Year: 1897

page_text: I, GEORGE HUNTER, of 115, Hazlebury Road, Fulham, in the County of London,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
+
'My application for Letters Patent relates to improvements in cycles, more especially
bicycles.
In these machines as at present constructed the rims of the wheels are usually
formed as light as possible, and it is the object of the manufacturer to reduce the
weight of this portion of the wheel to the minimum consistent with the requisite
strength. By this method of construction, however, the advantage of the momentum
stored up in the rim of the wheel is proportionately reduced, and the lightness of the
wheel prevents the rider from applying the full propulsive energy attainable with a
heavier wheel.
I
In the cycles of my construction I provide the wheel with an inner strengthening
rim of considerable thickness of metal, adding weight to the wheel at this point...By
this arrangement I obtain the advantage of the increased momentum in the same
manner as in the fly wheel of an engine. The strengthened rim may be conveniently
constructed in two or more segments divided at the middle so as to be applicable
from each side of the wheel, and suitably recessed or perforated to fit over the spokes,
which segments are bolted together in any convenient manner.
.
In the construction of new cycles the reinforcing rim may of course be formed
integral with the inner rim.
In addition to the advantages of my improved rim already enumerated I am
enabled by the use of a solid rim of this kind to apply an improved brake so con-
structed as to avoid any friction upon the pneumatic tyre, and to apply itself,ex-
clusively to the sides of the solid rim. With this object in view the said sides are
preferably made slightly concave.
My improved brake may be constructed in various patterns, the method I at present
prefer is to form it in the shape of a double clip provided at its ends with pads, bosses
of hard rubber, wood, or the like, which are shaped to coincide with the slightly
concave sides of the inner rim, and the limbs of the clip are so bent as to encircle
the rubber tyre of the wheel without coming in contact therewith. The upper limbs
of the clip are formed with double joints. These joints may be further controlled by
a spiral spring placed, between them. The brake rod is connected above to a
horizontal lever pivoted on the handle bar. When the horizontal lever is depressed
the brake rod is drawn up against the pressure of a spiral spring, and this action
causes the jointed limbs of the clip to draw together, and to press the ends of the
clip against the sides of the rim. By this construction I obtain an extremely efficient
and,reliable brake, and can apply any desired amount of pressure thereto. without any
risk of damage to the tyre.
As already stated my improved cycle may be constructed in various patterns, and
the details may be altered within certain limits without departing from the principle
of my invention. It is applicable to bicycles, tricycles, and other cycles.
Dated this: 3rd day of July. !

page_text: I, GEORGE HUNTER, of 115, Hazlebury Road, Fulham, in the County of London,
Gentleman, 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 :-
My application for Letters Patent relates to improvements in cycles, more especially
bicycles.
In these machines as at present constructed the rims of the wheels are usually
formed as light as possible, and it is the object of the manufacturer to reduce the
weight of this portion of the wheel to the minimum consistent with the requisite
strength. By this method of construction, however, the advantage of the momentum
stored up in the rim of the wheel is proportionately reduced, and the lightness of the
wheel prevents the rider from applying the full propulsive energy attainable with a
heavier wheel.
In the cycles of my construction I provide the wheel with an inner strengthening
rim of considerable thickness of metal, adding weight to the wheel at this point.
By this arrangement I obtain the advantage of the increased momentum in the same.
manner as in the fly wheel of an engine. The strengthened rim may be
conveniently constructed in two or more segments divided at the middle so as to be
applicable from each side of the wheel, and suitably recessed or perforated to fit over
the spokes, which segments are bolted together in any convenient manner.
In the construction of new cycles the reinforcing rim may of course be formed
integral with the inner rim.
A further advantage connected with my improved rim consists in the use of a grip
brake to be applied to the sides or reinforcements of the rim, thereby avoiding any
friction upon the rubber tyre. This description of brake being already known I do
not make any claim for the same in itself as a portion of my invention, but have
illustrated a suitable pattern by way of example in the accompanying drawing,
Figure 2.
Referring to the drawing :-
Figure 1 represents a portion of the periphery of a cycle wheel shewn partly in
side view, and partly in section.
Figure 2 represents a section of a modification of the periphery of the wheel with
a diagram of a grip brake in position above it.
Figure 3 represents a section of another modification constructed of solid rods or
of tubes. In the case of tubes, these may have a hole and screw cap, through
which shot or the like can be inserted to weight the wheel to any desired
extent.
In these drawings A indicates the tyre, B the rim, and C.or C¹ respectively the
reinforcing strip. In Figure 1 the said strip C is flat and in Figure 2 it is shewn as
dished or concave for greater convenience of adjustment of the brake. The thickness
of the reinforcing strip will of course be proportionate to the amount of weighting
desired. I have found in practice that the weight of the front wheel may be with
advantage increased by about four pounds and that of the driving wheel by
about six pounds in order to give good results with a rider of average weight.
For special purposes, such as military cycles, or for long distance driving and so
forth heavier weights may be added.
As already stated I do not limit myself to the pattern of grip brake shewn
diagrammatically in Figure 2 as this may be considerably modified and forms of
itself no.portion of my invention.

page_text: My invention is obviously applicable to rims of all kinds, whether metallic, wooden,
or otherwise, and of any desired construction. The reinforcing plates are preferably
of steel or iron, but may be made of other materials, such for instance as bronze or
aluminium if found desirable.
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 :-
1. In a cycle the use of a peripherally weighted wheel for the purpose of increasing
the momentum substantially as described.
2. In a cycle the use of reinforcing strips, such as C, attached to the sides of the
rim, substantially as described and shewn in Figure 1 of the accompanying
drawing.
3. In combination with a cycle rim, a concave weighted strip, such as C¹, and
means for applying a grip brake to the same substantially as described and shewn in
Figure 2 of the accompanying drawing.
Dated the 2nd day of April 1990.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of London, Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.