Year: 1887

page_text: I GEORGE TOWNSEND of Hunt End near Redditch in the County of Worcestershire
Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows
=;
My invention relates to an improved method of manufacturing the hollow back forks,
adjusting brackets, and step, for rear driving volocipedes, whereby a material
saving in the cost of manufacture is effected, and increased strength and rigidity
obtained.
At the present time these parts are made out of three or more pieces. First the
fork proper, which is cut out of a sheet of mild steel and then stamped and blocked
into shape, the prongs being of a crescent section. Second the two adjusting brackets
for carrying the axle of the driving wheel, which are pinned and brazed to the ends of
the prongs of the fork and Third, the step which is stamped and fixed on to one of the
prongs of the fork or on to one of the adjusting brackets.
According to my invention I make all these parts out of one piece of steel and so
avoid the extra stamping of the various parts, and the pinning and brazing necessary
to form them into one piece. In carrying my invention into practice I take a sheet
of steel and cut out of it by a template, or otherwise, a form which not only includes
the fork, but also the adjusting brackets and the step. The adjusting brackets consist
of extensions of the prongs of the fork, provided with suitable slots to receive the
axle of the driving wheel. The step consists of a piece shaped like an inverted T, the
end of the vertical part forming an extension of one of the adjusting brackets. The
horizontal parts of the inverted T shaped piece are bent round to form an oblong
frame which forms the step. The form after it is cut out is stamped or blocked into
the shape of a fork with crescent section prongs, the parts forming the adjustable
brackets and step being left flat. If additional strength is required the parts forming
the adjustable brackets and step may be stiffened with plates, or they may be made
crescent section where possible.
When an adjustable step is used, I form a boss or slotted bracket, to receive the
step, on an extension of one of the adjustable brackets, instead of the inverted T shaped
piece hereinbefore described.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, 71 & 72, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: I. GEORGE TOWNSEND of Hunt End, near Redditch in the county of Worcestershire,
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 :-
My invention relates. to an improved method of manufacturing the hollow back 5
forks, adjusting brackets, and step, for rear driving velocipedes whereby a material
saving in the cost of manufacture is effected, and increased strength and rigidity
obtained.
At the present time these parts are made out of three or more pieces. First
the fork proper, which is cut out of a sheet of mild steel. and then stamped 1
and blocked into shape, the prongs being of a crescent section. Second, the
two adjusting brackets for carrying the axle of the driving wheel which are
stamped or forged of the desired shape and then pinned and brazed to the ends
of the prongs. of the fork; and third the step which is stamped or forged and then
rivetted or otherwise fixed to one of the prongs of the fork or to one of the adjusting 1
brackets.
According to my invention I make all these parts. out of one piece of steel as
illustrated by the accompanying drawing, and so avoid the extra stamping or forging
of the various parts, and the pinning and brazing necessary to form them into
one piece. In carrying my invention into practice I take a sheet of steel and cut out a
of it by a template or otherwise, a form which not only includes the fork A but alsothe
adjusting brackets B, B, and the step Cas illustrated by Figure 1 of the accompanying
drawing. The adjusting brackets consist of extensions of the prongs of the fork,
provided with suitable slots b, b, to receive the axle of the driving wheel. The step
consists of a piece shaped like an inverted T, the end of the vertical part forming an
extension of one of the adjusting brackets as illustrated by Figure 3 of the accompanying
drawing. The horizonial parts of the inverted T-shaped piece are bent round to form
an oblong frame, and then bent back against the vertical part of the inverted T piece,
thus forming the step. The form or blank after it is cut out is stamped or blocked
into the shape of a fork with crescent section prongs the parts forming the adjustable a
brackets and step being left flat. If additional strength is required the parts forming
the adjustable brackets and step may be stiffened with plates, or they may be made
of a crescent section or with beaded edges as illustrated by Figure 4 of the accompanying
drawing..
When an adjustable step is used I form a boss or an elongated slot 6¹ to receive
the step in or on an extension of one of the adjustable brackets instead of the
inverted T-shaped piece herein before described, as illustrated by Figure 2 of the
accompanying drawing.
The fork is connected to the frame of a machine in the manner illustrated by Figure 2
of the accompanying drawing, or in any other suitable manner.

page_text: It will be obvious that by constructing forks according to my invention greater
strength is attained with a reduction in the cost of production.
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 :-
1. In a velocipede, constructing the forks, in the manner and for the purpose as
herein before set forth.
2. In a velocipede, constructing the fork, adjusting brackets, and step, out of one
piece of metal substantially as set forth.
3. In a velocipede, constructing the fork, the adjusting brackets to receive the axle
of the driving wheel or wheels, and the adjusting bracket for the step, out of one piece
of metal substantially as set forth.
4. In a combined fork, adjusting brackets, and step, constructed in the manner
bereinbefore described, the method of stiffening the said brackets as illustrated by
Figure 4 of the accompanying drawing.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70-72, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
Dated this 21st day of October 1887.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70-72, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.