IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON- STRUCTION OF WHEELS FOR CARRIAGES OR VEHICLES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Honychurch, of Wellington Road, Camberwell,
in the County of Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
STRUCTION OF WHEELS FOR CARRIAGES OR VEHICLES."
Sealed the 13th January 1880, and dated the 16th July 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Honychurch at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th July 1879.
EDWARD HONYCHURCH, of Wellington Road, Camberwell, in the County of
Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WHEELS FOR CARRIAGES OR
VEHICLES."
My Invention relates to improvements in the construction of wheels for vehicles
of various kinds, whether light or heavy, such for instance as cabs, omnibuses, vans,
wagons, private carriages, and the like.
The said Invention is designed to provide wheels of greater strength than those
constructed by any method heretofore in use, and will be found to be specially
advantageous in all cases where the wheels are exposed to considerable wear and
tear, and to sudden and violent strain, as is the case with vehicles used in large
cities, particularly where tramways exist in the streets.
's
In carrying my said Invention into practice, I provide a nave or stock with
radial recesses or depressions made in one face of the outer portion of the said nave;
these recesses do not extend right through the material, and are therefore open on
one face and closed on the other face. The said recesses are designed to receive
the end of the spokes, consequently there are as many recesses as spokes.
I also provide a plate which is so made that it fits over and covers that face of
the nave, having the open recesses, being placed in this position after the spokes
have been inserted; this plate is securely bolted or otherwise secured to the nave,
and encloses and secures the spokes.
I provide felloes of about half the length of those ordinarily used, and conse-
quently employ more of them in each wheel; this enables me to use wood free from
cross grain or imperfect parts, and there is less liability to warping or shrinking.
The spokes are connected to the felloes in the following manner, that is to say, the
end of each spoke is placed between the ends of two felloes, and the end of the
spoke is inclined.or tapered, the ends of the two corresponding felloes being cut at
such an angle as to accurately fit the said formation of the spoke. The end of each
spoke is made of the same width as the felloes, but the spokes have no shoulders
[Price 6d1

page_text: either at the nave end or at the felloe end, consequently the entire substance of
the wood is utilized in strengthening the construction. The end of each spoke at
the felloe end may be provided with a recess at one side corresponding with a
-recess.in.the.end-of-the-felloe_to_receive_a_pin_or dowell to assist in making the
connection more secure.
In putting the parts together to form the wheel, I place the spokes and felloes
together as above described, and the other end of each spoke-is then placed in the
depression or cavity provided-for-it in one face of the nave; the tyre is placed
around the outside of the felloes, and the aforesaid plate is bolted upon the face of
the nave.
Previously to placing the said plate upon the nave, wedges are inserted in the
latter at the foot of each spoke, and I prefer to use one wedge of metal and one of
wood or similar material. The effect of screwing or bolting the said plate on the
nave over the end of the spokes exerts a great pressure, forcing the said wedges
down and the spokes outward in such a manner that the other end of each spoke,
by reason of its wedge shape, acts upon the felloes and tightens them securely with
regard to cach other and with regard to the tyre.
I also provide two circular rims of metal which extend completely around the
felloes and spoke ends in connection therewith, one on each side of the wheel;
these rims extend the whole width of the felloes, and a slight distance above the
outer periphery thereof, thus overlapping a portion of the tyre. The said rims thus
completely enclose both surfaces of the felloes, which in the ordinary construction
of wheels frequently become damaged by sudden contact with tramway rails or
other obstructions. These rims are secured at suitable intervals to the felloes by
bolts, rivets, or other means, and serve to add strength to the construction.
"By means of my Invention I entirely dispense with the necessity of heating the
tyre as ordinarily practised, as the outward pressure exerted on the spokes in
bolting the aforesaid plate to the nave effectually binds the outer periphery of the
felloes to the inner periphery of the tyre. There is no necessity for attaching the
latter by bolts, pins, or the like to the felloes, and I therefore dispense with all
holes in the tyre, which is consequently in one continuous piece.
I prefer to make the nave of metal; cast iron may be used in ordinary cases, but
I do not confine myself to it, as the nave may be also made of other metal or of
wood, or partly of wood and partly of metal. The axle-box or bearing for the
axle may be of any suitable construction.
In wheels as ordinarily constructed, the shoulders on the spokes at the nave end
and at the felloe end are relied upon as the chief support, the portion of the spokes
inside the nave and felloes not being of much assistance.
In my improved wheels I entirely dispense with shoulders on the spokes, and
the whole of the substance of the spoke-ends is utilized. It will thus be obvious
that I obtain greatly increased strength in a very simple manner.
An important advantage of my Invention is, that any damaged or defective
portion may be readily removed-and-replaced-by-any-unskilled-person.
The aforesaid rims encircling the sides of the felloes and overlapping a portion of
the tyre may be advantageously employed for wheels of any ordinary construction,
as well as for my improved wheels.
In some cases the tyre itself may be constructed with overlapping flanges to
extend down the sides of the felloes instead of using separate rims as above
described; or the tyre may have one flange on one side, a separate rim being
employed for the other side. I may also employ various other forms of tyre made
of such a section that a portion of the tyre may project into or over the wood of
which the felloes are made; for instance, in some cases I propose to provide a rib
along the centre of the inner periphery of the tyre, and a corresponding groove in
the felloes; or a rib may be provided on the felloes and a groove in the tyre, so that
the outer periphery of the latter may in all cases be without holes.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward Honychurch in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 16th
January 1880.
EDWARD HONYCHURCH, of Wellington Road, Camberwell, in the County of
Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WHEELS FOR CARRIAGES OR
VEHICLES."
The objects of this my said Invention are certain improvements in the construction
of wheels applicable to all kinds of road vehicles, such as cabs, cars, omnibuses,
private carriages, carts, waggons, agricultural machines, or any other description of
wheeled vehicles where wood, or wood and iron combined, is used in their construc-
tion, and consists mainly in so arranging the several parts as thereby to obtain
greater amount of strength, increased surface of all fitted and bearing surfaces,
increased durability and facility for repair or renewal of any part or parts in any
emergency, and without the aid of skilled workmen..
This wheel or the several parts thereof consists as follows: of a metal stock or
nave divided as may be requisite into radial recesses or parallel grooves of any
number, each spoke being maintained in its separate and independent position
without contact by a web or webs of metal intervening, or by the insertion of
distance pieces of wood or metal, or both in combination.
The stock or nave may be so constructed as to be adapted to any of the forms of
axle at present in use, or for a specially designed axle and axle box hereafter to be
constructed.
This metal stock or nave is so arranged and constructed that one or any number
of spokes can at any time be removed, renewed, repaired, or replaced by duplicates.
without disintegrating the whole wheel by removal of the plate or plates fully.
described in accompanying Drawing. These plates also are adapted to retain in
their respective positions a wedge or wedges to be inserted in the stock or nave, as,
occasion may require, in the event of the tyre becoming loose by wear or shrinkage
of fitted wooden parts, thus enabling the whole wheel to be restored to its original
condition without disintegration.
The plate or plates can at any time be removed for the insertion of wedges, and
replaced by any person of ordinary intelligence, enabling repairs to be executed
at any or all times necessary, and are kept in their respective positions by bolts and
nuts, or screws, or studs, of size and form dictated by the strength of the wheel to
which they may be applied.
The spokes are so constructed and arranged as to give a very much increased
fitting surface in the stock or nave over the form at present in general use, thus
ensuring an increased amount of strength in the part or parts most liable to fracture
or failure from wear and tear, decay, or accidental causes. They may be of any
sectional form, but in all cases maintaining the entire area of their square at the
part fitting to the stock or nave, thus giving a large amount of surface for the
expanding wedges to act upon in the case of the tyre at any time becoming loose.
The ends of the spokes fitting to or between the felloes are of V or wedge form
so arranged as to press equally on all the fitting parts of the felloes, and being
forced outwardly to the tyre by hydraulic or other pressure from the stock or nave,
thus dispensing with the shoulder as at present used, and ensuring an equal dis-
tribution of pressure on all the fitted parts.
The application of the expanding wedges or wedge in the nave or stock herein-
before described is not essentially necessary in the first or original construction of

page_text: the said wheels, but in all cases where repairs are necessary, and in which case they
can be applied by, the removal of the plate or plates covering the nave or stock
before alluded to, and are perfectly secured in their relative positions by the
replacing the plate or plates after the necessary repairs have been effected, thus
restoring the entire wheel to its original state-without-unnecessary-delay-or
expense.
The felloes are increased in number, and by such means shorter, thus enabling the
maker or makers of this description of wheels to make a more economical selection of
timber, and ensure freedom from cross grain or knotty or imperfect parts, lessening
_ liability to looseness from shrinkage or contraction, warping, or other defects, which
cause much inconvenience and expense in the manufacture of wheels generally.
These felloes are kept in position by the angular ends of the intervening spokes,
or if necessary are to receive the end of spokes, or in the case of certain forms of
tyre, are made to receive a key or dowl as described in Drawing.
They may also be rebated or grooved to receive any form or section of tyre,
according to the strength or description of wheel required.
. One or any number of these fellowes may at any time be removed for examination,
repair, or if damaged by accident or decay, be replaced by duplicate, without dis-
integration of the entire wheel.
The tyre may be plain or of any sectional form dictated by the strength of the
wheel, or the purpose to which it is to be applied; it may also be placed in position
by contraction if necessary, and may be attached to the felloes by bolts or screws,
but always maintaining the outer periphery or running surface free from holes by
drilling, punching, or otherwise. In the case of the ordinary plain tyre, it is to be
kept in position by a ring or rings of metal slightly exceeding the diameter of the
felloes, but not impinging on the tyre at any part.
If the tyre is flanged or of any other suitable or approved section, no other
appliances or precaution is needed.
In the construction of the wheels all its parts are made duplicate, so that in the
event of fracture of the tyre, they may be at once replaced in a tyre of corresponding
diameter and section, thus retaining all sound parts in its reconstruction.
That this my said Invention may be more readily seen and understood, I have
hereunto annexed Drawings in partial illustration of the same and its modifi-
cations, and denoted the same by the following Figures and references.
Fig. 1. Front elevation of wheel for heavy purposes complete.
ንነ
>>
2. Edge view of same complete.
3. Back elevation of heavy wheel with plate removed, shewing arrange-
ment of spokes and bolt holes.
4. Vertical section of heavy wheel.
7. Disc or plate shewing fillets for keeping distance blocks in position.
"
»
5. Felloe for same.
6. End view of felloe.
"
".
8. Edge view of same, half in section.
9. Distance block.
"
10. End view of same.
"
او
"
"
11. Front elevation of light wheel as arranged for cabs, or such description
of vehicle.
12. Back elevation of same with disc or plate removed, shewing arrangement
of spokes, bolts, &c.
13. Vertical elevation of light wheel complete.
14. Vertical section of same, with arrangement for securing back plate.
33
'
"
33
15. Plate for same.
"
16. Edge view of ditto.
ور
17 & 18. Felloe for light wheel and end view of same.
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19 & 20. Arrangement of spoke and felloe with dowl as applied in the case
of ordinary form of tyre.

page_text: Figs. 21 & 22. Arrangement of spoke and felloes where key is employed, as shewn
by dotted lines.
And in further explanation of this my said Invention and method of construction
and manufacture, the tyre is laid down in a convenient position, and the several
felloes placed in contact with its inner diameter.
The nave and stock is placed as nearly as possible in a central position.
The outer end of the spokes, or that part inserted between or impinging on the
felloes, is nigh entered in its place, the length of such spokes being slightly in excess
of the space allotted to receive them. The ends fitting to the nave or stock are
next entered to their respective places, the centre lines of the several parts thus
placed forming an obtuse angled triangle.
When all the component parts of the wheel are thus placed in position, the disc
or plate (or plates specially constructed) for use in the manufacture of the said
wheel, and so arranged as to embrace and cover all the number of the spokes, are
laid on in their place or places. Hydraulic or any other pressure is then brought
to bear on the outer surface of the said plate or plates, they are thus forced into
their exact position in the wheel, and find a true and equal bearing on all the
fitting surfaces, ensuring an equal distributing of pressure over the entire internal
surface of the tyre.
Having now fully described the subject matter and nature of this my said
Invention, and the best means with which I am acquainted for carrying the same
into practical effect, and for the benefit of the public generally, I wish it to be
understood I do not confine myself in anyway to the proportions, details, or
diameter of the several parts mentioned in the construction of my improved
wheels, as the same may be varied as circumstances require without in any way
departing from the merits of the Invention, nor do I confine myself as to the
description of metal or metals, or combinations of the same to be used, or that may
be used in the construction of the said naves or stocks of the wheel described, as it
may be seen that wood or any other substances may be combined and substituted
for metal in parts proportioned to the proper construction of the said wheel in the
spokes and felloes of the same, always maintaining the principle of expansion from
the nave or stock of the wheel.
My claim is as follows:-
First. The general form and construction of the said wheel, the arrangement and
construction of spokes so as to maintain an enlarged area of fitting surface at the
point most liable to fracture from any cause.
Secondly. The entire arrangement for the expansion of all the fitting parts con-
stituting the body of the said wheel, so as to maintain it in its entire or original
form and perfect rigidity, also in cases of derangement by accident, or decay, or
wear, of its restoration by means of wedges, actuated from the centre, nave, or
stock herein described or set forth, or any mere modification of the same.
Thirdly. The application and use of the short form of felloe, its economy in use
and manufacture, ready means of renewal by duplicate, and the defects from warping
or shrinkage being reduced to a minimum.
Fourthly. Increased durability, the stock being composed of metal wholly, or
metal in combination with other substances, and being so arranged as to admit of
any or all parts in connection therewith being at any and all times renewable in
case of accident or derangement by accident, wear, or decay, and this by any person
having command of any vehicle to which such wheels are or may be at any time
applied.
Fifthly. Facility of reparation in all cases by the ready means afforded for the
substitution of duplicate parts, also their being enabled to be carried or conveyed
in remote districts, and repaired by those in charge of the vehicle, without the aid
of skilled workmen.

page_text: And, lastly. I claim the entire and original design and combination of the whole
arrangement of the wheel, according to the manner hereinbefore described, and for
its several uses and purposes, also fully described by reference to accompanyng
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Honychurch, have hereunto set my
_ hand and affixed my seal, this Fifteenth day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
EDWARD HONYCHURCH. (L.S.)