Improvements in Rims for the Wheels of Velocipedes and other like Vehicles.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Oct., 1894-Accepted, 1st Dec., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rims for the Wheels of Velocipedes and other
like Vehicles.
I, FRANK BOWDEN Managing Director of the Raleigh Cycle Co. Limited, of
Russel Street, Nottingham, in the County of Notts, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention communicated to me by Albert Conant Fairbanks of Tremont
Street, Boston, County of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts U.S.A. Manager, and
in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-)
This invention relates to an improvement in rims for the wheels of velocipedes
and other like vehicles and it consists of an improved form of joint therefor, the
object being to provide a simple and strong form of joint which is not liable to
break and which does not in any way weaken the rim.
This end is attained in the manner shown by the accompanying drawing
which is given by way of illustration only, and in which :-
-
Figure 1 is a broken view of a wooden rim jointed according to this invention.
Figure 2 is a broken view showing the parts detached.
Figure 3 is a view of a modification of the construction shown by Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a view in transverse section on line x, x, Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a view in transverse section on line y, y, Figure 3, and
Figure 6 is a view in transverse section showing a method of covering the
joint.
Throughout the views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
The two abutting ends A and B of the wooden rim are formed with wedge-
shaped projections a, b, respectively, the said projections being formed in any
convenient and suitable manner. In assembling the parts, the projections a, b, are
placed together as shown by Figure 1 and secured by glueing or otherwise. To
strengthen the joint and to protect it from climatic influences it may be covered
with a wrapper of canvas or other suitable textile fabric C as shown by Figure 6.
This wrapper may surround the whole rim if desired.
In the construction shown by Figure 1, one end A has an odd number of
projections a, and the other end B has an even number of projections b, but if
desired the number of projections on each end may be equal as shown by Figure 3
as both form of joint has its advantages in different types of rim.
Hitherto it has been usual to form these joints with square projections and not
wedge-shape, but this form is found to be objectionable because the joint breaks at
the ends of the slits on account of one half of the wood being sawn off at the ends
of the slits across the grain. According to this improved construction the
material of the rim is not disturbed at the ends of the slits, the parts thoroughly
interlock, and a tight fit is obtained by means of the wedge-shaped form of
projections. This joint is one that can be easily made and is exceedingly strong
and durable and one in which the material of the rim is not weakened at the ends
of the slits, and furthermore owing to the particular shape of the projections and
the interlocking thereof the several parts serve to strengthen each other.
In actual practice it has been found that a rim provided with this form of joint
never breaks at the joint.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
(1) The improvement in rims for the wheels of velocipedes and other like

page_text: (2) A joint for wooden rims consisting of a series of wedge-shaped interlocking
projections, as set forth.
(3) A joint for wooden rims consisting of a series of wedge-shaped interlocking
projections and an external wrapper of canvas or other suitable textile fabric, as
and for the purpose set forth.
(4) A wooden rim for the wheels of velocipedes and like vehicles constructed
out of a single piece or strip the edges of which are fixed together by means of a
joint consisting of a series of wedge-shaped interlocking projections and having a
cover or wrapper of canvas or other suitable textile fabric, as set forth.
Dated this 12th day of October 1894.
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.