Improvements in or connected with Wheels for Bicycles and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Oct., 1898-Accepted, 8th Apr.,
1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Wheels for Bicycles and the like.
I, LUDVIG COHN, of 631, Kildevaeldsgade, Copenhagen, in the Kingdom of
Denmark, Clerk, 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 arrangements at present known for fixing spokes onto bicycle wheels
and the like have many disadvantages. Thus it has always been a troublesome and
lengthy matter to fix them; and it has been I believe impossible to replace
a broken spoke without first taking off the air-tube. The air-tube rubs against
the top of the spokes in the bottom of the rim, and is thus subject to a great deal
of wear, and often to puncture. These disadvantages are removed by my inven-
tion, as shown by the accompanying drawings, where
Figure I represents part of a bicycle wheel, while
Figure II is a cross-section of the wheel, showing the hub partly in section.
Figure III is a modified rim seen in section.
C
The invention consists of the rim a, on the inside, being pressed to a pro-
jecting edge b, in which the spokes are applied by means of a head d, similar
to the heads on tangent-spokes now in use. The other ends of the spokes are
threaded so that they may be fastened onto the hub by the aid of nipples f, with
corresponding threads. The hub itself is, as shown in Figure II supplied on
both sides with circular collars, h, concentric with the axle i, of the wheel.
The above mentioned nipples are applied to holes in these collars, that
they can be turned round when the spokes are screwed in, and tightened. The
tightening is effected by turning the nipples and not by turning the spokes. It
is impossible to turn the spokes on account of the above mentioned mode of fixing
them to the rim. This is considered particularly characteristic of this invention
The customary method of turning the spokes is a much more difficult operation,
and is at the same time liable to crack the silver-plating on the spokes.
On the drawing, the projecting edge, b, is shown as a connected ring, which
makes the wheel both stronger and firmer; but it is obvious that if, for instance,
the wheel has to be made lighter, part of the edge between the spokes can be
taken away, so that each spoke may be fixed on to its own projecting part which,
in the case of wooden rims, may be of the form of eyes screwed into the rim, or
fastened in any other suitable way. As will be seen, by my invention, the spokes
can be easily and quickly fixed; in case a single spoke is to be replaced, there is
no need to remove the air-tube.
The air-tube has a smooth bearing, and is thereby less subject to wear or
punctures.
Another great advantage of this construction is that the drilling of holes for the
spokes is much easier in the plain surface, b, than as formerly, in the wheel rim ;
because it is easier to obtain a plain than a circular bearing.
The rim shown on Figure III has two such edges instead of the single edge
explained above. At the bottom of each edge an iron wire can be laid, and over

page_text: this the holes can be drilled, through which the spokes may be put. The arrange-
ment adopted may vary in different ways.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1. Constructing the rims of wheels for bicycles and the like with an inwardly
projecting edge substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. Constructing the rims of wheels for bicycles and the like with a continuous
inwardly projecting edge substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. Constructing the rims of wheels for bicycles and the like with an inwardly
projecting edge partly cut away substantially as and for the purpose set, forth.
4. The method of fixing the spokes substantially as set forth.
5. Constructing the rims of wheels for bicycles and the like with two inwardly
projecting edges substantially as set forth with reference to Figure III.
6. The combination of. threaded spoke end, nipple f and circular collar h sub-
stantially as and for the purpose set forth.