US551848A - Bicycle - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) r 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

O. E. BRYANT & A. L. SARGEANT.

BIGYULE. 4

No. 551,848. Patented Dec. 24, 1895.

, Q Modem 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

0. E. BRYANT 8a A. L. SARGEANT.

BIUYGLE.

Patented Dec. 24, 1895.

" Um we {M 7/%' ANDREW BBRANAM, PNUTO-UI'HDWASHINETON D UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES ELLIS BRYANT AND ARTHUR LAUREN SARGEANT, OF ATTICA,

' INDIANA.

BICYCLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 551,848, dated December 24, 1895.

Application filed September 27, 1893. Renewed November, 12, 1895. Serial No. 568,746. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that we, CHARLES ELLIS BRY- ANT and ARTHUR LAUREN SARGEANT, citizens of the United States, residing at Attica, in the county of Fountain and State of Indiana,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bicycles, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings. I

Our invention relates to improvements in bicycles, and has reference to means for converting an ordinary one-seated safety-bicycle into a two-seated machine, without alteration of the single-seated frame, and so that it can be restored again without injury. This is accomplished by means of a supplemental frame as nearly duplicating the parts of the original as may be, but with such modifications and devices for connecting the two and for carrying the additional seat, guide and driving mechanism as is needed for the purpose, as will be more particularly described.

In the drawings which accompany and form part of this specification the same letters refer to the same parts.

Figure 1 is the frame of an ordinary safetybicycle to which our supplemental frame is attached. For convenience the wheels are in outline, and the seats, guide-handles, and one treadle omitted, not being necessary in order to show our invention, their positions being indicated by the letters x 00, y y", and z. The letters A, B, O, D, E, E, F, and F are the parts constituting the frame of an ordinary one-seated safety-bicycle, and which we call the original frame. The letters G, H, I, K, K, L, V, L, and M are the parts constituting our supplemental frame, and which is to be attached to the former by the devices hereainfter described. As the forms and functions of the duplicating parts of the supplemental frame, with its additional seat. guide,sprockets,chain, and pedals, are similar to those of the original, their specific forms, positions, and uses need not be described otherwise than as herein mentioned and shown in the drawings, all changes being duly specified. This supplemental frame is constructed of hollow or solid rods, polished or japanned,- and united by similarmeans as most nearly conforms to the make of machine to which it is applied. To attach the supplemental to the original frame the drivingwheel is removed from the point a to the point a and the coupling devices hereinafter described brought into use. The additional sprockets are of the same form and size as the original, and the distance between the sprocket of the wheel in its new position and the sprocket of the additional axle is the same as that between the two sprockets of the original machine, so that the original chain will engage the wheel in its new position without change. The distance between the original and the additional axles being greater a longer chain is required.

Fig. 2 is our frame detached in order more readily to show its parts. In this supplemental frame no rod or connection is used between the saddle-post I and the handlepost G, stiffness and strength being secured otherwise. By this omission the rear seat is adapted to the use of either lady or gentleman rider. The base of the saddle-post I is attached to the front casing of the device 0. A post or rod V is attached at its upper end to the rod H, and its lower end is forked to straddle the post I and attached to the rear casing of O, as more fully shown in Fig. 3. At the intersection of I and V they may be screwed together; but preferably we use a V- shaped clamp P, fitted into the angle, the outer faces being concave to fit against the rods and are clasped to them by plates screwed to the ears if t. The post V also supports the handlepost G, as shown.

Fig. 3 is our clamping device 0 for uniting and clamping the supplemental to the original frame at their lower line and for carrying the additional seat and driving mechanism. This device consists of two tubular casings c c united by two rods 61 d, and is made of cast, wrought or rolled metal, the front tube a having a bolt 6 passing through it, the ends engaging the side bars of the frame E E F F in the'salne manner as the axle'of the removed wheel. The outer ends of this bolt are covered with ornamental nuts or caps. To this tube is attached one end of the brace M and the lower end of the saddle-post I. The rear tube 0 contains the axle f which carries the additional sprockets and pedals, the construction and. arrangements of which are mdre fully shown in Fig. (5 in section, and to this tube are also attached the side bars L L and the forked post V. In removing the driving-wheel from the original to the supplemental frame it may be reversed, bringing the additional driving mechanism on the other side of the machine. In this case the larger sprocket is placed on the end of the axle on the same side and the smaller on the end corresponding with the original; but if preferred both sets of driving apparatus may be retained 011 the right side. The two ends of the axle being alike, the sprockets and pedal-cranks are adjustable longitudinally,by means of bearing-cone,nuts and washers g g, so as to bring them into the desired line. The ends of the axle are fiattened to engage an oblong slot in the sprocket. Preferably the sprockets on both ends of the axle are of the same size, giving the same pedal stroke to both riders, the driving-chain being lengthened to fit.

Fig. 4 is our device N for uniting and clamping the two frames at their upper lines. It consists of three pieces-a triangular core R, fitted into the angles between the saddle-post D, and the two rods E E, which straddle the wheel. On its front face is a semicircular channel It fitting the saddle-post, and on its rear face two semicircular channels 2' z" fitting the two rods, a front plate S fitting to the core, with a corresponding semicircular channel fitting the saddle-post, and a rear plate T, also fitting to the core, with two semicircular channels fitting the two rods. This core and plates are pierced with corresponding holes 6 e to receive bolts or screws, so that when placed in position and screwed together they firmlyembrace the post and rods. To the rear plate T at a proper angle is brazed or otherwise fastened the end of the backbone-rod II of the supplemental frame. The two devices 0 and N form a strong connection between the two frames, are readily adjusted and removed, and involve no change or injury to the original frame. As different makes of safety-bicycles have different modes of attaching the straddle-rods which carry the driving-wheel to the saddle-post, we do not confine ourselves to the device N for uniting the two frames at this point.

Fig. 5 is an alternative device where there is a single upright post to be grasped. In this case the rod II has an expanded head m, forked to embrace such post, and held firmly against it by means of a sliding block a, operated by a set-screw 4', which works in a removable block 0, which block is fastened in place by means of screws 1). \Vhere the relations of the saddle-post and straddle-rods permit, this forked head is modified by having its sides slotted to receive the rods, and grasping them also by meansof blocks and set-screws, as just described; or the head of the rod Il may be constructed as shown in Fig. 7 when the relative positions of the saddle-post D and the straddle-rods E E require it, this construction and operation being fully shown in the drawin In Fig 2 is shown the construction. of the brace-rod M formed of three members. .5" is a threaded casing which receives the right and left threaded ends of s and s, the lower end of .9 being attached to the device 0, and the upper end of s to the front of the saddlepost, and the tension regulated by 5. An additional point of union is thus secured between the two frames. This figure also shows a method of uniting the front and rear guiding-handles. The guide-rod passing through the post G is attached to a cross-bar, and this to the two rods in w, and these to the two forks of the front guide. This is shown in Fig. 8, but is not claimed as our invention, and any other approved method of uniting the two may be used-as, for instance, a single detachable rod passing from handle to handle.

In view of the difference of pattern in different manufactures of safety-bicycles we do not confine ourselves to the precise lines here described, but modify them to suit the forms of frame used in different makes of machines, as already suggested. l'Vc do not claim for an individual bicycle, either single or double, but devices for converting a single into a double seated machine, by means of the supplemental frame and connections described and shown, without altering or injuring the original frame. Our invention is applied to such bicycles by simply removing the rear or driving wheel, attaching the supplemental frame, and placing the wheel in the new position described, and the original condition is restored by removing the additions and replacing the driving-wheel.

Having thus described our invention and its several parts, what we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

1. In combination with an ordinary singleseated safety bicycle without change in its structure, of a supplemental frame consisting of rods, braces and saddle-post corresponding to those of the original frame, the bar I joining the casing c. in front of the crank-shaft, the bars I. and V. crossing each other above the crankshaft, and the bar II. being rcmovable; this supplemental frame carrying an additional seat, guide and driving mechanism, and forming a rear section to and from which the driving wheel is shifted, attachable and detachable bysuitable connections, constituting a bicycle convertible into a one or a two seated machine at will, as and for the purpose shown and described.

2. I11 combination with the frame of an ordi nary safety bicycle, and of a supplemental frame of like parts, attachable and detachable by means of suitable connections, of a clamping device for uniting the two sections of frame at their lower line, consisting of two tubular casings firmly united by two connecting rods, the forward casing bearing a bolt with threaded ends engaging the side rods of frame at the point from which the wheel is removed, and the rear casing bearing an additional axle and its driving mechanism, said device having 011 the front casing ears or other arrangement for attaching the ends of the saddle-post and of a brace rod, and the rear casing having extension of connecting rods, for attaching the ends of the frame rods which receive the wheel in its new position, and ears for attaching a forked brace rod or post, as andv for the purpose shown and described.

3. In combination with the frame of an ordinary safety bicycle, of a supplemental frame attachable and detachable, and of a clamping device uniting the two sections at their lower line, of another clamping device uniting them at their upper line, consisting of three parts, of a triangular core fitting into the angle between the saddle post and the two rods which descend to receive the wheel in the original frame, and having on its front face a semi-circular channel to receive the saddle post, and on its rear face two semi-circular channels to receive the two rods, of a plate fitted to the front face of the core also with a semi-circular channel embracing the saddle post, and of a plate fitted to the rear face of the core, with two'semi-circular channels embracing the two rods, and fitted with corresponding holes so as to be firmly bolted together about the post and rods; also, the rear plate having the end of the rod H. brazed or otherwise fastened thereto, and thus uniting the two sections of the frame, as and for the purpose shown and described.

4. The combination with the frame of an ordinary safety bicycle, of a supplemental attachable and detachable frame, and of connecting devices for uniting them at their upper and lower lines, of a crank axle fitted into the rear casing of the lower clamping device, carrying an additional driving mechanism, having each end of said axle flattened, the sprocket wheels having corresponding oblong slots, and each end of said axle threaded and provided with bearing cone and nuts, for adjusting sprocket wheels longitudinally, and holding them in place, as and for the purpose shown and described.

5. In combination with the frame of an ordinary safety bicycle, of a supplemental attachable and detachable frame, and of connecting devices for uniting them at their upper and lower lines, of a brace rod the one end attached to the lower clamping device by means of cars and bolt, or other suitable fastening, and thence extending upward and forward and fastened to the front saddle post, said brace adjustable in length by being in parts, with right and left hand threads on end pieces, the ends entering a threaded casing, as and for the purpose shown and described.

6. In combination with the frame of an ordinary safety bicycle, of a supplemental attachable and detachable frame, and of devices for uniting the two at their upper and lower lines, of a brace or post the lower end forked and attached to the lower clamping device between the sprocket wheels, thence running forward and upward to the rod 11. to which it is attached, and receiving and supporting the upright post of the guide handle, as and for the purpose shown and described.

7. In combination with the frame of an ordinary safety bicycle, of a supplementary attachable and detachable frame, and of devices for uniting the two at their upper and lower lines, of a brace fitted into the angle between the lower ends of the rear saddle post and the post V., the under surfaces concave and fitted to said posts, the edges provided with ears to which are fitted clamps, embracing the post and rod, and secured in place by screws, as and for the purpose shown and described. A

8. In a bicycle capable of being extended and contracted, so as to be used either as a single or a double seated machine, the combination of the frame of an ordinary safety bicycle without alteration,-of a supplemental frame of corresponding parts, attachable and detachable by means of suitable connections and carrying an additional seat, guide and driving mechanism,of a clamp ing device of triangular form, attached to the back-bone-rod of the supplemental frame, and embracing the saddle post and straddle rods of the original frame immediately below their point of nnion,of a second clamping device for uniting the frames at their lower line, having two tubular casings united by two connecting rods, the one casing carrying a bolt with threaded ends and nuts to engage and hold the side rods of the frame when the wheel is removed to the rear frame, and the other casing carrying the crank axle and its driving 1nechanism,and of a brace-rod extending from the lower clamping device to which one end is attached, to the front saddle post to which the other end is attached, and adjustable in length by being in parts,

.the ends of two parts having right and left

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