US610244A - Luggage-rack for bicycles - Google Patents

Description

N0. 6|0,244. Patented Sept. 6, I898.

G. W. SCHEPMAN. LUGGAGE RACK FOR BICYGLES.

(Application filed Oct. 11, 1897.)

(No Model.)

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LUGGAGE-RACK FOR BICYCLES,

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 610,244, dated September 6, 1898. A li ti filed October 11 I897. Serial NOKGMJH. (No model-) To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. SOHEPMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Richmond, in the county of Wayne and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Luggage-Racks for Bi cycles; and I do 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 accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in luggagecarriers for bicycles.

The object of the said invention is to provide a carrier with a capacity for supporting an unusually heavy load or large package such, for example, as a valise, traveling-case, &c. This is obtained by attaching the carrier to the upper part of the head of the bicycle and extending the holding-clamp at that point a considerable distance back on each side of the upper horizontal tube of the frame and securely fastening it at that point and in clamping it again just above the front diagonal tube, as will hereinafter more fully appear from the accompanying specification, taken in connection with the annexed drawings, of Which-- Figure 1 is a side elevation of myimproved luggage-carrier attached to the steering-head of a bicycle. Fig. 2 is a top plan view. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detached view of one of the clamps for holding the carrier to the frame.

In the specification similar reference characters indicate the same parts in the drawings.

1 designates the steering-head, 2 the upper horizontal tube, and 3 the front diagonal tube, all well-known parts of a bicycle-frame.

The carrier is preferably constructed of flat bar-steel, and consists of the following novel features of construction.

4 and 5 designate two upper horizontal bars which are turned inwardly at 6 and tightly secured to each other by a bolt or in any suitable manner. These bars continue back in a horizontal line, snugly embracing the forging 7 and conforming to the shape thereof, and, continuing back, terminate in arms or extensions 8 on both sides of the horizontal tube 2. It is essential that these extensions 8 reach back a substantial distance in the rear of the forging. At this point the arms or extensions are securely fastened to the horizontal tube by a neat clamp 9. This upper connection of the carrier to the frame forms a bearing at the upper part of the steering-head against outward pressure or strain on the carrier when it is loaded. It is therefore important that the connection between the carrier and the upper head of the bicycle be of a most rigid and substantial kind, as shown in the drawings.

10 is an inner and upper horizontal bar which is rigidly attached to the horizontal bars 4 and 5 and forms the upper rail of the carrier, against which the package is tightened.

' 11 is a vertical bar rigidly connected centrally to the bar 10. This bar 11 has also rigidly attached to its lower end a clamp 13, which incloses the lower portion of the steering-head above the diagonal tube 3. There is also rigidly connected to said vertical bar 11 at its lower end a horizontal bar 12, from which two lower supporting-bars 14: 14. project at rightangles. These bars 14. extend downwardly from said bar 12 and outwardly in horizontal lines and have their outer ends turned up, as at 15, to inclose the outer bot tom edge of the article supported thereon.

The broken lines in the drawings indicate a box or package in position on the carrier.

16 designates a leather strap or felt lining on the'inner sides of the clamps and on the innersides of the several metallic bars comprising the carrier to prevent the enamel on the bicycle-frame from being marred and to also prevent any damage of like nature to the article supported on the carrier.

17 designates leather straps that have ends secured to the outer ends of the horizontal bar 10. These straps pass around the upper portion of the luggage or package and are secured by a buckle 18 at the front.

The load on the carrier is mainly supported on the portion of the carrier that is attached to the head of the bicycle, so that a great portion of the weight is distributed to the head. The tensile strain is mainly upon the upper connection, while the strain due to the weight or gravity is borne by both connections at a point close to the steering-head. Owing to the rigid construction of the carrier the load does not cause any swinging or vibratory motion when the wheel is on the road, the whole being practically one rigid part with the steering-head.

In the drawings I have shown the appliance attached to a bicycle of the diamondframe type; but it may be conveniently attached to ladies wheels also without departing from the essential features of the construction herein shown and described.

Having described my invention, I claim A luggage-carrier for bicycles, comprising two horizontal bars 4 and 5 united and forming a loop adapted to surround the steeringhead of a'bicycle, and terminating in rearward extensions 8 adapted to inclosethe sides of the upper brace-tube of a bicycle frame, a horizontal bar 10 rigidly attached to said bars 4 and 5, an upright bar 11 rigidly attached to said bar 10, a clamp for securing the extensions 8 to the upper brace-tube, and a clamp for securing the upright bar 11 to the lower portion of the steering-head, supporting-bars 14 14 upon which the luggage is supported,

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