Improvements in and relating to the Frames of Bicycles and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to the Frames of Bicycles and the like.
I, FRANK DELBERT MALTBY, of 10, Clinton Street, in the Borough of Brooklyn,
in the City of New York, and State of New York, United States of America,
Mechanical Expert, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
The objects of my invention are to construct a bicycle-frame in such a manner
that it may be changed from a "diamond "to a "drop" or "loop" frame and to so
arrange the said construction as to make the change easy, effectual, and to render
both designs of frame as near like the general designs corresponding therewith as
possible.
An
The lower main tube the diagonal and chain stays are connected in the ordinary
manner with the crank yoke or bottom bracket which is likewise of ordinary con-
struction. The said tube lower main tube is rigidly and ordinarily connected to
the steering post, though any rigid construction will answer the purpose.
arched (preferably) tubular piece is connected rigidly at its ends with the lower main
and diagonal tubes a proper distance above the bottom bracket. The arc of this
piece preferably conforms to the arc of a circle, having the centre of the bottom
bracket or yoke for a centre. Two lugs project upwardly from and form a part
of the said arc and between the said lugs is formed in the said arc a slot or hole.
From the top the said lugs have, preferably, a rounded shape, and a similarly-
shaped and preferably hollow cap, having the flange or rim, is adapted to be fitted
over the said lugs and hole to cover the latter when the said lugs have no engage-
ment with the top stay-tube of the machine. From the inside of the said cap pro-
jects into the hole a tenon, and a hole is formed laterally through the said lugs and
the said tenon, through which a bolt is adapted to pass to hold the said cap securely
in place to prevent entrance of dirt or grit. A small hole is formed through the
stay-tube at the point of connection with it of the arc, and some felt or other thick
packing is placed in the said tube between the said hole and the crank-shaft yoke
or bottom bracket, an opening being made into the said bracket from the said tube.
This device, as will be readily seen, serves as an efficient oiler, allowing the oil
injected after passing through the hole, to drain slowly through the felt into the
space in the said bottom bracket.
The top stay, or upper main tube which forms a novel feature of this invention,
is formed of a tube, having at its forward end a tenon, which fits into a bifurcated
projection, forming part of a clamp, which slidably encircles the front post, the said
projection being split, to form the said bifurcation. A hole passes through these
said projections and through the said tenon, and a bolt is introduced therein
and provided with a nut, which when turned up clenches the clamp tightly and
immovably on the steering post and binds the tenon of the tube securely with the
arms of the said clamp, thereby rigidly connecting the said stay-tube with the
post. The aforesaid bolt hinges the said stay to the clamp. The opposite or rear

page_text: end of the said stay has a tenon, which is adapted to pass between and to be
held by projections of a bifurcated portion of a clamp, which surrounds the diagonal
or vertical post and is split to form the said clamp.
The rear upper stays are each movably or rigidly connected with one of the
aforesaid projections by means of a sleeve, passing through a hole in the flattened
end of said stays and into and through a hole formed in the said projection, corre-
sponding to one and both of the stay-tubes. A flange is preferably formed on each
sleeve. Bosses are preferably raised on the side of each of the projections and a bolt
passes through said sleeves, projections and the tenon of the stay and by means of
a clamp-nut clamps the said parts firmly together and rigidly holds, likewise, the
seat-post in the diagonal tube and clamp.
Though I consider the construction herein set forth the most desirable form, still
I do not limit myself to the exact details of construction described, as I am aware
of other ways of accomplishing the same. Neither do I confine myself to the
general construction described as I am aware that modifications can be made
without departure from the nature of the invention.
By withdrawing the bolt the end of the upper main tube may be dropped from
its position, when, the bolt being loosened, the clamp is slid upwardly on the
steering post. The tenon is then guided into the mortise of the arched piece: A
bolt is inserted in the hole and drawn tight with its nut. The nut of the bolt of
the clamp (which is now in its normal position) is then tightened, the said clamp
thereby connecting the stay-tube rigidly with the steering post. The bolt is
replaced in the clamp and its nut tightened, and the said machine is converted into
a ladies machine.
The arc besides serving as a catch for the tube serves to greatly strengthen the
machine-frame and to reduce the vibrations thereof.
On the whole this machine has the advantage over other forms of convertible
machines in that in whichever form of machine it assumes the fact of its
convertibility is almost totally disguised.
T
1011 1
11000
•
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in and relating to the Frames of Bicycles and the like.
I, FRANK DELBERT MALTBY, of 10, Clinton Street, in the Borough of Brooklyn,
in the City of New York, and State of New York, United States of America,
Mechanical Expert, 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 objects of my invention are to construct a bicycle-frame in such a manner
that it may be changed from a diamond" to a "drop or "loop" frame and to so
arrange the said construction as to make the change easy, effectual, and to render
both designs of frame as near like the general designs corresponding therewith as
possible.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved cycle-frame, partly broken away,
showing two arrangements of the said construction.
Figure 2 is an enlarged broken side elevational view of the improved front post
of Figure 1, with a portion of the connecting top stay-tube and its clamp.

page_text: Figure 4 is a broken side elevational view of a portion of the vertical stay,
back stays, and top stay-tube of the frame and the clamp for the latter and for the
seat-post a portion of which latter is shown.
Figure 5 is a top view of Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a similar view to Figure 5 in cross-section, which is taken on the
line 1-1 of Figure 4.
Figure 7 is a top view of a mortise-joint formed on the lower part or arch of the
frame of Figure 1, and
Figure 8 is a cross-section of Figure 7, with a cap in position, taken on the
line 2-2 of Figure 7.
Figure 1 represents a bicycle-frame consisting of the ordinary stay-tubes a, b, C, d
and e.
The tubes a, b, and e are connected in the ordinary manner with the
crank yoke or bottom bracket f, which is likewise of ordinary construction. The
said tube b is rigidly and ordinarily connected to the steering post C though
any rigid construction will answer the purpose. A preferably arched tubular
piece g is connected rigidly at its ends with the lower main and diagonal tubes a, b,
a proper distance above the bottom bracket f. The curvature of this piece g
preferably conforms to the arc of a circle, having the centre of the bottom bracket
or yoke for a centre. Two lugs 92 project upwardly from and form a part of the
said piece g, and between the said lugs is formed in the said piece a slot or hole g¹.
From the top the said lugs have, preferably, a rounded shape, as shown in Figure 7,
and a similarly shaped and preferably hollow cap h, having the flange or rim h¹,
is adapted to be fitted over the said lugs and hole to cover the latter when the
said lugs have no engagement with the top stay-tube of the machine. From the
inside of the said cap there projects into the hole g¹ a tenon 2 having a hole g³
formed laterally therethrough and through the lugs through which hole g³ a bolt
is adapted to pass to hold the said cap securely in place to prevent the entrance of
dirt or grit.
A small hole g is formed through the stay-tube b at the point of
connection with it of the piece 9, and some felt g5 or other thick packing is placed
in the said tube b between the said hole and the crank-shaft yoke or bottom
bracket f, an opening being made into the said bracket f from the said tube. This
device, as will be readily seen, serves as an efficient oiler, allowing the oil injected
through g, after passing through the hole g', to drain slowly through the felt into
the space in the yoke f.
The top stay, or upper main tube which forms a novel feature of this invention.
is formed of a tube I, having at its forward end a tenon i, which fits into a bifurcated
projection j, forming part of a clamp J, which encircles the front post C, and is
adapted to slide along the same the said projection J being split, as at 2, to form
the said bifurcation j. A hole passes through these said projections j and through
the said tenoni, and a bolt j is introduced therein and provided with a nut, which
when turned up clenches the clamp J tightly and immovably on the steering post C
and binds the tenon of the tube I securely with the arms j of the said clamp,
thereby rigidly connecting the said stay-tube I with the post C. The aforesaid bolt ji
hinges the said stay L to the clamp J. The opposite or rear end of the said stay
I has a tenon 2, which is adapted to pass hetween and to be held by projection k, k,
of a bifurcated portion of a clamp K, which surrounds the diagonal or vertical
post a, and is split at k to form the said clamp.
The rear upper stays are each movably or rigidly connected with one of the afore-
said projections k by means of a sleeve 2, passing through a hole in the flattened
end of said stays and into and through a hole formed in the said projection k,
corresponding to one and both of the stay-tubes d. A flange is preferably
formed on each sleeve 2. Bosses are preferably raised on the side of each of the
projections k, and a bolt passes through said sleeves, projections k, k, and the
tenon of the stay I and by means of a clamp-nut clamps the said parts firmly
together and rigidly holds, likewise, the seat-post in the diagonal tube a ani
clamp K.

page_text: Though I consider the construction herein set forth the most desirable form, still
I do not limit myself to the exact details of construction described, as I am aware
of other ways of accomplishing the same. Neither do I confine myself to the
general construction described, as I am aware that modifications can be made
without departing from the nature of the invention.
Figure 1 (the wheels in this machine being similar to those in other machines)
represents the style of frame for men and boys' use. By withdrawing the bolt 7
the end of the upper main tube I may be dropped from its position, when, the
bolt j being loosened, the clamp is slid upwardly on the steering post C to the
position represented generally by the dotted lines I, J. The tenon 22 is then
guided into the mortise g¹ of the arched piece g. A bolt is inserted in the hole 2
and drawn tight with its nut. The nut of the bolt of the clamp J (which is now
in its normal position) is then tightened, the said clamp thereby connecting the
stay-tube I rigidly with the steering post C. The bolt 7 is replaced in the
clamp K and its nut tightened, and the said machine is converted into a ladies
machine.
The piece g, besides serving as a catch for the tube. I, serves to greatly strengthen
the machine-frame and to reduce the vibrations thereof.
On the whole this machine has the advantage over other forms of convertible
machines in that in whichever form of machine it assumes the fact of its
convertibility is almost totally disguised.
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. A bicycle-frame adapted to be converted at will into a "drop-frame' or
"diamond frame and provided with a strut spanning the angle between the lower
front reach and the seat-post, a brace-rod connected at one end to the upper
portion of the steering-post and means for removably connecting the other end
of the brace-rod either to the said strut or to the upper portion of the seat-post,
substantially as set forth.
33
2. A bicycle-frame adapted to be converted at will into a drop-frame or a
"diamond" frame and provided with a strut spanning the angle between the lower
front reach and the seat-post, a brace-rod having a sliding connection at one end
with the upper portion of the steering-post, means for removably connecting the
other end of the brace-rod either to the strut or to the upper portion of the seat-
post and means for securing the said sliding connection in its different adjustments,
substantially as set forth.
3. A bicycle-frame adapted to be converted at will into a "drop-frame" or a
"diamond "frame and provided with a curved strut spanning the angle between the
lower front reach and the seat-post, a brace-rod connected at one end to the
upper portion of the steering-post and means for removably connecting the other
end of the bracg-rod either to the curved strut or to the upper portion of the seat-
post, substantially as set forth.
4. In a convertible vehicle-frame having a front post, a seat-support, a crank-
hanger, stays connected therewith, and a movable connecting-piece to connect the
said front post and the said seat-support, the said connecting-piece being adapted
to slide upon said front post, a tenon formed on one end of said connecting-piece, a
rigid arched piece or tube forming a portion of the said frame between the said
stays adjacent to and above the said crank-hanger, one or more lugs rigidly formed
on the said arched piece or tube, the said tenon being adapted to fit against or
between the said lugs, and having a hole to register with a hole formed through
the said lugs, and a bolt passing through the said hole and having a nut to secure
the said connecting piece, by means of the said tenon and lug or lugs to the said
lower portion of the frame, substantially as set forth.
5. In a convertible vehicle-frame having a front post, a seat-support, a crank-
hanger, stays connected therewith, and a movable connecting-piece to connect the

page_text: said front post and the said seat-support, the said connecting-piece being adapted
to slide upon said front post, a tenon formed on one end of said connecting-piece, a
rigid arched piece or tube forming a portion of the said frame between the said
stays adjacent to and above the said crank-hanger, one or more lugs rigidly formed
on the arched piece or tube, the said tenon being adapted to fit against or between
the said lugs, and having a hole to register with a hole formed through the lugs
of the said arched tube, a hole passing through one of the stay-tubes in connection
with said arched tube, a packing substance compressed with the portion of the said
stay-tube between the said arched tube and the said crank-hanger, and a cap
fitting detachably over said lugs a hole passing through the said lugs and the said
tenon, and a bolt passing through the said hole and having a nut to secure the
said connecting-piece, by means of the said tenon and lug or lugs, to the said lower
portion of the frame, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 9th day of Januar 1800
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.