Improvements in Pneumatic Hubs for Vehicle Wheels.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Dec., 1898- Accepted, 11th Feb.,
1899
1
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pneumatic Hubs for Vehicle Wheels.
We, EDWARD CURRAN SMITH, Electrical Engineer, of 4, Washington Avenue,
and CHARLES WILKIN JEFFERSON, Electrical Engineer, of 48, Washington Avenue,
both of Schenectady, New York, United States of America, 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 an improvement in pneumatic hubs for vehicle wheels,
and the object thereof is to provide a simple and effective device which shall
take up the vibration caused by the rolling of the wheel over inequalities of the
ground and preventing the transmission of the vibration to the frame of the
vehicle through the medium of the axle.
The invention consists primarily in the employment of a series of pneumatic.
spheres arranged concentrically with the wheel hub and adapted to be inde-
pendently inflated.
The invention will be hereinafter fully described and specifically set forth in the
annexed claims.
In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1
is a side elevation of the device in position in the type of wheel usually em-
ployed in bicycle or other light vehicles. Figure 2 is a sectional view of the
hub unon an enlarged scale and upon the line - of Figure 3. Figure 3
is a side elevation of the same.
In applying our invention, we employ a shell A, which in the case of a
bicycle wheel, would be fitted with the usual ball bearings in the interior thereof
at each end, but if employed on a heavier vehicle, the axle would project through
said shell and means for lubricating the same would be provided.
A thread a is formed upon the periphery of said shell and upon said thread
are screwed the retaining plates B, B. The said retaining pilates may be keyed
or otherwise fastened to said shell in place of being screwed on if desired, but
the thread is at this time preferred. Said plates are provided with a series of
projections equal in number to the number of pneumatic spheres employed in
the device. Said projections are enlarged at their free ends and have suitable
holes cut therein, adapted to receive the pneumatic spheres C. Said spheres
are preferably constructed of rubber and have a series of spurs c arranged in
parallel lines upon the exterior thereof. These spurs may be dispensed with
if so desired and annular ribs employed in their place. Each of the spheres C
is provided with a suitable valve of the ordinary type, by means of which they
may be inflated and deflated.
A collar D provided with a series of angular projections & surrounds the
shell A between the retaining plates B B and is provided with a hole d¹ suffi-
ciently large to allow said collar to play freely in any direction on the
shell A.
At the point opposite the angular portion thereof, said collar contacts with
:

page_text: ⋅
the sphere retained between the plates B, B. A band d³ formed integrally with
said collar surrounds the central portion of the sphere. A space is left between
the retaining plates B and the collar. D of sufficient width to accommodate the
spurs of the pneumatic sphere C.
The
Plates EE which are preferably of angular form surround the shell A on
the outer sides of the retaining plates B, B, sufficient space being left between said
retaining plates B B and the plates EE to allow free play of the parts.
plates EE have a hole centrally located therein of sufficient diameter to allow
free play of the same in any direction on the shell A.
The plates E have a series of spurs el projected therefrom. Said spurs are
provided with suitable holes through which the screws FF are adapted to pass
and thread into the angular portion of the collar 1), thereby binding the plates E
rigidly to the collar D.
Spokes GG may be attached to the plates E in any approved manner,
spokes being adapted to support the rim H.
said
of
A cushioned tire J, preferably of rubber, may be affixed to said rim H.
In operation, the spheres are deflated and inserted through the holes
the plate B into position and then inflated. In case of accident by means of
which one of the spheres becomes disabled, it may be readily taken out when deflated
and a new one inserted in its place. When strain is brought upon the vehicle,
it will readily be seen that the weight will be carried upp the retaining
plates B, B. The tire rests upon the ground and through the medium of the
rim, the spokes and the plates EE which are screwed fixedly to the collar D,
which in turn rests upon the pneumatic spheres supported by the retaining
plates B, B, and is supported thereby. The projecting spurs c c in the channels
between the retaining plates and the collar prevent the spheres from being dis-
placed.
As the vehicle passes over the ground and meets inequalities therein, the wheel
with the plate C and the collar D will accommodate themselves to the road over
which they are travelling, for instance, when the wheel meets an obstruction
and is lifted suddenly, it will be found that the collar D rigidly fixed to the
wheel members will compress two or more of the spheres when imparting their
own motion to that of the shell A. As soon as the obstruction is passed, the
air within the spheres will return the various members of the device to their
normal position and this action will continue indefinitely as long as the spheres
are kept full of air under pressure.
The weight is not, however, all thrown upon one or two of the spheres but
is distributed equally along them and the strain of shock is taken up by all
in the same manner.
Any number of spheres may be employed and they may be separated widely,
as shown in Fig. 1 or located more closely, as shown in Fig. 3 as may be pre-
ferred. Their form may be changed without departing from the spirit of our
invention and the plates E may be formed in any manner desired to support the
spokes.
Should it be desired, a rubber buffer in ring form may be inserted in the
interior channel d' of the collar D to prevent contact between the inner periphery
of said collar and the shell A in the event of an unusually heavy shock, but
it is not considered necessary for ordinary use in light vehicles.
Manifestly, any form of journal or axle may be employed in place of the
shell A and the wheel may or may not be provided with a cushioned tire of rubber 5
or similar material.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:
1. In a vehicle wheel, the combination of a rim and tire therefor, a series of 5
spokes fixed to said rim and fixed to a hub, said hub being carried

page_text: of flexible spheres, said spheres being rigidly supported from the axle and
adapted to take up the shock caused by the rolling of the wheel over an uneven
surface, substantially as shown and described.
2. In a vehicle wheel, the combination with the rim and spokes, of a hub
fixed to said spokes, said hub being provided with a hole therethrough of a
sufficient diameter to permit free action around the axle, an inner hub or shell
adapted to revolve upon said axle, a support fixed to said shell and carrying
a series of inflatable spheres, said hub being fixed to a collar surrounding said
shell concentrically, said collar adapted for contact with said inflatable spheres,
and means for retaining said spheres in position, substantially as shown and
described.
3. In a vehicle wheel, the combination of a shell adapted to revolve upon an
axle, retaining plates fixed thereto and provided with suitable holes therein to
receive inflatable spheres, a series of inflatable spheres carried between said re-
taining plates, said spheres being provided with a series of projecting spurs
adapted to prevent displacement of said spheres, a loose collar arranged between
said retaining plates and concentrically with the shell and adapted for contact
with the said spheres, said collar being provided with a series of angular pro-
jections, hubs or plates fixed to said projections and adapted to support the
rim and tire of the wheel, through the medium of a series of spokes, sub-
stantially as shown and described.
Dated this 12th day of December 1898.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents