Improvements in and relating to the Frames of Bicycles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 29th July, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 21st May, 1897-Accepted, 24th July, 1897.
Improvements in and relating to the Frames of Bicycles.
I JOSEPH JONES of 35 Whittall Street Birmingham in the County of Warwick
Bicycle Manufacturer and Gun Maker do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention consists in making a bicycle-frame in such a manner that one frame
can be used either in the make-up of a gentlemans bicycle or in the make up of a
ladies bicycle.
In carrying out my invention I construct what is technically known as a diamond-
frame, namely the saddle-tube taking at its bottom end into the pedal-bracket
and thence carried upwards in an angular direction so that its top-end is considerably
behind the axis of pedal-bracket; from the top and bottom ends of slanting saddle-
tube extends backwards the double tubes forming an opening in which the back-wheel
of bicycle revolves; the two sets of tubes forming the back wheel receiving-cheeks
meet at an angle near the slot that receives the back wheel spindle.
I next carry a tube (henceforward called the front-wheel-tube) from branch socket
of pedal-bracket to handle-bar guide-tube, just above the root of fork and so complete
the diamond-frame of gentlemans bicycle excepting the top-tube that connects the
top end of saddle-tube to top end of handle-bar guide-tube (or steering-tube).
The essential part of my invention consists in so constructing the top-tube aforesaid
that it can be secured in the ordinary position from top of saddle-tube to top of
handle-bar guide-tube for use as a gentlemans bicycle-frame or moved into a suitable
position to permit of the frame being used as a ladies bicycle-frame, and the method
of construction is as follows:-
The ball-head of handle-bar steering-tube is provided with a new shaped tube-
fitting so shaped as to form a hinge-joint with one end of the top-tube.
I do not confine myself to one kind of hinge-joint for my adjusting top-tube as I in
some cases use a tennon on the end of top-rail taking into a mortice in the new tube-
fitting at ball-head of handle-bar guide-tube, in other cases the tennon can be on the
fitting and the mortice in end of top-rail. In other cases I provide a ball and socket
joint, a nuckle-joint or any kind of joint that can be utilized in a workman-like
manner to connect the top-tube to the fitting at top of handle-bar guide-tube.
I provide a second additional tube-fitting connected to the top end of saddle-tube
and the moving end of hinged top-tube forms a joint with the saddle-tube-fitting,
this No. 2 joint can be locked by means of a tennon on end of top-tube taking into
mortice in No. 1 tube-fitting, a linch-pin or equivalent bolt passing through the
mortice and tennon, or in lieu of the mortice and tennon joint I utilize any other
suitable and equivalent joint and lock such jointed parts together by suitable
mechanical means.
I next provide the third new tube-fitting and connect such No. 3 fitting to the
lower or front wheel tube of diamond-frame, or to the lower part of saddle-tube at
such a distance from the centre of pedal-bracket that the moving-end of top-tube when
disconnected from No. 2 fitting could be radiated on its hinge-joint to enter the
locking-joint of No. 3 tube-fitting.
In building a diamond-frame to match the ordinary cycle diamond-frame, my

page_text: improved radiating hinged top-bar would take connection in front of pedal-bracket,
thus giving the full depth of frame for ladies skirts, nevertheless I do not in this my
invention confine myself to making connection at front of pedal-cracket, because the
angles of the tubes forming my improved cycle-frame can be such as to perinit of
the end of moving hinged top-tubes taking connection with No. 3 tube-fitting
connected to any suitable part of saddle-tube at its lower end and thus convert the
gentlemans frame into a ladies frame.
It will be readily understood that the utility and cominercial value of my invention
consists in making one frame that can be used for two purposes, so that a complete
bicycle built on one of my improved bicycle-frames could be stocked in a household
and be used by gentlemen with the hinged top-tube locked in its horizontal position to
No. 2 tube-fitting at top of saddle-tube, and also afterwards used by ladies with the
hinged top-tube lowered and locked to No. 3 tube-fitting.
The radiating hinged top-tube may be straight or it may be curved and so produce
when lowered to connect with No. 3 tube-fitting, either a bracket-shaped strut, or a
straight strut, matching the two styles of ladies bicycle-frames.
My invention is suitable for use in application to a frame built from steel-tubing,
or to a frame built from solid bars, or to frames made from hollow or solid wood,
paper-mache, etc., also to frames made from cane, or any other substance suitable for
use in the make up of a bicycle frame..
Dated this 25th day of July 1896.
ALFRED WILLIAM TURNER,
Cobden Buildings, Corporation Street, Birmingham,
Agent for the Applicant.
Improvements in and relating to the Frames of Bicycles.
I JOSEPH JONES of 35 Whittall Street Birmingham in the County of Warwick
Bicycle Manufacturer and Gun Maker do hereby declare the nature of this
nvention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention has for its object "Improvements in and relating to the frames of
bicycles" and refers to those of the diamond safety pattern by which they are readily
convertable from a gentlemans machine into one suitable for a lady or vice versa
while in either case the machines are equally as strong as an ordinary Lady's or
Gentlemans.
In carrying my invention into effect I mount the top or compression bar of the
frame in a gentleman's machine so as to be capable of being instantly changed from
a horizontal position into a position in which it forms one of the strengthening struts
of the Ladys machine and this I effect with a locking joint which is exceedingly
simple & easy to manipulate and strong when locked.
For the purpose of further illustrating my improvements:
Figure is a view of a frame having a straight top bar.
Figure 2 is a similar view but showing the frame with a curved bar.
Figure 3 are views of the locking joint.
Figure 4 is a plan & Figure 5 is an elevation of a modified form of locking joint.
Figures 6 and 7 are also plans & elevations shewing another modification.
Figures 8 and 9 are similar views of a still further form of joint.
In my improved frame the top bar or tube A is hinged at a¹ to the lug of the handle
bar guide tube B and is provided with the joint at the saddle bar end as of the
tube A which enables the said bar to engage with the lug e and also be dropped into

page_text: the position shewn by dotted lines A2 a lug being provided on the front tube D at d'
and so formed at d³ as to receive the end a³ of the top tube A when down a strut e¹
being provided between the lug d and member E. The other parts of the frame
B, D, E and J are similar to the ordinary diamond frame, but the essential part of my
improvement consists in the mounting of the tube A so as to act when down as the
ordinary strut of a Ladys machine to effect which readily the joint C requires to be
most rigid in construction and at the same time easy to manipulate. In the view
shewn by Figure 3 the locking arrangement is shewn in which, when the tube A is
dropped the shaped end as drops into the recess providod for it in the lug at de and
thus immediately becomes the strengthening strut of a ladys machine. The
joint may be locked in this case by a pin F having a flat and half round and a thumb
screw head for operating. I do not confine myself to the particular form of joint
shewn by Figure 3 as I may carry it out as shewn at Figure 4 and 5 in which the
tube A is provided with a dovetailed block H mounted on the screw pin h¹ and entering
a recess c' in the lug C and being locked by the nut K or its equivalent.
In the case of Figure 6 & 7 a butt joint is formed and the end of the tube A is
slotted at M for the lever catch N which is hinged on the pin n' the lug e being
slotted out in a similar manner at P to allow the lever to engage with the pin c² in
the lug e².
In the illustration shewn by Figures 8 and 9 a projection shown by dotted line e
is formed upon the lug e having projecting studs and upon the end of the tube A
the socket S is provided which is capable of being slided back along the tube to enable
the said tube to be brought in a line with the projection upon which the socket S
is slid forward over the projection the slots 8¹ being provided in the socket S to engage
with the studs e and are so curved as to allow the socket S to be turned, by which
means the socket is locked in position and prevented from sliding back. The studs S²
are provided on the socket for assistance in turning same when locked.
My invention is suitable for use in application to a frame built from steel tubing or
to a frame built from solid bars or to a frame made from hollow or solid wood, paper
mache, etc., also to frames made from cane or any other substances suitable for use
in the make up of a bicycle frame.
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 :-
The convertible frame in which the member A is made to act as a strengthening
strut both when used as a Ladys and Gentlemans machine with the means for locking
the same substantially such as herein set forth & shewn upon the drawings.
Deted this 17th day of May 1907
JOSEPH JONES.