Improvements in Strengthening Metallic and Wood Rims of the Wheels of Bicycles, Tricycles, and other Velocipedes and Wheel Carriages, and in Connecting Metallic Spokes to the said Rims.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Nov., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 14th Sept.. 1894-Accepted. 20th Oct., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Strengthening Metallic and Wood Rims of the
Wheels of Bicycles, Tricycles, and other Velocipedes and Wheel
Carriages, and in Connecting Metallic Spokes to the said
Rims.
I JOHN VERNON PUGH of Whitworth Works Rea Street South Birmingham
in the County of Warwick Mechanical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
My improvements have for their principal object to strengthen the rims of the
wheels of bicycles tricycles and other velocipedes and wheel carriages so as to
prevent the liability to collapsing in the said wheels and to connect the metallic
spokes to the said rims in a ready and effectual manner.
When my improvements are applied to metallic rims of the ordinary strength
great additional strength is given to the said rims and the use of my improvements
permits of the rims being lighter than, while equally strong as ordinary rims.
In strengthening hollow metallic rims of crescent shape in cross section according
to my invention I proceed in the following manner I form at equi-distant points in
the rim and at the parts where the spokes are to be attached coincident holes in
the convex or spoke side and tread or concave side respectively, the boles in the
concave side being preferably a little larger than those in the convex side. I take
a series of short metallic tubes of a length a little greater than the distance
between the two sides of the rim the said tubes being preferably slightly taper and
shouldered at each end so that when the ends are spread out by pressure an eyelet
like fastening may be effected by the said ends. I make the holes in the concave
side somewhat larger than those in the convex side. The said tubes which I will
call eyelet tubes are introduced smallest end foremost through the holes in the
concave and convex sides. By expanding the ends of the tubes, the said tubes are
fixed by an eyeletting operation to the two sides of the rim and constitute supports
between the two sides at right angles to the sides and the shoulders at the convex
or spoke side constitute strong seats for the nipples of the spokes to take a bearing
against. Or where great additional strength is required a double tube may be
employed, the outer tube supporting the sides of the rim internally, the inner one
being essentially the same as that already described.
Where double eyelet tubes are employed the inner one may be screwed internally
and furnished at the convex side of the rim with a small external head or expansion
similar to that of a fly nut. In this case I employ spokes having screwed ends but
without nipples, the spokes being screwed into position by the screw in the eyelet
tube taking on the external screw on the spoke, the necessary rotation being given
to the eyelet tube by the expansion or head referred to.
This arrangement is also applicable to the wood rims hereinafter referred to.
Where a less strengthening is required than that effected by the first described
method the tubular part of the strengthening piece may be dispensed with, and
eyelets differing but little from ordinary eyelets may be fixed in boles in the convex
side of the rim.
The tubular supports instead of being made taper as described may be made
cylindrical with nearly the like effect.
Where for any reason it is thought undesirable to perforate the rims I employ
light metallic saddle pieces at each point of the rim where a spoke is to be
connected. These saddle pieces are made from cruciform pieces of sheet metal bent
at the junction of the arms so that one pair of arms is so inclined to the other that

page_text: the ends of the pairs of arms are at a distance apart equal to the breadth of the
rim. The extremities of the arms are rivetted to the edges of the rim, the spoke
being fixed at the junction of the arms.
In the case of hollow rims made of one strip of metal and having in cross section
a triangular figure I employ strengthening pieces at each spoke the said
strengthening pieces consisting of small strips of sheet metal each end of the strip
being twisted in opposite directions at an angle of ninety degrees to the middle
part. These end pieces both situated in the same plane are inserted between the
meeting edges of the strip of iron or steel of which the rim is formed and rivetted
thereto. The middle part of the small strip stands a short distance from the
inner side of the rim and the spokes are fixed in holes in the said middle parts of
the small strip.
In rims made from one strip of trough shaped sheet metal bent into a hoop the
ends of which are joined I strengthen the junction by plates fitting on the exterior
of the rim and riveted thereto. The inflating tube or nipple may be made in one
piece with the strengthening plate.
In strengthening wood rims I make a hole at each point where a spoke is to be
fixed and insert in the said hole a tubular metallic lining contracted at top. At the
base of the tubular lining and formed of the same sheet metal are arms which
extend in opposite directions and are turned up and lie close upon the opposite
sides of the rim and are fixed by their extreme ends being turned at right angles
and forced into the wood. The spokes are fixed in the contracted ends of the
tubular linings described. The nippled spokes may however be secured to the
rim without the tubular lining described.
Strengthening pieces made according to my invention may be used in conjunction
with spokes having nipple fastenings or with spokes having heads engaging with
the rim the inner ends of the spokes being secured into the hubs of the wheel.
Dated this 18th day of November 1893.
W. T. WHITEMAN,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Strengthening Metallic and Wood Rims of the
Wheels of Bicycles, Tricycles, and other Velocipedes and Wheel
Carriages, and in Connecting Metallic Spokes to the said
.Rims.
I. JOHN VERNON PUGH, of Whitworth Works, Rea Street South, Birmingham,
in the County of Warwick, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
my invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My improvements have for their principal object to strengthen the rims of the
wheels of bicycles, tricycles and other velocipedes and wheel carriages so as to
prevent the liability to collapsing in the said wheels and to connect the metallic
spokes to the said rims in a ready and effectual manner.
When my improvements are applied to metallic rims of the ordinary strength,
great additional strength is given to the said rims, and the use of my improvements
permits of the rims being lighter than, while equally strong as ordinary rims.
In strengthening hollow inctallic rims of crescent shape in cross section according
to my invention I proceed in the following manner.
I form at equi-distant points
in the rim and at the parts where the spokes are to be attached, coincident holes
in the convex or spoke side and tread or concave side respectively, the holes in the
concave side being preferably a little larger than those in the convex side.
I take
a series of short metallic tubes of a length a little greater than the distance
between the two sides of the rim the raid tubes being preferably slightly taper
and shouldered at each end so that when the ends are spread out by pressure an
་་

page_text: eyelet like fastening may be effected by the said ends. I make the holes in the
concave side somewhat larger than those in the convex side. The said tubes which
I will call eyelet tubes are introduced smallest end foremost through the holes in
the concave and convex sides. By expanding the ends of the tubes, the said tubes
are fixed by an eyeletting operation to the two sides of the rim and constitute
supports between the two sides at right angles to the sides and the shoulders at
the convex or spoke side constitute strong seats for the nipples of the spokes to
take a bearing against. Or where great additional strength is required, a double
tube may be employed, the outer tube supporting the sides of the rim internally;
the inner one being essentially the same as that already described.
Where double eyelet tubes are employed, the inner one may be screwed internally
and furnished at the convex side of the rim with a small external head or expansion
similar to that of a fly nut. In this case I employ spokes having screwed ends
but without nipples, the spokes being screwed into position by the screw in the
eyelet tube taking on the external screw on the spoke, the necessary rotation
being given to the eyelet tube by the expansion or head referred to.
This arrangement is also applicable to the wood rims hereinafter referred to.
Where a less strengthening is required than that effected by the first described
method, the tubular part of the strengthening piece may be dispensed with and
eyelets differing but little from ordinary eyelets may be fixed in holes in the
convex side of the rim.
The tubular supports instead of being made taper as described may be made
cylindrical with nearly the like effect.
Where for any reason it is thought undesirable to perforate the rims, I employ
light metallic saddle pieces at each point of the rim where a spoke is to be
connected. These saddle pieces are made from cruciform pieces of sheet metal
bent at the junction of the arms so that one pair of arms is so inclined to the
other that the ends of the pairs of arms are at a distance apart equal to the
breadth of the rim. The extremities of the arms are rivetted to the edges of
the rim, the spoke being fixed at the junction of the arms.
In the case of hollow rims made of one strip of metal and having in cross
section a
triangular figure I employ strengthening pieces at each spoke, the said
strengthening pieces consisting of small strips of sheet metal each end of the strip
being twisted in opposite directions at an angle of ninety degrees to the middle
part. These end pieces, both situated in the same plane, are inserted between the
meeting edges of the strip of iron or steel of which the rim is formed and
rivetted thereto. The middle part of the small strip stands a short distance from
the inner side of the rim and the spokes are fixed in holes in the said middle parts
of the small strip.
In rims made from one strip of trough shaped sheet metal bent into a hoop,
the ends of which are joined, I strengthen the junction by a plate fitting on the
interior of the rim and rivetted thereto. The inflating tube or nipple may be made
in one piece with the strengthening plate.
In strengthening wood rims, I make a hole at each point where a spoke is to be
fixed and insert in the said hole a tubular metallic lining contracted at top. At
the base of the tubular lining and formed of the same sheet metal are arms which
extend in opposite directions and are turned up and lie close upon the opposite
sides of the rim and are fixed by their extreme ends being turned at right angles
and forced into the wood. The spokes are fixed in the contracted ends of the
tubular linings described. The nippled spokes however may be secured to the rim
without the tubular lining described.
Strengthening pieces made according to my invention may be used in conjunction
with spokes having nipple fastenings or with spokes having heads engaging with
the rim, the inner ends of the spokes being screwed into the hubs of the wheel.
I will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying drawings the
manner in which my invention is to be performed.
Figure represents in cross section, a crescent shaped hollow metallic rim

page_text: strengthened at the parts where the spokes are to be attached by eyelet tubes
according to my invention. a is the hollow metallic rim; the spoke and the
spoke nipple; d is the eyelet tube for strengthening the rim at the spoke part.
The said eyelet tube is either taper or cylindrical and its ends are passed through
holes in the concave and convex sides of the rim. The eyelet tube d having been
passed through the holes in the sides of the rim, the ends of the said tube are
shouldered or expanded and fixed by an eyeletting operation on the outer faces of
the rim as represented. An eyelet tube of the kind represented is placed at each
spoke part of the rim, the said eyelet tubes constituting supports between the two
sides of the rim. The shoulder e below the expanded or eyeletted part at the
convex side of the rim constitutes a strong seat for the head of the nipple c of the
spoke to take a bearing against. Figure 2 represents the arrangement last described
applied to a hollow metallic rim having a sectional figure suitable for receiving a
special pneumatic tyre. In this rim the strengthening or eyelet tube d has a
contraction at top within the rim against which top the head of the nipple c of the
spoke b bears.
The strengthening tube d Figure 2 differs from that represented in Figure 1 in
the respect that the said tube is not fixed by an eyeletting operation but is held in
place by the tension of the spoke.
Figure 3 represents the arrangement of my invention in which double eyelet
tubes are employed, being the outer tube supporting the sides of the rim
internally and d being the inner tube supporting the sides of the rim externally as
described with respect to Figure 1.
Figure 4 represents the arrangement of double eyelet tube d, f, applied to the
valve hole of a rim for a pneumatic tyre.
Figures 5 and 6 represent hollow metallic rims in which the parts where the
spokes are applied are strengthened by the use of eyelet rings. In Figure 5 the
eyelet ring is a separate ring g eyeletted around the hole in the rim through which
hole the spoke passes, the head of the spoke taking a bearing against the eyeletted
ring g.
In Figure 6 the eyelet ring g is formed by coiling or bending inwards
the rim at the edge of the hole through which the spoke passes.
Figures 7 and 8 represent rims strengthened at the valve holes in the manner
described with respect to the spoke holes Figures 5 and 6.
The nipple into which the spoke is screwed may be used in place of an eyelet
supporting tube as represented in Figure 9. In this case, the nipple h is formed
with two shoulders, one of which bears on the spoke side and the other on the
concave side of the rim and thus distributes the pull between the two sides of the
rim. Or the nipple may support the rim at the convex or spoke side only as
represented in Figures 10 and 11. In this modification the part of the spoke nipple
for strengthening the rim consists of the angle pieces i, i of half round wire, one
branch of each angle piece being screwed. The plain or unscrewed branches of the
angle pieces are introduced into the rim in the manner illustrated in Figure 12 and
after the flat faces of the screwed branches have been brought together as
illustrated in Figure 11, the nipple k having in the small part a right and in the
large part a left handed thread is screwed upon the screwed branches of the angle
pieces so as to bind them firmly together and retain their inner branches against
the inside of the rim so as to strengthen it at that part; at the same time drawing
the spoke into the nipple.
The eyelet tube or tubes for strengthening the rim at the spoke purts may be
replaced by double spokes each made from a piece of wire or strip of metal, the
doubled or turned back part where the two spokes are joined near the rim, being
threaded through the sides of the rim. This modification is represented in
Figures 13 and 14 where the doubled part of the two spokes threaded through the
rim is marked 1, the bend supporting the concave side of the rim and the ring,
plate or band m around the two spokes supporting the convex side of the rim.
In the arrangement Figure 13 the inner edges of the strip are bent inwards
from the convex side of the rim and in the arrangement Figure 14 the said edges

page_text: are bent inwards from the concave side of the rim. These sections of rim constitute
no part of my invention.
Figure 16 represents the arrangement of my invention in which the double eyelet
tube is utilized for connecting the spoke to the rim. In this case the inner tube d
is screwed internally and the spoke b has a screwed end but without a nipple.
The top of the innner tube d is expanded into a fly nut head after being passed
through the rim. The spoke b is screwed into position by turning the tube by
its head, the internal screw of the said tube taking on the external screw of
the spoke.
Figure 17 represents this arrangement applied to a wood rim, a single tube in
this case being employed.
Figure 18 represents in edge view and plan of inner side my method of
strengthening the junction of a rim made from a strip of trough shaped sheet metal
bent into a hoop. In the said Figure 18 the strengthening junction plate is
marked P and the ends of the rim to be joined on their inner side by the said
plate are marked qg. The inflating tube or nipple p' may be made in one piece
with the strengthening plate p.
This method of strengthening the junction of metal rims may be applied to
wood rims.
Figures 19 and 20 represent my arrangement in which the spokes are connected
to light metallic saddle pieces on the rim, instead of directly to the rim, Figure 19
representing a cross section of the rim and saddle piece, and Figure 20 a side
elevation of the same. r is the rim and s t is the saddle piece rivetted at t to the
rim. The said saddle piece consists of two pairs of sheet metal arms, the pair of
arms shaving the inclination to the other pair of arms t t represented in
Figure 19, the lower extremities of the two pairs of arms and t being at a
distance apart equal to the breadth of the rim. The saddle piece is made from a
cruciform piece of sheet metal bent at the junction of the arms into the figure
represented. The spoke b is fixed at the junction of the pairs of arms and t,
that is, the head of the nipple takes a bearing on the underside of the junction of
the arms as seen in Figure 19, the nipple being passed through a hole at the
junction of the arms.
Instead of making the saddle piece from a cruciform blank of sheet metal, it
may be made from a strip of sheet metal bent into an inverted V shape. This
modification is represented in Figure 21, a single arm u being situated at each side
of the rim.
Figure 22 represents in cross section and Figure 23 in side elevation, my
arrangement of strengthening pieces applied to hollow rims having in cross section
a triangular figure. In this arrangement, the strengthening piece at each side of
the spoke consists of an inverted V shaped strip of sheet metal x, each end of the
strip being twisted in opposite directions at an angle of 90 degrees to the middle
part. The end pieces, both situated in the same plane, are inserted between the
meeting edges of the hollow rim y and rivetted thereto as seen in Figure 22. The
head of the nipple of the spoke 6 is seated on the underside of the middle part
of the strengthening strip, the nipple being passed through a hole in the strip.
Or in place of this strengthening strip, a double spoke y³ may be passed around
a rivet connecting the meeting edges of the hollow rim y as represented in
Figure 24.
Figures 25 and 26 represent the double arm saddle piece represented in
Figures 19 and 20 applied to a wood rim and Figure 27 represents the single arın
saddle piece represented in Figure 21 applied to a wood rim.
In these cases the rivets by which the saddle pieces are connected to the rim pass
completely through the wood rim r³.
Instead of the extremities of the arms of the saddle piece bearing on the outside
of the wood rim, they may be inserted within the wood rim in the manner represented
io Figure 28.

page_text: :
Figures 29 and 30 represent the arrangement of strengthening strips shown in
Figures 22 and 23 applied to a wood rim. In this modification the extremities
of the strip are rivetted to the rim by cross rivets ³ ³ passed through the wood
rim instead of being rivetted between the meeting edges of the metal rim.
Instead of rivetting the ends of the saddle pieces to the wood rims, a connection
of the kind represented in Figure 25 may be employed; that is to say the
long rivettis necked and headed at each end and the ends of the branches of
the saddle piece are provided with a hole and slot as represented at t.
the holes in the bottoms of the saddle piece have been passed over the heads
of the rivet, the tension of the spoke engages the slots of the saddle pieces
with the necks in the rivet and thus forms a secure connection.
After
In the arrangements Figures 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30, screw bolts and nuts may be
substituted for the rivets represented, the screw nuts being tightened from time
to time to compensate for the shrinking of the wood.
Figures 31 and 32 represent the arrangement of the double spokes represented
in Figures 13, 14 and 15 applied to wood rims. In this case, the loop or bend
of the double spoke is fixed to the wood rim by a cross pin, either of metal or
wood, to, and the loop or bend of the spoke may either pass through the rim as
represented in Figure 31 or only partly through the rim as represented in
Figure 32.
Figure 33 represents in cross section and Figure 34 in side elevation, a wood rim
strengthened by a tubular lining where the spoke is to be fixed in combination with
sheet metal arms made to lie upon the opposite sides of the wood rim. Figure 35
represents the tubular lining and strengthening arms before they are applied to
the wood rim. 1 is the tubular metallic lining inserted in a hole in the wood rim 2
where the spoke is to be fixed, the metallic lining 1 having a contracted top for
the head of the nipple spoke to bear against as represented. At the base of the
tubular lining 1 and formed of the same sheet metal are arms 3, 3 having turned up
and pointed ends. These arms extend in opposite directions and are bent and made
to lie closely upon the opposite sides of the wood rim 2 and are fixed by their pointed
extreme ends being forced into the wood rim.
Figure 36 represents a modification in which the metallic tubular lining is
extended upwards on the convex side of the wood rim and Figure 37 represents the
strengthening metallic lining applied to the valve hole of the wood rim. For
additional strength the metallic arms may be made so long as to extend, when bent
upon the wood rim, on either side the tubular lining in which the spoke is fixed as
represented in Figure 38.
A short tubular lining or perforated cup outside the convex side of the wood rim
may be employed for receiving the head of the spoke nipple as represented in
Figure 39 where the external cup is marked 4. The strengthening arms 3, 3 are
bent completely round the wood rim 2 and their pointed ends which are forced into
the wood overlap on the concave side of the rim.
Or the cup may be dispensed with and the head of the nipple be seated in a
recess in the wood rim the metallic strengthening arms 3, 3 covering the recess in
the wood rim and retaining the end of the nipple in its place as represented in
Figure 40. Or the short cup 4, made in one piece with the strengthening arms 3, 3,
may be fixed in its place by a cross rivet 5 as represented in Figure 41. In this
modification the strengthening arms 3, 3 cover only the greater part of the convex
side of the wood rim 2.
The tubular lining alone may be used as represented in Figures 42 and 43. In
this case the tubular lining is fixed in its place by a cross pin or cotter of metal or
wood; or in place of a tubular lining a staple like lining of the kind represented
in Figure 44 may be driven into the wood rim and fixed by a cross pin or cotter.
Or the spoke nipple may be seated in a recess on the concave side of the wood
rim a cross plate 6 being driven obliquely into the wood rim as represented in
Figure 45 the said cross plate having a hole in it for the reception of the nipple.

page_text: Or a strengthening strip only of the kind represented in Figure 46 may be
employed, the head of the spoke or the head of the nipple as the case may be
bearing against the metallic strengthening strip on the concave side of the rim.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim as my
invention of "Improvements in strengthening metallic and wood rims of the wheels
of bicycles, tricycles and other velocipedes and wheel carriages and in connecting
metallic spokes to the said rims
First. Strengthening metallic rims at the parts where the spokes are to be
attached, and at the valve holes in rims for pneumatic tyres, by flanged eyelet
tubes or by double flanged eyelet tubes, or by eyelets or short eyelet tubes
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
and 8 of the accompanying drawings; also the modification described and repre-
sented in Figure 9 in which spoke nipples are used in place of eyelet tubes; also
the modifications described and represented in Figures 16 and 17 which the
strengthening eyelet tubes are utilized for attaching the metallic spokes.
Secondly. Strengthening metallic rims at the parts where the spokes are to be
attached and connecting metallic spokes to the rims by the methods hereinbefore
described and illustrated in Figures 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 31 and 32 of the
accompanying drawings.
Thirdly. The combination with metallic and wood rims of saddle pieces of the
kinds herein before described and illustrated in Figures 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25,
25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30 of the accompanying drawings for connecting metallic
spokes to the said rims; also the arrangement represented in Figure 24 for con-
necting double metallic spokes to hollow metallic rims having a triangular figure
in cross section.
Fourthly. Strengthening the junction of metallic rims of the kind described
and also wood rims by means of a plate fitting in the interior of the rim and
rivetted to its ends as herein before described and illustrated in Figure 18 of the
accompanying drawings.
Fifthly. The several methods herein before described and illustrated in Figures 33,
34, 35, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45 of the accompanying drawings of
strengthening the wood rims at the parts where the spokes are to be applied ;
also strengthening the wood rims at the valve holes, when used with pneumatic
tyres, in the manner herein before described and illustrated in Figure 37 of the
accompanying drawings.
Dated the Tenth day of September 1894.