The Pedal Kickstand: A Brace That Folds Under the Pedal

"The object of my invention is to provide the bicycle with a convenient brace or support, whereby the bicycle can be held to rest in an upright position when not in use; and my invention consists in a supporting-brace pivoted to the pedal". The brace F is pivoted to the under edge of the pedal plate E, "either made in one piece ... or be made in two pieces, so as to be extensible". A button g forms a stop, and a spring-plate O with a notch e takes the brace's end when it is swung "to a position parallel with the axis of the pedal" for riding. "The lower end of the pivoted brace is made spreading or forked in order to provide an extended bearing upon the ground, and thus preventing the pedal from turning upon the crank-pin when the weight of the bicycle is brought upon the brace." A modification (Fig. 4) fits pedals of bicycles already built.

Stand a bicycle on its kickstand on level ground. Measure its lean with the protractor against a plumb line hung from the saddle, and the foot's distance out from the line between the tyres. Hang a bag from the handlebar on the side away from the stand until it starts to tip upright, and compare with the notebook's margin. Then make Tillinghast's version on a model or an old pedal: hinge a short forked strip of aluminium under the pedal with a screw, and a spring clip to hold it folded flat.

**Pardon W. Tillinghast** of Providence, Rhode Island, filed US 444,258 on 24 September 1890; it is dated 6 January 1891. He claims the supporting-brace pivoted to the pedal and its folding and stop arrangements. **Honest limits.** Heights and distances in the notebook are examples; a real bicycle's steering can also turn and shift the balance.