Improvements in Frames for Bicycles and other Velocipedes.
Year: 1897

page_text: This print is in accordance with the Original Specification as it stands after Amend-
ment (under Section 11 of the Patents, &c. Act, 1883) as required by the
decision of the Comptroller General of the 8th day of November, 1897.
Date of Application, 13th Apr., 1897-Accepted, 29th May, 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED).
Improvements in Frames for Bicycles and other Velocipedes.
I, OTTO DETTWYLER, of Oristhal, No. 31, Liestal, Basel-Land, Switzerland,
Armourer, 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 a construction of frames for bicycles and other
velocipedes whereby these are capable of being readily separated into several parts,
so that should any one part become damaged, it can be replaced independently of
the other parts, or the frame can be separated into two or more parts for com-
venience of storage and transport.
For these purposes the sockets of the head-pieces by means of which the tube-
lengths of the frame are joined together are formed with longitudinal slits on
each side of which are formed lugs or ears connected together by screws, so that by
screwing these up the slit socket is made to grip firmly the end of the tube inserted
into it.
On the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 is a side view of a bicycle shewing by way.
of example, one arrangement for carrying out my said invention; Figs. 2 to 5
shew details to an enlarged scale.
of the framing
of the head
of a head piece,
As shewn at Fig. 1 the ends of the tube lengths A¹ A2 A3 A4
are simply clamped in the corresponding sockets a¹ a¹ a² a²
pieces B1 B2 B3 B4
For this purpose each socket a¹ a²
which may be of suitable cast metal, is formed with a longitudinal slit b and on
each side hereof is formed a lug or ear c having a hole d.
.
The hole of one of the ears is made somewhat smaller than that of the other,
and has a screw thread formed in it, into which is screwed a screw e that is passed
through the other hole, so that by screwing up the screw, the two sides of the slit
are drawn together owing to the elasticity of the metal, whereby the end of the
tube length within the socket will be firmly gripped in the socket.
If it be desired to take to pieces a bicycle frame constructed as above described,
or if a defective part requires to be removed and replaced, it is only required to
loosen or remove the screws c in the ears d to enable the frame to be taken to
pieces, or the defective part to be removed.
of the
. and
In order to ensure the secure grip of the tube ends in the sockets a¹ a³
head pieces B B² . . ., there may be introduced between each socket a¹ a³..
the corresponding tube end a steel ring f having several longitudinal slits, as
shewn detached at Fig. 3. Also, for preventing the crushing in of the tube ends
by the gripping action of the sockets, a strengthening piece of tube h may be
soldered inside the same.

page_text: In addition, the turning of the tube length in the fixing socket may be prevented
by means of a screw i or a pin passing transversely through the socket and tube.
If the cycle frame is intended for a military bicycle, in which it is desired that
the frame can be divided into two parts, the two longitudinal tubes thereof
are made in two parts, and the two tube-lengths are connected together by a cast
metal or malleable iron socket g Figures 1, 4 and 5, having a longitudinal slot 1
and two pairs of ears c¹. These ears el are also provided with holes, one of
which has a screw thread formed in it, for the reception of a screw el passed through
the other hole, so that on tightening up the two screws el e¹ of a socket 9, this will
firmly grip the two tube ends rr, butting against each other therein, and if
necessary strengthened by internal tube-lengths soldered thereto. In this case
also, a steel ring of a length corresponding to that of the socket g and slit in a
similar manner to f Figure 3 can be inserted between 9 and the tube-ends in
order to insure the firm gripping of the latter by the socket g.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would have it understood
that I am aware that it has before been proposed to employ a clamped joint in cycle
frames in which the tube is gripped in a split lug, screws passing through ears,
thereon, and I make no claim to such a joint, but I declare that what I claim is:
1. In a separable cycle frame such as is described in the specification and shown
in the drawings, the use of steel rings having several longitudinal slits, and
inserted between the tube ends and the sockets of the head pieces, for insuring
the tight grip of the sockets on the tube ends, substantially as described, and
illustrated in Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings.
2. In a separable cycle frame such as is described in the specification and shown
in the drawings constructing each of the two longitudinal tubes of two lengths
which are secured together by means of a socket g having a longitudinal slit b
and two pairs of ears c¹ drawn together by screws el so as to grip the tube ends,
such grip being if necessary insured by the introduction between the tube ends
and the socket of a steel ring having several longitudinal slits, substantially as
described.
·ווימ
1011 1
1008
E