US595204A - Island - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. G. W. PRENTIGE. SUPPORT FOR BICYOLES.

m E m J M w (No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 2. G. W. PRENTIUE. SUPPORT FOR BIGYGLES.

No. 595,204. Patented De0.'7,189'7.

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GEORGE \V. PREN"ICE, OF PROVIDENCE, RIIODE ISLAND.

SUPPORT FOR BICYCLES SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 595,204, dated December '7, 1897. Application filed December 22, 1896. Serial No. 616,586. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, GEORGE WV. PRENTICE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Supports for Bi cycles; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the ac companying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in bicycles; and it consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

I am aware that prior to my present invention bicycles have been provided with transversely-arranged vertically-movable supports adapted to be secured in the operative position,such devices beingpermanently attached to the bicycle, whereby the latter may be supported in an upright position when at a state of rest.

The object I have in view is to provide bicycles with a more simple, efficient, light, and comparatively inexpensive device for holding them in a vertical or upright position than other forms of supporting means hitherto devised for this purpose.

By means of my invention the supports are made to gradually diverge during the act of dropping them, thereby forming oppositelyarranged lateral supports or legs, the upper end of the legs meanwhile automatically e11- gaging or interlocking with a fixed brace or standard interposed between the upper and lower members of the frame. The said brace serves not only to carry the swinging legs or movable props, but it also possesses an added function in that it serves to stiffen the top member of the frame, thus increasing its rigidity without materially increasing the weight of the bicycle.

In the accompanying two sheets of drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bicycle provided with my invention, showing the several parts in the normal position. Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on line co m of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a corresponding side view. Fig. at is a transverse section similar to Fig. 2, the legs being dropped and separated laterally as in use. Fig. 5 shows the upper portion of the legs when in engagement with the tie-rod, the relation of the parts being the same as represented in Fig. -L. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken on line so a: of Fig. 3. Fig. '7 is a side elevation similar to Fig. 1, showing my improvementappliedtoaladysbicycle. Fig. Sis a horizontal sectional view,enlarged,taken on line m 00 of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a side view of the upper portion of the apparatus, showing a modification of the locking device or catch represented in Fig. 5; and Fig. 10 is a transverse section taken 011 line 3 1 of Fig. 8, showing a spring interposed between the supporting-legs.

I would state that my improved bicyclesupport is well adapted to be employed or used in various types of bicycles.

In the drawings I have represented the device combined with a bicycle-frame of the diamond form.

In the bicycle A (represented in the drawings) the front and rear wheels w w are mounted in the frame a substantially as commen, the front or steering wheel being adapted to revolve in the fork member 1', which in turn extends upwardly through the corresponding part of the frame and is surmounted by handle-bars, also as usual. The top member or chord a of the frame, as well as one of the lower or inclined members a may be utilized in carrying out my invention, as shown in Fig. 1that is to say, couplings or holders d s are removably clamped to the said members a a in any suitable manner. The upper coupling (Z is provided with an illverted step or socket cl on its under side, the cap of the lower coupling .9 having a corresponding step 8 formed on its upper side. (See Fig. l.) In these steps or sockets are mounted the ends of a vertically-arranged interposed rod l), its lower portion being located just forward of the crank or pedal shaft 0. The cap of the lower coupling 3 is provided with a pair of transversely-arranged ears or guides s 8 having enlarged openings '0 extending therethrough in a substantially Vertical or slightly-inclined direction. The

said rod b when in place is rigid. It not only forms a combined tie and brace for the top member a of the frame, but at the same time it serves to support or carry the two legs or Supports Z Z, about to be described. These lat ter are pivoted at the upper end to the opposite sides of the sliding cross-head h, which in turn has the rod 12 extending freely through it. Said cross-head is provided on its front side with a handle or spring-hook f, having a hole f therein adapted to receive the head of a pin 2', secured to the upper part of the rod. By means of this device the legs are kept in the normal or elevated position when not in use. (See Figs. 1, 2, and 3.)

The inner faces of the top part m of the legs Z, above the pivots p, are provided with suitable teeth or serrations arranged to engage corresponding teeth 6 formed on the lower portion of the rod Z). (See Fig. 5.) As thus constructed it will be apparent that upon unhooking the catch f from the pin i the legs or props Z will drop to their limit by gravity or until arrested by contact with the ground or base 5 asshown in Fig. 4 and also in dotted lines, Fig. 1.

In Fig. 7 is represented a ladys bicycle A, provided with the usual drop-frame a. In attaching my improvement to machines of this class the supporting-rod b is rigidly mounted in holders or couplings d s, secured, respectively, to the upper and lower ends of the intermediate inclined member a of the frame a. The lower coupling 5 is provided with perforated ears or guides 5 which rest upon the horizontal tie-rods (b at the rear of the crank-shaft. The sliding cross-head h and supports Z Z, jointed thereto, are constructed and adapted to be employed substantially as before described with respect to the arrangement shown in Fig. 1.

In lieu of providing the rod b with a series of teeth, as shown in Fig. 5, I may, without departing from the spirit of the invention, provide it with two notches 6 arranged on opposite sides of the rod, as represented in Fig. 9, the upper end of the supports Z being correspondingly adapted to engage the notches.

In order to prevent the members 1 from jarring or chattering when they are in the elevated or normal position, a light expansionspring y may be interposed between them, the same being in constant engagement therewith. (See Fig. 10.) The spring further serves to insure the separation or divergence of the supports when they are being dropped into position for use.

In a bicycle provided with my improvements the rider is not inconvenienced in the least by reason of the presence of the supporting device, because the latter is contracted and does not extend beyond the frame a, nor does the device interfere with the pedaling or propelling mechanism. When the supporting apparatus or attachment forming the subject of this invention is to be brought into use, the rider upon dismounting simply lifts the forward part of the machine from the ground with one hand, at the same time detaching the catch f from the rod 1), thereby allowing the supports Z to drop by gravity until arrested by contact with the ground or base b (See Fig. 1.) At the same time, too, the said members in falling automatically diverge at the bottom, thus spreading them apart within fixed limits and thereby increasing the stability or points of contact, so that the machine is capable of standing alone or without other support. Simultaneously with the action just described the upper end m of the legs engage or interlock with the teeth 11 of the rod, the rider meanwhile releasing his hold upon the machine.

I prefer to tip the lower ends of the legs with suitable material, as rubber, t. I also prefer to enlarge the top of the members Z at a point n below the pivot 19, so that they will bearagainst the rod itself when they are in the raised or normal position, (see Fig. 2,) thereby preventing the parts from jarring and rendering the device practically noiseless.

I claim as my invention In a supporting device for bicycles, the combination with the upper and lower holders or couplings secured to the corresponding members of the bicycle-frame, of the vertical rod 1) rigidly mounted in said couplings, a crosshead slidable on said rod, a pair of oppositelyarranged supports or legsZpivoted at their upper ends to the cross-head, fixed guides s having the said legs passing downwardly therethrough arranged to automaticallyspread the latter apart While they are being dropped into position for use, and having the ends of the legs, above the pivots, arranged to engage a notch or recess formed in the rod 1), substantially as hereinbefore described and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE W. PRENTIOE.

WVitnesses:

GEo. H. REMINGTON, REMINGTON SHERMAN.

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