An Improved Spring Rim for the Wheels of Velocipedes and other Vehicles.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 14th May, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 14th July, 1891-Accepted, 15th Aug., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Spring Rim for the Wheels of Velocipedes and other
Vehicles.
1, WILLIAM JAMES PIZZEY of Small Street, Bristol, in the County. of
Gloucestershire, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to a new or, improved manner of constructing the rims, or
wearing surfaces of the wheels of velocipedes and other vehicles, and has for its
object, the prevention of the bursting of the tyre, or the cutting thereof by the
rim of the wheel, as occurs in the use of pneumatic tyres, and yet provide an
elastic surface in every way equal thereto without the need of specially constructed,
or abnormally wide rins, or the use of compressed air, and the apparatus necessary
therefor.
In carrying my invention into effect I rivet, screw, bolt, or otherwise fasten
within the concave rim, and around the periphery of the velocipede, or other
vehicle wheel, a series of springs, preferably made of flat metal, and bent, or
formed in such a manner that each spring is more or less curved, and slightly
overlap each other, and so arranged that while the heel of each spring is fastened
firmly in the manner aforesaid to the rim within the U, or other shaped groove,
the toes, or free ends present a surface level with, or extending slightly beyond,
the outer edges of the rim, and so in themselves form an elastic wearing surface.
But in order to prevent the rattle or noise, and the consequent deterioration likely
to occur in the use of springs so exposed, and to give a more finished appearance to
the wheel, I make use of a stout india rubber, or other resilient substance mounted
upon canvas, cloth, leather, or any suitable material, of a width equal to, or nearly
so, the circumference of the rim of the wheel in cross section. The resilient
material employed is graduated in thickness from the centre to the edges of the
fabric upon which it is mounted, so that the centre, or most exposed wearing
surface may be the thickest. The strip so prepared is placed around the periphery
of the wheel, surrounding the rim; and enclosing the before mentioned springs, and
is held in position by means of laces passing through suitable eyelet holes provided
in the material for that purpose, or by straps, or studs, or any other suitable
means to attain the same end.
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
4, Moorfields, Fore Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
5 An Improved Spring Rim for the Wheels of Velocipedes and other
-Vehicles.
I WILLIAM JAMES PIZZEY of Small Street, Bristol, in the County of
Gloucestershire, Engineer, 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 invention relates to a new, or improved manner of constructing the rims, or
wearing surfaces of the wheels of velocipedes and other vehicles, the object of
which is, that a tyre, or wearing surface may be provided in every way equal to,
and possessing all the elasticity of; pneumatic, or other tyres of similar construction,

page_text: or any solid, or hollow tyre hitherto made and used, without, the necessity of
abnormally wide, or otherwise specially constructed rims, or the necessary apparatus
for charging with compressed air in the case of pneumatic tyres; or the possibility
of the inconvenience arising from the bursting or cutting of the tyre; as the outer
casing of my said tyre may be completely removed, or torn away, and the wheel
still retain a good elastic wearing surface.
In order that my invention way be clearly understood I. have appended hereunto
a sheet of drawings, in which,
Fig. 1 is a side view of part of the rim of a velocipede, or other vehicle wheel,
fitted with a series of springs as wearing surfaces, in the manner forming the
subject of my invention.
Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are, side view, front view, and plan respectively, of one of the
series of springs surrounding and forming the wearing surface, or tyre of Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is a diametrical section of Fig. 1.
Figs. 6 and 7 are plan and section respectively, of the elastic material employed
to surround Fig. 5, and shewn in position by the sectional view Fig. 8.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the
drawings.
In carrying my invention into effect-I construct a number of properly
tempered springs A, made from any suitable flat metal, but preferably steel, bent
and fashioned after the manner shown by Figs. 2, 3 and 4, that is to say; The
lower end a; of each, is, or may be slightly curved at the sides thereof so that the
under surface may be sufficiently convex to accommodate itself to the concavity of
the velocipede, or other. wheel rim to which it is to fixed. Said curving at a
gradually develops into a perfectly flat cross section, at, or about the part marked b
and then slightly curves in an upward direction longitudinally and assumes a lateral
curve at the upper end e, contrary to that at a, the object of the latter curve c
being that no sharp edges may be presented to the outer covering, or resilient
wearing surface when fixed thereon.
The foregoing description of the shapes of the springs A, is only given
approximately, as the lower, or a end would naturally be lessened in width if
necessary, and curved entirely to suit, the particular formation of the rim of the
wheel B.
The lower, or a end of each of the said springs, is furnished with one, or more
holes a by means of which each spring is screwed, or otherwise fastened firmly
within the U, or other shaped rim B, as shewn at Fig. 2, and arranged to slightly
overlap each other as shewn in Fig. 1 until the whole of the concave rim is filled,
and the last spring placed in position overlapping the first. By this means the
series of springs A so placed, present a perfectly elastic surface extending slightly
beyond the outer edges of B, and form in themselves a perfect tyre. But in order
to prevent rattle and noise, and guard against the deterioration of said springs by
being left exposed, and also to give a more finished appearance to the wheel, I
make use of a stout india rubber, or other resilient substance C, mounted upon
canvas, cloth, leather, or any suitable material D, of a width equal to, or nearly so,
the cross sectional circumference of the rim B, when fitted with the spring A.
The resilient substance C, is graduated in thickness from the centre to the edges of
the fabric D, upon which it is mounted, so that the centre, or most exposed wearing
surface d may be the thickest. In Figs. 6 and 7 I shew a plan and section of the
material so prepared, upon the outer edges of which I fasten straps, and buckles,
or insert eyelets e as in Fig. 6, said strip is in length about equal to the circum-
ferential measurement of B, and is placed upon the wheel so that its width
surrounds A, and B, as at Fig. 8, and is held in position by the straps and buckles
before mentioned, or by means of lacing through the holes e, or by means of studs
in lieu of eyelets, or any other suitable means by which it may be held
surrounding A and B.
I find in practice that the binding on, or lacing of D, and C, should operate
slightly upon the tension of the springs A, for the purpose of the more symmetrical

page_text: finish of the wheel, and in order that each spring A, may be kept in close contact
with its neighbour, for the further prevention of rattle.
A wheel rim so constructed according to my invention, would always present a
perfectly elastic wearing surface, equal to that of pneumatic tyres, without the
fear of collapse that usually accompanies the use of such tyres when passing over
sharp stones, or other substances within its path, and should at any time either of
the springs A, break, the same can easily be replaced, by the simple operation of
unfastening C. D, and re-lacing or buckling same when the broken spring had been
replaced by a new one. .
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is
In an improved spring rim for velocipedes and other vehicles, the employment of
a series of springs A, curved, or otherwise shaped so as to partly overlap each
other, when fastened to, and within the concave circumferential exterior of a
wheel B. The manner of surrounding said rim and springs, with canvas, leather,
cloth or other suitable material D, to which is attached, or incorporated a
graduated india rubber, or other resilient substance C, held in position by means
of straps and buckles, or lacing engaging with eyelet holes, or studs e, within or
upon D, the whole combined and operating as herein described, substantially as
and for the purposes set forth and shewn by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 13th day of July 1891.
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
4, Moorfields, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
4, Moorfields, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.