Improvements in Cycle and other Frames, and in the Mode and Means for the Manufacture of the same.
Year: 1897

page_text: Improvements in Cycle and other Frames, and in the Mode and Means
for the Manufacture of the same.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD PARTRIDGE, of 722, Coventry Road, Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, Traveller, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention
to be as follows:-
My invention has for its object improvements in cycle and other frames and in
the mode and means for the manufacture of the same which enables me to obtain
great strength and stiffness with a minimum amount of material as well as to
ensure a light and elegant appearance.
In the manufacture of cycle and other frames I use tubing of small diameter
and of thick gauge say as an example tubing of 3/4 inch diameter and say 18 gauge
or even thicker. When the tubes are cut off to length or even several lengths of
tube are put into a mould of iron steel or other metal which is chambered out
gradually from the ends to a considerably larger diameter at the centre of the
length of each piece of tube and which may also have flutes at the larger diameter
or ribs dying away to the thickened ends. The thickened ends are put into their
sockets and by preference fastened therein according to the patented method of
Billing and Partridge No. 24013 A.D. 1896 but the ends may be otherwise
fastened. The ends of the tube may in the moulds be kept small and the enlarge-
ment so commenced that the end in the socket would stand on a level with the
tube thus avoiding the appearance of a projection. At the main bracket instead
of having two branches for the back forks I only use one and then put two semi
circular tubes together with thin liner pieces and fasten the whole in one socket.
The semi circular, tubes are then cranked or opened out to receive the back or
driving wheel. I thus obtain great strength and stiffness with a much reduced
diameter for the sockets and main brackets which saves a considerable weight. I
manufacture these swelled out tubes by placing them in a mould which is hinged to
open or the mould may be made in sections so as to be quickly opened out. I place
the tube in such a mould and then form a tight joint or junction at each end
to prevent the ends from materially enlarging I then apply a pressure of water
or other fluid or semi fluid internally by means of a hydraulic pump or accumu-
lator and with the necessary taps, cocks or valves for applying and shutting off
the pressure, and the tubes are thus enlarged to the desired shape or configuration
to form the particular number or numbers of the frames being manufactured.
An internal liner may be used inside the ends of the tube to assist the tube to
bear the end pressure in making the joints while the pressure is applied.
Dated this 21st day of September 1897

page_text: .
Improvements in Cycle and other Frames, and in the Mode and Means
for the Manufacture of the same.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD PARTRIDGE, of 722, Coventry Road, Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, Traveller, 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 has for its object improvements in cycle and other frames and in
the mode and means for the manufacture of the same which enables me to obtain
great strength and stiffness with a minimum amount of material as well as to
ensure a light and elegant appearance.
In the manufacture of cycle and other frames I use tubing of small diameter
and of thick gauge say as an example tubing of 3/4 inch diameter and say 18 gauge
or even thicker. When the tubes are cut off to length or even several lengths of
tube are put into a mould of iron steel or other metal which is chambered out
gradually from the ends to a considerably larger diameter at the centre of the
length of each piece of tube and which may have also flutes at the larger diameter
or ribs dying away to the thickened ends. The thickened ends are put into their
sockets and by preference fastened therein according to the patented method of
Billing & Partridge No. 24013 A.D. 1896 but the ends may be otherwise
fastened. The ends of the tube may in the moulds be kept small and the enlarge-
ment so commenced that the end of the socket would stand on a level with the
tube thus avoiding the appearance of a projection. At the main bracket instead
of having two branches for the back rods I only use one and then put two semi
circular tubes together with their liner pieces and fasten the whole in one, socket.
The semi circular tubes are then cranked or opened out to receive the back or
driving wheel. I thus obtain great strength and stiffness with a much reduced
diameter for the sockets and main brackets which saves a considerable weight. I
manufacture these swelled out tubes by placing them in a mould which is hinged to
open or the mould may be made in sections so as to be quickly opened out. I place
the tube in such a mould and then form a tight joint or junction at each end
to prevent the ends from materially enlarging. I then apply a pressure of water
or other fluid or semi-fluid internally by means of a hydraulic pump or accumu-
lator and with the necessary taps, cocks or valves for applying and shutting off
the pressure, and the tubes are thus enlarged to the desired shape or configuration
to form the particular member or members of the frame being manufactured.
An internal liner may be used inside the ends of the tube to assist the tube to
bear the end pressure in making the joints while the pressure is applied.
In order that my invention may be more clearly understood and easily carried
into practical effect I have appended hereunto two double sized sheets of drawings
upon which I have illustrated examples of my improvements.
Figure 1 is a part sectional view of the mould with the tube fitted in position
before expansion..
Figure 2 is a similar view to Figure 1 shewing the tube in section expanded.
Figure 3 is a view of the tube after it has been expanded.
Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of a corrugated mould and tube.
Figure 5 is an end view of one of the end clamps.
-Figure-6-is-a-cross-sectional view of a modified form of mould."
Figure 7 is a view of a tube made with a spiral groove according to my invention.
Figure 8 is a side elevation of a cycle bottom bracket or junction piece fitted
with my tubes.
NO

page_text: Figure 9 is a plan view of Figure 8.
Figure 10 is a cross sectional view of Figure 8 taken on the line xy.
In carrying my invention into practice I construct the moulds or jigs A in
which I form my tubes preferably in two parts but they may be made in more
than two parts. These moulds are made with a gradual taper from the centre
towards each end the extreme ends being preferably-parallel. I form the flanges a¹
and a² at the centre of the mould where the halves are connected together and these
flanges are provided with holes for the bolts a³ which secure the halves together
to pass through. When the mould has been fixed together I take a piece of tube T
of small diameter and of a thick gauge-say, as an example tubing of ½ inch
diameter and say 18 gauge or even thicker cut to the required length and insert
into the mould the clamps or end jigs B are then fixed by suitable bolts passing
through holes formed in the flanges onto the ends of the mould and onto the
ends of the tube T as clearly shewn at Figures 1 and 2 so as to prevent the ends
of the tube from being enlarged. These clamps are preferably serrated or
roughened on their inner surface as shewn at Figure 5 so as to more firmly grip
the ends of the mould and the tube, the extreme ends of the mould on their inner
surface may also be serrated so as to grip the ends of the tube and the outer
surface of the liners t¹ which are inserted into the ends of the tube for strengthen-
ing purposes may in a like manner be roughened or serrated. When the mould
and clamp and tube have been fitted together as shewn at Figure 1 I apply a
pressure of water or other fluid or semi fluid internally through the end or ends
of the tube by means of a hydraulic pump or accumulator having the necessary
taps, cocks, or valves for applying and shutting off the pressure, the tube is thus
enlarged or expanded at its centre portion to the size of the mould A. as clearly
shewn at Figures 2 and 3 leaving the ends the same or nearly the same gauge
as originally the centre portion being of a considerably lighter or thinner gauge.
Or the centre portion of the tube may be expanded by other means. It will be
evident that the surface of the expanded portion of the tube may be formed corru-
gated by forming grooves or recesses on the interior of the mould as shewn at
Figure 4 or the tube may in a like manner be formed with a spiral groove on its
surface as shewn at Figure 7 or the configuration of the exterior of the tube
may be varied in many ways. It will also be evident that tubes of various shapes
in cross section such as D shape, oval or the like may be expanded at their centre
portions in a like manner as previously described, the moulds in such cases being
the same shape internally in cross section as the tube. In some cases I may form
the mould in two parts longitudinally hinged together at a and having flanges a
for the bolts which hold them together to pass through as shewn at Figure 6. Or
instead of being hinged together the halves may be provided with flanges on both
sides and held together by bolts.
At Figures 8, 9 and 10 I have shewn the application of my tubes to the bottom
or main bracket D of a cycle. The lugs or sockets d' are formed much smaller
than usual for admitting the small ends of the tubes T, it will thus be seen that
by forming these lugs smaller the weight of the bracket can be materially reduced
and instead of forming two lugs or sockets for inserting the back stays or tubes T
as usual I form one lug or socket only in the centre of this part of the bracket.
The back stays or tubes T3 which are D shape in cross section are expanded at
their centre portions in a similar manner as hereinbefore described the moulds in
this case being shape in cross section in their interior, and these tubes after
they have been bent as shewn at Figure 9 so as to admit the rear wheel of the
cycle are fitted into the socket with the two flats butting together as clearly shewn
at Figure 10. These tubes are by preference fixed in their sockets according
to the method as described and shewn in the Patent granted to Billing & Part-
ridge No. 24013 of 1896 but they may be otherwise fixed if desired. Tubes
expanded according to my invention may be used for frames for various purposes
and they may be ornamental or embossed with figures or ornamented in any orna-
mental manner.

page_text: 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 The improvements in cycle and other frames and in the mode and
means for the manufacture of the same consisting essentially in expanding or
enlarging the centre portion of the tube or tubes constituting the frame or mem-
bers thereof by internal pressure in the manner and for the purpose substantially
as hereinbefore described and as shewn upon the accompanying sheets of drawings.
Second: Expanding the centre portion of a tube in a mould such as A by
internal pressure the ends of the said tube being gripped by the mould or clamps
such as B or their equivalents and thereby prevented from expanding in the
manner and for the purpose substantially as herein set forth and as shewn upon
the accompanying sheets of drawings.
Third A light gauge tube the centre portion of which is expanded by internal
pressure the ends retaining their normal size and thickness in the manner and
for the purpose substantially as herein set forth and as shewn upon the accom-
panying sheets of drawings.
Fourth In tubes as claimed in the preceeding claims forming the central or
expanded portion either corrugated ribbed fluted spirally grooved or of ornamental
or other shape or configuration in the manner and for the purpose substantially
as herein set forth and as shewn upon the drawings.
Fifth Joining or connecting the back forks of a cycle to the main bracket
such as 1 by inserting the ends of such forks into one central socket or lug in
the manner substantially as herein set forth and as shewn at Figure 8, 9 and 10.
Dated this 22nd day of June 1898.
WILLIAM EDWARD PARTRIDGE,
By George Barker,
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents,
Agent for Applicant, 77, Colmore Row, Birmingham.