Improvements in Mechanical Joints for Vehicle-frames.
Year: 1897

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 Comptroller General of the 4th day of April 1898.
Date of Application, 30th Sept., 1897-Accepted, 4th Dec., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED).
Improvements in Mechanical Joints for Vehicle-frames.
I, ALBERT AUGUSTUS POPE, of Cohasset, in the County of Norfolk, State of
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:
My invention relates generally to frames for vehicles, and more particularly to
the class of lighter vehicles such as bicycles and other velocipedes; and the object
of my invention is to provide a vehicle-frame made up of separable members
comprising the longer main frame-members and shorter connecting bracket-
members at the angles of the frame, with means for removably fastening such parts
together.
Referring to the drawings:-
Figure 1 is a view in central vertical section through the frame at the junction
of the separable members and through the joint.
Figure 2 is a view in cross section through these parts on the center line of the
locking pin.
Figure 3 is a detail underside view of the end of one of the main frame-members
showing the transverse notch or groove.
Figure 4 is a view in side elevation of a bicycle-frame of the "diamond” type,
in the making of which my improvements are embodied.
In the manufacture of frames for velocipedes and such light vehicles, it is
common in the art to make the longer frame-members of tubes, although that is not
essential, and these members are united to each other by an intervening bracket-
member as a rule, although there may be a direct connection between the several
separable members without the intervention of a bracket.
In the accompanying drawings the letter a denotes a main frame-member and 6
a bracket-member, the latter being usually provided with a tang c. This tang c is
provided with a socket into which the end of the main frame-member projects and
in which it closely fits.
The end of the main frame-member a is provided with a transverse indentation,
notch or groove a¹ so located that, when the end of this main frame-member is
fitted into the socket in the tang, this notch or groove a¹ will lie within and be
covered by the walls of the tang.
Through the walls of the tang is a transverse opening so arranged that a pin f
extending through this hole will project into the socket space in the tang and
lie as to part of its width within the transverse notch in the side of the main
frame-member. These parts are so arranged that the pin sockets or notches register
and the pin f may be so driven through the said sockets or notches as to bind
the parts firmly together.

page_text: The
The tang is preferably of such a thickness as to its walls as to permit the headed
end of the pin to be recessed into the surface as to one end of the pin, while the
other end may be headed or upset slightly into the recess on the opposite wall of
the tang, thus holding the pin firmly in place against accidental removal
pin is either tapered lengthwise or made in sections lengthwise with tapered adjacent
surfaces roughened to a degree sufficient to enable them when driven into the hole
from opposite ends to press together and so firmly engage as to prevent any
accidental removal of the pin or the working out of the sections under the ordinary
wear in use of the vehicle.
These means of uniting the several members of a vehicle-frame affords a simple
and secure device for avoiding the prior method of uniting the frame parts which
includes a brazing operation. This latter is objectionable as it subjects the frame
parts when the main parts are tubular with this walls, as is the rule in the
manufacture of bicycles, to such a degree of heat in the operation of brazing as
to weaken the parts, and by unequal cooling subject them to unequal and unknown
strains. There is also the added danger of cutting into the surface of the tube
or making a breaking scratch in filing away the surplus metal used in brazing.
All such dangers are avoided by the use of my improvements.
It is evident that my improvements are also applicable in cases where the longer
frame-members are made solid instead of tubular..
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would have it understood
that I am aware of the Specification of the Patent No. 24301/95 granted to. James
Richard Trigwell and I do not claim anything which is described and claimed
therein; I declare that what I claim is:-
In combination, in a vehicle-frame having separable members, a bracket-member
having a hollow tang with a transverse pin-notch or groove, a main frame-member
with its end adapted to fit closely within the hollow tang and having near its end
a transverse notch or indentation, and a removable transverse pin fitting within
the notches or grooves of the tang and frame-parts and separably binding together
the frame-member and the bracket member, all substantially as described.
ו זוו
Cantanal 1907
1:
ALBERT AUGUSTUS POPE.
D. Young & Co.,
11 and 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.