A Central Cushioning Appliance for the Wheels of Velocipedes and other Vehicles.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Nov., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 21st July, 1892--Accepted, 27th Aug., .1892.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Central Cushioning Appliance for the Wheels of Velocipedes
and other Vehicles.
I BENJAMIN WALKER BLUNT, of 118, Witton Road, Aston, near Birmingham,
in the County of Warwick, Mechanical Draughtsman, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows :-
--
The hub of the wheel consists of two nearly similar pieces 6 and 6, (Fig. 2), each
of them being rigidly connected with the other by three distance pieces d, d, d
(Figs. 1 & 2). The two pieces b, b', and the three distance pieces d, dd, may be
made, either, all in one, or each of them separately, and afterwards be fixed
alltogether. At each of the inner ends of band b', there is a flange f, (Fig. 1 & 2),
and a flange, (Fig. 2), and also three similar lugs n, n, n (Fig. 1), and n¹ (Fig. 2),
to which the three distance pieces d, d, d are attached.
Each of the three lugs n, n, n, and likewise the three lugs n' on the piece 6', are
placed equidistant from the others, and from the centre of the axis a, (Fig. 1 & 2)
of the wheel. The inner faces s and s¹ (Fig. 2), of the flanges f and f¹ which are.
in contact with the ends of the distance pieces d, d, d are made smooth and flat and
are fixed so that each of them is parallel to the other. On the flange f (Fig. 2)
there are two similar bosses w and to the centres of each of which are placed at an
equal distance from the centre of the axis a, of the wheel, and on diametrically
opposite sides of it.
The bosses w, w have a central round hole passing through each of them to
receive two pins p, p (Figs. 1 & 2). There is also a boss z & ¹ (Fig. 2) on the
outside of each of the pieces & having a hole passing through it into the
cushion chamber G & G¹ to receive the air-pump connections. Near each of
the outer ends of & 6¹ there is a round collar perforated by a number of.
holes E, E & E' E' (Fig. 2). All of these holes are suitably recessed at their.
inner ends to receive an end of one of the spokes which connect the.hub with the
rim of the wheel. Internally both 6 & 1 (Fig. 2) are recessed 'out to form a round
recepticle G & G for two anular cushions c & c¹, also to admit two round
collars J & J, and to allow the axis a (Fig. 1 & 2) of the wheel to pass
through.
The two collars J & J¹ (Fig. 2) are recessed externally to receive the two
cushions c & c¹, and to correspond with the recesses in the interior of b&b Also
they have a central hole passing lengthways through them, through which the
axis a of the wheel passes. The internal recesses in 6 & 6', together with the
external recesses on J & J¹, (Fig. 2), alltogether form an anular cavity G & G¹,
round the axis a, and they are suitably formed to allow space for the cushions c & c¹
to flatten during compression. The cushions c & c¹ (Fig. 2) are anular air-tight:
tubes made of a flexible but inextensible material, and they are filled with an
elastic fluid preferably air at a suitable pressure. They are each provided with a
nipple into which is fixed an internally screwed socket y & y¹ (Fig. 2) to receive
a suitable valve v & v', and a spiral spring T, T' for pressing the valve v, v' against
its seat, and also to receive the connection q, q' for attaching the air-pump.
Each of the sockets y. y' and q, q' have preferably a square collar at U & U¹
(Fig. 2) which fits into the outer ends of the holes in z & ¹ before mentioned to
prevent them from turning round. The connections 9, 9' (Fig. 2) are screwed
externally at one end to fit into the socket y & y¹ and at the other end they are
similarly screwed to receive a cap x & x. A washer of a suitable material for
making an air-tight joint is placed in the interior of a&x (Fig. 2) and against the

page_text: outer end of q, q' to close the passage o, o' through the centre of q. q¹ to the
valve.
The passage o,
o', (Fig. 2) also serves as a guide for the valves v & v¹, and the
inner ends of q & q' form the seats on which the valves rest. In the space between
the two flanges f & f¹ and the distance pieces d, d, d, (Figs. 1 & 2) there is a
coupling ring and a guide plate h.
2
The ring is connected to h (Fig. 1) by four pins p¹, p³, p², p², and two
links L', I, on one side, and it is similarly connected to b (Fig. 1 & 2) by four
pins p, p, p, p and two links L, L on its opposite side. It has also two recesses on
each side into which the four links L, L & L¹, L' are placed. The ring together
with the four links L, L & L L' (Fig. 2) are made to fit exactly between the
guide plate and the faces of the flange f and to serve as guides to keep the axis a
perpendicular to the plane in which the wheel rotates. The guide plate h (Fig. 2)
has a central boss on one side through which the axis a passes and to which it is
fixed by a key K (Fig. 1 & 2). The flat side of h is placed so that it may slide in
contact with the faces of the flange f¹ on one side and the opposite side of his
likewise placed to slide against the adjacent sides of the ring and of the two
links L, L'. Two pins p², p' (Fig. 1) are fixed on the side of nearest to r, and
to these one end of each of the links L' L' are connected.
of L & L are likewise connected to two pins p², p², fixed on the side of r nearest
to them.
The other ends
In a similar manner is connected with by the four pins p, p, p, p and the two
links L, L. All the pins pp & p', p² are placed at equal distances from the centre
of the axis a, and each of them which is attached to the same side of or to the
same piece bor is placed on a diametrically opposite side of the centre of the
axis a to that on which the other pin is situated.
Two or more rings may be substituted for the single ring when a greater
degree of freedom is required. When more than one of these rings are used they
are connected alltogether and also to h & b by links in a similar manner to that by
which the single ring is connected to h. The axis a of the wheel (Figs. 1 & 2)
has two collars I & I¹ which fit into corresponding recesses in the outer ends
of J & J These collars one of which is screwed on to the axis a serve to keep
the wheel in place. Three light covers m, m, m, (Fig. 1 & 2) are fixed to the
lugs n, n, n & n¹ to protect the parts placed between 6 & from injury.
Dated this the 11th day of November 1891.
BENJAMIN WALKER BLUNT.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Central Cushioning Appliance for the Wheels of Velocipedes
and other Vehicles.
I, BENJAMIN WALKER BLUNT late of 118 Witton Road, Aston, near
Birmingham in the County of Warwick, Mechanical Draughtsman, present
address, care of W. E. Winby 122 Pershore Road Birmingham, 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 :-
The hub of the wheel consists of two nearly similar pieces & ¹ (Fig. 2) each
of them being rigidly connected with the other by three distance pieces d. d. d.
(Fig. 1 & 2). The two pieces b&b and the three distance pieces d. d. d may be
made either all in one, or each of them separately, and afterwards be fixed
alltogether. At each of the inner ends of 6 & there is a flange ƒ (Fig. 1 & 2)
and a flange f¹ (Fig. 2), and also three similar lugs n. n. n (Fig. 1) and n¹ (Fig. 2)
to which the three distance pieces d. d. d are attached. Each of the three
lugs n. n. n and likewise the three lugs n' on the piece are placed equidistant
from the others and from the centre of the axis a (Fig. 1 & 2) of the wheel. The
inner faces s & s¹ (Fig. 2) of the flanges f & f¹ which are in contact with the ends

page_text: 2
of the distance pieces d. d. d. are made smooth and flat and are fixed so that each
of them is parallel to the other. On the flange f (Fig. 2) there are two similar
bosses w&w the centres of each of which are placed at an equal distance from the
centre of the axis a. of the wheel, and on diametrically opposite sides of it. The
bosses w and w¹ have a central round hole passing through each of them to receive
two pins p. p. (Fig. 1 & 2). There is also a boss z & 21 (Fig. 2) on the outside of
each of the pieces 6 & 61 having a hole passing through it into the cushion
chambers G & G to receive the air pump connections. Near each of the outer
ends of 6 & there is a round collar perforated by a number of holes E. E & E' E'
(Fig. 2). All of these holes are suitably recessed at their inner ends to receive an
end of one of the spokes which connect the hub with the rim of the wheel.
Internally both b & bi (Fig. 2) are recessed out to form a round recepticle G & G¹
for two annular cushions c & c' also to admit two round collars J & J and to allow
the axis a (Fig. 1 & 2) of the wheel to pass through. The two collars J & J¹
(Fig. 2) are recessed externally to receive the two cushions c & c¹ and to corre-
spond with the recesses in the interior of 6 & also they have a central hole
passing lengthways through them through which the axis a of the wheel passes.
The internal recesses in & 1 together with the external recesses on J & J¹
(Fig. 2) alltogether form an annular cavity G & G round the axis a and they are
suitably formed to allow space for the cushions c & c¹ to flatten during com-
pression. The cushions c & c¹ (Fig. 2) are annular air tight tubes made of a
Hexible but inextensible material and they are filled with an elastic fluid preferably
air at a suitable pressure. They are each provided with a nipple into which is
fixed an internally screwed socket y & y' (Fig. 2) to receive a suitable valve v & vt
and a spiral spring T. T¹ for pressing the valve v. v₁ against its seat and also to
& for attaching the air pump. Each of the
receive the connections
sockets y
y and q & q¹ have preferably a square collar at U & U₁ (Fig. 2)
which fits into the outer ends of the holes in z & 21 "before mentioned" to prevent
them from turning round. The connections y & q' (Fig. 2) are screwed externally
at one end to fit into the socket y & y' and at the other end they are similarly
screwed to receive a cap x & x. A washer of a suitable material for making an
air tight joint is placed in the interior of a & a (Fig. 2) and against the outer end
of g & q' to close the passage o & o through the centre of q & q¹ to the valve.
The passage o & o' (Fig. 2) also serves as a guide for the valves v & v¹ and the
inner ends of q & q' form the seats on which the valves rest. In the space between
the two flanges f& f¹ and the distance pieces d d d (Fig. 1 & 2) there is a coupling
ring and a guide plate h. The ring is connected to (Fig. 1) by four
pins pl pl p² p² and two links L' L' on one side and it is similarly connected to b
(Fig. 1 & 2) by four pins p. p. p. p. and two links L. L. on its opposite side. It
has also two recesses on each side into which the four links L L & L' L' are
placed.
The ring together with the four, links L L & L' L' (Fig. 2) are made to fit
exactly between the guide plate and the faces of the flange f and to serve as
guides to keep the axis a perpendicular to the plane in which the wheel rotates.
The guide plate (Fig. 2) has a central boss one side through which the axis a
passes and to which it is fixed by a key K (Fig. 1 & 2). The flat side of his
placed so that it may slide in contact with the face of the flange on one side,
and the opposite side of % is likewise placed to slide against the adjacent side of
the ring and of the two links L' L. Two pins pl p² (Fig. 1are fixed on the
side of h nearest to r and to these one end of each of the links L' L' are connected.
The other ends of L' & L' are likewise connected to two pins p² p² fixed on the
side of nearest to them. In a similar manner is connected with 6 by four
pins pppp and the two links L. L.
All the pins p. p & pl p² are placed at equal distances from the centre of the
axis a and each of them which is attached to the same side of r or to the same
piece b or h is placed on a diametrically opposite side of the centre of the axis a to that
on which the other pin is situated. To or more rings may be substituted for the

page_text: single ring when a greater degree of freedom is required. When more than one
of these rings are used they are connected alltogether and also to h&b by links in'
a similar manner to that by which the single ring r is connected to h.
The axis a of the wheel (Fig. 1 & 2) has two collars I & I' which fit into'
corresponding recesses in the outer ends of J & J¹. These collars one of which is
screwed on the axis a serve to keep the wheel in place.
Three light covers m. m. m. (Fig. 1 & 2) are fixed to the lugs n n•n & n¹ to'
protect the parts placed between 6 & 6 from injury.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare. that.v what. I
claim is
.
1st. The flexible tubular cushion placed in the hub of the wheel with pump:
connections as specified for filling them with a suitable elastic fluid.
2nd. Two or more annular cushions placed so that one or more of them is near
each of the ends of the hub and having the coupling and guide plates between 1
them.
3rd. The coupling consisting of one or more rings connected with each other and
to the guide plate and hub by links as specified.
Dated 20th July 1892.
BENJAMIN WALKER BLUNT.