Improved Manufacture of Tubular Naves or Bosses for Velocipede and other Road Wheels.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Nov., 1892-Accepted, 31st Dec., 1892
COMPLETE DIEVUITTOAIIN.
Improved Manufacture of Tubular Naves or Bosses for Velocipede
and other Road Wheels.
I, JOACHIM RAGOUCY, of No. 15, Rue du Terrage, Paris, France, 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 :-
In all road wheels, more particularly those of velocipedes having tubular metal
naves or bosses, these constitute a very important part, as regards the question both
of efficient running, and of the cost and finish of the wheel; as at present con-
structed, they are either forged or cast, and afterwards turned, thus requiring
considerable manual labor.
According to my present improved construction I obtain tubular naves or bosses
just as strong as those heretofore constructed, while at the same time they are
much lighter, and their cost is considerably decreased.
My invention consists mainly in the use of a metal tube which is formed with
circular bulges or folds projecting outward at a right or other angle to its axis, so
as to form circular flanges which serve for the attachment of the spokes, either
directly or indirectly, such folds or flanges being formed at the required distance
from the ends for fixing on or in these the ball bearings or other required
attachments.
Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings shews a cylindrical metal tube before it
has been operated upon according to my invention.
Fig. 2 shews the tube after having two shallow circular bulges D D formed
thereon, which may serve as means of attachment ;
Fig. 3 shews the same with the bulges made of greater height;
Fig. 4 shews bulges of a sharper, still more projecting form;
Fig. 5 shews the bulges of Fig. 4 flattened together so as to form flanges.
For producing these forms, I take a tube such as A Fig. 1, which I subject to
the treatment with an expanding tool such as that of Dudgeon, usually employed
for expanding boiler tubes in the holes of tube plates, but employing balls instead
of the cylindrical rollers used in the latter, so as to produce circular bulges D
thereon as shewn at Figs. 2 and 3; or I employ any other known device whereby
this end may be accomplished. A mandrif having then been inserted into the
tube for supporting the parts M N P in line and preventing all internal deforma-
tion, I then place it between two sets of external hollow mandrils having an
internal diameter equal to the external diameter of the tube, so as to fit more or
less accurately upon it.
The one pair of these external mandrils being fixed on the part N so as to
butt against the points X at which the bulges commence, the other pair is fitted
upon the outer ends M and P so as to butt against the outer sides of the bulges,
and these outer mandrils are then forced by any suitable means inwards in the
direction of the tube's axis towards the inner fixed mandrils, whereby the bulges
will be folded together in the manner shewn at Figs. 4 and 5.
In the form shewn at Fig. 6, the middle part B of the tube, which was
originally of the same diameter as the two ends A, has been reduced in diameter;
or the two ends A which were originally of the same diameter as the part B, have
been enlarged. This change in form can be effected on a lathe with universal
mandril of known construction; or in any other known manner.
Fig. 7 shews the tube A with shallow bulges into which are fixed the ball
bearing B so that the bulge 6 of the tube fits over the bead a of the bearing B.
The flanges c which serve for the attachment of the spokes R, are in this case

page_text: fixed upon the tube, being made to butt against the bulge b, and they are fixed
in position either by screwing or otherwise fixing them on A, or this may have a
bulge formed on its outer end after fitting on the flanges.
At Fig. 8 the spokes R are hooked into holes m formed in the bulges D of
the tube.
The heads are for this purpose made of the same oblong form as the holes m,
so that they can be passed through the latter, after which they are turned
round 90° so as to bring the head across the hole, as shewn, and thus give it
efficient support for withstanding the strain put upon the spoke.
Fig. 9 shews an arrangement for the attachment of the spokes R suited to the
form of folded flange shewn at Fig. 4, as also a mode of fixing the ball bearings
by screwing.
In Fig. 10 is shewn a mode of attaching the spokes suitable for the form of
flange shewn at Fig. 5; the inner ends of the spokes are formed with a hook r
and a head, the spoke being threaded with the outer end through a hole in the
flange, in a manner described in my former Patents.
Fig. 11 shews a construction with double folded flanges on each side, between
which is held a ring M having holes for the attachment of the spokes in the same
manner as at Fig. 10.
It will be readily understood that my above described invention can also be
carried out in making the tubular nave or boss of two or more separate parts
joined together, instead of a single piece.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The herein described improved manufacture of tubular naves or bosses of
velocipede and other road wheels wherein outward circular bulges or folded
flanges are formed on the tube, suitable for the attachment thereto, either directly
or indirectly, of the spokes of the wheel.
2. The combination with tubular naves or bosses such as are referred to in the
preceding claim of ball-bearings substantially as described.
3. In combination with tubular naves or bosses of wheels such as are referred
to in the first claim, the attachment of the spokes to the circular bulges or folded
flanges as herein described.
Dated this 16th day of November 1892.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.