US640680A - Bicycle. - Google Patents

Description

v No. 640,680. Patented Jan. 2, I900.

R. A. MERROW.

BICYCLE.

(Application filed Mar. 31, 189B.)

(No Model.) 3 Sheets$heet l,

Patented Ian. 2, 1900. R. A. MERROW.

BICYCLE.

(Application filed Mar. 31, 1898) 3 Sheets8heet 2,

(No Model.)

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No. 640,680. Patented Ian. 2, 1900.

R. A. mznnow.

BICYCLE,

' (Application filed max. 31, 1898.) (No Model.) I 3 Sheeis$heet 3.

of the frame, whereby it can be easily and Urirrn noscon ALLEN MERROW, or WlLTON, MAINE.

.BICYCLE.

s'PEcIFIcATIoN forming part of Letters Patent no. 640,680, dated. January 2, 1900.

Application filed March 31, 1898.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that LRoscon ALLEN Mnanow, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wilton, in the county of Franklin and State of Maine, have invented a new and useful Bicycle, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in frames for safety-bicycles; and the object in view is to provide an improved construction quickly dismembered for storing or transportation and readily reassembled when required for use without necessitating the services of a skilled mechanic or the use of special tools. In this connection it is to be noted that the frame-bars are capable of being lengthened and shortened, so that the size of the machine can be altered to suit the rider.

The invention also has for its object to improve the general construction and character of this class of machines, whereby they are susceptible of a variety of adjustments and their usefulness increased and many of the objectionable features urged against machines of this variety overcome.

For a full understanding of the merits and advantages of the invention reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings and the following description.

The improvement is susceptible of various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof, and to a full disclosure of the invention an adaptation thereof is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of a bicycle of particular construction embodying all the essential features of this invention. Fig. 2 is an elevation showing the frame contracted or made smaller and some of the frame-bars in section and the outer half of the near gearcasing removed. Fig. 3 is a detail view on the line X X of Fig. 4: looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 4 is an elevation of the upper rear portion of the frame on a larger scale and in section, the latter being taken about on the line Y Y of Fig. 3 and parts being broken away. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the step, showing the means for con- Serial No. 676j029. (No modeL) necting it to the rear portion of the frame. Fig. 6 is a rear view of the parts shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a detail view in elevation of a side bar of the frame bearing the train of gearing by means of which motion is transmitted from a crank-axle to the drive-wheel, the dotted lines showing the outline of the gear easing or housing. Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are transverse sections on the corresponding lines 8 8, 9 9, and 10 10 of Fig. 7.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

So far as the novel features of the invention are involved the style, design, and variety of machine are immaterial and the adjustable frame-bars may be embodied in any make or type of machine desired. The several framebars-such as the top reach 1, lower reach 2, diagonals 3, and backstays 4-are composed of sections which are relatively adjustable to admit of said bars being lengthened and shortened, so that the size of the machine may be changed to adapt it to the rider. These framebars being of like construction a detailed description of one will suffice for a clear understanding thereof, and like parts will be similarly designated. Each frame-bar is composed of a tubular section 5, which is internally threaded, and end sections 6 and 7, which are exteriorly threaded to screw into the end portions of the tubular sections 5. The endv sections 6 and 7 have their outer terminals flattened and transversely pierced for the passage therethrough of the bolts by means of which the various parts are connected when brought together in proper relation. One of the end sections, as 6, is shorter than the other section 7 and when screwed into the section 5 is held fast by means of a pin 8, which is passed through openings in coincident relation in the said parts. This joint obviates the necessity for welding or brazing the sections 5 and 6. The other section, as 7, is adjustable with reference to the section 5 and can be screwed into the latter or unscrewed therefrom, so as to lengthen or shorten the frame-bar as may be required. It is to be understood that when adjusting the frame-bars the end portions of the section required elevation.

7 are disconnected, thereby admitting of the said sections being turned in either direction without interference. After the sections 7 have been adjusted they are prevented from further movement by being connected by a bolt, pin, or like fastening passing through openings in the meeting ends thereof. In order that the adjustment of the frame may be quickly effected, the upper rear ends of the frame-bars are connected by a single bolt 9 and their opposite ends have pivotal connection with corresponding parts of the same, as illustrated, By loosening and removing the bolt 9 the converging ends of the frame-bars l, 3, and 4 are liberated and their sections 7 can be turned to lengthen or shorten them, and after the required adjustment has been effected the ends of the framebars are brought together and overlapped and the bolt 9 placed in position and secured by turning the thumbnut 10 up tightly thereon. The lower rear bar 2 can be adjusted by freeing either end, thereby admitting of the sections being relatively turned, as will be readily comprehended. The front ends of the reach-bars l and 2 have pivotal connection with clips 11, applied to the upper and lower ends, respectively, of the head-tube 12, in which is journaled the stem of the front fork 13 in any con- Venient way.

The seat-post bracket 1% has its front end cleft to receive the rear end of the upper reach-bar 1, and a vertical opening is formed in its rear end and is internally threaded to receive the correspondingly-iii readed memberof the seat-post 15,. The rear end of the reachbar 1 is made square and abuts against the inner wall of the cleft portion of the bracket, thereby preventing the latter turning upon the bolt 9 when the parts are in operative relation. The seat 16 has adjustable connec tion with a horizontal member of the seatpost in the ordinary manner, and the seatpost is adjusted vertically by turning it up or down in the threaded opening of the bracket 14. In order to secure the seat in an ad justed position, the threaded portion of the seatpost is longitudinally grooved, as shown at 1 7, and the inner end of a binding-screw 18, threaded into the bracket 14, is adapted to enter one of the grooves 17, and thereby prevent turning of the seat-post in either direction after the seat has been adjusted to the To move the seat, it is only necessary to back the binding-screw 18 a sufficieut distance to withdraw its inner end from the path of the threaded portion of the seat-post, when the latter can be turned until the desired adjustment of the seat is had, when one of the grooves 17 is brought opposite to thebinding-screw and the latter turned up to cause its inner end to enter the said groove, whereby the seat-post is held from further turning either forward or backward- The side bars 19 are similarly formed and are longitudin, lly slotted, constituting frames which receive a series of hearings or boxes 20, in some of which are jonrnaled the axles of the gear elements constituting the train of connections between the drive-wheel and the driving mechanism. These journal boxes or bearings 20 are of diderent sizes and are interchangeable with reference to position, so as to accommodate themselves to difierentsized gear elein en ts, according to the required speed or gearof the machine. Spacing-pieces 21, of felt, rubber, or other desirable material, are interposed between adjacent journal-boxes to admit of the proper distance between them, being secured to suit the distances between the axes of the several gear elements. A set-screw 22 is threaded into a cross-bar 23 at the front end of the slot of each side bar and is adapted to be turned up so as to properly adjust the journal-boxes to compensate for wear of the teeth between the gear elements. The gear-wheel 2a is secured upon the axle 25 of the drive-wheel 26 and intermeshes with an idler 27, which in turn. is in meshing relation with a gear-wheel 28, secured upon the crank-axle 29. The axles of the respective gear-wheels have their intermediate portions threaded and screwed into the internally-threaded hubs of the said gearwheels and keyed thereto when in proper position, and the end. portions of the axles obtain hearings in corresponding j ournal-boXes. The rear portion of each side bar is composed of similar slotted portions or frames placed in parallel relation and bolted or otherwise secured thereto and are adapted to receive between them the train of gearing, and each frame or slotted portion is equipped with corresponding journal-boxes and spacin g-picces 21,which aline transversely, and by this means the axles obtain bearin gs at each end or upon opposite sides of their respective gear-wheels. Ball -bearings are interposed between the axles and the journal-boxes, and the latter are composed of two parts, which are bolted or otherwise secured together, so as to admit of them being properly positioned and of the ball-bearings being let into the ball-races when required.

The upper and lower portions of the jourrial-boxes embrace the opposite sides of cor responding parts of the sidebars or frames 19, thereby retaining the journal-boxes in position and directing them when moved inthe frames. One of the parts of the journalboxes has its middle portion projecting into the slot or space of the frame 19 and the portion surrounding the opening therein through which the axle passes is enlarged, forming a ball-race 31, the balls being held in place by the outer part or plate of the journal-box, which is bolted or secured by suitable fastenings to the middle portion 30, the latter coining flush with the outer side of the frame 19, so as to prevent binding thereof between the overlapping portions of the parts comprising the journal-boxes. The cranks 32 are secured in any substantial and con-- venient way to the outer projecting ends of the crank-axles 29, and the inner ends of said crank-axles have collars or nuts 33, fitted thereto and held against accidental displacement by binding-screws 34. The projecting ends of the drive-wheel axle also have collars or nuts 33 fitted thereto and held in place by binding-screws 34.

The step consists of a block of rubber or like material 35 and is located in the rear of the frame and secured thereto by links 36, the latter embracing the sides of the block 35 and the sides of the part 19, to which they are connected by the same bolt 37 which secures the lower ends of the backstays to the complementary parts of the side bars 19. By having the step located in the manner set forth lateral projection is obviated and it can be conveniently reached by the rider when mounting the machine. Both ends of the step are similarly formed, thereby admitting of its position being reversed when one end is worn. The end portions are beveled, thereby enabling the rider to secure a safe footing when mounting thereon.

The brake-shoe 38 is located at the juncture of the bars 2, 3, and 19, and its active portion is below the plane of the side bars 19. A spring 39 normally holds the brake-shoe out of action, and the brake is set by means of a hand-lever 40, fulcru med to an end portion of the handle-bar 41 and connected by a rod 42, bell-crank 43, rod 44,bell-crank 45, and rod 46 with the upper portion of the said brake-shoe. The train of connections between the hand-lever and brake-shoe are disposed about as shown, so that when moving the outer end of the hand-lever toward the grip the brake will be applied.

The train of gearing between the pedalcranks and the drive-wheel may be of any relative proportions, according to the size and speed of the machine, and this gearing is concealed from view and protected by a casing or housing 47, which is composed of similar parts having their edge portions flanged and adapted to overlap, the complementary parts being fitted against opposite sides of the component parts of the respective side bars 19 and secured thereto in such a manner as to admit of their being readily removed when it is required to inspect the gearing, oil and clean the same, or for any purpose desired.

Inasmuch as the frame-bars are bolted together, it is obvious that the machine can be quickly dismembered and packed into a small space for transporting or storing, and when required for service the parts can be readily reassembledand operativelyconnected. The size of the frame can be adjusted when required at short notice by loosening and removing the bolt 9 and moving the adjustable section 7 in or out, according as the frame is to be reduced or enlarged. The adjustment of the frame does not affect the relation of the train of connections between the drive-wheels and pedal-cranks, as these parts retain their relative positions at all stages of adjustment of the frame. The gearing can be changed to vary the speed of the machine without requiring the alteration of the size of the frame.

Having thus described the invention,- what is claimed, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is'

1. In a bicycle, a sectional frame extensible vertically and lengthwise and having the diagonal stay, the rear stays, and the reachbars, each consisting of extensible members which are united firmly together by interlocking joints, a non-extensible rear fork carrying the propelling mechanism to maintain the latter normally in operative relation to the driving mechanism under all adjustments of the extensible parts of the frame, said rear fork having its front end joined to the diagonal stay and the lower reach-bar and connected at its rear end to the rear stays, and a union between the upper ends of the diagonal and back stays and the rear end of the upper reach-bar, substantially as described.

2. In a bicycle, an extensible frame adj ustable vertically and lengthwise and comprising the extensible diagonal stay, the extensible backstays and the extensible reachbars, each of said parts consisting of members arranged in line with each other and a couplingtube united by threaded and lock joints with said members, a non-extensible rear fork carrying the propelling mechanism and united pivotally at one end to the diagonal stay and lower reach-bar, and united pivotally at its other end to the backstays, a head-tube, and clips fast with said head-tube and pivotally attached to the reach-bars, substantially as described.

3. In a bicycle, the adjustable frame comprising the extensible diagonal stay, the extensible backstays, the extensible reach-bars, a seat-post carrier arranged to meet the diagonal and rear stays and the upper reach-bar, a single fastener to unite the meeting ends of said parts to the seat-post carrier, a nonextensible rear fork coupled to the backstays and the lower reach-bar, a propelling mechanism mounted on said rear fork and sustained thereby in operative relation to the rear driving-Wheel under all adjustments of the frame, and a head-tube coupled to the upper and lower reach-bars, substantially as described.

4. In a bicycle, or like machine, a frame composed of bars pivotally connected and capable of being lengthened and shortened by being composed of sections having screwthread connection, a single bolt or fastening connecting the converging frame-bars at their upper rear ends and a common pivotal connection at the meeting ends of the lower reachbar, diagonal and rear fork, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

5. In a bicycle or like machine, a frame having upper and lower extensible reach-bars pivotally connected with the upper and lower ends of the head-tube, respectively, and extensible diagonals and backstays pivotally connected at their upper ends to the rear end K my own I have hereto affixed mysigxmture in of the upper reach-bar and at their lower ands the presence of two Witnesses.

to the opposite ends of the rear fork the disfi- 7 onal being also pivotally connected a t its lowgr ROSOOE ALLEN MERRO 5 end to the lower reach-bar and rear fork, sub- Witnesses:

stzmtially as described. CHARLES H. SMART,

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as GEORGE WV. LARRABEE.

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