“A new style of cross frame – also known as the ‘X Frame’ – was introduced in Britain in the late 1890s. No, not the type that was heralded by Hillman, Herbert & Cooper’s Premier in 1886, but the more sophisticated version that really began with F. Bowden’s 1894 patent for the lady’s Raleigh. Although Bowden was granted the palent, G.P. Mills took the credit for the design. There was apparently no development until 1898, when the well-known Raleigh cross-frame appeared; it was to last for about 40 years.
Then in 1899 G. L. Morris was granted a patent that covered practically every permutation possible in tube-crossings, and the famous Referee cross-frame appeared on the market. From then on, most if not all makers of cross-frames paid royalties to either Raleigh or Referee.”
Chater-Lea used the Bowden patent, the Cycle Components Co used the Morris. But what about Centaur?