Improvements in Joints for Vehicle-frames.
Year: 1897

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Joints for Vehicle-frames.
I, ALBERT AUGUSTUS POPE, of Cohasset, in the County of Norfolk and 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:-
The object of my invention is to provide means whereby a vehicle-frame, and
more particularly a frame for a bicycle made up of brackets and tubular members,
may be constructed with fastening devices which will enable the frame to be
assembled and firmly united as to the several component parts while permitting
the use of tempered steel tubes if desired, and a iurther object is to provide a
frame of this class which may be readily assembled and as easily taken apart.
To this end. my invention consists in the features of the several parts com-
prising the frame as a whole and the combination of the parts as hereinafter
described and more particularly pointed out in the claims.
Referring to the drawings:
Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of part of the top frame tube of a bicycle
and of the brackets to which this tube is secured with parts broken away to illus-
trate the construction.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the coupling and ring.
Figure 3 is a detail view in cross section through the coupling means.
Figure 4 is a detail edge view of the coupling collar.
The within invention is described in connection with the frame of a bicycle
as it is particularly, although not solely, adapted for use in connection with the
frame of such a light vehicle, and in such frame the several tubular members
are united by brackets, the respective parts being firmly held together by inter-
engaging screw-threaded parts. The screwing together of the several component
parts which are screw-threaded to fit each other at the proper points is a feature
of construction on which my improvement is based.
In the accompanying drawings the letter a denotes a tubular member of the
frame and b a bracket member, the latter being provided with a tang 6 screw-
threaded to receive and engage the screw-threaded portion of a coupling device.
In putting together, or assembling, the several tubular and bracket members
of a frame which is united by threaded parts as opposed to brazing, or pinning
and brazing, as a means of fastening such parts together, it is difficult to provide
for the exact relative adjustment and alignment of the members in the desired
central plane of the frame. It can be done by repeated outting and fitting of the
abutting ends or shoulders, but this is undesirable as a requirement of shop
practice, for obvious reasons.
To provide for and avoid this difficulty of adjustment of the connected members
of the frame in the proper plane and yet secure a firm bearing of the shoulders,
I make use of a screw-threaded coupling c which fits within or upon the end of the
tubular member and the tang on the bracket member and by its rotation serves
to control the relative adjustment and distance apart of the members which it,
unites.

page_text: .
With the coupling c located inside the parts as shown herein the collar d with
a central web projecting inward between the end of the tube and of the tang
on the bracket is used. The diameter of the opening through the web of the
collar is such as to enable it to fit snugly upon the coupling and yet have free
lateral movement thereon. A lug 2 on the inner edge of the web a projects into
a lengthwise slot in the outer surface of the coupling so as to hold the collar
against rotation except with the coupling, and openings e in the periphery of the
collar form an anchorage for a spanner or like tool by means of which the collar
may be rotated to bring the tube and bracket into proper relation.
This means of adjustment is of special value in assembling a frame in which
one or more of the tubular members is crooked or bent.
It is obvious that the threads on each end of the coupling shall be of opposite
or varying pitch in order to constitute an operative device, but I prefer to con-
struct the threads of opposite pitch.
It is evident, moreover, 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 in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1
1. In combination, in a vehicle-frame, a bracket member and a tubular or
longer member each having a screw-threaded socket, a screw-threaded coupling
fitting said sockets and having a lengthwise peripheral slot, and a collar loosely
mounted on the coupling and closing the joint between the said tubular or longer
member and the bracket member and with a lug engaging said slot, all sub-
stantially as described.
2. In combination in a vehicle frame, a bracket member and a tubular or
longer member each having a screw-threaded socket, a screw-threaded coupling
fitting said sockets and having a lengthwise peripheral slot, the threads on
opposite ends of the coupling being of different pitch, and a collar loosely mounted
on the coupling and closing the joint between the said tubular or longer member
and the bracket member and provided with a lug engaging said slot, all sub-
stantially as described.
Dated Hartford
Coun Santamhan 7th 1807
ALBERT AUGUSTUS POPE,
D. Young & Co.,
11 and 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.