US558068A - Foot-holder for bicycle-pedals - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

L. L. HAWORTH.' FOT HOLDER POR BICYLE PEDALS. Y

No. 558,068. Patented Apr. 14,1898.

fnv/enfer .L .Haworth NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LYSANDER L. HAWORTH, OF CHICAGO LAWN, ILLINOIS.

FOOT-HOLDER FOR BICYCLE-PEDALS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters `fl'atent No. 558,068, dated April 14, 1896.

Application filed August 12, 1895. Serial No. 559,001. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, LYsANDER L. HAwoRrH, of Chicago Lawn, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inV Foot-Holders for Bicycle-Pedals, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is designed to provide means for holding the feet of bicycle-riders in contact with the pedals with sufficient iirmness to prevent accidental displacement and to permit a limited amount of lift, While at the same time providing for detachment in an emergency and avoiding a tendency 'to catch trash-a condition that is present under some circumstances in toe-clipsas commonly constructed.

The invention is exemplified in the structure hereinafter1 described, and is defined in the appended claims.

In putting the invention into practical use two conditions are met-namely, pedals already made and pedals to be made hereafter. The first condition requires something in the nature of an attachment, while in the other case the ideas of the invention, all or part, may be included in the general structure of the pedal. In the sulojoined description both conditions are considered and modifications of construction are suggested.

In the drawings forming part of this speci fication, Figure I is aperspective representation of a bicycle supplied with a foot-holder that includes the fundamental features of my invention, and Fig. 2 is amodiiication showing how the general principle of the invention may be embodied in a pedal in process of manufacture.

One end plate of a pedal-frame is shown at l and the opposite one at 2.

At 3 is shown the axial sleeve of the pedal 4..

4. represen ts the tread-bars of the pedal, and 5 5 designate projecting ends of the axial rods of the tread-bars. In Fig. l the end plates of the pedal are supplied with the customary lips that extend beyond the tread-bars andform guards to prevent lateral displacement of .thefoot This provision is general in bicycles already built, and it is related to my improvement as follows: A cruciform loop 6 is made, preferably of Wire, with its base portion andv its head portion conforming to the lips of the side plates of the pedal-frame and the arm portions adapted to it around the outward extensions of the pivot-rods of the treadbars. Bands 9 and l0, of elastic material, are fitted, one around the head portion of the loop and a lip of the plate and the other around the base portion and another lip. To

the opposite side plate is similarly connected a similar loop 7, one only of the elastic connecting-bands being shown at Il. An elastic connection extends across the pedal from one loop to the other, and such connection is preferably a flat continuous band, having a halfturn between its connections, as shown at 8 in Fig. l, which half-turn facilitates the insertion of the toe of the rider into the space between the band and the tread-bars.

In use the toe of the shoe of the rider is inserted between the band and the tread-bars, which operation stretches the band more or less, and the foot is held in contact with the bars to an extent depending on the elasticity of the band, which may be varied to suit different requirements, and is always suflicient to prevent the foot from slipping from the pedal under ordinary circumstances and to permit a slight lift of the pedal as the foot is rising. Ordinarily the foot is withdrawn from the pedal in the same manner that it is ap plied, the direction of motion being reversed; but in case of a mishap of any kind the foot may be disengaged by a moderately strong pull in any direction. If the opposite side of the pedal should be used and the holder be pointed downward in consequence of such use, there is no forwardly-projecting hook to catch the trash, as is the case with toe-clips as ordinarily constructed.

In Fig. 2 the lips 6b and 7b of the side plates are shown sufficiently elongated to act as substitutes for the loops, and an elastic strap 8, which may be of any desired construction, is connected with slotsformed in the ends of the elongated lips. This form is adapted to be embodied in pedals yet to be made, and it exemplifies the invention considered in its broadest sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A foot-holder for a bicycle-pedal, comprising loops on the side plates of the pedalframe, and an elastic connection between the tread-bars, elastic bands securing' the loops loops, substantially as set forth. to the lips of the side plates of the pedal- 2. A foot-holder for a bicycle-pedal, comframe, and an elastic connection between the prising loops connected with the lips of the loops, substantially as set forth. 5 side plates of the pedal-frame by means of In testimony whereof Isign my name in the 15 elastic bands, and an elastic connection bepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

tween the loops7 substantially as set forth. LYSANDER L. HAVORTII.

3. A foot-holder for a bicycle-pedal, com- Attest: prising cruciforln loops adapted to lit around D. A. STRADER,

1o the projecting ends of the pivot-rods of the NV. L. DAVIS.

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