Improvements in Velocipede and similar Wheels.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Feb., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 18th Nov., 1890-Accepted. 3rd Jan., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by ARSENE CHARPENTIER, 9, Rue de Florence, Paris, in
the French Republic, Engineer.]
Improvements in Velocipede and similar Wheels.
I, WILLIAM EDWIN HEYS of 70 Market Street Manchester in the County of
Lancaster, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to the wheels of velocipedes and similarly constructed wheels
and it has for its object to simplify their construction and to reduce their cost.
According to these improvements the spokes are formed all of the same length and
with a T-head at each end. The hub consists of a tube having an external right hand
screw thread formed at one end and a similar left hand thread at the other end and
two discs respectively bored and threaded to fit upon the opposite ends of the screwed
tube. Each of the discs has an annular circumferential projection which is notched
radially with as many notches as the wheel is to have spokes on that side of the hub.
The ends of the screwed tube are radially notched so that by inserting a suitable key
in the notches the tube may be turned. The inner side of the tire has openings
formed therein and so shaped that the head of the spoke may pass through when the
spoke is held with the length of its head in the plane of the tire.
In erecting the wheel, the discs are screwed upon the tube until they approach the
centre, from which they should be equi-distant. The spokes are then inserted through
the openings in the tire and are each turned through an angle of 90 degrees so as to
bring the T-head across the opening. The T-ends are then placed within the notches
in the discs and the tube is rotated so as to separate the discs and bring them near to
the ends of the tube. By the separation of the discs the spokes are stretched between
the hub and tire and are firmly secured. If desired screws rings or similar devices
may be employed to secure the permanent separation of the discs and to prevent their
movement whilst the wheel is in use.
Dated this 17th day of February A D 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Velocipede and similar Wheels.
1, WILLIAM EDWIN HEYS of 70 Market Street Manchester in the County of
Lancaster, Patent Agent, 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 the construction of the wheels such as, and similar to, those
which are employed for velocipodes and its object is to secure a simplification in their
arrangement and details and consequently to reduce their cost.
According to these improvements the spokes are stamped out of suitable metal such
as steel, with a T-head at each end. The hub of the wheel consists of two discs having
a circumferential notched or creneliated projection on the outer side of each disc, and
a central screwed tube on which the discs are fitted. This tube has at one end a
right hand thread, and a left hand thread at the other end, and the discs are respectively
bored and threaded through the eye to fit upon the opposite screwed ends of the tube.
In the inner circumference of the rim there are as many openings as there are to be
spokes in the wheel and these openings have a width transverse to the plane of the
wheel sufficiently wide only to admit the heads of the spokes when they are held with

page_text: through which the ends of the spokes are inserted, the openings in the rims are enlarged
so to enable the heads to be turned therein and to rest across the sides of the slits.
There are on each of the discs half as many radial notches as there are
spokes in the
wheel and the inner T-ends of the spokes are engaged in these notches, the odd spokes
engaging with the notches in one of the discs and the even spokes with those in the
other disc. The spokes in each wheel are of uniform length and they can be inserted
in the notches of the discs only when these are screwed towards the centre of the tube
so as to be near to each other. When all the spokes have been inserted, the discs are
separated by rotating the tube and thus the spokes are put into tension between the
hub and the tire and are securely held.
I will more particularly describe my said invention with reference to the
accompanying drawings in each of the figures of which similar parts or details,
where they are represented, are denoted by similar letters of reference.
Figure 1 is an elevation of the hub showing the inner ends of the spokes attached
thereto,
Figure 2 an end view of the hub with the discs at their nearest point of
approach;
Figure 3
position;
a similar view to Figure 2 but with the discs in their working
Figure 4 is a section of the rim or felloe of the wheel with the opening for the
passage of the head of the spoke ;
Figure 5 a plan of a spoke (the middle portion broken away) shewing the
T-shaped ends; and
Figure 6, 61, 7 and 8 represent modifications of construction.
A A are the hub discs which are bored and internally screwed to fit upon the
opposite ends of the central tube B, the ends of the tube being respectively screwed
with a right hand and with a left hand thread as indicated in the Figures 2 and 3.
The ends of the tube are provided with radial or other notches D by means of which
the tube may be turned by suitable key or even by a plain rod or bar of iron or
'steel laid across the notches. The periphery F of each of the discs is returned or
formed at an angle to the plane of the disc, and the notches or crenellations in which
the ends of the spokes are fitted are formed in this returned part. In the rim of the
wheel (a small length of which is shewn in plan by Figure 4) openings are made
just sufficient to permit the passage of one of the T-ends of the spokes so that when
the head of the spoke is inserted and the spoke is turned through a quarter of a
turn, the spoke cannot be withdrawn without turning, since the T-head lies across
the opening E.
The slits or notches in the projecting parts F F of the discs A A have such a
width only as will permit the steins of the spokes to be inserted therein freely.
Each of the spokes CC intended for use in the same wheel is stamped out of
metal or is otherwise produced to exactly equal lengths with parallel T-heads (or
with a T-head and a bulbous end as hereinbefore described) as shewn in Figure 5.
In constructing the wheel, the discs A A are screwed upon the tube to an equal
distance from the ends as shewn in Figure 2. The T-end of one of the spokes is
then inserted in one of the slits E in the rim or felloe and the spoke is turned
through a quarter turn. The inner end of the spoke then inserted into the
corresponding radial notch of one of the discs. This is repeated until all the spokes
have been inserted in the wheel, it being noted that alternate spokes are connected
respectively with the right and with the left discs. All the spokes having thus been
engaged with the rim and with the hub respectively, the tube B is rotated whilst the
rim is fixed, and the discs A A are thereby separated. This separation of the discs
increases the distance between their peripheries F F and the rim, and the spokes are
consequently held by tension between the rim and the hub.
If it be desired to avoid any risk of the turning of either of the discs on the tube
whilst the wheel is running, they may be secured thereon by means of rings set
screws or other known and suitable devices.

page_text: The ends of the spokes have for convenience been described as having parallel
T-heads, but it is obvious that the shape of the enlarged ends may be equivalent
thereto without being precisely T-shaped. Particularly, that end of the spoke which
is destined to be held in the notched periphery F of the hub may be bulbous or
button shaped as shewn in Figure 8.
In the case of driving wheels where the action of the pedals might tend to
unscrew the tube B, I may employ the modification represented by Figures 6, 6',
and 7.
In this modification only one of the plates A is movable on the axle D, the other J
being cast forged or otherwise formed or secured thereon. The opposite end of
the axle is screwed as shewn at E, and in this screwed part two keyways F F¹ are
cut at opposite ends of a diameter; it is also fitted with a nut I.
The movable plate A of the hub is bored but not tapped or screwed so that it may
slide easily over the screwed part E of the axle D, and this bored part or eye is
fitted with two fast keys G G adapted to engage the keyways F F¹. In fitting up
the wheel the nut I is turned until it has reached the inner end of the screwed part
of the axle; the movable plate A is fitted close against the nut and the spokes are
inserted. The nut is then turned in the opposite direction forcing the plate A
outwards towards the end of the axle thus putting tension on all the spokes as
herein before described with reference to the arrangements represented in Figures 1, 2,
and 3. The presence of the keys and keyways effectually prevents the turning of
the hub upon the axle.
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 what I
claim is-
(1) A velocipede or similar wheel constructed and arranged substantially as
herein before described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
(2) In a velocipede or similar wheel, the combination and arrangement with a rim
having openings therein for the passage of and for holding the heads of the spokes,
of spokes having suitably enlarged ends, notched dises for the reception aud for
holding the opposite ends of the spokes, and a right and left hand screwed tube
fitting within the said discs; substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated
by Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the accompanying drawings.
(3) In a velocipede or similar wheel, the combination and arrangement with a
rim having openings therein for the passage of and for holding the heads of the
spokes, of spokes having suitably enlarged ends, a notched disc formed or secured
upon the axle, a nut fitting upon a screwed part of the axle, and a notched disc
adapted to slide thereon; substantially as herein before described and as illustrated
by Figures 6, 7, and 8 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 15th day of November A.D. 1890.