Improvements in the Manufacture of Bicycle-hangers and the like, and in Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Dec., 1895-Accepted, 22nd Feb., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Bicycle-hangers and the like,
and in Apparatus therefor.
J, PETER FORG, of 50 Park Street, Somerville, Massachusetts, United States
of America, 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:-
This invention relates to a bicycle-hanger or similar article consisting of a closed
integral metal tube provided with a plurality of outwardly projecting hollow bosses
or tubular projections extended from the circumferential walls of the closed tube
and arranged, if desired, at angles to each other, which circumferential walls are
normally unbroken; and to an apparatus for making the said hanger or the like
without destroying the integrity of the closed tube.
These hangers are employed to support the shaft to which the pedal arms or
cranks are secured, and form the connecting means by which the brace rods or
bars of the frame work are coupled or joined together to form a solid frame. It is
especially desirous in bicycles, to make the various parts as light as possible,
consistent with strength, and, therefore, the hangers of bicycles are made of
substantially small diameter. Heretofore, these hangers have been made in
various ways, but in every case known to me, the integrity of the tube from which
the hanger is made has been destroyed, either by making the hanger in two parts
and fastening the same together to complete the tube, as for instance, by means of
bolts extended through ears on the two halves or parts of the tube or hanger, or
by cutting or otherwise removing a part from the tube sufficiently large for the
insertion radially into the tube, of a suitable tool for forming the hollow bosses or
projections to which the frame rods or pipes are secured.
Heretofore, it has been considered practically impossible to form the hollow
bosses or projections on a tube of substantially small diameter, so as to preserve
the integrity of the tube and have the complete hanger retain its circular form.
In accordance with this invention, I have provided an apparatus by which a
metal tube of substantially small diameter, may have a plurality of outwardly
extended hollow bosses or projections formed on it and out of the metal of
the said tube, and yet leave the said tube closed or integral and of circular
form, the same as it was before the hollow bosses or projections were formed.
The closed or integral tube of substantially small diameter with its outwardly
extended hollow bosses or projections, is especially well adapted for use as a hanger
on bicycles, as it is stronger, lighter, and cheaper than non-integral hangers as now
commonly made and known to me.
The apparatus or machine by which my improved hangers may be made,
comprises two elements, namely, a former or anvil, and a plunger or die of novel
construction as will be described, the anvil operating from within the tube, and
the plunger or die from without the said tube.
The former or anvil referred to, is provided with one or more suitably shaped
nubs or boss-forming projections, according to the number of hollow bosses it is
desired to form in one operation of the plunger or die, and the metal of the tube
is forced down over or about the said nub or nubs.
The boss-forming nub constitutes a radial arm of the former or anvil, and the
outer or upper surface of the said nub is preferably in the same circle as the lower
or opposite surface of the anvil, which anvil is of substantially the same diameter

page_text: as the inner diameter of the tube, so that when the said tube is fitted on or over
the anvil, its inner circumference preferably makes contact with the nub and the
opposite or bottom surface of the anvil.
The nub or radial arm of the anvil projects above the top or upper surface of
the anvil, preferably a distance substantially equal to the length it is desired the
hollow boss should be, which is formed by said anvil, and the die or plunger forces
that portion of the tube in contact with the nub down over and about the same.
When the upper part of the tube is forced downward by the die or plunger, it is
practically necessary that the portion of the tube of which the hollow boss is formed,
should retain its circular shape, so that the shape of the tube when provided with
the hollow boss may be circular and of the original form.
This result may be and is accomplished in the present instance, by making the
upper surface of the anvil from which the nub or radial arm projects, in the arc
of a circle having the same or substantially the same radius as the internal
circumference of the tube, and preferably the lower surface of the anvil will be
made in the arc of the same circle, that is, in the preferred form of the anvil, the
upper surface and the lower surface of the anvil are arcs of circles having the same
radius but different centers.
The die or plunger is made to co-operate with the nub or boss-forming arm of
the anvil as will be described.
These and other features of this invention will be pointed out in the claims at
the end of this Specification.
Fig. 1 represents in elevation and section a sufficient portion of one form of
apparatus embodying this invention to enable it to be understood, the operating
parts being shown in elevation, and the tube which is to be formed into the hanger
being shown in section.
Fig. 2, is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, looking toward
the left, the support for the anvil or former being shown in its withdrawn
position.
Fig. 3, a partial section and elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1,
looking toward the left, the die or plunger being shown in section in its
lowered position, and the support for the anvil being shown in its forward or
operative position.
Fig. 4, is a detail on an enlarged scale showing the anvil and the tube in their
first position with relation to each other.
Fig. 5, a detail of the anvil and tube, showing the latter in its second
position.
Fig. 6, a detail of the tube shown in Fig. 5 removed from the anvil.
Fig. 7, a longitudinal section of the die or former employed to form two hollow
bosses or projections at the same time.
Fig. 74, a transverse section of the die shown in Fig. 7 on the line 7 a-7 a.
Fig. 8, an inverted plan or underside view of the die or plunger employed for
forming the large hollow bosses or projections of the hanger.
Fig. 9, a sectional detail on the line 9-9, Fig. 8 of the die shown therein.
Fig. 10, a perspective view of one form of hanger made in accordance with this
invention and such as now commonly employed in bicycles, and
Fig. 11, a detail of the finishing anvil to be referred to.
Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, A represents one form of anvil or former, and A 1,
one form of die or plunger, which co-operates with the said anvil as will be
described.
The former or anvil A consists of a metal bar having its upper surface a 2 made
in the are of a circle of substantially the same radius as the internal circumference
of the tube, and preferably having its lower surface or bottom a (see Figs. 2 and 5)
of equal radius as the upper surface a 2, the upper surface having the center a 3
and the bottom surface the center a 1.
The upper surface has extended from it one or more nubs or projections a 4
forming practically radial arms, and the extreme outer surface of said uubs, for

page_text: the best results, substantially forms the same circle as the bottom surface a of the
said anvil.
The nubs or projections a 4 may be made integral with the anvil or they may be
made detachable therefrom after the manner represented in Fig. 4, namely, by
means of a counter-sunk screw a 6 projecting up from the bottom surface of the
anvil through and into a threaded socket in the underside of a bottom projection a 7
forming part of the nub a 4, or in any other suitable manner.
In Fig. 4, the nub a 4 is represented as provided with a small tit or projection a 8
of a length not to exceed the thickness of the stock or metal of the tube B, which
is to be formed into the hanger, and for the best results, the tit a 8 is made as small
as possible and preferably forms the extreme outer surface of the nub.
The anvil A may and preferably will be formed by taking a circular bar or rod
of a diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the tube B, and turning
off the upper surface of the bar until it is less than the internal diameter of the
tube, B, an amount substantially equal to the length it is desired that the nub a 4
and its tit a 8 should be, which length of nub is determined by the length of the
hollow boss or projection to be formed by it. The upper portion of the circular
bar is turned off until it coincides with the arc of a circle having its center at a 3,
and a radius equal to the radius of the original circular bar, both of which radii are
substantially equal to the radius of the internal circumference of the tube B. The
anvil A may be supported in a suitable frame, and, in the present instance, the said
anvil is shown as provided at one end with a rectangular portion b (see Figs. 1 and 2),
which is fitted between the ears 6162 secured to or forming part of an upright 3
erected from a suitable base 64, the circular portion or end of the anvil being in
practice, preferably made longer than the length of the tube B which is to be
formed into the hanger, and having its front end adapted to rest upon and be
sustained by a movable support 65, the said support being shown as a block of
metal provided with a substantially flat upper surface 3 and with a curved or cut
away front surface 4, the said support being herein shown as provided on its under-
side with a dove-tailed rib or fin 66 fitted into a dove-tailed slot or opening b7
(see Fig. 1) in the base 64.
In the present instance, the movable support b5 is provided with a projecting
rod 68 serving as a handle by which the support 65 may be reciprocated on the
base 64. In the present instance, the anvil A is represented as secured in
position between the ears 62, 61, by a threaded clamping bolt 69 extended through
a threaded opening in the upright or ear & 1.
The base 64 may and preferably will have secured to or forming part of it, at
what may be termed its rear side, an upright block 6 10 (see Fig. 1 and dotted lines
Fig. 2), the said upright being slotted to receive a lever 612, pivoted in the slotted
portion of the upright as at 613, and having its short arm 614 projecting under
the anvil A, for a purpose as will be described.
In the construction of movable support 65 herein shown, the forward movement
in the direction indicated by arrow 20, Fig. 2, is limited by a back stop, herein
represented as a disk or washer 6 15 secured to the support 65 by the screw b 16, and
the movement of the said support in a rearward direction, that is, opposite to that
indicated by the arrow 20, may be limited by a pin 19 engaging the front of the
upright block 6 10 as represented in Figs. 1 and 2.
Referring to Fig. 10, I have shown a completed hanger, which may be supposed
to have been formed from the tube B represented in Figs. 1 and 2.
The hanger
shown in Fig. 10 is provided with two substantially small hollow bosses or
projections c c 1 located substantially near the opposite ends of the tube, and with
two substantially large hollow projections or bosses c2 c3 located near the
longitudinal center of the tube B and in substantially close contact with each other.
The hanger represented in Fig. 10 contains four hollow projections or bosses, and
a hanger having this number of hollow projections or bosses is now commonly
employed for forming part of a bicycle frame as now commonly designed and
made.

page_text: The smaller hollow bosses c c 1 of the hanger shown in Fig. 10, may be supposed
to be made by the anvil provided with the two nubs a 4 as shown in Fig. 1, and
these two hollow bosses are formed or made in one operation of the plunger
or die A 1, which may and preferably will be of the construction represented in
Figs. 1, 7, and 74, it consisting of a metallic block provided on its under surface
with a longitudinally extended circular cavity or semi-circular groove c5, made in
substantially the same arc of the circle as the outer circumference of the tube B,
the said longitudinal cavity having communicating with it two circular holes or
openings c6c7, for the reception of the two nubs a 4 on the anvil A shown in Fig. 1,
together with the metal of the tube B, which is utilized in forming the hollow
projections cc 1. The die or plunger A 1, in practice, is operated by power and
may be suitably supported to reciprocate above the anvil in any suitable or usual
manner, such as now commonly employed in the construction of power or drop or
other presses. The smaller hollow bosses e c1 and the larger hollow bosses c2 c3
may be formed on the same apparatus by the employment of different anvils, or
they may be formed on separate machines, each equipped with the appropriate
anvils.
If the larger hollow bosses c2 c3 are formed on the apparatus shown in Fig. 1,
the anvil A therein shown will be removed, and a new anvil substituted therefor
having a nub or projection a4 of suitable length and diameter for forming the
hollow bosses.
When the hollow bosses c 2 c3 are to be formed, a die or plunger of suitable
shape to form the said hollow bosses will be used.
In Figs. 8 and 9, I have represented a die suitable for forming the hollow
bosses c2 c3, which die, I prefer to letter A1 a, it being provided with a
longitudinal circular cavity or groove c5 communicating with the central
opening e20 and with two circular transverse cavities c21 c22, the circular
cavities c21 e 22 being made in the arc of a circle having a diameter substantially
equal to the external diameter of the hollow bosses c2, c3, so that the two hollow
bosses c2 c3 may be formed on the same machine by first forming one of the hollow
bosses, as for instance, the hollow boss c 2, and then turning the tube B, so that the
hollow boss c 2 will lie in one of the transverse circular grooves c 21, c 22, while the
other hollow boss or projection c3 is being formed.
In manufacturing the particular hanger shown in Fig. 10, the hollow bosses c2 c3
may and preferably will be formed first. The tube B, which is complete and in
one piece, is preferably first provided with a small hole c 30 for the reception of
the centering tit a 8 on the nub a 4 of the anvil or former employed for forming
the hollow bosses c2 c3, and the tube B is then preferably heated, if the tube
is of hard metal, which heating expands the metal and enlarges the diameter of
the tube sufficiently to permit the tube to be easily slipped over the anvil, clearing
the tit a 8, the said tube being turned until the tit a 8 is in line with the small
centering hole referred to, after the manner represented in Fig. 4.
By reference to Fig. 4, it will be seen that the upper surface a 2 of the anvil or
former A is not in contact with the tube B, while its lower surface a and the
surface a 8 of the nub a 4 are substantially in contact with the inner circumference
of the said tube, and in practice, the lower surface is separated from the tube by a
distance equal to the length of the tit a 8, when the nub 4 is provided with the
said tit. The length of the tit a 8 is substantially infinitesimal and in Figs. 1
and 2, this separation does not appear, whereas in Fig. 4, the tit a 8 is shown in
line with, but not extended into the centering opening.
The tube B is now properly positioned on the anvil, and the die or plunger A1 a
is brought with considerable force down over the tube B, which is carried down-
ward by the said die until the latter is arrested in its downward movement by the
anvil A, and at such time, the upper portion of the tube B has been brought in
contact with and pressed over the upper surface a 2 of the anvil, except that part
of the tube which is opened and drawn out by the die A 1 a forcing the said tube
over and around the nub a 4, which latter and an annular portion of the tube enter

page_text: the tubular opening c 20 of the die, and form or partially form the annular hollow
boss or projection c 2, as represented in Fig. 5. The die A 1 a is then withdrawn
and the tube B may be raised from the position shown in Figs. 3 and 5, by means
of the lever b12, after which it may be taken off from the anvil A, and subjected,
if desired, to a second operation in a machine having a larger nub a 4 a on its anvil,
(see Fig. 11), by means of which the hollow boss may be elongated and given a
more perfect annular shape. I prefer to employ two different anvils or formers for
each hollow boss, one of which may be termed the starting anvil and the other the
finishing anvil, but I do not desire to limit my invention in this respect, as.
satisfactory results may be obtained with one anvil.
Having formed one hollow boss, as for instance, the boss c 2, the tube is turned
on the anvil until the tit a 8 on the nub a 4 enters the centering hole for the
boss c 3, and when properly positioned, the die A 1 a is operated to form the boss c 3
as above described in relation to the boss c 2.
The bosses c2 c3 having been formed, the tube is placed on the anvil A shown
in Fig. 1, when it is desired to form the bosses c cl in one operation, and the
hollow boss c 3 at such time projects downward from the underside of the anvil,.
while the boss c2 projects substantially upward in a lateral direction, but, by
reason of the transverse groove or cavity c25, which communicates with the
longitudinal groove c5 of the die A 1, the upwardly projecting boss c 2 does not.
interfere with the operation of the die A in forming the two hollow bosses c c 1, as.
the walls of the transverse groove c 25 in the descent of the die straddle the hollow
boss c 2. The hollow bosses c c 1 after being formed with the anvil and die shown
in Fig. 1, may be subjected, if desired, to a second operation on the anvil having
two nubs a 4 a of the proper diameter to give to the hollow bosses ccl a more
perfect cylindrical form and to elongate the metal walls of the said bosses.
The tube B has now been formed into the hanger shown in Fig. 10, and in
practice, the hollow bosses c c 1 may have connected to them the brace rods or bars.
running to the rear wheel of the bicycle, while the larger boss c 2 has usually
connected to it a saddle post, and the larger boss c 3 is connected by a brace rod to
the post carrying the handle bars.
I prefer to employ two anvils in the formation of each hollow boss, or one anvil
and two nubs, as a 4, a 4 a, but I do not desire to limit my invention in this.
respect, as a single anvil having a single nub may produce satisfactory results.
Furthermore, I prefer to provide what I have herein designated the starting
nubs with the centering projections or tits a 8, but while I prefer to use tits a 8,.
they are not absolutely necessary as they may be dispensed with, in which case the
small hole need not absolutely be required, although I prefer to use the same as a
means of starting the formation of the tubular bosses. The tits or projections a 8.
and the small holes first made in the tube for their reception, ensure accurate
centering of the nubs, and therefore accurate formation of the various hollow
bosses in their proper position on the tube.
From the above description, it will be seen that the tube from which the hanger
shown in Fig. 10 is formed, is not divided or weakened by taking a large part.
away therefrom, but remains closed and an integral piece, the same as it was before
being subjected to the treatment above described. As a result, the hanger is
materially increased in strength, is lighter, and can be manufactured cheaper than
hangers as now commonly made.
Furthermore, I prefer to make the lower surface of the anvil in the arc of a
circle having substantially the same radius as the internal circumference of the
tube, as by this construction, the auvil may be made of maximum thickness and
therefore, of maximum stiffness or strength to withstand the operation of the die,
but so far as the essential feature of this invention is concerned, this formation of
the lower part or surface of the anvil is not a necessity, as the said lower surface-
may be made substantially straight or in the arcs of other circles, but at a sacrifice
to the strength or stiffness of the anvil, which construction of anvil may be suitable

page_text: for substantially soft metal such as brass, but is not recommended for harder
metals, such as steel.
I have illustrated and described one form of a machine or apparatus for
providing closed or integral tubes with hollow bosses, but I do not desire to limit
my invention to any particular form of bed or support for the anvil and other
minor parts, as these might be changed providing the essential feature of the
invention is not departed from, namely, an anvil capable of fitting within the tube
and having its surface, which receives the tube when acted upon by the die, of
circular form and of a radius substantially equal to the radius of the internal
circumference of the tube, together with a suitably shaped co-operating die for
forming a bicycle hanger or similar articles from a closed integral tube.
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
claim is :-
:―
1. In a machine or apparatus for providing tubes with outwardly extended
hollow bosses or projections, the following instrumentalities, viz. :-An anvil or
former to support the tube provided with an upper and a lower curved surface
made in the arcs of circles having substantially the same radius but different
centres, and a boss-forming nub or radial arm extended from one of said curved
surfaces and having its outer surface substantially in the same circle as the other
curved surface, and a die or plunger co-operating with the said anvil and provided
with a cavity or groove to fit over the tube, and with a hole for the reception of
the said nub, for the purpose specified.
2. In a machine or apparatus for providing tubes with outwardly extended
hollow bosses or projections, the following instrumentalities, viz. :-Ån anvil or
former to support the tube provided with an upper and a lower curved surface made
in the arcs of circles having substantially the same radius but different centres, and a
boss-forming nub or radial arm extended from one of said curved surfaces and
having its outer surface substantially in the same circle as the other curved surface,
and a die or plunger co-operating with said anvil and provided with a longitudinal
groove or cavity to fit over the tube, a hole or opening for the reception of the nub,
and a transverse groove or cavity for the reception of a formed hollow boss or
projection, substantially as described.
3. In a machine or apparatus for forming tubes with outwardly extended
hollow bosses or projections, the following instrumentalitics, viz. :-An auvil or
former to support the tube provided with an upper and a lower curved surface made
in the arcs of circles having substantially the same radius but different centres, and
a boss-forming nub or radial arm extended from one of said curved surfaces and
having its outer surface substantially in the same circle as the other curved surface,
and provided with a centering tit, and a die or plunger co-operating with said anvil
and provided with a cavity or groove to fit over the said tube and with a hole or
opening for the reception of the said nub, substantially as described.
4. In a machine or apparatus for providing tubes with outwardly extended
hollow bosses or projections, the following instrumentalities, viz. :-An anvil or
former upon which the integral tube is fitted and having one of its surfaces in the
arc of a circle of substantially the same radius as the internal circumference of the
said tube, a boss-forming nub or radial arm extended from said curved surface
and projecting beyond the same within the tube, and a die or plunger co-operating
with the said anvil, for the purpose specified.
5. In a machine or apparatus for providing tubes with one or more outwardly
extended hollow bosses or projections, the following instrumentalities, viz. :-An
anvil or former adapted to be inserted within the tube and having its surface,
which receives the tube in the formation of the hollow boss, circular in form and
of a radius substantially equal to the radius of the internal circumference of the
tube, and provided with a boss-forming nub, and a die co-operating with the said

page_text: anvil to force the tube over and about the said nub and into contact with the said
circular face of the anvil, for the purpose specified.
6. In a machine or apparatus for providing tubes with one or more outwardly
extended hollow bosses or projections, the following instrumentalities, viz. :-An
anvil or former adapted to be inserted within the tube and having its surface,
which receives the tube in the formation of the hollow boss, circular in form and
of a radius substantially equal to the radius of the external circumference of the
tube, a boss-forming nub or arm extended from said circular surface and provided
with a centering tit, and a die or plunger co-operating with said anvil, substantially
as described.
7. In a machine or apparatus for forming tubes with one or more outwardly
extended hollow bosses or projections, the following instrumentalities, viz.-A
starting anvil or former provided with the circular surface a 2, the arm or nub a 4
and the tit a 8, a die co-operating with said anvil, a finishing anvil having the
surface a 2 and the nub a 4 a, and a dic co-operating with said finishing anvil
substantially as described.
8. An anvil for providing tubes with an outwardly extended hollow boss,
consisting of a metal bar provided with a circular surface of substantially the
same radius as the internal circumference of the tube operated on, and having a
boss-forming nub extended from said surface and having its extreme outer surface
in the arc of a circle having substantially the same radius as the said circular surface
but made from a different centre, whereby the said anvil may be inserted within an
integral or closed tube having its internal circumference of a radius substantially
equal to the said radii of the anvil, substantially as described.
9. A bicycle-hanger or the like, consisting of an integral metal tube having
outwardly extended hollow bosses integral with the circumferential wall, the said
bosses being formed by outwardly pressing from within the tube a portion of the
circumferential wall.
Dated the 2nd dow of Nagamben 1905
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.