Improvements in Wheels.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Wheels.
I, MICHAEL HOLROYD SMITH, of Albany Buildings, 47 Victoria Street, in the
City of Westminster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in wheels and consists in an improved
arrangement of parts forming a flexible or spring hub which will absorb shocks
transmitted from the rim of the wheel.
The invention is based on the principle that the axis must be free to move radially
but be restrained from twisting, the radial movement being restrained by springs.
In many previous inventions where springs have been introduced they have been
subject not only to compression and extension but have also had to stand a lateral
strain, in others the lateral strain has been obviated but by employment of compli-
cated mechanism such as sliding devices placed at right angles. This invention
presents a simple solution of the problem.
It is a well known law of mechanics that a circular movement is a compound of
two movements at right angles to one another, recognizing this law I take
advantage of the parallel movement employed by Watts for beam engines and make
a combination of two such movements, attaching the outer ends of one set of levers
to a ring or frame which may be the rim of the wheel or preferably a ring
situated between the rim and the centre forming what may be described as an
enlarged hub, the other ends of the first set of levers being attached to an inner
ring or frame which corresponds with and has the same function as the link in
Watts' parallel movement the centre of which is attached to the end of the piston
rod, between this frame and the outer ring or enlarged hub 1 place springs or
elastic media which control its movement, it is obvious that the frame can only
move in a direction at right angles to the normal position of the levers. To this
inner frame I attach the outer ends of another set of levers so that their normal
position is at right angles with the first set attached to the enlarged hub, the inner
ends of this second set of levers are linked together by what forms the wheel
centre into which the axle may be keyed or run freely as circumstances may
require, it is obvious that the movement of the centre in relation to the inner
frame can only be at right angles to the normal position of its attached levers,
and its movement is controlled by springs or the like placed between the centre
and the inner frame.
The movement of the centre therefore is at right angles to the movement of the
inner frame and the combined movement of the centre and the inner frame at right
angles to one another permits a radial movement of the centre in relation to the outer
ring or enlarged hub. Also the combined action of the first and second set of levers
prevents any torsional movement of the centre.
The outer ring or enlarged hub is preferably made circular, the inner frame may
also be circular but preferably rectangular but both inner frame and enlarged hub
may be of polygon form or modifications thereof as may be best suitable for allowing
the required movement and providing seats or attachments for the springs. The

page_text: minimum number of springs employed would be four but they may be multiplied in
pairs or groups as circumstances may require.
Dated this 2nd day of April 1896.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
55 & 56 Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agent,
For the Applicant.
Improvements in wheels.
I, MICHAEL HOLROYD SMITH, of Albany Buildings, 47 Victoria Street, in the
City of Westminster, 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 :-
My invention relates to improvements in wheels and consists in an improved
arrangement of parts forming a flexible or spring hub which will absorb shocks
transmitted from the rim of the wheel.
The invention is based on the principle that the axis must be free to move radially
but be restrained from twisting, the radial movement being restrained by springs.
In many previous inventions where springs have been introduced they have been
subject not only to compression and extension but have also had to stand a lateral
strain, in others the lateral strain has been obviated but by employment of complicated
mechanism such as sliding devices placed at right angles. This invention presents
a simple solution of the problem.
It is a well known law of mechanics that a circular movement is a compound of
two movements at right angles to one another, recognizing this law I take advantage
of the parallel movement employed by Watts for beam engines and make a com-
bination of two such movements, attaching the outer ends of one set of levers to a ring
or frame which may be the rim of the wheel or preferably a ring situated between the
rim and the centre forming what may be described as an enlarged hub, the other ends
of the first set of levers being attached to an inner ring or frame which corresponds
with and has the same function as the link in Watts' parallel movement the centre of
which is attached to the end of the piston rod, between this frame and the outer ring
or enlarged hub I place springs or elastic media which control its movement, it is
obvious that the frame can only move in a direction at right angles to the normal
position of the levers. To this inner frame I attach the outer ends of another set of
levers so that their normal position is at right angles with the first set attached to the
enlarged hub, the inner ends of this second set of levers are linked together by what
forms the wheel centre into which the axle may be keyed or run freely as circumstances
may require, it is obvious that the movement of the centre in relation to the inner
frame can only be at right angles to the normal position of its attached levers,
and its movement is controlled by springs or the like placed between the centre
and the inner frame.
The movement of the centre therefore is at right angles to the movement of the
inner frame and the combined movement of the centre and the inner frame at right
angles to one another permits a radial movement of the centre in relation to the outer
ring or enlarged huh. Also the combined action of the first and second set of levers
prevents any torsional movement of the centre.
The outer ring or enlarged hub is preferably made circular, the inner frame may
also be circular but preferably rectangular but both inner frame and enlarged hub
may be of polygon form or modifications thereof as may be best suitable for
allowing the required movement and providing seats or attachments for the springs.

page_text: The minimum number of springs employed would be four but they may be multiplied
in pairs or groups as circumstances may require.
In the accompanying drawings are illustrated some forms of wheel hubs constructed
and
pian or same.
Fig. 4 is an elevation of another form of hub.
Fig.
5 is a plan of same.
Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view shewing a modification of my invention.
Fig. 7 is a cross section of a hub with parts removed shewing another modification,
Fig. 8 is a similar view shewing a further modification.
Referring first to Fig. 1, a represents the outer ring or frame which in this case is
situated between the rim of the wheel and the centre b such ring or frame being
pivotally connected by levers c c¹ to an inner ring or frame d.
At the point where these levers are pivoted to the inner frame is pivotally attached
the outer ends of levers e e¹ the inner ends of which are pivoted to a link which
virtually forms or is attached to the wheel centre and in which the axle or shaft is
keyed or in which it rotates as required. The dotted lines in this figure shew the
position the inner frame and connected parts occupy in relation to a point of the rim
immediately below same when a weight is carried by the axle, a compound of this
movement (or a similar movement in the opposite direction) with a movement of the
inner frame at right angles thereto providing the radial movement of the inner
frame.
The springs for controlling these movements and affording the cushioning action
are not indicated in this diagram but are shown in Figs. 2 and 3 which illustrate a
form where a narrow hub is desired and in which it will be seen that the outer ring
or enlarged hub is composed of two rings a a connected and spaced apart by posts g g'
on which are pivoted the levers c c and c' e' respectively each pair of levers being
bent at their inner ends in order that they may be united by pivoting to the inner
frame and curved outwardly to permit the movement of the link said inner frame in
this case departing from the ring form and taking the form of the two slotted and
shaped plates d d. To the plates forming this frame are pivoted the four levers e e, e¹el
which are further connected with each other by the plates or links ff. These plates
or links carry suitable bearings if desired for the shaft or axle 6 and attached to
or forming part of them and capable of moving within the frame d is a block h
carrying cups or spring seats i i while the outer ends of the plates d d carry cups or
spring seats jj. Between these are the springs k k which are compressed with the
movement of the block and connected parts against them. The frame d also carries
cups or spring seats and the outer rings a or frame the cups or spring seats j' j¹
the latter being carried by plates j (Fig. 3) which assist in connecting the rings a a
forming the enlarged hub. Between these cups or spring seats are the springs k¹
which are compressed with the movement of the inner frame against them. The
spokes are attached to the rings a a forming the enlarged hub and connect it with the
usual rim.
It will be seen that the levers effect the driving of the wheel and take up th
torsional movement or twist while the links ff, assist to resist the lateral stress and
keep the axle at right angles to the wheel.
In Figs. 4 and 5 is shown an arrangement where a wider hub is required and in
this case the springs k and k¹ are doubled and placed outside of the framed the studs
for carrying same being also duplicated and being suitably carried. A single link or
centre fis employed in place of a pair such link being carried centrally by the block h
or central hub.
The arrangement shown in Fig. 6 is a modification in which the springs kk and k¹ k¹

page_text: are shown as extended and attached to the rim of the wheel. It will be obvious in
this case that when the axle is moving with the rim the springs at a right angle to
the line of movement will be moved slightly from isuch right angle line without
however producing any ill effect owing to the length of such springs and the fact that
they are pivotally attached to the parts.
In Fig. 7 is shown an arrangement in which rubber is substituted for the metal
springs previously described. In this the rubber is in the form of a ring m which
is carried by a cylindrical centre or boss n shaped to receive such ring and carrying
the side plates or discs o in which are recesses o' for holding suitable balls. Some
four or more of these may be formed around the discs o the balls working in wide
dishes or recesses p in plates al al which form the outer ring or enlarged hub and
correspond to that marked a in the preceding figures. These rings a¹ are connected
by, or formed in one, with a hollow rim g, which receives the outer periphery of the
rubber ring m. As the rubber ring is compressed the balls work in the dishes or
recesses with a circular movement. The levers and connected parts are arranged
in the spaces between the dotted lines rr such levers serving for driving the wheel
or taking up the torsional movement or twist while the plates o o assist to steady
the parts and resist the lateral stress.
In Fig. 8 where a wider hub is shown the springs or rubber rings m are duplicated
and in this case the driving levers and connected parts occupy the centre space
between such rings.
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 :-
1. In wheels an arrangement of levers and parts connected with or forming the
hub, composing a compound parallel movement which permits a radial movement of
the centre towards the circumference and resists or prevents any angular or torsional
movement substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. In combination with the levers and parts set forth in the preceding claim a set
of spring or other elastic media acting independently for each set of parallel
movements thus controlling the radial movement without any cross strains or twisting
action on the spring substantially as and for the purpose described.
3. In combination with the levers and parts set forth in Claim 1 the arrangement
of elastic media between the centre and enlarged hub substantially as set forth and
illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8.
4. In combination with the arrangements of parts set forth in the preceding claims
the means for assisting to resist the lateral stress substantially as described.
5. In combination with the levers and parts set forth in Claim 1 the arrangement
of springs between the centre and rim of the wheel substantially as described and
illustrated in Fig. 6.
6. In a wheel, and in combination, a set of levers pivoted to a ring or frame
or its equivalent at one end and to a second set of levers at approximately right
angles to same at the other end, a connecting link between the second set of levers
forming or carrying the wheel centre and springs arranged to limit the movement
of the link or centre in opposite directions substantially as and for the purpose
described.
7. In a wheel and in combination, a set of levers pivoted to a ring or frame
or its equivalent at one end and to an inner ring or frame or its equivalent at
the other, a second set of levers at approximately right angles to the first set and
pivoted to said inner frame or its equivalent, a connecting link between the second
set of levers forming or carrying the wheel centre, springs or their equivalent
adapted to limit the movement of the wheel centre in the inner frame and springs
or their equivalent adapted to limit the movement of the inner frame in the opposite
direction, substantially as and for the purpose described.
8. In a wheel and in combination a set of levers pivoted to a ring or frame or its
equivalent at one end and to a second set of levers at approximately right angles to

page_text: same at the other end, means for connecting the opposite ends of the second set of
levers and taking up the lateral pressure, a wheel centre to which such means are
connected and springs or their equivalent interposed between the wheel centre and the
ring or frame or its equivalent substantially as and for the purpose described.
9. In a wheel the arrangement of parts forming the spring hub substantially as
described and illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.
10. In a wheel the arrangement of parts forming the spring hub substantially as
described and illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.
Dated this 2nd day of January 1897.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
55 & 56 Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agent,
For the Applicant.