Improvements in or connected with Wheels for Vehicles and Cycles.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Wheels for Vehicles and Cycles.
JAMES ROOTS, Engineer, 100, Westminster Bridge Road, London, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
I make the wheel of two steel discs which are fitted to an iron hub. The discs
are fitted over the hub ends and butt against a shoulder upon the hub, and a collar
may then be fitted or shrunk over the hub ends to prevent the disc shifting, or
bolts or rivets may be put through the discs and shoulders to keep the discs in
their position. The discs may be cut out at intervals to lighten the wheel and
give the appearance of spokes. The iron or metal hub may be fitted with ball
bearings in the usual way. The two edges of the disc that of the hub and rim,
may be turned over slightly when stamped or otherwise made. If an iron tyre
be used the tyre may be made of T section with the vertical portion of the T
made taper. In cutting out the disc, leaving spokes in the sheet metal, the disc
may be cut away leaving spokes only at the outside edge without a connecting
rim or edge and the spokes thus formed may be rivetted to the inner or vertical
portion of the iron tyre. The outside edges of the discs or spokes formed from
them, may be rivetted to the rim as used at present for holding solid rubber tyres.
I prefer however to form this rim in two halves one half upon the outer edge of
each disc, so that fitted together the disc edges form the rim. The solid rubber
tyre is placed between the two halves of the rim, and the halves of the rim are
then drawn or clamped tightly together preferably by bolts securely holding the
tyre in place.
In stamping or otherwise making the discs the spokes instead of being flat may
be rounded and with a crescent section and thus resemble an ordinary wooden spoke
in appearance from the outside.
The axle may be made in two and with a spring or its equivalent in the middle.
The spokes may be formed of wire or rod in the ordinary manner, half the
spokes being fitted into one half of the rim and half in the other. Or the spokes
may be made with heads at both ends and being all of exactly the same length,
when the two halves of the rim are drawn by screws or otherwise together, it
tightens at once all the spokes. The heads at the ends are slipped through eye
holes and when in position and tightened it is impossible for them to become
detached. A thick rubber washer may be placed under each head. Or the spokes
may be all tightened up together by a screw upon the hub. The hub tube is
provided with a right hand and left hand thread, or with a screw on one side and
à collar on the other, upon which the flanges of the hub to which the spokes are
attached turn upon the thread or threads. The turning of the central tube by a
spanner will expand or contract the width of the hub flanges and tighten or loosen
the spokes. The heads of the spokes may be of larger diameter than usual and the
pneumatic tyre cover may be placed under them while the spokes are loose, and
when the spokes are tightened the tyre cover will be securely held in its place.

page_text: In a cycle or light wheel, the two portions of the rim may be placed with their
concave sides together, gripping the necks of the thickened edges of the pneu-
matic tyre cover between them, when the screw on the hub draws up the spokes
tight and holds the spokes, double rims, and tyres all securely in the one tighten-
ing, by screw or like method upon the hub or its tube. Or the divided rim
portions instead of having a segmental section may each be formed of a complete
tube, which may have pins on the sides. In the segmental section bosses may be
stamped on the rim which fit in corresponding depressions stamped in the other
portion. I prefer to make the spokes without a bend, and with a head at each end,
the holes at the hub and rim ends having a slot or eye hole to let in the neck of the
spoke. In gripping the tyre cover between the rim halves or tubes the inner
rubber tube may be omitted, there being sufficient pressure to keep the cover air-
tight.
As an alternative method of forming the rim the edges of each disc are cut out
alternately in such manner that the pieces cut out are oblong or square, and of
the same size as the flaps or projections left on the edge. The projections are bent
over in such a manner as to form half a rim, and when the two discs are fitted
together, the projections on the one side fit through the spaces cut out on the other
so that the two serrated edges form a rim, between which a pneumatic, solid
rubber, or even an iron tyre may be fitted. The inner edge of each projection
may be turned inward to better hold the tyre, solid rubber, or pneumatic, for the
iron tyre the serrated edges are preferably turned over and rivetted.
Dated November 30th 1897
Improvements in or connected with Wheels for Vehicles and Cycles.
JAMES ROOTS, Engineer, 100, Westminster Bridge Road, London, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
-
The solid rubber tyre
placed between the two halves of the rim and the halves
of the rim are then drawn or clamped tightly together by bolts securely holding
the tyre in place.
:
The spokes may be formed of wire or rod in the ordinary manner half the
spokes being fitted in the one half of the rim and half in the other. Or the spokes
may be made with heads at both ends and being all of exactly the same length
when the two halves of the rim are drawn by screws or otherwise together, it
tightens at once all the spokes. The heads at the ends are slipped through eye
holes and when in position and tightened it is impossible for them to become
detached. A thick rubber washer may be placed under each head. Or the spokes
may be all tightened up together by a screw upon the hub. The hub tube is
provided with a thread right and left hand or otherwise or with a screw on one
side and a collar on the other upon which the flanges of the hub to which the
spokes are attached turn. The turning of the central tube or nut by a spanner
will expand or contract the width of the hub flanges and tighten or loosen the
spokes. The heads of the spokes may be of larger diameter than usual and the
pneumatic tyre cover may be placed under them while the spokes are loose and
when the spokes are tightened the tyre cover will be securely held in its place.
The two portions of the tyre rim may be placed with their convex sides together

page_text: gripping the necks of the pneumatic tyre cover between them when the screw on
the hub draws up the spokes tight and holds the spokes, double rims, and tyres
all securely in the one tightening by screw or like method upon the hub or its
tube. Or the divided portions instead of having segmental section or a complete
tube with flange may each be formed of a complete tube without flange which
may have pins on the sides. In the surfaces compressing the rubber bosses may
be stamped on the one part which fit in corresponding depressions stamped in the
other portion. I make the spokes with a head at each end, the holes at the hub
and rim ends may have a slot or eye hole to let in the neck of the spoke. In
gripping the tyre cover between the rim halves or tubes the inner rubber tube
may be omitted there being sufficient pressure to keep the cover airtight.
Fig. 1 shows a part section of a wheel having a solid tyre. Fig. 2 is a part
elevation of same. Fig. 3 is a part section of a solid rubber tyred wheel. Fig. 4
is a part elevation of same. Fig. 5 is a part section of a pneumatic tyred wheel.
Fig. 6 is a part elevation of same. Fig. 7 shows the same construction as in
Fig. 5 but on a much larger scale. Fig. 8 is a part section of a modification of
Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a part elevation of same.
In Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 A is the hub. B the spokes. C, C, the rim. D the
tyre. In Fig. 1 and 2 E E are bolts for the purpose of drawing the angle iron
or steel rims closer together to more tightly grip the solid rubber tyre between
them, and at the same time the tightening up the nut on the bolt E increases the
tension on the spokes B, which are further adjustable individually by the
nipples Z. The nipples Z are of ordinary construction.
In Figs. 3 and 4 similar rings of angle iron or steel are shown to form the rim,
but the bolts W are used simply for steadying, the bolts in the hub A by screwing
the nuts outward force apart the flange on A and the flange on the telescopic
piece G which slides upon the hub. In widening these flanges greater tension
is put upon the spokes B which tension is exerted upon the two parts of the
rim C C, so as to more tightly grip the tyre D between them. The spokes B have
heads at both ends which are bent over in the usual manner at right angles with
the spoke, and placed through a hole just large enough to take the head through
as in Fig. 4 or the holes may be slotted like eyelet holes as in Fig. 4. In Fig. 4"
is shown an alternative method of making the spoke for heavier wheels. It is a
stamping from sheet steel which may be rivetted to the rim portions or hooked
over a pin or stud fixed to the rim. This applies for heavier wheels to each of
the figures shown. In Fig. 1 either the double headed spoke as in Fig. 2 may be
used or the spoke as in Fig. 4", or as shown.
In Figs. 2, 4, 6, & 9, direct spokes are shown but tangent may be used. In
Fig. 1 & 2 it will be observed the spokes are tending to pull the rim apart but
in Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 8 and 9, the spoke tension pulls the two parts of the rim
together.
In Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 the hub A is fitted with a telescopic collar or flange G,
as in Fig. 3, but the flange is expanded to put greater tension upon the spokes BB
by means of the nut H, and is locked in the desired position by the lock nut H¹.
By means of the nut H the spokes B may be easily tightened or slackened, which
has the effect of increasing or decreasing the pressure of the two parts of the
rim J J upon the pneumatic tyre K. By unscrewing the nut H the spokes B
may be so loosened as to enable a finger carrying solution to be passed through the
rubber joint and applied to any part of the inner surface of the cover K. An
inner india rubber air tube of ordinary construction may be placed inside the
pneumatic
if desired, or it may as shown and preferred
be made airtight by the pressure of the rings J upon its edges. M M are two
pieces of soft rubber attached to each surface to make the airtight joint. L L are
hardened strips of rubber placed upon the outside of each edge to withstand the
air pressure inside the tyre and prevent it from being pulled through.
remainder of the tyre K is of the ordinary rubber and canvas or fabric manu-
K
cover
The

page_text: facture. The thick dotted line passing through the tyre K indicates the position
of the valve.
In Figs. 3, 5, 7 & 8 a feather or screw (not shown) is fitted between the sleeve G
and the hub A so as to compel G to revolve, with A, if this provision were not
made and the wheel were used as a driving wheel all the driving strain would
come upon half the spokes.
'
A
In Figs: 8 & 9 tubes J1 J1 without the flange, shown in Figs. 5; 6, and 7(are
used to form the rim. The spokes B having a straight head pass through the
tubes J1 and are retained by the head on the outside of the tube J1 as shown. The
heads of the spokes fitted in a slot similar to that shown at Fig. 4 may rest on the
inside of the tube. Washers may be used for the spokes which have been cut
from the periphery on one side to the central hole, then widened in the cut to fit
round, the spokes and closed up again before tightening up the spokes.
Tangent or direct spokes may be used. The ordinary nail head of the spoke
whether straight or bent may be flattened to enable it the better to pass through
a slotted hole such as Fig. 4^.
Other sections of divided rim may be used, as for instance the two halves of a
ring of tube divided in the plane of the ring and placed with their convex sides
inward.
A soft rubber flap may be used (not shewn) inside the tyre K to assist in pre-
venting leakage of air.
All the figures are shown having hubs for ball bearings but other kinds of hubs
may be used. The balls, cups, cones, and central spindles are not shown these
may be of ordinary construction.
I am aware that screw threads or bolts have been used before on a hub for
tightening the spokes.
It will be observed that in the Figures 3, 4, 5 6 7 8 and 9 the spokes are crossed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. The combination in a wheel of double headed spokes whether with straight
or bent heads, with a hub having two flanges each carrying half the spokes, the
flanges being so constructed as to be capable of expansion or increasing their dis-
tance from each other either by screws or bolts to increase the tension upon the
spokes and vice versa
2. The combination of screwless or double headed spokes in a wheel with a
divided rim, the rim being held together by the tension on the spokes.
3. Constructing a rim in two parts or rings each part having attached to it half
the spokes of the wheel.
4. Constructing a wheel rim in two parts or rings each part having attached
to it half the spokes, the tension of the spokes being adjusted simultaneously by
means of a screw upon the hub.
5. Constructing a wheel rim of two parts or rings each part carrying half the
spokes the two rings being drawn tightly together hold the tyre between them.
6. Holding the tyre in position by means of a double rim each portion of which
is drawn together "by the tension upon the spokes, which are crossed for the
purpose.
7. Placing the tyre between two parts of a rim each part or ring of which carries
an equal or about an equal number of spokes, a screw or bolts upon the hub serving
to exert pressure upon the tyre to hold it in position.
|
8. In a wheel having tension spokes making the rim in two parts, placing the
pneumatic tyre cover between them, and maintaining pressure upon the tyre by
means of the spoke tension sufficient to securely hold the tyre in position.
9. In a wheel having tension spokes making the rim in two parts, placing the
pneumatic tyre cover between them and maintaining pressure upon the tyre by

page_text: means of the spoke tension sufficient to securely hold the tyre in position and keep
it airtight without an inner tube.
10. Making a pneumatic tyre airtight without an inner tube by means of the
tension upon the spokes exerted by an expanding hub as described.
11. Constructing a wheel with a divided rim formed of two rings of tube with
or without flanges which serve to hold the tyre pneumatic or other between them.
12. Spokes constructed and used as described and shewn herein in Figs. 3, 4",
5, 7, and 8.
13. Rims constructed and used as described and shewn herein.
14. Tyres constructed and arranged as described and shewn herein.