Improvements in or relating to Frames for Cycles and other Vehicles.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Frames for Cycles and other
Vehicles.
We, JOHN WILLIAM HOLLAND of 10 Sparsholt Road, Crouch Hill, in the county of
Middlesex, Engineer, and ARTHUR ANTHONY of Hawthorn Villas, Jeffcock Road,
Wolverhampton, in the county of Stafford, Cycle Maker, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to frames for cycles and other vehicles and may be carried
out in the following manner, and we will describe it as applied to a cycle frame of
ordinary construction commencing with the ordinary diamond shaped frame. This
is ordinarily made of tubes, but in our improved invention we dispense with the
usual tubes and use instead sheet metal of the necessary shape and size and at the
edges of this we forin tubular shapes which may be connected up in any desired
manner so that when the frame is completed it resembles the ordinary diamond
tubular frame with connecting sheets or webs between, notwithstanding that we do
not employ the usual complete tubes, neither do we require to braze them together.
The sheet or web may be cut or shaped so as to lighten it, and to give it a lighter
appearance in any desired pattern, and the web may consist of a single sheet or of
more than one. The tubular edges are connected at the required parts by fittings or
lugs more or less resembling those commonly used, but we prefer to shape them
somewhat differently from the usual ones, inasmuch as although we can use them
with the existing tubular branches, we prefer to form flanges or webs adapted to
engage with the flange or web or partly with the web and partly with the tubes of
our improved construction of frame.
In constructing the frame we prefer to stamp sheets of thin steel or other suitable
metal, the dies imparting the necessary tubular or partly tubular shape to the edges,
but we may if preferred form the tubes separate from the sheets and connect them
by rivetting, folding, soft soldering or the like. When the tubular edges are formed
upon the sheets, the junction to be made to complete the tube may be a fold, a
soldered or rivetted joint or may be otherwise made. The steering head, as well as the
other tubular portions may be formed in the stamping operation and the necessary
shapes may be provided for the ball bearings or for other purposes.
A gear case where required can be conveniently formed by attaching to the web
the necessary parts and particularly for the upper part of the chain a tube or casing,
and if desired the webbing may be extended below the ordinary tubular edge so as
to carry a second tube or casing for the second portion of the chain. However a gear
case of substantially ordinary construction may be easily connected to this kind of
frame.
This frame is suitable for ladies or open-fronted machines, and lends itself readily
to the necessary dress and mud-guard protection, especially as regards the back
wheel where two separate webs may be employed, one upon each side of the wheel
and these may be extended beyond the usual back stays so as to complete both mud-
guard and dress protector.

page_text: Where the steering fork is constructed according to our invention the mud-guard
is also easily provided as webs may be carried upon both sides of a portion of the
front wheel casing it in as far as may be necessary. A sliding or equivalent portion
may be provided to serve as a bottom extension of the mud-guard to protect the
feet of the rider.
Regarding the bottom bracket or crank axle bearing we prefer to form this of a
casting or stamping provided with a circular flange or web adapted to be secured to
a corresponding flange or web of this frame, and this may be extended below the
centre of the crank axle thus imparting extra rigidity to the frame, particularly in
the case of open-fronted machines. However other shapes may be employed for the
web or flange of the crank axle bracket and it may be connected in any desired
manner to the other portions of the framing. The bottom bracket, especially where
the circular or partly circular flange is employed may be provided with a partly
circular casing adapted to enclose the chain wheel, and that portion of the chain, and
forming in fact the front portion of the gear case. The bracket may be divided in
its length and the two parts socketted or otherwise connected together, and provided
if necessary with a tubular lining to facilitate the putting together of the frame.
similar but smaller casing may be formed at or about the lug or equivalent employed
to carry the axle of the back road wheel of the vehicle so as to form part of the
gear case, and to both of these casings the central web may be connected preferably.
upon the inside and if necessary carried down to about the bottom portion of the
chain and a movable front put on to complete the gear case. If desired the single
tube lying between the top and bottom of the chain may be supplemented by tubes
above and below the chain, or the central tube may be dispensed with and the others
employed, the chain running if desired inside these tubular portions or recesses.
The web may be strengthened by corrugations or equivalent and these may be
formed in ornamental patterns or designs.
Any portions of the webs may be adapted for use for carrying parcels, luggage,
etc, and may be formed as boxes or equivalent for that purpose.
Dated this 22nd day of September 1896:
JOHN WILLIAM HOLLAND.
ARTHUR ANTHONY.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Frames for Cycles and other
Vehicles.
We, JOHN WILLIAM HOLLAND, of 10 Sparsholt Road, Crouch Hill, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, and ARTHUR ANTHONY of Hawthorn Villas, Jeffcock Road,
Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, Cycle Maker, 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:-
This invention relates to frames for cycles and other vehicles.
According to our invention we dispense with the usual tubes and use instead sheet
metal of the necessary shape and size and at the edges (and intermediate portions
if required) we form tubular shapes which may be connected up in any desired
manner so that, in the case of a cycle, when the frame is completed it resembles the
ordinary diamond or other tubular frame with connecting sheets or webs between.
The sheet or web may be cut or shaped in any desired pattern so as to lighten it and
corrugated to strengthen it, and the web may consist of a single sheet or more than
one. The tubular edges are connected at the required parts by fittings or lugs more

page_text: or less resembling those commonly use, or by the special fittings hereinafter
referred to.
To enable our invention to be fully understood we will describe it by reference to
the accompanying drawings in which
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a diamond tubular frame for a chain-driven bicycle
constructed according to our invention.
Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2-2 Fig. 1.
Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are respectively sections on the line 3-3 4-4 and 5-5 Fig. 1.
Figs. 6. 7. and 8 show alternative constructions of the part shown in Fig. 4.
Fig. 9 is a side elevation of a bottom-bracket fitting specially adapted for
employment in the frame shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
Fig. 10 is a side elevation showing a drop-frame lady's machine constructed
according to this invention.
Fig. 11 is a horizontal section on the line 11-11 of Fig. 10.
Fig. 12 is a side elevation of a bottom-bracket fitting specially adapted for
employment in the frame shown in Figs. 10 & 11.
Fig. 13 is a sectional elevation of a combined eyele steering fork and mud-guard
constructed according to our invention.
Fig. 14 is a section on the line 14-14 of Fig. 13.
Fig. 15 is a side elevation of a further construction of diamond frame according to
this invention.
Fig. 16 is a front elevation of an improved steering-head;
Fig. 17 is a side view of the same, partly in elevation and partly in vertical central
section.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
According to one method of constructing our improved frame, as exemplified by
Figs. 1 to 5, we take a pair of sheets A A¹ Fig. 2, of thin steel or other suitable
metal, each stamped or impressed at some of its edges, by suitable dies or other
means to produce partly tubular recesses, which when the sheets are placed side by
side, come opposite each other in the manner indicated in Fig. 2, so as to produce
tubular portions B, C and D corresponding with the usual top, bottom end diagonal
or seat tubes, the two thicknesses of metal between the various tubular portions
forming a web E, Fig. 1, rivetted as at E' or otherwise fastened together. The metal
sheets are sufficiently large to leave flanges A3 A3 projecting to the rear of the
tubular portion D and A A5 Fig. 4, at the front edge of the web E for a purpose
hereinafter described, and overlapping edges to form the tubular portion B, as
shown in Fig. 5, and C, Fig. 2, which edges may be brazed or otherwise connected
together.
For completing the frame we take two sheets of metal F, Fig. 2, approximating to
the shape bounded by the usual back and chain stays, and seat tube, and provided
at two of their edges with tubular portions G, H, corresponding to the said hack and
chain stays; the said tubular portions can be formed by channelling the edge of the
metal sheets as at H Fig. 3, and closing the channel by a cover strip H¹ soldered
upon it. The channelled portion G is similarly provided with a cover strip G².
two sheets F are sufficiently far apart to receive the rear wheel between them and are
bent inwards towards each-other at their leading ends, and provided with flanges F
which receive between them the flanges A3 A3 of the forward half of the frame, to
which they are rivetted by the rivets E¹ or otherwise secured.
The
Instead of the covering strip H¹ being formed separate from the plate to which it
is secured it may be provided by suitably bendingover the edge of that plate. Or in
instead of being constituted by a flat strip brazed into place in the manner indicated
in Fig. 3, it may be channelled so that its flanges may enter the grooved portion H
and be brazed thereto. Similar remarks would apply to the channelled portion G and
its covering strip G¹ Fig. 2.
Into the described tubular portions or onto the flanges the usual fittings may be
brazed or otherwise secured. For instance the steering head J can be connected to
the flanges A A6 of the plates A A¹ Fig. 4. The seat lug K, which is hereinafter

page_text: more particularly referred to is provided with túbular projections K K which enter
the tubular portions B and D, and with a web K extending between these tubular
projections so as to he engaged between the plates A A' Fig. 2 of the web E Fig. 1.
Similarly the hottom bracket 1, Fig. 9 is provided with tubular projections LLALA,
which are received in the tubular portions H D and C, of the frame, and with the
web L extending between the projections II and received hetween the two
plates A A¹ of the web. The frame is provided also with a rear bracket M which has
semi-cylindrical projections M' M2 and a web M' between them, for reception by the
channelled portions B, H, of the rear part of the frame.
Regarding the bottom bracket or crank axle bearing (Fig. 9) we sometimes
form this of a casting or stamping provided with a flange or web adapted to be secured
to the web E, of the frame as hereinbefore described, and this may be extended below
the centre of the crank axle as indicated by dotted line at L in Fig. 9, thus imparting
extra rigidity to the frame, particularly in the case of open-fronted machines.
However other shapes may be employed for the web or flange of the crank axle
bracket and it may be connected in any desired manner to the other portions of the
framing. The bottom bracket especially where the circular or partly circular flange
is employed may be provided with a partly circular casing adapted to enclose the
chain wheel, and that portion of the chain, and forming in fact the front portion of
the gear case. The bracket may be divided longitudinally and the two parts socketted
or otherwise connected together, and provided if necessary with a tubulaf lining to
facilitate the putting together of the frame. A similar but smaller casing may be
formed at or about the lug or equivalent employed to carry the axle of the back road
wheel of the vehicle so as to forin part of the gear case, and to both of these casings
the central web may be connected preferably upon the inside and if necessary carried
down to about the bottom portion of the chain and a movable front put on to complete
the gear case. If desired the tubes within which the chain runs in the manner before
described, may serve as the bottom rear member of the frame, so that the single
tube H may be dispensed with.
The rear and front parts of the frame may be formed integral instead of separate
as described, that is to say, the two thicknesses of metal forming the web E. Fig. 1
may be of such dimensions as to form also the portions F of Figs. 1 and 2.
Fig. 6 shows the steering head J made by channelling the edges of the plates A A¹,
overlapping them and brazing them together as in the formation of the tube C of
Figs. 1 and 2. Fig 7 indicates the construction which may be adopted when it is
not desired to flange the web E; in such a case the tube J or other tubular portions
of the frame may be provided with a pair of flanges J which receive between them
the edge of the web and are secured thereto by rivetting or otherwise.
Fig. 8 illustrates a further alternative construction in which a single flange J¹ on
the tube J is received between the edges of a pair of plates A A', which are slightly
joggled to afford room between them for the reception of the flange and are brazed,
rivetted or otherwise attached to it.
The webs F will be inside the chain so that a box or casing could be placed over it
from outside; this box might be secured by screws or arranged to slide into place on
a portion of the web grooved or flanged to receive it.
Figs. 10 11 and 12 relate to the frame of a lady's or open-fronted machine according
to this invention. In this case the webs F completely enclose the upper portion of
the rear wheel so as to form a dress protector and mud-guard which may be corrugated
as at F2 to stiffen the construction. The leading edges of the webs F meet to form
a tube F3 which at its upper end rises vertically to carry the seat pillar and at its lower
end joins the semi-cylindrical tubes F formed in the lower part of the webs F and
meeting near the bottom bracket to form a single tube to receive a cylindrical
projection L' from the bottom bracket L; a semi-circular flange L connects the two
projections L L on the bracket in the lady's machine, which bracket is shown
separately in Fig. 12. The projection L³ from the bracket L enters and is secured
to the top tube B. The two corrugations F on the leading part of the lower edge of
the web F meet to form a tube F projecting forward and abutting against the lower

page_text: tube C; a tubular liner C¹ extends from the tube F³ into the tube C to join them
together.
Should it be desired to lead the chain through either of the webs F, a rectangular
or other tube or tunnel may extend therethrough so that the chain traverses it; this
avoids the weakening of the web which would result necessarily if a long slot were
Inade in the web for the passage of the chain. Such a tube would form a partial gear
case for the upper part of the chain between the two chain wheels. A similar tube
could be provided with the lower part of the chain and connected to the frame by a
suitable web projecting from it.
Figs. 13 and 14 illustrate the construction of a combined front fork and mud-guard
according to this invention. In these Figures M are webs forming the mud-guard
and bent at their leading edges to form in conjunction with covering strips M',
tubular forks Ms, which latter may be extended upward to a steering-head such as
hereinafter described with reference to Figs. 16 and 17. N is an extension sliding on
bolts M3 on the bottom of the mud-guard to protect the feet of the rider; a slot is
formed in the extension N for the passage of the bolts M³.
Instead of carrying the webs across the whole space between the tubes of a cycle
frame, portions of such webs may be cut away for the sake of lightness.
The webs may be so far reduced as to form mere selvages or gussets in the angle
between adjacent tubes.
A convenient construction also according to this invention is one in which the
frame members are constructed of twin tubes connected by webs integral with both
tubes of a pair as in Fig. 15, in which there are pairs of tubes D, B, J, C, with webs E
between them.
Although the frames hereinbefore described are those of bicycles it will be obvious
that the construction of sheet metal framing referred to, that is to say a series of
tubular formations connected by webs integral with the tubes can be adopted for
other kinds of vehicles.
With reference now to Figs. 16, and 17, which illustrate a form of steering head,-J
is the steering head tube which may be formed in the manner herein before described
with reference to Figs. 1 to 8. At its upper and lower ends are ball races J2 J3 on
which turn rings OP. An externally screw-threaded portion O' of the ring O receives
the ring 02 in which a bolt Q with a coned end Q is adjustable on a diametral line
by means of a nut Q2. From the rings 02 and P extend lateral arms 0³, P¹ which
have at their outer ends semi-cylindrical or D-shaped projections O P respectively;
these projections are shaped to fit accurately the interior of tubes S which extend
from the projections O down past the projections P to form the fork. When the
externally threaded portion O¹ of the ring O is screwed to the full extent into the
ring 02 the tube J can be placed in position between the rings O and P and by
partially unscrewing O the proper adjustment is made of the ball-bearings. A saw
cut is provided in O' so that the divided stern of the handle bar locks the rings O and 02
when forced apart by the coned bolt.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. A frame for a cycle or other vehicle comprising a web with marginal portions
thereof bent, pressed or otherwise worked into tubular form.
2. A diamond frame for a cycle comprising a web with marginal portions thereof
bent, pressed or otherwise worked into tubular form.
3. A drop frame for a cycle comprising a web with marginal portions thereof bent,
pressed or otherwise worked into tubular form.
4. In a frame for cycles or other vehicles duplex tubular web members, sub-
stantially as described and illustrated in Figure 15 of the accompanying drawings.
5. A frame for a cycle or other vehicle of companion webs such as A A¹ F having
tubular edges substantially as described.
6. In a cycle frame, webs such as F constructed to completely enclose the upper

page_text: portion of the rear wheel substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore
described.
7. In a cycle frame of the kind described the combination with a web having a
tubular marginal portion of covering strips such as H¹ Figure 3 or M¹ Figure 14 for
the purpose described.
8. In a cycle frame the combined front fork and wheel-guard of sheet material
substantially as described.
9. In a steering head for a cycle or other vehicle the combination. of rings such
as O02 and P and fork tubes such as S connected to the rings O and P substantially
as and for the purpose described.
10. In a web-frame cycle or other vehicle a bearing bracket, or other fitting pro-
vided with tubular projections such as L1 L2 L3 connected by a web or webs such
as LA L³.
11. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete cycle-
frame substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 or Figures 10
and 11 or Figure 15 of the accompanying drawings.
12. In a frame for a cycle or other vehicle the connection of web and tubular
portion substantially as and for the purpose described and illustrated in Figure 4 or
Figure 5 or Figure 6 or Figure 7 or Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings.
13. In a cycle or other vehicle the complete steering head substantially as described
and illustrated in Figures 16 and 17 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this twenty-first day of July
J. W. HOLLAND.
A. ANTHONY.
Boult & Waed
Agents for the Applicants.