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

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Dec., 1857-Accepted, 17th Dec., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
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, 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 construction of the central portion of the wheel,
and consists in the employment of cylindrically coiled spiral springs upon cross-rods,
or spindles, arranged transversely to the plane of the wheel and parallel to the
axle of the vehicle and axle-hub of the wheel, the ends of the springs being
extending therefrom to engage with other springs of like construction, or other
spindles as hereinafter set forth.
It further consists of a construction of wheel centre, wherein an axle-hub is
resiliently sustained centrally within a specially formed spoke-nave arranged
to encircle the axle-hub, and to which the interior ends of the spokes of the wheel
are secured, the suspension being effected by means of a series of spirally coiled
springs connected together, and encircling spindles arranged parallel to the axle-
hub, certain of which are connected to the spoke-nave and others to the
axle-hub.
It further consists of a combination of spirally coiled springs arranged in a
set, or several sets, each spring upon a spindle extending parallel to the axle-hub,
and the springs united by means of link plates.
It further consists of such devices and combinations of devices, as are herein-
after more fully described and pointed out in the claims, reference being had to
the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1, represents a cross-section of the axle-hub showing in elevation, the
inside face of one of its expanded ends with end flange, and the one end cheek or disk
of the spoke-nave, also with a set of coiled springs having their ends or terminals
engaging with pillars, or spindles, (shown in cross-section) forming connection
between the two cheeks of the spoke-nave, illustrating the normal condition of
the parts, when at rest.
Figure 2, is a perspective view showing one of the coiled springs with spindles
of axle-hub and spoke-nave.
Figure 3, is elevation showing one of the spindles lengthwise.
Figure 4, is a view corresponding to Figure 1, but showing the extreme dis-
placement between axle-hub and spoke-nave, from their relative condition of
Figure 1, under influence of pressure or shock.
Figure 5, is a view corresponding to Figure 1, showing a modification, in that
several coiled springs as one set, are herein linked together by rigid metal link
plates.
Figure 6, is a perspective view illustrating the combination of springs and link-
plates as used in the construction of Fig. 5.
Figure 7, is a view corresponding to Figure 5, but showing springs linked
together by rigid link-plates, but arranged in several sets.
Figure 8, is a view corresponding to Figures 1 and 5, but showing coiled

page_text: springs upon spindles of the axle-hub, also upon spindles of the spoke-nave, and
also upon intermediate spindles not connected with either hub or nave, but free
moving at their end, and all by stretches of the wire integral with the springs,
connected together as one set encircling the axle-hub, so as to be of continuous
wire, or essentially continuous.
but
The coiled springs in the before mentioned figures are shown as cylindrical,
Figure 9, illustrates in elevation how they may be formed with convexity.
Figure 10, is a view corresponding to that of Figure 8, excepting that the coiled
springs are connected together in several groups.
Figure 11, is a view corresponding to that of Figure 8, illustrating another
modification, in this construction the intermediate spindles with coils shown in
Figures 8 and 10, are dispensed with, and the continuing stretches of wire between
axle-hub and spoke-nave, are all arched, constituting them are springs as
equivalents for the intermediates of Figure 8.
Figure 12, is a perspective view of two arcs and three coils, illustrating the
construction like that of Figure 11.
Figure 13, is an elevation of the wheel centre including axle-hub and spoke-
nave, (the latter in section) with springs after the manner of Figure 8.
Figure 14, is a perspective view illustrating the construction of springs and
connecting stretches of Figures 8, 10 and 13.
Figure 15, is an elevation of a coiled spring with its extended ends, to illustrate
how two lengths of the wire may be joined in one of the spirals of the coil when
necessary, thereby retaining the continuous effect of Figure 8.
Figure 16, is an elevation corresponding to that of Figure 13, but illustrating
the construction of Figures 11 and 12.
On the drawings A, indicates the axle-hub of the wheel through which the
axle A* supporting the vehicle passes.
The axle-hub may be of the usual ball-bearing variety, or any style suitable.
It is provided with two flanges A¹, one towards each end of the hub, either
as integral part thereof, or properly secured thereupon, and encircling at a small
distance from the usual expanded ball bearing ends, so that space A³, is secured
between.
The spoke-nave is constructed as two cheek rings B, or disks, each having
apertured centre to encircle the axle-hub and arranged outside the flanges A.
The two disks B, are connected by cross-rods or spindles B', which serve to
secure them at the exact distance apart, requisite to permit of a movement parallel
to the plane of the wheel, outside of and against the flanges A', towards the axle-
hub, the apertures in each disk being formed to afford space for the movement.
The spindles B¹, are arranged parallel to the axle-hub and at intervals around
the same, and are a part of the spoke-nave.
The flanges A¹³, prevent any lateral movement of the spoke-nave, the cheeks of
which fit closely against thereto. Around near the periphery of the spoke-nave B,
the rigid spokes of the wheel are secured, after the usual manner.
To obtain a resilient oscilatory or vibratory motion, providing for elasticity in
the wheel under influence of weight and movement of of rider, or shock received at
the rim, I provide a peculiar and special arrangement of metal springs, constructed,
arranged and secured in the following manner.
At C, a series of cross-rods, or pillars, extend parallel to the axle-hub between
its flanges A', secured rigidly thereto by screws threaded through the flanges into
their ends; they serve as spindles.
D, indicates the metal springs spirally coiled and sleeved upon the spindles C,
with their, terminals extending outwardly as at D', and when the constructions of
Figures 1 and 4, are desired, the ends Di, engage with the cross-rods, or pillars B¹,
by contact, and as the several ends radiate and surround the hub, they serve by
the resilient tendency of the springs, to keep the axle-hub constrained centrally
within the hollow of the spoke-nave.

page_text: A stop lug, or it may be a cross-rod, is located at D², connected to, or forming a
part of the cheeks fitting between the terminals D₁, serve to prevent both
terminals following the cross-rods B', when in motion, after the manner shown in
Figure 4, this figure representing the extreme of the movement, or relative displace-
ment of hub and nave under pressure or shock. Dotted lines at E show the
aperture in the cheeks of the spoke-nave. Figures 1 and 4, illustrate the principle
of operation of the coils with extended terminals.
In wheels adapted for carrying heavier weights, I strengthen the system after
the manner shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7, by placing upon the cross-rods B', coiled
springs also; and also with intermediate spindles at suitable points not connected
at their ends with either axle-hub or spoke-nave, as at F, all the coils having
extended ends, but in this construction between every two coils I introduce
plates G, of rigid metal, hinged at their ends upon spindles, as shown in per-
spective Figure 6, with terminals of the springs impinging against them, thus
giving a rigidity to the stretches between the springs, and confining the elasticity:
and resiliency to the coils unitedly. Figure 5, represents the system
as one set encircling the axle-hub, and Figure 7, represents essentially the same
construction, but as several sets located at intervals around the axle-hub. In
either method of arrangement the action of the springs is the same, and corresponds
with that of Figures 1 and 4.
In Figures 8 and 10, another modification is illustrated, wherein the rigid
plates G, are dispensed with, and as shown in Figure 8, the entire system may be
constructed of one continuous wire, or several lengths of wire may be joined
within a coil, as shown at H, Figure 15.
In Figure 8, several coils are joined in sets by stretches of wire integral and
continuous therewith, but the operation and result is always the same as with the
coils herein before described.
In Figure 11, another modification is illustrated. In this method of construc-
tion, the intermediate free. spindles carrying coils are dispensed with, and two
sets only of the spindles are used, one to the axle-hub and one to the
spoke-nave, each carrying coils, and each of the stretches of wire between and
connecting them, bent in the form of an arc, as at K, thus producing a lively
and more sensitive system of springs in the combination of coils and arcs. AĬl
the wire being continuous, and all arranged as one set encircling the axle-hub,
or a joining of wire may be effected within any of the coils as desired, but retaining
the continuous principle. Figure 12, illustrates three of the coils with the arc
connections in perspective.
Figures 13 and 16 illustrate the construction and arrangement of springs in
elevation, transversely to the plan of the wheel, but showing the cheeks B, of
the spoke-nave in cross-section.
Figure 13, applies more especially to the system of Figure 8, and Figure 16,
to that of Figure 11. In both cases, as shown, the springs are bipartite with the
spindles passing through both halves, and at the midway, a washer divides the two.
All of the spindles have ends enlarged as shown in Figure 3, and with a washer
at each end also. However, the coils may extend the full length of the spindles,
if desired, as shown in Figure 2, but the divided system is desired preferable.
In Figures 2, 6, 13, 14, 15 and 16; the coils are shown as cylindrical, but this
form may be deviated from after the manner shown in Figure 9, by convexity, or
they may be formed with concave surface, or cone shaped.
The form of Figure 9, is suitable upon the free spindles, but may be used for all,
wherever desirable.
The ends of the spindles being enlarged by a collar, or otherwise, with reduced
midway, allows for space between coil and spindle to permit of contraction in the
coil. Space is also provided for between the spirals, to permit of the necessary
movement, as the ends are vibrated under force received downward from the
vehicle, or upward from the rim. The reaction of the spring restores the normal
relation between axle-hub and spoke-nave,

page_text: I do not confine myself to number of springs employed, but construct my wheel
centre to suit requirements.
The grooves A2, at each end of the axle-hub, may be omitted in wheels where
less motion is to be provided for, and the guard flanges A¹, or rings, or circular
plates, may be threaded upon the expanded ends over the ball-bearings, and
arranged to fit outside of the spoke-nave disks B, or inside as desired, and
according to the uses for which the wheels are intended.
In order to make a wheel for practical purposes, such as for military, police or
business uses, a rim composed of a wood felly and steel tire, or sole, would be
preferable; but for pleasure purposes, instead of the steel tire, a solid rubber tire
or sole, can be adopted.
In every instance where coils are mentioned herein as a part of this invention,
it must be understood that a tubular formation made by a spiral winding of the
wire, with more than one turning is meant, so that each coil, always using the
term collectively, becomes essentially a cylinder, or tube, which will encircle its
spindle and keep itself parallel to the hub always, and that all the spiral turns
between the two end turns, do not touch the spindle, so that the spirals may
contract freely. Also, that a terminal of the wire will extend from each end of
the tubular coil, and the two from opposite sides of the same, either as terminals
to engage with some other spindle, or as a stretch, or connecting link, reaching to
another tubular coil of the system.
It is essential that more than one turn of the wire shall be used, and that there
shall be intermediate spirals removed somewhat from immediate proximity to the
terminals or stretches, to get the resilient action, which is solely derived from the
expansion and contraction of the intermediate spirals, when the whole tube is set
in motion by the vibration of the terminals, or stretches, at the ends.
By the tubular formation of each spring, wherein spirals act together, the
resilient action is so distributed that crystalization, always fatal to a continuously
vibrating single spring, is eradicated, and an enduring permanency secured.
The construction shown in Figures 1 and 4, is given as illustrating the principle
governing the action of the tubular coils, with their terminals, but is not considered
the preferable manner of constructing the wheel centre; the after figures represent
a more complete and enduring construction.
Another essential element in the system being the formation of elbows located
in the continuity between the tubular spirals upon the spindles of the axle-hub.
and the tubular spirals upon spindles of the spoke-nave, the elbows being formed
by tubular spirals corresponding with those before mentioned and arranged upon
free intermediate spindles, that is to say, upon spindles disconnected from both
axle-hub and spoke-nave. They also may be formed by arcs of more than half a
circle, which extend beyond the peripheral edge of the spoke-nave to such distance
as will cause the spindles of the spoke-nave to hang therein, and thereby become
suspended essentially from arms beyond their circle. Any are located within the
periphery of the spoke-nave, would be inoperative in respect to the results herein
attained.
It is essential that when arcs are used as shown, that the same tubular formation
of spirals be used, as their foundation, to successfully obtain the requisite
resiliency.
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:-
First: A wheel for bicycles and other vehicles, in which resiliency is derived
from spirally coiled springs having terminals extending tangently to the circular
curve of the spiral adapted for vibration, essentially as set forth.
Second: A wheel for bicycles and other vehicles, deriving elasticity and
resiliency from spirally coiled springs arranged parallel with the axle of the

page_text: vehicle and connected with other springs, also spirally coiled, essentially as
set forth.
Third: A wheel for bicycles and other vehicles, in which coiled springs arranged
transversely to the plane of the wheel and linked together unitedly, serve to provide
elasticity and resiliency in the wheel, essentially as set forth.
Fourth A wheel for bicycles and other vehicles, in which resiliency is derived
from series of coiled springs encircling cross-rods, or spindles, extending parallel
to the axle-hub of the wheel between flanges thereof, and engaging with a special
spoke-nave, essentially as set forth.
Fifth In a wheel for bicycles and other vehicles, the combination consisting of,
First: an axle-hub having end flanges between which extend spindles encircled
by coiled springs, Second: a special spoke-nave provided with spindles encircled
by coiled springs, and Third: certain intermediate spindles encircled by coiled
springs, all the springs upon the spindles connected together essentially as set
forth.
Sixth: A wheel for bicycles and other vehicles in which an axle-hub is resiliently
suspended within an encircling spoke-nave by sets of coiled springs with the
springs of each set all connected together essentially as set forth.
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.