Improvements in Spring Wheels, and Elastic Tyres therefor.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Aug., 1896-Accepted, 26th Sept., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Spring Wheels, and Elastic Tyres therefor.
I, FRANK JOHN WOODS, of 369 Washington Boulevard, Chicago, Cook County,
Illinois, United States of America, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my
invention, 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 particularly to wheels adapted for use of road vehicles,
and especially to that class of vehicles known as "safety bicycles." It will be
understood, however, that I intend to use my improvements in connection with all
classes of vehicle construction to which they may be adapted.
The object of my invention to provide a simple, economical and efficient vehicle
wheel, one adapted to absorb the shock incident to the usage of vehicle wheels on
rough roads, so that the rider or occupant of a vehicle wheel will feel the shocks as
little as possible, as well as prolonging the usefulness of the vehicle; and the
invention consists in the features, combinations and details of construction herein-
after described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a complete wheel with a tire secured thereto;
Fig. 2 a vertical sectional elevation, taken on line 2 of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 an enlarged transverse section of the felly and tire, taken on line 3 of
Fig. 1; and
Fig. 4 a detailed view of the portion of the rim and tire partly in section, taken
on line 4 of Fig. 3 in an enlarged view.
In constructing my improvements, I make a rim or felly, A, of the desired
diameter and preferably of spring steel, and secure to it suitable nipples, a. I provide
a hub portion, B, which is secured to the nipples on the rims by means of the curved
spokes C. These spokes are preferably made flexible, and of metal, so as to permit
of a slight cushioning of the shock between the rim and the hub.
To absorb a large amount of the shock incident to the usage of vehicle wheels,
I make a tire and secure it to the rim as follows: I use a semi-cylindrical, annular
ring, D, of cushioning material, preferably rubber, and secure it to the periphery
of the rim, A. I then take a second semi-cylindrical, aunular ring, D', of cushioning
material and secure it to the inner surface of the rim, A. This second ring of
cushioning material is perforated, so that the rim nipples may be passed through
for the securing of the spokes. I then take a sheath, E, preferably formed of leather,
and pass it around the entire tire, so as to form a protecting envelope for the same.
I prefer to join this sheath at its inner circumference-as at e-either by sewing or
cementing though it is evident that the seam may be at any other part of the tire.
After the tire and rim have been secured together, the spokes may be secured to
the nipples by means of the screws, c, and thus complete the assembling of the
different parts.
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. In a vehicle wheel, the combination of a rim portion, semi-cylindrical
annular rings of cushioning material on the inner and outer surfaces of the
rim, and an outer enveloping sheath of flexible material, substantially as described.

page_text: 2. In a vehicle wheel, the combination of an elastic rim portion, semi-cylindrical
annular rings of cushioning material in the inner and outer surfaces of the rim, and
an outer enveloping sheath of leather, substantially as described.
Dated this 4th day of August 1896.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.