Improvements in the Bearings of Cycles and other Road Vehicles.
Year: 1895

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Bearings of Cycles and other Road Vehicles.
We, THOMAS BIRCH, Manufacturer, and GEORGE GIBSON Engineer, both of
Low Hall Mills, Holbeck, Leeds, in the County of Yorkshire, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to new or improved methods of construction in ball
bearings for cycles or other road vehicles. In making a hub for cycles according
to Patent No. 12969 of 1894, instead of making female cone with fixed shoulder
to lock against chain wheel; we fit a locking ring or nut similar to cone on
adjusting side; which jams against chain wheel of hub locking cone itself and
chain wheel to main body of hub. In addition we also make it so that it jams
against a collar, or end of screw, on inside of hub thus obtaining an additional
means of locking cone and keeping it in its place when running. It is usual in
this style of hub to adjust from both sides but by our making and guaging sizes
correctly, we adjust from one side only. The cone on chain wheel side after being
first placed in position is firmly locked permanently in its place. When making
this hub from tube, we take two pieces of tube one of which telescopes finely
into the other. On the outside piece we make collars into which we cut button-
holes for reception of spokes; also fixing chain wheel to this part. On the inside
of other piece we fit female cones the lock nuts on which firmly clamp the whole
On this we fix
together. By another method we use only one piece of tube.
collars for holding the spokes; by screwing with threads in opposition to each
other, against shoulders cut on tube, or by, any other mechanical equivalent. In
making spindles for our hubs these are also tubular and we form collars out of
tube itself, or we fix hardened steel collars so as to form the ball bearing. These
hollow spindles are clamped between forks by soft metal spindles which go through
and engage forks on both sides of frame. By this means we obtain a soft core to
take up strains and a hardened surface to take wear of bearing itself. The wheels
can also be taken from between forks by loosening only one nut, and without
baving to loosen chain. This part of our invention is also applicable to crank
bracket spindles of cycles; also axles of other road vehicles.
Dated this 8th day of October 1895.
THOMAS BIRCH.
GEORGE GIBSON.
Improvements in THE DOE
We, THOMAS BIRCH, Manufacturer, and GEORGE GIBSON, Engineer, both of
Low Hall Mills, Holbeck, Leeds, in the County of Yorkshire, 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 :-
Our invention relates to improvements in the bearings of cycles and other road
vehicles, and has reference particularly to the invention described and claimed in
Patent No. 12 969 of 1894.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1, is a sectional view showing our improvements as applied.to the ordinary
hub of a cycle wheel.
Fig. 2, is a plan.
Figs. 3, and 4, are detail views.
Fig. 5, is a section showing our invention as applied to vehicles.
According to our improvements instead of making the cones with a fixed
shoulder, to lock against the chain wheel, we employ rings A, which jam against
the chain wheel C, locking the cone B and chain wheel C to the main body of the
hub D.
Also we may make the said cones B so that they jam against a collar or
shoulder E, thus obtaining an additional means of locking the cones B and
keeping them in their place when rotating.
Hitherto in this class of hub, the
cones have been adjusted from both sides of the hub, but according to our
invention the cones are preferably adjusted from one side only of the hub.
The jamming rings A are serrated or notched on their faces or have projections
which come in contact with the ends of the hub, which ends are also corre-
spondingly serrated or notched (they do not screw upon the cones). This is shown
in the enlarged detail view, Fig. 3. Care further locking nuts for the rings A.
By means of the rings or washers A and lock nuts C¹ which screw upon the cones
we obtain a positive locking arrangement.
The cones B have pieces B' taken off them so as to hold the rings A and prevent
them turning.
The rings A having lips or extensions B2 for engaging thereon, as shown in
Fig. 4.
The cone B on the chain wheel C side of the hub D when placed in position
may be firmly locked permanently in its place. The cones B may have right and
left hand threads respectively, or ordinary threads, as desired.
The spindle G is made hollow or tubular, and has collars H thereon which may
be formed on the spindle itself, or we fix hardened steel collars on the spindle so as
to form a bearing for the balls.
The said hollow spindle G is clamped or held in position between the forks of
the wheel by a soft metal spindle or core J which passes through the hollow
spindle G and engages the forks on both sides of the frame.
By this means we obtain a soft core J to take up strains, and a hardened
Furface H to take wear off the bearing itself. The said spindle or core J and
hollow spindle G form the axis for the hub to turn on.
The wheels can be taken from between the forks by loosening only one nut and
without having to loosen the driving chain. The said nut fits on the screwed
end K of the core or spindle J, the other end of the core or spindle J having a
head L formed thereon."
We would have it understood, that although we have only shown our invention
applied to a cycle wheel hub, that it is also applicable to bracket spindles of cycles,
and pedals of cycles. We have also shown our invention applied to axles of other
road vehicles, see Fig. 5.
In Fig. 5, a central shoulder M is provided on the hardened collars H with
balls and cones on each side. The cones screw into the hub of the wheel and are
secured by locknuts as usual. This arrangement is specially adapted for vehicles,
such as trams, buses, railway waggons or carriages, and the like.
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. In a bearing for cycles and other vehicles, the combination of the locking
rings A arranged in the manner and for the purposes. substantially as set forth.

page_text: 2. In a bearing for cycles and other vehicles, the combination of the locking
rings A and C arranged in the manner and for the purposes, substantially as set
forth.
3. In a bearing for cycles and other vehicles, the use of jamming rings and nuts
engaging with the hub, such as shown and described.
4. In a bearing for cycles and other vehicles, the combination or use of a hollow
spindle G arranged in the manner and for the purposes set forth.
5. In a bearing for cycles and other vehicles, the combination of the hollow
spindle and core or spindle J arranged in the manner and for the purposes,
substantially as set forth.
6. In a bearing for vehicles, the combination of a hollow or tubular spindle G
having collars H with central shoulders M with balls and cones B on each side,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
7. The combination of parts forming our invention for improvements in bearings
for cycles and other road vehicles, such as shown and described.
Dated this to may or may
JOHN E. WALSH,
Royal Exchange Chambers, Boar Lane, Leeds,
Patent Agent to the Applicants.