Improvements in the Means of Attachment between the Bottom Brackets and Framings of Cycles.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Nov., 1890-Accepted, 20th Dec.. 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Means of Attachment between the Bottom
Brackets and Framings of Cycles.
I, EDWARD LISLE, trading as Sharratt and Lisle, of the Star Cycle Works,
Wolverhampton in the County of Stafford, Cycle 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
A bottom bracket of a cycle (that is a bracket which carries the crank axle when
power is transmitted to the driving axle through the medium of chain or other
gear), as ordinarily attached to the framing of a cycle, is brazed direct to the middle
tube (when such is employed) and other members of the frame, and the bearings
formed therein are liable to be injured by the heat employed in brazing; moreover,
a bracket so fixed cannot be removed for packing or repair. These inconveniences
have been avoided by the use of what is known as a "swing" bracket, which is
connected with the framing by means of a transverse pin which passes through ears on
the bracket and through a block which is brazed to the middle tube (when such is
employed) and to other members of the framing just as the ordinary bracket is
usually brazed thereto. The swing bracket, however, being connected with the
block by a transverse pin, is not found to be as rigid as is desirable, notwithstanding
that an adjusting pin for use in tightening up the chain is employed.
Now, this invention has for its object simple means by which the bottom bracket
may be connected with perfect rigidity with the framing, and be readily detached
therefrom, and replaced again with the utmost facility.
The above purpose is effected, according to this invention, by brazing the end of
the middle tube (when such is employed) and the ends of any other members which
it has hitherto been usual to fix to the bracket, to a block (as in the case of the
block for the attachment of a swing bracket), and fixing the bracket independently to
such block by means of screw or cotter bolts or shanks, formed with or rigidly fixed
to the bracket and passing through holes formed to receive them in the block, such
bolts or shanks being readily unscrewed or uncottered when the bracket is to be
removed.
Figure 1 illustrates in side elevation the bracket and fixed block, aforesaid, with
the bracket fixed in place in the block; Figure 2 is a front elovation of Figure 1;
and Figure 3 is a plan thereof. In each figure the inner ends of the tubes are shewn
by broken lines, as is also the chain wheel carried by the axle. The cranks are
omitted, for convenience of illustration.
The block A is, preferably, stamped in steel, and is formed with projections or
plugs a, as is usual with parts of like character which are to be brazed to the tubes,
to enter within the ends of the tubes and be brazed therein. The main length of
the block is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the machine, and through the ends b
hereof are formed taper holes. The bottom bracket B has taper shanks formed
berewith; and, to fix the bracket to the block A, these taper shanks are pushed up
nto the taper holes through the ends 6 of the block, and the bracket is securely held
o the block by nuts c screwed on to the ends of the shanks, which project above the
block for this purpose. A perfectly rigid connection is thus formed between the
racket B and block A, and the bracket may be readily removed by simply
inscrewing the nuts c and drawing the shanks out of the holes in the block.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
on, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
laim is :-
:―
1. A bottom bracket of a cycle. having screw or cotter balta
n

page_text: therewith, or fixed rigidly thereto, in combination with a block formed in a separate
piece from the bottom bracket, brazed or otherwise fixed to the portions of the
framing of a cycle which are usually fixed direct to the bottom bracket, and provided
with holes to receive the bolts or shanks of such bracket, substantially as described
for the purpose set forth.
.2. The means of rigidly connecting the bottom bracket of a cycle with the framing
thereof, substantially as described and shewn by the drawings berewith, for the
purpose set forth.
Dated this 13th day of November 1800.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.