Improvements in Wheels for Velocipedes and other Vehicles.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 20th May, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 19th Feb., 1894-Accepted, 28th Apr., 1894.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Wheels for Velocipedes and other Vehicles.
We, HARRY SALE SANDIFORD of 22 Kellet Street, Weaste, Manchester,
Clerk, and WALTER EDWARD HEWES of 98 Sandy Lane, Chorlton-cum-Hardy,
Manchester, Cashier, do hereby declare the nature of our said invention 'to be
as follows:-
Our invention consists of a pneumatic or inflated tube placed round the hub of
the wheels appertaining to velocipedes or cycles, sulkeys, bassinettes, and other
vehicles whereby the pneumatic tyre now in use which is liable to puncture may be
dispensed with and a solid or other similar tyre used in its stead, with the same
elastic or cushioned effect.
As applied to cycles the inflated tube surrounds the usual metal hub and is
covered or partially enclosed by a metal covering or casing having bevels, flanges
or projecting edges at each side.
Normally the inflated tube and surrounding metal casing lie concentrically
around the hub and the flanged edges of the casing are sufficiently open to allow
for any depression of the tube. The connection between the hub and the tyre is
effected by the usual wires or rods which are secured to the wheel rim in the
ordinary manner at one extremity and at the other extremity to the metal casing
aforesaid.
To create the necessary lateral and "driving" stiffness between the hub and the
wheel we employ pins, bolts, spokes, cogs or bars secured to the metal hub and
designed to pass through corresponding holes, slots, grooves, or sockets made in the
flanges of the metal covering of the pneumatic tube. Said pins, bolts, spokes, cogs,
or bars may be grooved, screw-threaded or made plain.
Dated this 15th day of June 1893.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Wheels for Velocipedes and other Vehicles.
We, HARRY SALE SANDIFORD of 22 Kellet Street, Weaste, Manchester,
Clerk, and WALTER EDWARD HEWES of 98 Sandy Lane, Chorlton-cum-Hardy,
Manchester, Cashier, do hereby declare the nature of our said invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
Our invention consists of a pneumatic or inflated tube placed round the hub of
the wheels appertaining to velocipedes or cycles, sulkeys, bassinettes, and other
vehicles whereby the pneumatic tyre now in use which liable to puncture may be
dispensed with and a solid or other similar tyre used in its stead, with the same
elastic or cushioned effect.
And in order that our invention shall be more readily understood and carried
into practical effect we have hereunto annexed a sheet of drawings, illustrative of
our improved pneumatic hub as applied to the rear wheel of a safety bicycle of
FD 077

page_text: which Fig. 1 is a transverse section and Fig. 2 a side exterior view and we will
now proceed to describe the same with the assistance of the various figures and
letters of reference marked thereon.
In accordance with our invention (A) designates the air tube (shewn inflated)
made of india-rubber or other inflatable and elastic material, which surrounds the
hub (B) as illustrated. This inflated tube is partially enclosed by a metal annular
covering or casing (C) the inside face of which corresponds to the expanded form
of air tube (A). The placing of the air tube around the hub (B) may either be
done by stretching the tube, before it is pumped up through the hole (A') fitted
with a valve, over the flange ends (B') (B¹) or by forming the hub in two portions
as illustrated, the ends of the two portions abutting in the centre to make the
complete hub when mounted on the axle (D). The open ends of the outer
casing (C) are formed with bosses or flanges (C¹). Normally the inflated tube and
surrounding metal casing lie concentrically around the hub and the flanges of the
casing are sufficiently open to allow for any depression of the tube and to prevent
their coming in contact with the said hub flanges.
The connection between the hub and the tyre is effected by the usual wires or
rods (E) which are secured to the wheel rim at one extremity and to the casing (C)
at the other extremity.
The hub of this particular wheel in a safety bicycle generally carries the chain
wheel, around which the chain from the driving axle passes, and to provide for this
we employ the hollow or annular wheel (F), which is provided with arms or
spokes (F), which extending radially outwards are secured to the flange (C') of
the casing (C). These pins or arms are, by preference, secured to a screw ring (G)
which screws into the open end of the casing as illustrated, the flange being formed
with an internal screw thread. The chain from the driving wheel passes around
this wheel which as the chain travels round serves through the medium of its
connection with the casing (C) to turn the wheel. The chain wheel is formed
hollow to allow for the compression of the air tube and to allow for the movement
of the axle (D).
In practice we believe the inflation of the tube will give sufficient lateral stiffness
without the aid of the pins, etc., mentioned in our Provisional Specification although
the same can be used if desired. If applied the pins would be fixed to the flanges
of the hub and extending radially outwards pass through elongated openings
formed in extensions of the flanges (C¹) on the casing (C).
In case the air tube should collapse we provide a cross piece (H) (see Fig. 3)
the centre opening of which fits onto the axle (D) and its extremities are screwed
to the chain wheel at (1) so producing a rigid driving connection.
Additional lateral stiffness may be given to the hub by extending the ring (G)
inwards or by extending the forks of the machine beyond the axle as illustrated by
the dotted lines in Fig. 1.
The chain wheel (F) is, by preference cast in one piece with the arms or spokes
which connect it with the casing (C) although such arms may be attached by
screwing or otherwise. This wheel is counterbalanced by the annular ring (J) on
the opposite side of the wheel which if desired could be converted into an additional
chain wheel.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we wish it to be
understood that we do not confine ourselves to the precise details, relative
proportions and dimensions of our invention, but what we claim and desire to
secure by Letters Patent is :-
1st. In cycles, sulkies, bassinettes and other vehicles the use and employment of
a pneumatic hub, comprising an air tube (A), surrounding a divided metal hub (B),
and enclosed within a casing or outer hub with pins or spokes secured to the hub (B)
passing through flanges on the casing (C) to give lateral stiffness substantially as
hereinbefore set forth.

page_text: 2nd. The use and employment of the pneumatic hub hereinbefore described and
previously claimed in combination with the chain wheel (F), spokes (F¹), ring (G),
(with or without the extended inward portion) screwing into the flanges of the
casing (C) substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.
Dated this 17th day of February 1894.
JOHN G. WILSON & Co.,
Agents.