Improvements in the Construction of Wheels for Vehicles and Travelling Machines.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Dec., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 16th Aug., 1892-Accepted, 17th Sept., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Wheels for Vehicles and
Travelling Machines.
I JOHN POOL of Milparinka in the Colony of New South Wales Surveyor.do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This is an invention applicable to agricultural implements carts carriages and
various kinds of vehicles. It is designed to afford a light elegant and durable
wheel of iron one of the chief objects being to avoid the delay and loss occasioned
through the shrinkage of wooden wheels in hot climates and the consequent need of
frequent tightening up of the parts. The main principles of my invention are, the
construction of the wheel so that the spokes are entirely free, that is to
say, not
welded or rivetted either to the rim or to the hub, and secondly the tightening up
of the wheel by causing the spokes to press outwards from the centre. All the
parts except the hub which should be cast, are capable of being supplied and put
together at an ordinary blacksmith's forge. The tire and felloes are made of a
form combining lightness and strength in the manner hereinafter described. The
spokes are then prepared and fitted or adjusted if necessary, and the whole of the
parts drawn together and tightened by screwing up two nave plates, one on either
side of the nave, which press the spokes home in their respective sockets.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood I will now describe the
same by reference to the accompanying drawings in which similar letters indicate
the same parts in all the figures.
Figure 1. is a side elevation of my improved wheel.
The upper half of Figure 2. is a section on line a-b of Figure 1 and the lower
half an end view.
Figure 3. is a vertical section of the hub on line c-d of Figure 4 and
Figure 4 shows in the upper half a section of the hub on the line e-h of Figure 3
and in the lower half an outside view of the hub..
Figures 5, 6 and 7 are sections shewing different methods of fixing the spoke into
the rim flange.
Figure 8 is a section shewing how the spoke is fitted at the hub and
Figure 9 is a section shewing a small spring wedge at the base of the spoke.
The tire A is preferably made of steel. The rim is formed of two lengths of
angle iron B B corresponding to the felloe in a wooden wheel. CC are the spokes
which may be either round oval or square and may be hollow or solid and made of
wrought iron or steel. The outside end of each spoke has a shoulder F to bear
against the rim of the wheel and the hub end is bevelled to fit into the angle Kas
shewn in Figure 8.
The hub E is made preferably of cast iron or brass the interior cone being
roughened like a horse shoe file in order that the common axle boxes may be fitted
into it by means of wooden wedges in the ordinary manner. The exterior surface
is provided with grooves D for the purpose of receiving the spokes C and the
spaces L between the ribs N are for lightening the hub. H H are two annular
wrought iron or brass discs or caps which are drawn together by the bolts and
nuts M of which there may be four six or eight as preferred.
The construction of my wheel is performed as follows. I take two lengths of
angle iron to form the rim B B. These are heated and then turned or pinched
round in a machine similar to a tire bending machine until they are of the required
shape. They are then placed together and points marked for the ends of the
spokes. Each flange is next separately creased to allow the ends of the spokes C
to be fitted in. Afterwards the two flanges B B are rivetted together, the tire is

page_text: shut on in the usual manner, and rivetted to the flanges. If necessary or preferred
the holes for the spokes may be creased out nearly to the correct size and then
finished with a drill or reamer. The hub is now placed in the centre of the rim
and each spoke is fitted in its place. The spokes are of such length that when
forced home the shoulder F is tight up against the rim and the bevel at the hub
end is tight against the corner or angle K (see Figure 8). If the spokes are too
long they may be shortened by filing or cutting a piece off the bevelled end and if
too short a washer may be placed between the shoulder F and the rim B or the
spoke may be bound with wire, but I prefer if possible to heat the spoke and
hammer it out. If clasticity or spring is required though I do not consider this
necessary in most cases and do not claim this as part of my invention a V shaped
wedge of steel enclosing a piece of india rubber may be inserted as shewn in
Figure 9.
When the spokes have all been made the right length they are laid in position
with the small ends inserted in the holes in the rim between the flanges B B the
hub ends laid over the grooves D; the plates H H are then placed over the ends
of the hub and are drawn together by the bolts M thereby pressing the hub ends of
the spokes up towards the centre and forcing the shoulders Fagainst the flanges B B
forming a compact strong wheel in which no undue stress is placed upon any part.
The nuts on the bolts M may be prevented from coming off by any of the known
nut-locking devices. If the spoke is tubular the bearing may be taken by the tire
at the end instead of by a shoulder I as in the solid spokes. The arrangement shewn
in Figure 7 is an alternative form to enable the wheel to run more easily through
mud or sand. The annular angle irons B B are replaced by two annular strips W W
having a flange at either edge. They are rivetted to the tire by rivets such as Y Y
and rivetted together along the inner flange and have holes creased out for the
ends of the spokes C similarly to the angle irons B B but owing to the shape of the
tire and rim it is evident that it would not sink so deeply and moreover the sand or
mud would slip off and not nearly so much would be raised as with the flat tire and
angle irons.
A wheel constructed according to my method would be most suitable
for wear in hot climates as it would obviate the delay and expense caused through
the shrinkage of wooden wheels and if a spoke broke a new one could be easily made
at any blacksmiths and placed in position by simply unscrewing the nuts M and
removing the annular disc H.
The proportions shown are those for an ordinary wheel but a wheel could be
made much heavier or lighter to meet any requirement and might also be nickel
plated.
The annular disks H may be made with grooves to fit over the spokes if preferred
but I have not shown this in the drawings.
My invention may be summarised as the formation of a tire and felloe with
sockets creased or drilled or partly creased and partly drilled to receive the outer
ends of the spokes which are not rivetted welded or otherwise fastened but are
formed at that end with a shoulder which presses against the inner edge of the
felloe or rim such spoke pressing at the hub end against the hub of the wheel..
The formation and fitting of a spoke without rivets welding or other fastenings
but fitting into, the socket of the felloe at one end and into a groove in the hub at
the other end.
The combination with the parts described in the two preceding paragraphs of a
pair of annular discs such as H H with suitable bolts and lock nuts for the purpose
of expanding the spokes into their sockets when placed in their respective positions
and securing them therein.
The combination of the tire, angle irons, spokes discs and naves substantially as
described and illustrated and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this Eleventh day of September 1891.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Wheels for Vehicles and
Travelling Machines.
I JOHN POOL of Milparinka in the Colony of New South Wales Surveyor 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 is an invention applicable to agricultural implements carts carriages and
various kinds of vehicles. It is designed to afford a light elegant and durable wheel
of iron one of the chief objects being to avoid the delay and loss occasioned through
the shrinkage of wooden wheels in hot climates and the consequent need of frequent
tightening up of the parts. The main principles of my invention are, the construc-
tion of the wheel so that the spokes are entirely free, that is to say, not welded or
rivetted either to the rim or to the hub, and secondly the tightening up of the
wheel by causing the spokes to press outwards from the centre.
All the parts
except the hub which should be cast, are capable of being supplied and put together
at an ordinary blacksmith's forge. The tire and felloes are made of a form com-
bining lightness and strength in the manner hereinafter described. The spokes are
then prepared and fitted or adjusted if necessary, and the whole of the parts drawn
together and tightened by screwing up two nave plates, one on either side of the
nave, which press the spokes home in their respective sockets.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood I will now describe the
same by reference to the drawings left with my Provisional Specification in which
similar letters indicate the same parts in all the figures.
wheel.
Figure 1. is a side elevation of my improved w
The upper half of Figure 2. is a section on line -b of Figure 1 and the lower
half an end view.
1
Figure 3. is a vertical section of the hub on line -d of Figure 4 and
Figure 4 shows in the upper half a section of the hub on the line e-h of Figure 3
and in the lower half an outside view of the hub.
Figures 5, 6 and 7 are sections shewing different methods of fixing the spoke into
the rim flange.
Figure 8 is a section shewing how the spoke is fitted at the hub and
Figure 9 is a section showing a small spring wedge at the base of the spoke.
The tire A is preferably made of steel. The rim is formed of two lengths of
angle iron B B corresponding to the felloe in a wooden wheel. CC are the spokes
which may be either round oval or square and may be hollow or solid and made of.
wrought iron or steel. The outside end of each spoke has a shoulder F to bear
against the rim of the wheel and the hub end is bevelled to fit into the angle K as
shewn in Figure 8.
The hub E is made preferably of cast iron or brass the interior cone being
roughened like a horse shoe file in order that the common axle boxes may be fitted
into it by means of wooden wedges in the ordinary manner. The exterior surface
is provided with grooves D for the purpose of receiving the spokes C and the
spaces L between the ribs N are for lightening the hub. HH are two annular
wrought iron or brass disks or caps which are drawn together by the bolts and
nuts M of which there may be four six or eight as preferred.
The construction of my wheel is performed as follows.
I take two lengths of
angle iron to form the rim B B. These are heated and then turned or pinched
round in a machine similar to a tire bending machine until they are of the required
shape. They are then placed together and points marked for the ends of the
spokes. Each flange is next separately creased to allow the ends of the spokes C
to be fitted in. Afterwards the two flanges B B are rivetted together, the tire is

page_text: shrunk on in the usual manner, and rivetted to the flanges. If necessary or
preferred the holes for the spokes may be creased out nearly to the correct size
and then finished with a drill or reamer. The hub is now placed in the centre of
the rim and each spoke is fitted in its place. The spokes are of such length that
when forced home the shoulder F is tight up against the rim and the bevel at the
hub end is tight against the corner or angle K (see Figure 8). If the spokes are
too long they may be shortened by filing or cutting a piece off the bevelled end and
if too short a washer may be placed between the shoulder F and the rim B or the
spoke may be bound with wire, but I prefer if possible to heat the spoke and
hammer it out. If elasticity or spring is required though I do not consider this
necessary in most cases and do not claim this as part of my invention a V shaped
wedge of steel enclosing a piece of india rubber may be inserted as shewn in
Figure 9.
:
When the spokes have all been made the right length they are laid in position
with the small ends inserted in the holes in the rim between the flanges B B the
hub ends laid over the grooves D; the plates H H are then placed over the ends
of the hub and are drawn together by the bolts M thereby pressing the hub ends
of the spokes up towards the centre and forcing the shoulders F against the
flanges B B forming a compact strong wheel in which no undue stress is placed
upon any part. The nuts on the bolts M may be prevented from coming off by
any of the known nut-locking devices. If the spoke is tubular the bearing may be
taken by the tire at the end instead of by a shoulder Fas in the solid spokes. The
arrangement shewn in Figure 7 is an alternative form to enable the wheel to run
more easily through mud or sand. The annular angle irons B B are replaced by
two annular strips W W having a flange at either edge. They are rivetted to the
tire by rivets such as Y Y and riveited together along the inner flange and have
holes creased out for the ends of the spokes C similarly to the angle irons B B but
owing to the shape of the tire and rim it is evident that it would not sink so deeply
and moreover the sand or mud would slip off and not nearly so much would be
raised as with the flat tire and angle irons. A wheel constructed according to my
method would be most suitable for wear in hot climates as it would obviate the
delay and expense caused through the shrinkage of wooden wheels and if a spoke
broke a new one could be easily made at any blacksmiths and placed in position by
simply unscrewing the nuts M and removing the annular disc H.
(
The proportions shewn are those for an ordinary wheel but a wheel could be
made much heavier or lighter to meet any requirement and might also be nickel-
plated.
The annular discs H may be made with grooves to fit over the spokes if preferred
but I have not shewn this in the drawings.
: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
i
1. In the construction of a wheel the formation of a tire and felloc as herein
described with sockets creased or drilled or partly creased and partly drilled to
receive the outer ends of the spokes which are not rivetted welded or otherwise.
fastened but are formed at that end with a shoulder which presses against the inner
edge of the felloe or rim such spokes pressing at the hub end against the hub of the
wheel substantially as set forth and illustrated.
2. In the construction of wheels the formation and fitting of a spoke without
rivets welding or other fastenings but fitting into, the socket of the felloe at one
end and into a groove in the hub at the other end substantially as described and
illustrated.
3. In the construction of wheels the combination with the parts described in
Claims 1 and 2 of a pair of annular discs such as H H with suitable bolts and.lock
nuts for the purpose of expanding the spokes into their sockets when placed in their
respective positions and securing them therein substantially as described.

page_text: 4. In the construction of wheels the combination of the tire, angle irons, spokes,
dises, and naves substantially as described and illustrated and for the purposé set
forth.
Dated this 16th day of August 1892.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.