Metal Wheels for Bicycles, Tricycles, and other Velocipedes.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Aug., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 2nd June, 1890-Accepted, 12th July, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Metal Wheels for Bicycles, Tricycles, and other Velocipedes.
I JOSEPH HENRY BETTELEY of 42 Old Broad Street in the City of London
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
This invention consists of improvements in the construction of metal wheels for..
bicycles, tricycles and other velocipedes, with the purpose of firstly decreasing the
vibration and giving elasticity to the wheel. Secondly an improved method of
tightening the spokes.
One mode of carrying out the first part of my invention. I employ a spring or
springs of metal, india-rubber or other elastic substance in a metal hub or nave which
is constructed independently from the axle or bearing on which the wheel revolves
and is connected to the axle or bearing according to the desire to work it direct from
the axle or from the bearing. In constructing a wheel according to my invention on
the axle or on a tube in which the axle may be fixed or work loose I affix near one end
a disc and at or near the other end I screw on by preference another disc of same size
and between these discs I place a metal cylinder forming a hub of slightly smaller
diameter to which I attach the spokes and between these discs and inside the metal
cylinder forming the hub I place metallic springs or india-rubber which are compressed
in by the adjusting of the screwed disc so as to almost fill out the space between the
discs and the metal hub allowing the hub to have an elastic contact through the springs
on to the axle or bearings. The axle or tube between the discs may be round or
square and a bolt or other projection may be used to transmit the driving power from
the axle to the hub.
One mode of carrying out the second part of my invention. I make one end of the
spokes to fit into suitable slots or holes in the rim and the other into flanges or holes
in the hub and at one end of the hub the spoke connection is made to partially rotate
so that when the spokes are placed in their position the adjustable end is partially
rotated causing the spokes to be drawn tight from the outer rim and when properly
secured setting up a trussed wheel of great strength.
Dated this Treanty first day of Ammunt 1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Metal Wheels for Bicycles, Tricycles, and other Velocipedes.
JOSEPH HENRY BETTELEY 42 Old Broad Street, London, 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 :-
This invention consists of improvements in the construction of metal wheels for
bicycles, tricycles and other velocipedes with the object of firstly, decreasing the
vibration, and giving elasticity to the wheel. Secondly, of an improved method of
tightening the spokes.
According to one mode of carrying out the first part of my invention, 1 employ a
spring or springs of india-rubber, metal or other elastic or resilient substance enclosed
in a metal hub or nave, which is formed independently of the axle or bearing on which
the wheel revolves, and is connected to the axle or bearing to work it from the axle or
from the bearing as may be desired.
In constructing a wheel according to my invention, on the axle or on a tube in
which the axle may be loose or fixed, 1 secure near one end a disc, and at or near the
other end I screw on or otherwise attach by preference a similar disc, and between said
discs I place a metal cylinder forming a hub to which I attach the spokes. Between

page_text: .
the discs above referred to, and inside the cylindrical hub place indiarubber, air or
metal springs which are compressed by the adjustment of screwed discs so as to almost
fill the space between the discs and metal hub, thus allowing the hub to have an elastic
contact through the springs to the axle or bearing. The axle or tube between the
discs may be round or square, or the tube and cylindrical hub may be formed with
ribs or corrugations on their surfaces, and a bolt or other projection may be employed
to transmit the driving power from the axle to the hub.
In carrying out the second part of my invention I cause one end of the spokes to fit
into suitable slots or holes in the rim, the other ends being fitted into holes or slots
formed in the flanges of the hub, and at one end the flange is made to partially rotate on
the hub, so that when the spokes are placed in position, the adjustable end is partially
rotated, causing the spokes to be drawn tight from the outer rim, and, when these
flanges are properly secured to the hub a trussed wheel of great strength is obtained.
Referring to the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is an elevational view, partly in
section, of a hub suitable for the driving wheel of a safety bicycle. 1 is the
cylindrical hub on which the wheel is built. 2 is the spindle fixed to the framework
of the machine, and holds the wheel in position: On this are screwed or otherwise
secured adjustable cones 5 on which the bearing balls run, and forming part of the
bearing on which the wheel revolves. 3 is a hollow driving shaft, screwed at each
end and fitted with the discs 4, which latter forming part of the wheel bearing, act as
guides for the hub and prevent lateral and skew motion of the wheel. They serve
also to regulate the elasticity of the packing 6, which fills the space between the shaft 3
and hub 1. 7 is the driving pinion which forms part of or may be attached to one of
the discs or guides. The hollow shaft and hub are preferably provided with internal
webs, ribs or corrugations running longitudinally or diagonally along their surfaces,
the elastic packing by the action of the regulating discs 4 is forced into these
corrugations, or indented by the webs, ribs or corrugations, by which means the
driving motion is transmitted from the hollow driving shaft to the wheel hub.
Figure 2 represents a driving hub in which air is injected into an india-rubber or
other suitable case 6, and which can be compressed with any desired degree of force.
1 is the hub, 2 the spindle which carries the wheel upon the adjustable cones 5. 3 is
the hollow driving shaft, through which the driving motion conveyed to the wheel.
4, 4 are the guides referred to in Figure 1. 8 is a valve through which the air is
forced into the india-rubber or other suitable case 6 and fills the space between the
shaft and hub, forming an elastic air cushion instead of a solid india-rubber packing
as in the previously described case.
Figure 3 is a cross section through A B Figure 4 which shows a method of
transmitting the driving motion from the hollow shaft to the wheel, by placing strips
of elastic packing round the axle, which, with the hub, is grooved to receive them, the
tension of the packing being adjusted by screwed tapered discs. 3 is the hollow shaft
grooved longitudinally or diagonally, as may be desired, upon its outer surface. 2 is
the spindle on which the wheel revolves. 6, 6, is the elastic packing, the other details
being the same as in the beforementioned cases.
Figures 5 and 6 are views of a hub in which the driving motion is conveyed directly
from the spindle to the wheel. The hub 1 and spindle 2 have formed respectively
thereon ribs 1 and 2ª against which the elastic packing 6 is forced by the discs 4, and
transmits the driving motion from the spindle to the hub, or, in another method a
short stud 5 Figures 5 and 6 may be screwed into the disc 4 and project through an
opening in the hub flange, said opening being of such form as not to limit the elastic
motion of the hub.
Figures 7, 8 and 9 are views showing a method of building and trueing up a cycle
wheel. 1 is the cylindrical hub, 2 the flanges, on the peripheries of which are formed
slots or holes 2ª of suitable form to provide a firm and convenient holding for the
spokes. One or both of these flanges 2 is or are made to rotate on the hub, and is or
are provided with a lug or lugs, and set screw or set screws 6 to securely fix them to
the hub. When desired, the spokes, which are of uniform length, can be made double
headed, or one end may be screwed into the rim. They are threaded through holes in

page_text: the rim, the heads preventing them passing through, the other end being fixed in the
corresponding slot in the hub flinge. When the required number of spokes are fixed
in position, the flanges are partially rotated in opposite directions, equal tension being
given to every spoke, and the rim is made true. The flanges are then secure! to the
hub by the set screws above referred to or by other suitable means. A trussed wheel
of great strength, the elasticity of which can be varied as desired, is set up, the driving
motion being transmitted from the shaft 3 through the elastic packing to the hub 1 as
in the former case.
Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a hub in which the elasticity of the
packing is regulated by the tapered dises 4 working on the spindle 3. and which also
shows a method of driving through the elastic packing & by employing one or more
washers 13 having ribs formed thereon, and of preventing their rotation by feathers or
other suitable means. By the adjustment of the discs 4, the packing is forced by the
tapered cones on these discs against the ribs or into the corrugations on the inner
surface of the hub. The flanges of the discs compress the packing longitudinally
against the ribs on each side of the washer or washers, and these being prevented froin
rotating on the spindle, it will be seen that a reliable driving connection will be
ensured between the spindle and hub.
Figures 13 and 14 are detailed views of a washer 13 having the ribs 1" formed on
both of its faces, the slots 2ª Figure 14, which are formed in the boss, and into which
feathers on the spindle fit, prevent it rotating.
Figure 11 shows a hub in which is employed another form of washer, or one which
may be used in conjunction with the previously described hub Figure 10. In this
form, the washer having ribs on one side are placed in the hub 1 on the bosses of the
discs 3; the action of the discs forces the ribs into the packing, and the shaft and bub
being also provided with ribs, which are forced into the rubber, the power is transmitted
through the elastic material to the wheel hub.
Figure 12 is a plan of the washer showing the ribs 1* on its surface.
Figure 15 is a longitudinal sectional view of a hub having a spindle made in two
parts, the dises 3 forming part thereof. Each end of these spindles is screwed, and
work in a socket 4 in the centre of the hub, which socket has a collar, on the sides of
which are formed a nuniber of ribs which are forced into the packing by screwing the
two ends of the spindle into said socket, the hub being corrugated as in the
previously mentioned cases.
Referring again to Figure 10 I perforate the cylindrical hub with a number of holes
or cavities 5, through which the elastic or resilient material 6 is compressed, thus
forming a driving connection, and by means of which the motion is transmitted to
the wheel.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of iny said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
First Forming a spring of compressed air in the hub of a cycle wheel with the
object of insulating the metallic action and vibration.
Second-The mode of regulating and adjusting to any desired pressure india-rubber
or other elastic substance in the hub of a wheel by means of screwed discs working on
the axle or bearing on which the wheel revolves.
Third The placing of elastic packing either longitudinally.or diagonally round the
axle bearing either in strips or rings in such a manner as to impart elasticity to the
wheel, and by compression form a driving connection between hub and wheel as
described and shown in the drawings..
Fourth-The method of driving through the interposed elastic material by forming
corrugations or ribs on the surface of the shaft or bearing on which the wheel revolves,
the cylinder forming the hub of the wheel having also corresponding corrugations or
ribs the elastic material forming a driving connection and the ribs or corrugations
preventing any slip when power is applied.
Fifth The mode of driving by screwing a stud into the flange of the disc and

page_text: which stud projects through an engages with an opening of suitable form in the
flange of the hub.
Sixth-The employment of one or more washers having ribs formed on the faces
thereof and also on the shaft or bearing in the hub, said ribs being forced into the
packing by means of the adjustable screwed discs.
Seventh-The method of building and trueing a wheel by the partial rotation of a
flange or of flanges.
Eighth The formation of a cylindrical hub having a number of holes or cavities
formed therein into or through which the elastic material is presse: as described and
shown in Figure 10.
Dated this 28th day of May 1890.
JOSEPH HENRY BETTELEY.