US3210889A - Simulated engine for bicycles - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 12, 1965 J. H. LYMAN SIMULATED ENGINE FOR BICYCLES Filed April 28, 1964 United States Patent "ice 3,210,889 SIMULATED ENGINE FOR BICYCLES Joseph H. Lyman, Croydon, Pa. '(35 Garnet Lane, Willingboro, NJ.) Filed Apr. 28, 1964, Ser. No. 363,157 8 Claims. (Cl. 46175) This invention relates to a simulated engine for bicycles, and has as its primary object the provision of a device which may be readily attached to any conventional bicycle to simulate in appearance and sound an internal combustion engine, for the edification and amusement particularly of children.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a simulated engine of this character which is highly ornamental, which will enhance the appearance of the bicycle, and which will give the illusion of a motor powered twowheeled vehicle when applied to a conventional pedalpropelled bicycle.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of such a device which may be readily attached to and detached from any conventional bicycle with a minimum of effort and difficulty.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which is provided with internal means for simulating the sound of an internal combustion engine, thus further adding to the realism of the device.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of such a device which will be sturdy and durable in construction, simple and inexpensive to manufacture, assemble and install, light in weight and pleasing in appearance.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of such a device provided on its top with simulated carburetors, the latter being readily removable so that the device may be utilized as an auxiliary luggage carrier, if desired.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds, and shown in the accompanying drawing wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of one form of simulated engine for bicycles in accordance with the instant invention, shown in position on a bicycle, the latter being indicated in dotted lines, as are certain interior portions of the device.

FIGURE 2 is a rear elevational view, partially broken away, certain concealed portions being indicated in dotted lines, of the device shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view of the device of FIGURE 1 as viewed from the right hand side of FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view, partially broken away, taken substantially along the line 55 of FIGURE 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partially in elevation and partially in section, of a constructional detail.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Having reference now to the drawing in detail, the simulated engine of the instant invention is generally indicated at 10 and comprises a pair of complementary side plates 11, a rear plate 12, and a front plate 13. The side plates 11 include overlapping top flanges 14 and inclined top side portions 15. The downwardly inclined side portions merge into vertical portions 16 and outwardly bowed portions 17 which are inclined inwardly at their lower 3,210,889 Patented Oct. 12, 1965 ends 18. The rear plate 12 is cut to conform to the configuration of the side plates and is provided with an inwardly extending flange 19 by means of which it is secured interiorly of the side plates in any desired manner. The front plate 13 is of similar external configuration and also provided with an inwardly extending flange 20. A central vertical slot 21 opened at its lower end is adapted to overlie the rear wheel and frame of the bicycle, the latter being generally indicated at 22 in dotted lines in FIGURE 1.

The bicycle 22 may be of any conventional design, and includes the usual components including an inclined rear frame member 23 and a horizontal frame member 24 which extend to a hub 25 upon which is mounted the usual wire spoked wheel 26 provided with a tire 27. A rear fender 28 is also provided, and secured to the hub 25 by means of the usual horizontally extending strut 29 and angularly disposed strut 30.

The overlapping flanges 14 are provided with transverse slots 31 through which are extended bolts 32, provided with nuts 33, so that the relative width of the side portions may be adjusted. The front and rear plates may be split longitudinally as at 34 and 35, respectively, and overlapped to accommodate variations in width of the assembly.

Simulated manifolds 40 are mounted on each inclined portion 15, and may be secured thereto by bolts 41 and nuts 42 as shown in FIGURE 4 extended through suitable aligned openings, or alternatively may be snap fitted in place by means of conventional snap studs engaging in split openings, as shown for example in FIGURE 6. Simulated exhaust vents 43 extend laterally from the lower flange 44 of the simulated exhaust manifold and communicate with the common exhaust pipe 45 which extends rearwardly from rear plate 12 as indicated in FIGURE 1.

Simulated carburetors 46 are provided with bottom studs 47 which are grooved as at 48 and extend through slotted openings 49 and top flanges 14 as shown in FIG- URE 6, to add realism to the assembly.

In mounting the asembly on a bicycle the simulated motor is positioned over the rear wheel as shown in FIG- URES 1 and 2 and rests on rear fender 28. Spring clips 50 are secured at desired spaced intervals along the lower inclined portions 18 of the side plates as by means of bolts 51 which engage through angle portions 52 of the clips and held in position by nuts 53 (see FIGURE 4). The clips may be engaged respectively with the horizontal frame members 24 and the horizontal fender supports 29, and may be of any desired conventional type.

The entire assembly, with the exception of the bolts and nuts is preferably constructed of plastic, although light sheet metal may be substituted therefor or other suitable material. The manifolds 40, the exhaust vents 43 in exhaust pipe 45, and the simulated carburetors 46 are preferably colored to simulate chrome, while the side plates 11 may be of any desired color in order to enhance the appearance thereof.

In order to simulate the sound of a motor plastic fingers 55 extend inwardly from the horizontal portion 16 of side plates 11. The fingers are provided with flanges 56 which are mounted on dome-shaped washers 57 and secured in position by bolts 58 and nuts 59 together with appropriate washers 60.

The plastic fingers are so positioned as to be engaged successively by the spokes of the wheel 26 as the latter rotates to be set into vibratory motion, which produces a sound from the interior of the engine while the bicycle is in motion.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided a simulated engine for bicycles which accomplishes all of the objects of this invention, and

others, including many advantages of high entertainment value and consequent commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A simulated engine for bicycles comprising a pair of side plates having overlapping top flanges adapted to rest on the top of the rear fender, spring clips on the bottom of the side flanges adapted to secure the plates to the frame of the bicycle, simulated exhaust manifolds secured to the side plates, simulated exhaust vents extending from the manifold, simulated rearwardly extending exhaust pipes extending from the vents and simulated carburetors secured to the top flanges.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said simulated carburetors include grooved bottom studs detachably engageable in split openings in said top flanges.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein means are provided interiorly of the engine for simulating the noise of an internal combustion engine.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein said last-mentioned means comprise inwardly extending plastic fingers detachably secured to the inner sides of the side plates adapted to be engaged by the spokes of the rear wheel to vibrate when the rear wheel is rotated.

5. The structure of claim 1 wherein said top flanges are provided with elongated transverse slots and adjustably secured together by bolts extended through said slots.

6. The structure of claim 5 wherein overlapped twopiece front and rear plates are secured to said side plates, said front plate being vertically slotted and adapted to overlie the rear wheel of the bicycle.

7. In combination with a bicycle having a frame including a horizontal rear fork member, a spoked rear wheel journalled on said rear fork member, a rear fender having a horizontal support aligned with said rear fork member and positioned adjacent said rear wheel, a simulated engine including a pair of side plates having overlapped flanges resting on the top of said rear fender, means adjustably securing said flanges together, spring clips carried by the lower portions of said side plates engageable with said horizontal frame member and said horizontal support, simulated exhaust manifolds, exhaust vents and exhaust pipes detachably secured to the exterior of said side plates and simulated carburetors detachably secured to said flanges.

8. The structure of claim 7 wherein plastic flaps are secured to the inner side of said side plates and engaged by the spokes of said rear wheel to vibrate as the latter rotates to simulate the noise of an internal combustion engine.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,963,333 6/34 Morales 224 32.1 2,578,886 12/51 Isherwood et a1 "-33 2,620,764 12/52 Cook 280-1.14 X 2,624,156 1/53 Meyer 46175 X 2,646,990 7/53 Fowler 280- 1.14 X 2,852,886 9/58 Parker 11656 X 3,029,553 4/62 Clemens 46175 A. HARRY LEVY, Primary Examiner.

KENNETH H. BETTS, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. 7. IN COMBINATION WITH A BICYCLE HAVING A FRAME INCLUDING A HORIZONTAL REAR FORK MEMBER, A SPOKED REAR WHEEL JOURNALLED ON SAID REAR FORK MEMBER, A REAR FENDER HAVING A HORIZONTAL SUPPORT ALIGNED WITH SAID REAR FORK MEMBER AND POSITIONED ADJACENT SAID REAR WHEEL, A SIMULATED ENGINE INCLUDING A PAIR OF SIDE PLATES HAVING OVERLAPPED FLANGES RESTING ON THE TOP OF SAID REAR FENDER, MEANS ADJUSTABLY SECURTING SAID FLANGES TOGETHER, SPRING CLIPS CARRIED BY THE LOWER PORTIONS OF SAID SIDE PLATES ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID HORIZONTAL FRAME MEMBER AND SAID HORIZONTAL SUPPORT, SIMULATED EXHAUST MANIFOLDS, EXHAUST VENTS AND EXHAUST PIPES DETACHABLY SECURED TO THE EXTERIOR OF SAID SIDE PLATES AND SIMULATED CARBURETORS DETACHABLY SECURED TO SAID FLANGES.

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