US1789137A - Reenforced wooden bow and method of manufacture thereof - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 13, 1931. G. L. FITCH 1,789,137

REENFORCED WOODEN B OW AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE .THEREOF Filed July'13, 1929 INVENTOR.

60/ L. F/rcfl,

A TTORNEYJ'.

Patented Jan. 13, 1931 UNITED STATES nnmvroncnn WOODEN BOW AND Mensch on MAivuFA'crUitn Trimmer Application filed my 13,

This invention relates to a wooden bow for vehicle tops and to a method of manufacture of such a bow. v

The principal object of the invention is to provide a metal reenforcement for a wooden bow having said reenforcement inset in the inner side of the bow, although certain features 'of the method of manufacture are equally applicable to a bow having the'reenl0 forcement in any other desired relation to the wooden member. I

The principal features of the invention reside in the bow itself and in the novel method of manufacturing said bow wherein the metal reenforcement is set in place before the bending ofthe wood structure and the wood and metal are then simultaneously bent to the desired shape.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims.

Fig. 1 is a viewv of the wooden portion of the bow prior to bending showing in dotted .25 line the position of a receiving slot for the reenforcing piece. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a View illustrating the shape of the reenforcing piece before insertion into the receiving slot illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the completed bow. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the completed bow. Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing an alternative positioningof reenforcing members.

In the manufacture of the bow, a plece 10 of the proper type of lumber is first shaped 'as shown in Fig. 1. A groove or .rabbet 11 is then cut in one edge of the wooden member as F indicated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. A piece of steel or other reenforcing material 12, shaped as illustrated in Fig. 3, is then placed in the slot 11 and secured in place by a plurality of screws 13. The whole assembly is then heated in hot water or a steam retort to give the proper pliancy to the wooden member. After heating, the assembly is bent by any common form of wood bending machine into the shape illustrated in Fig. 4. The usual finishing processes are then applied to the wood work 5 and the bow iscompleted.

1929. Serial No. 378,140.

There are obvious advantages in placing the metal reenforcement in the position contemplated herein. First, the metal -is in the proper place to receive the tensile stress due to any tendency for the ends of the bow. to springoutward: Second, since the reenforcing member has its longest dimension in the vertical direction, it is in the proper position for adequately resisting any vertical bending strain in the bow:. Third, the reenforcing member, by being placed atlone side of the bow as illustrated inFig. 2, is not in position to interfere with tacks or screws which will be f used in fastening fabric covering to the upper or under side of the bow. Fourth, by the use 5 of a-continuous reenforcing member eXtendv ing completely across the top of the bow" i around the corners and a substantial distance down each leg of the bow, theentire bow is thoroughly reenfor'ced. It is obvious that such a reenforcing piece could not be inserted in the wooden member after bending without carrying the slot 11 to the extreme ends of the bow. Since these ends are preferably made of a tapering shape, such an extension of the slot would greatly weaken the ends. 1

If desired, a plurality of reenforcing members may be used positioned as shown in Fig. 6 wherein illustrates the wooden portion and 112 indicates two reenforcing members.

The invention claimed is 1. The process of manufacture of a reenforced bow including the shaping of a wooden member with a groove in one side terminating; j Y I short of 1ts ends, the securing of a reenforcing;

piece therein, and the simultaneous bending j of the wooden member and reenforcing mem-' her to the desired bow'shape with the'reenforcing member on the inner edge-of the bow and extending a substantial distance along the legs of the bow. i r

2. The process of manufacture ofa reenforced bow including the shaping of a wooden member with a groove in one side terminating short of its ends, the securing of a reenforcing piece therein, and the simultaneous bending of the wooden member and reenforcing member to the desired bow shape with the reenforcing member on'the inner edge of the bow; I Y

1 3. The process of manufacture of a reen- GUY L. FITCH, 0F Meritor ous, InLiivo s V J {j} forced bow including the shaping of a. wooden member with a groovein one side, the securin of a reenforcing piece therein, and the 'su sequent simultaneous bending of the wooden member-and reenforcing piece to the desired bow shape with the longest cross-sectional dimension of the reenforcing piece substantially perpendicular to the inner edge of the bow. i

In witness whereof, I have hereunto aflixed my signature. 7

' GUY L. FITCH.

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