Improvements in the Frames, Wheel Rims, and Fittings of Bicycles, Tricycles, and similar Light Vehicles.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Jan., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Oct., 1893-Accepted, 25th Nov., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Frames, Wheel Rims, and Fittings of Bicycles,
Tricycles, and similar Light Vehicles.
We, WILLIAM REGINALD RIDINGS, of Derby Road, Weaste, Salford, in the
County of Lancaster, Electrician, NORMAN BURNS, of Grove Street, Wilmslow,
in the County of Chester, Chemist and Druggist, and JAMES RIDINGS, of Derby
Road, Weaste, Salford, aforesaid, Warehouseman, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the construction of light frames, fittings or rims for
wheels for bicycles, tricycles and other vehicles, and is designed with the object of
providing such articles preferably hollow in one homogeneous piece without joints
either brazed welded or otherwise attached one to the other.
It consists essentially in constructing the frame, rim or other special part by
means of depositing electrically a suitable metal such as aluminum, copper or steel
upon a pattern formed of lead or other easily fusible metal or material such as wax
which is a good electrical conductor or capable of being made to conduct a current
of electricity.
In carrying out the invention we construct by casting or other convenient
method a pattern of the frame or the part of the bicycle required in a soft or easily
fusible metal or material. The pattern so formed is of the exact shape of the
article required, but may be slightly less in dimensions to allow for the thickness
of material used.
The pattern is placed in a bath and the metal of which the frame is to be con-
structed is electrically deposited thereon by any well known or suitable method of
electro plating or electro deposition of metals and is continued until the desired
quantity and thickness of metal is deposited all over the pattern. The amount of
metal deposited is sufficient to give the desired strength and elasticity to the frame
the pattern having been previously designed so that where the greater strength is
desired a greater surface is prepared to receive the metal.
When a sufficient quantity of the metal has been deposited and to the required
thickness the frame so formed is taken from the bath and placed in an oven or
furnace of any suitable construction and the temperature raised to such a degree as
will fuse the metal or other material used for the pattern which is then run out of
the interior of the metal deposited upon it thus leaving the frame hollow.
By this invention the frame is constructed practically homogeneous throughout
without any joints and when it leaves the oven it only requires to be enamelled or
polished as desired. In the case of handle bars and other detached fittings or loose
parts of the frame the same process is carried out. For wheel rims and parts of a
similar shape in cross section the electro deposition may be carried on at one side
of the pattern only by coating the other side with a non-conducting material or if
desired they can be made tubular and part of the metal afterwards cut away.
Dated this 23rd day of January 1893
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Bank Street, Manchester, Patent Agents.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Frames, Wheel Rims, and Fittings of Bicycles,
Tricycles, and similar Light Vehicles.
We, WILLIAM REGINALD RIDINGS, of Derby Road, Weaste, Salford, in the
County of Lancaster, Electrician, NORMAN BURNS, of Grove Street, Wilmslow,
in the County of Chester, Chemist and Druggist, and James RIDINGS, of Derby
Road, Weaste, Salford, aforesaid, Warehouseman, 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 the construction of light frames, fittings or rims for
wheels for bicycles, tricycles and other vehicles, and is designed with the object of
providing such articles preferably hollow in one homogeneous piece without joints
either brazed, welded or otherwise attached one to the other.
It consists essentially in constructing the frame, rim or other special part by
means of depositing electrically a suitable metal such as- aluminium, copper, or
steel upon a pattern formed of lead or other easily fusible metal or material such as
wax being a good electrical conductor or capable of being made to conduct a current
of electricity.
In carrying out the invention we construct by casting or other convenient method
a pattern or core of the frame or the part of the bicycle required in a soft or easily
fusible metal or material. The pattern so formed is of the exact shape of the
article required, but may be slightly less in dimensions to allow for the thickness of
material used. We at present employ a pattern or core constructed of lead piping
in the required form or shape the joints therein being made by burning.
The material we at present prefer of which to construct the frames and other
parts is an aluminium bronze and a suitable bath containing about 50 ozs. of metal
from which to deposit this metal may be prepared as follows:-
40 ozs. of copper converted into chloride.
60 ozs. sulphate of aluminium converted into hydrated oxide by means
of liquid ammonia.
Hydrochloric acid.
These are mixed together and the solution boiled with sufficient hydrochloric
acid to dissolve the hydrated oxide.
50 lbs. of caustic soda dissolved in water.
The mixture is again heated for 3 hours.
25 lbs. cyanide of potassium.
The mixture to be again heated for 2 hours.
12 lbs. bicarbonate of potash.
The whole is then boiled for 24 hours until the solution becomes clear.
This bath is to be worked at a temperature of 180° F.
The pattern is placed in a bath and the metal of which the frame is to be con-
structed is electrically deposited thereon by any well known or suitable method of
electro plating or electro deposition of metals and is continued until the desired
quantity and thickness of metal is deposited all over the pattern. Sufficient metal
is deposited to give the desired strength and elasticity to the frame the pattern
having been previously designed so that where the greater strength is desired a
greater surface is prepared to receive the metal.
When a sufficient quantity of the metal has been deposited and to the required
thickness the frame so formed is taken from the bath and placed in an oven or
furnace of any suitable construction and the temperature raised to such a degree as

page_text: will fuse the lead or other metal or material. used for the pattern or core which
is then run out of the interior of the metal deposited upon it thus leaving the frame
hollow. Or the frame may be heated by a blow pipe or in any other convenient
way.
By this invention the frame is constructed practically homogeneous throughout
without any joints and when it leaves the oven it only requires to be enamelled or
polished as desired.
In the case of handle bars and other detached fittings or loose parts of the frame
the same process is carried out.
For wheel rims and parts of a similar shape in cross section the electro deposition
may be carried on at one side of the pattern only by coating the other side with a
non-conducting material or if desired they can be made tubular and part of the
metal afterwards cut away.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
:-
1. The process of constructing the frames, wheel rims and other fittings of
bicycles, tricycles and similar light vehicles without joints which consists in
electrically depositing the metal upon a fusible pattern or core to the desired
thickness and then removing the pattern or core by heating the frame in a furnace
or otherwise to a sufficient degree to melt the pattern and cause it to run out
substantially as described.
2. A frame, rim or other fitting for bicycles, tricycles or the like constructed of
metal electrically deposited upon a pattern or core of lead or other fusible material
which is afterwards melted and removed substantially as described.
Dated this 21st day of October 1893.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Manchester, Liverpool, and London, Patent Agents.