Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Mar., 1897-Accepted, 8th May, 1897
I, PAUL HERRMANN, of 3, Prinz Eugen Strasse, Berlin, in the Kingdom of Prussia
and German Empire, Merchant, 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 present invention relates to the construction of cycles; it is illustrated in the
accompanying drawing in connection with a bicycle of Rover pattern.
In this drawing :-
:-
Figure 1 shows a view of the said cycle, whilst
Figures 2 to 9 illustrate constructional details.
The essential part of my invention consists in that all parts of the cycle excepting
only the spokes, the felloes and treadle cranks as well as the connecting pieces, are
constructed of pleated cane with or without the insertion of a core of wood or of
angle iron, or alternatively in the form of trellis supports, in the manner shown
by the particulars hereinafter described. The section of the frame bars A is shown
in Figures 2 and 2B, that of the hind wheel fork A¹ is shown in Figures 3 and 3B,
although in addition to the arrangements represented other combinations of core S
and cane R are possible. In any case however the frames so constructed are
covered with a woven covering G formed of split cane. The combination of the
separate parts of the frame is effected by means of the usual metal angle pieces
whose tubes nevertheless are all formed as grip sockets K (Figure 4) and have
inwardly a slightly projecting rib r which when it has been pressed by the turning
of the screw s into the cane material, prevents the end of the piece from slipping out.
Figures 5A 5B 5° 5° indicate the construction of the front wheel fork U which has
to resist a great tendency to bending and the halves of which are constructed on this
account in the form of a trellis framework substantially as shown of cane. R¹ bent
around a metal disc M and having both its ends inserted in grip sockets K'. This
construction provided with diagonal supports is best capable of supporting the strain
to be put upon it. The hind wheel fork H in its respective halves is constructed in a
similar manner.
The discs M which are firmly secured in the bend of the cane by means of a
peripheral cavity m; serve to support the front and the hind wheel axles, the latter of
which is adjustably supported in the disc M¹ (Figure 5). The guiding of the fork can
be effected in the manner shown in Figure 5B in which the piece A² formed of cane
surrounded with the grip socket K' with intervention of a metal socket a serving as a
guide for the inner forked spindle A³ let in to the fork envelope y. At this point
there is provided a ball bearing as also for the upper guiding bar arrangement shown
in Figure 6. The handle bar itself is formed by dividing the steering bar A³ after
it leaves the socket L in two and directing each half to one side, the strength of
the construction being assured by a cross piece a' placed upon the wooden core,
which passes a short distance into the two arms. The latter are kept completely
hollow, are consequently very elastic and do not convey shocks to the hands of the
rider; the said arms are enlarged somewhat at their ends to form handles which
may be effected by the insertion of a core K. A ferrule passed over the ends holds
the ends of the handles together. The saddle W (Figures 7 and 7³) is formed of
woven cane in the form of basket work, which is fastened upon a metal plate T. The
construction of the seat of basket work assures the elasticity of the same and renders
Price 8d 1

page_text: the application of springs unnecessary. The wheel tyres Y are either twisted spirally
of Spanish cane and provided with a woven covering in tubular form of split cane,
or they are formed as shown in Figure 9 of several canes with the said covering
twisted around a strong hemp cord (not shown in the drawing), or in place of the
woven cover the spirals may be covered with an indiarubber envelope (see Figure 9B)
or also the pneumatic tyres constructed as usual may only receive a covering of woven
cane. In order to render the whole stronger the frame parts are connected together
by means of the pieces of cane V.
Figure 8 shows in detail a connecting piece, consisting of a grip socket P with
projecting sockets p.
Cycles constructed in this manner have in addition to the advantage of cheaper
construction also that of great lightness, moreover they do not convey shocks to the
-rider, and finally render breaking of the single parts almost impossible.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A cycle characterised by the construction of the frame, the forks, the saddle and
the tyres for the purpose of lessening the weight of cane with either pleated cane
covering or in the form of a grating.
2. In cycles constructed as set forth in Claim 1 the arrangement of the canes around
a wooden or metal core and the covering of the same with split cane for the parts of
the frame held together by metallic grip pieces.
3. In cycles constructed as set forth in Claim 1 the construction of the handle
bars formed by the division of the guiding bar in two opposite directions the forming
of the same as an elastic tube with thickened handles and the insertion of a cross
piece ensuring the stiffness thereof and secured to the guiding fork substantially as
described.
4. In cycles of the construction set forth in Claim 1 the saddle of woven basket
work and the supporting of the same in a metallic plate.
5. In cycles, the application of cane for the tyres which are wound spirally with
or without insertion of an elastic core and covered on the outside with woven split
cane or a rubber cover, or the covering of the rubber tyre with woven split cane.
6. In cycles, for the axle bearings the application of circular metallic discs in
whose concave edges the canes forming the framework of the front and hind wheel
forks are inserted.
Dated this 10th day of March 1807
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of London, Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.