Improvements in and relating to Velocipedes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Nov., 1890
Complete Specification Left 23rd June, 1891-Accepted. 1st Aug. 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Velocipedes.
I GEORGE TOWNSEND, of Hunt End, near Redditch, in the County of Worcester-
shire, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to an improved construction of the pedal-crank axle bearing
bracket, and to an improved method of setting or lining the same during the
construction of the frame, the object being, a more perfect bearing and facilitating
the setting or lining of the bearing, thereby reducing the cost of construction of the
frames of cycles.
I attain this end in the following manner:-I form the centre barrel and cups
forming the races for the balls out of one piece of steel, instead of building it up
out of two or more pieces as has hitherto been the practice. I then take a split
socket adapted to embrace and grip the centre barrel of the bearing sleeve by means
of screws threaded into lugs or cars on the said split socket. One half of the split
socket carries a suitable lug or socket adapting it to be fixed-by brazing or other-
wise to the frame of the cycle, and the other half is adapted to receive the forward
stay or its equivalent.
To set or line the bearing I proceed as follows:-Having brazed or otherwise
fixed the one half of the split socket to the frame of the cycle, I tin the interior
surfaces of both parts of the socket. I then place the parts of the socket around
the barrel of the bearing sleeve and by means of the screws lock it lightly thereto
in an approximately accurate position. I then set or line the bearing with respect
to the frame by adjusting the position of the bearing sleeve with respect to the split
socket which is easily done by striking it lightly on one side or the other.
the bearing is properly set or lined the screws in the split socket are screwed up
When
taut and a perfect joint made between the split socket and the bearing sleeve by
heating the parts with a blow-pipe, thereby melting the tin on the interior surfaces
of the socket & thus sweating it to the bearing sleeve.
It will be seen that by making the whole bearing sleeve in one piece, greater
accuracy is obtained than can possibly result from making it in several parts and
then fixing them together, and further that the setting or lining of the bearing is
materially facilitated.
Dated this 14th day of N
1000
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Velocipedes.
I GEORGE TOWNSEND of Hunt End, near Redditch, in the County of Worcester,
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 :-
My invention relates to an improved construction of the pedal-crank axle bearing
bracket, and to an improved method of setting or lining the same during the con-
struction of the frame, the object being a more perfect bearing and facilitating the
setting or lining of the driving chain wheels, thereby reducing the cost of construction
of the frames of cycles.

page_text: I attain this end in the following manner :-I form the centre barrel and cups
forming the races for the balls out of one piece of steel, instead of building it up
out of two or more pieces as has hitherto been the practice. I then take a split
socket adapted to embrace and grip the centre barrel of the bearing sleeve by means
of screws threaded into lugs or cars on the said split socket. The two parts of the
split socket carry suitable lugs or sockets adapting them to receive the members f
the frame designed to carry the pedal-crank axle bracket.
In order that my invention may be fully understood I will more particularly
describe it making reference to the accompanying drawing, in which
Figure 1 is a view in sectional side elevation and Figure 2 is a view in plan of a
pedal-crank axle bracket constructed according to my invention and adapted for a
diamond-shaped frame.
Figure 3 is a view in front elevation, Figure 4 a view in sectional side elevation,
and Figure 5 a view in plan of a bracket constructed according to my invention and
adapted for a cross or equivalent shaped frame.
Throughout the several views similar parts are marked with like letters of
reference.
Referring to the accompanying drawing, A designates the bearing sleeve having
cup-shaped ends a a adapted to form the races for the ball bearings. This sleeve
is made out of one piece of steel, the cup-shaped ends being suitable hardened and
tempered. B and B' designate the socket formed in two parts to adapt it to encircle
and grip the centre part of the sleeve.
If the frame of the machine is of a diamond or equivalent shape the part B of
the split socket is provided with suitable sockets or lugs b, b, and 6** as shown by
Figures 1 and 2 to receive the members of the frame.
If the frame is of a cross or equivalent shape, the part B of the split socket is
provided with suitable sockets or lugs 6 to receive the vertical member X of the
frame and the part B¹ of the split socket is provided with a snug 6*** to which
the front stay is attached as shown by Figures 3. 4 and 5. The members or
stays Z joining the lower back fork may be fixed either to the split socket, in which
case suitable sockets or lugs 6** are provided on the part B of the said socket as
shown by dot and dash lines in Figures 4 & 5, or they may be connected to the
cupped-ends a a of the sleeve A, in which case they are fixed to adjustable clips B³
adapted to embrace and grip the said cupped-ends of the sleeve A. as shown by full
lines in Figures 4 and 5.
The socket B, B¹ may be split or divided in any suitable manner that will enable
it to be placed round the sleeve A, and the two parts are provided with lugs or
ears b,, etc. by which they are drawn together to grip the sleeve by suitable
screws b, b, etc.
To set or line the chain wheels I proceed as follows:-Having brazed or other-
wise fixed the members of the frame to the part of the split socket adapted to carry
them, I tin the interior surfaces of both parts of the said socket. I then place the
parts of the socket round the barrel of the bearing sleeve and by means of the screws
lock it lightly thereto in an approximately accurate position. I then set or line
the chain wheels by adjusting the position of the bearing sleeve with respect to the
split socket, which is easily done by striking it lightly on one side or the other.
When the chain wheels are properly set or lined, the screws in the split socket are
screwed up taut, and a perfect joint made between the split socket and the bearing
sleeve by heating the parts with a blow-pipe thereby melting the tin on the interior
surfaces of the socket and thus sweating it to the bearing sleeve. When the
members or stays of the lower back fork are carried direct to the cupped-ends of
the sleeve as shown by dot and dash lines in Figures 4 and 5 the adjustable clips
are locked to the cupped-ends of the sleeve after the bearing has been set or lined,
and they may also if desired be sweated thereto in a similar manner to the split
socket.
It will be seen that by making the whole bearing sleeve in one piece, greater
accuracy is obtained than can possibly result from making it in several parts and

page_text: then fixing them together, and further that the setting or lining of the chain wheels
is materially facilitated.
I wish it to be particularly understood that I do not limit myself to the precise
details of construction hereinbefore described and shown by the accompanying
drawing, but that I hold myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as
fairly fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.
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 :-
1st. The improved construction of pedal-crank axle bearing bracket as herein-
before described and illustrated by the accompanying drawing.
2nd. In a velocipede, a pedal-crank axle bearing bracket, consisting essentially
of a sleeve having cupped-ends formed out of one piece of steel and adapted to form
the races for the ball bearings, and of a split socket adapted to embrace, grip, and
be adjustable on the said sleeve and carrying suitable sockets, lugs or snugs to
receive or carry the various members of the frame, as set forth.
3rd. In a velocipede forming the pedal-crank axle bearing bracket in two essential
parts, the one adapted to be fixed to the frame of the machine, and the other to
form the bearings for the pedal-crank axle, capable of lateral adjustment with
respect to each other, as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 23rd day of June 1891
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.