An Improved Method of Fixing Wheels to Axles of Light Vehicles.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd July, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 27th Oct., 1894-Accepted, 1st Dec., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Fixing Wheels to Axles of Light Vehicles.
We, HENRY COWTAN and CHARLES EDWARD COWTAN of 84 Aldenham
Street London N.W., Smiths, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
This invention refers especially to the wheels and axles of perambulators mail
carts, invalid chairs and other light vehicles, but is applicable with modifications to
wheels and axles generally.
On one side of the axle a cone shaped shoulder or bearing is formed which
engages with a corresponding recess on the end of the hub of the wheel. The
other end of the axle terminates in a screw over which a loose cone is slipped to
engage the corresponding recess in the other end of the hub.
The outward face of this loose cone is bored with holes or cut ratchet fashion or
grooved. A nut screws down against this face of the cone to hold it in position
against the hub, which is so fitted as not to turn on the axle. In this nut a hole is
drilled, inside which is a pin and spring so contrived as to press the end of the pin
against the outer face of the cone and cause it to engage with the holes steps or
grooves therein. On the outside of the nut, the said pin terminates in a button or
ring head so that it can be withdrawn when it is desired to unscrew the nut.
When the wheel is placed on the axle and the loose cone slipped over the screwed
end of same, the nut is screwed on against the cone and holds it in position against
the hub. The spring action pin engaging with the indentations on the outer face of
the loose cone, prevents the nut from becoming unscrewed, and should the wheel
become loose from wear, it is only necessary to screw up the nut a half turn or a
turn, to tighten it again.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, E.C., Agent for Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Fixing Wheels to Axles of Light Vehicles.
We, HENRY COWTAN and CHARLES EDWARD COWTAN of 84 Aldenham
Street London, N.W., Smiths, 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 is designed to supply a simple means of securing the wheels of
light vehicles to their axles, while allowing them to be easily tightened when
become slack or loose from wear. It refers especially to wire wheels such as are
used for perambulators mail carts, invalid chairs and the like, but is applicable
with modifications to wheels and axles generally.
On one side of the axle a cone shaped shoulder or bearing is formed which
engages with a corresponding recess in the other end of the hub.
The outward face of this loose cone is bored with holes or cut ratchet fashion or
grooved. A nut screws down against this face of the cone to hold it in position
against the hub, which cone is so fitted as not to turn on the axle.
In this nut a
hole is drilled, inside which is a pin and spring so contrived as to press the end of
the pin against the outer face of the cone and cause it to engage with the holes,

page_text: steps, or grooves therein. On the outside of the nut, the said pin terminates in a
button or ring head so that it can be withdrawn when it is desired to unscrew
the nut.
We will now describe the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which,
Fig. 1 shows a side elevation of an axle fitted with my lock-nut.
Fig. 2 shows an end elevation of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 shows an enlarged side elevation of the end of an axle with a loose cone b,
shewing details of the method of locking, the nut being in section.
Fig. 4 shews an end view of the ratchet-faced cone-end, detached.
a, is the axle. b, is a loose cone or end piece which is made to slide off and on
over the screwed end c. This cone (as shewn in Fig. 4) is flattened on one side
of its internal bore, to prevent it turning.
The screw c, is of course flattened also on one side to accommodate the
cone b.
Ratchet teeth d, are cut on the external face of the cone b.
C,
is
a projecting screw on the end of the axle which receives the nut e.
d, d, are ratchet teeth which engage with the spring detent (Fig. 3).
e, is the nut with a hole g cut in one side to admit the spring detent /.
(Fig. 3) is a spring detent with bevelled end 2 engaging with the ratchet
teeth d, and preventing the nut from working loose.
, is a squared end on one end of spindle f, at the other end of which the
bevelled end f³, is formed. The squared end f¹, prevents the detent turning when
in action.
3, is a small stud or ring placed on the outer end of the spindle f, preferably a
disc projecting over the edge of the nut, for withdrawing the detent from contact
with the ratchet teeth when it is necessary to unscrew the nut.
is
2, 18
a small hole cut in the nut e, and which contains the locking mechanism f.
his a recoil spring, placed around the spindle ; for keeping the detent
constantly engaged with the ratchet teeth.
It will be understood that when the wheel is placed on the axle and the loose
cone slipped over the screwed end of same, the nut is screwed on against the cone
and holds it in position against the hub. The spring action pin engaging with the
indentations on the outer face of the loose cone, prevents the nut from becoming
unscrewed, and should the wheel become loose from wear, it is only necessary to
screw up the nut a half turn or a turn to tighten it again.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. A hub with coned recesses on each side, one of which engages with a cone
shaped shoulder on the axle, and the other with a loose cone slipped over the end
of axle, and held in place by a nut, said nut holding a spring detent or pin engaging
with ratchet teeth, grooves or holes, in outer end of said cone.
2. In an axle or for like purposes, a nut having a hole in which works a spring
detent for engaging with teeth, grooves, or holes formed in the face against which
said nut is screwed.
Dated this 26th day of October 1891
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, E.C., Agent for Applicants.