Year: 1887

page_text: I ALBERT THEOPHILUS GOODY, of 37 Ladywell Park, Lewisham, in the County of
Kent, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to the wheels of velocipedes and consists in constructing and
mounting the hubs of wheels on their axles in such a manner that the hub has a
certain amount of elasticity with respect to the axle, the object being to absorb and
suppress vibration.
The method I adopt to carry this into effect is illustrated in the accompanying
drawing in which Figure 1. is a transverse section of the hub and axle of an ordinary
bicycle constructed and arranged according to my invention. Figure 2. is a side
view of one flange of the hub showing the elastic cushion, and Figure 3. is cross
section showing the method of transmitting motion from the axle to the hub when
the wheel is a driving wheel. Although I show my invention as applied to the
driving wheel of a bicycle it will be understood that it is applicable to any and all of
the wheels of a velocipede whether driving wheels or not. The method of construction
is the same in all cases though the device for transmitting motion from the axle to the
hub will obviously not be required in non-driven wheels.
Throughout the several views similar parts are marked with like letters of
reference.
On reference to the drawing it will be seen that the hub A. of the wheel is not
fixed to the axle B. but is bored out about three eights of an inch larger in diameter
than the axle. In the flanges a. a. of the hub are formed recesses, against the inner
faces of which collars b. and 6' on the axle bear, to keep the hub in a central motion
and guide in in its movements thereon. One of the collars (6) is preferably screwed
on the axle to permit of the hub being placed in position, the other collar (b.) is
preferably formed as part of the axle. Between the peripheries of these collars b.
and 6 and the recesses formed in the flanges of the hub are placed elastic
cushions C. C. which normally keep the axle and hub concentric with each other, but
yet allow the latter to move radially with respect to the former, when the wheel meets
an obstacle on the road. These elastic cushions may be made of india-rubber-as
shown or of metal springs of any suitable construction. If they are made of rubber

page_text: they are corrugated as shown, on one or both of their vertical faces, so that although
they fit the recesses provided for them the rubber does not completely fill them,
thereby allowing room for the compression and expansion of the rubber. Suitable
plates a a¹ are screwed on to the flanges to enclose the elastic cushions. To
communicate the driving power from the axle B. to the wheel, a stud 62 or its
equivalent is screwed or otherwise fixed to the axle B. and slides freely through a
hole in the sleeve of the hub A. thus providing a driving connection between them,
and yet allowing the one to move radially with respect to the other. Instead of
having one such driving connection in the centre of the wheel, I sometimes use two,
one on each side thereof, in which case I make the studs 62 part of, or fix them to, the
collars b. and 6' and form holes or radial slots in the recesses of the flanges of the hub
to receive them.
In applying my invention to non-driven wheels or to those wheels which revolve on
stud or fixed axles, I apply my invention in a similar manner as hereinbefore set
forth, but I replace the collars b. and 6¹ by suitable bearings thereby allowing them to
revolve on the axle and still act as guides to the hub of the wheel. If the friction of
the elastic cushions is not sufficient to prevent the hub turning on the bearing cases
I form connections between them similar to the driving connection hereinbefore
referred to.
I am aware that elastic wheels have already been constructed by mounting
loose rings to receive the spokes-in the flanges of the hub, such rings being
supported by elastic cushions, but such an arrangement is found to be of no practical
use as the tension of the spokes of the wheel cause the said rings to bind in their
grooves and so become inoperative.
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:-
First Constructing the hubs of wheels for velocipedes substantially as and for
the purpose herein before set forth.
Second-Constructing the axle of velocipedes substantially as and for the purpose
herein before set forth.
Third Mounting the hubs of the wheels of velocipedes on the axles thereof in the
manner and for the purpose as hereinbefore set forth.
Fourth :—The combination with the hub of the wheel A., of the axle B. having fixed
collars 6 and 6¹ thereon, the elastic cushions C. C., the plates a¹ a¹, and the driving
stud 63, or its equivalent, all arranged and operating as set forth.
Fifth-The combination with the hub of the wheel A. of the axle B. the bearings b.
and 6 and the corrugated india-rubber cushions C. C. all arranged and operating as
set forth.
Dated this 18th day of October 1887
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, 71 & 72, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.