Improvements in Vehicle Wheels.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Sept., 1892-Accepted, 26th Nov., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Vehicle Wheels.
We, WILLIAM EDWYN BAKER, Wheelwright, and JAMES MOORE Machinist
both of Newport News in the County of Warwick, and State of Virginia,
United States of America, 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 vehicle wheels and has particular relation to the hubs
therefor.
The object of the invention is to provide a simple and improved wheel of such
construction whereby one or more spokes can be readily removed for purpose of
substitution or repair and without interference with the remaining spokes.
A further object of the invention is to provide a wheel of this character in which
the spokes are adapted to be conveniently tightened when necessary and which
will, furthermore, possess advantages in point of inexpensiveness, durability, and
general efficiency.
In the drawings
Figure 1, is a perspective view illustrating the parts of a vehicle wheel
embodying our invention.
Fig. 2 is a sectional view thereof taken longitudinally and centrally through
the hub.
Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line ., Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the parts constituting the hub detached.
Corresponding parts in the figures are denoted by the same letters of reference.
Referring to the drawings, A designates a vehicle wheel, which may be in the
main of any suitable or approved pattern and comprises a felly and tire, spokes B,
and hub C. The latter consists of three sections a central ring or sleeve D, and a
front and rear collar E F, respectively.
The ring or sleeve D is constructed of any suitable metal or composition of
metals and is provided with a central circular bore d. The ring or sleeve is also
provided with a series of radially arranged rectangular openings d¹, extending from
the bore d to the periphery of the ring or sleeve, said openings corresponding in
number to the spokes and constitute sockets for the inner ends thereof. The
openings are arranged in two alternate series out of alignment, as shown. In
practice the spokes are designed to project slightly within the bore d, the purpose
of which will hereinafter appear. A series of transverse threaded apertures d² is
provided in the ring or sleeve at each side and preferably at equidistant points
thereon.
The front section E of the hub is cylindrical in form and has its inner end
corresponding in diameter to the ring or sleeve D. The outer portion of said
section is contracted and constitutes a hub nose e. Upon the inner flat face of the
section E is provided a series of apertures e², coinciding with the threaded
apertures and designed for the reception of securing screws S. The rear
section F is of similar construction, the contracted rearwardly projecting portion f
being of less length than the hub nose e, and said section is also provided upon its
inner face with apertures for the securing screws S, said apertures coinciding
with the apertures & upon the opposing side of the ring or sleeve D. Both the
sections E and F are preferably constructed of the same material as the ring or
sleeve D. In lieu of the apertures and f¹ and securing screws S, the sections E
and F may be provided with integral studs at their inner faces, said studs engaging
the apertures d².
For effecting the tightening of the spokes we provide a metallic hollow

page_text: bushing G, having a conical exterior and tapering toward its outer end, said
bushing being designed to fit within the bore of the hub and contact directly with
the ends of the spokes. A head G is provided at the rear end of the bushing,
which fits partially within a socket formed in the extension of the section F, the
rear portion of said head being formed angular, as shown at g, for the engagement
of a wrench. Near the forward end of the bushing is provided an exterior
circumferential enlargement G², having screw threads g² provided within the bore
of the front section E. Thus as the bushing is screwed forwardly the parts are
drawn tightly together, further adjustment of the bushing serving to force the
spokes outwardly and tightening the latter. To this end a packing ring H is
interposed between the opposing faces of the ring or sleeve D and the sections E
and F said packing rings being provided with apertures h, through which the
studs e and pass. When further tightening of the spokes is desired after the
bushing has been adjusted to its full limit, one or both of the packing rings may be
removed to effect this end.
The operation and advantages of our invention will be readily understood by
those skilled in the art to which it appertains. By thus forming the hub in three
sections with the spokes secured in the centre one, when it is desired to remove one
or more of the spokes for purpose of substitution or repair the bushing is unscrewed
to release the front section and the damaged spokes detached without interfering
with the others.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. A hub for vehicle wheels, comprising a central ring or sleeve provided with a
series of spoke-sockets arranged in two alternate series and opening at the
respective faces of said ring or sleeve, a front and rear section, and a bushing
disposed in the bore of said parts and adapted to bind the same together,
substantially as set forth.
2. A hub for vehicle wheels, comprising a central ring or sleeve provided with
radially arranged spoke sockets, a front section provided with internal screw
threads; a rear section, and a bushing passing through the rear sections and central
ring or sleeve and provided with external screw threads meshing with the threads
in the front section, whereby said bushing is secured directly to the latter,
substantially as set forth.
3. In a vehicle wheel, the combination of a hub consisting of a central ring or
sleeve carrying the spokes, front and rear sections, and packing rings interposed
between the opposing faces of the ring or sleeve, and the front and rear sections,
and a bushing disposed in the bore of the hub and binding the parts thereof
together, substantially as set forth.
4. In a vehicle wheel, the combination of a hub consisting of a central ring or
sleeve carrying the spokes and provided with transverse screw-threaded apertures
at each side, front and rear sections provided with coincident apertures, securing
screws engaging said apertures and packing rings interposed between the ring or
sleeve and the front and rear sections and provided with apertures for the passage
of said screws, and a bushing disposed in the bore of the hub and binding the parts
thereof together, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 23rd day of September 1892.
F. W. BARKER,
Applicants' Agent.