Improvements in Joints or Connections for Tubular Frame Work.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Nov., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Sept., 1898-Accepted, 3rd Nov.,
1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Joints or Connections for Tubular Frame Work.
I, WILLIAM MILLS, Engineer, of Bonner's Field, Sunderland, in the County of
Durham, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to joints or connections for tubular frame work, such as
exists for example in cycles and has for its object to obviate the usual brazing
system with its accompanying disadvantages by the provision of simple and handy
mechanical means for effecting the requisite junctions.
According to my improvements, 1 employ a divided or split ferrule, tubular
piece or sleeve to fit within the tube at its end requiring juncture in the socket,
said ferrule being adapted to receive a wedge or wedges detachable from an operat-
ing member, screw or screws working in an internal nut or nuts, so that on the
proper manipulation of the screw or screws or the like the wedge or wedges is or
are pressed into the division of the ferrule thereby effecting its expansion to force
the contiguous surfaces of the tube and socket firmly into contact, such surfaces
being either wholly or partially smooth, serrated, grooved or corrugated.
To this end in one arrangement, I use a screw, and a nut arranged on the interior
of the ferrule or sleeve. The nut materially assists in binding the tube to the socket
in conjunction with the expansion of the sleeve or tubular part. I make the wedge
in the form of a loose piece or bar joined to the nut spigot and faucet fashion or
otherwise conveniently when the parts are assembled, the screw extremity acting
on the top of the wedge to effect its movement into the ferrule division to make
the joint.
The improved joint herein described will be found in practice to be very efficient
while its use admits of the expeditious connection and disconnection of the frame
whereby many practical benefits ensue.
1
1007
PRYOR & HARVEY,
Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Joints or Connections for Tubular Frame Work.
I, WILLIAM MILLS, Engineer, of Bonner's Field, Sunderland, in the County of
Durham, 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:-
-
My invention relates to joints or connections for tubular frame work such as
exists for example in cycles, and has for its object to obviate the usual brazing

page_text: system with its accompanying disadvantages by the provision of simple and handy
mechanical means for effecting the requisite junctions.
In order that my invention may be fully understood, I will proceed to explain
it with the aid of the annexed drawings illustrating its application to a cycle frame,
from which its other applications will also be evident. Fig. 1 is a part longitudinal
central section with the parts composing the joint in the operative position and
Fig. 2 is a transverse section thereof on the line X-Y; Fig. 3 is an underside
plan and Fig. 4 an end elevation of same showing details.
A is a socket or lug of ordinary form wherein it is required to unite a tube B,
which, in accord with the practice generally followed in mechanical joints of the
type including my invention, preferably has the portion intended to be fitted in
the lug A split as shown at b to facilitate juncture. C is a ferrule, tubúlar piece,
or sleeve divided longitudinally at c and made of an external diameter to fit the
inside of the tube B wherein it is placed for use with the division c in line with
the split b, as represented in Figs. 1 and 2, or not, but I find it best to adopt the
former plan. The ferrule C is adapted to receive a loose wedge D capable of being
pressed into the division c by a screw E acting on its top d, for which purpose the
screw is furnished with an operating part, such as a square head e, notched end or
the like and passed through a plain hole in the socket A, tube B, ferrule C and
a threaded hole in a nut F shaped to be also contained in the latter. The wedge D
is joined to the nut F on assembly so that either may move independently of the
other; this is suitably attained by making the joint spigot and faucet fashion and
to this end, as illustrated clearly in Figs. 3 and 4, the wedge D is provided at each
extremity with an arm or extension d' for entering and sliding in a corresponding
recess or slot f in the nut. The extra thickness of the ferrule C that I have shown
about its division c is for assisting the wedge action hereafter explained and for
obtaining strength and though I recommend same yet it is not really essential.
Preparatory to making the joint, the components C, D and F are assembled with-
in the tube B as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 and for maintaining them in the proper
relative positions to permit free handling of the tube I find it advantageous to con-
nect thein thereto. This connection may be conveniently effected, as exemplified
in Fig. 1, by a small pin G screwed through the tube B and ferrule C into a plain
hole in the nut 1', the object of making this hole plain being to admit the nut's
movement presently described.
To make the joint, the end of the tube B (with the connecting parts) is first:
inserted into the socket A and manipulated until the screw holes coincide; next
the screw E is placed in these holes and turned to pass inwardly whereupon it
comes in contact with the top d of the wedge which is thus moved and eventually
pressed tightly into the division e whereby the ferrule C is expanded to expand the
tube B and force same into firm engagement with the socket A. Simultaneous 4
with the accomplishment of this wedge action by the operation of the screw E, the
nut travels towards and finally bears tightly against the inner surface of the
ferrule C, hence the completeness of the juncture is further insured. On slacking
the screw E, the nut F recedes from the ferrule C and the wedge D is enabled to
leave the division c, consequently the joint can be taken apart.
4
The contiguous surfaces of the tube B and socket A may be serrated, roughened
or otherwise treated to increase the ability to grip each other.
After the joint is made, the part of the screw E projecting beyond the socket A
can be cut off flush with same if desired; also, as a preventative against slacking,
any suitable locking device may be applied to the screw.
The parts may be made of any appropriate material or materials.
In practice I have found the construction of joint herein described very efficient
for aluminium frames, the arrangement of the ferrule, wedge and nut procuring
adequate gripping area and stiffness, while admitting of the expeditious connection
and disconnection of the frame.
As will be obvious, the number of ferrules in one tube, the number of wedges in
one ferrule or the number of operating screws may be varied to meet different cases.
5

page_text: 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:
In joints or connections for tubular frame work, the combination of a longitu-
dinally divided ferrule, tubular piece or sleeve with a wedge or wedges adapted to
be pressed into the division of the ferrule to effect its expansion, substantially as
described.
2-In joints or connections for tubular frame work, the combination of a
longitudinally divided ferrule tubular piece or sleeve C, a wedge D, a screw E
and a nut , all arranged and adapted for use, substantially as herein described
and shown in the annexed drawings.