Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 23rd Feb., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Nov., 1897-Accepted, 22nd Jan.,
1898
I, EUGENE GERMAINE, of 52, Rue Saint Maur, Paris, in the Republic of France,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
My invention relates to an improved hub for the wheels of velocipedes and other
vehicles.
In order that the invention may be properly understood I have represented the
same by way of example in the accompanying drawing, in which
Figure shows a longitudinal vertical section of the whole of my improved hub in
its application to the front wheel of a velocipede.
Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line 1-2 of Figure 1.
Figure 3 shows apart the interior front view of one of the regulating cones.
Figure 4 shows a longitudinal vertical section of the whole of my improved hub in
its application to the rear wheel of a velocipede.
Figure 5 is a transverse vertical section of the same taken on the line 3-4 of
Figure 4 and
Figure 6 is an end view showing the mounting of the eccentrics upon the cones
for effecting the tension of the chain.
In these figures the same letters of reference designate the same parts.
As shown in the drawing, the axle a is screw threaded at its two extremities and
the two threads are in opposite directions. One of the extremities has a slit or a
square for the operation by means of a screw driver or a screw wrench for effecting
the regulation. Upon this axle are screwed the two cones c which carry the front
fork & held by nuts e baving a shoulder.
This axle traverses the hub proper f presenting at its extremities parts screw
threaded in opposite directions for receiving the covering plates g.
In order to prevent the cones being unscrewed in consequence of the vibrations
during the rolling movement of the wheel the axle a carries upon a portion of its
length a tenon h engaging with the slits in the rings i.
These rings i carry each a flange k, and a spring bears constantly against these
flanges.

page_text: Between each of the flanges k and the cut face m of the cones c is placed a
washer o of leather, rubber or any other material.
The balls p are placed between the cones c and the plates g.
In the application of my improved hub to the rear wheel of a velocipede as shown
in Figures 4, 5 and 6 the axle a carries a spring strip q provided in the prolongation ?
of the cones upon which are screwed and fixed by a screws the eccentrics t placed
in the hinged collars u forming one part with the rear fork v.
These prolongations are formed of two half-cylindrical portions adapted to slide
one upon the other. Upon one of the sides of the hub f is screwed the pinion x held
by a disc y.
It will be easily understood that when turning the axle a the regulation of the
hub will be obtained by the simultaneous displacement of the cones in such a
manner that, their displacement being always equal and in opposite directions, the
regulation is very rapid and the centre of the hub always remains in the axis of the
forks.
When the regulation is effected the axle is rendered immovable by the action
of the spring which prevents the cones either returning to the front or to the rear.
As a matter of course the rear hub may be provided with the same spring
arrangement as the front hub herein before described.
The regulation of the tension of the chain is obtained by the simultaneous
displacement of the eccentrics mounted upon the cones.
This simultaneous displacement is effected by the operation of one of the eccentrics
after having loosened the collars; when the regulation has once been obtained the
eccentrics are held in their place by the tightening of the collars.
It will be understood that my improved hub, enabling the regulation and the
tension of the chain to be accomplished without the aid of any nut, may be applied
together or separately to hubs of any kind in velocipedes or other vehicles.
Dated this 23rd day of February 1807

page_text: Figure 4 shews a longitudinal vertical section of the whole of my improved hub as
applied to the rear wheel of a velocipede.
Figure 5 is a transverse vertical section of the same taken on the line 3-4 of
Figure 4, and
Figure 6 is an end view shewing the mounting of the eccentrics upon the cones
for effecting the tension of the chain.
In these figures the same letters of reference designate the same parts.
As shewn in the drawing, the axle a is screw-threaded at its two extremities and the
threads of the two threaded portions are in opposite directions. One of the extremi-
ties has a slit b or a square for the operation by means of a screw driver or a screw
wrench for effecting the regulation. Upon this axle are screwed the two cones c which
carry the front fork d held by nuts e against a shoulder.
This axle traverses the hub proper presenting at its extremities parts screw-
threaded in opposite directions for receiving the covering plates or ball races g.
In order to prevent the cones being unscrewed in consequence of the vibrations
during the rolling movement of the wheel the axle a carries upon a portion of its length
a tenon h engaging with the slits in the rings i.
These rings carry each a flange k, and a spring bears constantly against these
flanges.
Between each of the flanges and the cut face m of the cones c is placed a washer o
of leather, rubber or any other material.
The balls p are placed between the cones c and the plates y.
In the application of my improved hub to the rear wheel of a velocipede as shewn
in Figures 4, 5, and 6 the axle a carries a spring strip q provided in the prolongation r
of the cones upon which are screwed and fixed by a screws the eccentrics placed in
the hinged collars u forming one part with the rear fork v.
These prolongations are formed of two half-cylindrical portions adapted to slide one
upon the other.
Upon one of the sides of the hub f is screwed the pinion x held by
a disc y.
It will be easily understood that when turning the axle a the regulation of the hub
will be obtained by the simultaneous displacement of the cones in such a manner that
their displacement being always equal and in opposite directions, the regulation is
very rapid and the centre of the hub always remains in the axis of the forks.
When the regulation is effected the axle is rendered immovable by the action of the
spring which prevents the cones either returning to the front or to the rear.
As a matter of course the rear hub may be provided with the same spring arrange-
ment as the front hub hereinbefore described.
The regulation of the tension of the chain is obtained by the simultaneous
displacement of the eccentrics mounted upon the cones.
This simultaneous displacement is effected by the operation of one of the eccentrics
after having loosened the collars; when the regulation has once been obtained the
eccentrics are held in their place by the tightening of the collars.
It will be understood that my improved hub, enabling the regulation and the
tension of the chain to be accomplished without the aid of any nut, may be applied
together or separately to hubs of any kind in velocipedes or other vehicles.
་
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. The improvements in hubs for the wheels of velocipedes and other vehicles,
consisting in the arrangement of a spring acting upon the regulating cones so as to
prevent the hub getting out of order during the rolling movement of the wheel.
Second. The herein described improvements in hubs for the wheels of velocipedes
and the vehicles consisting in the simultaneous regulation of the tension eccentrics of
the chains by means of the displacement of the axle rigidly connected with the cones
by a spring.

page_text: Third. The improved hub for the wheels of velocipedes and other vehicles arranged
and combined as herein before set forth in principle with reference to the accompany-
ing drawing and for the purpose specified.
No. of Novambar 1907
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.