Improvements in Pneumatic Hubs for Vehicle Wheels.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Jan., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Oct., 1894-Accepted, 24th Nov., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pneumatic Hubs for Vehicle Wheels.
I, CHARLES TOUT of 59 High Street, Barton-on-Humber, in the County of
Lincoln, Moulder, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to pneumatic hubs for velocipede or other vehicle wheels.
The centre of the hub is formed by a sleeve provided at each end with a flange
of suitable diameter and is mounted on an axle by means of ball bearings of the
usual construction.
Surrounding the sleeve is an outer cylindrical casing, to which the spokes of
the wheel are connected, provided with end covers which fit in between or on
the exterior of the flanges of the sleeve, these end covers are formed with a central
opening of sufficient size to allow the outer casing to move eccentrically to the
sleeve.
In the annular space between the outer casing and the sleeve is a lining of
indiarubber or a combination of canvas, or leather and indiarubber, or other
suitable material or combination of materials, the edges of which are preferably
secured to the flanges on the sleeve, and at its outer diameter to the cylindrical
casing.
At a point preferably midway between the sleeve and outer casing the two sides
of the lining are drawn together and retained by bolts, laces, or other means, so
that the lining forms an annular air space approximating in section to the
figure eight, provision being made for the passage of the air from the inner to
the outer chamber.
If preferred the lining may be moulded in this form.
The lining is inflated by means of a valve, which may be of any well known
construction, which passes through the outer casing and the lining at a point where
the lining is in contact with the outer casing. The valve casing may be formed
with a flange or head to fit in the interior of the lining and may be secured by a
nut on the exterior of the cylindrical casing.
The formation of the lining in the section described, prevents friction between
the outer face of the lining, and the inner faces of the flanges on the central sleeve
and the end covers of the cylindrical casing; it also gives the outer casing great
freedom of movement with respect to the central sleeve.
To prevent dust or dirt gaining access to the annular space removable end covers
or flanges may be connected to the exterior ends of the central sleeve and the edges
of these flanges may be connected to the end covers of the cylindrical casing by
means of flat rings of rubber or other flexible material; means may also be
provided for fixing the outer casing concentric with the central sleeve in case of
collapse of the inner lining.
This may be effected by employing screws which pass through radial slots in the
end covers of the outer casing, and screw into the flanges of the sleeve to prevent
the outer casing from rotating without the sleeve or vice-versa and thus take the
driving strain from the lining. By tightening these screws the outer casing and
the sleeve may be securely fastened together.
Dated this 22nd day of January 1894
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: I, CHARLES TOUT of 59 High Street, Barton-on-Humber, in the County of
Lincoln, Moulder, do hereby declare the nature of this 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 to improvements in pneumatic hubs for cycle or other
wheels.
It will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a sectional view of a hub constructed according to my invention, and
Figure 2 is an elevation.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
The centre of the hub is formed by a sleeve A provided near each end with a
flange B and mounted on an axle C preferably by means of ball bearings of the
usual construction.
Secured to the flanges B are flat rings or flanges D or if preferred the diameter
of the flanges B may be increased to that of the flanges :D.
The exterior of the hub is formed by a cylindrical casing E to which the
spokes E' of the wheel are connected, and covers F.are secured to the casing E
fitting preferably on the outer edge of the flanges D, which are secured to the
sleeve A; the covers Fare formed with a central opening of sufficient size to allow
the casing E to move eccentrically to the sleeve.
The enclosed aunular space between the casing E and the sleeve A is made
air-tight by two flexible discs or liners G of indiarubber or a combination of canvas
or leather and indiarubber, or other suitable flexible materials, or combinations of
materials. The inner edges of these discs are secured to the flanges B and their
outer edges to flanges E2 formed on the interior of the casing E.
The two discs or liners G. at a point preferably midway between the sleeve A
and casing E are connected or drawn together at intervals by bolts H as shown, or
by laces or other means; in order to prevent them from bearing on the flanges D,
and covers F when air is compressed in the annular space between them.
When bolts H are employed they may be formed hollow and laces or cords H'
may be passed through them their ends being connected to the flanges D
respectively in order to reduce the driving strain on the discs G; or the ends of
the bolts H may be connected by flexible connections to the flanges D for this
purpose.
Air is admitted to the space between the flexible discs or liners G by a valve I
which may be of any well known construction, fitting into a suitable opening in the
casing E.
The arrangement of the flexible discs or liners G in the manner described
prevents friction between their outer faces and the inner faces of the flanges D and
covers F; it also gives the casing E greater freedom of movement with respect
to the central sleeve A.
To prevent dust or dirt from entering between the flanges D and covers F
flexible covers J are secured by their outer edge to the covers F and their central
openings fit over the ends of the sleeve A and bear against flanges A'.
Provision may also be made for securing the casing E concentric with sleeve A
in case of the failure of the air chamber, this may be effected by making
corresponding holes K in the flanges D and covers F in which screws or bolts may
be inserted. These holes may be closed in the covers F by short screws which
assist in securing the covers J.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven--
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a pneumatic hub for a vehicle wheel the combination with a sleeve or
axle A provided with flanges D of a casing such as E provided with covers F and
flexible discs or liners such as G within the said flanges D and covers F
substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. In a pneumatic hub for a vehicle wheel the combination with an annular
chamber formed by flanges such as D casing E and covers F of flexible discs or
liners such as G secured to the flange of or sleeve A and casing E substantially as
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3. In a pneumatic hub for a vehicle wheel the combination with an annular
chamber formed by flanges D casing E and covers F of flexible discs or liners such
as G secured to the flange of or sleeve A and casing E and with intermediary
connections such as H from one disc or liner to the other substantially as described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
4. In a pneumatic hub for a vehicle wheel the combination with a flange D and
end cover F of a flexible cover such as J substantially as described and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
5. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete
pneumatic hub for a vehicle wheel substantially as herein described and illustrated.
in the accompanying drawings.
Deted this 20th day of October 1901