Improvements relating to the Jointing of Aluminium and other Tubes, Rods, and the like into Velocipede or other Frames and similar Structures.
Year: 1896

page_text: This Print is in accordance with the Original Specification as it stands after
Amendment (under Section 11 of the Patents, &c. Act, 1883) as required by
the decision of the Chief Examiner of the 15th day of Novr. 1897.
Date of Application, 8th June, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 8th Apr., 1897-Accepted, 8th June, 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Jointing of Aluminium and other
Tubes, Rods, and the like into Velocipede or other Frames and
similar Structures.
I, TIMOTHY SHEPHERD, of Kenilworth, Oakfield Road, Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
My invention has for its object to provide a simple and efficient method of
jointing aluminium and other tubes, rods, castings and the like either together
or to some other metal or part, and is especially applicable in cases where very
strong joints are required as in velocipede frames.
According to my said invention I so unite the tubes, rods, or other parts to be
joined, with a suitably shaped casting that they shall become one solid mass in the
following manner: A pattern of the frame required is first made, each of the
tubes, rods and joints being represented in its finished size. This pattern is then
moulded in sand, plaster or the like in the usual way after which the pattern is
removed from the mould. Tubes of a corresponding size to those on the pattern
are put into their respective positions into the moulds after having their ends
plugged up with sand or other suitable material to act as a core where the joints
are required hollow in the centre. If the joints or any one of them should be
required to be thicker than the tubes a core is put into the tube-ends fitting
tightly excepting where the casting is required thicker where the core should be
reduced in size accordingly. In either case a suitable vent is made through the
cores for the escape of the gases evolved.
A well or hollow is made in the sand near each joint to which it is connected
by a depression or channel in the sand. This well can be made with the pattern
by attaching a suitably shaped bulb or block near cach joint. At each joint
moreover is formed an inlet or gate for the molten metal, the gate being
sufficiently wide and high. In order to join the tubes or rods the molten metal
is simply poured into the inlet or gate and on its way to the well or hollow
formed by the bulb above mentioned, passes through the joint thus heating and
actually melting the parts before the joint is filled up when the whole becomes
one mass.
The size of the overflow can be so regulated that the tubes shall just lose their
solidity and becomes one mass with the metal of the joint when the mould is
filled. The whole of the tube joints can be cast in this manner. or the overflow
can be dispensed with where it is not advisable to melt the tubes or other parts
in which case the metal is made thicker outside than when the method above
mentioned is adopted so as to prevent the contraction of the molten metal on the
solid tube causing the joint to crack.

page_text: and connecting channels formed thereby will be of dimensions corresponding to
the size of the respective joint with which the said well is connected.
To dispense with extra vents, I prefer casting each joint of the frame separately
so that the open ends of the tubes so joined will form vents and facilitate the
removal of the cores after the joint is made, when it, in turn, becomes a vent for
the other end of the tube which can be cased in the manner above described.
The superfluous metal in the gate and overflow may be removed in the usual
manner, and the joints filed and finished.
Where extra strong joints are required to be made, tight fitting tubes or rods
may be used by forcing them up the main tubes to a suitable distancce to act as
liners.
For repair work the well may be made the desired form, moulded, and the
pieces to be joined inserted, due care being taken that there is a sufficient
clearance between the latter and the mould to admit of the superfluous metal
running into the well.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my sail
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would have it
understood that I am aware that it has been previously proposed to unite the
members of cycle frames and the like by placing the said members in their proper
relative positions in the mould and then pouring in molten metal to form a joint,
but I declare that what I claim is:-
1. The hereinbefore described improved method of jointing or uniting
aluminium or other similar tubes or rods of a low melting point into velocipede
or other frames and similar structures.
2. The method of jointing aluminium and any of its alloys by means of
burning or autogenous soldering substantially as set forth.
Dated this 8th dor of Anil 1807
A. F. SPOONER,
323, High Holborn, London, Agent for the Applicant.