AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE WHEELS OF ALL WHEELED CARRIAGES, L AND OF ALL OTHER VERTICAL WHEELS OF A CERTAIN SIZE
Year: 1822

page_text: WHITCHER, PICKFORD, & WHITBOURN'S SPECIFICATION.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, JOHN
WHITCHER, of Helmet Row, Old Street, Saint Luke's, in the County of
Middlesex, Mechanic, MATTHEW PICKFORD, of Wood Street, in the City of.
London, Common Carrier, and JAMES WHITBOURN, of Goswell Street, in the
said County, Coach Smith, send greeting.
WHEREAS His most Excellent Majesty King George the Fourth, by
His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Twenty-seventh day of September, in the third year of His
reign, did, for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the
said John Whitcher, Matthew Pickford, and James Whitbourn, our exors,
adñiors, and assigns, His especial licence, that we, our exors, adñiors, and
assigns, or such others as we, our exors, adññiors, or assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time, and at all times during the
term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within England, Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and
also in His Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, our Invention of "AN
IMPROVEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE WHEELS OF ALL WHEELED CARRIAGES, L
AND OF ALL OTHER VERTICAL WHEELS OF A CERTAIN SIZE;" in which said Letters
Patent there is contained a proviso obliging us, the said John Whitcher,
Matthew Pickford, and James Whitbourn, by an instrument in writing under
our hands and seals, or under the hand and seal of one of us, particularly to
describe and ascertain the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner

page_text: the same is to be performed, and to cause the same to be inrolled in the
High Court of Chancery, within two calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same,
reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, we, the said
John Whitcher, Matthew Pickford, and James Whitbourn, do hereby declare
that the nature of our said Invention, and the manner in which the same is
to be performed, is described and ascertained in the following explanation,
(that is to say):-
The Invention consists in the application of friction rollers of certain pro-
portionate dimensions, connected together and revolving upon outer and inner
circles, the circumferences of which circles must bear the same proportion to
each other as the circumferences of the rollers bear to each other. We make
two plates or rings, which are to be employed as the outer circles of steel, or
iron case-hardened, or other strong material, which are rivetted, or screwed, or
otherwise attached on to the sides of the fellies of the wheels, so as to leave a
groove or space between such outer circles. The friction rollers are formed
with different radii in one piece, but act like two rollers of different diameters
joined together and revolving upon one common centre.. That part which has
the larger diameter we propose, for the sake of explanation, to call the larger
roller (though in fact it is only the larger periphery of a roller); the other we
call the smaller roller (though in fact it is only the smaller periphery of a
roller); and we think it best (for the sake of explanation) to describe the
parts as if they were separate. . We calculate the diameter of the outer circles,
and form sets of rollers (called the larger friction rollers), of steel, or iron
case-hardened, or of brass coated with steel, or iron case-hardened, or other
strong material, with grooves round their peripheries to work on the edges of
these outer circles and revolve in them. We consider that the larger friction
rollers should be of such diameter as to make more than two and less than
five revolutions upon their axes in rolling once round in the outer circles.
We consider about three revolutions to be the best, but the friction rollers may
be constructed so as to make more than five, but we consider less than five
preferable in all cases. The number of friction rollers will depend on the
number of revolutions they are to make; the greater the number of revolutions
the smaller will be the diameter of the friction rollers, and there will con-
sequently be room for a greater number of them in the outer circle. We then
make a circular plate or ring of iron or other strong material, called the middle
ring, to which the friction rollers are attached at equal distances by axles or

page_text: pivots, as herein-after mentioned; this middle ring is to be constructed of such
a diameter that it may stand free of the outer and inner circles, and so that
the larger friction rollers being attached may freely roll upon the edge of the
outer circle. In holes made through this middle ring at regular distances, we
fix shafts or spindles projecting from each side, on which spindles the friction
rollers are put, there being a hole through their centres for that purpose, so
that one of each set of larger friction rollers (which stand on each side of the
middle ring) will work upon one outer circle, and the other upon the other
outer circle; and part of each outer roller, as it revolves round, will always be
in the groove between the inner circles after mentioned. We then proceed to
calculate the proportions of the other set of rollers and circles, which may be
conveniently done in the following manner:-Place the outer roller on the
shaft projecting from the middle ring and touching the inner side of the larger
circle; then calculate the space from the centre of the machinery to the centre
of the larger roller; divide that space into two parts bearing to each other the
same proportion that the distance from the centre of the machinery to the
inner edge of the outer circle bears to the radius of the larger friction roller,
calculated without the groves on its periphery; then the greater will be the
radius of the inner circle, and the less will be the radius of the smaller friction
roller. With reference to a plane passing through the machinery, the smaller
friction rollers are on the outside. We then make a number of such smaller
friction rollers of the same materials as the larger friction rollers, equal to the
number of the larger friction rollers, and unite them so that the centre may be
common to both, and that they may compose one friction roller. with different.
diameters, the spindles on the middle ring running through both. If the
calculation be made before hand (as it should be), the two parts of the friction
roller may be made in one piece, and this is the best way; but we consider the
explanation to be better by describing them as if made separate. We then
make of steel, or iron case-hardened, or other strong material, the two smaller
or inner circles of the diameter (calculated to their outer edges), formd as above
mentioned, to be screwed on to a circle of wood (turned solid or composed of
felleys), leaving a groove or space between such inner circles in the same
manner as between the outer circles. One of these inner circles is placed so,
that the smaller periphery of all the friction rollers, which are on one side of
the middle ring, touch its circumference, and the other the same on the other:
side of the middle ring); and the inner circles are then screwed on to the
wood. Then, if the inner circle were set in motion, the smaller periphery of
the friction rollers would revolve on it in the same time as the larger periphery

page_text: of the friction rollers on the outer circles.
The smaller periphery of the
friction rollers is not grooved, but flat for the convenience of putting the
machine together. The inner circles do not rest on or touch that part of the
friction roller which projects beyond its smaller diameter, but are kept off from
it by having at the bottom of the lesser friction roller, where it joins the larger
friction roller, a small shoulder or circular projection which the inner circle
touches, and by which all lateral friction between the smaller or inner circle
and the side of what, for explanation, we call the larger friction roller, is pre-
vented. In the above description there are rollers of a smaller and a larger
periphery on one side of the middle ring, revolving on the part of the shaft or
axle projecting on that side, and rollers of a smaller and a larger periphery on
the other side of the middle ring, revolving on the part of the shaft or axle
projecting on that side. In consequence of this, it is requisite that the outer
circles should be made of two or more pieces, in order to get the rollers in,
and the joinings on each side should not be opposite.
In order to have the outer circles in one piece the two friction rollers of
varying peripheries, which are above described as opposite to each other on
the two sides of the middle ring, may be united fast or joined together by a
cylindrical piece of steel, or iron case-hardened, or other strong material; there
would then be no axle fixed into and through the middle ring, but we should
make square notches from the outside of the middle ring of a depth as far
below the centre of its width as the depth of the groove on the larger
periphery of the friction roller. The outer circles may then be made solid,
and the cylindrical joinings of the friction rollers should be dropt into these
square notches and pulled up again until the grooves of the larger periphery
of the friction rollers touch the outer circles; the inner circles are then put on,
which will confine the friction rollers to their proper places; and this we
consider the most secure and desirable method. If the middle ring be not
of the same width as the cylindrical joining, which may probably not be, in
order to prevent it from being too heavy it will be requisite to place projections
at the sides of the notches, to make the motion of the cylindrical joinings more
steady. We consider the mode of using the combination of friction rollers,
above described, to be the best, but it may be used, and we have used it in
another manner, namely, without any pivots or axles to the friction rollers but
by using cogs. Thus, let the middle ring be removed, and the larger periphery
of the friction roller, instead of being groved as it is at present, be flat, and
let such flat surface be covered with cogs, running and fitting into cogs all
round the interior of the outer circle, and the same with the lesser periphery

page_text: of the friction roller and the inner circle, the cogs would then be sufficient to
keep the rollers at the proper distances from each other. If cogs are used, the
friction rollers, which are above described as being divided by a middle ring,
are joined together, having a groove in the centre, in which groove would run
a circular projection fixed on the middle of the outside of the inner circles,
(which inner circles would not then have a groove between them, but be joined
together,) by means of which projection the rollers would be prevented from
falling out on either side; this is mentioned to prevent imitation, but we
consider it not so good as the first method. The application of the machinery
when thus completed must vary according to the purposes for which it is used.
Round the wood in which the
For carriages there are several ways of using it.
outer circle is fixed a common tire may be put; the inner circle may be
bolted or otherwise fastened on to the carriage if springs are required, but if
they are not required it may be bolted or fastened on to the body of the
carriage. An axle, running through the carriage and connecting the two
wheels, is not absolutely requisite provided the bolts or other fastenings are
sufficiently strong; but we apprehend it would be better, for the sake of
strength and durability, to use a square axle; or, the outer circle may be
fastened to the side of or underneath the carriage, and a revolving axle run
through the inner circle into a common carriage wheel; or the whole
machinery may be put into the box or nave of a common wheel. When used
for carriages or any purpose which would expose the machinery to dust or
other obstructions, a plate of iron or other sufficient covering should be used
to enclose the parts. And we declare that we consider this improvement to
be applicable to all vertical wheels, the diameters of which are not less than
one inch; and we declare that we do not pretend that there will be no
friction in the machinery, but we consider that friction will be considerably
diminished. As a further explanation we have annexed several plans, and
purpose shewing some of the contrivances, which have been previously
invented, of a similar description, in some degree, in order further to explain
the object of the Patent and the mode of carrying it into effect. Friction
rollers have long been in use. These friction rollers bave principally been
used for the purpose of resting upon them the axles of heavy wheels, which
formerly rested in a common circle of wood or iron. The plans shew some
of the methods in which these friction rollers havebeen used. In Fig. 1,
A represents the axle of a wheel, which turns upon, and forces to revolve
round, the two friction rollers B and C; as A only touches B and C in
points the friction of A, B, and C at their circumference is trifling; but

page_text: the weight of the axle rests upon the pivots of the friction rollers, and
there is consequently a considerable friction at the centres of them which
revolve on those pivots. In Fig. 2, A represents the axle; B and C are
wheels placed for the purpose of keeping A in a fixed position, and the whole
weight rests upon the pivots of the friction roller D (the outer circumference
shews the wheel of which A is the axle). In this Figure there is the same
objection as in Fig. 1, namely, the great friction at the centre of D. To
prevent the friction at the centre of the friction roller, arising from the weight
resting upon the same, it were requisite that the lower part of the friction
roller should always rest upon a surface, and for this purpose there have been
Inventions, the principle of which is set forth in Figure 3, in which A is the
axle of a wheel; B, B, B, B, B, B, are six friction rollers turning upon pivots
running through a ring, which keeps the rollers at their proper distances from
cach other; and as the rollers when they come successively under the axle
rest upon an outer circle C, the weight is taken off from their pivots and
transferred to such outer circle C, and this, at first view, appears to have all
the effect that was contemplated, but on examination the contrary will be
found to be the fact, for if the circumference of the axle A be half of the
circumference of the circle C, any power that A might have when set in
motion to turn the rollers round would be counteracted by the repelling power
of C. This will be more easily perceived in Fig. 4, where, if the weight C
were propelled, the outer circle B must drag upon the ground for the distance
that the circumferences of A and B have to travel in the same, but as they
are fixed together such a motion would be impossible. But if these rollers,
instead of travelling in straight lines, were made to revolve in circles of
comparative circumferences, this difficulty would be conquered; and this forms
the essence of our Invention, as before set forth; these descriptions of previous
Inventions being inserted to shew that we do not claim the Invention of
friction rollers generally, but only of a new combination of them. In Figures
5 and 6 (No. 6 being a section) this is shewn. In these Figures B is the
inner circle, fixed to the axle of a carriage; A is the outer circle fixed to the
wheel; C, C, C, C, C, are the smaller peripheries of the rollers; & D, D, D, D, D,
are the larger peripheries of the rollers; the rollers revolve on axles running
through a middle ring E. Let the carriage be set in motion, D, D, D, D, D,
will revolve on A in the same period in which C, C, C, C, C, will revolve on B,
by which means there will be no dragging on any of the circles, and the
whole weight will be transferred from the pivots to the outer circle A. The
part of the wheel round the outer circle may be of open work, for the sake of

page_text: We do not think it necessary to add any plans of the other modes
sing the machinery considering that we have already sufficiently described
m, or that they will be sufficiently obvious.
In witness whereof, we, the said John Whitcher, Matthew Pickford, and
James Whitbourn, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this twenty-
seventh day of November, in the third year of the reign of our
Sovereign Lord George the Fourth, by the grace of God, of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith,
and in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and twenty-
tive
JOHN
(1) WHITCHER
MATTHEW (L.S.) PICKFORD.
JAMES
(L.S.) WHITBOURN.
MATTHEW (L.S.) PICKFORD.
JAMES
Signed, sealed, and delivered, being first duly
stamped) by the within-named John Whitcher,
Matthew Pickford, and James Whitbourn,
in the presence of
JAMES BURRA,
TH. AINSWORTH,
(L.S.) WHITBOURN.
Clerks to Messrs. Denrnett Greaves, Baxendale, & Tatham,
5, King's Arms Yard, Coleman Street, London.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on
that on the Twenty-seventh day of
November, in the year of our Lord 1822, the aforesaid John Whitcher,
Matthew Pickford, and James Whitbourn, came before our said Lord the
King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification aforesaid, and all
and every 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.
Inrolled the Twenty-seventh day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and twenty-two.