Elastic Hub for Velocipedes and other similar Vehicles.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Jan., 1898-Accepted 26th Mar., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Elastic Hub for Velocipedes and other similar Vehicles.
We, JOHANN THEODOR LUBBEN, Captain, and OTTO SEHRWALD, Manufacturer, both
of No. 28A, Marien Strasse, St. Pauli, Hamburg, in the Empire of Germany, 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 a construction of elastic hub for velocipedes and other
similar vehicles and has for its object to devise an arrangement whereby the
transmission of the rotary motion of the wheel upon the hub and the resiliency of
the felloe in a radial direction are rendered efficient and reliable, while the elasticity
is nowise impaired. The arrangements hitherto used had the defect that these three
requirements were not sufficiently brought into unison.
According to this invention the object is attained by the use of an auxiliary hub
which is slid into position between two guiding rings and is carried by the latter by
the aid of elastic discs. Between the auxiliary hub and the hub proper is formed
an elastic pad or cushion which may be an inflatable pneumatic cushion or air
chamber.
In the accompanying drawings, which show one form of the subject matter of the
invention, Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the hub of the rear wheel,
while Figure 2 is a view of the left hand part of the auxiliary nave and of the
guiding ring.
The fixed axle a of the wheel carries in the usual manner (by the aid of the two
cones a¹, a', which are fixed and adjustable) the hub b. Upon one end of this hub
is fixed the chain wheel c, and upon the rim 6¹, to which the spokes are fixed in
ordinary wheels, are bolted the two guiding rings & by means of the screw bolts d¹³,
a free space being left between these two wherein fit the flanges e of the auxiliary
hub. The inner perforation of these flanges has such a width as to be capable of
moving slightly towards the guiding rings, being thus safely guided and capable of
moving out of their plane.
The transmission of the rotation between the guiding rings d and the flanges e
of the auxiliary hub is effected by means of spring discs f, f, of india rubber or other
suitable material which allow the flanges to move in a radial direction. These discs
are connected by means of screws f, f¹, with the rings and the flanges.
Between the flanges of the auxiliary hub is arranged a tubular piece g acting as
the bottom part of this auxiliary hub and being tightly fixed to the flanges; this
piece moreover forms the outer bearing or counter piece for the annular air or
pneumatic pad h and h¹, is the valve of any suitable construction. The inner bearing
is preferably formed by a tubular stay g¹ passed over the hub. The object of this
arrangement is to maintain as long as possible the required inner diameter of the
oval or elliptical cushion to facilitate the making thereof, and to ensure its imperme-
ability. The spokes are fixed to the flanges e and extend on to the felloe. The
arrangement shown has the peculiarity that, for the purpose of cleaning and
repairing, the left flange of the auxiliary hub can be removed as well as the guiding