Improvements in Wheels and Pulleys having Interchangeable Rims and Centres.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Oct., 1887
Complete Specification Left, 29th June, 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 17th Aug., 1888
Improvements in Wheels and Pulleys having Interchangeable Rims
and Centres.
I RICHARD ALEXANDER HANSELL of the Firm of Hansell and Company The Canal
Steel Works Sheffield in the County of York do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to wheels and pulleys having interchangeable rims and
centres and is applicable to Tramcar or street railway wheels, permanent railway
wheels, trolley wheels, pulleys and gear wheels.
In constructing a tramcar wheel for example according to my invention I cast the
tyre in iron or steel, but I prefer to roll it, it being of simple form with a slightly
projecting inner rim on the front as well as the rear edges-I prefer also to cast the
entire wheel centre and arms or spokes of mild steel or improved wrought iron-The
spokes which are cast on the boss may be straight or curved but I prefer that they be
of even number say 6, 8 and so forth and that they be curved in reverse directions
successively from the wheel boss. Each spoke is cast with an oval shaped opening or
division longitudinally therein thus splitting or dividing its section in two near the
outer end-After undergoing certain treatments for toughening and other manipula-
tions usual to steel castings and the spokes having been cast or drilled through the
sides of the longitudinal division therein at right angles to the axle of the wheels I
place the complete centre inside the. tyre or rim and introduce substantial bolts
provided with lock nuts and with a broad washer or washers threaded thereon through
the holes in the two sides of the longitudinal opening formed in each arm the washer
or washers being situate in the said opening and I gradually tighten up the bolts thus
drawing the two parts of each spoke together against the washer at the point of
division thereby extending the ultimate length of each spoke or arm and forming a
close union between the tyre or rim and the extremity of each spoke treated as above.
In order to ensure the tyre remaining thoroughly firm with the spokes under a strain,
such as when severe brake power is applied, the extreme ends of several of the spokes
have each a circular projection which fits into a corresponding recess bored internally
in the rim or tyre.
Dated this 1st day of October 1887

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
"
Improvements in Wheels and Pulleys having Interchangeable Rims
and Centres.
I RICHARD ALEXANDER HANSELL of the Firm of Hansell and Company, The Canal
Steel Works, Sheffield in the County of York, 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 wheels and pulleys having interchangeable rims and
centres and is applicable to Tramcar or street railway wheels, permanent railway
wheels, Trolley wheels, pulleys, and gear wheels.
In constructing a Tramcar wheel for example according to my invention I cast the
tyre in iron or steel, but prefer to roll it, it being of simple form with a slightly pro-
jecting inner rin on the front as well as the rear edges forming an annular groove
around the inside of the tyre. I prefer also to cast the entire wheel centre and arms
or spokes of mild steel or improved wrought or malleable iron. The spokes, which
are cast on the boss may be straight or curved but I prefer that they be straight
but when curved of even number say 6, 8, and so forth and curved in reverse direc-
tions successively from the wheel boss. Each spoke is cast with an oval shaped
opening or division longitudinally therein, thus splitting or dividing its transverse
section into two near the outer end. After undergoing certain treatments of
toughening and other manipulations usual to steel castings, and the spokes having
been each formed with holes cast in or drilled through the sides of the longitudinal
division therein at right angles to the axle of the wheel I place the complete centre
inside the tyre or rim and pass substantial bolts provided with lock nuts and having a
broad washer or washers threaded thereon through the holes in the two sides of the
longitudinal opening formed in each arm, the washer or washers being situate within
the said opening, and I gradually compress the divided or split portion of each spoke
against the washer or washers at the point of division either by tightening up the nuts
or by other suitable means, thereby extending the ultimate length of each spoke or
arm, and forming a close union between the tyre or rim and the extremity of each.
spoke treated as above described the lock nuts preventing the divided portions from
reopening or expanding-In order to ensure the tyre remaining thoroughly firm with
the spokes under a strain such as when severe brake power is applied, the extreme
ends of several of the spokes are provided each with-a circular-projection, which fits
into a corresponding recess bored internally in the rim or tyre.
In the accompanying drawings similar letters indicate corresponding parts in all
the figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.

page_text: Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the tyre.
Figs. 4 and 5 are transverso sections of one of the spokes taken respectively along
the lines 1-2, 3-4 in Fig. 2.
A is the tyre or rim (which may be cast in iron or steel though it is by preference
rolled being of simple form) provided on its inner face with the shallow annular
groove A¹ which receives the outer ends of the spokes. B is the wheel centre or boss
preferably cast or forged from mild steel malleable iron or improved wrought iron.
CC are the spokes here shewn as cast in one with the centre boss B. D D are oval
shaped openings or divisions cast one in each spoke and splitting or dividing its
transverse section into two near the outer end. After undergoing certain treatments
of toughening and other manipulations usual to steel or malleable iron castings and
each spoke having been cast or drilled at E through the sides of the longitudinal
division therein at right angles with the axle of the wheel the centre B with its
spokes CC is placed inside the tyre A and substantial bolts F provided with locknuts
and having a broad washer or washers G threaded thereon situate within the opening D.
in the spoke are passed through the holes E in each spoke, the nuts are then gradually
tightened or other convenient means employed to compress the divided or split portion
of each spoke against the washer or washers G at the point of division, thereby
extending the ultimate length of each spoke or arm and forming close union between
the tyre A and the extremity of each spoke treated as above described, the lock nuts
on the bolts preventing the divided portions D of the spokes from reopening or
expanding. H H are projections formed on some of the spokes which fit into corre-
sponding recesses formed in the tyre or rim A for ensuring the spokes remaining firm
with the tyre under a strain such as when severe brake pressure is applied.
Figure 6 illustrates the application of my invention to a permanent Railway
wheel.
Figure 7 is a transverse section thereof taken through the centre.
Fig. 8 shews the application of my invention to a haulage pulley.
Fig. 9 is a transverse section thereof taken through the centre.
In figures 6 and 7 the spokes C Care made in two portions of forged or rolled
wrought iron or mild steel bent so as to form when placed together the longitudinal
opening or division D the two portions of each spoke being united above and below
such opening or division by rivets I. In this modification the spokes in lieu of being
cast in one with the wheel nave or boss B as in figures 1 and 2, are, after being
rivetted drilled and suitably bent to form from wrought iron or mild steel placed into
position in a mould and the nave or boss cast thereon of iron or steel, whilst the outer
ends of the rivetted halves of each spoke, which are in contact with the tyre or rim A,
being bent over at C and curved so as to correspond with the curve of the tyre extend
some distance on either side of the centre line of the spoke, the bent portions (1 of
one spoke meeting or nearly meeting those of the adjacent spokes and thus giving
additional strength and stability to the wheel,
In figures 8 and 9 the outer ends of the spokes C in lieu of fitting into an annular
groove formed around the inner face of the tyro or rim A as in the previously
described arrangements are shewn as held in place by convenient lugs K cast on the
rim A of the wheel.
In both the above modifications the method of securing the contres with their spokes
to the tyre or rim is the same as in the first described arrangement..
It will be seen that by the use of my invention great facility is afforded for retyring
wheels since in order to remove an old tyre all that is necessary is to withdraw the
bolts F with their washers G and slightly reopen or expand the openings or divisions D
in the spokes when the wheel centre with its spokes can be readily removed placed
within a new tyre and secured firmly thereto by reinserting the bolts and washers,
compressing the openings D and tightly screwing up the lock nuts on the bolts F.
One wheel centre will outlast several tyres and can be used for any reasonable
length of time. Whilst all the parts of the wheel are securely fixed together, the curved
form of the sides of the openings or divisions in the spokes and washers imparts the
necessary amount of elasticity.

page_text: Another advantage of my invention is that since the ultimate length of spokes con- .
structed in accordance therewith may be extended or shortened by compressing or
expanding the openings therein one wheel centre may be adapted to tyres or rims of
different sizes varying as much as two inches in diameter say from 29 to 31 inches
and in renewing the tyres the wheel centre can be readily refixed central and thus
prevent any uneven motion in use. The tyres also which have the brunt of the wear
to contend with being cast from hammered and rolled best cast steel or iron are of
denser material and thoroughly cylindrical true and durable as against others which are
simply cast, and economy is effected by casting or forging the centres (which have
not so much wear and tear to withstand) from mild steel malleable iron or improved
wrought iron.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
-
1. In an interchangeable wheel the employment of spokes constructed each with a
longitudinal opening or division splitting or dividing its transverse section by com-
pressing or expanding which opening the ultimate length of the spoke may be increased
or diminished substantially as and for the purpose specified.
2. In interchangeable wheels the employment of spokes constructed each with a
longitudinal opening or division splitting or dividing its transverse section, by com-
pressing or expanding which opening the ultimate length of the spoke may be increased
or diminished, each side of such opening or division being formed with a hole cast or
drilled transversely therein for the reception of a threaded bolt.provided with a lock-
nut for the purpose of holding the sides of the opening or division when compressed
firmly against a washer or washers threaded on the said bolt and situate within the
said opening substantially as and for the purpose specified.
3. The combination with the nave or boss B and tyre A provided with the internal
annular groove A¹ of the spokes CC constructed and arranged as described. with
reference to and illustrated in figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings.
4. The combination with the boss B and tyre A provided with the internal annular
groove A¹ of the spokes C constructed and arranged as described with reference to and
illustrated in figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings.
5. The combination with the boss B and rim A provided on its inner face with
lugs K of the spokes C constructed and arranged as described with reference to and
illustrated in figures 8 and 9 of the drawings.