An Improved Spring Wheel for Vehicles of All Kinds.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Nov., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Aug., 1893-Accepted, 9th Sept., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Spring Wheel for Vehicles of All Kinds.
I ALBERT EDGARD LEJEUNE of 21 Boulevard Poissonnière, Paris, France,
Maker of Velocipedes, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to a system of wheel for vehicles of all kinds, but more
particularly applicable to velocipedes.
This wheel is a spring wheel, that is to say carrying springs introduced between
the felloe and the nave, so as to deaden the shocks produced upon the felloe by the
roughness of the roads and transmitted thereby to the body carried.
This wheel is composed of a felloe of metal or of wood and the transverse section
of which varies accordingly as it may or may not be intended to furnish it with a
metallic or an elastic tire. Springs in suitable number, but preferably in even
number are fixed on the inner face of this felloe, by means of screws or bolts,
either directly, or, which is preferable with insertion between the felloe and the
springs of a shoulder, of suitable section, preventing any displacement of the springs
in a transverse direction to the plane of the wheel.
These springs are composed of one or of several plates of metal, arranged like
those of ordinary carriage springs. They are simple or doubled. When several
plates are used the main plate may be placed on the inner or outer face of the
spring; or even, which is better, within or in the middle of the other plates. The
section, both longitudinal and transversal of the plates may take the form of any
kind of curve.
The plates may be solid or hollow. The most simple arrangement
consists in adopting solid plates of rectangular section curved in segment of a
circle. The plates are fastened together by means of studs which compel them to
work together while leaving them a relative mobility.
The free ends of each spring carry cross ties or pins to which are attached either
directly or by the aid of a joint, spokes of metal or of wood which unite them to
the nave.
It is desirable to cause the end of the spring to bear upon a small
tubular cross-piece which covers the cross-piece to which the spokes are attached.
The spokes are double or single for each end of the spring and are attached
to the nave either directly, or tangentially. They may be solid or hollow,
cylindrical or parabolic.
In certain cases it may be useful to protect against the introduction of foreign
bodies the space comprised between the inner face of the felloe and the external
face of the spring, by a band or rim of metal or any other suitable material,
forming flange on the felloe, and fitted upon its two lateral faces or sectionally,
or of one piece with it.
In conclusion it will be understood that my wheel may be made of any size and
using any constitutive materials for the manufacture of its essential parts.
Dated this Second day of November 1892.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Spring Wheel for Vehicles of All Kinds..
I, ALBERT EDGARD LEJEUNE, of 21 Boulevard Poissonnière, Paris, in the
Republic of France, Maker of Velocipedes, 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 an improved spring wheel for velocipedes and other
vehicles, and consists in a wheel constructed with springs introduced between the
felloe and the nave for the purpose of diminishing the shock or vibration caused to
the parts of the wheel in travelling over uneven roads.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood reference is had to the
accompanying sheet of drawings on which :-
Figure 1 is a side elevation of one of my spring. wheels, and Figure 2 is a
transverse section thereof.
The spring wheel is composed of a felloe A either of metal or of wood, which
may or may not be constructed to receive a metal or an elastic tyre. Upon the
inner face of this felloe A are fixed springs B in suitable number, but preferably
in even number, by means of screws or bolts, either directly, or which is preferable,
with the insertion between the felloe and the springs of a saddle-piece a, of suitable
section designed to prevent any displacement of the springs in a direction trans-
verse to the plane of the wheel. These springs are composed of one or of several
flat plates of metal arranged like those of ordinary carriage springs. They may be
either simple or laminated. When several plates are used the main plate may be
placed on either the inner or the outer face of the spring, or which is better
in the middle of the other plates. The section both longitudinal and transversal
of the plates, may take the form of any kind of curve, and the plates may be
either solid or hollow. The most simple arrangement consists in adopting solid
plates of rectangular section curved in segment of a circle, and fastened together
by means of studs which extend through slots formed in the plates, so as to
permit of a longitudinal movement only.
The free ends of each spring carry cross-studs or pins b, to which are attached
either directly or by means of a joint, spokes C of metal or of wood which unite
them to the nave D. The cross-studs are preferably enclosed within a metal
sleeve or bush b¹.
The spokes which are double or single for each end of the spring are
attached to the nave D either directly or tangentially, and may be solid or hollow,
cylindrical or parabolic.
In order to protect against the introduction of foreign bodies the space comprised
between the inner face of the felloe A and the external face of the spring B,
I provide a band or rim of metal or other suitable material forming a flange on the
felloe, and fitted upon its two lateral faces, or sectionally, or of one piece with it.
In conclusion it will be understood that my wheel may be made of any size, and of
any constitutive materials for its essential parts.
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 spring wheel for a velocipede or other vehicle in which the felloe or tyre A,
is supported upon a number of springs B, attached to the outer ends of the spokes C,
the inner ends of the spokes being secured to the nave or hub D, either directly or
tangentially, substantially as shewn and described upon the accompanying sheet of
drawings.
2. A spring wheel for a velocipede or other vehicle, in which the felloe or tyre A
is supported upon a number of springs B, composed of one or more steel plates

page_text: arranged on one or both sides of a main plate, secured to the outer ends of the
spokes C, which may be arranged centrally or on either side of the spring.
3. In a spring wheel for a velocipede or other vehicle the method of securing the
springs B on to the inner face of the rim or felloe A by means of the flanged saddle-
piece a, substantially as shewn and described on the accompanying sheet of
drawings. And
4. In a spring wheel in which the felloe or tyre A is supported upon a number
of flat or laminated springs B, the use of flanges carried by or formed on the tyre
or the springs, and serving to enclose or partly enclose, the springs and felloe
substantially as described.
Dated this Second day of A vorst 1002