Improvements in Joints for the Frames of Velocipedes and Vehicles of Similar Construction
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Sept., 1897-Accepted, 11th Dec., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
"Improvements in Joints for the Frames of Velocipedes and
Vehicles of Similar Construction."
I, ALBERT AUGUSTUS POPE, of Cohasset, in the County of Norfolk, State of
Massachusetts, United States of America, Manufacturer, 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 :-
The object of any invention is to provide an improved joint or coupling means fo
securing the several members of a vehicle-frame together with the respective parts
in the proper relation with reference to each other and to the central plane of the
frame. To this end my invention consists of the several features of construction of
the parts of the frame and the combination of such parts as nereinafter described and
more particularly recited in the claims.
Referring to the drawings
Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a part of a vehicle frame near the joint with
parts cut in section to show construction.
Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of a part of the frame near a joint of modified
form.
Figure 3 is a view in cross section through the frame on plane denoted by line xx
of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a view in side elevation of a like part of a frame showing a further
modification of the joint.
In the accompanying drawings only so much of a vehicle frame as is needed to
show the relation of the improvement to the structure as a whole is shown, and in
such drawings the letter a denotes a bracket-member, or forging, of the frame and b a
tubular member.
The bracket-member a is provided with a cylindrical projection or tang c to which
the end a of the tubular member b is closely fitted. In some of the several forms
shown in the drawings, the tang is provided with a sloping or tapered surface d,
which may be called a cam, into contact with which the end of the tubular member is
forced by means of the clamping nut or collar e; and in these instances the screw-
threaded nut fits upon a screw-threaded part on the bracket-member.
The outer end of the tang c shown in Figure 1 of the drawings tapers, and back of
it the screw-threaded part is located, the nut e extending over this tapered part
and contracting towards its outer end to conform on its inner surface substantially
to the slope of the cam. The flared end a¹ of the tube b fits upon the cam and is
drawn firmly to its seat thereon by screwing the nut or collar e upon the tang.
In the form of connecting means shown in Figure 2 the several parts of the
bracket are substantially the same in shape and relative location as are like parts as
shown in Figure 1, but the collar has at its outer end an internal shoulder which is
arranged to engage the outer edge of a split ring g which is tapered to fit upon the
flaring end of the tube. As this ring is drawn toward the bracket by means
of the nut it clainps the tube end firmly upon the tang and unites securely the two
members of the frame.

page_text: In Figure 4 the tube m is provided with a re-inforce n which projects a short
distance beyond a shoulder m¹ formed by the out-turned end of the tube. The
bracket o has a cylindrical opening o¹ through the tang ? which is counterbored and
threaded on its inner surface, a shoulder pl being provided within the tang with its
face arranged to receive the out-turned end of the tube, the surface of the shoulder
being preferably tapered as shown so that the tube may be fitted to its bearing by
turning out more or less of its end after which the nut q having its outer surface
threaded for part of its length is screwed into the tang, the inner end of the nut
conforming to the shape of the out-turned end of the tube. This last described
means serves not only to secure the bracket and tubular members to each other, but the 1
projecting end of the tube which fits within the opening in the tang centers the
tube with reference to the bracket.
It is obvious that the tapered part which is formed on the inner surface of the nut
or collar may also be formed on an intermediate part, as a split ring, the said
intermediate part being connected to and movable with the collar for the purpose of 1
clamping the parts together.
'
While the ring g has been described herein as a split ring, this being the
preferred form of construction, it is obvious that a continuous ring may be employed
for the same purpose, the ring being placed on the tube before forming the flange
on the end, or in any other desired inanner mounted thereon.
•
It is evident that my improvements are also applicable in cases where the longer
frame-members are made solid instead of tubular. For example, such longer frame-
members are made with hollow, recessed or cupped ends, expanded, flared or
otherwise shaped and adapted to receive the projection or tang c (or its equivalent)
of the bracket-member a.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. In combination, in a vehicle-frame having bracket-members and separable
tubular or longer members, a bracket having a screw-threaded tang with a tapered
surface adapted to receive a tube-end, a tubular or longer member having its end
tapered to fit upon the tang, and a clamping nut or collar surrounding the tube-end
and having a screw-thread fitting upon the screw-threaded part of the tang and
clamping the tube-end between the tapered surface on the tang and collar respec-
tively, all substantially as described.
2. In combination, in a vehicle-frame, a bracket-member with a screw-threaded
tang and a tapered surface, a tubular or longer member having its end tapered to fit
upon the tang, a loose ring having a tapered inner surface fitting upon the flaring
end of the said tubular or longer member, and a clamping nut with a shoulder
formed to engage the edge of the loose ring and a screw-threaded portion fitting
upon the screw-threaded part of the tang, all substantially as described.
3. In combination, in a vehicle-frame, a bracket-member having a screw-threaded
tang with a central opening, a tubular member having a reinforce less in diameter
than the tube and with its end projecting through the socket in the tang, and a collar
with a screw-thread arranged to engage the screw-threaded portion of the tang and
having a shoulder fitting against a shoulder on the tube, all substantially as
described.
Dantfond Cann IT SA Sentember 7th 1897