Improvements in Wheels for Bicycles and other Vehicles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Improvements in Wheels for Bicycles and other Vehicles.
I, GEORGE HAYES, of 71, Eighth Avenue, in the City and State of New York,
United States of America, Civil and Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-,
My improvements consist primarily in constructing the wheel with a ball-bear-
ing hub enclosing the axle and carrying the frame of the vehicle, and suspending
the said axle-hub within a hollow spoke-nave by externally located arc shaped
suspensory springs, having their ends secured to the axle-hub and midway of their
length secured to the spoke-nave, the rigid spokes of the wheel being attached
tangently to the spoke-nave after the usual manner with their outer ends secured
to the rim of the wheel.
Between the axle-hub and the spoke-nave sufficient space is provided all around.
to allow for motion as affected by the resiliency of the suspensory springs, under
influence of the weight of the rider or shock received at the rim.
The arc suspensory springs are formed in two sets, one set for each end of the
axle-hub all arranged with their ends abutting against the axle-hub, and each'
set encircling the axle-hub as a congerie of arcs on a plane parallel to the plane
of the wheel and transverse to the axle.
Each individual spring formed as two arcs, and where the two arcs meet, pivoted
to the spoke-nave which at that point is of larger diameter than the plates by which
the ends of the springs are secured to the axle-hub.
The ends of the springs of each set being secured between circular plates which
are sleeved upon the axle-hub, and in which the ends of the springs are firmly
held, a nut being threaded upon the hub at each end to secure the rings thereto.
The construction being such that each set of springs secured between the circular
piates before mentioned, may be placed upon the axle-hub together and as readily
removed when desired for repairing, etc.
My improvements secondly consist in forming the peripheral or edgewise face
of the rim with a groove all around, having in, its middle a deeper groove, the sides
of which are parallel to the plane of the wheel and at right angles with its
peripheral face, then placing thereto a ring of solid rubber entirely encircling the
wheel, so shaped that it will fit closely into and to the groove of the rim and also
into and to the sub-groove, it being stretched over the outer edge in placing it
thereupon, and contracted by its own elasticity, the said solid rubber having to its
outer or peripheral face, also a groove into which I place a steel tread-band en-
circling the wheel and having its exposed face flush or nearly so, with the exterior
surface of the solid rubber.
The tread-band not being as one continuous piece, but having two ends joined
by overlapping, which permits of its being readily placed into the groove of the
rubber.
The tread-band being then secured to the rim of the wheel by a bolt passing
through its overlapping ends, also the rubber and rim, its head countersunk into
:

page_text: the tread-band and its inner end secured by nut threaded thereupon and against
the inside face of the rim, so that the tread-band under pressure from without
may press in according to the elasticity of the rubber, but not outwardly beyond
the distance allowed by the nut or the bolt.
The solid rubber is of only a moderate thickness and serves as a cushion for
the tread-band, but its paramount use is to keep the tread-band from slipping
off sidewise.
The tread-band serves as tire and the rubber as sub-tire; resiliency is not re-
quired therefrom as it is intended that the arc suspensory springs at the centre
of the wheel, shall provide for all the resiliency required. The tread-band is
adjustable, and it may be drawn tighter if it wears loose by drawing up the ends,
by means of a special tool, holes being formed therein for the securing bolt to
occupy as thus tightened. A rigid bolt is also employed at the midway portion
of the piece of steel, exactly like the securing bolt, making that a fixed point from
which the tread-band is drawn in both directions.
The tread-band may be made in several pieces or sections if desired, with ends,
of every two overlapping and all secured in manner analogous to that described."
Thus the peripheral border of the wheel is formed of three parts, rim, rubber
and tread-band, with the necessary bolts for securing them.
The object of my improvements herein described is to dispense with the well-
known heretofore used pneumatic tires with all their disadvantages and provide
for resiliency in the wheel itself entirely within the area enclosed by the rim.
Secondly-To further secure the object sought and increase the strength of
the wheel when desired, I construct the wheel with a system of resilient spokes
preferably arranged outside of the rigid spokes of the wheel. These resilient
spokes are each formed as spring metal steel or brass wire as a loop having one
end abutting against and secured to one end of the axle-hub and the other end
abutting against and secured to the other end of the axle-hub with the bend of
the wire secured to the inside face of the rim, the wire being curved between rim
and hub to allow it to spring under influence of weight or shock. Eight of such
wire loops are sufficient for the wheel as doubled forming sixteen resilient spokes
serving as auxiliary to the arc suspensory springs at the hub hereinbefore
mentioned. In many wheels the resilient spokes may be dispensed with and the
resiliency be obtained from the suspensory springs alone.
The wheel is so constructed that no lateral movement of the axle-hub can take
place at any time the spoke-nave before mentioned being formed with cheeks
which fit " easy" between the plates at the sides which secure the suspensory
springs to the axle-hub a vertical movement of the axle-hub is thus provided for
limited only to the area within the spoke-nave.
1
I, GEORGE HAYES, of 71, Eighth Avenue, in the City and State of New York,
United States of America, Civil and Mechanical Engineer, 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:-
My invention relates to the central portion of the wheel and consists of a con- 5

page_text: struction of wheel centre in which an axle-hub is suspended within an encircling
spoke nave by sets of special metal arc suspensory springs whereby resilient move-
ment is secured in and about the central part of the wheel rendering unnecessary
the use of pneumatic tyres at the rim.
All as hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims,--reference
being had to the accompanying drawings, in which :-
-
Fig. 1 represents an elevation of the spoke nave, springs arranged in a ring as a
congerie of arcs, and their fastenings.
Fig. 2 is a transverse view partly sectional of the axle-hub, spoke nave, springs
which connect them and the fastenings.
Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are views similar to Fig. 1 illustrating modifications in respect
to the springs.
Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 are views of single springs with portion of spoke nave also
portion of the connections to axle-hub illustrating modifications.
Fig. 10 is a sectional view illustrating a method of securing the springs by rings
to be threaded on the axle-hub.
Figs. 11 and 12 are detail views showing each one end of the axle-hub, spoke
nave, springs and fastenings, with parts in section to show parts covered.
The figures from 1 to 12 inclusive represent the springs as made of round metal.
such as wire.
Fig. 13 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1 but representing the springs as made
of flat metal.
Fig. 14 is a sectional view of axle-hub, spoke nave and springs illustrating
connections when flat metal is used for the springs.
Fig. 15 is a side view of a flat metal spring alone.
Fig. 16 is a sectional view of one end of axle-hub.
Fig. 17 comprises two figures illustrating the hanger connecting springs to
pillars of spoke nave.
Fig. 18 comprises four figures illustrating details of fastenings for securing
springs to axle-hub and one cheek or disc of the spoke nave.
Fig. 19 and 20 are views similar to Fig. 13 illustrating modifications in respect
to springs.
Fig. 21 is a side view of a spring formed of two pieces of flat metal.
Fig. 22 is a transverse elevation and partial section of axle-hub spoke-nave
springs, etc., also ends of spokes.
Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 illustrate a coil at the union of the arcs which may
be used or omitted as desired.
Fig. 23 is a face view of the wheel centre corresponding to Figs. 1 and 13 illus-
trating flat metal springs formed with eccentric coils at the union of the arcs also
a variation in the manner of setting the springs.
Fig. 24 is a sectional view of wheel centre showing a method of attaching springs
shaped like those of Fig. 23.
Fig. 25 is a side view of springs made after the manner of Fig. 23.
Figs. 26 and 27 are similar views showing possible modifications in springs.
Fig. 28 is a view analogous to Fig. 23 illustrating a possible modification in
manner of setting the springs.
Fig. 29 illustrates another modification in manner of joining springs of two
pieces.
On the drawings-A indicates the hub of the wheel which enclosing the axle
supporting the vehicle I desiguate the axle-hub it may be of any style adaptable
but herein shown as of the usual "ball-bearing" variety; it is necessary that it
be provided with flanges as guards at A¹ either formed integral therewith
threaded or otherwise secured thereupon.
or
B indicates the nave of the system of spokes which centre thereupon tangenti-
ally or otherwise as desired and are secured thereto; I designate this as the spoke
nave. It is formed as two rings, discs, or cheeks each arranged parallel to the

page_text: plane of the wheel and each having an open centre within which the axle-hub
is centrally located with space provided for movement within the encircling rings.
The cheeks, rings or discs are held and secured rigidly at the requisite distance
apart by a drum cylinder if desired or by cross-rods or "pillars" after the manner
shown at B₁ and the peripheral edge of each disc is formed or otherwise adapted for
reception of the spoke ends.
The discs may be arranged to slide against the inner or outer faces of the hub
flanges A¹ as desired in near but not binding contact therewith so that the flanges A¹
will prevent any lateral movement of the cylindrically formed spoke nave.
C indicates the metal springs by which the axle hub A and spoke nave B are
connected and which provide for the resilient movement between them.
Each spring is binate comprising as such two arcs in conjunction coming to-
gether at the spindle or other fastening device and at the outermost extremity of
each arc extending onwards tangentially to spindle or other fastening device
the tangent portions being in either straight or curved lines. Any number of
such springs may be used according to strength or resistance required.
Several (any sufficient number) are arranged together in sets encircling the axle-
hub each set forming a ring with the springs of which it is constituted standing out-
wardly from the hub parallel to the plane of the wheel as a congerie of arcs each
binary spring being secured to the axle-hub at C and also to the spoke nave at C².
Each spring may be formed of more than one piece of metal but so conjoined that
its binary nature is essentially preserved and apposition maintained. In cross-
section each spring may be round as wire or flat or any other suitable shape.
The method of securing the bases of the springs to the axle-hub may vary but
in general they are secured between ring plates threaded upon or otherwise placed
upon the axle hub at each end thereof and backed outside by nut or key-block;
several equivalent means are shown.
The cross-rods or pillars between the cheeks of the spoke nave serve as a means
whereby the springs may be secured thereto, rivets or screws may also be used
after the manner shown. In the section figures, the ends of spokes are shown
attached after the usual manner to the cheeks of the spoke nave or a flange forming
part thereof.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
1. A wheel for bicycles and other vehicles formed centrally with an axle-hub
and encircling the same a special spoke nave the two resiliently connected by binary
are suspensory springs essentially as set forth.
2. In a wheel for bicycles and other vehicles sets of binate arc suspensory springs
encircling the axle-hub holding it resiliently suspended centrally within an en-
circling spoke nave essentially as set forth.
3. In a wheel for bicycles and other vehicles a skeleton spoke nave engaging the
rigid spokes of the wheel and formed as two rings connected together rigidly by
cross-rods or pillars encircling the axle-hub of the wheel and connected thereto by
two sets of are suspensory springs each set constituting a congerie of arcs parallel
to the plane of the wheel essentially as set forth.
Dand this 07th ... £ Antal 1907
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.