An Improved Form of Tubular Joint for the Construction of Tubular Framework.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Dec., 1887
Complete Left, 6th June, 1888
Complete Accepted, 20th July, 1888
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Form of Tubular Joint for the Construction of
Tubular Framework.
We, WILLIAM LEE of 139 Cannon Street E.C. Ironmaster, and DAVID WIGGINS
of 677 Commercial Road, East, Limehouse E., Manager for the Gospel Oak Iron
Company, Limehouse Branch, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
Our invention relates to an improved method of making tubular joints for the
construction of tubular framework and it has for its objects, First, increased strength
by forming the joint piece out of sheet metal stamped, blocked or beut into the
no machining is
desired shaped, Secondly reduction in cost of manufacture as
necessary after the joint piece is taken from the dies, and thirdly reduction in weight
as the fibre or grain of the metal is not subjected to distortion but follows the lines
of the piece without great deviation therefrom thereby giving maximum strength
with minimum weight.
We attain these objects by constructing the joint pieces out of sheet metal preferably
steel, stamped, blocked or bent into the desired shape, and by so forming or shaping
the ends of the tubes to be joined, that they to a certain extent coincide with the
shape of the joint piece and so preserve the outline of the joint. The joint piece
may consist of one or more pieces according to the shape of the joint, or for
convenience of construction.
In joining together two tubes at right angles to one another we make the joint
piece as follows -We take a flat strip of steel or other suitable metal and stamp or
block it into a rectangular shape with a transverse curve in the centre of its length,
and with its ends on each side of the said curve, curved longitudinally. This piece of
metal is then blocked or bent to bring the longitudinally curved ends together which
thus forms a hollow T-shaped piece, the transverse curve forming the hollow horizontal
part thereof, and the two longitudinally curved ends the tubular vertical part. One of
the tubes to be joined together is inserted in the hollow horizontal part of the T-shaped
joint piece, and the other tube is fitted over the vertical part of the said joint and
piece the end of the said tube being stamped or blocked to form a "tulip-shaped
3:

page_text: mouth to fit and coincide with the shoulder of the said T-shaped joint piece. The
several parts are then pinned and brazed together in the ordinary manner.
In joining two or more tubes together to form a cross frame, we take two of the
rectangular strips stamped or blocked with transverse and longitudinal curves as
hereinbefore described, and instead of bending them to form a T-shaped piece, we
lay the two together to form a straight tubular piece with a transverse circular eye
in the centre of its length. Over the circular ends of this straight tubular piece we
fit the ends of the tubes to form the frame, the ends of the said tubes being stamped
or blocked to a "tulip-shape "as and for the purpose hereinbefore described. The
other tube or tubes of the frame is or are inserted in the transverse hole of the joint
piece and all are then pinned and brazed together.
In constructing these joint pieces for commercial use we form by stamping or
blocking short tulip-shaped" pieces for encircling the split tubular parts thereof
throughout a portion only of their lengths. In using these joint pieces the ends of
the tubes are left square and butt up against the square ends of the "tulip-shaped"
pieces.
It will be obvious that joint pieces as hereinbefore described may be constructed of
any desired shape, to connect together one two or more of the tubular members of a
frame at any desired angle with respect to each other, and that it is equally applicable
if one or more members of the said frame are solid instead of tubular; equally also
the joint pieces may be made of the necessary shape to join together square,
hexagonal or other irregular shaped tubular or solid parts of framework.
Joint pieces constructed as hereinbefore described are much stronger and lighter
than the cast or drop-stamped joint pieces hitherto used, and as they require no
machining either to produce the desired fit, or to reduce their bulk as cast or drop-
stamped joint pieces do, a very considerable reduction in the cost of manufacture is
obtained.
Our improved form of tubular joint may be used for any purpose where two or
more tubes, either in combination with or without solid bars or their equivalent,
required to be joined together at a right or any other angle with respect to
each other; and we do not limit ourselves to the application of the said joint to any
particular article or manufacture, but we enumerate some of the purposes to which
our invention may be applied; the frames of all types of Velocipedes, the frames of
perambulators, hand carts, carriages or other road vehicles, the frames of machinery,
the frames of bedsteads and the like, and also for balustrades, banisters, palisades,
gates and the like.
1004
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicants.

page_text: DIECIFICATION.
An Improved Form of Tubular Joint for the Construction of
Tubular Framework.
We, WILLIAM LEE of 139 Cannon Street E.C. Ironmaster, and DAVID WIGGINS
of 677 Commercial Road East, Limehouse, E. Manager for the Gospel Oak Iron
Company, Limehouse Branch, 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 :-
Our invention relates to an improved method of making tubular joints for the
construction of tubular framework, and it has for its objects; First, increased strength
by forming the joint piece out of sheet metal stamped, blocked, or bent, into the
desired shape. Secondly, reduction in cost of manufacture, as no machining is
necessary after the joint piece is taken from the dies; and thirdly reduction in weight,
as the fibre or grain of the metal is not subjected to distortion, but follows the lines
of the piece without great deviation therefrom, thereby giving maximum strength
with minimum weight.
We attain these objects by constructing the joint pieces out of sheet metal,
preferably steel, stamped, blocked or bent into the desired shape, and by so forming
or shaping the ends of the tubes to be joined that they to a certain extent coincide
with the shape of the joint piece and so preserve the outline of the joint. The joint
piece may consist of one or more members according to the shape of the joint, or for
convenience of construction.
In the accompanying drawings Figures 1. 2. 3 and 4 Sheet No. 1 are views showing
the construction of a T-shaped joint for two round tubes at right angles to one
another. Figures 5, 6. 7. and 8. Sheet No. 1. are views showing the construction of
a cross-shaped joint for two round tubes at right angles to one another. Figures 9,
10. and 11. Sheet No. 2. are views showing the construction of a cross-shaped joint
for square tubes at right angles to one another; and Figures 12. 13. and 14. are
views showing the construction of an elbow joint for round tubes.
Throughout these views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4. Sheet No. 1. of the accompanying drawings:
We take a flat strip of steel or other suitable metal A and stamp or block it into a
rectangular shape, with a transverse curve in the centre of its length, and with its
ends-on each side of the said curve-curved longitudinally as illustrated by Figures 1.
and 2. Sheet No. 1. This piece of metal A is then blocked or bent to bring the
longitudinally curved ends together as shown by Figure 3. Sheet No. 1. which thus
forms a hollow T-shaped piece, the transverse curve forming the hollow part thereof,
and the two longitudinally curved ends the tubular part. One of the two tubes A
and A, to be joined together, is inserted in the hollow part of the T-shaped joint
iece, and the other is fitted over the tubular part of the said joint piece as illustrated
by Figures 3. and 4. Sheet No. 1; the tubes Â' and A' being shown in dot and dash

page_text: lines. The end of the tube fitting over the tubular part of the joint is stamped or
blocked to form a tulip-shaped mouth, to fit and coincide with the shoulder of the
said T-shaped joint piece. The several parts are then pinned and brazed together in
the ordinary way.
Referring to Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8. Sheet No. 1 of the accompanying drawings:-
In joining two or more tubes together to form a cross frame, we take two of the
rectangular strips A, A stamped or blocked with transverse and longitudinal curves
as hereinbefore described; but instead of bending them to form a T-shaped piece, we
lay the two together to form a straight tubular piece with a transverse circular eye in
the centre of its length. Over the circular ends of this straight tubular piece we fit
the ends of the tubes A2 forming two arms of the cross frame, and in the circular
eye we fit the tube or tubes A¹ to form the other arms of the cross frame as illustrated
by Figure 7. Sheet No. 1. The ends of the tubes A2 are blocked to a tulip-shape, to
fit and coincide with the joint piece and to preserve the outline of the said joint. The
several parts are then pinned and brazed together.
In constructing these joint pieces for commercial use we form by stamping, or
blocking, short tulip-shaped pieces A³ as illustrated by Figure 8. Sheet No. 1. for
encircling the split tubular parts of the joint throughout a portion only of their
lengths as illustrated by Figure 7. Sheet No. 1. In using these joint pieces the ends
of the tubes A2 are left square, and butt up against the square ends of the tulip-shaped
pieces A³.
In forming joints for tubes of sections other than round, we proceed as hereinbefore
described making the joint pieces or pieces of a suitable shape to suit the section of
the tubes used.
Figures 9. 10. and 11. Sheet No. 2. of the accompanying drawings illustrate the
construction of a joint for a cross frame of square section tubes.
In forming elbow joints for round tubes we stamp or block two pieces of metal A
into the shape and section shown by Figures 12. and 13. Sheet No. 2. respectively.
These pieces are then laid together to form a tubular elbow, and the ends of the
tubes A¹, or the tulip-shaped pieces A³, are slipped over their ends, which are
preferably reduced in size to preserve the outline of the joint as illustrated by Figure 14.
Sheet No. 2, and the several parts are then pinned and brazed together in the usual
manner.
Elbow joints for tubes of a section other than round are constructed in a similar
manner, the pieces A being shaped to correspond with the section of the tubes used.
It will be obvious that joint pieces may be constructed of other shapes than those
herein before described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, to connect
together one, two, or more of the tubular members of a frame, of a round or any
other section, at any desired angle with respect to each other, and that they are
equally applicable to the construction of frames having one or more of its members
solid instead of tubular.
Joint pieces constructed as herein before described are much stronger, and lighter
than the cast, drop-stamped, or forged joint pieces hitherto used, and as they require
no machining either to produce the desired fit, or to reduce their bulk, as cast,
drop-stamped, or forged joint pieces do, a very considerable reduction in the cost of
manufacture is obtained.
Our improved form of tubular joint may be used for any purpose where two or
more tubes, either in combination with or without solid bars or their equivalent,
require to be joined together at a right or any other angle with respect to each other,
and we would have it understood that we do not limit ourselves to the exact construc-
tion and arrangement of parts herein shown and described, but hold ourselves at
liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope
of our invention. Furthermore we wish it to be understood that we do not limit
ourselves to the application of the said joint to the framework of any particular
article or manufacture, but hold ourselves at liberty to use the said joint for the
construction of framework for any purpose, and we enumerate the following to
indicate some of the many uses to which our invention may be applied, viz-the

page_text: frames of all types of velocipedes; the frames of perambulators, hand carts,
carriages, or other road vehicles; the frames of machinery; the frames of bedsteads,
and the like; and also for balustrades, banisters, palisades, gates, and the like.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. Constructing the joints of tubular frames in the manner and for the purpose
set forth.
2. Forming the joint piece or pieces for the construction of tubular framework out
of sheet metal, blocked, stamped, or bent into shape, as and for the purpose
set forth.
3. Forming the T-shaped joint of a tubular frame as hereinbefore set forth, and
illustrated by Figures 1. 2. 3. and 4. Sheet No. 1 of the accompanying drawings.
4. Forming the cross-joint of a tubular frame as hereinbefore set forth, and illus-
trated by Figures 5. 6. 7. and 8. Sheet No. 1. and Figure 9. 10. and 11. Sheet No. 2.
of the accompanying drawings.
5. Forming the elbow joint of a tubular frame as hereinbefore set forth, and
illustrated by Figure 12. 13. and 14. Sheet No. 2. of the accompanying drawings.
6. In a joint for tubular framework, the combination of one or more pieces A
stamped, blocked, or bent into the required shape, and of one or more pieces A³
stamped, or blocked to fit over, and coincide with, the piece or pieces A, as and for
the purpose set forth.
7. In a joint for the construction of a frame composed of two or more tubular or
solid members, of a round or other section the use of one or more pieces A; stamped,
blocked, or bent into the desired shape as set forth.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicants.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicants.