GB482082A - An improved pedal vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

482,082. Carrier &c. cycles. ZELIOLI, P. May 20, 1937, No. 14103. [Class 136 (iii)] In a pedal vehicle having a driving-wheel at the rear, the front part is interchangeable so as to form either the front wheel of a bicycle and its mounting, or a goods-delivery van, the van being collapsable, so as to form, when applied to the bicycle frame, a collapsable tricycle. A collapsable goods-delivery van 2 for attachment to the front of a bicycle frame 1 has its four sides 3, 4, 5, 6, Fig. 4, connected together by hinges 7, and normally held in rectangular relationship by foldable struts 10, 11, which are held in the extended or straight-line position by removable pins, passed through their overlapping inner ends the struts when collapsed allowing the sides of the van to be folded together in the manner shown. The floor is formed in two sections 8, which are hinged at 9 on opposite sides, so that they can be folded up into the vertical position, the free ends of the sections resting on flanges 9<1> in the service position. The rear wall of the van 2 is provided with a central attachment plate 39, Fig. 8, having a socket 20 to receive a conical pin 18 at the lower end of the front member 19, Fig. 7, of the bicycle frame 1. A socket 21 at the upper end of the member 19 receives a slidable pin 22, which is actuated by means of a projecting handle 23 movable in a U-shaped slot in a guide member 40. Steering is effected by a handle 41. When the vehicle is used as an ordinary bicycle, a steering-head carrying a front-wheel fork is attached in a similar manner to the member 19, a forked projection on the head also engaging above and below lateral projections 38, Fig. 7. The van 2 is mounted on leaf springs 25 secured to members 26, which are provided with stub axles for the wheels 32 and are pivoted to the main axle 27, Fig. 4, to permit folding of the van.