Improved Means for Securing and Adjusting Wheel Spokes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Feb., 1897-Accepted, 17th Apr., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Securing and Adjusting Wheel Spokes.
We,
CHARLES JEFFERSON CURRY of 327 Simonton Street, Key West,
Munroe Co. Florida U.S.A. Merchant and CORNELIUS FRANKLIN KEMP, of
528 Simonton Street, Key West, Munroe Co. Florida U.S.A. Dentist, 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 certain new and useful improvements in spoke sockets
and adjusters.
The object of the invention is to provide a spoke socket, simple, cheap and
durable of construction, easy of adjustment and composed of a minimum number
of parts.
A further object of the invention is to provide means for quickly and accurately
adjusting a loose spoke or replacing a broken one.
It is well known that a loose or broken spoke is often the cause of very
serious injury to a wheel and most especially to a bicycle wheel, which is likely
to become sprung and interfere with the frame or other parts of the machine.
A further object of the invention is to provide a threadless spoke, thus retaining
its original strength throughout its entire length and preventing weakening by
threading. The smooth spoke obviates the disadvantages, labor and loss of time
caused by corroded threads.
A further object of the invention is the provision of a spoke that may be easily
adjusted without removing the wheel or tyre.
The invention consists in certain novel features of construction and in com-
binations of parts more fully described hereinafter and particularly pointed out in
the claims.
Referring to the accompanying drawings;
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of a portion of a wheel, my invention applied.
Fig. 2 is a cross section thereof.
Fig. 3 is a detail view of the socket, the several parts separated.
Figs. 4 and 5 show different designs of spokes.
Fig. 6 shows a hub of a wheel adapted to be used with the spoke shown in
Fig. 4 and,
Fig. 7 shows a hub adapted to be used in connection with spoke shown in
Fig. 5.
In the drawings a, is the rim or felly of a wheel and b, its hub carrying
spokes c, secured in the rim a, by means of the improved socket d, this socket is
provided with a screw threaded sleeve e, having the flange f, countersunk in the outer
periphery of the rim or felly of the wheel.
e,
The sleeve is split at its inner end to form ears or projections g, adapted to be
bent over a washer h, on the inner periphery of the wheel, the free ends of the
ears g, passing over the washer h, hold the sleeve securely in the rim.
The spoke is provided at its outer end with the head i, adapted to snugly rest
in the seat j, of the split or sectional screw threaded collar k.
The collar k, is squared at its inner end to provide a hold for a wrench or the
like so that it may be securely and suitably adjusted in the sleeve e.
The washer h, is preferably flat on the side next the rim and shaped to fit snugly
to the same.

page_text: The spoke shown in Fig. 4 has a head on its inner end, and is bent to register
with the slots or openings 1, of the hub 6, (Fig. 6) and is adapted to be adjusted in
Enid slots or openings . These openings are peculiarly formed to receive the heads
of the spokes and securely hold the same in the proper position.
The spoke shown in Fig. 5 is formed straight with a head on its inner end
and is adapted to be held in the slots in the outer periphery of the hub shown in
Fig. 7.
When a steel rim is used the washer 7, is made of greater thickness in order to
maintain the length of the sleeve e.
When it is desired to put in a new spoke, the head of the spoke is inserted in
the enlarged portion of the slots or openings 1, of the hub, the sections of the
collar k, are then placed around the spoke, the head of which snugly fits in the
seat, of said collar.
The collar is then screwed into the sleeve e, carrying the spoke into said collar
until it has reached its proper position in the hub and is made taut from hub to rim.
When the spoke has been properly adjusted, the outer head of which snugly
fitting in the seat of the sectional collar and screwed into the sleeve it will be
seen that a tight joint is produced preventing cement or the like from leaking in
around the spoke.
The simplicity of this construction is obvious, the parts may be adjusted by any
novice, no knowledge of mechanics being necessary.
It is evident that many slight changes might be made in the forms, construction
and arrangement of the parts described without departing from the spirit and scope
of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. A spoke adjuster or socket comprising a sleeve, a headed spoke, a collar
carrying said spoke and adapted to be securely held in said sleeve substantially as
described.
2. A spoke socket comprising a sleeve, a headed spoke, a collar made in
sections carrying said spoke and adapted to screw into said sleeve as set forth.
3. In a spoke socket the combination of a sleeve a flange on said sleeve, a collar
made in sections carrying a spoke and adapted to be held in said sleeve substantially
as described.
4. A spoke socket comprising a sleeve inserted in the rin of a wheel, a flange at
its outer end countersunk in the outer periphery of the rim, ears at its inner end
adapted to turn back over a washer on the inner periphery of said rim as set forth
and a sectional collar carrying a spoke said collar secured in said sleeve for the
purpose specified.
5. A spoke securing device for wheel consisting of a rim or felly having sockets
therein, a hub having slots or openings as shown, spokes having heads at both ends,
and means for adjusting said spokes substantially as described.
6. A spoke securing device for wheels comprising a rim or felly carrying sockets,
a hub having slots or openings, spokes headed at both ends and means for adjusting
said spokes consisting of sleeve e, washer h, and a sectional collar secured in the
sleeve for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 2-1 1
T
1005
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicants.