Patent GB-1031337-A (GB)
Title: An improved vehicle frame
IPC: B62K19/08
Filed: 1964-12-04
Abstract: 1,031,337. Frames for vehicles. B. G. BOWDEN. Dec. 4, 1964 [Feb. 13, 1964], No. 49433/64. Headings B7E and B7J. A frame for a vehicle such as a boy's bicycle comprises a pair of side shells 27, 30, Figs. 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 (not shown) moulded from resin bonded fibreglass or stamped from light sheetmetal and bonded together at their edges by epoxy, polyester or phenolic resin adhesive, the side shells 27, 30 comprising outer frame members 33 which include a cantilever bar 13 rotatably supporting a front wheel fork 15 in a steering post bearing 14, a transmission housing 12 supporting a pedal bearing 25, and a wheel guard cover 11 supporting a rear wheel spindle, inner wheel guards 34 being provided to reinforce the wheel guard cover 11. The edge of the shell 30 has a peripheral flange 31 extending over the edge of the shell 27, and, the join is covered by a coloured, chromed or stainless steel channel 32 bonded thereto. The inner wheel guards 34 are located in the wheel guard cover 11 by flanges 43, have curved portions 38 which are bonded together at 40, 41, and have skirts 37 bonded to reinforcing inserts 35, 36 bonded to the outer frame members 33. The rear wheel spindle carrying the sprocket 65 is adjustably and removably supported in L- shaped slots 45 extending through the members 33, the inserts 35, 36 and the guards 34, and is retained by a plate 46 secured in a recess 47 in one of the members 33 by the rear wheel spindle nut. A hub brake 49 is prevented from rotating by an arm 49<SP>1</SP> secured by a bolt 48 in the plate 46. The transmission housing 12 includes a circular recess 50 having a flange 51 in the side shell 27; and a recessed sprocket housing 52 having a circular opening 53 with a flange 54 in the side shell 30. An annular bearing support 55 of fibreglass or die cast light metal is bonded to the flanges 51, 54 and by a flange 56 to the housing 52. Radial webs 57 extending from the flange 56 are bonded to the side shell 27. A pedal crank 58 is journalled in bushings 59, 60 and a sprocket plate 61 is removably secured in a recess 62 in the side shell 30 to enclose the pedal sprocket 63. The steering post bearing 14 comprises a tube 66, Fig. 9 (not shown), bonded in semi-circular channels 69, 70 formed in the abutting faces 28, 29 of the side shells 27, 30, and which has two or more radial fins 68 extending parallel or also at right angles to the bar 13 and bonded at their upper and lower surfaces to the junction of the side shells 27, 30. The bearing 14 includes bushings 72, 73 journalling the shaft 74 of the front wheel fork 15. A saddle support 24 is similarly held by the side shells 27, 30. Batteries for the front and rear lamps 81, 82 and tools (not shown) may be contained in lidded compartments in the frame, and wires from the lamps to a wheel generator (not shown) may be enclosed in the frame. An arcuate front wheel guard 18 comprises supports 19, 20, the supports 20, Fig. 3 (not shown), fitting resiliently over the front wheel fork 15, and held by the front wheel nuts 23. The steering column 22 extends through an aperture 21 in the wheel guard 18.