Improvements in Bicycle and other Frames Constructed of Aluminium.
Year: 1895

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bicycle and other Frames Constructed of
Aluminium.
I, WILLIAM PEARSON, residing at Number 189 Vauxhall Road Birmingham in
the County of Warwick, Mechanical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My improvement consists of a method of connecting aluminium tubes to
aluminium sockets or other component parts of bicycles and similar machines or
devices in which light tubular framework is essential, whereby an absolutely secure
and reliable joint is ensured between the tubes, and the sockets, brackets, or other
component parts..
I attain this object in my invention by forming the component parts of aluminium
and providing in the tube sockets thereof, one or more longitudinal channels or
recesses, so that when the tube to be secured, is forced into the socket or sockets, a
portion of the outer circumference of each tube end, within the socket, is exposed,
and can be operated upon from the outside, either singly, or when a series of tubes
are connected. together by sockets, for the purpose of forming a frame or other
device.
In order to complete the joint between each socket and tube, I place a sufficient
quantity of a suitable aluminium alloy, in the channels or recesses formed in the
socket, and by means of a suitable heating apparatus, the alloy is raised to a
sufficiently high temperature to completely fuse the said aluminium alloy and at
the same time partially melt the exposed surfaces of the tube end and the sides of
the said channels or recesses in the sockets; when.this, temperature is reached, the
heating appliance is withdrawn, and the molten aluminium alloy becomes welded to
the partially melted aluminium of the tubes and sockets, thus producing a perfectly
homogeneous and unbreakable joint, capable of standing any reasonable strain.
Dated this 17th day of December 1895.
Improvements in Bicycle and other Frames Constructed of
Aluminium.
I, WILLIAM PEARSON, of 189 Vauxhall Road, Birmingham, 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 improvement consists of a method of connecting aluminium tubes to
aluminium sockets or other component parts of bicycles and similar machines, or
devices in which light tubular framework is essential, whereby an absolutely secure

page_text: and reliable joint is insured between the tubes, and the sockets, brackets, or other
component parts.
I attain this object in my invention by forming the component parts of
aluminium, and providing in the tube sockets thereof, one or more longitudinal
channels or recesses, so that when the tube to be secured is forced into the socket
or sockets, a portion of the outer circumference of each tube end, within the socket
is exposed, and can be operated upon from the outside, either singly, or when a
series of tubes are connected together by sockets for the purpose of forming
a frame or other device.
In order to complete the joint between each socket and tube, I place a sufficient
quantity of a suitable aluminium alloy in the channels or recesses formed in the
socket, and by means of a suitable beating apparatus, the alloy is raised to a
sufficiently high temperature, to completely fuse the said aluminium alloy, and at
the same time partially melt the exposed surfaces of the tube end, and the sides of
the said channels or recesses in the sockets; when this temperature is reached, the
heating appliance is withdrawn, and the molten aluminium alloy becomes welded
to the partially melted aluminium of the tubes and sockets, thus producing a
perfectly homogeneous and unbreakable joint, capable of standing any reasonable
strain.
The accompanying drawings are sections shewing the fixing of a tube A in
a socket B as above described. A slot 6 is cut through the side of the socket B,
or there may be several such slots. The tube being inserted in the socket, a
quantity of the aluminium alloy which is to be fused is placed in the slot b and is
heated by blow pipe or otherwise.
The beat fuses part of the walls of the tube A which the fused alloy penetrates,
also if the tube has been previously tinned, the fused alloy like a solder flows
around the tube, the partly fused metal of which becomes to a certain extent
mingled with it so that when the parts are cooled they are in a manner welded
together.
The slots cut in the socket may obviously be of various forms and in various
numbers, to suit the particular forins and characters of the parts that are to be
united.
Various alloys may be used as the solder which is fused in the slots or recesses.
I find a suitable alloy consists of about 90 parts by weight of tin, 1 or 2 of silver
and 8 to 10 of aluminium.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
The herein described method of uniting two parts of an aluminium frame such
as a tube and socket by fusing a soldering alloy in a slot of the socket.
Dated this 17th dev of Sentember 1904
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.