Improvements in the Construction of Cycle Forks.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Sept., 1896-Accepted, 7th Nov., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Cycle Forks.
LOUIS HEATH of 38, Aston Road, Aston near Birmingham, Cycle Fittings.
Manufacturer and HENRY PATTMAN TRUEMAN of 51, Havelock Road, Hands-
worth near Birmingham in the County of Warwick Engineer 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 improvements in cycle forks in which the side blades
and necks are formed of hollow metal tubes. It is desirable that these tubes.
should be made of thin metal in order to reduce the weight, and the object of this
invention is to admit very thin tubes the needed strength being obtained by the
use of a reinforcement or liner consisting of a non metallic substance possessing
the required proportions of elasticity rigidity and specific gravity.
A suitable substance for the purpose, is wood such as ash, hickory or lance wood,.
but any other non metallic substance may be used without departing from the
spirit of this invention.
According to this invention the fork sides and the neck tube are brazed together
in the usual way but one end of each fork side and one end of the neck is left
open; the plug of material is then made of a section adapted to fill up the hollow
tube.
This plug is then forced tightly into the open end of the neck and the fork
sides which are thus rendered extremely strong compared with the weight of the-
whole, constructed as heretofore of thick tubes or reinforced by metal liners.
The end of the said tubes are or may be covered by an ornamental plate. The
ends of the said reinforcements may be slit or divided for some distance for the
purpose of increasing the elasticity of the lines at any desired part of its length.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1. shews a fork one side of which is in section.
Figs. 2 & 3 shew two forms of liner.
Fig. 4. is the ornamental cover plate.
Fig. 1 represents a plate crown fork, brazed up in the usual way, the tubes a, b, c
being left open for the insertion of the liner.
Fig. 2 shews a liner of oval section, slits are made at d, e, f.
The slit d serves to engage with the web g of the cover Fig. 4.
The slits e & fenable the liner to close up to the taper of the sides and also-
to prevent fracture of the metal tubes at the part where the liner ceases.
Fig. 3 is a liner for reinforcing the neck tube C.
Fig. 4. g is a flange or prong on the underside of the cover plate adapted to fit
into the slit d of the oval liner Fig. 2.
At A Fig. 1 the liner and cover plate is shewn in position.
We are aware that wooden and other plugs have been driven into open tubes.
for various purposes, but the particular combination of parts here shewn produce-
a new and useful result which is of great practical value in cycle construction.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :
1st. A cycle fork consisting of hollow tubes reinforced by non metallic liners
substantially as herein described.
2nd. A cycle fork liner of non metallic material having slits for holding on a
cover and slits to increase the flexibility of the ends substantially as described.
3rd. The cover plate for cycle fork ends, having a flange adapted for use in
combination with a non metallic liner substantially as herein described.
HENRY PATTMAN TRUEMAN.