Improved Frame for Bicycles.
Year: 1895

page_text: PROVISIONAL DI BUIFICATION
An Improved Frame for Bicycles.
I, HENRY COOPER, of 7, Norfolk Street, Saint Pauls, Bristol, Cabinet
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The improved frame for bicycles which constitutes this invention consists of
a pair of wooden bars bent to form a pair of ellipses which are arranged abreast
and secured together at suitable points.
The ellipses diverge towards the rear to accommodate the rear wheel. The
saddle is supported on a pillar carried on the frame, and the socket for the steering
pillar is held between the elliptical bars towards the front thereof.
Bicycle frames thus constructed combine lightness, strength and flexibility, and
are less costly than steel frames.
Dated this 23rd day of September 1895
NICHOLAS WATTS,
Bristol, Chartered Patent Agent.
I, HENRY COOPER, of 7, Norfolk Street, Saint Pauls, Bristol, Cabinet
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 :-
This invention relates to bicycles and consists in an improved frame therefor.
The frame which constitutes this invention is composed of a pair of wooden
members each bent to form a closed curve approximately to an elliptical or ovoid
form. The wood employed in the construction of the frame is of a kind possessing
strength and toughness combined with a suitable degree of resilience or pliability.
British ash and American rock elm are examples of suitable wood for the frame.
The ends of each member when bent to the required shape overlap. The members
are placed alongside one another and are secured together at suitable points by
bolts passed transversely through them, or by iron or steel straps, knees, elbows or
brackets.
At suitable places, spacing pieces intervene between the members serving to
keep them at desired distances apart. Towards the rear the members diverge to
accommodate the rear road wheel the brackets carrying the spindle of which are
bolted to the members of the frame, as also are the brackets carrying the spindle of
the chain driving wheel. The frame is stayed in advance of the rear road wheel by
inclined stays of steel.
These stays are preferably tubular and are at their ends let into the members.
A wire having a button head passes through each and is secured at the lower end

page_text: by a nut. The saddle pillar is mounted on the frame; and the socket of the
steering pillar is held between the members of the frame towards the front
thereof.
Referring to the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 thereof represents, in side view, a bicycle frame constructed in wood and
shaped to one configuration comprised in this invention.
Fig. 2 is a plan of the top of the frame; and
Fig. 3 represents in plan so much of the frame as is below the line x x Fig. 1 and
as seen looking downward.
The frame consists of a pair of bars or members a and b, of wood each bent, by.
steaming or other method, to form a closed curve which, in the example illustrated
at Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, is of a configuration somewhat approaching to
an ellipse. The wood of which the bars or members a and b are composed is of a
kind which possess the requisite strength and toughness combined with a necessary
degree of pliability or resilience. British ash and American rock elm are examples
of wood well adapted for the frame.
The ends of each member, when the member has been bent to the required shape,
overlap, as seen at a¹, bl, Fig. 2.
The members are placed alongside one another and are secured together at
suitable points by bolts c passed transversely through them. Other means, such as
iron or steel straps, knees, elbows or brackets may be adopted, instead of or
in conjunction with bolts such as c. At suitable places spacing pieces d are fitted
between the members a and b for the purpose of keeping them at desired
distances apart.
Towards the rear the members a and b diverge to accommodate the rear road
wheel e.
The brackets carrying the spindle g of the wheel e are secured by
bolts to the members a and b, as shown. The brackets i carrying the spindle j of
the chain driving wheel k placed between the members a and b are also secured to
the said members by bolts 1. The frame is stayed in advance of the rear wheel e
by inclined stays m of steel. These stays are preferably tubular and are at their
upper and lower ends let into the wood of the frame. A wire n having a head o is
passed through each and is secured at the lower end by a nut p. The saddle
pillar gis mounted on the frame and secured by a nut q¹.
The socket of the steering pillar is grasped between the members a and b
towards the front.
At Fig. 4 is represented, in side view, a modification in the configuration of the
frame which except for the difference in shape is in all respects virtually the same
in construction as that bereinabove described with reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 ;
the members a and b being each closed curves of an ovoid form.
The slight variation in configuration of the frame shown at Fig. 4 results from
bringing the lower part of the frame nearer the surface of the ground which
is indicated by the line y y.
Shapes in which the frame may be made are not restricted to those hereinabove
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, as it is obvious that other
more or less elliptical, oval or ovoid forms are well adapted for the configuration of
the frame in closed curve.
Bicycle frames thus composed, constructed and shaped combine lightness with
strength and resilience, and are less costly than steel frames.
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 :-
Frames for bicycles; consisting of a pair of members of suitably strong tongh
and resilient wood each bent to constitute a closed curve of elliptical or
approximately elliptical or oval or ovoid or like shape; said members being placed
alongside one another and secured together by transversely disposed bolts such as c

page_text: or their equivalents, and fitted with distance pieces such as d, or their equivalents,
substantially as hereinabove described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
1000
NICHOLAS WATTS,
Bristol, Chartered Patent Agent.