Year: 1896

page_text: J, JEAN PIERRE TIHON, of 27 Rue Titon, Paris, France, Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to providing cycles of all kinds with bent-wood frames
that are much lighter and more pliant than the metallic frames now used.
The chief characteristic of my invention is the substitution of bent wood for
the metal now employed in making the frames of cycles thereby giving great
pliancy to machines constructed therewith.
Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the accompanying drawings shown in side elevation, in plan,
and in end elevation respectively, a machine provided with a bent-wood frame,
according to this invention, the saddle and the crank-shaft being removed;
Figs. 4 and 5 show in side elevation and in plan respectively a machine provided
with a bent-wood frame arranged in a slightly different way; and
Fig. 6 shows in elevation a ladies' bicycle with a bent-wood frame.
The bent-wood frame B, which may be of round or other section, is double-
i.e., formed of two like parts which are connected and fixed at their ends to the
sleeve A surrounding the steering-post and which diverge slightly from each other
from this point in order to extend on opposite sides of the rear wheel.
The saddle, the rear wheel, and the crank shaft are fixed to the wooden frame by
means of straps, chairs or brackets C, D, E, which surround the wood of the frame
so that this wood is never cut into or perforated, and consequently its strength is
preserved intact.
These chairs or brackets are fixed on the wood of the frame by tightening or
by means of collars or of straps whereby not only is the wood not weakened but
every person who uses a machine is enabled to adjust the position of the saddle,
the crank-axle, and even the rear wheel, to suit his convenience.
As my invention is applicable to cycles of all kinds, the other parts, such as the
wheels, pedals, handle-bar, as well as the mechanism for transmitting motion from
the crank-axle to the driving-wheel, may be of any kind whatever.

page_text: The fork is formed of two straight or bent, and slightly flattened, pieces of
wood F and G fixed at one end to the lower end of the steering-post and embracing
the steering-wheel like ordinary metal forks.
At the ends of the branches of the fork are placed two hoops or ferrules that
serve for fixing the axle of the wheel and for preventing the wood from splitting.
The arrangement indicated in the drawings may be varied with the fashion, and
the taste of customers, but the essential features of my invention will appear in
every cycle having a frame of bent wood instead of metal..
The parts of the frame may be given any desired form. Figs. 1 and 4 represent
in elevation two varieties of safety-bicycle for men and Fig. 6 represents an
arrangement specially adapted for ladies.
The frame, instead of comprising two juxtaposed parts, can be formed from
a single piece of bent wood, accommodation for the rear wheel being then provided
by making a split in the wood, which will enable it to be spread out over the
necessary length.e., from the crank-axle to behind the saddle.
In certain cases it may be useful to give rigidity to various parts of the machine
whilst preserving the comfort and the pliancy produced by the employment of
the bent wood. The frames may then be what may be termed mixed-i.e., certain
parts may be of metal and the others of bent wood.
When I wish to give rigidity to the frame, I may connect the parts B by a tie H
and the front part A with the rear curve L by a rod J fixed to a ball K from
which extend two ties I (see Fig. 1) arranged on opposite sides of the wheel. In
this way great rigidity can be given to the frame. These arrangements may, of
course, be varied. Thus, a single or double cross-piece H attached at each side of
the crank-axle may be employed, the upper part of the frame connected to the
lower part by a strut M. as shown in Fig. 4.1
Dated this 1st of December 1896.
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION..
Improvements in Cycles.
I, JEAN PIERRE TIHON, of 27 Rue Titon, Paris, France, Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This invention relates to providing cycles of all kinds with bent-wood frames
that are much lighter and more pliant than the metallic frames now used.
The chief characteristic of my invention is the substitution of bent wood for
the metal now employed in making the frames of cycles which gives great pliancy
to machines constructed therewith.
When a person travels on a cycle of this kind he becomes much less fatigued
than in the case of cycles whose frames are of metal.
This result is due to the rational employment of bent wood and also to the
particular forms given to the various parts of the frame, which have, under the
circumstances, a very real importance as regards the practical advantages of this
safety bicycle.
Not only has the employment of bent wood the effect of greatly reducing the
vibration, but its fibrous structure causes there to be no danger of the sudden
breakages that sometimes occur with metal frames.

page_text: Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings filed with my Provisional Specification show
in side elevation, in plan, and in end elevation respectively a machine provided
with a bent-wood frame according to this invention, the saddle and the crank-
shaft, cranks, and pedals being removed;
Figs. 4 and 5 show in side elevation and in plan respectively a machine provided
with a bent-wood frame arranged in a slightly different way; and
Fig. 6 shows in elevation a ladies' bicycle with a bent-wood frame.
The bent-wood frame B, which may be of round or other section, is double-
i.e., formed of two like parts which are connected and fixed at their ends to the
sleeve A surrounding the steering-post and which diverge slightly from each other
from this point in order to extend on opposite sides of the rear wheel.
The saddle, the rear wheel, and the crank-shaft are fixed to the wooden frame by
means of straps, chairs or brackets C, D, E, which surround the wood of the frame
so that this wood is never cut into or perforated, and consequently its strength is
preserved intact.
These chairs or brackets are fixed on the wood of the frame by tightening or
by means of collars or of straps whereby not only is the wood not weakened but
every person who uses the cycle is enabled to adjust the position of the saddle, the
crank-axle, and even the rear wheel, to suit his convenience.
As my invention is applicable to cycles of all kinds, the other parts, such as the
wheels, pedals, handle-bar, as well as the mechanism for transmitting motion from
the crank-axle to the driving-wheel, may be of any kind whatever.
The fork is formed of two straight or bent, and slightly flattened, pieces of
wood F and G fixed at one end to the lower end of the steering-post and embracing
the steering-wheel like ordinary metal forks.
At the ends of the branches of the fork are placed two hoops or ferrules that
serve for fixing the axle of the wheel and for preventing the wood from splitting.
The arrangement indicated in the drawings may be varied with fashion, and
the taste of customers, but the essential features of my invention will appear in
every cycle having a frame of bent wood instead of metal.
The parts of the frame may be given any desired form. Figs. 1 and 4 represent
in elevation two varieties of safety-bicycle for men and Fig. 6 represents an
arrangement specially adapted for ladies.
The frame, instead of comprising two juxtaposed parts, may be formed from
a single piece of bent wood, accommodation for the rear wheel being then provided
by making a split in the wood, which will enable it to be spread out over the
necessary length-i.c., from the crank-axle to behind the saddle.
In certain cases it may be useful to give rigidity to various parts of the machine
whilst preserving the comfort and the pliancy produced by the employment of
the bent wood. The frames may then be what may be termed mixed-i.c., certain
parts may be of metal and the others of bent wood.
When I wish to give rigidity to the frame, I may connect the parts B by a tie H
and the front part A with the rear curve L by a rod J fixed to a ball K from
which extend two ties I (see Fig. 1) arranged on opposite sides of the wheel. In
this way great rigidity can be given to the frame. These arrangements may, of
course, be varied. Thus, a single or double cross-piece H attached at each side of
the crank-axle may be employed, and the upper part of the frame connected to
the lower part by a strut M as shown in Fig. 4.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. Making cycle-frames of bent wood.
2. Making cycle-frames of bent wood without any incision or perforation capable
of diminishing the strength of the frames, the various parts attached to the frames
being fixed thereto by means of collars or brackets.
3. A cycle-frame constructed as hereinbefore described with reference to and

page_text: shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, in Figs. 4 and 5, or in Fig. 6 of the drawings referred
to.
Dated this 24th day of July 1897
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.