Improvements in or relating to Wheels for Velocipedes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Mar., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 4th Dec., 1891-Accepted, 9th Jan., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Wheels for Velocipedes.
I, FELIX EUGENE MARC GRAS, of 68 Rue Claude Bernard, Paris, France,
Velocipede Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to an arrangement of velocipede wheel in which the
spokes are fixed in such a manner that they can be readily removed and
re-inserted.
The invention comprises
1. A method of mounting the spokes on the felloe or rim by means of fixed
sleeves with the object of enabling the spokes to be removed without removal of
the rubber tyre.
2. An arrangement for engaging the spokes with, and fixing them on the hub.
3. An arrangement of hub which enables all the spokes to be tightened simul-
taneously when inserted.
In order that the invention may be clearly understood I illustrate an arrangement
by way of example in the annexed drawing, in which
Fig. 1 is an end elevation of the wheel, with the spokes loose.
Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the wheel with the parts in the position they assume
when the spokes are tightened; it also illustrates the application of a special
tightening device hereinafter described.
Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the hub.
Fig. 4 shews a spoke separately.
Fig. 5 illustrates a half ring or washer employed to maintain in position the disc
which effects the tension of the spokes.
Fig. 6 illustrates a key or spanner for use in removing the spokes.
The spokes a are mounted on the felloe or rim b by sleeves c which are fixed on.
the said rim by any suitable means, such as by screws or rivets; these sleeves are
formed with holes d on their sides, and in the direction of the axis of the spoke
with a seat or recess and a circular hole equal to the diameter of the steel rod
constituting the spoke.
The arrangement is such that in order to mount a spoke upon the rim, it is
sufficient to pass it through the sleeve where it is retained by a shoulder or head e
as shown in the drawing.
At its other end the spoke is formed with a head and a bent neck which is
adapted to engage in a notch formed in the inner annular surface of a washer
forming part of the hub. All the spokes are then retained in position in their
respective notches by means of an overlapping part h, capable of turning and bearing
upon each end of the spokes.
This part is formed with a notch in its periphery that allows of the spokes
being loosened one by one, by causing it to turn by means of the key or spanner
shown in Figs. 6, whose nose k engages in the notch i. In order to tighten the
spokes, after they have been inserted and fixed as just described, a device is
employed, shown in operation in Fig. 2, and composed of a central screw I and two
hooked branches mm, one m of which is pivoted at n. The two hooked parts are
caused to engage with the recesses in a sleeve o which forms the end of the hub d,
by exerting a tractive force on the said part by means of the screw arranged as in
Fig. 2, and the whole arrangement is mounted upon the spindle of the axle where
it is maintained by two keys or wedges in the form of half rings or washers
which are inserted behind the discs in a groove provided for this purpose in the
spindle of the axle r.. Each of these half rings or washers has a tail piece

page_text: ending in a ring strung on a spoke, so that they shall not be liable to be lost
(Figs. 1 and 2).
With this arrangement it will be understood that one side of the axle is capable
of motion, as just described, whilst the other is fixed.
In order to remove a spoke, the wheel is put out of tension, then the notch i is
moved until it is opposite the spoke which can then be removed from the hub,
passing out of the wheel through its sleeve c, the movement being the reverse of
that necessary for its insertion.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that according to my invention,
the spokes are not screw-threaded, at either end.
1
1 1001
F. E. M. GRAS,
By L. W., per F. B.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Wheels for Velocipedes.
I, FELIX EUGÈNE MARC GRAS of 68 Rue Claude Bernard, Paris, France,
Velocipede Manufacturer, 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 construction of velocipede wheel in which the spokes
are fixed in such a manner that they can be readily removed and re-inserted.
The invention comprises
1. The mounting of the spokes on the felloe or rim by means of fixed sleeves
with the object of enabling the spokes to be removed without removal of the rubber
tyre;
2. An arrangement for engaging the inner ends of the spokes with, and fixing
them on the hub; and
3. An arrangement of hub which enables all the spokes to be tightened simul-
taneously when inserted.
In order that the nature of my invention may be clearly understood reference
is had to the drawing filed with my Provisional Specification, in which
Fig. 1 is an end elevation of part of the wheel, with the spokes loose.
Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the wheel with the parts in the position they assume
when the spokes are tightened; it also illustrates the application of a special
tightening device hereinafter described.
Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the hub with the inner end of the spokes.
Fig. 4 shews a spoke separately.
Fig. 5 illustrates a half-ring or washer employed to maintain in position the
disc which effects the tension of the spokes.
Figs. 6 are two views at right angles to each other, illustrating a key or spanner
for use in removing the spokes. The spokes a are mounted on the felloe or rim b
by sleeves c which are fixed on the said rim by any suitable means, such as by
screws or rivets; these sleeves are each formed with a transverse hole d, and in the
direction of the axis of the spoke, with a seat or recess and a circular hole equal to
the diameter of the steel rod constituting the spoke.
In order to mount a spoke upon the rim, the end of the spoke to be secured to
the hub is passed through the circular hole in the sleeve and the spoke is drawn
through the said hole until a shoulder or head e at its other end engages with the
sleeve as shewn in the drawing.
and a
That end of each spoke to be secured to the hub is formed with a head
bent neck (Fig. 4) which is adapted to enter a corresponding notch formed in the
inner edge of a washer g forming part of the hub.
The spokes are retained in position in their respective notches by means of an

page_text: overlapping split spring ring capable of turning with the washer and bearing
upon the inner ends of the spokes..
The space between the ends of this split ring allows of the spokes being
loosened one by one, on its being intermittently turned by means of the key or
spanner shewn in Figs. 6, whose nose for this purpose is placed in the said space i..
In order to tighten the spokes after they have been inserted and fixed as just
described, the device shewn in Fig. 2 is employed. This device comprises a central
screw and two hooked branches m m', one of which (m) is pivoted at n. The
two hooked parts are caused to enter the recesses in a sleeve o secured to the side
of the hub, the tightening being effected by exerting a tractive force on the sleeve
so as to move the parts and h outward, relatively to the spindle r, by means of the
screw arranged as in Fig. 2. After tightening the spokes the whole arrangement
is maintained in position on the axle by two keys or wedges p in the form of semi-
circular washers inserted behind the washers g in a groove or space 7 provided for
this purpose on the spindle r. These semi-circular washers each have a tail-piece
terminating in a ring or eye through which one of the spokes extends (Figs. 1
and 2) thereby obviating all liability of their being lost.
It will be understood that the spindle is capable of motion relatively to the
hub on one side only, as just described, the other hub being fixed to the said
spindle.
In order to remove a spoke, the wheel is put out of tension by removing the
semi-circular washers p, then the spring is moved until the space i between its
ends is brought opposite the particular spoke which can then be removed from the.
hub and can be drawn out of the wheel through its sleeve c, this movement being
the reverse of that necessary for its insertion.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that according to my invention,.
the spokes do not require to be screw-threaded, at either end.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-.
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A velocipede wheel having a rim provided with sleeves c in which are
openings for the passage of the spokes, the arrangement being such that a head at
the outer end of each spoke will engage with the sleeve, for the purpose of holding
the spoke in position substantially as described.
2. A wheel for velocipedes, having removable spokes each provided at the inner
end with a head and a bent neck adapted to enter a notch formed in the inner
edge or periphery of a washer g forming part of the hub; the spokes being retained
in place in their respective notches by an overlapping split spring ring arranged to.
bear upon the inner ends of the spokes and to rotate with the washer and having a
space between its ends for engaging the spokes with and disengaging them from
the said washer substantially as described.
3. A wheel for velocipedes having part of its hub movable outwardly on the
axle relatively to the other part and provided with a sleeve o adapted for engage-.
ment with a device such as described for moving the said hub outwardly and a
pair of keys such as p adapted to prevent the hub returning to its original
position after being moved outwardly substantially as described for the purpose.
specified.
4. The improved velocipede wheel substantially as described and shown.
1
1
1001
F. E. M. GRAS,
By L. W., per F. B.