arcuate legs 68 of Figs. 7 to 10. Such post members are spaced apart at their lower end portions and are interconnected at their upper end portions. Some of said post members, as the legs of standard I! of Figs. 1 to 3 or the frame sections 42 of Figs. 4 to 6, converge at their upper end portions and are secured together at such upper end portions. Also, in the various forms of my invention, I have shown means to detachably connect the lower end portions of th post members to the step plates as by strap 36 (Figs. 3 and 8) and strap 41 (Fig. 5). Also, in the various forms of my invention I have shown a connector bar 20 (Fig. 1), 53 (Fig. 4), and 10 (Fig. 7). Each of said connector bars is provided with a plurality of openings of a size to slidably receive therein a seat post [5. Also, each of said connector bars is pivotally carried by the vertically extending post members.

Obviously, changes may be made in the form, dimensions and arrangement of the parts of my invention, without departing from the principal thereof, the above setting forth only a preferred form of embodiment.

I claim:

1. A device for attaching mechanical utility devices to a tricycle having a seat post and a step plate between the rear wheels, comprising a plurality of vertically extending post members spaced apart at their lower end portions; post interconnecting means interconnecting said post members; means detachably connecting the lower end portions of the post members to the said step plate; and a connector bar having an aperture adjacent one end portion for slidably receiving the said seat post and having its other end portion connected with said interconnector means.

2. A device for attaching mechanical utility devices to a tricycle having a seat post and a step plate between the rear wheels, comprising two angularly disposed vertically extending post members spaced apart at their lower end portions and connected together at their upper end portions; post interconnecting means interconnecting said post members intermediate their heights; means detachably connecting the lower end portions of the post members to the said step plate; and a connector bar having an aperture adjacent one end portion for slidably receiving the said seat post and having its other end portion connected with and pivotally mounted as respects the post interconnecting means.

3. A device for attaching mechanical utility devices to a tricycle having a seat post and a step plat between the rear wheels, comprising a plurality of vertically extending post members spaced apart at their lower end portions; post interconnecting means interconnecting said post members; means detachably connecting the lower end portions of the post members to the said step plate comprising a plurality of flexible strap means each having an intermediate portion connected with the lower end portion of a post, passing around said step plate, and having its end portions detachably secured together; and a connector bar having an aperture adjacent one end portion for slidably receiving the said seat post and having its other end portion connected with said interconnector means.

4. A device for attaching mechanical utility devices to a tricycle having a seat post and a step plate between the rear wheels, comprising a plurality of vertically extending post members spaced apart at their lower end portions; post interconnecting means interconnecting said post members; means detachably connecting the lower end portions of the post members to the said step plate comprising a plurality of flexible strap means each having an intermediate portion connected with the lower end portion of a post, passing around said step plate, and having its end portions detachably secured together, said strap means having a plurality of apertures in each end portion for the reception in aligned openings of nut and bolt means to detachably secure said end portions together; and a connector bar having an aperture adjacent one end portion for slidably receiving the said seat post and having its other end portion connected with said interconnector means.

5. A device for attaching mechanical utility devices to a tricycle having a seat post and a step plate between the rear wheels, comprising a plurality of vertically extending post members spaced apart at their lower end portions; post interconnecting means interconnecting said post members; means detachably connecting the lower end portions of the post members to the said step plate comprising a bracket member pivotally secured to the lower end portion of each post member and adapted to rest on said step plate, and means detachably connecting each of said brackets with said step plate; and a connector bar having an aperture adjacent one end portion for slidably receiving the said seat post and having its other end portion connected with said interconnector means.

6. A device for attaching mechanical utility devices to a tricycle having a seat post and a step plate between the rear wheels, comprising a plurality of vertically extending post members spaced apart at their lower end portions, each of said post members comprising mated secured together plate means each having a plurality of reinforcing depressions therein; post interconnecting means interconnecting said post members intermediate their heights; means detachably connecting the lower end portions of the post members to the said step plate; and a connector bar having an aperture adjacent one end portion for slidably receiving the said seat post and having its other end portion connected with said interconnector means.

7. An attachment device for a tricycle having a seat post and a step plate between the rear wheels, comprising a plurality of angularly disposed vertically extending post members spaced apart at their lower end portions and connected at the upper end portions; post interconnecting means interconnecting said post members intermediate their heights; means detachably connecting the lower end portions of the post members to the said step plate; a connector bar having an aperture adjacent one end portion for slidably receiving the said seat post and having its other end portion connected with said interconnector means; a crank arm rotatably mounted by said post members; a pulley carried by the upper portions of said post members; and cable means connected with said crank arm and reeved over said pulley.

8. An attachment device for a tricycle having a seat post and a step plate between the rear wheels, comprising a plurality of vertically extending post members spaced apart at their lower end portions; post interconnecting means interconnecting said post members at their upper end portions; means detachably connecting the lower end portions of the post members to the said step plate; a connector bar having an aperture adjacent one end portion for slidably receiving the said seat post and having its other end portion connected with and pivotally mounted as respects said interconnector means; and a tub-like body disposed between and pivotally connected with said post members, and selectively operable catch means interconnecting said tublike member to said post interconnecting means.

9. A device for attaching mechanical utility devices to a tricycle having a seat post and a step plate between the rear wheels, comprising a plurality of vertically extending post members spaced apart at their lower end portions; post interconnecting means; means detachably connecting the lower end portions of the post members to the said step plate comprising a bracket member pivotally secured to the lower end portion of each post member and adapted to rest on said step plate, and strap means each having an intermediate portion welded to each of said brackets, wrapped around said step plate, and having its end portions detachably secured together; and a connector bar having an aperture adjacent one end portion for slidably receiving the said seat post and having its other end portion connected with said interconnector means.

10. A device for attaching mechanical utility devices to a tricycle having a post and a step plate between the rear wheels, comprising two angularly disposed vertically extending post members spaced apart at their lower end portions and connected together at their upper portions, the upper end portions of the post members being angularly disposed to the longitudinal axis of the portions of the post members therebelow; post interconnecting means interconnecting said post members intermediate their height; means detachably connecting the lower end portions of the post members to the step plate; and a connector bar having an aperture adjacent one end portion for slidably receiving the seat post and having its other end portion connected with said post interconnecting means.

FRANKLIN J. EWERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,090,929 McFaddin Mar. 24, 1914 1,657,674 Holmes Jan. 31, 1928 1,838,224 Holloway Dec. 29, 1931 2,219,585 Begin Oct. 29, 1940