The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-20


grade wheels Of this year. whereby the
running qualities or outlines of modern
bicycles would be improved. Apparently
such is not the case. Judging from what
Is told by bicycle manufacturers all over
the country, their mechanical experts have
had a busy season devising new features
for 1897.
A noticeable feature in 1897 models will
be the reduction in the use of bolts and
nuts at the handle bar and at the seat
post cluster Treads will be narrower and
hubs will be larger. Larger balls will be
used in the bearings. Many makers will
provide sufficient fork side clearance for
larger tires. And not a few manufactCr
ers anticipate that gear cases will be in
demand next year. A tendency to part
with accepted forms of crank construction
is noted among a few makers. The round
crank bids fair to be superseded by its
square relative
In the frames no radical alteration viii
appear The crank-hanger however, Will
have in numerous instances a greater drop
from the rear hub than last year. Natural
ly that will be conducive to speed and
will, as a rule, be from one to two pounds
heavier. Dozens of different two-pece
crank axles will be embodied in the new
models, and to them the cranks will be,
as a rule, attached without the use of I'M
slightly cotter-pins. AS for the bearings.
they will be, as the makers say, dust
proof. In most cases they will be of the
three-point, DISTINGUISHING, ball-bearing
order.
Among the makers of tires it is gener-
ally agreed that next years pneumatica
will be heavier. Some makers will retain
the smooth tire, but many of them will
present a tire with a roughened tread.
Various methods of producing that effect
will be resorted to. tires will be
what is technically Gale, rrated. Others
will be corrugated, honey -combed or peb.
bled, and one eastern tire will look like a
section of small alligator's back.
So much has been said and written this
year concerning the forthcoming chainless
BICYCLES that many people expect TO see
them offered for sale very generally dur
.ng the coming season, or Immediately
after the cycle shows in February. The
real truth is that some time next summer
a few may be ready for the market. A
chain .ess wheel has been ridden constant
~ ali through the autumn in all kinds of
weather and under all the conditions to
which bicycles made by responsible houses
are tested. 1t has been demonstrated to
De feasible, and while there are many ex-
Derts ready to-day to regard it as the COM
ng wheel, there are Others again who de-
clare that no principle has yet been discov-
cred that will do away with the excessive
wear on a beve.ed gear.
At all events, 1t is going to be a very
ong time before chainiess bicycles can be
bought a a price that will make them pop
uiar and il is also a settled fact that one
concern virtually owns all the good pat
ants on the chainiess gear. While this
manufacturer is making the necessary ar
rangements and putting in the machinery
make these gears, he declares that with
all the resources at his command it will
)e impossible to turn these wheels out IN
Quantities for months to come
Some idea of the pulse of the bicycle
rade can be CLEANED from what is done
in the United States patent Office In WASH
.ngton. writer has been investigating
he number of cycle patents issued, and
-eports some interesting results. Up to
876 approxima tely 800 patents for cycles
had been issued in the United States. In
SIG invention revived on account OF the
excellent exhibit Of English cycles at the
centennial exhibition Since 1876 over 1000
,ycle natents have been granted In this
country, and nearly or quite one-half Of
this number have been Issued since 1890
In 1890 one assistant examiner OF patents
was able to dispose OF all applications
that were filed.
In November. 1896 II required The labor
Of eight expert assistant examiners TO
candle the applications for cycles. and
even with this expert force working At
hem there have been lately loo appii-
,atlons constantly on hand awaiting ac-
don. A the present time no country IN
The world IS granting 80 many patents for
,ycies and cycle improvements as the Uni
led States and this IN spite Of inc fact
hat no patent can be- obtained here ey-
.oDt after q rigid cxamintlOn as D nos-
elty. while % England. on the other hand,
no search as 90 novelty D ma De- ane pat
mt usually Issues as matter u course
upon application.