Improvements in Frames for Cycles, or like Vehicles.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Jan, 1898-Accepted, 9th Apr., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Frames for Cycles, or like Vehicles.
I, OTTO DRESCHER, of 9 and 10, Lindenstrasse, Liegnitz, in the Kingdom of
Prussia, in the German Empire, Merchant, 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:-
This invention relates to cycle frames constructed partly of bent wood, and its
object is to produce a frame of great elasticity and strength, while decreasing the
weight when compared with steel frames of the ordinary construction.
The invention consists generally in forming the principal members of the frame
of light wood, bent in the manner of "Vienna chairs" and the like, while connecting
these members by steel tubes, and fastenings, in a particular manner, the whole
frame being of a certain specific form distinct from that employed when steel tubes
are used.
The invention is illustrated in the accompanying sheet of drawings as follows,-
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved frame.
Figure 2 is a plan, and
Figures 3 and 4 are plans of the several portions of the frame when detached.
Referring to the accompanying drawings the bottom member of the frame / is
formed of a single piece of wood bent in the manner shown in Figure 1 and formed
as shown in plan Figure 2 with forks at the right hand side, and having au
opening at the left hand side. The two extremities of the bifurcated member a
of the cycle are fitted with steel fork caps al arranged to receive and carry the
spindle of the rear wheel, while the other extremity of the member a has screwed on
to it a steel bracket g carrying one end of the steering tube or head h.
A top
member b of the bicycle is bent as shown in Figure 1, and passes through the
opening in the lower member a showu in plau at Figure 3 on the left hand side.
The bottom end of this member b is screwed into a steel bracket i which supports
the lower end of the steering tube h. The top extremity of the member b is slotted,
and placed between it and the centre of the bottom member a is a saddle rod or
tube f, the said saddle rod or tube fand the top and bottom members being pulled
together by two light longitudinal bolts c, d.
The hub bracket e which carries the crank axle is placed between the saddle
tube f and the centre of the bottom member a, so that the longitudinal bolts and
the plate underneath them not only attach the top and bottom members, but also
firmly bind the axle hub in position. To the rear of this framework two stays m, m,
are attached, the top ends of the stays being fixed to the member 6 while the lower
ends of the stays are attached to the steel extremities al al of the forked portion
of the member b. These stays m, m, are a substitute for the usual flattened rear
fork of the cycle.
As is clearly shown in full lines in Figure 1 the top member b passes
through the opening in the lower member a and at the particular point of
crossing the members may be attached to each other or left free as desired.
As a
substitute for this crossing of the top and botton members they may be bent into

page_text: the positions shown by dotted lines, in which case a more elastic and less rigid frame
structure is provided.
It is to be clearly understood that the inventor does not limit himself to the screw
method of fastening, but may use bolts, cement, wedges or any suitable device.
The top end of the saddle tube f passes through a slot in the end k of the member b
permitting of a certain amount of adjustment in the plane of the cycle frame. This
new cycle frame constructed as hereinbefore described with reference to the
drawings is distinguished by its stability, uniform elasticity and cheap method of
construction.
Having now particularly described, and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1, An improved cycle frame in which the upper and lower members of the frame
are constructed of bent wood attached at the front end by steel brackets and
steering head of the usual construction, and attached at the rear end by steel stays
as a substitute for the ordinary rear forks, while the tubular hub member is gripped
between the upper and lower members of the wooden framework and held in
position there by longitudinal parallel bolts passing through both wooden members,
the said tubes and bolts also holding in position the crank axle hub or bracket
substantially as hereinbefore described.
2, The improved cycle frame hereinbefore described, with reference to Figures 1,
2, 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.