Patent GB-190623058-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in, and relating to Wheels for Vehicles
Inventor: BROWN FREDERICK WILLIAM
Filed: 1906-10-18
Granted: 1907-09-26
Abstract: 23,058. Brown, F. W. Oct. 18. Wheels with two or more rims or tyres side by side; securing on and detaching from axles; tyres, elastic other than pneumatic. - Relates to the type of wheel described in Specifications Nos. 19,592 and 23,755, A.D. 1905, in which twin wheels are placed side by side in a framework fixed to the main axle. Each revolves on a separate axle supported by springs, and they are connected by a coupling so that they move up and down independently but rotate together. According to the present invention, the periphery of each wheel is a convex curve alternately of less and greater curvature, and the two wheels are so arranged that the prominent parts t, Fig. A of one wheel come opposite to the flatter-parts v of the other. The treads t are of iron, wood, or hard india-rubber ; the parts v are of soft elastic material, and may be hollow or stuffed with a soft core ; the parts v<1> are of intermediate hardness. The wheel is fitted. with a metal rim r, Fig. E, and projections r' are brazed to it to hold the treads t fixed within plates r<2> secured by radial bolts r<3>. The part v may be held by a steel plate or band r<4>, Fig. F, or may be cemented, and may be recessed on its periphery. Each wheel has preferably four treads t, although there may be five or six. In the form shown in Fig. J, axles a<4>, a<5> are supported by bars a<6> separated from the frameworkf by springs s<1>, s<2>, Fig. K, and connected thereto by bars m<5> giving parallel motions in vertical alinement, and by others attached to horizontal arms on the bars a<6>. These bars may be replaced by pin-and-slot connexions. The axle a<4> is formed with an inner flange holding the wheel on ball bearings, and is screwed into a boss on the bar a<6> so as to be removable. The wheels are coupled by an Oldham coupling placed centrally, as also are the disks w<5>, w<6>, as described in the above-mentioned Specification. The axle a<1> carries ordinary carriage springs s, and is bent up and over at a<12> so as to rest on the frame f. Plates f<1> connect the axle to rods f<2> diverging to the frame. The mud guard g is bent to the form shown to accommodate the part a<12>. Figs. G and H show the arrangement of a steering- wheel, in which the end of the axle a<12> is pivoted to the centre of the top of the frame, and the plates f hold a pivot engaging the centre of the bar u linked to the centres of the ends of the frame. The bar u<1> is continued across the front of the vehicle to the corresponding part of the other frame ; or, as shown, a bar u<4> may be added, the object being to enable the frame to turn about a centre u<3> under the pivot a<12>. The steering- mechanism may be attached to the bar u. Preferably, springs s<1>, Fig. K, are used in combination with the springs s<2>. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 5, two toggle levers e<2>, pivoted to the bar a<6> and frame, press the blocks e apart as the bar rises. As shown in Fig. K, the bar is pivoted to the toggle lever e<2>, which is pivoted to the frame and to a rod e<3>, pivoted to the frame through a link e<1> and to a plate pressing on the spring. Fig. N shows a similar arrangement in which the lever e<3> is pivoted at one end to the framework. Fig. L shows the arrangement in the driving-wheel of a bicycle, an Oldham coupling being placed between the wheels w<1>, w<2> and the disks w<3>, w<4>, and chain or belt gearing being used from the crank-axle.