Improvements in Leather and like Gear-cases for Cycles.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Leather and like Gear-cases for Cycles.
.
I, CHARLES BLOOR, of Criterion Works, Great Charles Street, in the City of
Birmingham, Manager of Department, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
'This invention relates to gear cases for enclosing the chain gear of cycles and par-
ticularly to cases of that type in which the outer covering is of leather, American
cloth or the like, but my invention is applicable to all cases having coverings or part
coverings made of flexible material.
.
My said invention has reference, in the one part, to the foundation framings of
such cases, and in the other part, to means for securing the closing edges of the
flexible covering material to the said frames. The object of the said first part is to
provide a spring frame for self-stretching the covering material, whilst the object of
the second part, is an easily-attachable and detachable method of connecting the
covering to the frame.
In carrying out the first part of my invention, I make the foundation frame of the
case up of one or more lengths of preferably trough-sectioned metal, which frame is
connected to a bicycle by a pair of cross stays, one end of each of which may be made
fast to the frame, whilst the other end, which is preferably the lower end (or it may
be both ends) is so connected to the said frame that the latter has a certain amount
of vertical play limited outwardly by a headed termination of the stay and inwardly
by a flat curved spring located between the inside of the frame and a shoulder on the
stay so that when pressure is applied in the vertical plane of the case, the lower side
yields in obedience to such pressure and against the force of the springs and allows
the edges of the covering material, which encloses the frame, to be readily connected
thereto or to one another, whilst when such pressure is relieved, the springs force the
frame into its normal position and self stretch the covering; which is thus without
creases or wrinkles.
In carrying out the second part of my invention, I provide the outer side of one
edge of the framing (or both edges if necessary) with a series of headed or spring studs
or their equivalents, whilst the closing edges of the cover are scolloped, with the tabs
formed by the scolloping on the one edge coming opposite the gaps on the other edge,
and both the series of tabs are fitted with snap fasteners or spring sockets or eyelets,
adapted to be engaged alternately by the studs on the frame, whereby an easily
attachable and detachable connection of the flexible covering to the self-stretching
foundation frame is provided.
Referring again to the first part of my invention, instead of the springs being in
tongue form, they may be spiral springs or the frame may be otherwise spring-
organized in order to provide for the self-stretching of the covering.
Dated this 1th davist
hi 1000

page_text: Improvements in Leather and like Gear-cases for Cycles.
I, CHARLES BLOOR, of Criterion Works, Great Charles Street, in the City of
Birmingham, Manager of Department, 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:-
This invention relates to gear cases for enclosing the chain gear of cycles and
particularly to cases of that type in which the outer covering is of leather, American
cloth or the like, but my invention is applicable to all cases having coverings or part
coverings made of flexible material.
My said invention has reference, in the one part, to the foundation framings of
such cases,
and in the other part, to means for securing the closing edges of the
flexible covering material to the said frames. The object of the said first part is to
provide a spring frame for self-stretching the covering material, whilst the object of
the second part is an easily-attachable and detachable method of connecting the
covering to the frame.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents a side elevation of a cycle gear
case in which the covering is detachably secured to its framing in accordance with
one form of the first part of my invention.
Figure 2 is a view of the bottom edge thereof.
Figure 3 is a view-upon an enlarged scale-of a portion of the said edge and
Figure 4 is a cross section thereof upon the dotted line x, showing more clearly the
organization of the fastenings employed.
Figure 5 is a view showing portions of the frame and one edge of the covering in
elevation.
Figure 6 is a sectional view similar to Figure 4, but showing both edges of the
covering disconnected or unfastened from the frame.
Figure 7 is a longitudinal vertical section of the framing of the gear case separately
and Figure 8 is an edge view of the said frame, which is made of a spring construc-
tion for the purpose of keeping the covering material constantly on the stretch.
Figure 9 is a sectional view upon an enlarged scale, showing one of the interposed
springs provided at the connection of the gear case frame with its attachment
stays.
Figure 10 is a cross section of Figure 9 upon the dotted line x¹.
Figure 11 represents the several parts shown in Figures 9 and 10 separately or
detached from one another.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in Figures 1 to 11.
In carrying out my invention, I make the foundation frame a, of the case up of
one or more lengths of preferably trough-sectioned metal, which frame is connected
to a bicycle by a pair of cross stays b, c, one end 61, cl, of each of which may be made
fast to the frame, whilst the other end b, c, which is preferably the lower end (or it
may be both ends) is so connected to the said frame that the latter has a limited
amount of vertical play upon the attachment pins 63, c³, constituting the plain shanks
of the stays, and which play is confined outwardly by headed terminations 64, ct, and
inwardly by flat curved springs d, located between the inside of the frame and a foot
end b², c², on the stay so that when cross pressure is applied, the lower side a¹, thereof
yields in obedience to such pressure, against the force of the springs d, and allows the
edges e¹, e², of the covering material e, which encloses the frame, to be readily con-
nected thereto or to one another, whilst when such pressure is relieved, the re-action
of the springs returns the frame into its normal position or original figure and thus
tensions and takes all creases or wrinkles out of the cover.

page_text: In the arrangement shown in the aforesaid drawings, and particularly in Figures 1
to 6 thereof, the attachment of the covering e to the frame a, is effected by providing
the outer side of the lower edge a¹, of the framing (or both edges if necessary) with a
series of studs f, or their equivalents, whilst the closing edges el, e², of the cover e,
are scalloped so as to form series of tabs e³, et, coming alternately first on one edge
and then on the other, and with the rises e, on the one edge coming opposite the
hollows on the other and both the series of tabs are fitted with snap fasteners or
spring sockets or eyelets g, adapted to be engaged by the studs f, on the frame,
whereby an easily attachable and detachable connection of the flexible covering to
the self-stretching foundation frame is provided.
Instead of the cover-stretching springs being in tongue form, they may be of a
spiral form, arranged to encircle the extensions or shanks of the stays and to bear
respectively against the end of the stay and the inside of the framing, as represented
in Figure 12. Or the frame may be otherwise spring-organized in order to provide
for the self-stretching of the covering.
Figure 13 is an elevation of another form of spring-organized gear casing frame
constructed according to my invention.
Figure 14 represents a section of the completed case, upon the dotted line x²
Figure 13.
This framing consists of a pair of wires a³, each fashioned to the required outline
shape and with the wire evolved at suitable points into inwardly disposed loop coils a*,
which form spring joints and provide the necessary resilience in the structure, whilst
the one end as, of the wire length is made to pass through an eye or loop a³, of the
other end, thus connecting together the two ends in such a manner as to admit of
their relative movement. This pair of wires are connected to one another but held
parallel and at a suitable distance apart, by a strip of spring metal a7, whose edges a³,
are respectively turned or rolled over the wires as shown in the sectional view
Figure 14 so as not to interfere with the flexibility of the sides, whilst the outer side
of it is provided with suitable fastenings for the cover e. The attachment stays b, c,
have their upper ends made fast to the metal strip 7, whilst their lower ends are
fitted with shanks b³, c³, passing through the bottom part of the spring framing strip,
which thus has a limited amount of lateral play upon the said shanks for the purpose
hereinbefore referred to.
Figure 15 is a sectional view of another method of detachably connecting the
covering of a gear case to its frame.
Figure 16 is a similar view, but showing the edges of the cover disconnected from
its framing.
Figure 17 is a plan of a portion of the frame, which is provided, preferably at its
ends and along the bottom edge with an outstanding rib, beading or the like a',
adapted to be engaged by series of hooks f, or equivalent, arranged alternately upon
the opposite closing edges e', e2, of the covering and to be kept in such engagement
by the resilient action of the spring-organized frame.
I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the positions of the springs
provided for giving the necessary resilience to the foundation frame, nor to the precise
construction of the said framing so long as the same is of a spring-organization
which will admit of the structure yielding on the application of pressure, thus
facilitating the attachment of the flexible cover, and of returning to its normal
figure on pressure being relieved, thus stretching and keeping stretched, the canvas
cover.
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
First In cycle gear cases having leather, cloth or like covers or part covers, the
employment of a spring-organized or resilient foundation frame substantially for the
L LL

page_text: Secondly-A spring-organized foundation framing for cycle gear cases, comprising
a yielding side edge or edges, forced outwards by the action of springs located between
the said edge or edges and the attachment stays or their equivalent, whereby the
covering of the case is stretched after attachment and kept taut, substantially as
herein described and set forth.
Thirdly:- -A spring-organized foundation framing for cycle gear cases, in which
the springs are contained within or combined with the framing structure, such as
described and set forth in Figures 13 and 14.
Fourthly:-In cycle gear cases having spring-organized foundation framings;
detachably connecting the leather or like covering to the frame by spring sockets
or eyelets upon the one part engaging over studs upon the other part, substantially
as described and set forth.
CHINO way of try 1893
CHARLES BLOOR,
By Henry Skerrett,
24, Temple Row, Birmingham, Agent for Applicant.