IMPROVEMENTS IN CARRIAGE WHEELS AND AXLES
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Vincent Newton, of the Office for Patents,.
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical
Draughtsman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CARRIAGE
WHEELS
AND AXLES."-A communication from abroad by Robert
Winslow Davis, of Flushing, in the State of New York, and Albert
Clark Griggs and Ruth Anna Pusey, both of the City and State of
New York United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Vincent
Newton at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 10th May 1875.
I, ALFRED VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
CARRIAGE WHEELS AND AXLES," to be as follows:-
A leading object of this Invention is to combine both lightness and
neatness with strength in the wheels and axles of passenger carriages
and other wheel vehicles, including gun carriages. It also has for its

page_text: object the secure retention of the spokes of such wheels together with
increased facility of putting together and taking apart the several
portions of said wheels.
One part of the Invention consists in certain combinations of parts
making up a metallic hub, including a metal bushing entered through
the one side of the centre piece or spoke receiving portion of the hub,
and serving to support the spokes which are also of metal and enter
mortices in the centre piece, said bushing also receiving the axle box
through it.
In some cases this bushing may be dispensed with, but the description
of the Invention will here be made as including it. The one side of the
centre piece of the hub through which said bushing is introduced is
made open or cut away, and a ring which operates as an annular key is
introduced within such cutaway portion outside of or around and
beyond the bushing, and made to enter notches in the spokes for the
purpose of locking the latter in place. This spoke locking ring or key
it is preferred to divide and make elastic; the outer portions of the hub
are composed of two independent shells or hollow metal sections, fitted
to opposite sides of the centre picce of the hub, and which serve to hold
the axle box in position, also to give shape to the hub, and which may
likewise serve to retain the ring which locks the spokes in position, said
shells or sections being held up to their places by the axle box and a
screw cap or nut thereon.
Another part of the Invention relates to the spoke and felloe con-
nections of the wheels, and consists in a combination with a hollow
metal felloe or felloe sections of the spokes of the wheel, constructed
with shoulders and tongues or tenons on their outer ends, said tenons
entering within the hollow felloc, while the shoulders bear against it on
the exterior of its inner periphery, keys being inserted in the tenons
within the hollow felloe to lock or hold the spokes on the inside of the
latter. This part of the Invention also consists in a combination of
hollow interior bridges or joint pieces with the hollow felloe sections,.
the shoulders and tenons on the spokes, and the keys for locking the
spokes within the hollow felloe. These hollow bridges or joint pieces
serve to stiffen the felloe at the joints formed by the felloe sections when
used in connection with the spokes at the junction of said sections, but
they may be used in connection with the other spokes of the wheel.
The tyre of the wheel is grooved on its inner face to receive the edges

page_text: of the felloe on to which it is shrunk, and it is also provided with
annular ribs to prevent the felloe from slipping laterally.
Another part of the Invention relates to the axle for the wheels of
various kinds of wheel vehicles, and consists in an axle composed of a
metallic shell or tree piece preferably arched longitudinally to enable it
the better to sustain a downward strain, and having a concave U shaped
cross section, also end pieces or journal pieces which may be made of
round bar steel with collars, and which are secured within the ends
of the shell by brazing or otherwise, and preferably a wooden filling for
the tree piece. To more effectually retain the shell in position and to
brace it at its ends as well as to strengthen the axle generally, the collars
on the journal pieces are made with grooves, and the ends of the metallic
shell are bent to a tubular form to admit of their entering said grooves.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Alfred Vincent Newton in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 10th November 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I ALFRED
VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of May, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the
thirty-eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc.
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, Her
special licence that I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alfred
Vincent Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CARRIAGE WHEELS AND AXLES," being a
communication to me from abroad by Robert Winslow Davis, of
Flushing, in the State of New York, and Albert Clark Griggs and
Ruth Anna Pusey, both of the City and State of New York, United
States of America, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the

page_text: said Alfred Vincent Newton, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, reference being had to the Drawing
hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that
is to say) :-
A leading object of this Invention is to combine both lightness and
neatness with strength in the wheels and axles of passenger carriages,
and other wheel vehicles, including gun carriages. It has also for its
object the secure retention of the spokes of such wheels, together with
increased facility of putting together and taking apart the several
portions of said wheels.
One part of the Invention consists in certain combinations of parts
making up a metallic hub, including a metal bushing entered through
the one side of the centre piece or spoke receiving portion of the hub,
and serving to support the spokes which are also of metal, and enter
mortises in the centre piece, said bushing also receiving the axle box
through it.
In some cases this bushing may be dispensed with, but the description
of the Invention will here be made as including it. The one side of the
centre piece of the hub through which said bushing is introduced is
made open or cut away, and a ring which operates as an annular key is
introduced within such cutaway portion outside of or around and
beyond the bushing, and made to enter notches in the spokes for the
purpose of locking the latter in place. This spoke locking ring or key
it is preferred to divide and make elastic. The outer portions of the
hub are composed of two independent shells or hollow metal sections,
fitted to opposite sides of the centre piece of the hub, and which serve to
hold the axle box in position, also to give shape to the hub, and which
may likewise serve to retain the ring which locks the spokes in position,

page_text: said shells or sections being held up to their places by the axle box and
a screw cap or nut thereon.
Another part of the Invention relates to the spoke and felloe con-
nections of the wheels, and consists in a combination with a hollow
metal felloe or felloe sections of the spokes of the wheel, constructed
with shoulders and tongues or tenons on their outer ends, said tenons
entering within the hollow felloe, while the shoulders bear against it on
the exterior of its inner periphery, keys being inserted in the tenons
within the hollow felloe to lock the spokes to the felloe. This part of the
Invention also consists in a combination of hollow interior bridges or
joint pieces with the hollow felloe sections, the shoulders and tenons on
the spokes, and the keys for locking the spokes within the hollow felloe.
These hollow bridges or joint pieces serve to stiffen the felloe at the
joints formed by the felloe sections, when used in connection with the
spokes at the junction of said sections, but they may be used in con-
nection with the other spokes of the wheel.
Furthermore, the Invention, so far as it relates to the wheel consists
in a metallic wheel having its hub, spokes, felloe, and tire constructed
and combined substantially as herein-before referred to and herein-after
more fully described, the whole forming a wheel which is at once light,
symmetrical, and strong.
Another part of the Invention relates to the axle for the wheels of.
various kinds of wheel vehicles, and consists in an axle composed of a
metallic shell or tree piece preferably arched longitudinally to enable it
the better to sustain a downward strain, and having a concave U shaped
cross section, also end pieces or journal pieces which may be made of
round bar steel with collars, and which are secured within the ends of
the shell by brazing or otherwise, and preferably a wooden filling for the
tree piece all combined and arranged substantially as herein-after
described. To more effectually retain the shell in position and to brace
it at its ends as well as to strengthen the axle generally, the collars on
the journal pieces are made with grooves, and the ends of the metallic
shell are bent to a tubular form to admit of their entering the said
grooves.
Having thus specified the objects and nature of the Invention, its
description will be proceeded with in reference to the accompanying

page_text: Fig. 1 is a side view of a wheel constructed in accordance with the
Invention, and Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the same.
Fig. 3 is a partially sectional and broken side view upon a larger
scale of a portion of a wheel, felloe, and tire, with certain of the spokes
and pertaining devices, the whole being constructed and combined in 5
accordance with the Invention.
Fig. 4 is a plan of the ends of two adjacent felloe sections having the
Invention applied, the tire being removed.
Fig. 5 is a partial radial section at the line x, x, of Fig. 4, and
Fig. 6 is a similar view showing an inverted or modified arrangement of 1
the hollow bridge or joint piece within the fellow at the joint.
Fig. 7 represents a side view of the improved axle.
Fig. 8 is a view in perspective of the one end of the same before
fitting the grooved collar of the journal piece over the end of the shell,
and Fig. 9 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same after the 1
metallic shell or tree piece has been entered within the grooved collar of
the journal piece.
Fig. 10 represents a partly broken end view of a wheel hub made
according to the Invention with the back or one shell portion of the
latter removed, the axle box in section, and the spokes as inserted and 2
secured in the hub.
Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section of the hub and axle box together
with the spokes in position within the hub.
Referring in the first instance or more particularly so to the two
last-named Figures (10 and 11) of the Drawing, A represents the 2
centre piece or spoke receiving portion of the hub which is of metal, and
has radial mortises 6 in it for the reception of the spokes B. Said spokes
it is preferred to make of steel rolled to form ribs at right angles to cach
other throughout the length of the spokes, giving to the latter a cross
shape on their transverse section, and the mortises 6 in the centre piece 3
A which the spokes fit are of corresponding configuration. These
spokes butt at their inner ends against a flanged metal bushing C, which
is introduced through an enlarged opening or cutaway portion d in the
one side of the centre piece A, the entering end of said bushing being.
formed with a shoulder which rests against the inner face of the opposite 3

page_text: side of the centre piece A, and being expanded or spread outwards
within or on the outside of said side of the centre piece to hold the
bushing in place. The other side of the centre piece A through which
the bushing C projects, serves to support the spokes laterally on their
one side, while the flange or head fof the bushing support them on
their opposite side.
Furthermore, the spokes B are chamfered or bevilled at their meeting
edges around the bushing as at e, for the purpose of making them support
or steady one another. This bushing C receives the axle box D in a
tightly fitting manner through it; E is a ring or annular key which may
either be in one or several pieces, and is made to snugly fit or spring
within the inner circumferential portion of the enlarged opening d, in
the one side of the centre piece A, outside of the flanged bushing C.
This key or ring enters notches g in the adjacent edges of the spokes to
lock or hold the latter in position longitudinally; F, F, are the shells or
hollow metal sections which form the outer or end portions of the hub
or body thereof. These sections are arranged to enter annular recesses
h, h, in the sides of the centre piece A, and so that the back or either
one of them bears against the outer edge of the ring E to hold said ring
or key in place. Said back or inner one of these hollow metal sections
F is supported at its outer end by a flange i on the inner end portion of
the axle box, and fits a spline k, which prevents the axle box from
turning except in common with the hub and wheel. The other or front
hollow metal section or shell F rests against and is carried by a screw
cap or nut G, which screws on to the outer end of the axle box, and is
extended to form also a shield for the axle nut, the same serving by
screwing up to tighten up the shells which hold the axle box in position,
and give shape to the hub.
. Referring in the next instance or more particularly so to Figures 3,
4, 5, and 6 of the Drawing, by way of explaining that part of the Invention
which relates to the spoke and felloe connections of the wheel, the
hollow felloe shown in the Drawing may be made up of any number of
sections H, H, which are of metal, and of U or trough-like shape, opening
outwards. These felloe sections have the spokes connected with them
as follows:-The spokes B which it is preferred to make of steel rolled
to form ribs at right angles to each other throughout their length, giving
to the latter a cross shape in their transverse section form shoulders c, c,
on the ribs which are in a plane that intersects transversely the axis of

page_text: the wheel. These shoulders are designed to butt or bear against the
exterior of the inner periphery of the wheel. The other ribs of said
spokes are extended to form tongues or tenons 7, which pass through
slots m in the inner peripherical portion of the wheel or its felloe, and
are continued outwards (within the hollow felloe) and secured by flat
keys I passing through mortises in said tenons. Combined with this
attachment of the spokes and felloe of the wheel, especially those spokes
which unite with the wheel at the junction of the felloe sections when
the hollow felloe is constructed in sections, are hollow bridge or joint
pieces J, which not only receive the tenons 7 of the spokes within them,
and by means of suitable projections or indentations may be made to lock
or unite with said tenons, but which serve to stiffen the felloe sections
on their opposite sides at the joint, and prevent the felloe sections
from moving laterally. These hollow bridge or joint pieces J are driven
tightly to their places within the hollow felloe, and may in addition be
brazed or otherwise united with the ends of the felloe sections which
they serve to connect. Said bridge or joint pieces may either be
arranged with their closed faces innermost, and have the tenons of the
spokes project through slots in said faces, as shown in Figures 3, 4,
and 5 of the Drawing, or their closed faces may be outwardly disposed as
shewn in Fig. 6 of the Drawing. They of course are inserted and the
spokes secured to the felloe before the tire K is shrunk on the felloe.
They may only be used in connection with certain of the spokes or with
all of them. Said tire is grooved internally to receive the outer edges of
the felloe within it, and has ribs o projecting inwards to more securely
connect it with the felloe, or prevent it from slipping laterally off the
felloe. These ribs may project sufficiently to bear against the outer
faces or edges of the joint pieces J, to assist in holding the latter to their
places.
Referring in the last instance more particularly to Figures 7, 8, and 9
of the Drawing, by way of explaining that portion of the Invention
which relates to the improved axle, which latter may be fitted at each of
its opposite ends with a wheel constructed as herein-before described,
the axle represented is formed in three pieces, namely, a metallic tree
piece L, and end pieces or journal pieces M, M, besides the filling N of
wood. The tree piece L consists of a shell of spring steel of U shape in
its transverse section, which form may be given it by putting it into a
drop, and swaging or striking it up into shape. It may be made either
•

page_text: straight or slightly arched in a longitudinal direction, but preferably
arched to give it increased strength as regards the load it is designed to
carry. Each journal piece M may be of round bar steel with the journal
turned in it, and a collar shrunk or forged on it to form a shoulder at
cach end of the tree piece L for the hubs of the wheels to bear against.
These journal pieces M. are fitted snugly into the U shaped ends of the
metal tree piece L, and are united therewith by welding or brazing, but
preferably by brazing, as while sufficiently strong it is less difficult than
welding. Before uniting however the ends of the tree piece L and the
journal pieces M, the ends of the metallic shell or tree piece are turned
in so as to continue their circular form beyond the half circle for the
purpose of entering them within the grooves & in the inner faces of the
collars on the journal pieces, whereby the shell or tree piece L is
the more effectually retained in position and braced at its ends, and
the tree piece and journal pieces are more fully secured or combined,
also the axle generally improved.
The wooden filling N is shaped to fill the concavity of the tree piece,
and projects slightly above it throughout the length of the tree piece or
greater portion of the length thereof. Its ends extend to the collars on
the journal pieces L.
The object of the wood filling is to preserve the U shape of the metal
tree piece, and to give it stiffness and strength in a lateral direction.
The shape of said tree piece in its cross section and its longitudinal arch
when so bent, gives to the axle all the required strength in a vertical
direction, and the wood filling may in some cases be dispensed with.
Having now set forth the nature of the Invention of "Improvements
in Carriage Wheels and Axles," as communicated to me by my foreign
correspondents, and explained the manner of carrying the same into
effect, I wish it to be understood that under the above in part recited
Letters Patent I claim,―
First. The combination in a wheel hub of the bushing C and the
centre piece A, substantially as specified.
Second. The annular key or ring E in combination with the centro
piece A, having an opening d in its side, and the notches in the spokes
of the wheel, essentially as described.
Third. The combination of the metallic shells or hollow hub sections

page_text: F, F, with the centre piece A, the ring E, the axle box D, and the screw
cap or not G, substantially as specified.
Fourth. The combination with a hollow felloe or felloe sections H, H,
of the spokes B formed with tenons l, and shoulders c, and the keys I
for securing the spokes to or within the hollow felloe, substantially as
specified.
Fifth. The combination of the hollow bridge or joint piece J with the
hollow felloe or felloe sections H, H, the spokes B having tenons 7, and
shoulders c, and the keys I essentially as described.
Sixth. The manufacture of a metallic wheel having its hub, spokes, 1
felloe, and tire, constructed and combined, substantially as specified.
Seventh. The axle constructed substantially as described with
reference to Figures 7, 8, and 9 of the Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, the Tenth day of November, 1
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
five.