5ic\pcle Step feeder, ....... Fong... . . STORES, LIBRARIES, ETC., ^ ■ . av THC .... Bieyele Step Cadder $ompai>y, " B NQ._ 50 _ 8 TATe st^'et, CHICAGO. FACTORY AT CEDAR RAPIDS. IOWA. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from Columbia University Libraries https://archive.org/details/descriptivecatalOObicy DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE -OF THK- ep STORES, LIBRARIES, ETC. MADE BY THE- 5ic\Jcle Step badd^^r Company, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. ICTO O, IMOO. OTHER PATENTS PENDING. CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA: LACRANCE & CARR, PRINTERS, STRAIGHTlLADDER. track on the base shelf. Made of either Oak or Hard Pine. Natural finished wood. Japaned or Nickel Plated Mountings. (2) It is with great pleasure that we present this, our second catalogue of the Bicvci.k S i k.)> Laddi-ks, to the trade. We have recently made nian\' valuable improvements in the ladders, and have largely increased 'oiir manufacturing facilities, to keep pace with the growing demand for our goods. The ladders are now in use in many of the largest houses, in all classes of busi- ness, in all the principal cities in the country, and they have been sold into every state and territory in the United States and Canada. Other systems of rolling ladders have found a place on the market- on account of the greater ease of operating them than the ordinary step ladder, and now in its turn the Bicycle system is taking the place of these others for the same reason; that they are as much easier to operate than the older systems, as the older ones were than the common step ladders. This point of ‘-ease of operation” being the only advantage in any rolling ladder over the old step ladders carried around by hand. As the name suggests, the “Bic3’cle” ladders will be found in operation to compare with other rolling ladders, as thesmooth running “Safet\’” compares with the draj' or lumber wagon. The manufacturer of these ladders has had manj' years of practical experience in store work, and has made the ladder business a stud\’, and no pains are being spared to make our ladders in eveiy feature meet every practical recpiirement that ma\' be demanded of them, and the unprecedented sale of the ladders in the short time the\’ have been on the market, shows that in a large measure we have been successful in attaining this end. BENT LADDER, TRACK ON BASE SHELF. Made of Oak or Hard Pine, Natural Finish Wood. Japaned or Nickel Plated Mountings. ( 4 ) 1 I 1 DESCRIPTION. The Bicycle Step Ladder, as the name implies, is simply a two wheeled ladder — a strong and well made ladder mounted on two wheels, arranged to roll on a light metal track, placed either on the edge of the base shelf or the floor, and provided with a round, nicely finished wooden pole, secured by orna- mental metal brackets to the face or the shelving, to serve as a rest for the top of the ladder, and as a smooth continuous sur- face along which it may slide in traveling from place to place along the shelving. A pair of stout iron hooks secured to the top of the ladder extend over and partly around this pole, but in such a way as ordinarily not to come in contact with it. These serve to prevent the ladder from tilting away from the shelving when you lean backward, standing on it. By reference to the cuts, you will observe that on whatever step of the ladder the operator may stand, the weight of his body may be adjusted so as to be directly in line with, and above the points of support of the ladder (the wheels). The ladder is thus balanced on the wheels, and will travel along the track with the expenditure of the least amount of exertion, as there is no friction whatever at the top of the ladder, and the very least amount possible at the wheels. It will be found so easy to move the ladder while standing upon it, that, were it desired to reach an object fifty feet or more distant, one or two pushes against the shelving with the hand, will propel you the entire distance with ease. The ladder occupies not more than one inch of the width of the base shelf, and is so constructed that the wheels will not run over or injure the smallest object that may be in its way. A very useful feature of the ladders and one greatly ap- preciated, is the addition of an extra wide shelf at the top, which in connection with the wide steps of the ladder proper, affords great convenience in handling goods and arranging stock on the shelving. ( 5 ) WHY THE BICYCLE STEP LADDERS ARE THE BEST. They occupy the least space in j'our store and can be used in narrow aisles, behind counter, where no other ladder could •be used. They do their work quicker and easier than others, saving time and labor. Ladders with operator on, move easier than others empty. Ladders move so easily that should they be in the way, or should they be wanted in a distant part of the house, a gentle push will move them many feet and a decided one will send them loo feet along the track, if necessary. Ladders operate nearly noiselessly. With the new adjustments ladders cannot jump the track while in operation. The light metal track and handsome turned pole used with these ladders are an ornamental addition to the store fittings and do not disfigure them or interfere with the use of the shelv- ing as do the heavy iron tracks used with other ladder sy stems. The advantages of having ladders supported on solid foundation at bottom rather than be suspended from ceiling or insecure shelving, are too numerous and obvious to need men- tion. Ladders are made in a variety of materials, finishes and prices to accommodate any demand. More than double the results can be accomplished from an equal amount of labor with the Bicycle Ladders, than with any other device for reacliing high shelving yet invented. ( 6 ) THE NEW FLOOR TRACK BICYCLE STEP LADDERS. Accompanying illustration shows our new improved Floor Track Bicycle Ladder, for use where it is not desirable to have the track on the base shelf, and illustrates the device which prevents the ladders from coming off the track. The short arm F extends from the ladder to within about ^ inch of the base board of the shelving, so that were the ladder disturbed, the short distance which this will allow it to fall does not permit the wheels to get out of position with the track, and as the ladder would have to fall xip to get off on the outside, it will be only on very rare occasions that the ladder will get off the track at all. B\' the use of this device (which we have had patented) we do away with the in- convenience of a high projecting rail and deep grooved wheels to accomplish the same purpose, and use a track so nearly Hat (but 3-16 inch in height) as to offer no inconveni- ence from its use whatever, and the ladders are better protected against leaving the rail than they would be were the track man}' times higher. The success of this ladder is complete, as it obviates all the objectionable features of a hanging ladder, and is operated in all respects as easily as our base shelf Bicycle ladder. The floor track ladders are made either straight or bent, and may be used with shelving ha\ ing an\' width base or no base at all. Made in either oak or hard pine with japaned or nickel finished mountings. ( 7 ) BENT LADDER, TRACK ON FLOOR. Made of Oak or Hard Pine. Natural Finished Wood. Japaned or Nickel Plated Mountings. ( 8 ) In ordering send diagram, giving measurements. D to C; D to A; A to B; B to S; also, B to S'; and B to S" as above: give length of each run and the number of standards in shelving and their distance apart. State how many and what kind of ladders are wanted, also the kind of track, and give ship- ping directions. ( 9 ) p peu/ Sampl<^ l/oluQtary S<^5tifnof)ial5. NOTE TO PROSPECTIVE BUYERS. We are well aware that a list of testimonials, however long, has little value to a shrewd bu5?er if the same have been ob- tained b)' solicitatiun for publication. Who would not sign a pe- tition or write a testimonial — and a good one — if asked? We have, therefore, selected a few extracts from letters received in the ordinary course of business from our customers, everyone of which was entirely vobintary, called forth only b}’ the writer’s ap- preciation of an exceptionally good thing. We could present many more, but, the following will show the estimation in which our work is held by those who have used it. We own and control every patent on Bicycle Step Ladders. If offered bj^ anyone else they are an infringement on our rights. THE BICYCLE STEP LADDER CO- Allow me to compliment you on the best ladder iti the market. It works like a charm, and to-da}’ I would not take double the amount for the ladders which I paid. Respectfull)’, Jxo. W. Fletemeyer, Lafayette, Ind. Will say that we would not do without the Bicycle Step Ladders for fve times the cost. L. A. G.\tes, Xewton, Iowa. Enclosed find draft in payment of bill of April 12. I am very ivell pleased with the ladder. C. Antoni, Paterson, N. J. * * The ladders are very satisfactory, indeed. John C. Wynd & Co, Peoria, Illinois. I have used the ladders now a few days, and am perfectly sat- isfied ivith them. They are the best that I ever saw, and 3'ou can refer any one you wish to me. George W. Shaw, Mattoon, Illinois. The ladders work all right, and g- /re perfect satisfaction. Frank Stanton, Clay Center, Neb. Ladders ivork like a charm, and are highly satisfactory in every ■way. They enable ns to utilize a great deal of space that was heretofore useless. Yours respectfully, Goetter, Weie & Co., Montgomery, Ala. The step ladder is giving perfect satisfaction, and we do not know that it could be improved. Putnam & Tapping, Peoria, 111. Ladders received. They are dandies. Could not do business without them- N. C. Cummings, Mendota, 111. The ladders sent us have arrived, and are put in place, and are very satisfactory to us, and very attractive to our people at large, as we are the first ones in our city and this part of the State to use ladders. C. & \V. Gunther, Chilicothe, Ohio. Enclosed find draft in payment of bill. Ladders very satis- factory. Deane & Porter, Oneonta, N. Y. The ladders are all up and in shape, and are giving the best satisfaction . Fisher & Son, Clyde, N. Y. Enclosed find draft in payment of bill for ladder. It works to perfection. L. N. Howe, St. Charles, Minn. * * They are far ahead of all others. Mine are per- fect. F. 1. D.ay, Lewiston, Maine. Have only used the ladders four days, but am perfectly charmed with them. \V. P. Suttee, McKiuny, Texas. Ill) I am very well pleased with the ladders you sent me. / would not 710W be without them. J. M. Nolan, Corvallis, Ore. Enclosed please find draft in payment for ladder. The lad- der is perfect, and works charynmgly. Alber t Murry, Charlotte, Mich. We find the ladders to be very satisfactory; the most complete and satisfactory we could possiblj’ have procured. J. P. WOOLMN & Co., Helena, Mont. I am much pleased with it. It does its work very well. Would not be without it for twice what I paid for it. J. H. Fisher, Wellsville, N. Y. I received the ladders, and have them placed in good order, and I am more thayi pleased with them, and I consider them a great invention. L- T. Berry, Mt. Sterling, 111. The working of the ladder is very satisfactory . S. L. Young, Auburn, Maine. Ladders received and in position. I am much pleased with them, and they are adyniration of several other merchants Should be unwilling to part with them now- C- F. Reed, Hudson, Mass. Gentleman: * * have now had the ladder in use for ten months, and would yiot be without them for ayiy price. * * =(= \ye have seen ladders of other makes in use, but would not accept them as a gift were it possi- ble to obtain yours. Keep & Clancy, Clinton, Iowa. We would not be without the ladders, and we would rather have your ladder thayi ayiy other Vi ^ know of. Every shoe store should have them. Wild & Rall, Cedar Falls, Iowa. We present the above as a few samples only. We have hundreds more on file of the same tenor. ( 12 )