Improvements in Velocipede and other Wheels.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Velocipede and other Wheels.
I, HENRY JOSEPH SHAWCROSS, Bachelor of Engineering, Water Engineer's
Office, Municipal Buildings, Dale Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
The invention, the subject of this application, has reference to the wheels of
velocipedes and other vehicles, but more particularly to wheels of velocipedes, as
ordinary bicycle wheels, and autocars, that is, to vehicles in which it is particularly
desirable, that practically all vibration and jar in the frame or body should be
obviated; and the object of the invention, mainly, is to provide a wheel, by which
these effects or results should be afforded, in which all sudden vertical move-
ment of it, due to uneven roads, obstructions, and the like, received by the rim
or tyre, shall not be transmitted to the axle, and body of the vehicle, but shall
be taken up or absorbed in the wheel, by the construction hereafter described,
between the tyre or rim and the axle; and so render the movement of a bicycle
or vehicle, as the case may be, even when running over uneven roads, smooth or
steady, and practically without jar.
A wheel, according to this invention, comprises a central portion on, or connected
with, the hub, an outer rim or tyre, and intermediate connections or ties con-
necting the rim with the central portion, which, according to one form, under this
invention, are tangential, or approximately tangential, and longitudinally elastic;
and, in which case, there are also provided a number of tangential, or substantially
tangential, ties, with little or no longitudinal elasticity, connecting the rim or
tyre with the central portion, but disposed or running in the opposite direction
to the aforesaid elastic ties.
According to a further part or construction, under this invention, in wheels
having a central portion capable of movement relatively with the rim or tyre in
the plane of the wheel, such as referred to, or analogous constructions, ties are
carried from one side of the rim or tyre to the other, in the form of rigid tensional
ties, and they work or pass through apertures, that is slots, in a central or inner
ring or rim, by which lateral movement of the outer rim or tyre out of the true
plane of the wheel is prevented.
In some cases, these ties pass completely from one side of the tyre or outer rim
to the other, forming cords or ties of one, three, or more members; whilst in others,
they are secured to a ring spanning the hub of the wheel.
The improvements, under this invention, can be used conjointly or separately,
and, therefore, are not to be taken as restricted to their use conjointly, but, for
convenience, I will describe a wheel comprising all the chief features, or improved
characteristics of the invention.
In the case of a wheel having the tangential elastic, and practically non-elastic,
ties, of the kind referred to, the latter ties, without or with little stretch or
elasticity, serve to support the central portion at one side of the wheel, that is,
what may be called, the rising side of the wheel, when in motion; and their
inclination from the central portion towards the rim, necessarily runs from left to

page_text: right, as viewed from an axial point, and from the right hand side of the wheel
or vehicle; whilst the elastic ties run in an opposite direction. The ties may. be
adjustable, in some cases, to put the elastic under tension and to vary this tension
at will according to the load weight of the rider, or requirements; and this may
be conveniently effected by nuts screwing into the inner ends of the ties, with
springs under them, if desired. The elastic ties (which, in most cases, will consist
of suitable cords or wires, with spiral or other springs in or upon them, or of
tensional springs only) will be in tension in the wheel to such a degree, that,
when the wheel receives its due load, the inner part of the wheel and vehicle will
be just supported, without substantial stretching of the ties, or the inner part being
moved out of its concentric position within the rim of the tyre. The effect of this
construction is, that when running, and a sudden vertical movement is given to
the rim, by unevenness or obstacles in the road, the concentric position of the
central part and the periphery is disturbed, and the rim will be raised, the lower
part being moved near to the axis, and the upper part further therefrom; and
as this movement must take place about the back half of the wheel, due to the
unstretchable, or substantially unstretchable, supporting ties referred to, it-the
rim moves upwards, practically, about this point, which acts as the fulcrum,
thus bringing into tension all the elastic ties of which there would be a com-
paratively large number. Thus the rim or tyre becomes a circular lever,
fulcrummed by one or more of the reverse ties, as the case may be; and it acts
upon all the weights or resistances, namely, the spring ties, all round the wheel.
In one construction, the centre part, preferably, consists of a central hub, and
a rim at some distance from it, say, of duplex or wide form, the sides of which
are spaced some distance apart, and this rim, at its outside edges, would be con-
nected with the hub by spokes, say, in the ordinary manner. This forms the cen-
tral portion of the wheel, and is practically rigid. Then in the annular space.
between this inner rim, and the outer or ordinary rim and tyre, the tensional
elastic or spring ties, and the inelastic, or substantially inelastic, supporting or
fulcrum ties, are arranged, and connect these two rims. The tensional elastic
ties will be arranged and fastened-say in alternate arrangement-to the opposite
sides of the inner rim at their inner ends, and converge towards each other as they
approach the outer rim, to which they would be attached in any suitable way.
This inclination tends to prevent movement of the outer rim, out of the plane of
the wheel, being, of course, assisted by the other ties having little or no spring,
which need not be arranged in the inclined manner of the spring ties.
Then, as regards the cords or radial ties or wires, these, in one form are secured
to a ring round-and considerably larger than the hub, and extend outwards,
radially, between this ring, and the outer rim or tyre, passing through slots
through the intermediate or inner rim. These slots will extend backwards, cir-
cumferentially, i.e. are elongated, so as to allow of the revolving motion of the
inner part within the outer rim or tyre, when the relative motion takes place;
but, at all times, prevent lateral movement of the tyre or outer parts out of the
plane of the wheel, and reinforce the rim, to assist in preventing its being pressed
or moved out of its form of a true circle. Of course, the other ties referred to
assist, and may suffice in themselves to do this; and, moreover, they also assist
largely, if not wholly, in preventing the tyre or outer part moving laterally out
of the plane of the wheel.
In connection with these stiffening ties connecting the outer rim or tyre, there
may be used a pneumatic or other spring hub, on which the ring round the hub
acts; or springs of any suitable kind may be employed between the hub ring and
the inner or intermediate rim, and between the inner rim and the outer rim or
tyre.

page_text: Improvements in Velocipede and other Wheels.
I, HENRY JOSEPH SHAWCROSS, Bachelor of Engineering, Water Engineer's
Office, Municipal Buildings, Dale Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
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 follow-
ing statement:-
The invention the subject of this application, has reference to the wheels of
velocipedes and other vehicles, but more particularly to wheels of velocipedes, as
ordinary bicycle wheels, and autocars; that is, to vehicles in which it is particularly
desirable, that practically all vibration and jar in the frame or body should be
obviated. And the object of the invention, mainly, is to provide a wheel, by which
these effects or results should be afforded, and in which all sudden vertical move-
ment of it, due to uneven roads, obstructions, and the like, received by the rim
or tyre, shall not be transmitted to the axle, and body of the vehicle; but shall
be taken up or absorbed in the wheel, by the construction hereafter described,
between the tyre or rim and the axle; and so render the movement of a bicycle
or vehicle, as the case may be, even when running over uneven roads, smooth or
steady, and practically without jar.
A wheel according to this invention, comprises a central portion, on or connected
with the hub; an outer rim or tyre; and intermediate connections or ties, con-
necting the rim with the central portion, which, are preferably approximately
tangential, and longitudinally elastic; and, there are also provided a number of
tangential, or substantially tangential, ties, with a little longitudinal elasticity,
or none, connecting the rim or tyre with the central portion, but disposed or run-
ning in the opposite direction to the aforesaid elastic ties. Further, in wheels
having a central portion capable of movement relatively with the rim or tyre in
the plane of the wheel, as referred to, or analogous constructions, ties are carried
from one side of the rim or tyre to the other, in the form of rigid tensional ties,
and they work or pass through apertures, that is slots, in the central inner ring
or rim. By these ties, lateral movement of the outer rim or tyre out of the true
plane of the wheel is prevented. In some cases, these ties pass completely from
one side of the tyre or outer rim to the other, forming cords or ties of one, three,
or more members; whilst in others, they are secured to a ring spanning the hub of
the wheel.
The improvements under this invention, can be used conjointly or separately,
and, therefore, are not to be taken as restricted to their use conjointly; but, for
convenience, I will describe, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, a wheel
comprising features, or improved characteristics, in one form, under the inven-
tion. In these drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation, and Figure 2 a cross section
of the wheel.
Referring to the drawings, the wheel shewn comprises a central portion, con-
sisting of a rim a and hub.b, rigidly connected together by the spokes c, arranged
in any known suitable way, and forming a rigid wheel frame connected to the
flanges of the hub b, of which it practically forms an extension; and an outer
rim, or rim proper d, with a rubber, pneumatic, or other suitable tyre e upon it,
which runs upon the road; this rim d being connected with the inner wheeĺ
portion by approximately tangentially arranged longitudinally elastic ties f
(which, in the case shewn, consists of spiral springs) fastened to the rim a and
to the rim d; and by ties g, also approximately tangentially arranged, but in an
opposite direction to the elastic ties f.

page_text: The ties g, as shewn, are inelastic, but in some cases they will be preferably pro-
vided with more or less elasticity; but this elasticity will, preferably, be substan-
tially less than that of the springs f, and will not be exercised under normal
conditions. For instance, these ties (9) may have spiral or other springs upon
them, or in their length, to afford to them a cushioning effect and action when
they come into and go out of operation as the wheel revolves, and so that there
is no jar upon them when this takes place; but, as stated, preferably, in all cases,
these springs will be such that their strength will be greater than that of the
spring or elastic ties f, and so that they act mainly as cushions or buffers to the
ties f.
The outer end of the ties may be supported in the rim d by nipples g², rest-
ing in suitable sockets therein, and the whole inner wheel or frame may be centred
and adjusted as regards the degree of tension or elasticity under which it is held
in the wheel by the springs f, by screwing up these nipples onto the ties g more
or less; and these ties may be capable of sliding into the wheel rim a more or less.
In addition to this connection of the outer and inner rims, there is provided a
lateral support consisting of radial tie rods h, connected to the rim d, and an
internal hub ring i round the hub b, and disposed in the plane of the wheel. The
rods pass through the centre of the rim a through slots therein, these slots being
in width equal to the diameter of the rods h, and extending circumferentially
some distance on either side of the normal position of the rod, so that the outer
and inner rims may have vertical play or revolving movement about each other.
By this lateral support, the rims a and d must partake of the same lateral or
horizontally twisting movements, and neither of them can move laterally out of
the plane of the wheel. In order to provide a large rubbing surface between the
rods and the inner rim a, this rim is provided, at the centre, with a recessed
portion a¹, the sides of which are vertical, and against which the rods h will bear.
The rods h and ring i, have also for their object and effect, to strengthen the
rim d and keep it truly circular.
The function of the ties g, is to serve as supports to the central portion of the
wheel, e. to what may be called the rising side of the wheel, when in motion,
which, in the drawing, is the left hand and side; whilst the elastic ties f run in
opposite direction, and give an elastic support to the falling, that is the right hand
side. On this side, the ties y do not take the weight of the machine and rider;
but on the other, practically the whole or the greater portion of the weight is
taken by the ties g which, for the time being, are at the upper part of the rising
half of the wheel, and in the drawing are marked g*, assisted somewhat by some
of the springs. Thus the inner frame a carries the whole of the weight of the
machine and rider transmitted through the hub b; and when in motion, this wheel
is continually rolling forward into a bed of springs which are, more or less, all in
tension, and all in work, according as the ties y and the springs f are placed more
or less tangential to the inner rim a.
Regarding the tension of the springs f, this may be varied at will according
to the weight or fancy of the rider by screwing the ties g up or out; for instance,
it may be so adjusted, that when the rider is upon the machine, the springs will
support the weight, without materially stretching; so that, normally, the inner
frame will be nearly concentric with the outer rim d; i.e. the elastic ties will be
in tension within the wheel to such a degree, that when the wheel receives its due
load, the inner part of the wheel and vehicle will be just supported without sub-
stantial stretching of the ties.
The effect of this construction is, that when running, and a sudden movement
is given to the outer rim, d, by an unevenness or obstacle in the road, its nearly
concentric position with regard to the central rim or part is disturbed, the rim d
being raised, and the lower part moved nearer to the axis of the wheel, and the
upper part further therefrom. And as this movement must take place about the
back half of the rim d, that is about the intersection of the supporting rods g³,

page_text: the rim will move upwards practically about this point, thus bringing into further
action and tension the springs. The rim or tyre thus becomes a circular lever,
fulcrummed by one or more of the rigid ties g, and acts more or less upon all
the weights or resistances, that is, the spring ties f, all around the wheel.
As regards the special construction and arrangement of springs and parts,
shewn in the drawings, it will be seen that the alternate springs round the wheel
are fastened at their inner ends to the opposite sides of the inner rim, which is
made broad on purpose; while, the outer end of the springs is secured to the centre
of the rim d, or crossed over, to give as great an angle to the springs as possible,
to the plane of the wheel. Or, as an equivalent, they might be attached alter-
natingly to the outer sides of either rim in planes parallel to the centre plane of
the wheel. By these arrangements of springs, the outer rim d is given additional
lateral support; i.e. it is braced from either side by these springs.
The spokes and ties are secured to the hub bor ring and to the rims a ord,
in any of the usual ways, and tension put upon them to the required degree.
In the wheel shewn in the drawings, the springs are adapted to operate under
tension; but according to a modification, these springs may be arranged to operate
in compression.
As above stated, improvements under this invention are not restricted to the
use of all the parts specified conjointly. For instance, as a modification, a wheel
under the invention may comprise the inner rim a and spokes, the outer rim d
the spokes h, and the springs f, the springs f being arranged preferably alter-
natingly at an angle with the plane of the wheel, between the rims a and d, as
described and illustrated. The spokes h in this case will act as a stop to the inner
rim or wheel; namely, they will normally lie in contact with one end of the
respective slots in the rim a, through which they pass, that end of course being
that which would be, under normal conditions, pulled up against the ties by the
springs f. Further, it is not necessary that the spokes h should be employed to
serve as these stops, as in a wheel of the character referred to, wherever there are
a series of springs as f arranged at an inclination to the radii of the wheel, and
extending between and connecting an inner wheel and an outer wheel rim, in
such a manner that the inner wheel may revolve within the outer, any suitable
stop to prevent the inner wheel being pulled back by the springs, as they tend to
do, may be provided. As another instance of a modification, the inner rim or
wheel and outer rim may be connected together solely by or through springs,
inclined in one direction to the radii of the wheels, and the supports g, similarly
inclined, but in the opposite direction to the springs. Or the frame wheel rims
combined laterally as herein described, with the spokes on the outer rim, may be
connected by springs, (preferably, but not necessarily, placed at an angle to the
radii of the wheel) and placed anglewise to each other alternatingly laterally
across the plane of the wheel, or in planes parallel, to the central plane of the
wheel, the whole combination providing complete lateral stiffness and smooth
running of the wheel.
With regard to the ties g, according to one form, they may be inelastic longi-
tudinally or substantially so, but capable of bowing when in compression, or the
And
strain is removed from them when the inner wheel revolves in the outer.
they may also have a natural bow, being made flat in parts, by which they will
take the bowed action readily, as specified, when the strain is removed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. The herein described improvement in spring wheels of cycles or other vehicles,
comprising an inner rim or wheel frame; and an outer rim or wheel frame (the
vehicle being supported or carried by the inner wheel); and springs, connecting,
outer rims or wheels, 80
or on parts connecting, the said inner and
arranged that the inner and outer rims or wheels are capable of move-

page_text: ment in relation to each other in the plane of the wheel, and all are in tension,
and tend to come into increased tension, helping to support the load, when under
stress in work; for the purposes set forth.
2. In a velocipede or like wheel comprising an inner rim or wheel, and an
outer rim or wheel, movable in relation to each other in the plane of the wheel,
the herein described improvement, namely, a series of springs connecting, or on
parts connecting, the said inner and outer rims or wheels, arranged and acting
at an inclination to the radii of the wheel, and tending to cause the inner and
outer rims or wheels to revolve in relation to each other normally; and a stop
between the two rims or wheels, or on same, by which this movement is prevented;
for the purposes specified.
3. The herein described improvement in cycle spring wheels, namely, a wheel
comprising an inner rim or wheel, and an outer rim or wheel, movable in relation
to each other in the plane of the wheel, the outer rim or wheel having spokes
guided by said inner rim; and springs connecting, or on connections between said
inner and outer rims, the said spokes, and also the said springs, being so arranged
and adapted that they give a united lateral support to the outer rim or wheel, in
a manner such as described, tending to keep them in the true plane of the wheel;
for the purposes set forth.
4. In a velocipede or like wheel comprising an inner rim or wheel, and an outer
rim or wheel, movable in relation to each other in the plane of the wheel, the
herein described improvement, namely, series of springs connecting, or on parts
connecting, the said inner and outer rims or wheels, arranged and acting at an
inclination to the radii of the wheel, and also alternatingly at an angle with the
plane of the wheel, laterally, or in separate planes parallel to the central plane of
the wheel; by which the two rims or wheels are supported laterally.
5. A velocipede or like wheel comprising an outer rim, and an inner rim and
wheel frame adapted to support the vehicle frame, movable in relation to each
other, in the plane of the wheel, and duplex sets of connecting ties, connecting
the outer and inner rims, and by which the inner wheel is supported, one set of
ties being adapted to hold the inner frame in one direction at one position, a
normally constant position, relatively to the outer rim, and the other set having
elasticity and adapted to allow of relative movement of the inner and outer rims,
at another part of the wheel.
6. A velocipede or like wheel comprising an outer rim and an inner rim or
wheel frame adapted to support a vehicle frame, movable in relation to each other
in the plane of the wheel, a set of connecting springs f, connecting the outer and
inner rims, and disposed approximately tangentially to the rims; and rigid, or
comparatively rigid connecting tie rods g, disposed at similar inclinations, but
opposed in direction to the springs, said rods being adapted to support the inner
rim from the outer rim, and hold it at one side of the wheel, and the springs being
adapted to allow movement on the other side of the wheel; substantially as set
forth.
7. A velocipede or like wheel, comprising an outer rim, and an inner rim and
wheel frame adapted to support the vehicle frame, movable in relation to each
other in the plane of the wheel, and duplex sets of connecting ties connecting the
outer and inner rims, and by which the inner wheel is supported, one set of ties
being adapted to hold the inner wheel frame at one point in a constant position
relatively to the outer rim, and the other set having elasticity, and adapted to allow
of relative movement of the inner and outer rims at another part of the wheel,
and radial rods h connected with the outer rim, and passing through and control-
ling laterally the said rim, by which lateral movement of the outer and inner rims
out of the plane of the wheel is prevented; substantially as set forth.
8. A spring wheel having inner and outer rims or wheel frames connected
together by springs, or by ties and springs, arranged at an inclination to the radii
of the wheel as described, said ties or springs being connected to the rim by screw

page_text: nipples, as g³, by which the tension on the springs is adjusted to the load, and
the two parts of the wheel centred; as set forth.
9. A spring wheel having parts arranged, constructed, and adapted to operate
particularly as shewn in and set forth with reference to the drawings.
Dated this 29th day of June 1898.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
Applicant's Patent Agents, 15, Water Street, Liverpool.