improvements in Bicycle Frames.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 20th June, 1893-Accepted, 29th July, 1893
improvements in Bicycle Frames.
A communication by WILLIAM GRAYSON, Wooden Ware Manufacturer, and
LOUIS JACOB CRECELIUS, Machinist, both of St. Louis, in the County of
St. Louis and State of Missouri, United States of America.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool and 6, Bank Street Man-
chester, both in the County of Lancaster and 323 High Holborn, in the County of
Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Frames for high grade bicycles are usually made of drop forgings and steel
tubing, in twelve or more pieces. Much skilled labour is required in reducing and
finishing these parts in their proper shapes. This done, the tubular parts have to
be carefully fitted to the forgings prepared for them, and rivetted and carefully
lined and then brazed together. The purpose in thus constructing bicycle frames
of drop forgings and steel tubing is to build the machines with the greatest possible
strength, stiffness and lightness.
In order to greatly reduce the labour and cost of manufacture and produce a
frame possessing greater strength and rigidity with reduced weight, a mode has
been devised of forming the main frame of a bicycle in a single piece of metal by
casting the same of aluminium bronze, or other aluminium alloy, and with all or
parts of the frame in hollow form.
In order that the invention may be fully understood, it will be described in detail
with reference to the accompanying drawings which form part of this Specification,
and in which―
Figure I is a perspective view of a high grade bicycle frame, illustrating the
invention, portions being shown in section to represent the hollow form of the
thicker members of the frame.
Figures II and III are similar views of bicycle frames of other forms, also
illustrating the invention.
In carrying out the invention, it is preferred to employ polished metal moulds in
which the frame is cast in a single piece, in any usual and suitable manner, of
aluminium alloy, the thicker portions of the frame being preferably hollow, as
shown.
"
1 represents the "back bone of the frame; 2, 2, the driving wheel fork ;
3, 3, the seats for the driving wheel journal bearings; 4, the box for the crank
shaft; 5, the hollow standard rising therefrom on which the seat is supported ;
6, the socket push for the front wheel fork; and 7, 8, 8, brace rods extending
between the extremities of the front wheel socket 6, standard 5 and driving wheel
forks 2, 2, respectively as shown.
Besides the great advantage of increased strength, rigidity and lightness, the
improved bicycle frame, cast in one piece of aluminium alloy, dispenses with the
use of plating or enamel, which wear and rust through in a short time giving
the machine an old and worn appearance. The frames require only occasional
wiping to keep them bright and fresh. This results in a greater saving to the
manufacturer and is also of great advantage to the user.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is-
1. A bicycle frame cast in one piece of aluminium alloy, substantially as herein
shown and described.
2. A bicycle frame cast in one piece, substantially as herein shown and
described.
3. A hollow bicycle frame, cast in one piece, substantially as herein shown and
described.
Dated this 19th day of June 1893
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co,
Agents for the Applicant.