IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SPIDER OR PHANTOM WHEELS SUITABLE FOR PERAMBULATORS, VELOCIPEDES, AND OTHER CARRIAGES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry James Brookes, of Smethwick, in the County of
Stafford, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
SPIDER OR PHANTOM WHEELS SUITABLE FOR PERAMBULATORS, VELOCIPEDES,
AND OTHER CARRIAGES."
Sealed the 25th May 1880, and dated the 26th November 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry James Brookes at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th November 1879.
HENRY JAMES BROOKES, of Smethwick, in the County of Stafford. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SPIDER OR PHANTOM WHEELS SUITABLE FOR
PERAMBULATORS, VELOCIPEDES, AND OTHER CARRIAGES."
This Invention relates to certain improvements in the manufacture of that
description of wheels known as spider or phantom wheels. The rim of the wheel
is made in the usual manner. The spokes I construct with heads formed at the one
end which fit into countersunk holes prepared in the rim. The other end of the
spokes I insert into a mould made of iron or other suitable material.
This mould in commerce is designated a chill, and consists of the upper and
lower parts or covers which form the outside surfaces of the two discs of the hub.
The central portion of the hub is formed by the chill or mould being of the desired
shape, and consisting of several pieces, the number depending upon the size of the
wheel, and the quantity of the spokes required for same. One half of the spokes
are placed in recesses or wireways in one section of the mould or cover, and the
other half are placed in similar wireways in the other section or cover.
The
contral parts of the chill or mould are then placed in their proper positions, and the
molten iron is then run into the mould, thus securing the spokes to the hub.
When a hole is required in the hub of the wheel for a purpose such as to receive
an axis I insert in the said chill or mould a mandril or core, which is driven or
cleared out when the casting is effected. The wheel is removed, the central parts
of the chill or mould being taken from their position between the spokes; after
being dressed the wheel is complete.
When the hub is required to be turned bright or to be made of wrought, iron, brass,
or other metals I arrange a slot or groove extending around the periphery of each
rim or disc. The spokes being placed within this slot or groove they are held in
their position by suitably constructed chills or moulds, and melted zinc, lead, or
other metal or alloy is poured into the slot or groove which secures the spokes
therein.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry James Brookes in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 25th
May 1880.
HENRY JAMES BROOKES, of Smethwick, in the County of Stafford. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SPIDER OR PHANTOM WHEELS SUITABLE FOR
PERAMBULATORS, VELOCIPEDES, AND OTHER CARRIAGES."
This Invention relates to certain improvements in the manufacture of that
description of wheels known as spider or phantom wheels. The rim of the wheel
is made in the usual manner. The spokes I construct with heads formed at the
one end, which fit into countersunk holes prepared in the rim. The other end of
the spokes I insert into a mould made of iron or other suitable material.
This mould in commerce is designated a chill, and consists of the upper and
lower parts or covers which form the outside surfaces of the two discs of the hub.
The central portion of the hub is formed by the chill or mould being of the desired
shape, and consisting of several pieces, the number depending upon the size of the
wheel and the quantity of the spokes required for same. One half of the spokes
are placed in recesses or wire ways in one section of the mould or cover, and the
other half placed in similar wireways in the other section or cover.
The central parts of the chill or mould are then placed in their proper positions,
and the molten iron is then run into the mould, thus securing the spokes to the
hub. When a hole is required in the hub of the wheel for a purpose such as to
receive an axis I insert in the said chill or mould a mandril or core, which is
driven or cleared out when the casting is effected. The wheel is removed, the
central parts of the chill or mould being taken from their position between the
spokes; after being dressed the wheel is complete.
When the hub is required to be turned bright or to be made of wrought iron,
brass, or other metals I arrange a slot or groove extending around the periphery
of each rim or disc. The spokes being placed within this slot or groove they are
held in their position by suitably constructed chills or moulds, and melted zinc,
lead, or other metal or alloy is poured into the slot or groove which secures the
spokes therein.
The manner in which I carry my Invention into effect will be fully understood
by reference to the accompanying Drawings.
Figure 1 is a view in elevation, partly in section, of the mould or chill with the
frame attached to support the rim of the wheel.
Figure 2 is a plan view of same showing a section of the upper part of mould or
chill at the line "a," "a," Fig. 1.
Figures 3, 4, 5, are views in elevation in section of various modifications of the
moulds or chills.
The frame "" in Figures 1, 2, is provided with a slot or groove "b," which is to
receive the rim and hold same perfectly true while the hub is being cast. The
base of the chill "f" is similar in shape to the cover "c," a section of which shewing the
wire-ways for the spokes is drawn in Figure 2; the circular ring "e" Figure 1,which
forms part of the central portion of the chill, is divided into four segments when
the number of spokes does not exceed the quantity shewn in the Drawing; when a
larger number of spokes is required it is desirable to divide this ring into five, six,
or more parts or segments to ensure their being more readily released after the hub
is cast; the circular ring "d" need not in any case consist of more than two segments
or parts since the ring "e" being first released from the casting, the ring "d" at
once becomes loose, and can be removed without difficulty.
Fig. 3 shews another form of chill, the central part of which consists of three
circular rings "g," "h," "i" each ring being formed of only two segments or parts.
This arrangement allows any number of spokes to be cast without increasing the

page_text: number of segments or pieces, since the releasing ring "h" being withdrawn, the
other two rings can at once be removed; the projection "" is to ensure the rings
being in their correct position.
The method of casting the hub is as follows:-The rim "m" being placed in the
groove the spokes are slipped through the holes (which are countersunk) up to the
heads, the points projecting into the chill. To prevent the spokes moving from
the position in which they are placed I usually employ a steel or iron hoop "n,"
Figures 1, 2, of a suitable section, which, by means of a screw, sliding clip (as "o,"
Figure 2), or other method of tightening can be adjusted to closely grip the rim,
thus preventing the heads of the spokes slipping from their proper place. When
a hole is required through the hub a mandril or core "p" is now fitted in the chill.
This mandril may be either of steel or other metal, or it may bo a core made of sand
in the usual manner. The iron is now poured into the chill through the passages"?"
and the spokes are thus secured in the hub. The wheel is now taken from the
frame, the mandril having previously been driven out of the hub. The cover "c"
and base "f" of the chill being removed at same time only the central parts of
the chill "d" "e," have to be released from between the two disca of the hub, and
these being constructed in the manner described aro taken from the casting without
trouble or delay.
When it is necessary to cast a spindle in the hub as used in the small front
wheel of a perambulator I construct the chill in a similar manner, but if tho
spindle is made with a collar at each end, as frequently used, I make the base and
cover of the chill in two parts; these divide to allow the spindle to be placed in
its proper position, and after the hub has been cast upon the spindle they separate
to allow the whole to be removed.
When the hub is required to be turned bright or to be made of wrought iron,
brass, or other metal I employ a chill similar to Figure 4, in which I place the
hub "8," which has been previously prepared. This hub is provided with a slot "t" in
the periphery of each disc. The spokes are placed in the rim of the wheel, as before-
described, with their points projecting into the slots; they are held in their exact
position by the chill as shewn, and melted zinc, lead, or other metal or alloy is
poured into the slots by which the spokes are secured. Sometimes, instead of using
the central portion of the chill "d," "e," I employ a chill consisting of two pieces
only; these pieces are similar in shape to the base "f" in Figure 3, they are how-
ever bored out deep enough to prevent the melted metal escaping from the slots.
The projections shewn at "k," Figure 3, are sufficiently high to fit upon each other
when the hub is enclosed within them. I generally, when using a chill of this
description, pass a mandril through the hub to ensure the hole being true with the
rim. The spokes can also be cast in the hub with only one chill, similar to the
above mentioned, but without the projection "k," and when the spokes have been
secured in the slot of one of the discs the wheel can be taken from the frame, the
other disc placed in the same chill, and then cast in a similar manner; I however
prefer the method shewn in Drawing, since I can thereby secure greater accuracy
in manufacture.
33
In some instances, where for lightness or strength it is preferred to use a hub con-
structed partially of wrought iron, I employ a chill similar to Figure 5, the central
part of which closely fits the short piece of tube "u." The spokes having been
placed in the manner previously described the discs "v are now cast. When it is
thought desirable to cover the wrought iron tube with the cast iron a chill similar
to Figure 1 is used, the tube being secured in its exact position by a mandril being
passed through it in the same manner as the mandril is placed in the chill when
the hub is required to be made of cast iron only.
In lieu of employing wrought iron or steel spokes, and making the hub wholly or
partially of cast iron, any other suitable metal or alloy may be employed in a
similar manner. The spokes also may be of various sections, as oval, channel, or
other shapes, and instead of being straight as drawn may be bent into various
curves an ornamental shapes, so long as they are secured to the hub in the manner

page_text: herein before described. The chills may also be varied in their construction without
departing from the principle of this Invention. Thus in some cases instead of the
iron being poured through the cover of the chill, as in Figure 1, I arrange for it to be
introduced through the side of the cover, as shewn in Figures 4, 5, the frame being
held in nearly a vertical position while the while is being cast; the frames con-
taining the chills in Figures 4, 5, may be so hung as to admit of their being turned
over, the melted iron being poured into one dise while in a horizontal position, and
when the frame has been made to revolve the second disc is cast in a similar
manner to the first. The frames to receive the rim of wheel are sometimes con-
structed without the slot shewn in Figures 1, 2, moveable distance pieces adjusted
by screws being used instead.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of this my said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is or may be carried into effect, I would observe
in conclusion, that I do not limit myself to the precise details herein given and
shewn on the accompanying Drawings, as various modifications may be made
therein while retaining the essential features of iny said Invention, but what I claim
as new, and desire to be secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters
Patent is,-
First. The mode of manufacturing spider or phantom wheels, the hubs of which
are cast in chills or moulds, substantially as and for the purposes herein before set
forth and described, or any nere modification thereof.
Second. The mode of manufacturing spider or phantom wheels, the spokes of
which are secured in a slot in the periphery of each disc, substantially as and for
the purposes hereinbefore set forth, described, and illustrated, or any mere modifica-
tion thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry James Brookes, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty second day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
Witness,
FRANCIS SPENCER KENDRICK.
HENRY JAMES BROOKES. (L.S.)