IMPROVE- MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MAKING WHEELS, OR THE VARIOUS PARTS OF WHICH WHEELS ARE COMPOSED
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Oxley, of Beverley, in the County of York,
Coach Builder and Wheel Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MAKING WHEELS, OR THE VARIOUS PARTS OF WHICH
WHEELS ARE COMPOSED."
Sealed the 1st May 1855, and dated the 17th February 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Oxley at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
17th February 1855.
I, JOHN OXLEY, of Beverley, in the County of York, Coach Builder and
Wheel Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MAKING WHEELS, OR THE VARIOUS PARTS OF
WHICH WHEELS ARE COMPOSED," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to a peculiar combination and arrangement of
machinery employed in cutting out, shaping, or forming the spokes of wheels,
and in forming the tenons or tangs of such spokes; and consists,-
First, in the employment of two circular saws running parallel to each
other, and so arranged that the distance between them may be varied at will,
by levers or other suitable means. These saws are for the purpose of cutting

page_text: the spokes of wheels on two sides simultaneously to any required thickness,
the rough unshaped spoke having been previously fixed in such a manner on
centres that by turning it through a quarter of an circle, it may be similarly
cut on the other two sides to any required dimensions.
Second, in the employment of two revolving cutters for the purpose of
forming a tenon on the end of the spoke. These revolving cutters are so
arranged that by pushing a pattern between the carriages which support them,
they will be gradually forced asunder, and so form the required tenon on the
end of the spoke which is entered between them, such spoke resting upon
the sliding plate or table to which the pattern herein-before referred to is
attached.
Third, in the employment of a revolving cutter in combination with a
wedge-shaped sliding table, for the purpose of cutting the tenons of the spokes
to the requisite width and taper.
Fourth, in the employment of two pairs of revolving cutters, for the purpose
of forming tenons with square shoulders on the ends of the spokes; one pair
of these revolving cutters working at right angles or nearly so to the other
pair, thereby forming the square shoulder required. These cutters by means
of moveable carriages are capable of being set to cut any required length
or thickness of tenon.
Fifth, of an improved arrangement of spoke-shapeing machine, wherein a
revolving cutter is used, the knives of such cutters being fixed parallel to the
spindle which carries them, the spindle itself working in a headstock or bracket
which moves horizontally at right angles to the spoke. The spoke while under
operation revolves on fixed centres. The motion of the headstock or bracket
is governed by suitable springs and a pattern spoke.
Sixth, of an improved system or mode of fixing the spoke during the process
of shapeing, by means of an expanding and contracting gripper, which revolves
and holds one end of the spoke while it runs on a common centre at the other
end. The gripper which is placed at the end farthest from the workman or
attendant is actuated by a series of toothed wheels in connection with a conical
nut, by which arrangement the attendant is enabled to fix or remove the spokes
without moving from his place.
Seventh, of a peculiar system or mode of forming square tangs or tenons on
the outer ends of the spokes after they are driven into the nave. This is
accomplished by placing the nave and spokes horizontally on a centre pin, and
in that position passing the ends of the spokes successively between two pairs
of vertical and horizontal revolving cutters, which are so arranged as to be set
to cut any required size of tang or tenon.

page_text: Eighth, of a peculiar system or mode of forming round tangs or tenons on
the ends of the spokes, after they have been driven into the nave. This is
effected by placing the nave on a centre pin, which is fixed into and stands at
right angles to a horizontal revolving shaft, constructed and arranged in such
a manner as to admit of the ends of the spokes being brought in succession
in a line with their own centres, so that each spoke may successively, and
while revolving in this centre line, be acted upon by a revolving or fixed cutter,
which forms a round tenon of any required size upon the outer ends of such
spoke.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Oxley in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
17th August 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
OXLEY, of Beverley, in the County of York, Coach Builder and Wheel
Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventeenth day of February, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the eighteenth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said John Oxley, Her special license that I, the said John Oxley, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John
Oxley, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thercafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR MAKING WHEELS, OR THE VARIOUS PARTS OF WHICH WHEELS
ARE COMPOSED," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John
Oxley, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should particu-
larly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Oxley, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,

page_text: to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement,
reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the letters and
figures marked thereon, that is to say:—
My said Invention relates to a peculiar combination and arrangement of
machinery or apparatus employed in cutting out, shaping, or forming the spokes
of ordinary carriage or cart wheels, and in forming the tenons or tangs of such
spokes; and consists,--
First, in the employment of two circular saws, running parallel to each
other, and so arranged that the distance between them may be varied at will,
by a lever or other suitable means. These saws are for the purpose of cutting
out the rough blanks for the spokes of wheels ou two sides simultaneously to
any required thickness; the rough unshaped spoke or blank having been pre-
viously fixed in such a manner on centres that by turning it through a quarter
of a circle it may be similarly cut on the other two sides to any required
dimensions.
Second, in the employment of two revolving cutters, for the purpose of
forming a tenon on the end of a spoke. These revolving cutters are so
arranged that by pushing a pattern between the carriages which support them
they will be gradually forced asunder, and so form the required thickness and
taper of the tenon suitable for heavy wheels on the end of the spoke which is
entered between them, such spoke resting upon the sliding plate or table to
which the pattern herein-before referred to is attached.
Third, in the employment of a revolving cutter in combination with a wedge-
shaped sliding table, for the purpose of cutting the tenons of the spokes to the
requisite width and taper.
Fourth, in the employment of two pairs of revolving cutters, for the purpose
of forming tenons with square shoulders on the ends of the spokes for carriage
wheels or light work, one pair of these revolving cutters working at right angles
or nearly so to the other pair, thereby forming the square shoulder required.
These cutters, by means of moveable carriages, are capable of being set to cut
any required length or thickness of tenon.
Fifth, of an improved arrangement of spoke-shaping machine, wherein one
revolving cutter is used, the knives of such cutter being fixed parallel to the
spindle which carries them, the spindle itself working in a headstock or bracket
which moves horizontally at right angles to the spoke. The spoke while under
operation revolves on centres, and the motion of the headstock or bracket is
governed by suitable springs and a pattern spoke.
Sixth, of an improved system or mode of fixing the spoke during the pro-
cess of shaping by means of an expanding and contracting gripper, which

page_text: revolves and holds one end of the spoke while it runs on a common centre
at the other end. The gripper, which is placed at the end farthest from the
workman or attendant, is actuated by a series of toothed wheels in connection
with a conical nut, by which arrangement the attendant is enabled to fix or
remove the spokes without moving from his place.
Seventh, of a peculiar system or mode of forming square tangs or tenons
on the outer ends of the spokes after they are driven into the nave. This is
accomplished by placing the nave and spokes horizontally on a contre pin, and
in that position passing the ends of the spokes successively between two pairs
of combined vertical and horizontal revolving cutters and saws, which are so
arranged as to be set to cut any required size of tang or tenon.
Eighth, of a peculiar system or mode of forming round tangs or tenons on
the ends of the spokes for carriage wheels or light work, after they have been
driven into the nave. This is effected by placing the nave on a centro pin,
which is fixed into and stands at right angles to a bent or slightly cranked
horizontal revolving shaft, constructed and arranged in such a manner as to
admit of the ends of the spokes being brought in succession in a line with
their own centres, so that each spoke may successively, and while revolving
in this centre line, be acted upon either by a revolving or fixed cutter, which
forms a round tenon of any required size upon the outer end of such spoke.
And in order that my said Invention may be more properly understood, I
shall now proceed to describe and refer to the several Figures on the Sheets of
Drawings hereunto annexed.
Fig. 1, on Sheet 1 of my Drawings, represents a side elevation of a machine
for shaping the spokes of carriage or cart wheels; Fig. 2 is an elevation of
the end A of the machine; and Fig. 3 is an elevation of the end B of the
same; Fig. 4, on Sheet 2 of my Drawings, represents a plan of the same
machine; and the rest of the Figures on the same Sheet are various details,
which I shall herein-after more particularly describe and refer to.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout all
the Figures on Sheets 1 and 2 of my Drawings. This machine by suitable
adaptations is capable of sawing the parallel sides of the rough blanks for the
spokes, cutting the tapered tenon on cach side, cutting square tenons with
shoulders for light work, and finally of shaping the whole length of spoke.
The whole of the mechanism is carried by the cast-iron frame A, supported on
the pillars B, B, which are bolted on to the base or foundation frame C; D, D',
are two fixed plates bolted to the upper framing, and formed with dovetailed
grooves for the moveable headstocks E, E', to slide in. These sliding head-
stocks may be fitted either with rotatory cutters F, F', as shewn at Figs. 1, s,

page_text: and 4, or with circular saws G, one of which is shewn in detail side and edge
view at Figs. 5 and 6. These saws are fitted into the headstocks when the
machine is intended for cutting out the rough blanks, the two opposite parallel
sides of the blank being cut simultaneously. Previous to this operation, how-
ever, the rotatory cutters F, F¹, are removed from the headstocks, and the
screwed ends of the shanks H of the saws are screwed into the ends of the
two short spindles I, I, the bearing parts of which are made slightly tapered
to fit into a corresponding opening in the collars J, J', cast in one piece with
the headstocks. Each of these shafts is fitted with a small driving pulley
K, K', to drive the saws, the rotatory motion being obtained from the two
driving belts L, L, which are passed over the guide rollers L", L", running
loose on the shaft L, and round the larger pulleys M, M', on the second
motion shaft N, Fig. 4. This shaft is driven from the main shaft O imme-
diately below it by a belt passed over the small fixed pulley P. The main
shaft is fitted with fast and loose driving pulleys Q, Q', and has keyed on to it
the speed cone R, which I shall herein-after more particularly refer to. The
piece of wood to be cut parallel is fixed between the two traversing plates S
and T. For this purpose the opening or collar U in the claw V, shewn in
detail at Figs. 7 and 8, is fitted on to the boss W in the plate S; the gripper
X, shewn attached in Fig. 4, and herein-after fully described and referred to,
being removed. The screw pin Y in the lower part of the claw is passed
through a corresponding hole in the plate S, and is tightened up by a nut, so
as to hold the claw perfectly firm and steady. A suitable holding shoe is fitted
on to the centre spindle Z in the traversing plate T, into which shoe one end
of the blank is fitted, the opposite end being screwed up against the claw V
by means of the screw a and hand wheel b. The centre spindle which carries
the shoe being thus made to slide longitudinally through the boss c, cast on
the plate T, two holes are made transversely and at right angles to each other
through the centre spindle Z, and a pin acted on by a spring in the holding
shoe is forced into one of these holes, thereby holding the shoc and the blank
to be cut parallel in a proper position for that purpose. The two traversing
plates S and T are connected together at any suitable distance asunder by the
rods d, d, which are bolted to the plate S, and pass through the plate T in
which they are secured by tightening screws. These plates so connected slide
together along the guide rods e, e, which pass through them and run nearly the
entire length of the framing, and are fitted at each end into the fixed supports
ff, bolted down on to the upper frame A.
The saws are set at the desired distance asunder by suitably adjusting the
sliding headstocks E, E', which carry them; this is accomplished by means of

page_text: a wedge piece g fitted on to the link h, connected with the lever handle i. A
swell or rubbing piece k,, is formed on the front of each of the sliding head-
stocks for the wedge picce g to slide or rub against, so that by moving forward
the wedge by the lever i, the headstocks with the saws will be forced farther
apart, or they may be allowed to approach nearer each other by pushing back
the wedge; the blade springs 1, 1, Figs. 1 and 3, which bear against the back
of the headstocks, serving to push them towards cach other; the outward
movement of the headstocks is controuled by the two stop screws m, m³, which
are adjustable to any desired extent.
When the saws are properly adjusted and set in motion, the blank is
traversed forward between them as fast as the cutting proceeds by causing the
traversing plates S and T, between which it is fixed, to traverse along the guide
rods e, e, the traverse movement being obtained from the screw spindle n
working through a nut on the under side of the plate T, and actuated by the
hand wheel o. Two opposite sides having been thus cut parallel simultane-
ously, the blank is turned round a quarter of a revolution, or until the pin in
the shoe drops into the second hole in the centre spindle Z, thereby fixing the
blank in a proper position for the cutting of the other two sides.
As the blank will require to be wider one way than the other, the saws must
be expanded to the desired amount by the handle i and wedge g, the stocks
m, m', regulating the amount of expansion. The cutting of the blank is now
completed, and the next operation to which it is subjected is the cutting of the
tapered tenon to fit into the nave of the wheel, if intended for heavy work.
For this purpose the saws G are removed, and the rotatory cutters F, F', are
fitted into the headstocks. These cutters are represented in detail at Figs.
9 and 10, the cutting tools p being fitted into grooves in the plates q, q, which
are held together by bolts r, r, and carried on the vertical spindles s, s; t, b, are
two small driving pulleys fast on the spindles s, which are actuated by the
driving belts u, u, guided over the rollers u, v, and receiving motion from
the driving pulleys w, w, on the second motion shaft N; the table a, shewn in
side elevation and plan at Figs. 11 and 12, is screwed on to the under side of
the traversing plates S and T, and the bar or support y, shewn in side cleva-
tion and plan at Figs. 18 and 14, is fitted on to the table by the nuts and
screws,, the screws being passed through the slot 1 in the table. The blank
to be taper tenoned is laid edgewise on the bar y, and is pressed against the
dog 2, which is secured to the plate S by the nut and screw 3 (Figs. 13 and
14), the screw being passed through the hole which was previously occupied
by the screw Y in the claw herein-before described and represented in Figs.
7 and 8. The opposite. end of the blank is tightened up by the centre pin Z

page_text: and screw a; a tapered plate 4 is fitted on to the top of the table a, and the
taper of this plate corresponds to that of the tenon to be formed. This plate
rubs against the ends of the sliding headstocks E, E', and as the end of the
blank is pushed forward between the rotatory cutters F, F', the plate 4 gradually
expands them, and so forms the tenon tapered on each side. The traverse of
the blank and the table during the cutting process is effected by the screw
n, as herein-before described. The blank is now removed and requires one of
its edges cutting slightly inclined, to give the requisite inclination of the spoke
when driven into the nave; this is effected by laying the blank on edge on
the inclined table 5, the slope of which corresponds to that required for the
edge of the tenon. A dog 6 is fixed on to the table, against which dog
the end of the blank is pushed by hand. The table 5 has two lugs 7, 7, fitted
on to the under side of it, which lugs slide along the guide rod 8, and rest
upon
the surface of the frame A, to which the guide rod is attached. The
rotatory cutter 9, which is of the same construction as that shown in detail at
Figs. 9 and 10, is fitted on to one end of the spindle I' which previously
carried the circular saw, and is driven by the same pulleys and belt that
actuated the saw. The whole table 5 with the blank upon it is pushed
under the cutter 9 by the attendant as fast as the cutting proceeds. The tenon
I have just described is intended for heavy cart or waggon wheels, but for
forming a square-shouldered tenon suitable for carriages and light wheels a
slight modification in the apparatus is required.
The spoke 10 to be tenoned is fixed in a vertical position, as shewn by
the dotted lines in Fig. 11. It is passed up through the opening 11 in the
table x, and is held tight against the side of the vertical support 12, which is
steadied by the curved stay 13, by means of the bar 14 and shoe or socket 15.
This bar and shoe or socket which embraces the spoke is shewn in detail side
elevation and plan at Figures 15 and 16; one end of the bar is screwed at 16,
and passes through the internally-screwed boss of the small bevel wheel 17,
working in the plate T, as shown at Fig. 3. This bevel wheel forms a stationary
nut, by means of which the bar 14 may be forced up against the spoke, so as
to hold it firmly during the process of tenoning.
The bevel wheel 17 is actuated by the corresponding bevel wheel 18 fast on
the spindle 19, and driven by the hand wheel 20, shewn in Figs. 1, 3, and 4.
The table is screwed on to the under side of the traversing plates S and T,
and the end of the spoke is then passed between the rotatory cutters F, F',
which will be fitted with the extra tools 21, shewn dotted at Figs. 9 and 10,
for the purpose of making the cross cut to form the square shoulder on the
tenon. A shoe or boss 22 (Figs. 15 and 16) is screwed on to the table x, to

page_text: serve as a guide and support for the bar 14 when being set up by the bevel
wheels herein-before referred to.
The last operation effected by this machine is that of shaping the spokes.
For this purpose a cast-iron pattern spoke is employed; it is slipped at one end
into the socket or shoe 23 screwed on to the end of the spindle 24, whilst the
other end turns on the centre 25 in the plate T. The spindle 24 works in the
boss 26 of the traversing plate S. This spindle has keyed on to it the spur
wheel 27, which receives motion from the pinion 28, working along a feather on
the longitudinal shaft 29. This pinion has a ring groove formed in its boss,
into which groove fits the fork or clutch 30, which is bolted to the plate S, and
consequently keeps the pinion always up to the plate during its traverse back-
wards or forwards. The shaft 29 works in end bearings 31, 31, and has keyed
on to it the mitre wheel 32, which gears into and receives motion from the
second mitre wheel 33, fast on the end of the shaft 34. This shaft receives
motion from the main driving shaft O by the driving belt 85, which passes
over the cone pullies R and 36, the latter running loose on the shaft 34, but
thrown into
gear
when requisite by the disc 37, which carries a number of studs
fitting into corresponding holes in the end of the cone pulley. This disc is slid
along the shaft by means of the handle 38, which works on a fixed centre at
39. The spur wheel 27 gears into the intermediate wheel 40, which drives
the wheel 41 fast on the tubular shaft 42 working in the boss W in the
plate S, and on to the end of which is screwed the rotatory gripper X herein-
before referred to, and shewn in enlarged detail section at Fig. 17. This
gripper is for the purpose of holding one end of the spoke to be shaped, whilst
the other turns freely on the centro Z. The gripper consists of a wedge-
shaped block of metal 44, with two jaws 45, held open by springs 45¹, and
working on fixed centres at 46. The block 44 is screwed on to the end of the
tubular shaft 42, and is hollowed out to receive the rectangular nut 47, which
works on the screwed end of the inner spindle 48. This spindle is passed
through the centre of the tubular shaft 42, and projects some distance inside
the gripper, whilst at its opposite end it carries a spur wheel 49, gearing into
the intermediate wheel 50, which receives motion from the spur wheel 51, fast
on one end of the shaft 52, which is fitted with actuating lever handles at 53.
By this means the attendant can tighten up the gripper without leaving his
place by simply turning the shaft 52, which causes the internal spindle 48 to
rotate and traverse forward the nut 47, which being made slightly conical one
way causes the jaws of the gripper to close upon the end of the spoke. The
spoke being thus fixed is now ready for shaping, for which purpose the one
rotatory cutter F only is used. The pattern spoke and spoke to be shaped are

page_text: rotated at the same speed by the gearing 27, 28, 40, and 41, and the longi-
tudinal traverse of the same is effected by the chain 54, which is connected to
the plate T, and is wound round the shaft 55. 56 is a large driving pulley
loose on the shaft 55, but driving it through the clutch box 56'. This pulley
is actuated by the driving belt 57, the speed of which may be regulated by the
speed pulley 58, which is driven by the second belt 59 from the pulley 60, fast
on the end of the shaft 34. Previous to setting this mechanism in action the
nut of the screw spindle n is detached from the plate T, in order to allow it to
be pulled along the rods e, e, without the intervention of the screw n. As the
shaping proceeds the spoke with its pattern is traversed slowly past the rotatory
cutter, the headstock E which carries it being slid in or out according to the
shape of the pattern spoke by means of the adjustable rubber 61, which is
connected with the headstock, and bears constantly against the surface of the
revolving pattern spoke by the aid of the blade spring 1, which keeps the head-
stock always pushed forward. The spoke having been shaped along its entire
length is removed by loosening the gripper, and the pulley 56 being thrown
out of gear, the plates S and T are slid back again by hand along their guide
rods e, e, in readiness for another spoke, this movement being assisted by a
counterweight attached to the cord 62, which is secured to the plate S, and
is passed over the guide pulley 63. The spokes having been so far completed
are driven into the nave, and their outer ends are tenoned or tanged either
square or round, according as the wheel is intended for heavy or light work,
after being driven into the nave.
Fig. 1 on Sheet 3 of my Drawings represents a side elevation of a machine
for forming square tangs on the outer ends of the spokes. The rest of the
Figures are details which I shall herein-after more particularly describe and
refer to. A, A, is a' cast-iron bed plate somewhat similar to the bed plate of a
self-acting lathe, and supported on the standards B, B. A slide C, shewn in
detail at Fig. 2, is fitted on to the face of the machine bed, and has a collar
or boss D cast upon it, through which collar is passed the vertical spindle E.
This spindle rests at its lower end on the elevating screw spindle F, which
works through the head of the bridle piece or fork G, screwed to the collar D.
By turning the hand wheel II the spindle E will obviously be either raised or
lowered. A spiked disc I rests upon a shoulder on the spindle E, and it is
upon this disc that the nave of the wheel rests when it is fitted on to the
spindle E. The wheel is tightened up by a washer and lever nut at J, and its
vertical position is adjusted by the regulating screw F. One pair of rotatory
cutters K, K², are carried in the headstock L, which is fixed on the bed A,
and another pair M, M, at right angles to the cutters.K, are carried in the

page_text: headstock N, also fixed on to the framing A. These cutters, with the carrying
frame N, are represented in detail front clevation at Fig. 3; and the cutters
K, K', with the headstock L are represented in detail front elevation at Fig. 4.
The rotatory cutters K, consist of two sets of cutting tools O and P, shewn in
enlarged detail at Figs. 5, 6, and 7, 8, respectively. The cutters P consist of
circular saws, which are bolted on to the end of the blocks which
carry the
knives O, for the purpose of forming a square-shouldered tenon on the spoke,
the saws serving to make the end cut for the shoulder, whilst the knives clear
out the wood to the requisite depth for the desired thickness of the tenon.
This thickness may be regulated by simply raising or lowering the upper
rotatory cutter K', which is effected by means of the screws Q and nuts R,
worked longitudinally by means of the cranked levers S and connecting link T.
In the detail Fig. 4 the upper rotatory cutter K' is represented in section,
whilst the lower one K is in end elevation. These cutters are driven in
opposite directions by suitable driving belts, and the small driving pullies U fast
on the spindles V. The partially-formed wheel having been properly secured
on the spindle E in the manner herein-before described, the distance between
the nave of the wheel and the cutters K, K', is regulated according to the size
of the wheel by traversing the slide C along the bed A by means of the hand
wheel W (Figure 11), fast on the end of the screw X, which works in fixed
bearings at each end, and actuates a nut Y, fast on the collar D. Each spoke
before being passed through the cutters is held firmly down on to the rest Z,
shewn in detail at Figure 9, by the tightening screw a, which is fitted with a
hand wheel b, and works through the head of the bridle c, which is hooked on
to the under side of the rest. The rest itself is screwed into the collar or boss d,
cast in one piece with the slide e, which slides transversely across the machine
on the lower slide f, the movement of which along the fixed plate g is at right
angles to that of the slide e. Each spoke is successively fixed on the rest Z,
and its end is pushed forward between the rotatory cutters K, K', by means
of the hand wheel h and screw spindle i, which actuates the slide e, a slight
lateral movement being also allowed along the fixed plate g. The height of
the rest Z is adjusted by the screwed portion & and nut Z. The cutters K, K',
will obviously only cut the upper and under side of the tenon, but the other
two sides are cut by the vertical rotating cutters M, M, in the fixed frame or
headstock N, herein-before referred to, and illustrated by the detail Figure 3.
These cutters are constructed in a similar manner to the cutter shewn in
detail at Figures 9 and 10 on Sheet 2 of my Drawings, and are driven by belts
or bands passed round the small driving pulleys 'm, m, fast on the spindles
n, n, of the cutters. The spokes to be completed are each successively centred

page_text: 19
by the centre o in the sliding headstock p, shewn in detail end elevation at
Figure 10. The centre o is moved forward by the hand wheel q in the ordinary
manner, and fixed by the set screw 7. The headstock p is connected with the
slide C, carrying the wheel by the rod s, which is bolted to the slide C, and
passes through the headstock p, in which it is fixed at any required point by
the set screw t.
By this means the slide and headstock will slide conjointly with each other.
As each spoke is centred it is pushed endwise between the cutters M, M, by
simply turning the hand wheel W and traversing screw X, (Figure 11,) the
length of traverse being regulated according to the length of tenon required.
When all the tenons are are thus completed, the wheel is taken out of the
machine and is ready for the fellocs, the fitting of which, however, forms no
part of my present Invention.
For carriage and other light wheels the tenons or tangs on the ends of the
spokes will be made round in place of square, and this I propose accom-
plishing by the machine represented in side elevation at Figure 1 on Sheet 4
of my Drawings. Figure 2 represents an end elevation of the wheel-holding
and actuating portion of the machine; Figure 3 is a detail face view of
the cutter and headstock carrying the same; and Figure 4 is a back view
of the headstock carrying the centre for centreing the spokes. The nave with
the spokes driven into it is fitted on to the stud or spindle A by means of
a suitable washer and the nut B. This spindle is bolted into the end of the
cranked shaft C, and stands out at right angles to it. The shaft C works in
bearings D, D, in the standard E, and carries the loose driving pulley F
which actuates the shaft through the friction clutch G, worked by a lever handle.
Each of the spokes are successively centred by the centre point I, which is
tightened up by the hand wheel J in the ordinary manner. The headstock K
carrying the centre, and the headstock L carrying the rotary cutter, are
fitted on to the sliding plate M, which rests on the bed plate N of the cutting
portion of the machine. This sliding plate is for the purpose of enabling
various sized wheels to be centred in the same machine, and the requisite
traverse is obtained by the winch handle O and pinion O¹ working into the
rack P, on the under side of the plate M. The spindle of the rotatory cutter Q
works in a collar or boss R, cast on the beadstock L, and is fitted with a pair
of small fast and loose driving pulleys S, T, for driving the cutter. The head-
stock L is made to slide transversely across the plate M by means of the
screw U and hand wheel V, and the amount of traverse is regulated according
to the depth of cut or diameter of tang required by the adjustable screw
stop W. The cutter is of the same construction as the cutters K, K', on

page_text: Sheet 3 of my Drawings, being fitted with a circular saw to make the end
cut for forming a shoulder on the tang. When a spoke is centred, the shaft
C is rotated, thereby causing the wheel to turn in the axial line or near it of
the spoke. The cutter is gradually brought up to the spoke as fast as the
cutting proceeds by turning the hand wheel V, until the stop pin W prevents
it from entering any further into the wood. The tang is now completed, and
the next spoke is centred and tanged, the operation being repeated until the
whole of the spokes are completed. In place of a rotatory cutter, I propose
in some cases to employ a fixed cutter, the action being then similar to ordinary
wood-turning in a lathe; but I prefer to have a rotatory cutter, as herein-before
described and shewn in my Drawings.
I may here observe, that I do not confine or restrict myself to any particular
form of cutting edge in any of the cutters, fixed or rotatory, which I have
had occasion to describe or refer to, as they will be either inclined, curved,
or straight, according to the particular form or shape of tenon or cut to
be made.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine or restrict myself to
the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion to describe or
refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without deviating from
the principles or main features of the said Invention; but what I consider to
be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by
the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,-
First, the general construction, arrangement, and combination of machinery
or apparatus for making wheels or certain of the various parts of which wheels
are composed, as herein-before described and illustrated by the Drawings.
Second, the systen or mode of cutting the four parallel sides of the blanks,
without the necessity of removing such blanks from the machine, by means of
circular saws, as herein-before described.
Third, the system or mode of cutting or forming tapered tenons on wheel
spokes by means of a rotatory cutter or cutters in combination with a sliding
wedge picce or sliding inclined table, as herein-beforo described.
Fourth, the application and use of rotatory cutters, with tools arranged to
5 cut at right angles to each other for the purpose of forming the shoulders on
the tenons of the spokes of wheels, as herein-before described.
Fifth, the system or mode of shaping wheel spokes by means of a rotatory
cutter working in conjunction with a revolving pattern spoke, as herein-before
described

page_text: Sixth, the application and use of the expanding gripper, herein-before
described, for holding the spoke during the process of shaping.
Seventh, the system or mode of forming either square or round tangs or
tenons on the ends of the spokes after they have been driven into the nave,
as herein-before described.
Sixth, the application and use of the expanding gripper, herein-before
described, for holding the spoke during the process of, shaping.
Seventh, the system or mode of forming either square or round tangs or
tenons on the ends of the spokes after they have been driven into the nave,
as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Oxley, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, the Sixteenth day of August, One thousand eight hundred
and fifty-five.
JOHN OXLEY. (L.S.)