IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF RAILWAY, TRAMWAY, AND OTHER SIMILAR WHEELS."
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Hadfield of Southampton Buildings, Holborn,
London, for an invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
RAILWAY, TRAMWAY, AND OTHER SIMILAR WHEELS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Hadfield at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th May 1882.
ROBERT HADFIELD of Southampton Buildings, Holborn, London, "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF RAILWAY, TRAMWAY, AND OTHER SIMILAR WHEELS."
This Invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of railway, tramway,
and other similar wheels and has for its object to produce a steel wheel having a
tyre of great strength and durability thus greatly prolonging the life of the wheel
at the same time that such improved wheel is both lighter and considerably stronger
than ordinary wheels.
In order to make such improved wheel I proceed as follows-: I make the
spokes of the wheel either of wrought steel or iron or of rolled or forged steel or
iron of such a section and quality that such spokes combine lightness with
toughness. I then place the spokes in position in a tyre-mould which mould is
made to such a section as to allow of the tyre being cast considerably stouter and
stronger than the tyres of ordinary wheels whereby I impart great additional
strength and durability to that part of the wheel where it is most required at the
same time that owing to the improved conformation of the spokes my improved
wheel is as light or even lighter than ordinary wheels.
I then pour molten steel into such tyre-mould and after the mould is filled I
take care to continue reinforcing the metal therein for a sufficient length of time
to ensure the tyre being thoroughly and effectually welded to and united with the
outer ends of the spokes such thorough union or welding being accomplished by
the continuous pouring into the mould of such molten metal at a very high
temperature.
I then permit the said tyre to cool and owing to the contraction consequent
thereon the space left wherein to form the nave or boss of the wheel becomes

page_text: slightly enlarged.-I then proceed to cast such nave or boss by pouring molten
steel into this space and when it is filled I continue to reinforce the metal in the
manner already described whereby I thoroughly and effectually weld the inner ends
of the spokes to the body of the nave or boss.
By this improved method of manufacture I produce a perfectly sound steel
wheel free from all internal strain or tension, having light wrought steel or iron
spokes thoroughly welded to the tyre and nave while the tyre is of much heavier
section than the tyres of ordinary wheels and consequently owing to the improved
construction and to the fact that a tyre made of cast steel will outlast a rolled tyre-
wheels manufactured upon my improved principles possess far greater lasting and
wearing properties than ordinary wheels.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Robert Hadfield in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
4th November 1882.
+
ROBERT HADFIELD of Southampton Buildings, Holborn, London "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF RAILWAY, TRAMWAY, AND OTHER SIMILAR WHEELS."
This Invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of railway trainway
and other similar wheels and has for its object to produce a wheel having a steel
tyre of great strength and durability, thus greatly prolonging the life of the wheel,
at the same time that such improved wheel is both lighter and considerably stronger
than any ordinary wheel.
In order to make such improved wheel I proceed as follows.-I make the spokes
of the wheel either of wrought steel or iron or of rolled or forged steel or iron of
such a section and quality that such spokes combine lightness with toughness. I
then place the spokes in position in a tyre mould which mould is made to such a
section as to allow of the tyre being cast considerably stouter and stronger than
the tyres of ordinary wheels whereby I impart great additional strength and
durability to that part of the wheel where it is most required at the same time
that owing to the improved conformation of the spokes my improved wheel is
lighter than ordinary wheels.
I then pour molten steel into such tyre mould and after the mould is filled I
take care to continue reinforcing the metal therein for a sufficient length of time
to ensure the tyre being thoroughly and effectually welded to and united with the
outer ends of the spokes such thorough union or welding being accomplished by
the continuous pouring into the mould of such molten metal at a very high
temperature.
1 then permit the said tyre to cool.
pouring molten steel into the mould
continue to reinforce the metal in
I then proceed to cast the nave or boss by
previously prepared and when it is filled I
the manner already described whereby I

page_text: thoroughly and effectually weld the inner ends of the spokes to the body of the
nave or boss.
By this improved method of manufacture I produce a perfectly sound wheel free
from all internal strain or tension having light wrought steel or iron spokes
thoroughly welded to the tyre and nave while the tyre is of much heavier section
than the tyres of ordinary wheels and consequently owing to the improved
construction and to the fact that a tyre made of cast steel will outlast a rolled tyre-
wheels manufactured upon my improved principle possess far greater lasting and
wearing properties than ordinary wheels.
I would here observe that I am aware that a somewhat similar method of
manufacture has been adopted in making colliery pulleys for pit head frames but
it has never before been applied in the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore
specified.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and the manner of carrying the same into effect I would have it
understood that what I claim as novel and of my invention is,
The making a railway, tramway, or other similar wheel with either wrought,
rolled or forged steel or iron spokes, united or welded to a cast steel tyre
substantially in the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore described.
In witness whereof I the said Robert Hadfield have hereunto set my hand
and seal this fourth day of November in the year of Our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
DADGDm