Improvements in the Construction of Bicycle Wheels, and in the Method of Attaching and Supporting them on their Axles.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Sept., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 2nd June, 1892-Accepted, 30th July, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Bicycle Wheels, and in the
Method of Attaching and Supporting them on their Axles.
I, DAVID SYKES, of Turnbridge, Huddersfield, Yorkshire, Machine Maker, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to a new or improved construction of wheel for
bicycles and the like, and to the method of attaching them to, and supporting them
on, their axles, ny object therein being to make the wheel to yield or capable of
moving up and down independently of the axle in order that vibration or jolting
of the body of the vehicle or machine when passing over rough or uneven roads or
over stones or other obstacles may be greatly reduced or prevented.
In order to carry out my invention I make the hub or nave in two pieces,
arranged a short distance apart and connected together by a number of horizontal
springs or tension rods which pass through openings in a central disc placed midway
between the two portions of the hub, which said disc is suspended thereby. The
central openings in each part of the hub or nave and in the suspended disc are
made larger in diameter than the axle which passes therethrough in order that the
hub or nave and consequently the wheel may be free to move bodily within certain
limits in any direction independently of and without touching the axle. Against
the inner faces of each portion of the hub I place dises or sliding faces which
are connected together by a like number of horizontal spring or tension rods like-
wise passing through the suspended disc, the opposing surfaces of said parts being
turned or worked smooth and true in order that they may slide one upon the other.
These discs or sliding faces are secured to caps or covers placed on the axle at the
outer sides of each portion of the hub by means of bolts or other suitable devices
in such manner that the independent movement of the hub and wheel is not
interfered with, the parts being held in position and secured on the axle by means
of the said caps or covers and by rings or washers, the latter being preferably made
in halves so that they can be easily placed into recessed portions of the axle
provided therefor. The spring rods are preferably barrel shaped and when the
parts are put together, as described, and the wheels secured on the axle or axles of
a bicycle, the tendency of the said rods is to be alternately in a state of tension
and compression when the bicycle is passing over the road, thus giving to the
Jatter a certain amount of elasticity and springiness and as the wheels and hubs are
free to move up or down independently of the axle or axles the vibration, or jolting
of the vehicle or machine is considerably reduced or prevented.
In a modification of the above I have the main axle fastened to the central disc
but not to the outer hubs, which have a central opening larger than the axle to
allow the hubs to yield. The horizontal spring or tension rods are also employed
and they are connected to the central disc, but their ends enter recesses in both
lubs. I also employ horizontal shafts or connecting rods having ball or other
form of joints to allow the hub to yield and be reinstated again. The spokes of the
wheel enter each hub and the rim of the wheel.
.
Instead of spring or tension rods being employed as described. I may employ in
lieu thereof or in combination therewith spiral or other suitable form of springs
arranged radially around the hub, and confined between collars or flanges and the
axle or other. suitable part in such manner that the wheel and hub will be free to
move up or down independently of the axle within certain limits and giving similar
results as previously described.
For bicycles. tricycles and the like. the flexibility of the wheels constructed

page_text: according to my invention is well adapted to give the rider the same freedom from
vibration and shock as is obtained by the use of pneumatic or cushion tyres.
Dated this 1st day of September 1891
TASKER & CROSSLEY,
Halifax, Agents for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Bicycle Wheels, and in the
Method of Attaching and Supporting them on their Axles.
I, DAVID SYKES, of Turnbridge, Huddersfield, Yorkshire, Machine Maker, 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 has reference to a new or improved construction of wheel for
bicycles and the like, and to the method of attaching them to, and supporting them
on their axles, my object therein being to make the axle to yield or capable of
moving up and down independently of the wheel in order that vibration or jolting
of the body of the vehicle or machine when passing over rough or uneven roads or
over stones or other obstacles may be greatly reduced or prevented.
Such being the nature and object of my invention, I will now proceed to describe
the same more fully, and for that purpose will make reference to the accompanying
sheet of drawings illustrative thereof, wherein Fig. 1 is a section of one method of
carrying, out my invention, and Fig. 2 is a cross section of same taken through the
line a b. The axle of the machine is shewn at , and the hub or nave is shewn by
letters d and e, to which are attached one end of the spokes which extend to the
outer rim of the wheel, but not shewn in the drawings. This compound hub or
nave is made with a central opening g, which opening does not rest upon anything,
but is clear of all other parts of the wheel, to allow the axle to move up and down
independently such said compound hub being supported upon the ends of horizontal
spiral springs h, the ends of which enter into the recessed bosses i, projecting from
the inner face of the said hubs. The horizontal spiral springs also pass through
openings in the central disc ; placed midway between the two portions of the hub,
and which disc is supported by the said horizontal springs. This disc is also
provided with a central opening and is held clear of the axle of the machine by
the horizontal springs h. I also employ another set of horizontal spiral springs
which enter into recesses a projecting from the inner side of another pair of
discs o and but unlike the hubs or naves d and e, they are attached to and borne
by the axle c and secured by bolts to caps or covers 7 secured on each end of the
main axle. This second set of horizontal springs pass through openings in the
central disc j so that when their discs o and p yield downwardly which they do
when weight is put upon the machine the second set of springs which are held at
each end by the discs o and p are put into a state of tension in one direction, whilst
an opposite force or tension is exerted by the other springs so that on the weight
being removed off the machine the discs o and p will be raised or put back through
the force of the springs, thus it will be seen that the two sets of springs are
alternately in a state of tension or otherwise, consequently when the bicycle is
passing unon an uneven road the elasticity and springiness of the parts adds
considerably to the rider's comfort, and as the axle is free to move up or down
apart from the wheels, the vibration or joiting of the vehicle or machine is
considerably reduced or prevented. The opposing faces of the hubs de, and the
yielding discs o and p are turned or worked smooth and free in order that the
parts may slide without friction one upon the other.
2"
In Fig. 3 I have shewn how the horizontal spiral springs may be dispensed with
and instead thereof I may use two sets of horizontal steel bars and ri preferably
barrel shaped but they may be of equal thickness. These two sets of horizontal.

page_text: steel bars and r¹, are arranged alternately to enter into recesses in the hubs d
and e and into recesses in the yielding face plates o and p the action of the said
springs being alternately in a state of tension like that referred to with regard to
the spiral springs.
In Figs. 4 and 5 I have shewn a modification of the yielding axle where Fig. 4
is section and Fig. 5 cross section through the lines a and b. In this case I secure
the central disc to the main axle but the axle is not fastened to the hubs d, e,
as they are provided with a central opening g larger than the axle to allow the
said axle to yield in the manner already described. The horizontal spiral springs h
or tension rods r shewn in Fig. 3 are employed as before, the ends of which enter
into recesses in the hubs but the springs or rods pass through holes in the central
disc j so that as the axle yields the extremities of the springs or rods are also
caused to yield, but as soon as the weight of the rider is removed off the machine
the force of the springs or rods r to regain their normal position, raises the axle
back again. In this case the central disc is in two parts for the purpose of being
more readily placed onto the axle and it is held together by screws as shewn in
dotted line. In Fig. 4 I have shewn how a sleeves may be placed upon the axle c
and antifriction balls t employed for reducing friction.
j
Fig. 6 shews another modification wherein the horizontal rods u are formed with
heads or knuckles v entering into corresponding recesses in the hub and in the
central disc thus forming a ball joint which allows the axle to yield and to be
re-instated again when undue pressure is removed. In this arrangement in addition
to the short ball jointed rods u, I employ the barrel shaped steel bars r which give
the lifting power to the axle after having yielded to pressure. Fig. 7 is an end
view of Fig. 6 shewing the arrangement of the ball jointed bars u and the horizontal
tension rods r.
By the employment of the peculiar yielding axle as above described, they are
well adapted for bicycles, tricycles, and the like because as the machine rolls
along the road, the rider will be free from great vibration and shock, and the
elasticity of the parts is continuously re-adjusting the axle.
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 :-
Firstly. In a bicycle wheel, the use of hubs d, e, and disc j both formed with
central openings, in combination with yielding plates o, p, and two sets of horizontal
springs and all arranged and operated in the manner and for purposes
substantially as described and shewn in Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying
drawings.
Secondly. In a bicycle wheel, the use of hubs d, e, and disc j both formed with
central openings, in combination with yielding plates o, p, and two sets of horizontal
steel bars and r¹, all arranged and operated in the manner and for purposes.
substantially as described and shewn in Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings.
Thirdly. In a bicycle wheel, the use of hubs d, e, formed with a central opening,
together with a yielding disc j, in combination with horizontal spiral springs or
rods, all arranged and operated in the manner and for purposes substantially as
described and shewn in Figs. 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.
Fourthly. In a bicycle wheel, the use of hubs d, e, yielding disc j, in combination
with ball jointed rods u and horizontal steel bars r, all arranged and operated in
the manner and for purposes substantially as described and shewn in Figs. 6 and 7
of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 1st day of June 1892.
TASKER & CROSSLEY,
Halifax, Agents.