Untitled record

Application filed May 25, 1896. Serial Bo. 593,031. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Robert F. McCoy, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illi5 nois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Velocipede Handle-Bars; 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 i o art to which it- appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to a novel construction in a velocipede handle-bar, the object being to provide a device of this description 15 which without being adjustable will permit a great variety of positions for the hands of the rider and at the same time provide better means for attaching parcels to velocipedes than have heretofore been afforded; and it 20 consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings,illustrating • my invention, Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 are per25 spective views of the various designs of handle-bars now in general use constructed in accordance with my invention.

In riding a bicycle or velocipede for a great length of time the hands become cramped and 30 frequently swell up from holding them in one position for too great a length of time. To rest the hands when so cramped, it has been the custom of the riders to grasp the bars adjacent the stem, as ih such position they are 35 higher. Owingto the smoothness of the bars, however, they are obliged to pass the thumbs around the stem in order to prevent the hands from slipping while manipulating the bars. This position, however, does not materially 40 relieve the muscles, as a firm grasp is necessary in order to control the front wheel, which tends to turn at-every unevenness in the road over which it runs. Frequently riders are seen on boulevards grasping the handle-bars 45 with one hand while they swing the other to rest it. This it is impossible to do on rougher roads, as one hand is insufficient to firmly grasp the bars, so that in a long ride the rider is obliged to dismount if he desires to rest the hands. To overcome these defects, I have 50 provided an auxiliary bar 1, extending over the middle portion of the bar A and being of the same general contour as said bar A at such portion. The said auxiliary bar 1 is preferably made of the same size tubing as 55 said bar A and is brazed thereto at its ends at points 2 and 3 a few inches to each side of the stem 4. This bar obviously permits 0 f a great variety of positions for the hands, by which they will be thoroughly rested. Forinstance, 60 by placing the hands upon the bar A within the said auxiliary bar 1, so that the cheeks of the hands rest against said bar l,the thumbs being passed below said bar A, the rider is enabled to control his wheel perfectly without 65 in any way grasping the bars, as the hands cannot slip. The bar A may also be grasped outside of said bar 1 and the thumbs slipped through the latter. In this manner by pressing against the bar A without grasping the 70 same the bars can be manipulated, as the thumbs will serve to prevent slipping. A variety of other positions which will be equally restful may obviously be assumed.

My device will obviously also afford excel- 75 lent means for securing parcels to the velocipede.