Improvements in Bicycles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Jan., 1897-Accepted, 6th Mar., 1897
Improvements in Bicycles.
I, CHARLES ROBERT HARRIS, of Williamsport, in the County of Lycoming
and State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, Manufacturer do hereby
declare the nature of my invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention relates to an improvement in bicycles and more particularly to that
class known as "drop frame or "ladies' bicycles."
"
The object of the invention is to construct a drop frame bicycle which shall be
capable of withstanding heavy strain without twisting or in any manner becoming
weakened.
A further object is to construct a drop frame for bicycles which shall possess an
adequate amount of stiffness and rigidity and at the same time be somewhat resilient
in its rear portion.
A further object is to so construct a bicycle frame as to avoid the use of the
ordinary chain and wheel guards.
A further object is to construct a single sweep bicycle frame, the parts of which
shall be so united between their ends as to avoid the necessity for the use of braces
or, suspension rods.
A further object is to construct a bicycle frame in such manner that, by the
addition of lacing cords, the entire driving mechanism will be protected.
A further object is to produce a drop frame for bicycles which shall be simple.
in construction and effectual, in all respects, in the performance of its functions.
With these objects in view, the invention consists in a single sweep bicycle.
frame constructed of two tubes or rods secured together at their forward ends and
separated at the rear end of the frame for the reception of the rear wheel of the
bicycle, the upper and lower members of said frame being united intermediate of
the ends of the frame.
The invention further consists in a single sweep frame for bicycles constructed
of two tubes, D-shaped in cross section, said tubes being bent upon themselves and
secured together at their forward ends and separated at the rear end of the frame
for the reception of the rear wheel of the bicycle.
The invention further consists in a continuous or single sweep drop frame for a
bicycle.
The invention further consists in a continuous or single sweep drop frame for a
bicycle comprising two tubes or rods, secured at their forward. ends to the steering
head and separated at their rear ends for the reception of the rear wheel of the
bicycle.
The invention further consists in a drop frame for bicycles, comprising two tubes
or rods secured together at their forward ends said tubes or rods being bent so as
to form an upper and a lower member, the upper member being bent downwardly
at a point between its ends and secured to the lower member.
The invention also consists in a drop frame for bicycles, consisting in two tubes
or reds parallel with each other throughout and secured together at their ends,
said tubes or rods being bent to receive the rear wheel of the bicycle and the
upper, forwardly extending portion of the frame being bent downwardly in front
of the rear wheel.
The invention also consists in certain novel features of construction and

page_text: combinations and arrangements of parts as hereinafter set forth and pointed out in
the claims.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure Lis a perspective view of a bicycle embodying my invention ;
Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 are views illustrating details.
A represents my improved bicycle, comprising in general, the frame B, steering
head C, front wheel D and rear wheel E. In constructing the frame B, I prefer
to use two tubes 1, 2, D-shaped in cross section. The ends of the tubes 1, 2, are
united and secured to couplings 3, 4, on the steering head, the tubes having been
bent as shown in Figure 1, the frame thus constituting an upper member 4 and a
lower member 5. Beginning at the connection of the lower member 5 of the
frame with the steering head, the connected tubes 1, 2, are curved downwardly, to
a point below the axis of the rear wheel and then upwardly and rearwardly to a
point above the axis of the rear wheel, at which point the upper member 4 of the
frame may be said to begin. The portions of the tubes forming the upper member
of the frame are curved downwardly from a point over the axis of the rear wheel,
being disposed in front of the rear wheel. At a point in proximity to the lower
member of the frame, the portions of the tubes forming the upper member of
the frame are bent rather abruptly and extended upwardly and forwardly to the
coupling 3, which is located on the steering head a short distance above the
coupling of the lower member 5 of the frame. The drop frame is thus composed
of two tubes, disposed practically parallel with each other throughout their entire
length, and bent to form the "dropped" portion 6 of the frame. Just in advance
of the abruptly curved portion of the upper member 4 of the frame, the two
members 4, 5, make contact with each other and are secured by brazing or
preferably by means of a clamp 7, or in both ways if desired. At the rear end of
the frame, the tubes 1, 2, are separated for the accommodation of the rear wheel E,
the tubes being preferably spaced apart by means of a small stay 8. To the rear
portions of the tubes 1, 2 which compose the lower member 5 of the frame,
brackets 9, are secured and made with upwardly projecting ears 10 in which the
axle of the rear wheel is mounted, the rear portion of the frame being thus
suspended from the axle of the rear wheel. Between the dropped portion of the
upper member of the frame and the lower member of the frame, the crauk
hanger 11 is disposed. At this point, the tubes 1, 2, composing both the upper
and the lower member of the frame, are separated, and to each tube a bracket 12
is secured for supporting the crank hanger. The driving sprocket 13 is disposed
between the tubes 1, 2 of the upper and lower members of the frame and the crank
shaft 14 projects somewhat beyond the frame and is provided at its ends with the
usual pedal cranks 15. The hub of the rear wheel is provided with a sprocket
wheel 16, to which motion is imparted from the driving sprocket by means of a
sprocket chain 17 in the usual way..
The entire rear portion of the frame, from a point just in advance of the crank
hanger, will preferably be closed by a network of lacing cords, which will serve as
guards to protect the gearing and to protect the clothing of the rider from
engagement with the driving mechanism and the rear wheel of the bicycle.
A thin sheet metal plate 18 (triangular in form), will preferably be secured
between the tubes 1, 2, over the rear wheel and thus serve as a mud guard to
protect the back of the rider.
To the tubes 1, 2, composing the upper or dropped member of the frame, and
preferably at or near the point thereon where said tubes begin to curve downwardly
in front of the rear wheel, a bracket 19 is secured and adapted to sustain the seat 20
of the bicycle.
A bicycle constructed as above described, is strong and not liable to twist under
heavy strain as has been the case with drop frame bicycles as heretofore constructed.
The machine is comparatively cheap to construct; avoids the use of the ordinary
inud and dress guards by utilizing portions of the frame for these purposes; avoids
the use of stay rods which add to the weight and expense of bicycles of this

page_text: class; and the bicycle is effectual, in every respect, in the performance of its
functions.
Various slight changes might be made in the details of construction of my
invention without departing from the spirit thereof or limiting its scope and hence
I do not wish to limit myself to the precise details herein set forth.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
1. A single sweep bicycle frame constructed of two tubes or rods secured
together at their forward ends and separated at the rear end of the frame for the
reception of the rear wheel of the bicycle, the upper and lower members of said
frame being united intermediate of the ends of the frame, substantially as set
forth.
2. A single sweep frame for a bicycle constructed of two tubes, D-shaped in
cross section, said tubes being bent upon themselves and secured together at their
forward ends and separated at the rear end of the frame for the accommodation of
the rear wheel of the bicycle, substantially as set forth.
3. A continuous or single sweep drop frame for a bicycle, substantially as set
forth.
4. A continuous or single sweep drop frame for a bicycle comprising two tubes
or rods, secured at their forward ends to the steering head of the bicycle and
separated at their rear ends for the reception of the rear wheel of the bicycle,
substantially as set forth.
5. A drop frame for bicycles, comprising two tubes or rods secured together at
their forward ends, said tubes or rods being bent so as to form an upper and a
lower member, the upper member being bent downwardly at a point between its
ends and secured to the lower member, substantially as set forth.
6. A drop frame for bicycles, consisting of two tubes or rods, parallel with cach
other throughout, and secured together at their ends, said tubes or rods being bent
to receive the rear wheel of the bicycle and the upper, forwardly extending
portion of the frame being bent downwardly in front of the rear wheel, substantially
as set forth.
7. A drop frame for a bicycle consisting of a single sweep or tubing, the rear
portion of the frame being separated for the reception of the rear wheel, sub-
stantially as set forth.
8. A drop frame for a bicycle consisting of a single sweep of rod or tubing
separated at the rear end of the frame for the reception of the rear wheel, and the
two members of the frame secured together in rear of the steering head of the
bicycle, substantially as set forth.
9. In a bicycle, the combination with a frame composed of a single sweep of rod
or tubing, of a crank hanger secured between the upper and lower members of said
frame, substantially as set forth.
10. In a bicycle, the combination with a drop frame composed of a single sweep
of rod or tubing so bent that the upper member will approach the lower member at
a point intermediate of the ends of the frame, brackets secured to said upper and
lower members of the frame where they approach each other, and a crank hanger
supported by said brackets, substantially as set forth.
11. In a bicycle, the combination with a frame consisting of a single sweep of
rod or tubing, the upper member of said frame being bent to approach the lower
member at a point between the ends of the frame and a crank hanger supported by
the members of the frame where they approach each other, the members of the
frame being secured together in advance of the crank hanger, substantially as set
forth.
12. In a bicycle, the combination with a frame constructed to enclose a portion
of the rear wheel and the driving mechanism, of a guard composed of a network of
cords secured to the frame, substantially as set forth.

page_text: 13. In a bicycle, the combination, with a, frame, of a dress guard consisting of a
portion of said frame and a network of cords secured thereto, substantially as, set
forth.
14. In a bicycle, the combination with a single sweep drop frame, the upper
member of which approached the lower member at a point between the ends of the
frame, said frame comprising two tubes secured together at the forward portions
and separated at the rear portion of the bicycle and also where the members of the
frame approach each other, of a crank hanger disposed between the separated
tubes where the members of the frame approach each other, brackets connecting
the crank hanger with the tubes of the frame, a driving sprocket on the crank
shaft and between the tubes composing the respective members of the frame,
brackets secured to the rear portion of the frame and having upwardly projecting
ears, a rear wheel disposed between the tubes at the rear end of the frame and an
axle for said rear wheel mounted in the upwardly projecting ears of said brackets
and carrying a sprocket wheel and a sprocket chain connecting said sprocket
wheels between the tubes composing the respective members of the frame,
substantially as set forth.
15. In a bicycle, the combination with a drop frame comprising two tubes or
rods separated at the rear portion of the frame and a rear wheel mounted between
the separated tubes, of a bracket secured to the separated tubes and a seat supported
by said bracket, substantially as set forth.
16. In a bicycle, the combination with a drop frame consisting of two tubes
secured together at the forward end of the frame, said tubes being separated at the
rear end of the frame for the reception of the rear wheel, brackets on said frame
for the reception of the axle of the rear wheel and a mud guard secured between
the tubes at a point of the frame over the rear wheel, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 12th day of January 1897
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
18 Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C., Agents to the Applicant..