Improved Wheels for Cycles and Vehicles.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Dec., 1894
Complete Specification Lelt, 21st Sect., 1895-Accepted, 7th Dec., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Wheels for Cycles and Vehicles.
PRESTON WEIR, Schoolmaster 4 Melville Road Redland Bristol do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The introduction into the spokes of a circular, concentric pneumatic tube, in the
plane of the wheel, at some point between the tyre & the hub. The tube may
consist of rubber or other substance. The tube is enclosed between two circular,
concentric casings of metal or other substance, the one applied to the outer
circumference of the tube & surrounding it, the other applied to the inner circum-
ference & surrounded by it. These casings may be of any form, & may be
whole or in sections, provided only, that the spokes instead of being continuous
from the hub to the rim, are divided into two portions each; the portions
attached to the hub being secured to the outer casing, & the portions attached
to the rim being secured to the inner casing; so that after suitable adjustment in
respect of length the requisite tension may be imparted to these divided spokes
by the inflation of the pneumatic tube, & the consequent forcing asunder of the
casings.
İ, PRESTON WEIR, of 4 Melville Road, Redland, Bristol, Schoolmaster,
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 the introduction into the spokes of a circular concentric
pneumatic tube in the plane of the wheel at some point between the tire and
the hub.
The tube may consist of rubber or other substance.
The tube is enclosed between two circular concentric casings of metal or other
substance, the one applied to the outer circumference of the tube and surrounding
it, and the other applied to the inner circumference and surrounded by it. These
casings may be of any form and may be whole, or in sections provided only
that the spokes instead of being continuous from the hub to the rim, be divided
into two portions each, the portions attached to the hub being secured to the
cuter casing and the portions attached to the rim being secured to the inner
casing so that after suitable adjustment in respect of length the requisite tension
may be imparted to these divided spokes by the inflation of the pneumatic tube
and the consequent forcing asunder of the casings.
The annexed drawings clearly illustrate my invention.
Figure 1 side elevation of wheel with complete iuuer rings and complete casings
and having a double set of spokes alternately arranged from the tire rim,
concentric casings, and hub respectively.

page_text: Figure 2 similar elevation but having segmental concentric casings.
Figure 3 another elevation of a wheel provided with two concentric casings and
three sets of spokes.
Figure 4 part sectional transverse view of same.
Figures 5, 6, 7, 8 are part transverse sections of wheels to show hollow inserted
rings constituting with the mid-rims the concentric casings for the attachment of
the double set of spokes.
Figure 9 part perspective elevation of concentric casings with spoke attach-
ments.
Figure 10 elevation of mid-rim or concentric casing wheel, said mid-rim or
concentric casings having peripheral indents for the location of the spokes, the
ends of which may he bent to loop into the indents.
A is the ordinary inflated cushion or solid tire. B the ordinary rim. C the
ordinary hub. D the usual spokes from the ordinary rim B but of less length and
secured to the concentric casing or mid-rim E. F are ordinary spokes from the
hub but of less length than usual for connection to concentric casing or mid-
rim G, said casings E,, being of hemispherical or gutter shape in cross section
and having spread out flanges H, I, for the attachment of the spokes D, F,
respectively.
I have referred to the concentric casings as mid-rims but they need not be mid-
distance between the tire rim and the hub as will be understood by Figure 8 where
the mid-rim is represented near the tire rim. Neither is it necessary to limit my
invention to the employment of a single inflated tube J, as at Figure 4 1 show
double set of channeled concentric casings or mid-rims E, E, G, G, for separate
inflated tubes J, J, the ordinary yet short tire rim spokes D being arranged
centrally to pass outside the mid-rims G, G.
According to my said invention, the weight of the rider or load is borne by the
hub spokes over the axial point and by the upper part of the outer mid-rim pressing
downwardly on the pneumatic tube against the resistance of the tire rim spokes at
the upper part of the wheel above the axial point, the load being suspended on and
by the inflated tube from above the axle and between it and the upper portion of
the wheels periphery in contradistinction to the ordinary support by the pressure
on and consequent depression of the pneumatic tube at the tread i.e. the lower
portion of the tire in touch with the ground.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
The construction of wheels for cycles and vehicles as hereinhefore set forth
consisting of concentric casings or mid-rims containing or enclosing an inflated
ring shaped tube, so that the point of support is from said tube at a distance
above the hub and between it and the tire rim, said mid-rims and tube being
connected alternately by spokes from the tire rim to inner rim of the mid-rims,
and by other spokes also arranged alternately to the outer rim of the mid-rims
and to the hub substantially as shown in the annexed drawings for the purpose
of providing elasticity within the wheel itself instead of at the tire, or at the hub,
as at present.
The 21st day of Sontember 1895
H. GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166 Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said Preston Weir.