Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Sept., 1887
Complete Left, 9th May, 1888
Complete Accepted, 15th June, 1888
I JAMES SHEPHERD of 27 Plymouth Avenue, Manchester in the County of Lancaster
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to axles, and to wheels so constructed that the wheel may
revolve round its own axis.
The objects to be attained are to lessen the amount of concussive action that the
various parts of a vehicle mounted upon wheels have to withstand when in motion.
To reduce the torsional and destructive strains that are thrown upon the wheels and
the axle or axles of a vehicle when making curves or angles.
To effect these objects I construct an axle the centre portion being of iron, steel, or
other suitable metal, and square, hexagon or of any other form.
At or near to one
end of the centre bar I weld or otherwise attach a Hange or collar. The other end of
the centre bar is turned down forming a shoulder, and is carried forward to any
required length and diameter for screwing, and attaching plates of metal or lock nuts,
between which and the collar at the other end of the shaft, the nave of the wheel is to
revolve and to be secured in its working position.
Over the length of the square, hexagon, or other shaped bar of metal I fix a tightly
fitting core of india-rubber, or other suitable elastic body, and this centre bar with its
core of elastic material is incased or covered by a metal tube so fixed that the metal
tube cannot revolve or turn round on the elastic pad or core.
An axle made according to this invention is therefore composed of a centre bar of
metal covered by an elastic body, and incased in a metal tube. The outer surface of
the metal tube is finished true to the required bore or diameter of the bush, or nave,
of the wheel for which it is intended.
The nave or hub of the wheel I prefer to make from a solid metal tube of a bore
suitable to receive the axle ; and upon the outer diameter of this tube to cast, shrink,
or to otherwise secure a steel, malleable, or cast iron centre rim or boss to receive the
spokes of the wheel. The back end of the hub or tube requires only to be turned
straight or square down to fit against the collar of the axle. Over the front portion
of the hub or tube a thread is cut or screwed to which is fitted a metal box of any

page_text: suitable design with a centre wing or projection that goes between the lock nuts or
metal plates, and the necked shoulder on the centre bar of the axle --By these means
the wheel is retained in position on the axle. The front of the metal box may be
closed by a cap or disc of metal so as to give any required degree of ornamentation.
Washers of leather or other suitable material may be placed between the facings of
the respective parts to regulate any endwise movement, and to subdue lateral jarring
or friction. Naves may also be cast whole in iron, steel, or other suitable metal ;
afterwards bored and finished as with the nave described in the preceeding paragraphs ;
or, the nave can be made of timber in the ordinary manner fitted with a bush of the
required form and dimensions to suit the flexible axle.
In the construction of axles and naves for loose running wheels by the introduction
of an elastic body between that portion of the axle upon which the weight of a cab,
carriage, or other vehicle is supported, and the surface of the axle over which the nave
or hub of the wheel revolves, the force of a blow, or concussive action from the
peripherial surface of the wheel to a vehicle when travelling over rough and irregular
roads is much reduced; but, the primary object of this invention is to overcome
or to materially reduce the torsional strains and vibrations to which the wheels and
axles of a vehicle are subjected when making curves and angles whereby the wheel at
one end of the axle going quicker than the wheel at the other end of the axle must
twist rather than roll the vehicle over the road. Wheels made with a flexible axle
according to this specification easily overcome the angle of gyration without violently
twisting either the wheels, axle, or the body of the vehicle attached thereto.
I am aware that Patents have been granted for numerous improvements in wheels
by the introduction of india-rubber or some description of spring in the felloe, ams,
or some portion of the nave; but, I am not aware of any invention or patent for an
elastic axle and nave, arranged for the purposes herewith setforth and described, and
which I claim to be novel and useful.
Dated this 5th day of September 1887.

page_text: Improvements in Axles and Naves for Wheels.
I JAMES SHEPHERD of 27 Plymouth Avenue Stockport Road Manchester in the
County of Lancaster 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 :-
This invention relates to axles and naves for wheels, where the wheel is intended
to revolve round the axle-The objects to be attained are to lessen the amount of
concussive action that the various parts of a vehicle mounted upon wheels have to
withstand when in motion, and to reduce the torsional and destructive strains that
are thrown upon the wheels and the axle or axles of a vehicle when making curves
or angles.
To effect these objects I construct an axle the centre portion being of iron, steel or
other suitable metal, and square, hexagon or of any other form. At or near to one
end of the centre bar I weld or otherwise attach a flange or collar. The other end
of the centre bar is turned down forming a shoulder, the reduced portion being carried
forward to any required length and of the necessary diameter for screwing and attach-
ing plates of metal or lock nuts between which and the collar at the other end of
the bar, the nave of the wheel is fixed and secured and adjusted in its working
position upon the axle. Over the length of the square hexagon or other shaped bar
of metal I fix a tightly fitting core of india-rubber or other suitable elastic body.
This centre bar with its core of elastic material is incased or covered round by a
metal tube so fixed that the metal tube cannot revolve or turn round on the elastic
pad or core. An axle made according to this invention is composed of a centre bar
of metal covered by an elastic body, and incased in a metal tube.
The outer surface of this metal tube is finished true to the required bore or diameter
of the bush or nave of the wheel for which it is intended. The nave or hub of the
wheel can be made from a solid metal tube of a bore suitable to receive the axle,
and upon the outer diameter of this tube to cast, shrink or to otherwise secure a steel,
malleable, or cast iron centre, rim or boss to receive the spokes of the wheel. The
back end of the hub or tube requires turning or facing to fit against the collar of
the axle. Over the front portion of the hub or tube a thread is cut or screwed to
which is fitted a metal box of any suitable design with a centre internal wing or
annular projection that goes between the lock nuts or metal plates and the necked
shoulder on the centre bar of the axle. By these means the wheel is retained and
adjusted in its position on the axle. The front of the metal box may be closed by a
cap or disc of metal so as to give any required degree of ornamentation.
Naves may also be cast whole in iron, steel, or other suitable metal and after-
wards bored and finished as with the nave described in the preceeding paragraph, or
the nave can be made of timber in the ordinary manner and fitted with a bush of
the required form and dimensions to suit the flexible axle. An arrangement of this
description known as a "Warner nave is shown at figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 accompanying
this specification.
"

page_text: For reference purposes the same letters indicate corresponding parts in the several
figures of the drawings.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a timber nave fitted with the improved
flexible axle.
Figure 2 is a half section of the nave and axle through the line "a" a."
Figure 3 is an end view of the back of the nave, and Figure 4 is half elevation of
a plan of the front of the nave.
Parts B, B, Figures 1, 2, and 3 comprise the contre bar upon which the vehicle
is mounted. Parts C, C the india-rubber core or elastic pad tightly fitting on the
centre bar B. Parts D, D, the metal tube or casing surrounding the elastic core or
pad and over which on the outer surface the wheel revolves. Parts E, E, the bush
of the nave attached thereto in the ordinary manner. Parts F. F the front end cap
and guide bar for fixing and adjusting the wheel in its working position upon the
elastic axle. Parts G, G, are hardened metal washers fixed over or screwed upon the
front portion of the centre bar, and between which the guide bar of the front end
cap is fitted. Part H is a metal disc or cover screwed into the front cap enclosing
the end of the axle and giving finish or ornamentation to the nave of the wheel.
Parts I, I, figures 1 and 4 is an ordinary wrought iron ring or guard to protect the
cap of the axle from injury. Parts J, J, is a metal plate which may be fitted to the
back of the nave by bolts or screws as a protection against dust and dirt getting
easily to the working parts of the axle and bush.
Washers of leather or other suitable material may be placed between the facings
of the respective parts to regulate any endwise movement, and to subdue lateral
jarring or friction.
Modifications of the several parts may easily be made to suit style or taste in the
design of a wheel nave without departing from this invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
1st. An axle and nave for wheels constructed substantially as and for the purposes
set forth and indicated.
2nd. The construction of elastic axles by the interposition of an elastic body
between the centre bar of the axle upon which the vehicle is mounted, and the outer
surface of the axle over which the wheel revolves.