Improvements in Bicycles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Oct., 1896-Accepted, 12th Dec., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by CHARLES EDMOND BRENNAN, 410 New York
Life Building, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, and STEPHEN
RILEY WILLARD, 1023 Guaranty Loan Building, Minneapolis, aforesaid,
both Lawyers, and both of the United States of America.]
Improvements in Bicycles.
I GEORGE BARKER, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents, of
77 Colmore Row, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Consulting Engineer
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 :-
The invention relates to bicycles and particularly to a convertible machine
adapted by a quick slight change to carry either one or two persons.
The object of the invention is to provide a bicycle which may be used as an
ordinary single bicycle for either a lady or gentleman, and which when so used
will have the appearance of a standard diamond frame bicycle, and which is so
constructed and arranged as to be readily convertible into a tandem bicycle, or a
readily re-converted into a single machine or bicycle.
The further and particular object of the invention is to provide thoroughly
accurate, perfect and reliable joints whereby the several parts of the frame are
connected while adapted to be quickly separated. And a further and particular
object of the invention is to so construct the machine that, in either of its forms
it will weigh little if any more than the common improved single or taudem
bicycle.
My invention consists generally in a bicycle of a "diamond frame" construction,
comprising separable frames or parts connected at the top and bottom, three such
sections being employed, and the middle section being readily removable and
entirely dispensed with when it is desired to use the device as a single bicycle.
Further and specifically stated, the invention consists in a bicycle frame
comprising forward and rear sections whereto the wheels are attached, said
forward section comprising a head and parts connecting the same, said rear section
comprising the back and horizontal bars, and said forward and rear sections being
adapted to be secured together, and an independent middle section adapted to be
inserted between the forward and rear sections; said independent middle section
comprising upright or standard parts and upper or lower horizontal bars, said
middle section being adapted to be secured between said forward and rear sections
to lengthen the frame. Seats and driving mechanism are carried upon said middle
section and one of the other sections, and the invention further and particularly
consists in peculiar means for attaching or connecting the parts or sections to one
another.
The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying
drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which:
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a convertible single and tandem bicycle embodying
my invention.
Fig. 2 is a horizontal section thereof upon the line x-x of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the independent middle section of the frame.
Fig. 4 shows the single bicycle form of the frame.

page_text: go is a pian view thereon.
Fig. 7 is an end view of the same.
Fig. 8 is a sectional detail showing a modified form of the joint.
Fig. 9 is a detail side view of the upper joint.
Fig. 10 is a sectional view thereof.
Fig. 11 is a detail view of the steering rod connection with the front fork of the
machine.
Figs. 12, 13 and 14 are detail views of another form of connections for the upper
part of the frame.
The frame of the bicycle as shown in Fig. 4, is constructed in two parts or
sections, as when it is to be used by one person, when the machine is to be
converted into a tandem bicycle, the two parts of the frame shown in Fig. 4 are
separated, and the supplemental or auxiliary frame shown in Fig. 3 is arranged
between them. This supplemental or middle frame combines and connects the two
parts of the single frame, to form the continuous or long tandem frame shown in
Figs. 1 and 2. The supplemental frame carries a suitable saddle or seat, and it
also carries a crank shaft and a double sprocket wheel, to which latter connections
are made from the front crank shaft, and from the sprocket upon the rear wheel of
the machine.
In the drawings, 2 and 3 represent the forward and rear wheels, and 4 the front
fork of the machine. The forward section of the frame is composed of the head 5,
the standard 6 and the bars connecting the same. Of these bars, the bar 6' is
necessarily employed, but either the top bar 7 or the drop bar 8 may be dispensed
with. It is preferred, however, to use both bars 7 and 8, making the bar 7
removable to adapt the machine to a ladies use. The rear section of the frame
comprises the rear bars or rear fork 9 and the lower bars or fork 10. When the
machine is used for a single person, the ends of the bars 9 and 10 are connected
respectively at the top and bottom of the standard 6, as shown in Fig. 4. While
the middle section may differ from the form shown in Fig. 3, particularly when it
is desired to arrange for the use of the rear seat by a lady, it is much preferred the
said middle section should comprise the standard 11, the top bar 12, the diagonal
bar 13, and the lower bar or bars 14. The use of the supplemental standard 15 is
optional, but as a convenient guide for the stem of the handle or steering bars, its
use is preferred. The connections are made at the top and bottom of the rear
standard 11, while the front end of the independent section is connected to the top
and bottom of the forward standard 6. If desired, the standard 6 and the
standard 11 may be made parts of the middle and rear frame sections, respectively,
the connections being provided for upon the front sides of the standards rather
than upon the rear thereof, as shown in the drawings. But as it is difficult to
make such connection perfectly rigid and firm, and as they have a tendency to
weaken the frame, it is believed to be much better to place the connections as they
are shown, and particularly, to make the standard 6, a part of the front section of
the frame, thus maintaining the full rigidity and strength of this, the main portion
of the bicycle frame.
The particular form of connection employed between the parts of the frame is
not essential to the invention, but devices or constructions which will admit of
the quick separation or connection of the parts, are favoured. The crank hangers
or boxes which carry the bearings for the crank shafts, are preferably made
integral with the several bars at the feet of the standards 6 and 11. As best
shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, each crank hanger or box is provided with two
depending lugs 16, which, in turn, have longitudinal holes or slots to receive the
shanks 17 of the hooks or binders 18. The hooks are secured therein by tightening
the short bolts 19, the lugs being split, as shown in Fig. 7. The hooks are
adjustable towards or from the plain surfaces 20 upon the rear sides of the
crank hangers, the ends of the shanks 17 being threaded, and nuts 21 being
provided for the purpose. By means of the nuts 21, and the clamp bolts 19, the

page_text: hooks are firmly secured, while any wear may be taken up by means of them.
The head or book 22 having a depending lip or hook 23 to engage with the
hook 18, is provided upon the forward end of the bar or bars 14 and also
upon the forward end of the lower bar or fork 10 of the rear section. The heads
upon these parts are of the same size and the adjustment of the hooks of the
forward bearing or crank hanger is the same as those of the rear crank hanger,
forming a part of the middle section, so that the head 22 upon the fork 10 may be
inserted within and held by the fastening upon the forward crank hanger. The
parts, in other words, are perfectly interchangeable. Lateral movement of the
heads is prevented by the webs 24 dropping down between the hooks 18, or by
like means. Instead of arranging for the adjustment by making the hooks 18
movable, these hooks may be made integral with the crank hanger or box, as
shown in Fig. 8, provision for taking up wear and adjustment, being made in the
form of two screws 27, inserted in the ends of the bars 14, or at each side of the
bead wherein they are joined. The joint employed in the upper part of the frame
differs from that above described, and is shown in detail in Figs. 9 and 10.
Lugs 28 are provided upon the caps at the tops of the standards 6 and 11, to receive
the bolt 29. A yoke 30 is provided on the front end of the middle section, and at
the upper end of the rear fork 9. The yoke has the slots 31, so that the attachment
may be made without removing the bolt 29. The yoke also has the center
recesses 32 to receive the centering shoulders or bosses provided upon the head of the
bolt and the inside of the thumb-nut 34. When the nut is tightened, the said
shoulders enter the recesses in the yoke, and a rigid connection between the parts
is completed. In place of such a connection those shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14
may be used, the same comprising simple slip joints, one part of each being a split
ring or sleeve, adapted to be tightened by a suitable bolt. The seat posts are
preferably secured in the tops of the standards 6 and 11. The arrangement of
the handle bars upon the forward fork and in the middle section, is substantially
common. If it is desired to make the rear handle bars movable for steering, it
may be done as shown. A slot is made in the lower part of the supplemental
standard 15 for the short arm 35, from which a rod 36 extends to the shoulder or
top of the fork 4. In order that the end of the rod 36 may be quickly attached or
removed from the fork 4, I provide the pin 37 on the fork, with a groove 38 into
which the spring bolt 39 on the rod projects, as shown in Fig. 11. Upon the
withdrawal of the bolt, the end of the rod may be slipped off the pin. The
arrangement of the sprockets and the chains corresponds to that upon the ordinary
single and tandem bicycles, with the exception that an extra sprocket 39 is
preferably used upon the rear axle. The two sprockets upon the rear axle may
have a different number of teeth, so that the gear may be raised when the machine
is used as a tandem.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. The general arrangement, construction and combination of parts comprising
the improved convertible single and tandem bicycle, substantially, as described,
and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. A convertible single and tandem bicycle frame, comprising forward and rear
sections, and an independent middle section adapted to be inserted between said
forward and rear sections, means being provided for attachment between said
parts at the upper and lower parts thereof.
3. A convertible single and tandem bicycle frame comprising forward and rear
sections adapted to be secured together and whereto the wheels are attached, and
a supplementary or middle section adapted to be inserted between said forward and
rear sections, readily separable or detachable means being employed at the points
of juncture between said parts for securing the same together.
4. A convertible single and tandem bicycle frame, comprising forward and rear

page_text: sections whereto the wheels are attached, said forward section comprising a
standard, a head and parts connecting the same, said rear section comprising the
back and horizontal bars or forks, said sections being adapted to be secured to one
another, and an independent middle section adapted to be inserted between the
forward and rear sections, said middle section comprising an upright part and
connecting sections or bars, and seats and suitable driving mechanisms carried upon
said sections, substantially as described.
5. The convertible single and tandem bicycle frame, comprising forward and rear
sections adapted to be secured together, said forward section composed of the head,
a lower bar 6', the standard 6, the drop bar 8 and the removable bar 7, and an
independent middle section adapted to be inserted between said forward and rear
sections, substantially as described.
6. In a convertible single and tandem bicycle, the combination, with the wheels,
of the frame comprising forward and rear sections, whereto the wheels are attached,
said forward and rear sections adapted to be secured together and an independent
or supplemental or middle section adapted to be inserted between said forward and
rear sections, said middle sections comprising the standards 11 and 15 and bars
connecting the same, the handle bar and stem, the arm upon the lower end of
said stem, the connecting rod 36, and detachable means for securing the same upon
the front forks of the machine, substantially as described.
7. The combination, in the connection described of the connecting rod 36, with
the fork, having the pin or screw provided with the groove 38, and the snap or
spring bolt or latch provided upon the bar 36, adapted to enter said groove, for the
purpose specified.
8. The attachment between the parts described consisting of the hook or hooks
provided upon the crank hanger, and the hooked head provided upon the horizontal
bar and adapted to engage therewith, substantially as described.
9. The connection or attachment for the parts described consisting in longi-
tudinally adjustable hooks 18 provided upon the crank hanger or box, and the hooked
head 22, provided upon the horizontal bar and adapted to engage therewith,
substantially as described.
10. The attachment for the parts described, comprising the hook provided upon
the crank hanger, with the hooked head provided upon the horizontal bar, and in
turn provided with the adjustable screw or screws 27, substantially as shown in
Fig. 8.
11. The attachment for the parts of the frame, consisting in the lugs 28 and the
bolts 29, and the toke or part 50 having the recessed ends and shoulders provided
upon the head and nut of said bolt, substantially as shown in Figs. 9 and 10.
12. The attachment for the parts of the frame, comprising the slip joints,
substantially as shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14.
13. The particular and specific construction herein throughout shown and
described.
דינית
L 1000
GEORGE BARKER.