An Improvement in Cycle Frames, consisting of a Hinged or Movable Bar.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Jan., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 8th Apr., 1897-Accepted, 5th June, 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in Cycle Frames, consisting of a Hinged or
Movable Bar.
I ALFRED GORSE, 283 Burbury Street Lozells Aston Manor Birmingham
County of Warwick Mechanic do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
My invention consists of a hinged moveable cross bar or tube, said tube being
the top side or horizontal tube of the triangle or diamond forming the frame of
a cycle thereby enabling the machine to be instantly converted by the rider
(while being ridden or not) from an open frame to a closed or rigid frame-the
conversion being made by the movement of a lever which is under the rider's
control.
I hinge the cross bar or tube to one of the top corners of frame preferably the
front, the other end of bar sliding into a clutch when up in a horizontal position-
the clutch being moved in or out of gear by a lever fixed on front end or hinge of
bar said lever being connected by rod or other suitable arrangement with clutch
at the other or back end of bar.
To lower cross bar the rider pulls lever backwards or towards him which action
releases clutch & at same time lowers the bar to bottom angle of frame or to as nearly
a vertical position as required and by pushing the lever forward or away from the
rider the crossbar is raised into its horizontal position thereby making the machine
perfectly rigid.
Thus I produce a machine suitable for either lady or gentleman to ride & at
all times easily mounted or dismounted.
ليم
1
An Improvement in Cycle Frames, consisting of a Hinged or
Movable Bar.
I, ALFRED GORSE, of 283, Burbury Street, Lozells, Aston Mauor,
Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Mechanic, do hereby declare the nature
of my said 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 consists in hinging or pivotting the top bar or rail which forms
part of the frame of a cycle to the top lug of the ball head or steering socket so
that it can be instantly converted by the rider (when riding or not) from a
"diamond" or closed frame to an open frame by operating a lever arranged in the
front of the handle bar or in any other convenient part, by which means I produce

page_text: a machine suitable for either a lady or a gentleman and at all times easily mounted
or dismounted.
In order that my invention may be more clearly understood and easily carried
into practical effect I have appended hereunto a double sized sheet of drawings upon
which I have shown an example of my improved frame.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a cycle frame showing the top rail or tube in a
horizontal position suitable for a gentleman.
Figure 2 is a similar view to Figure 1 showing the top rail or tube let down or
converted into a lady's machine.
On
In carrying my invention into practice I hinge the top rail or tube A at a¹ to the
lug B, which lug is suitably formed for that purpose and at the other end of this tube
or rail I attach or form the slotted lug a² which fits on to the lug or guide piece b²
attached to the top end of the seat pillar tube or rail H, as shown at Figure 3.
the underside of the rail or tube A I attach the bar or rod C which is pivotted at the
front end to the lever D, this lever being pivotted at e to the lever E fixed to the
end of the tube A. The rod C is supported by means of the lugs or guides c', c³
and c³. Also pivotted at the front end of this bar and to the end of the tube or
rail A, is the catch or pawl c, the end c³ of which takes into the notch or recess 6
formed in the lug B. The spring S which is connected to the bottom end of the
lever D and to the lug or guide c¹, forces the rod C backwards so that the end c
enters the notch or recess 64, by which means the tube A is rigidly held in a parallel
position. The guides or projections.a³ are provided for the purpose of steadying
or guiding the tube A as it is moved up or down.
To lower the rail or tube A the lever D is pressed towards the lever E, thereby
drawing the end of the rod or bolt C out of the catch 6 and the tube falls down
into the position as shown at Figure 2. The end c of the rod or bolt C then
enters the notch or recess f¹ formed in the bracket or lug F fixed to the tube or
rail G and the pawl or catch centers the notch or recess 63. The projection on
the end of the lug or guide c³ enters the recess f³ formed on the lug F, by which
means the tube A is rigidly and securely held in the downward position.
To raise the tube again the end of the bolt or rod C is withdrawn by means of
the lever D and the lever E is pressed outwards, thereby lifting the rod upwards
until the end of the rod Centers the notch or recess 6. The projection at which
enters the recess or slot 6 is provided as an extra security for keeping the tube A
rigid.
Instead of arranging the levers D and E for operating the top rail or tube at
the back of the handle bar I may arrange them in front or they may be so
arranged as to work by the side of the handle bar or in any other convenient
position. I may also arrange the rod or bolt C so as to work in the interior or on
the top or at the side of the tube A.
Although I have shown my improvements as applied to a "safety" bicycle, it
will be easily understood that they can with equal -advantage be applied to a
"tandem" bicycle or to a tricycle or other cycles.
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 :-
CLAIMS.
First. In a velocipede hinging the top tube or rail and holding the same in
position by a sliding bolt or rod or its equivalent operated by a lever and spring in
the manner and for the purpose substantially as herein before described and as shown
upon the accompanying sheet of drawings.
Second. In a velocipede having the top tube or rail working on a hinge or pivot,
securing the said rail in its open or downward position by a sliding bolt or rod
operated by a lever and spring in the manuer and for the purpose substantially as
hereinbefore described and as shown upon the accompanying sheet of drawings.

page_text: Third. In a velocipede operating the hinged top tube or rail by a lever in the
'manner substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown upon the accompanying
sheet of drawings.
Dated this 7th day of April 1897
GEORGE BARKER,
77, Colmore Row, Birmingham, Agent for Applicant.