Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Apr., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 28th Dec., 1897-Accepted, 12th Mar., 1898
'
I, DAVID CROWTHER, of Pickford Street, Milnsbridge, near Huddersfield, York-
shire, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to means or apparatus to be employed in brazing
the joints of cycle frames or fittings, rims or metal tyres for wheels, bars, plates
and the like, said means and method being more especially designed for use in
conjunction with a composite or combined brazing piece, ring, ferrule or strip
forming the subject of a separate application of the same date numbered 8344,
but which can also be used for other methods or processes of brazing, or the
ordinary process.
In carrying out my invention I construct suitable framework or a "jig," which
is designed to the particular form of machine, rim or other object or objects
to be brazed therein, said "jig" or framework being mounted on a stud or shaft
secured to or journalled in a pedestal or standard and adapted to turn thereon.
For cycles I employ a jig mounted in a vertical plane and constructed to hold the
main part of the frame or fittings when put together, a separate table centred on a
pin or stud being provided for the forks, fork crown, cross stays or minor fittings
which cannot be dealt with in the "jig." The said jig" is provided with suit-
able clamps, jaws, vices or equivalent means by which to secure the main cycle.
fittings thereto and hold them perfectly true and rigid. To the jig, in position's
opposite the several joints of the frame or fittings I attach slabs, blocks moulds or
settings composed of fire clay plumbago or other like suitable substance or material
or refractory body which is a non-conductor of heat and which can be quickly
brought to a red heat by a jet from a blow pipe and the heat thereof radiated or
thrown on to the joint to be brazed; or instead of said blocks or moulds I may
employ corresponding parts composed of any suitable metal and having a backing
of asbestos, silicate cotton, slag wool or other non-conductor of heat. Each mould
or block is or may be secured in a box or in clamps secured to the jig either adjust-
ably or otherwise, and on the face side of each said block is formed a recess or
counter sunk portion corresponding in outline or shape to the respective lugs and
.bottom bracket of the frame which are to fit into same, the depth of the recesses
being sufficient to partially surround the joint and to leave a small space between
them and the lugs or bracket so that the flame or heat applied can play round the
joints and raise the blocks or moulds to incandescence, the heat from the latter
being radiated direct on to the rear sides of the joints while the jet from the blow
pipe, or other method of heating employed, is directed more to the 'front sides of
the joints whereby they are rapidly and uniformly heated on all sides. In brazing,
the jig is turned on its centre to bring each joint in succession into a vertical
position. For the remaining parts or fittings of cycles which cannot conveniently
be brazed on the "jig," I employ the horizontal table which is provided with
blocks or moulds shaped, designed, or arranged respectively to partially surround
the several joints and with suitable openings and means for receiving and holding

page_text: said parts firmly in position, springs being added, where necessary, to allow for
contraction or expansion. By turning the table round each joint or part is
successively; brought opposite the brazier.. For joints between butt ended, flat,
angular or curved sections of métal, I construct the "jig" to suit the description
of joint or joints to be dealt with, and employ clamps jaws, vices, or like means for
holding or bringing the parts together, suitable springs being provided, if required,
to maintain the parts in contact under conditions of contraction or expansion. If
a blow pipe or pipes be the means employed for heating the joints, I may combine
with the "jig
a blower, fan or bellows preferably giving a continuous blast, a
valve or valves being provided to control the air and gas.
By the means and method herein set forth, I am enabled to dispense with brazing
hearths, to reduce the risk of overheating the parts, to minimise oxidation of the
metals and to greatly facilitate and simplify the process of brazing.
I, DAVID CROWTHER, of Pickford Street, Milnsbridge, near Huddersfield, York-
shire, Engineer, 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 has reference to means or apparatus to be employed in brazing
the joints of cycle frames or fittings, rims or metal tyres for wheels, bars, plates
and the like, said means and method being more especially designed for use in
conjunction with a composite or combined brazing piece, ring, ferrule or strip,
forming the subject of a separate application of the same date numbered 8344,
but which can be used for other methods or processes of brazing or the ordinary
*process:
In carrying out my invention I construct suitable framework or a "jig or frame
adapted to the particular form of machine, rim or other object or objects to be
brazed therein, said jig or frame being mounted on a table or on a stud or shaft
secured to or journalled in a pedestal or standard and adapted to turn thereon.
For the main parts of cycle frames I employ a frame mounted in a vertical plane
and constructed to hold the frame or certain fittings when put together, a separate
arm or frame centred on a pin or stud being provided for holding the forks, fork
crown, cross stays or minor fittings which cannot be dealt with in the first named
frame or "jig." Suitable clamps, jaws, vices or equivalent means are provided by
which to secure the fittings in position and hold them perfectly true and rigid
while brazing.
To the frame or jig I attach at right angles to each other slabs, blocks, bricks
moulds or settings composed of fire clay plumbago or other like suitable substance
or material or refractory body which is a non-conductor of heat and which can be
quickly brought to a red heat by a jet from a blow pipe and the heat thereof
radiated or thrown on to the joint to be brazed, or instead of said blocks or moulds
I may employ corresponding parts composed of any suitable metal and having a
backing of asbestos, silicate cotton, slag wool or other non-conductor of heat. Each
mould or block is or may be secured to the jig or frame either adjustably or other-
wise. On the table and opposite the second arm or frame I arrange other bricks
moulds or slabs of fire clay or the like and forming a separate brazing hearth to
the hearth or hearths on the pivoted frame.

page_text: The bricks are so arranged that when the joints are placed in position on either
or any of the hearths the heat applied can play round the joints and raise the
blocks or moulds to incandescence, the heat from the latter being radiated direct
on to the rear sides of the joints while the jet from the blow pipe or other method
of heating employed, is directed more to the front sides of the joints whereby they
are rapidly and uniformly heated on all sides. In brazing, the jig is turned on its
centre to bring the joints in succession into a vertical position. The hearth
arranged on the table is provided with suitable openings and means for receiving
and holding vertical parts depending below the joints, springs being added, where
necessary, to allow for contraction or expansion.
By the means and method herein set forth, I am enabled to dispense with the
ordinary breeze or coke brazing hearths, to reduce the risk of overheating the
parts, to minimise oxidation of the metals and to greatly facilitate and simplify
the process of brazing.
In the accompanying drawings illustrating my invention, Fig. 1 is end elevation
of my improved brazing or soldering machine looking in the direction of arrow a
Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is side elevation of the machine looking in the direction of
arrow b Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is plan view of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a similar side elevation
to Fig. 2 shewing a modification of the hinged adjusting arm, the right hand end
of the machine being broken off. Fig. 5 is elevation of the construction of fire
brick employed. Fig. 6 shews a modification of frame 11 constructed to hold the
main part of a cycle frame.
In the drawings like numbers of reference designate corresponding parts
throughout.
Referring to the drawings, 1 is a hollow pillar or standard into the upper end of
which enters a short stud or shaft 2 fitting loosely and adapted to turn freely
therein, said short stud being secured to a cross head 3 resting on the top of the
pillar. In each end of the cross head 3 are journalled plain ended bolts 4,4,, which
are screwed through brackets 5, 5, cast or secured on the underside of a table 6
whereby the said table is movable from a horizontal to an angular position either
on one side or the other. Screws 7, 7" working through corresponding screwed
openings in transverse extensions or arms 8, 8, on the head 3, and abutting
against opposite sides of the table 6, hold said table 6 in any position to which it
is movable. The table 6 with the head 3 and parts, are rotatable together on the
pillar 1. At the right hand end of the table 6 and hinged on the plain ends of
bolts 9 secured to brackets 10 cast or secured on the upper face of the table, is a
frame 11 at the fulcrum end of which are cast or secured at right angles to each
other side walls 11, 11b, whereto and to the face of the frame within said walls
are secured by bolts and wing nuts 12, 12", 12" slabs or blocks 13, 13, 13b, of fire
brick orolike non-conducting or refractory material, which form a hearth A to
receive the joints to be brazed or soldered and to concentrate the heat thereon.
In the said frame 11 are a series of segmental slots 11° forming ares of circles struck
from a centre coincident to the angle of the hearth so that a clamp 14 can be
adjusted centrally with the angle of the hearth to any position within the limits of
the slots 11°. The clamp 14 comprises a bracket or bearing 14" provided with a
hinged jaw 14b, which is secured thereto by a hand nut 15 on the end of a screw 16
hinged at 17.to the bracket 14" and adapted to be registered in a slot 18 in said
hinged jaw, the front edge of which is rounded or bevilled off in order that the
nut 15, when properly adjusted to the size of fitting to be secured in the clamp
can by a little pressure be forced over same wedge fashion to fasten or release the
jaw 14 without screwing or unscrewing the nut each time.
The rear of the part 14" of the clamp is tapped centrally to receive a screw 19
formed on the end of, a handle 20. The said screw is first passed through one of
the segmental slots 11°,-the outer one being that ordinarily used-and the screwed
into the part 14" until a shoulder or intermediate washer on said screw abuts
against the rear of the frame 11 and secures the clamp to the face thereof, I place
a few washers 21 on the screw 19 either at the front or rear of the frame 11, or

page_text: .
both and next thereto so that if the clamp 14 requires adjustment to or from the
frame 11 to hold a smaller or larger joint close to the corner of the hearth A, the
said washer can be removed from one side to the other of the frame to give the
necessary adjustment. The handle 20 is provided for the double purpose of
loosening and tightening the clamp 14 and adjusting its position on the frame, 5
and also for moving said frame bodily on its centre from side to side to bring the
joints to be brazed into a vertical position.
21 and 22 are screws adapted to work through screw threaded openings in the
table 6 and having hand wheels thereon for actuating same, said screws being
employed to support the frame 11 in any position to which it is moved, the ends
of said screws being brought into abutment with the side walls 11ª, 11, or one of
them if the frame is moved past the centre to one side or the other.
In full line in Fig. 1, for the sake of illustration, I have shewn secured to the
frame 11, the front part of a bicycle frame as an example of how the same is
arranged for brazing the bottom ball head lug to the ball head tube and to the 1
bottom bone or tube of the frame at one operation.
The said parts of the cycle frame, previously fitted together ready for brazing,
are placed on the frame 11 in a position to bring the bottom ball head lug close to
the corner and angle of the hearth A or meeting point of the three bricks
13, 13, 13, forming said hearth, and when this has been done one of the tubes
or fittings, in this case the bottom bone or tube is secured in the clamp 14, which
suffices to rigidly hold the part in position on the frame 11. The brazing material
is applied before the parts are fitted together if in the solid composite or combined
form and is placed around the tube just above the joints.
A blow pipe is now brought to bear and the jet therefrom is directed on the
vertical joint from the bottom upwards, the heat applied raising the near portions
of the bricks 13, 13, 13 to incandescence and the heat therefrom being thrown or
radiated on to the rear sides of the joint which is thus rapidly heated to the
required temperature, the spelter being likewise fused and running down the
tube into and filling the joint and making a perfect weld. As soon as the said
joint is full, the frame 11 is moved on its centre to the opposite side to the extent
required to bring the bottom bone or tube of the cycle frame (which is secured in
the clamp 14) to a vertical position so that the joint between same and the bottom
ball head lug can be brazed, and this being already heated to a considerable degree
by the heating of the first named joint very little additional heat is required to
complete the brazing of the second joint. As soon as this is accomplished the
clamp 14 is opened and the fitting removed from the frame 11 and the joints
brushed to clean off the scale before cooling. According to the above example, two
joints are thus brazed at one operation and therefore in less time and with less
trouble than it takes under the old process. The brazing of the joints while in a
vertical position also ensures an equal distribution of spelter around the joint and
consequently a more perfect and safer weld.
I have also shewn in dotted lines in Fig. 1 the position of the frame 11 and rear
portion of a cycle frame to bring the joint between the top tube and the seat pillar
lug to the vertical. As in the former case, when this joint has been brazed, the
frame 11 is tilted over to the right until the back tube of said cycle is brought to
a vertical position to braze the joint between it and the seat pillar lug.
Similarly, the cycle frame can be re-adjusted again in the frame 11 to braze the
rear and bottom tubes to the bottom bracket.
In the latter case the brick 13 is exchanged for one with the inner, corner
removed so as to leave a recess or space in the angle of the hearth into
which the projecting end of the bottom bracket can enter to allow the
joints to be brought close to the said brick 13b or a loose corner may be used
which could be taken out and re-placed again without disturbing the said brick.
Other fittings to be brazed, whether belonging to cycles or otherwise, may be
dealt with in the frame 11 so far as its range of adjustment and adaptation will
admit, but as there are parts which cannot be dealt with in said frame I provide

page_text: on the opposite end of table 6 a second hearth B composed of fire bricks or like
refractory or non-conducting slabs 23, 23, 23b, 23, the first of which rests on the
table and forms the base of the hearth, the second being secured at the rear thereof
by bolt and wing nut 24 to a plate or bracket 25 bolted to the table, and the last
two being placed loosely on the brick 23 at each side thereof to form the sides of
the hearth. The side bricks 23, 23, are of angular section whereby any face
thereof can be placed against the rear brick 23 to give straight or angular sides
to the hearth as may be required for various joints.
The bottom brick 23 is provided with an opening 26 coinciding with an open-
ing 27 in the table 6 through which can pass any fitting or part extending below
a joint or joints to be brazed, such, for instance, as in the case of the jointing of
the front forks to the fork crown.
An illustration of this is shewn in Fig. 2 where the steering column which
extends below the joints when in position for brazing, is passed through the said
openings 26 and 27 to allow the fork crown to rest on the brick 23. The said
column also passes through and is maintained vertically in guides 29, 30, carried
on a spindle 31, the upper guide being secured to said spindle, while the lower one
is adapted to be forced up same against the resistance of a confined spiral spring 32.
To hold the fork crown (or any other fitting having a depending part) firmly
against the brick 23, the steering column is secured by a screw 33 to the guide 30
which is forced upward as much as may be necessary so that the pressure of the
spring will act thereon to hold down the tube.
Under the table 6 is secured by screws 34, a flanged bracket or trunnion 35
having a central opening corresponding to and linable with the openings 26
and 27, said bracket forming the bearing on which is pivoted and supported an
arm 36 having a segmental slot 37 formed therein for affording adjustment to a
clamp 38 provided with a hinged jaw 38ª adapted to be secured thereto by a hand
nut 38 on a screw 38° hinged to the clamp at 38 and which registers in a slot 38°
in said hinged jaw, the clamp being secured to the arm 36 by screw 39 on the end
of a handle 40 (Fig. 3). The arm 36 is movable in a horizontal plane about the
centre 35 to any extent within the compass of the hearth B to adjust its position
to suit that occupied by the fitting or tube to be jointed and adjustment to any
angle in a vertical plane is obtained by moving the clamp 38 up or down on the
slotted arm 36. In addition to the adjustment vertically and horizontally afforded
by the arm 36 the table 6 can be tilted on its centre 4 to one side, or the other
transversely to accommodate fittings such as the rear stays of a cycle frame when
brazing a bridge piece thereto, the said stays being at an angle to each other and
requiring the base of the hearth to be brought to an angle coinciding with that
of the lower stay when the bridge piece is vertical..
A modification of the adjusting arm 36 is shewn at Fig. 4 where, instead of
being movable in a horizontal plane as described, it is hinged at 35 to lugs 41 cast
to the table and is movable in a vertical plane. A clamp 38 is secured permanently
to the end of the said arm and at the rear end of the arm is a projecting nut 42
through which works a screw 43 abutting against the underside of the table 6
and whose rotation in one direction or the other raises or lowers the arm to the
position required, the range of its adjustment not being, however, so great as in
the case of the arm shown in Figs. 2 and 3.
On the spindle 31 (Fig. 2) is centred a disc 44 which rests on a collar or flange
on said spindle and is adapted to be turned round to close the opening 27 in the
table when no fitting projects therethrough. In Fig. 4 the disc 44 pivoted to
the underside of the table instead of on the spindle 31.
The front edge of the brick 23 is hollowed out or made concave centrally to
give clearance to any tube extending downward at a sharp angle from the joint to
be brazed, as shewn in Fig. 4, and ribs are also cast on said brick to keep the joint
or fitting clear of the face of the brick.
Into each side of the table are screwed hooks 45 whereon to hang the blow
pipe when not in use.

page_text: In cases where the tube or fitting is smaller than the interior area of the clamp,
I provide set screws 46 which are screwed through the hinged jaws of the clamp
and against the tube to hold it firmly therein.
There being such a number and variety of fittings adapted to be brazed in the
machine hereinbefore described, I have given only one or two examples to illustrate
how the machine can be used, but it will be obvious that with the wide range of
adjustment provided in respect of the hearths A and B, as also the different con-
struction and arrangement of same, no difficulty will be found in properly applying
to one hearth or the other, any fittings or parts which the machine will take, and
that any person of ordinary intelligence can readily adjust the parts to obtain the
best results.
The fire bricks are preferably made with one or two sheets of metal gauze or
open wire work 46" embedded at short distances in same as illustrated at Fig. 5 in
order to hold the brick together longer in case of the same cracking or breaking
with the heat; and to further prolong the life of the bricks after fracture, I secure
over same, by the same bolts and wing nuts which secure them in position on the
hearths and by other bolts and wing nuts when the .bricks are not so secured,
perforated metal plates, the holes in which are sufficiently large to expose the
greatest extent of surface of the brick so that the efficiency of same shall not be
reduced..
In Fig. 6 I shew a modification of the frame 11. In this case the frame is
made sufficiently large to hold the main portion of a bicycle frame, and is mounted
on the centre 9 about which it can be turned freely, said frame being nicely
balanced so that to whatever position it is turned, it will remain there, without
being held or secured. At each corner of the said frame 11 are attached brackets 47
to each of which are secured sets of fire bricks, arranged similarly to those
described with reference to frame 11 shewn in Figs. 1 to 3, and forming four
separate hearths. Each bracket 47 is provided with a slot 48, through which and
through slots 49 formed in the frame 11 the bolts for securing the brackets to the
frame are passed, said slots being arranged crosswise of each other to afford
adjustment in any direction to receive different sizes of cycle frames and to adjust
the hearths to the different angles of frames.
As shewn in Fig. 6 the whole main part of a cycle frame can be applied to the
frame 11 and secured by one or more of the clamps 50, the lugs and bottom
bracket on said frame fitting close to the corner or angle of each hearth so that
each joint can be brazed in succession.
The frame is turned round by means of handles 51 to bring every joint in turn
to the vertical and, as previously set forth, when one joint in a lug has been brazed
the other joint in the same lug which is already partially heated is then brought
to the vertical. For those who prefer to braze the fittings together in sections, the
frame 11 shewn in Figs. 1 to 3 is the handiest. The frame shewn at Fig. 6 is
centred on the table 6, or it may be centred on a separate pillar or standard.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
Firstly. In brazing machines, a pivoted frame provided with a slot or slots and
having an angular brazing hearth thereon composed of fire bricks or like refractory
or non conducting material a clamp secured to said frame and adapted to be
adjusted to any position within the limits of the slot or slots, and means for sup-
porting the frame in any position all arranged and acting in the manner and for
the purposes substantially as herein shewn and described.
Secondly. In brazing machines, a pivoted or hinged table having thereon a
brazing hearth comprising a base and three sides of a
rectangle composed of fire:
bricks or like refractory or non-conducting material, an arm hinged to said table,
and movable in a horizontal or vertical plane, means for holding and adjusting the
postion of fittings to be brazed on said hearth, and means for supporting the table

page_text: in a horizontal or angular position all arranged and operating in the manner and
for the purposes substantially as shewn and described.
Thirdly. In a brazing machine, a rotatable frame mounted in a vertical plane
having a series of adjustable brazing hearths secured thereto in position to receive
the lugs and bottom bracket of the main part of a cycle frame and means for effect-
ing adjustment of the hearths and for securing the cycle frame in position sub-
stantially as shewn and described with reference to Fig. 6.
Fourthly. The general arrangement construction and operation of the parts
comprising the herein described brazing machine substantially as set forth.
Dated this 23rd day of December 1897.
TASKER & CROSSLEY,
Huddersfield, Patent Agents.