Improvements in Joints for Cycles, Vehicles, and other Articles Made of Bamboo, Cane, or other Compressible Materials.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd June, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Mar., 1896--Accepted, 22nd June, 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Joints for Cycles, Vehicles, and other Articles
Made of Bamboo, Cane, or other Compressible Materials.
We GEORGE SANDERS 1 Providence Place Hob Moor Road Small Heath in
the County of Warwick and JOHN WILLIAM HOLLAND 10 Sparsholt Road
Crouch Hill in the County of Middlesex Engineers do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
An improved method of joining or coupling bamboo, cane or other compressible
materials to sockets or joints made of metal or other hard substance applicable to
cycles vehicles and other articles.
The object of this invention is to overcome the irregularities of shape and size
when they occur in bamboo cane and other compressible materials of a like nature
so as to obtain uniformity and also to make good and secure joints.
Whenever the term bamboo occurs hereinafter it is understood to refer also to
cane and other compressible materials of a like nature and is used alone for the
sake of brevity.
We obtain uniformity of size and good and secure joints by steaming the
bamboo or immersing it in boiling or hot water or other liquid and by applying
pressure which compresses the bamboo to the size required and which also allows
of any desired indentations grooves threads or the like to be impressed upon its
surfaces. The compression is obtained by the use of tools boxes or moulds in a
manner well known in mechanics.
We sometimes make upon the bamboo a raised thread by running or wrapping a
metal or flexible wire in indentations grooves or worms formed by compression or
otherwise on the bamboo for that purpose.
We may also run or wrap a metal or flexible wire on the plain surface of the
bamboo and not in indentations or grooves or worm or it may be wrapped partly in
indentations and partly on the plain surface.
When the ends of lengths of bamboo are prepared by compression with rings
grooves or worms they can readily be engaged with or run into couplings sockets
or joints having corresponding rings grooves or worms.
In another modification of our improvements we make a joint or connection as
follows: We make a socket or a connection with a socket having a blank or
solid end.
In the socket at or near the solid end we make a recess or bead and on the
blank or solid end form a cone or a square projection more or less tapered towards
the open end of tube; we then compress the bamboo on its whole surface or part
of its surface thus leaving a collar or raised bead at or near its end. The bamboo
is then driven into this socket or joint on to the cone which assists to expand the
collar on the bamboo into the groove prepared for it.
We also compress in the
bamboo a groove in any convenient position and make by drilling filing or other-
wise a groove or fitting in the metal joint so that a suitable pin may be driven in
and thus make a secure joint.
We may carry out this improvement without having a solid back but with a
loose cone & washer with lugs in combination with the pin embedded partly in
bamboo and metal socket or joint as described above.
In another modification we make the joint as follows: We cast or fix in lugs a

page_text: central metal tube with an annular space around it on to which the bamboo can be
forced or screwed.
We sometimes impress or cut a screw upon the outer surface of the central metal
tube and we make by compression or otherwise a corresponding impression or screw
upon the inner surface of the bamboo. We may make the lug parallel inside with
a flat back or end or we may make the back or end conical and in that case we
should compress or cut the end of bamboo so as to fit in or correspond to the taper
of lug.
Our improvements also include compressing bamboo to the size required for
screwing or threading with a die or other means.
By means of our improvements compressing and indenting bamboo can be
mechanically treated without injuring or removing its cuticle.
Dated this 21st day of June 1895.
GEORGE SANDERS.
JOHN W. HOLLAND.
Improvements in Joints for Cycles, Vehicles, and other Articles
Made of Bamboo, Cane, or other Compressible Materials.
We, GEORGE SANDERS, 1 Providence Place, Hob Moor Road, Small Heath in
the County of Warwickshire and JOHN WILLIAM HOLLAND, 10 Sparsholt Road,
Crouch Hill in the County of Middlesex, Engineers, 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 :-
Our invention relates to an improved method of joining or coupling bamboo,
cane or other compressible material, to sockets or joints made of metal or other
hard substance and is applicable to cycles, vehicles and other articles. The
objects of this invention are to overcome the irregularities of shape and size when
they occur in bamboo, cane and other compressible materials of a like nature so as
to obtain uniformity and also to make good and secure joints. Whenever the
term bamboo occurs hereinafter whether in the specification or claims, it is to be
understood to refer also to cane and other compressible materials of a like nature,
and is used alone for the sake of brevity.
We obtain uniformity of size, and good and secure joints, by steaming the
bamboo or immersing it in boiling or hot water or other liquid and by applying
pressure which compresses the bamboo to the size required, and which steaming or
immersing also allows of any desired indentations, grooves, threads or the like to
be impressed upon the surfaces of the bamboo. The compression is obtained by
the use of tools, boxes, or moulds in a manner well known in mechanics.
And in order that our invention may be fully understood we will in describing
the same refer to the two accompanying sheets of illustrative drawings, but we do
not confine ourselves to the particulars shown therein as modifications may be made
without exceeding the limits of our invention.
On Sheet 1.
Figures I, II and III are front elevations of a steam chest, a long press, and a
small press suitable for employment in carrying out our invention.
On Sheet 2.
Figures IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX and X are longitudinal sections of various
joints constructed according to our invention.
Figure XI is a transverse section on the line xx in Figure VII.
Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.
We cut off the bamboo in pieces of the length required, and may, if desired, pare
down the nodes to give the length a more nearly cylindrical form. We place the

page_text: lengths in a suitable iron or other steam-tight chest such as that shown in Figure I
and admit steam thereto, or we may place the lengths in a hot or boiling liquid such
as water. For tubes of 1" diameter we find that the immersion in steam or boiling
water may conveniently be continued for about five minutes; if the water be
at a lower temperature than 212° F. the time of immersion should be extended
proportionately.
We take the lengths one at a time direct from the steam or liquid and place
them in a press such as that shown in Figure II. The greater part of the dies 4
are so grooved as to straighten the length operated on thereby and the ends 5 of
the dies are preferably formed with short grooves of somewhat smaller diameter so
that all the lengths shall have end parts 9 of uniform size and exactly in line with
each other. Each length may be left in the press about 3 minutes to set. Next
we insert a steel or other suitable, strong plug 7 in each end of the length and insert
each end in a small press such as that shown in Figure II, having the dies 6
adapted to form a screw thread, indentations, grooves or the like thereon. The
length may be supported in a guide or holder so that the thread or the like shall
be formed on the length in the proper position relatively to its axial line and
otherwise. In both presses the pressure is applied gradually so as not to injure
the bamboo, and the operation is preferably repeated after the length has been
rotated, say a quarter turn, so as to avoid or remove any feather that might be
thrown up between the dies of the press. Each end 9 may be left in the small
press say 3 minutes to set. It then removed from the press, the steel or like plug 7
is extracted and a wooden or like plug 8 is preferably inserted in its place. The
end 9 is now ready to be coupled or joined to the socket er joint 10 which is
internally screw threaded or grooved or the like according to the configuration
pressed on the end of the length. If a screw connection be formed, it may suffice
by itself or it may be assisted by a suitable cement but we prefer to employ a pin 16
as hereinafter more fully described with reference to Figures VII and XI; other-
wise, the socket will preferably be in parts held together by bolts 23 and thereby
tightened on to the end as shown in Figure V.
Instead of forming a screw thread on the bamboo itself by pressure as herein-
before described we may form a thread by wrapping a metal or other suitable
wire 21 (Figure VI) in indentations, grooves or worms 22 formed by compression
or otherwise on the bamboo for that purpose. Or we may wrap such wire on the
plain surface of the bamboo and not in indentations, grooves or worms, the number-
of convolutions and the diameter and form of the wire corresponding to the screw
thread formed in the socket with which it is to engage; or the wire may be wrapped
partly in indentations and partly on the plain surface. The ends of the wire may
be passed through the walls of the bamboo and secured in the interior by being
forced into the plug 8 or otherwise.
In another modification of our improvements we make a joint or connection as
follows: We make a socket or a connection with a socket 10 (Figure VII) having
a blank or solid end 11. In the socket at or near the solid end we make a recess 12
and we form the said end with a projection 18 more or less tapered towards the
open end of the socket; we then compress the bamboo on its surface so as to leave
a collar or raised bead 13 at or near its end. The bamboo is then driven into this
socket or joint on to the projection 18 which assists to expand the collar 13 on the
bamboo into the groove 12 prepared for it. We also compress in the bamboo a
transverse groove 14 in any convenient position and make by drilling, filing or
otherwise a corresponding groove or fitting 15 in the metal joint 10 so that a suitable
pin 16 may be driven into the chamber so formed, and thus make a secure joint.
The pin 16 may be tapered and have a cross cut at the larger end while the
smaller end is threaded and screwed into the wall of the socket 10 (Figures VIL
and XI).
We may carry out this improvement without having a solid end to the socket,
as shown in Figure VIII where, the joint being bored through in two directions
we employ a loose projection 18 and a washer 17 with lugs adapted to bear against

page_text: the tube 19 or the like and enable the projection 18 to assume its proper position
in the joint. The pin 16 is preferably employed also in this joint as described
above.
In another modification we make the joint as follows: We cast or fix in lugs a
central metal tube with an annular space around it onto which the bamboo can be
forced or screwed.
We sometimes impress or cut a screw upon the outer surface of the central metal
tube 20 Figure 1X and we make by compressing the end 9 of the bamboo on to
a suitable tap in a suitable press or otherwise, a corresponding impression or screw
upon the inner surface of the bamboo. Or, as a modification of this construction,
we may employ a wood screw 20 in combination with a wooden or like plug 8
secured in the end 9 of the bamboo, as shown in Figure X.
We may make the socket 10 parallel inside with a flat back or end 11 (as shown
in Figure IX) or we may make the back or end conical either convexly or concavely
(as shown in Figure X) and compress or cut the end of the bamboo so as to fit in
or correspond to the taper. The exterior of the end 9 being adapted to fit the
interior of the socket 10, the risk of the screwing splitting the bamboo is reduced
to a minimum.
Our improvements also include compressing bamboo to the size required (as
herein before described) for screwing or threading with a die or other means.
By
means of our improvements bamboo may be compressed and indented mechanically
without removing or injuring its cuticle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is.―
1. The hereinbefore described method of joining or coupling bamboo to sockets
or joints of metal or other hard substance, by steaming the bamboo or immersing
it in a boiling or hot liquid, by compressing the ends of the bamboo to the size
required and by impressing upon the inner or outer surfaces of the bamboo,
indentations, grooves, threads or the like whereby it is united to suitably prepared
sockets or joints, substantially as set forth.
2. Overcoming the irregularities of shape and size in bamboo by steaming or
immersing it in a boiling or hot liquid and by compression, substantially as and
for the purpose herein set forth.
3. In overcoming the irregularities of shape and size in bamboo for the purpose
set forth, the employment of a press having the greater part of the dies so grooved
as to straighten lengths of bamboo operated on thereby, and the ends of the dies
of reduced diameter so as to make the ends of such lengths of uniform size and
in live with each other, substantially as herein described and illustrated by way of
example in Figure II of the accompanying drawings.
4. In impressing indentations, grooves, threads or the like upon the outer surface
of bamboo for the purpose set forth, the enployment of a steel or other suitable
strong plug inserted in the end of the bamboo to be operated on, and of a press
having dies adapted to form such impressions, and either with or without a guide
or holder to support the bamboo, substantially as herein described.
5. In impressing indentations, grooves, threads or the like upon the inner surface
of bamboo for the purpose set forth, the employment of a press and of a suitable
tap or the like adapted to enter the end of the bamboo and on to which tap the end
of the bamboo is compressed, substantially as herein described.
6. In forming a joint for coupling bamboo to a socket or joint of metal or other
hard substance, according to this invention,-screwing the bamboo into the socket
or joint, with or without the assistance of cement or of a pin, substantially as
herein described and illustrated by way of example in Figures IV and Xl of the
accompanying drawings.
7. In forming a joint for coupling bamboo to a socket or joint of metal or other
hard substance, according to this invention,-causing projections on one to enter

page_text: indentations in the other and holding the parts of the socket or joint together by
bolts so as to tighten such socket or joint on to the bamboo, substantially as herein
described and illustrated by way of example in Figure V of the accompanying
drawings.
8. In a joint made according to this invention,-forming a screw thread on the
bamboo by wrapping a wire in or on, or partly in and partly on, the surface of the
bamboo, such screw thread being adapted to engage with a screw thread formed in
the said socket or joint, substantially as herein described and illustrated by way of
example in Figure VI of the accompanying drawings.
9. In forming a joint according to this invention, providing the socket with a
recess and a taper projection, and providing the bamboo with a collar at or near
the end, such collar being adapted to enter the said recess and be forced thereinto
by the taper of the said projection, substantially as herein described and illustrated
by way of example in Figure VII of the accompanying drawings.
10. In forming a joint according to this invention,-compressing a transverse
groove in the bamboo and forming a corresponding groove or fitting in the socket
and inserting a suitable pin in the chamber thus formed so as to secure or assist
in securing the joint, substantially as herein described and illustrated by way of
example in Figures VII and XI of the accompanying drawings.
11. The modification of the arrangement referred to in Claim 9 substantially as
herein described and illustrated by way of example in Figure VIII of the
accompanying drawings.
12. In forming a joint according to this invention,-providing the socket with
a central metal tube with an annular space around it on to which the bamboo can
be forced or screwed, substantially as herein described.
13. In forming a joint according to this invention, providing the metal tube
referred to in Claim 12 with an external screw thread and providing the bamboo
with a corresponding internal screw thread, and making or not making the back
or end of the socket conical either convexly or concavely, and compressing or
cutting the end of the bamboo to fit in or correspond to the taper, substantially
as herein described and illustrated by way of example in Figure IX of the
accompanying drawings.
14. The modification of the arrangement referred to in Claim 13, substantially
as herein described and illustrated by way of example in Figure ✗ of the
accompanying drawings.
15. In forming a joint according to this invention,-compressing bamboo and
providing the same with a screw thread by means of a die or other suitable means,
substantially as set forth.
16. The improvements in joints for cycles, vehicles and other articles made of
bamboo, substantially as herein described and illustrated.
Dated this 20th day of March 1896.
G. DOUGLAS LEECHMAN,
18 Hertford Street, Coventry, Patent Agent.