Improvements in Wheels for Bicycles, Tricycles, and other Velocipedes, and other Wheels of similar Character.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Dec., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 25th Sept., 1893-Accepted, 28th Oct., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Wheels for Bicycles, Tricycles, and other
Velocipedes, and other Wheels of similar Character.
I, THOMAS KNOWLES, of Norwood Road, Southport, in the County of
Lancaster, Cotton Spinner, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
My invention relates to wheels for bicycles tricycles and other velocipedes and
other wheels of similar character.
My invention consists firstly in improvements in wheels of the kind in which
flexible rims are employed. and secondly in improvements in securing to the rims
of the wheels of bicycles, tricycles and other velocipedes, and other wheels of
similar character, the elastic tires with which such wheels may be provided,
whether such tires be what are termed ordinary or solid tires, cushion tires, or
pneumatic tires.
In constructing a wheel according to the first part of my invention which consists
in improvements in wheels of the kind in which flexible rims are employed I
employ two or more flexible rims preferably formed of steel or other metal which
is sufficiently resilient and another rim which may be rigid or made rigid by being
connected by spokes or in any other suitable manner to the hub of the wheel. The
flexible rims and the rim which may be rigid may be made of any suitable width.
For convenience I will describe this part of my invention as applied when two
flexible rims are employed in the construction of a wheel. One of the flexible rims
aforesaid is larger in diameter than the other and the flexible rim which is of
smaller diameter than the other is larger in diameter than the rim which may be
rigid. The flexible rim which is of larger diameter is caused to surround the
flexible rim which is of smaller diameter and the flexible rim which is of smaller
diameter is caused to surround the rim which may be rigid. Props or struts which
may be rigid or elastic and of any material, metallic, or otherwise or may be made
in the form of springs as may be desirable are placed at suitable distances
apart, between the flexible rim which is of larger diameter and the flexible rim
which is of smaller diameter and between the flexible rim which is of smaller
diameter and the rim which may be rigid and the said props or struts are arranged
so that those between the flexible rim which is of smaller diameter and the
rim which may be rigid, shall be opposite to the spaces between the props or
struts placed between the flexible rim which is of larger diameter and the
flexible rim which is of smaller diameter or in some such manner. The said
struts or props may be of any suitable size and may be secured in position in
any suitable manner. The flexible rim which is of larger diameter which forms
the circumference of the wheel may be caused to be in contact with the ground
when the wheel is in use or may be provided with an elastic tire of any kind
either what is known as an ordinary or solid tire or cushion tire or pneumatic
tire or tire of any other kind which may be suitable or with any other suitable
protective covering. When employing three or more flexible rims in accordance
with this part of my invention, I employ props or struts between each flexible rim
and the rim surrounding or surrounded by such flexible tire and construct the wheel
in a manner generally similar to the above described.
In a wheel constructed according to this part of my invention the yielding of one
part of the outer flexible rim will be transmitted to the smaller and inner flexible
rim or rims and to the various parts of the outer and inner flexible rims and thus
the causes which in the case of a rigid wheel would bring about vibration in the
velocipede or vehicle in which such wheel is employed are absorbed or prevented
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page_text: from being transmitted to the framework of the velocipede or vehicle in which the
wheel constructed according to this part of my invention is employed.
According to one modification of the second part of my invention which consists
in improvements in securing to the rims of the wheels of bicycles, tricycles and
other velocipedes and other wheels of a similar character, the elastic tires with
which such wheels may be provided whether such elastic tires be what are termed
ordinary or solid tires, cushion tires or pneumatic tires, I provide or form upon
the rim to which an elastic tire is to be secured a number of projections or teeth
which may be bent into position to secure the elastic tire to the wheel or into
position to release such elastic tire and I form the elastic tire of such shape that
the projections which I form or provide upon the rim aforesaid may be turned
over or bent so as to grasp or enter into the said tire in such manner that it
will be securely held upon the rim by means of such projections or teeth. In
order to turn over or bend the projections or teeth aforesaid into position to
secure the tire upon the rim or to release the tire from the rim whenever it
may be necessary or desirable I may employ any suitable appliance.
According to another modification of this part of my invention I lace or stitch
the elastic Lire to the steel or other rim of the wheel by means of steel or other
wire in any suitable manner or I employ clips of metal which may grasp or be
turned or bent over the elastic tire or be provided with projections or teeth which
may be inserted into such elastic tire or upon which the elastic tire may be
stretched or secured and I secure such clips to the metal rim of the wheel by
means of prongs or spikes formed on such metal clips which may be caused to enter
into the metal rim or by causing such clips to grasp the metal rim in any suitable
manner or employ metal strips or conjoined staples provided with prongs or teeth
which may be inserted into the elastic tire and into the metal rim and be clinched
or secured therein in any suitable manner. The metal clips or other devices which
according to this modification of this part of my invention may be inserted or the
parts provided to be inserted into the metal rim may in cases in which it may be
desirable be rivetted or clinched into such rim in any suitable manner.
According to a further modification of this part of my invention I form upon the
rin to which an elastic tire is to be secured projecting spikes or teeth upon which the
tire may be hooked or strained or I form projections or teeth of this character upon
parts which may be secured to the rim of the wheel in any suitable manner and in
cases in which it may be desirable the projecting spikes or teeth may be clinched
so as to secure the tire placed thereon in any suitable manner.
According to a further modification of this part of my invention I pass rivets or
nails or screws through the rim to which an elastic tire is to be secured and
through such elastic tire and provide such rivets, nails or screws, with washers or
other like appliances of any suitable kind in cases in which it may be desirable,
and clinch or secure such rivets; nails or screws in any manner which may be
suitable.
For the purpose of this part of my invention I may provide the elastic tire to be
secured to a wheel with a projecting flange or rib or flanges or ribs or projecting
parts in order that such elastic tire may be more readily secured to the rim to
which it is to be applied.
By employing this part of my invention I am enabled to securely fasten elastic
tires to the rims of wheels for bicycles, tricycles and other velocipedes and other
wheels of similar character without employing cement or other adhesive materials
and thus to avoid all- the inconveniences which result from the employment of
adhesive materials for securing elastic tires upon the rims of wheels of bicycles,
tricycles and other velocipedes and other wheels of a similar character.
Dated this Twenty-third day of December 1892.
HOWARD
CHEETHAM,
Manchester, Agent to the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Wheels for Bicycles, Tricycles, and other
Velocipedes, and other Wheels of similar Character.
1, THOMAS KNOWLES, of Norwood Road, Southport, in the County of
Lancaster, Cotton Spinner, 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 wheels for bicycles, tricycles and other velocipedes and
other wheels of similar character.
My invention consists in improvements in wheels of the kind in which flexible
rims are employed.
In constructing a wheel according to my invention I employ two or more flexible
rims preferably formed of steel or other metal which is sufficiently resilient, and
another rim which may be rigid or made rigid by being connected by spokes or in
any other suitable manner to the hub of the wheel. The flexible rims and the rim
which may be rigid may be made of any suitable width. For convenience I will
describe my invention as applied when two flexible rims are employed in the
construction of a wheel. One of the flexible rims aforesaid is larger than the other
and the flexible rim which is of smaller diameter than the other is larger in diameter
than the rim which may be rigid. The flexible rim which is of larger diameter is
caused to surround the flexible rim which is of smaller diameter and the flexible
rim which is of smaller diameter is caused to surround the rim which may be rigid.
Props or struts which may be rigid or elastic and of any material metallic or
otherwise or may be made in the form of springs as may be desirable, are placed at
suitable distances apart, between the flexible rim which is of larger diameter and
the flexible rim which is of smaller diameter and between the flexible rim which is
of smaller diameter and the rim which may be rigid, and the said props or struts
are arranged so that those between the flexible rim which is of smaller diameter
and the rim which may be rigid shall be opposite to the spaces between the props or
struts placed between the flexible rim which is of larger diameter and the flexible
rim which is of smaller diameter or in some such manner.
The said struts or props
may be of any suitable size and may be secured in position in any suitable manner.
The flexible rim which is of larger diameter which forms the circumference of the
wheel may be in contact with the ground when the wheel is in use or may be
provided with an elastic tire of any kind either what is known as an ordinary or
solid tire or cushion tire or pneumatic tire or tire of any other kind which may
be suitable or with any other suitable protective covering. When employing
three or more flexible rims in accordance with my invention I employ props or
struts between each flexible rim and the rim surrounding or surrounded by such
flexible rim and construct the wheel in a manner generally similar to that above
described.
In a wheel constructed according to my invention the yielding of the outer
flexible rim will be transmitted to the smaller and inner flexible rim or rims and to
the various parts of the outer and inner flexible rims and thus the causes which in
the case of a rigid wheel would bring about vibration in the velocipede or vehicle
in which such wheel is employed are absorbed or prevented from being transmitted
to the framework of the velocipede or vehicle in which the wheel .constructed
according to my invention is employed.
Five forms of wheel constructed according to my invention are illustrated in the
accompanying drawing, in which portions only of the wheels are shown and the hubs
forming no part of my invention are only partially shown.
One form of wheel constructed according to my invention is illustrated in Fig. I
of the accompanying drawing in which (a) is the outer and larger of the two
flexible rims employed in the wheel and (6) is the inner and smaller of such flexible

page_text: rims. (c) is the rim which is or may be made rigid by being connected by the
spokes (d) to the hub (e) of the wheel. (f) are struts or props which may be of
elastic or other material but are preferably balls of indiarubber or gutta percha
each of which is secured to the rims between which it is placed by means of rivets
or bolts passed through such ball and the rims between which it is placed.
The flexible rims (a) (b) may be made of simple bands, of steel but in order that
they may be made as flexible as possible and be sufficiently strong I prefer to form
them of bands of steel and bands of indiarubber leather canvas or other equivalent
material which will prevent noise from being caused by the bands of steel striking
one another secured together by rivets or in any other suitable manner. I prefer
that when bands of indiarubber leather canvas or other equivalent material are
employed with bands of steel the bands of steel shall be placed alternately with the
bands of indiarubber leather, canvas or other equivalent material and that the outer
surfaces of the rims shall he formed of the bands of steel as is illustrated in Fig. 2
of the accompanying drawing in which is shown a wheel constructed generally in a
manner similar to that illustrated in Fig. 1. To parts shown in Fig. 2 are applied
the same letters of reference as are applied to corresponding parts shown in Fig. 1.
In Fig. 2 each of the rims (a) (b) is formed of bands (g) of steel, having
secured between them a band of indiarubber, leather, canvas or other equivalent
material (h).
In Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawing is illustrated another form of wheel
constructed according to
my invention. In the wheel illustrated in Fig. 3 flexible
rims (a) (b) of either of the forms illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 are employed and
between such flexible rims (a) and (b) and between the flexible rim (b) and the
rim (c) which is or may be made rigid by being connected by the spokes (d) to the
hub (e), rings (i) formed of flexible and resilient steel are placed so as to act as
struts or props. The rings (i) are secured to the rims between which they are
placed by bolts or rivets or in any other suitable manner. The bolts or rivets
employed in securing together the rims employed in the wheels illustrated in
Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are not indicated in such figure but the manner in which such bolts
or rivets are employed will be obvious to any person conversant with the manufacture
of velocipedes.
Another form of wheel constructed according to my invention is illustrated in
Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawing. In the form of wheel illustrated in Fig. 4
the two flexible rims, and the props or struts employed are formed out of indiarubber
and the flexibility of the rims is obtained by two rows of holes (j) being formed
through the indiarubber body (k) which constitutes such rims and the props or struts
employed therewith, the holes (1) forming the outer row being placed inter-
mediately between the holes (j) forming the inner row. Each of the holes (j) in
each row being opposite to the strut or prop (m) between two of the holes (j) in
the other row the outer circumference of the indiarubber body (*) and the central
portion thereof between the inner and outer rows of holes which in the case of the
wheel illustrated in Fig. 4 is of a sinuous form constitute two flexible rims. The
inner circumference of the indiarubber body (k) serves to facilitate the securing of
such indiarubber body to the rigid rim (c) of the wheel which may be of metal.
Another form of wheel constructed according to my invention is illustrated in
Fig. 5 of the accompanying drawing. In this form of wheel also the two flexible
rims and the struts or props (m) by which such flexible rims are connected together
and to the part by means of which they are secured to the rigid rim (c) of the
wheel are formed in one body of indiarubber but the said struts or props are
inclined to the radii of the wheel passing through them.
It is obvious that the holes (j) formed in the indiarubber bodies (k) illustrated
in Figs. 4 and 5 may be made in different forms so that struts of different shapes
may be provided so long as there are formed two flexible rims and it is also obvious
that the flexible rims and struts formed in such indiarubber bodies may be made of
various thicknesses as may be considered necessary or desirable but in order that
they may be sufficiently strong such flexible rims and struts should be made at

page_text: least one quarter of an inch thick. In order that the flexible rims illustrated in
Figs. 4 and 5 may be sufficiently flexible it is desirable that they should not exceed
one half of an inch in thickness. In each of the figures of the accompanying
drawing the distance between the rim (c) and the outer circumference of the outer-
most flexible rim which distance I propose to make about one inch is greatly
exaggerated in proportion to the size of the wheel in order that the parts may be
more clearly shown.
It is also obvious that if it be considered desirable flexible bands of metal, or
other suitable material may be embedded in the indiarubber bodies employed in the
construction of the wheels illustrated in Figs. 4, and 5. It is also obvious that the
struts or props illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 may be formed separate from the rims
with which they are to be employed and be secured thereto by bolts or rivets or in
any other manner which may be suitable.
It is obvious also that more than two flexible rims may be provided in wheels
constructed according to my invention.
The rims (c) illustrated in each of the figures of the accompanying drawing
which may as above mentioned be rigid or be made rigid by being connected
by the spokes (d) to the hubs (e) of the wheels in which they are employed
may be flat but I prefer that they should be channelled and they may have
the struts or props or other parts by which the flexible rims above described
are connected to such rims (c) secured thereto by bolts or rivets or in the case
of the wheels illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 the rims (c) may be made channelled
and have the indiarubber bodies (k) secured thereon by cement.
The props or struts or parts connecting the flexible rims employed in a wheel
constructed according to my invention being arranged in rows so that each prop or
strut or connecting part in one row is intermediate between two of the props or
struts or connecting parts in the adjacent row or each of the adjacent rows in the
case of more than two of such rows of props or struts being provided, pressure
applied to any point in the outer circumference of the wheel will tend to cause
each of the flexible rims to assume a sinuous form so that if a wheel constructed
according to my invention be made to travel over a surface in which are
undulations or irregular protuberances the upward movements imparted by such
surface to the outer surface of the wheel will be transmitted around the circum-
ference of the wheel rather than radially to the hub of such wheel and the
velocipede or vehicle in which it is employed and thus the transmission of jolts
to the framework of such velocipede or vehicle and the person riding thereon
or therein is largely obviated.
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. For use in a wheel for a bicycle, tricycle or other velocipede or vehicle the
combination of two or more flexible rims and a rim which is or may be made rigid
and props or struts connecting the flexible rims to one another and to the rim
which is or may be made rigid all arranged, employed and operating for the purposes
and substantially in the manner herein before described in reference to and illustrated
in and by the accompanying drawing.
2. For use in a wheel for a bicycle, tricycle or other velocipede or vehicle the
combination of two or more flexible rims formed of bands of steel and indiarubber,
leather canvas or other equivalent material and a rim which is or may be made
rigid and props or struts connecting the flexible rims to one another and to the rim
which is or may be made rigid all arranged, employed and operating for the purposes
and substantially in the manner herein before described in reference to and illustrated
in and by Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawing.
3. For use in a wheel for a bicycle, tricycle or other velocipede or vehicle two
or more flexible rims formed of indiarubber in one body with or secured to próps

page_text: or struts connecting such flexible rims together and to a rim which is or may be
made rigid and constructed, employed and operated for the purposes and substan-
tially in the manner herein before described in reference to and illustrated in and by
Figs. 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawing.
Dated this Twenty-third day of September 1893.
HOWARD
CHEETHAM,
Manchester, Agent to the Applicant.