IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OR BUILD OF WHEELS FOR RAILWAYS, TRAMWAYS, AND THE LIKE
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas James 'Smith, of the Firm of Robertson,
Brooman, and Company, of 166, Fleet Street; in the City of London, Patent
Agents, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OR BUILD
OF WHEELS FOR RAILWAYS, TRAMWAYS, AND THE LIKE." A communication from
abroad by Messrs. Brunon Brothers, residing at Rue-des-Halles, Paris, in the
Republic of France.
Sealed the 1st September 1877, and dated the 5th March 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas James Smith at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th March 1877..
THOMAS JAMES SMITH, of the Firm of Robertson, Brooman, and Company, of 166,
Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent Agents. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
STRUCTION OR BUILD OF WHEELS FOR RAILWAYS, TRAMWAYS, AND THE LIKE." (A
communication from abroad by Messrs. Brunon Brothers, residing at Rue-des-Halles,
Paris, in the Republic of France.)
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction or build of wheels for
railways, tramways, and the like, and consists essentially in arranging straight, or
comparatively straight, bars of metal in radii within a frame or bed plate, in which
they can be temporarily fixed by blocks under the action of wedges or screw bolts.
The bars which are to form the spokes have their inner ends projecting to permit of
them being enveloped by a nave by the casting or welding process, as found
convenient.
The outer ends of the bars have each a hole through it for the reception of a key,
whose ends are caused to press upon the ends of other straight bars which have to
form the felloe or rim, these bars having angled ends and a groove or channel in
which the key finds an abutment to hold each end of two adjoining felloe bars in
position.
The outer ends of the spokes thus keyed up with the felloe sections are then
subjected to beat and the action of a hammer to weld the parts together, and to form
the connection of the spokes and felloe or rim, the latter of which is brought into
shape as the periphery of the "centre" to be ready for the attachment of the tire in
any well-known manner.
The spoke bars may be partially shaped at the outer ends to form the "glut," and
the felloe bars may be bent to segments of a circle if found desirable, the keys in

page_text: most cases giving the extra amount of strength, with transverse fibre to ensure the
fixation by the weld.
In some cases the spoke bars have bulges or heads on their outer ends, so that the
felloe bars of straight or of segmental shape may find a lodgment under the shoulders,
or the ends may be recessed for the ends of the felloe bars to rest in.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas James Smith in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th
September 1877.
THOMAS JAMES SMITH, of the Firm of Robertson, Brooman, and Company, of
166, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent Agents. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OR BUILD OF WHEELS FOR RAILWAYS, TRAMWAYS, AND THE LIKE."
Communicated from abroad by Messieurs Brunon Brothers, residing at Rue-des-
Halles, Paris, in the Republic of France.
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction or build of wheels for
railways, tramways, and the like, and consists essentially in arranging straight, or.
comparatively straight bars of metal, preferably rolled iron rods or bars, in radii
within a frame or bed plate in which they can be temporarily fixed by blocks under
the action of wedges or screw bolts. The bars which are to form the spokes have
their inner ends projecting to permit of them being enveloped by a nave by the
casting or welding process as found convenient. The outer ends of the bars have
each a hole through it for the reception of a key, whose ends are caused to press
upon the ends of other straight bars which have to form the felloe or rim, these bars
having angled ends, and a groove or channel in which the key finds an abutment to
hold each end of two adjoining felloe bars in position.
The outer ends of the spokes thus keyed up with the felloe sections are then sub-
jected to heat to weld the parts together, and to form the connection of the spokes
and the felloe or rim, the latter of which is brought into shape as the periphery
of the "centre," to be ready for the attachment of the tire in any well-known
manner.
The spoke bars may be partially shaped at the outer ends to form the "glut,"
and the felloe bars may be bent to segments of a circle if found desirable, the keys
in most cases giving the extra amount of strength with transverse fibre to ensure
the fixation by the weld.
In some cases the spoke bars have bulges or heads on their outer ends, so that
the felloe bars of straight or of segmental shape may find a lodgment under the
shoulders, or the ends may be recessed for the ends of the felloe bars to rest in.
The Invention consists, lastly, in forging or welding successively and at isolated
points, instead of acting at one single operation upon the whole of the wheel, apply-
ing thus at each of the points considered a rapid and energetic action, which how-
ever powerful it might be would be much less by unity of surface if it were divided
over the whole face of the wheel. These successive weldings also allow the wheel
free dilatation.
The following description with reference to the annexed Drawings enables the
Invention to be clearly understood:-
Sheet 1. This Sheet shows the spokes and felloe, their method of mounting, and
different modes of grouping which can be adopted.
Figures 1 and 2. Fragments of straight felloe with
angle, or straight, and with grooves punched therein.
or arched.
edges bevilled at the desired
They may be either straight
Figures 3 and 4. Spokes cut in length and pierced with a hole at one end. They
may be "jumped," notched, or fitted in at the head.
Figure 5 represents the mounting ring A, with moveable corners D, fastening and

page_text: holding the spokes H by the screw C, or by the corners A, as indicated in Figure 5bis,
the said mounting being made with a view to group or centre the spokes, and to
prepare them to receive the nave or boss.
Figure 6 shows the spokes disengaged from the grouping ring after the fixation
of the nave or boss.
Figure 7 shows the spokes with felloes grouped. The hole at the ends of the
spokes H receives a pin B, engaging itself at the same time in the grooves formed
on theopposite side of the fragments of straight felloe A, whence results the group
ing C, which as seen is made with the elements shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Figure 8 represents a wheel centre with arched or segmental felloe, and with
mortised spokes.
Figure 9 shows a similar grouping, the spoke ends being slightly grooved.
Figure 10 is another grouping, the heads of the spokes being "jumped" or rivet-
shaped.
Figure 11 is another grouping similar to that of Figure 8, with shoulders to the
spokes, the said shoulder being made flush with the felloc at each side.
Figure 12 shows a wheel centre in or to which the nave or boss is cast.
Figure 12bis shows a finished centre with a nave or boss forged on. Figure 12ter
represents a finished wheel with tire mounted upon an axle.
Figures 13 and 14 are face view and section through the axis of the journal, of
an arrangement of grouping applied for a tramway wheel, and constituting a par-
ticular system of mixed wheel. C is a felloe of steel, or better, of cast iron, case-
hardened on the rolling circle, the said felloe serving also for a tire. The spokes
prepared, as just stated, for the other arrangements of grouping, are bound while
hot to the felloe by the shoulders d, "jumped" into T form at the ends of the spokes,
and which engage in the openings D of the ears E, E. The spokes in cooling exert
a certain amount of central traction upon the felloe keys or cotters F of steel, and
of suitable form, to complete the secure fasteuing of the felloe.
Sheet 2-Figures 15, 16, and 17 represent a machine for welding the grouping.
of the felloe and spokes. The wheel having one of its groups C heated to welding.
heat, is led by its nave or boss upon the supporting anvil C', which may rise or
descend in proportion to the diameter of the wheels. The shutter with handle A
turning upon a vertical or horizontal hinge is previously opened to full extent in
order for the wheel to be introduced, after which it is closed again and fastened by
the turning cap A¹, and by the fastening screw E¹, or by a folding spanner with
securing lever, the arrangements and action of which will be clearly understood with
reference to Figure 18 of the Drawings. The felloe of the wheel is placed between
the shutter A, which carries on the inside a plate J, and the plate K joined to the
front of the frame. B, B¹, are two moveable "bite" fastening the spokes and sup-
porting the two pieces of the felloe, and capable of being unfastened at will by
ineans of the lever D, so that the hammer or force under the impulse given to
the fly-wheel by the friction disc led into contact by the aid of the lever G, descends
upon the grouping with an accelerated speed, the grouping being found as in a
closed matrix, and the welding is perfected thereby.
This machine not only welds but produces the desired curve without the necessity
of employing any band. The arrangements adopted also offer advantage in the
case of welding only by wedging up or securing. Then the band M, shown in
dotted lines, Figure 16, can be placed upon the shutter touching the frame, and the
hammer in descending will chop off the length desired without any waste, an
arrangement very different from that adopted hitherto.
Instead of the descending movement of the fly-wheel by the friction of lateral
discs, a direct movement resulting from the action of a piston attached by its
rod to the said fly-wheel, and moving in an upper cylinder arranged in the
axis. This arrangement, by enabling the increase at will of motive power, will
procure a considerable economy of steam, which will not be expended except at
the moment of action, as takes place in the case of stampers or steam hammers (see
Figure 20).

page_text: In the case of locomotive wheels the groupings herein-before described may be
welded by means of the hydraulic press if desired.
And having now described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim as the improvements in the con-
struction or build of wheels for railways, tramways, and the like,-
"
First. The application to the formation of the felloe and spokes of wheels of a
rolled run iron (fer courant laminé) of a desired, definite, and uniform profile,
and securing consequently before employment or work the qualities requisite for
preservation and durability.
Secondly. The arrangements or means adopted for grouping the different frag-
ments or elements of the felloe to the spokes in such manner as to have a grouping
already bound or joined in its parts, and offering the necessary sufficient material
for forging or welding to the final form or shape.
Thirdly. The system of mounting and maintaining the straight spokes in a ring
and combined, as described and represented by Figures 5 and 5bis, for putting in
place and centreing the spokes before receiving the nave or boss which envelops
(Figure 19) by welding therein the interior extremities equidistant from the centre
and from each other, the said nave when it is of iron affecting the form of a welded
conical mass (see Figure 5) placed in the centre at welding heat, and held by tongs
or plyers till placed under the welding machine.
Fourthly. The arrangement of a composed or mixed wheel, the tire of which on
the rolling circle is independent of the spokes, so that should such a tire while in
use break or become defective, it may be lifted off and replaced by another upon the
same group of spokes.
Fifthly. The method of joining in the preceding arrangement of wheel composed
of the felloe, tire, and of the spokes, the headed ends of which spokes are not fastened
in the lugs or ears of the tire until after having been previously heated, to be
dilated so that in opposition to the general rule it is the centre which is cased in
the tire, and not the tire upon the centre, the whole being consolidated by the in-
troduction between the heads of the spokes and the felloe of a little conical steel key
with rivet head.
Sixthly. The employment in the manufacture of straight spoked wheels of the
welding and arching machine, with the hinged shutter and plates enclosing the part
of the felloe to be welded in such manner as to constitute with the lower support of
the moveable "bits" and the application of the hammer a true matrix. The action
of the said haminer being obtained by the effect of a fly-wheel actuated by discs or
by the aid of a steam piston adding its direct action to that of gravity, or lastly, by
means of a hydraulic press acting from above, especially in the case of large loco-
motive wheels.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas James Smith, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourth day of September, One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-seven.
T. J. SMITH. (L.S.)