Improvements in Motor Vehicles.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Aug., 1899-Accepted, 28th Oct., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Motor Vehicles.
I, HENRY FROTHINGHAM EASTMAN, of "The Neurick," 97, Huron Street, in the
City of Cleveland, County of Cuyahoga, State of Ohio, U.S.A., Gentleman, 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 objects of my invention are to provide a motor vehicle frame which shall
have the advantages of the maximum of strength and rigidity, with extreme
lightness, and a practically indestructable body, capable of a high exterior finish,
incombustible, and non conducting of heat, which would destroy the exterior
finish, and be a matter of some discomfort to the riders.
The invention also has some reference to muffling the sound of the motor
mechanism therein, and also to quieting the rattling of the parts of the frame on
one another.
My invention is exemplified in the accompanying drawings, as hereinafter
described, and pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the device; Fig. 2
is a horizontal section showing plan of interior and exterior construction; Fig. 3
is a longitudinal vertical section on line xx, Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a transverse
section of a corner of frame and siding; and Fig. 5 is a transverse section of
goose-neck connecting the body of the device with the stem of the front fork.
In these views, 1 is the body portion of the vehicle which is seen to be enclosed
by bicycle tubing, by which it is outlined and which forms the principal support
thereof.
This body portion is shaped somewhat like the body of a cabriolet and is
narrowed in front to form a goose-neck " connection 2 with the front stem 3
in which is inserted the front fork of the tricycle.
It will be seen that the tubing is braced by cross-bars 4, 4, at the bottom,
and 5, 5, at the top, and a triangular formation of connecting bars at 6 in front
completes a truss to stiffen the goose-neck.
To further stiffen the frame and to provide means for attaching removable
side plates T, angle bars 7 are attached to the tubing within the body of the
vehicle, the wider flange or tongue of the T iron being brazed or welded thereto,
so that the cross-bar projects within the body.
The detachable siding is constructed to accomplish the double use of sound
muffler and insulator to prevent the heat of the engine from reaching the exterior
of the vehicle.
This siding consists in a sheet of asbestos 8, upon either side of which are
placed the reinforcing metal plates 9; rivets or bolts 10 serve to retain the parts
closely together. The siding is seen to be secured between the tubular frame and
the cross flanges of the T irons, and bolts 11 may pass through them to hold them
rigidly together.
The exact shape of the T or angle irons is immaterial to the invention, but as

page_text: 10. Means for covering the body of a motor vehicle consisting of plates of
insulating and incombustible material, in combination with reinforcing metal
plates upon either side thereof, substantially as described.
11. In a motor vehicle, in combination, a frame composed of body and goose-
neck portions formed of continuous metal tubing, an insulating covering for said
body portion, an insulating partition in said body portion, and means for mounting
said body and goose neck portions upon the front fork stem, and rear axle,
substantially as described.
12. In a motor vehicle, in combination, a vehicle body and rear axle, a transverse
shaft in front of said axle, hounds pivotally secured to said rear axle and transverse
shaft, and springs mounted upon said rear axle upon which said body rests,
substantially as set forth.