Improvements in the Manufacture of Frames for Velocipedes or other Machines.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Mar., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 13th Dec., 1898-Accepted, 15th June, 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Frames for Velocipedes or other
Machines.
I, MANASSAH GLEDHILL, of Hazeldene, Fallowfield, Manchester, in the County
of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
Heretofore it has been usual to make frames for bicycles and similar vehicles
of separate lengths or pieces of steel tubes which are brazed or otherwise united
to form a frame of the required shape. There are however several objections to
the use of tubular frames, especially to the existence of brazed or other joints
therein which are a source of weakness and this method of manufacture is a some-
what expensive and slow operation. Also it is not easy to detect any internal
flaws in a tube as the interior cannot be easily inspected.
In order to overcome these and other objections I propose to make frames for
bicycles and similar structures of metal having a cross-section resembling that
of a girder or having a cruciform or similar section instead of the usual tubular
section so that while the said frame will have all the requisite strength and
rigidity there will be no part of it which cannot be readily inspected. Moreover
I am thereby able to manufacture the frames much more cheaply than is possible
when tubes are employed in their construction as heretofore.
According to one part of my invention I make the frame of one piece of metal
without welded, brazed or other joints at any part of it. For this purpose I take
a dise or plate of any suitable metal and after removing the central portion thereof
I form it into a ring, which I roll into the required cross sectional form. The
said ring so formed is then placed upon a block of the required finished shape
of the frame and by hydraulic or other pressure the ring is caused to. conform
to the shape of the said block. The various sockets or brackets for the steering
post, saddle post and crank shaft are then riveted bolted or similarly connected
to the said frame in their proper positions. The usual stays and forks for the
rear wheel may also be connected to the main frame by riveting or otherwise.
In this manner I obtain a bicycle frame which is as strong and as light as a
tubular frame and which possesses no joints or other weak parts. In order to
ensure great rigidity of the frame I may make it of steel containing a percentage
of nickel or chrome, and it may be oil-hardened. If found desirable the 'said
frame may have a cylindrical appearance imparted to it by inserting between its
flanges wooden strips or fillets of suitable cross-section or it may be otherwise
made to conform in appearance to any required fashion or pattern.
According to another part of my invention instead of making the frame as
above stated, I may construct it from a single straight bar or length of girder-
sectioned metal which is bent into the shape of the required frame. The
contiguous ends of the bar are then connected by riveting bolting or otherwise.
I prefer to utilize the bracket of the crank shaft for connecting the said ends of
the frame so that the operation of attaching the bracket to the frame effects the
joining of the contiguous ends of the latter without brazing or welding the same

page_text: Instead of making the said frame of a single bar or length of metal having a
girder or similar section as above stated, may make it in several straight pieces
or lengths, say four pieces, which are joined together at the four corners of the
frame by riveting bolting or otherwise. In this case it will be found advantageous
to employ the various brackets used for carrying-the steering post, the saddle post
and the crank shaft, for joining together the several pieces composing the frame,
so that the riveting or similar operation by which the brackets are attached to the
frame will also effect the secure joining together of the separate members of the
said frame..
Dated this 15th day of March 1808
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Frames for Velocipedes or other
Machines.
I, MANASSAIL GLEDHILL, of Hazeldene, Fallowfield, Manchester, in the County.
of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:--
Heretofore it has been usual to make frames for bicycles and similar vehicles
of separate lengths or pieces of steel tubes which are brazed or otherwise united
to form a frame of the required shape. There are however several objections to
the use of tubular frames; this method of manufacture is a somewhat expensive
and slow operation and the brazed or other joints are a source of weakness.
Moreover the existence of any internal flaws is liable to escape detection as the
interior of a tube cannot be easily inspected.
In order to overcome these and other objections I propose, by the method and
in the manner hereinafter specified, to make frames for bicycles and other
purposes of metal having a cross-section resembling that of a girder, that is to
say having an H-formed, T-formed, cruciform or similar section, instead of the
usual tubular section, so that while the said frame will have all the requisite
strength and rigidity, there will be no part of it which cannot be readily inspected.
Moreover I am, by my invention, able to manufacture the frames much more
cheaply than is possible when tubes are employed in their construction as here-
tofore.
According to one part of my invention I make the frame of one piece of metal
without welded, brazed or other joints at any part of it. For this purpose. I
take a metal disc and, after removing the central portion thereof or otherwise
forming it into a ring, I then roll it into a larger ring or hoop of the proper
diameter and desired cross-sectional form. The said hoop is afterwards placed
around suitably shaped blocks and by hydraulic or other pressure is bent to con-
form to the shape, of the said blocks, whereby it is converted into a frame of
the required finished shape.
According to another part of my invention, I construct the frame from a single
straight bar or length of metal of H-formed, T-formed or similar cross-section,
which is bent into the required shape of the frame. The free ends are then
connected to each other or to other parts of the frame by rivetting, bolting or
otherwise. Such construction is especially suitable for the frames of ladies'
bicycles.

page_text: Instead of making the said frame of a single bar or length of metal having an
H-formed, T-formed or similar section as above stated, I may make it in several
straight pieces or lengths of such metal, joined together at the four corners of
the frame by rivetting, bolting or otherwise. In this case the various brackets
used for carrying the steering post, the saddle post and the crank-shaft; are
employed for joining together the several pieces composing the frame, so that
the rivetting or similar operation by which the brackets are attached to the
frame, will also effect the secure joining together of the separate members of the
said frame.
In order that my said invention may be clearly understood and readily carried
into effect I will proceed to describe the same more fully with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which :-
::
Figures 1, 2 and 3 are plan views of the frame as it appears in various stages
of its manufacture according to the first part of my invention.
Figures 4 and 5 are respectively a side elevation and a plan of a rolling machine
for converting the small plain ring of metal shewn in Figure 1 into the enlarged
ring or hoop of T-section, shewn in Figure 2.
In
Figure 6 is a sectional elevation and Figures 7 and 8 are plan views of a
blocking machine for converting the enlarged ring or hoop shewn in Figure 2
into the trapezoidal or "diamond" shaped frame shown in Figure 3.
Figures 7 and 8 the machine is represented with its parts respectively in a con-
tracted and an expanded position.
"
Figure 9 is a side elevation of a bicycle provided with the trapezoidal or
diamond shaped frame made in accordance with my invention.
Figures 10, 11, 12 and 13 shew on an enlarged scale various shapes in which I
prefer to make the said frame in cross-section.
Figure 14 is a detail sectional view taken transversely through the frame and
one of the brackets, and shews, also on an enlarged scale, a modification in the
manner of connecting the brackets to the frame when the latter is T-shaped in
cross-section.
Figure 15 is a side elevation of another form of bicycle intended for ladies'
use, wherein the frame is made from a single length of metal of T-section.
Figure 16 is a side elevation of another form of bicycle in which the frame is
composed of a number of separate pieces of metal of T-section connected together
by rivetting,
I will first describe the method of manufacture illustrated by Figures 1 to 8.
Having first determined the weight and size of the frame to be made I take
a disc of metal composed of steel, preferably containing a small percentage of
nickel or chrome to impart to the metal strength toughness and lightness, and
remove therefrom the central portion, thus obtaining a ring such as that shewn
by a, Figure 1. The amount of metal removed is proportional to the required
width and thickness of the ring required for forming a frame of the predetermined
weight and size.
This ring is then heated in a suitable furnace and placed in a machine of the
kind illustrated by Figures 4 and 5, whereby it is subjected to a rolling operation
which has the effect of varying its cross-sectional shape and increasing its
diameter until it assumes a hoop similar to that shewn by a Figure 2, its peri-
meter being equal to that of the required finished frame. In this instance the
said hoop has been formed of T-section, but obviously its cross-section may be
of any similar shape.
While the said hoop is still hot, or after it has been re-heated, it is placed in a
blocking machine of the kind represented by Figures 6, 7 and 8 whereby it is
bent from the circular form, shewn in Figure 2, into the trapezoidal or diamond
shaped frame A illustrated in Figure 3.
The seat bracket A', pedal bracket A2 and steering bracket A³ are afterwards
rivetted to the frame as shewn in Figure 9; or when the frame has a cross-section
similar to that illustrated in Figures 10, 12 and 13 or 14, the said brackets may

page_text: be specially made with flanges a adapted to be pressed hydraulically around the
edges of the frame as shewn in Figure 14 in which case the rivetting' would be
unnecessaryWhen the cross-sectional shape of the frame is such that an upper
outside flat surface exists for the reception of the brackets as shewn in the afore-
said Figures 10, 12 and 13, I prefer to form the edges of such flat surfaces with
slight projections a² for a corresponding projection on the bracket to fit between
and thereby resist the side or twisting stress to which such brackets are. liable
while in use. If preferred the said, projections may be slightly undercut.on
their inner sides to form a dovetail to receive the said bracket-projection which
would in such case be correspondingly dovetailed.
The brackets A¹A² are connected to the upper back fork A and the lower back
fork or stay As by rivets or bolts A6 A7
The aforesaid rolling machine illustrated by Figures 4 and 5. comprises a strong
pedestal B carrying a circular table B upon which the ring is supported during
the rolling operation. Bisa vertical shaft provided with a pulley 133 for
imparting rotary motion thereto by a belt passing from a power-driven pulley.
The upper end of this shaft is furnished with a roller B of hard steel in proximity
to which is arranged another roller 13 mounted on an adjustable slide 136 so as
to permit of the distance between these two rollers being regulated by a hand
wheel B. The shape of the rolling surfaces of these rollers, corresponds with
the cross-sectional shape that is to be imparted to the ring during the rolling
operation. I prefer to connect the rollers to their shafts by readily detachable
devices in order to permit of their being conveniently removed and substituted
by others of a different shape for enabling the machine to be used for rolling
hoops of different cross-section. B8 B8 are adjustable rolls for keeping the ring
in proper position between the rollers B B during its revolution in the machine.
As the rolling operation proceeds the hand-wheel B is revolved to cause the
roller B to gradually approach the roller 14 and thereby reduce the thickness of
the ring and modify its shape in cross-section until it assumes the desired shape
and diameter. I do not confine myself to the use of this construction of machine;
an ordinary tyre mill can be readily modified to suit my purpose.
The blocking machine shewn in Figures 6, 7 and 8 comprises a table C firmly
supported on a pedestal C¹, and carrying two series of blocks C2 C3. The blocks (2
are fixed to the said table and the blocks C3 are adapted to be shifted radially
thereon. The movable blocks are provided with dovetail projections that are
adapted to slide in correspondingly shaped grooves C by the action of links C³
pivotally connected to the said blocks and to a centrally disposed disc C. This
disc forms part of a vertical shaft C, on the lower end of which is loosely mounted
a hand-lever CS carrying a double pawl C adapted to engage with a double
ratchet C. The said double pawl is hinged to the hand lever C8 and is capable
of being thrown into gear with either portion of the double ratchet, according to
the direction in which the said dise C is to be driven by the oscillations of the
hand lever. The active edges of the series of blocks C2 C3 are so shaped that
when they occupy their extended position, they will conform to the contour of
the frame to be made. In the example illustrated the said active edges are also
formed with a groove e for receiving the inwardly directed portion of the T-shaped
hoop during the blocking operation. When the links Care is in the position
represented in Figure 7 the blocks C occupy their retracted position and permit
the hoop to be readily placed around both series of the blocks C2 C3 into the
position represented in this figure, the said hoop being supported by the ribs Cox
on the table 'C. Then when the hand-lever C8 is oscillated to drive the disc Co
in the direction represented by the arrow in Figure 7, the links C5 will be shifted
into position to force the series of blocks C3 outwardly against the hoop a and
thereby bend it to the shape shewn at A in Figure 8: In order to avoid the
difficulty that would otherwise arise in removing the finished frame A from the
blocks, after the conversion of the hoop into the frame, especially when the latter
is of T-section, I make one of the fixed blocks C², preferably the smallest, detach-

page_text: able by providing it with metal pegs e¹¹, on its under side to fit corresponding
holes in the table C. When the movable blocks are retracted, this detachable
block will permit the finished frame A to be elevated, together with the block,
a sufficient distance to enable said frame to be shifted laterally toward the opposite
side of the machine, whereby the frame will be disengaged from the groove in
the other fixed block and be free to be readily lifted from the machine. After
the said frame is taken from the machine it may if desired be oil hardened as is
well understood.
*It will be obvious that the shape and number of the series of blocks 02.03³ will
be varied in accordance with the shape and size of the frame to be manufactured,
and in cases where insufficient power can be obtained by the manual operation of
the hand-lever, C8, I construct the machine to work by hydraulic or other
mechanical power.
...
Frames constructed in accordance with the aforesaid method can be made as
strong and light as tubular frames and possess no joints or other weak parts.
Moreover light frames-suitable for other machines than velocipedes can be made
by my method instead of by casting them as heretofore. If it be necessary to
manufacture a great number of frames, all of the same shape, size and weight,
this can be effected by my method in a much more accurate manner
than is
possible by the ordinary methods of manufacture.
If found desirable the said frame when of the cross-section shewn in Figures 11
and 12 may have a cylindrical appearance imparted to it by inserting between its
flanges, wooden strips or fillets of suitable cross-section as shewn by the dotted
lines in these figures. Or the said frame may be otherwise made to conform in
appearance to any required fashion or pattern.
The above described method of manufacture would not be applicable to frames
for ladies' bicycles and therefore, when the latter frames are required, I take a
length of metal having a cross-sectional shape similar to any of those illustrated in
Figures 10 to 13 and bend it to the form shewn in Figure 15, the end a³ being
rivetted to the portion at of the frame and the end
to avoid a sharp end. A strut a is also rivetted to
to strengthen the frame at this part. As in Figure 9
bracket A2 and handle bracket A³ are connected to the
may however be connected thereto in the manner described with reference to
Figure 14.
being bent over on itself
the portions was in order
the seat bracket A', pedal
frame by rivetting. They
In some cases, where it is not required to construct the frame in a single piece
as above explained, I may employ a number of lengths of metal of the Tor
similarly shaped section above stated and connect such lengths together in the
manner illustrated by Figure 16. In this example the frame is composed of four
pieces aa aa which are connected together at the four corners of the frame
by rivetting their ends to the saddle bracket A¹, pedal bracket A2 and handle
bracket A respectively. In this manner I make one rivetting operation serve the
double purpose of connecting the aforesaid brackets to the frame and the various
members of the frame to each other.
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. The method of manufacturing a bicycle or similar frame by first rolling a
ring of metal into a hoop of the requisite dimensions and cross-sectional shape
and then bending such hoop to the required finished form of the frame.
2. A blocking machine for converting the aforesaid hoop into the required
shape of the frame, by means of blocks that act on the hoop substantially as
described.
3. A bicycle or similar frame formed in one piece of metal without welded,
brazed or other joints at any part of it, substantially as described.

page_text: 4. The combination with the aforesaid frame of brackets connected therewith
substantially as described with reference to Figures 9 and 14 of the drawings.
5. A bicycle frame constructed of one piece of metal, substantially as described
with reference to Figure 15 of the drawings, having a cross-sectional shape similar
to that herein before stated for the purpose specified.
6. A bicycle frame constructed of separately formed pieces of metal having a
cross-sectional shape similar to that herein before stated and connected together
and to the various brackets substantially as described with reference to Figure 16
of the drawings.
Dated this 13th day of December 1808
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C:,
Agents for the Applicant.