Improvements in Vehicle Wheels.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Apr., 1892-Accepted, 25th June, 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Vehicle Wheels.
I, JOSEPH RIDGE, of No. 39 Lakeside Building Chicago, County of Cook and
State of Illinois, U.S.A. Patent Solicitor, 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:-
The purpose of my invention is to provide against vibration of a vehicle over
uneven-surface roadways by the application of peripheral springs to the wheels. I
am aware that tubular rubber tire, with and without inflation are in use for the
purpose, but attended in the one form with partial success and in the other with lack
of satisfactory practicability.
To obviate the difficulties found in the use of tubular rubber, I provide springs
of metal or of other material possessing the required strength and flexible elasticity,
a series of which are superimposed throughout the circumference of a wheel as
hereinafter set forth; whereby all the desired elasticity is obtained, with durability,
equal to a wheel of ordinary construction.
For the purpose of description reference is had to the accompanying drawings in
which
Fig. 1 is a side view of a peripheral section of a wheel; the rim portion being
shown in longitudinal section.
Fig. 2 is a top view of the section, the tire being omitted.
Fig. 3 is an end view showing the rim in full width.
Fig. 4 is a detail showing one of the springs.
The rim A is of the usual construction used for velocipedes; i.e. semicircular in
cross section whereby in the ordinary wheel it is adapted to retain the cylindrical
rubber tire. This form of rim I have retained in the present example, as the channel
serves a purpose, hereafter named, in connection with springs used in my improve-
ment that makes it desirable.
Attached to the rim are shown the outer portions of spokes, b. The series of
springs by which the desired elasticity is obtained are lettered a.
The springs are as I believe, for velocipedes preferably constructed of steel wire
tempered, each of a single piece, as affording simplicity, lightness and neatness,
though for vehicles of. a heavier kind, flat or leaf springs might be preferable;
especially so should it be desirable to have the springs also serve as a tire. The
doubled ends of the springs are respectively secured to the bottom of the rim
channel by means of screw threaded staples and nuts c; holes being drilled through
the middle portion of the rim to receive the ends of the staples.
The outer ends of each spring rest upon an adjacent spring about midway of the
latter, throughout the series.
The primary metallic loops d, having a semicircular central portion as a tire
support, are so formed that each of its ends is adapted to loosely admit two thick-
nesses of wire, through which the branches of one spring and the ends of the
superincumbent spring are respectively inserted, thus holding said springs in position
with relation to each other and to the whole spring structure and at the same time
permitting a longitudinal movement. of one spring upon another, which flexion of
the springs under pressure slightly produces.
Loops d', intermediate between the loops d are provided on each spring to serve
in supporting the tire.
The tendency of the loops to recede from their proper position on the springs,
caused by the rotation of the wheel under pressure, necessitates fastening. This
in order not to interfere with the flexion of the springs, I accomplish by means

page_text: of tie straps e, in number equal to that of the springs, constructed from flexible
strips of metal.
These tie straps respectively have one of their ends secured to the wheel rim by
means of staples c.
The outer ends of the tie straps are respectively secured by rivets to a pair of
loops, d, d. The tie straps also incidentally serve to bridge alternate spaces
between loops as additional support for the tire. The remaining spaces between
loops may be partially or wholly bridged by extensions from the loops as
indicated at i, which extensions should be curved in cross section to better withstand
pressure.
It is obvious that connections secured to both such loops would interfere with the
action of the springs.
B represents the cylindrical rubber tire which should have such tensile elasticity
as to be readily restored when flexion occurs coincident with compression of the
springs.
The doubled ends of springs a fit closely in the rim channel, which in connection
with loops d, serves to prevent lateral play or displacement of the springs.
The method of fastening by staples makes the connection of the springs with the
rim a hinged one thereby permitting the outer ends of said springs to bear with full
force upon the subjacent ones, and thereby admitting of flexion throughout their
entire length; thus the springs as a whole, possess all the softness that their size
and temper permit.
I however provide if desirable to modify this by so shaping the doubled ends of
the springs, that the portions thereof entering the channel, when inserted perpen-
dicular to a tangent of the rim curve, fit closely; thus the spring being slightly
wider from the rim outward, when it is brought to its proper inclined position a
contact is formed between spring and rim that acts partially as a fulcrum and
thereby reduces the flexibility of the spring, thus adapting the cushioning qualities
of the series to sustain greater weight. This may be further modified by tightening
or loosening the staple nuts.
The arrow indicates the direction in which the wheel should rotate that the
springs may have their desired action.
The manner of fastening the springs herein described is only, of course, applicable
to springs of wire. For Hat or leaf springs suitable means of fastening will readily
suggest themselves.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
ion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In a vehicle wheel, exterior to and secured to its rim, a series of overlapping
springs the outer ends thereof being free and successively supported one by another,
whereby a continuous cushion is formed about the periphery of said wheel, 'substan-
tially as specified.
2. In combination with rim A the series of wire springs a having their free ends
joined by loops d, substantially as described.
3. In combination with rim A the springs a, and flexible tire B, substantially as
specified.
Dated this 21st day of March 1892.
Dated this 21st day of March 1892.
JOSEPH RIDGE.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.