CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND MANUFACTURE OF WHEELS FOR USE UPON RAILWAYS AND COMMON ROADS, AND IN THE PREPARATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE TYRES USED THEREON
Year: 1848

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
ASHBURY, of Openshaw, near Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Railway Carriage Builder, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by
Her Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Eleventh day of
March, in the eleventh year of Her reign, did give and grant unto me,
the said John Ashbury, my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial licence,
full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said. John Ashbury,
my exors, admors, and assigns, and such others as I, the said John Ashbury,
my exors, adñors, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term of years
therein mentioned, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within that part of Her said Majesty's United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland called England, Her Dominion of Wales and Town of Berwick-
upon-Tweed, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
AND MANUFACTURE OF WHEELS FOR USE UPON RAILWAYS AND COMMON ROADS,
AND IN THE PREPARATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE TYRES USED THEREON;" in
which said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso requiring that I, the
said John Ashbury, shall particularly describe and ascertain the nature of my
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an
Instrument in writing under my hand and seal, to be enrolled in Her said
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next. and

page_text: immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as,
reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
John Ashbury, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed and carried into effect, is
particularly set forth and ascertained in and by this present Instrument in
writing, reference being also had unto the Drawings hereunto annexed, the
figures upon which Drawings are made to the scale marked thereon, the same
letters of reference representing the same parts' throughout the series, that is
to say:-
My Invention consists,―
Firstly, in employing certain novel combinations of wood and cast or
wrought iron in the construction of wheels for use upon railways and com-
mon roads, by which such wheels are rendered permanently elastic, the
various strains to which they may be subject are more equally distributed,
and their dismemberment, should the tyre become worn or broken, or should
it be removed altogether, is prevented.
Secondly, in a novel method of constructing railway wheels, by arranging
the various parts of which they are composed within the tyre, in securing the
"arms" or "spokes" by means of wedges driven up between them from the
centre of the wheel, and in causing the nave of the wheel to act in such a
manner that their contact with the inner circumference of the tyre is con-
tinuously effected, an especial feature in the construction of wheels upon this
principle being that the wheel is not completed first, and the outer tyre then
made red hot and allowed to contract upon it, but that the tyre is laid down
"cold," or in that state in which after welding it is delivered by the makers,
and that the various portions of which the wheel is constructed are arranged
within it in this.state, consequently the liabilities to sudden breakage arising
from the unequal contraction of the tyre when cooled by artificial means, as
in ordinary practice, are removed.
Thirdly, in certain novel methods of securing the "tyres" of wheels, whether
such wheels are of my improved construction or of the ordinary kind.
Fourthly, in constructing the tyres of railway wheels with certain novelties
of shape or form, whereby their "hold" upon the wheel is more effectually
retained.
Fifthly, in an improved method of "preparing," "finishing," and "dressing"
the tyres of railway wheels. And,
Sixthly, in causing the wood used in the construction of. my improved
wheels to be saturated with any well-known compound by which 'wood is

page_text: rendered incombustible or impervious to ignition, or in saturating the wheels
previous to putting on the tyres with such materials. The whole of which
improvements are fully explained in the following
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
In Drawing No. 1, Fig. 1 is a side elevation; Fig. 2, a longitudinal section;
Fig. 3, a transverse section on the line A, A'; Fig. 4, a transverse section
on the line B, B'; Fig. 5, a part section on the line C, C'; and Fig. 6, a
part section on the line D, D¹, Fig. 2, of a wheel, constructed according to
my first series of improvements.
a is the nave of cast iron, and presenting the same appearance on each
side of the wheel, having six projecting arms a¹, a', of any convenient breadth
and thickness, but having sufficient space between them transversely of the
wheel to admit of the insertion of the wooden pieces b, b, &c. They are also
divided in the same direction by the radical plates a,. a, &c., while the .cir-
cumferenting portions as, as, &c., are of equal breadth, and extend transversely
between them. In the recess thus formed on each side of the radial plates
a, a, I place one of the wooden pieces b, b, one side of each of which is
prepared so as to abut upon the radial plates a³, a', and being furnished with
a notch or grove by which the projections of the circumferenting plates a³, a³,
are cleared, they impinge upon each other radially till they reach the
periphery of the wheel, all lateral action being prevented by the dowels c, c,
inserted between them. The opposite sides of the pieces b, b, diverge slightly
from the radial line, and between them the wooden wedges d, d, which are
prepared to a corresponding angle, are inserted, suitable force being applied to
drive the wedges towards the nave. The pieces b, b, are brought firmly into
contact with the radial, plates a², a², their escape outwardly being prevented'
by the circumferenting plates a³, a³. When these wedges are "driven up"
they are secured to the nave by the bolts d', d, passing through them trans-
versely, any lateral motion between them and the pieces b, b, being prevented
by the metal tongues e, e. The wheel now presents the appearance of a com-
plete disc of wood with an iron nave, and in this state I place it in a lathe,
and cause the periphery to be trimmed and turned up to the required diameter.
.
It will be evident, upon inspection, that a wheel thus constructed; although
without a tyre, could suffer no dismemberment until the removal of the bolts
which secure the wedges to the nave was effected. For the transport of
heavy articles on common roads, wheels of this description, furnished with
ordinary tyres, would, from their great strength and elasticity, prove highly
advantageous. As a railway wheel, the peculiar attachment of the tyre (as

page_text: hereafter explained), in addition to its other qualities, and the absence of
clouds of dust when running at high velocities, as raised by other wheels
furnished with arms or spokes, render it invaluable. In describing this wheel,
and the various modifications of construction which the principle involves, it
will be necessary for me to refer to my improved tyres, and the novel methods
which I employ for securing them to the wheel, forming my third and fourth
series of improvements.
The tyre upon this wheel, as seen in trànsverse section, Figs. 3 and 4, is
slightly convex upon its inner circumference, and when, as in the ordinary
manner, it has been put upon the wheel in a heated state, and allowed to
contract in cooling, this convexity enables it to assume and retain a more
effectual hold upon the periphery of the wooden portion thereof than if its
inner circumference were a flat surface of the ordinary kind. This tyre I
secure to the nave a by means of the bolts g, g, &c., which pass down between
the impingeing sides of the wooden pieces b, b, and through the circular slots
or openings a, a, &c. in the radial plates a³, a', where they are secured to
the nave by the tongues or cotters g¹, g¹, &c., the protruding ends of which are
turned up on each side of the wheel, as shewn.
In Drawing No. 2, Figs. 7, 8, and 9 exhibit a wheel of the construction
last described, but in which the bolts g, 9, passing from the tyre f to the nave
a, are secured there by the nuts 9, 9, &c., which, should the wooden portion
of the wheel shrink from heat or any other cause, permit of the ready
adjustment of the tyre without involving its removal.
In Drawing No. 3, at Figs. 10, 11, and 12, is shewn a further modification of
this method of constructing wheels. The general arrangements of the wooden
pieces b, b, and wedges d, d, with each other, are the same as those formerly
described. The wedges are not in this case secured to the nave a, but any
lateral or centrifugal action which thay may acquire is prevented by the
bolts i, i, &c., which, passing through them transversely, secure them to the
iron rings j, j, one of which is placed upon each side of the wheel. I have not
in this wheel attached the tyre to the nave by bolts, but secured it by the
jagged spikes k, k, &c., of which one is driven through it into the wooden pieces
b, b, alternately.
Drawing No. 4 exhibits, at Fig. 18, which is a front elevation, at Fig. 14,
which is a back elevation, and at Fig. 15, which is a transverse section,
some further modifications in the construction of this description of the wheels.
The general arrangements of the wooden pieces b, b, and the wedges d, d, are
the same, but when "dressed" in the lathe a groove is cut in their periphery
for the reception of the circumferenting metal plates b, b, &c. These circum-

page_text: ferenting plates, seen best in the transverse section, Fig. 15, and at Fig. 16,
which is a partial longitudinal section, may consist of any convenient number,
having a small space left between each plate, to allow of any inequalities of
expansion and contraction. They are also attached to the wheel by small spikes
or screws, at pleasure. When the wheel has been turned up to the required
diameter, I place upon the front or outer side thereof the circular metal
ring, which may be cut from sheet iron in a piece, or consist of several
segmental divisions; in either case it must be of equal radius with the wheel,
and be secured to it by spikes or screws. The tyre m of this wheel is of
a peculiar shape, as seen in transverse section at Fig. 15, being furnished
with an inner flange m', against which, when the tyre is heated and placed
upon the wheel, the metal ring rests, which ring, and the circumferenting
plates 1, 1, &c., prevent the charring of those portions of the periphery with
which it would otherwise be brought in contact, and to which in this state it
would render them liable. Near the inner side of the tyre, and immediately
behind the wooden portion of the wheel, will be seen in the transverse section
the groove. This groove is about half an inch square, and when the tyre
has cooled upon the wheel receives the segmental metal plates n, n, n. These
plates, which may be of any desired number, are placed a small distance apart,
and are secured by spikes or screws to the wooden portions of the wheel. It
will be evident, therefore, that between the inner flange l' of the tyre l; and the
segmental plates n, n, n, secured as before mentioned, any tendency to lateral
motion by the wheel within the tyre is counteracted, which, when the wheel is
running at high velocities upon sharp curves and unlevel rails, will, by reducing
the strain upon it, add greatly to the safety and economy of travelling. The
tyre of this wheel may be secured to the nave as previously described, or to the
pieces b, b, by jagged spikes o, o, &c., as shewn in dotted lines.
In Drawing No. 5 is shewn a wheel constructed according to my second
series of improvements. Figure 17 is a front elevation, Fig. 18, a longitu-
.dinal section, and Fig. 19, a transverse section; while Figs. 20 and 21 are
respectively partial longitudinal and transverse sections, illustrating the method
of putting the wheel together, as hereafter explained. p is the tyre, furnished
with two inner flanges p', p², the space between which is equal to the depth or
thickness of the spokes or arms r, r, &c., transversely. This tyre, it must be
distinctly understood, is laid down cold, as previously mentioned, and the
spokes r, r, &c., which may consist of any number, at pleasure, are then
arranged in order within it, their motion laterally being prevented by the
flanges p, p, at a short distance from the point of abutment of the
spokes r, r, &c., upon the nave s.. They converge on each side in lines

page_text: radiating to the centre of the wheel, or to some centre determined by practice
as the most suitable, but in either case sufficiently to admit of the insertion of
the wedges t, t, &c., between them. These wedges are driven up between
them, see Figs. 20 and 21, by the tapering mandril U, and by other mandrils
of increasing diameter, successively, until the effectual contact of the spokes
with the inner circumference of the tyre and with the wedges is effected. This
done, I place the wheel in a lathe, and prepare the ends of the spokes and
wedges for the reception of the nave s, which may be of cast or wrought iron,
at pleasure. I make this nave in two equal parts or divisions, consisting of as
many arms s, &, as there are wooden spokes to the wheel, while the boss, or
that part of each which is inserted in the wheel transversely, is made slightly
tapering towards the other. The lugs or projections 5, s, &c., which cor-
respond with the number of wedges t, t, &c., are made equally tapering, the
heads of the wedges being cut away to receive them, and the recesses thus
formed in the boss impingeing upon the ends of the spokes. It follows that
whenever the bolts u, v, &c., which secure the two portions of the nave with
each other and to the spokes, are screwed up by the nuts v³, v, their action
upon the surfaces of the boss of each portion of the nave causes the wedges t, t,
to be driven up further between the spokes r, r, which are also brought into
more effectual contact with the inner circumference of the tyre. As a small
is left between the two portions of the nave in the middle of the wheel,
this operation may be performed at any time, should the spokes appear to
have shrunk or contracted from exposure to heat, &c. &c. In this wheel I
have shewn the tyre attached by jagged spikes w, w, one of which is driven
into each spoke. Although the flanges p¹, p³, might be made of sufficient
depth to admit of their connection with each other and to the wheels by bolts
passing through the spokes transversely, either of these methods may be used,
separately or conjointly, as determined by practice to be best. The spaces
between the spokes 1, r, &c., may be filled up by plates of sheet metal, or by
wood, secured to them in any convenient manner, at pleasure.
space
{
In Drawing No. 6, Fig. 22 is a side elevation, Fig. 24, a longitudinal
section, and Fig. 23, a transverse section of a cast-iron wheel. X is the
nave from which the arms x1, x¹ radiate. y is the inner or cast-iron tyre,
and z is the outer tyre, made of wrought iron. The arms a¹, a³, have a hollow
opening or slot extending from the inner tyre to the nave. Down this opening s
the bolts z¹, which secure the outer tyre z to the wheel, pass, and are held by
the cotters,, driven transversely through the nave, as before described
under my
first series of improvements. One great advantage of this method
is, that as the outer tyre becomes loose by continual wear, it can be tightened

page_text: and held fast to the wheel by merely driving up the cotters,' without involving
the necessity for retyring the wheel, and this applies equally to wooden as
to iron wheels. I would also here remark, that there are no description of
wheels to which this method of securing the tyre may not be applied. In
wrought-iron wheels, where the arms are composed of portions of bar iron
arranged in certain shapes and positions, the bolts which hold the tyre to the-
nave will impart a greater stability to them, and entirely prevent the undue
strain to which this class of wheels is continually subjected.
The fifth series of my improvements refer to a method of preparing,
dressing, and finishing the outer surface of tyres for railway wheels, by
grinding them with hard stone, instead of dressing them in the lathe in the
ordinary manner, which will be readily understood without reference to the
Drawings.
Having now fully described the nature of my Invention of "Certain
Improvements in the Construction and Manufacture of Wheels for Use upon
Railways and Common Roads, and in the Preparation and Construction of the
Tyres used thereon," and the manner in which the same is to be performed
and carried in effect, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine
myself to the precise details herein mentioned or any one of them, so long as
the peculiar features of my Invention or any part thereof be retained. But
what I claim as new and of my Invention is,-
Firstly, the construction of wheels and the modifications thereof as described
and illustrated under my first and second series of improvements.
Secondly, the methods of connecting the tyre to the nave of the wheel in
wheels constructed on my improved principle, or constructed of wrought iron,
cast iron, or wood, in the ordinary manner.
Thirdly, the improvements in the tyres of railway wheels, as described.
Fourthly, grinding the outer surface of the tyres for railway wheels with
hard stone, as described, &c. And,
Fifthly, rendering the wood employed in the construction of my improved
wheels incombustible, as described.
The whole of which being, to the best of my knowledge and belief, new and
never before practised in that part of Her Majesty's United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland called England, Her Dominion of Wales, and Town of
Berwick-upon-Tweed, I deliver this as my true and faithful Specification of
the same.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Ashbury, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eleventh day of September, One thousand eight
JOHN (L.s.) ASHBURY.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Eleventh day of September,
1848, the aforesaid John Ashbury came before our said Lady the Queen in
Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification aforesaid, and all and
every matter and thing therein contained and specified, in form above written.
And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of
the Statute made for that purpose.