IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY WHEELS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Williams, of Wednesbury, in the County of
Stafford, Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY
WHEELS."
Sealed the 20th November 1877, and dated the 9th August 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Williams at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th August 1877.
Richard WILLIAMS, of Wednesbury, in the County of Stafford, Manufacturer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY WHEELS."
This Invention refers to improvements in the construction of the description of
railway wheels which are composed of metal and wood, and are generally known as
wooden wheels.
The wheel boss is cast with tapered fins or ribs which extend from the boss to
the outside of the flange, radiating from the centre and 1/16 of an inch under the thick-
ness of the timber, so that it can always be drawn tightly together between the
outside plate and the flange of the boss. The timber is fitted between the fins or
ribs, thereby taking the strain off the bolts, and insuring the bolts from cutting the
timber; consequently the boss cannot get loose and run round in the wheel centre, as
is the case with the existing wood wheel centre, and the evil is avoided of the bolts
cutting their way round the wheel centre and leaving it parted at the pitch circle
of the bolts, as the timber segments are supported to the periphery of the flange of
the boss, thereby leaving the bolts nothing to do but bind the plates and timber
together.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Richard Williams in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th February
1878.
RICHARD WILLIAMS, of Wednesbury, in the County of Stafford, Manufacturer.
* IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY WHEELS."
This Invention refers to improvements in the construction of the description of
railway wheels which are composed of metal and wood, and are generally known as
wooden wheels.
The wheel boss (A) is cast with tapered fins or ribs (b) which extend from the
boss to the outside of the flange, radiating from the centre and 1/16 of an inch under
the thickness of the timber, so that it can always be drawn tightly together between
the outside plate and the flange of the boss. The timber is fitted between the fins
or ribs, thereby taking the strain off the bolts and insuring the bolts from cutting
the timber, consequently the boss cannot get loose and run round in the wheel centre
as is the case with the existing wood wheel centres, and the evil is avoided of the
bolts cutting their way round the wheel centre and leaving it parted at the pitch
circle of the bolts, as the timber segments are supported to the periphery of the
flange of the boss, thereby leaving the bolts nothing to do but bind the plates and
timber together.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I claim the improvements in the manufacture of
wooden railway wheels, substantially as herein more fully set forth and specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Williams, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fifth day of February, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.