Electromagnetic joint forming method for mobile unit frames

A method of forming a joint between elements of different materials to assemble tubular elements of a frame, said method comprising the steps of:

• selecting a tubular element formed from a first material;
• selecting a connection element formed from a second non-metallic material lighter than and different than said first material;
• shaping said connection element to have a recessed area at an end of said connection element upon deforming said tubular element which engages a respective end of said tubular element, to form a joint which resists tension between said tubular element and said connection element;
• inserting said recessed area of said connection element into an end of said tubular element;
• and
• deforming said tubular element to conform to the shape of said recessed area defined in said connection element to thereby form a joint between said connection element and said tubular element in a manner which resists tension between said tubular element and said connection element.

A method of forming a bicycle comprising a plurality of tubular elements and a plurality of connection elements joining adjacent tubular elements, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing at least one electrically conductive tubular element having a hollow end;
• providing at least one connection element having a relatively lower electrical conductivity than said conductive tubular element, said connection element shaped to fit within said hollow end of said tubular element, and including at least one radially inwardly directed recess shaped to engage a portion of a respective tubular element upon deforming said tubular element, to form a joint which resists tension between said tubular element and said connection element;
• inserting said recessed areas of said at least one connection element, into said hollow end of said at least one tubular element;
• and
• deforming said hollow end without physical contact in order to conform to the shape of said recess in order to lock said at least one tubular element against movement with respect to said at least one connection element.

A method of forming a frame for a mobile unit, the frame comprising a plurality of tubular elements, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a plurality of electrically conductive tubular elements, each of said tubular elements having a pair of ends;
• providing a plurality of non-metallic connection elements for joining said tubular elements, each of said connection elements having at least one end being shaped with a circumferential recessed area and an axial recessed area;
• inserting said recessed areas of said connection elements, respectively, into respective ends of said tubular elements;
• and
• deforming said respective tubular elements over said recessed areas of said respective connection elements to conform to said recessed areas to thereby form a sturdy mechanical joint therebetween in a manner which resists tension between said tubular elements and said connection elements.

A method of forming a bicycle comprising a plurality of tubular elements and a plurality of connection elements joining adjacent tubular elements, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing at least one electrically conductive tubular element having a hollow end;
• providing at least one connection element shaped to fit within said hollow end of said tubular element, said connection element including at least one circumferential recess and at least one axial recess;
• inserting said recessed areas of said at least one connection element, into said hollow end of said at least one tubular element;
• and
• deforming said hollow end without physical contact in order to conform to the shape of said at least one circumferential recess and said axial recess in order to lock said at least one tubular element against axial and rotational movement with respect to said at least one connection element.