IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR TREATING WHEELS WITH OIL
Year: 1885

page_text: "
I BENJAMIN YOUNG of Milwaukee in the county of Milwaukee and the state
of Wisconsin United States, Merchant do bereby declare the nature of my inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR TREATING WHEELS WITH OIL and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:—
The object of my invention is a simple and effectual means of treating the rims
or fellies of wagon and carriage wheels with hot oil.
It consists essentially of a trough shaped to receive the felly of a wheel or a
portion thereof, and provided with means for heating the oil therein.
In the accompanying drawing like letters refer to the same parts in both figures.
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of my apparatus shown in connection
with a wagon wheel in process of treatment, and Figure 2 is a like view of a
modification of the apparatus adapted for use with steam.
It has been practically demonstrated that new wheels can be rendered much
more durable and old wheels, the fellies of which have shrunk leaving the tires
loose, can be greatly benefited by giving the fellies a liberal coating of hot oil. In
dry climates and during hot dry weather the fellies of vehicle wheels soon shrink
and the tires become loose. This is particularly the case when imperfectly seasoned
timber is used in their manufacture and when the paint is worn off and they are
exposed to the weather. In such cases, it is a common practice to have the tires
tightened or reset, the result of which is, when the fellies become soaked with
moisture and swell, the wheel is caused to "dish" and the strength of the timber
is destroyed.
These difficulties may be remedied by treating the fellies with hot oil, as before
stated. For this I prefer inseed oil, which should be applied to the wood when
it is wet and partially dried, so as to fill its cells or interstices by displacing
the water therein. The wood thus treated is swelled to its full size and is rendered
capable of resisting the injurious effect of air and water, and the tire is at the same
time effectually tightened.
The means which I employ in the above operation and which constitute my
invention is a trough A having a longitudinally concaved bottom a, which conforms
as nearly as practicable with the general contour of the wheels to be treated therein,

page_text: It is provided with an opening or chamber underneath to receive a lamp B by
which the oil in said trough A may be heated and kept hot. The wheel N may
be set in said trough A as shown in Figure 1, and slowly turned about until every
part of the felly c is thoroughly saturated with oil.
The form of apparatus just described is inexpensive and convenient for the
occasional use of private individuals but for the use of manufacturers where the
apparatus is to be in constant use, I prefer the form shown in Figure 2 in which
the said trough A is provided underneath with a steam or hot-air chamber C and
pipe connections D D through which the heating medium is conducted into and
from said chamber C.
Instead of resting the wheel upon the bottom of the trough as shown in Figure 1,
the hub may be placed upon a pin so located as to raise the wheel slightly from
the bottom allowing a portion of the felly to be immersed in the hot oil. By this
arrangement the wheel may be more easily turned.
I do not wish to confine myself to the exact construction and arrangement
herein shown and described since the apparatus may be variously modified in
these particulars without departing from the spirit of my invention.
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
As a new article of manufacture, a portable trough A provided underneath with
a recess or chamber for the reception of a lamp in combination with lamp B,
substantially as for the purposes set forth.