IMPROVEMENTS IN WHEELS, DRUMS AND PULLEYS
Year: 1885

page_text: I JOSEPH SINCLAIR FAIRFAX of 3 St Paul's Road, Camden Town, London, in the
County of Middlesex, Consulting Mechanical and Electrical Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of said invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN WHEELS, DRUMS AND
PULLEYS, to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the construction of wheels, drums, or pulleys, and has
for its object the making of the same in a simple manner; light, strong, and cheap;
the materials used being metal plates, wood, paper, cementing or cemented com-
positions, and other materials that will be mentioned. These articles may be
variously combined with each other; or in certain instances, and for special
purposes: used alone.
By the ordinary method of construction, metal wheels, pulleys, or drums, are
either cast, or where made of malleable materials are composed of several parts
screwed, riveted, or otherwise attached to each other. By this invention I obtain
an equally light and serviceable wheel or pulley of wrought metal of either one,
two, or more parts; which metal is cut, arranged, and the portions secured to each
other, for the purpose indicated.
A strip or oblong sheet of wrought iron, steel, phospher bronze, or other suitable
metal or alloy, is so formed as to present a band of a desired width, after one or
both edges have been cut or slit in a fringe-like manner. These fringe strips may
be cut at right angles to the band or central portion of the sheet, or at any other
angle thereto, and in various other ways; and are intended to form the arms or
support of the wheel or pulley. Each of the said fringe strips or arms may be used
in the constructed article, or some of them cut away entirely or partially, especially
where an open arm wheel is required. These arms may be stamped, bent, twisted,
corrugated, flanged, or otherwise treated; so as to obtain great strength with
rigidity and lightness.
A central band or strip of metal, having these fringe like arms upon each side,
may be rolled up in two ways. If it be rolled so that the central band occupies
the outer or circumferential part of the circle, and the arms bent inwards, the
central band forms the rim of the wheel, and with a hole through the ends of the
arms, (in this case prolonged beyond the centre of the wheel), a complete wheel
having rim, arms, and central hole or hub, is made from the one sheet or piece of
metal; but for many purposes it is desirable to combine with the arms a separately

page_text: formed hub or central body. This may be cast in place, or be otherwise arranged
and provided for.
The other mode of rolling up the metal sheet is with the central band inwards
to form the hub of the wheel, while the arms radiate outwards. To these arms a
rim is attached by screwing, riveting, or other suitable means; thus forming a
wheel or pulley composed of two main portions or pieces of metal.
In either case, a cast or wrought metal hub, or a plate or plates may be combined
with the parts already named, in order to give the centre of the wheel greater
strength or stiffness, and for other reasons; or the wheel or arms may be placed in
a suitable mould or receptacle, and a hub or boss cast in place.
The arms can be variously arranged to give mutual support, as well as to support
the rim and hub, and they can also be made to form projections or an interrupted
or serrated flange on the edge of the rim; and both the rim and hub may also be
stiffened by cutting and flanging or adding to the thickness of the same at the
edges. But in many cases it is desirable to have a considerable body or substance
at the various parts, or even to have a solid or disc-like wheel or pulley, without
adding unduly to the weight thereof. This is effected by filling up the spaces
indicated with wood, paper, or any suitable cementing composition or plaster, which
may be combined with sawdust, cork, fibrous, cellular, or other suitable material in
any convenient way. In a similar manner the rim or periphery may have cast
upon it a casing of any suitable material, and the sheet metal perforated to form a
key to hold and retain the composition in place.
I prefer however, in most cases, to wind upon the rim a suitable covering or tyre
in the form of a band, rope, or cord, to give a proper surface for the transmission of
power by belts or ropes; or as a tyre for vehicle wheels.
A band or bands of paper, leather, fibrous materials, woven or felted fabrics,
india rubber, gutta percha, or the like; or ropes or cords of the same materials, or
wire or bands of metal; may be wound upon the rim or periphery of the pulley,
drum, or wheel, combined with a suitable cementing, bedding or holding material,
or fastenings; and the wheel or pulley properly formed to receive the same.
Various combinations of these materials can be used with advantage, and it is to
be understood that the surfaces of the same may be ground off, or otherwise
dressed and made true, to any form, section, and for the various uses that may be
required.
:
It is further to be understood that for the purposes of this invention the fringe
strips or arms may be welded or secured in other ways to the central band or strip
previously to bending the latter; and that the metal work or other materials, may
be pressed, hammered, or otherwise treated, to form the same true and perfect for
its purposes; also that the same may be galvanized or coated with metal, apart
from, or combined with, a plastic or cementing composition; that metal tyres may
be secured to the wheels; that the pulleys or drums can be made to open to place
upon a shaft in position; and that compound wheels or pulleys of large dimensions
in both width and diameter may be made by this invention.

page_text: Improvements in Wheels, Drums, and Pulleys.
I JOSEPH SINCLAIR FAIRFAX of No 3 St. Pauls Road, Camden Town, London,
in the County of Middlesex, Consulting Mechanical and Electrical 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 :-
"
This invention relates to the construction of wheels, drums, or pulleys, and has
for its object the making of the same in a simple manner; light, strong, and cheap;
the materials used being metal plates, wood, paper, cementing compositions, and
other materials that will be mentioned. These articles may be variously combined
with each other, or in certain instances, and for special purposes, used alone.
By the ordinary method of construction, metal wheels, pulleys, or drums, are
either cast, or where made of malleable materials are composed of several parts,
screwed, riveted, or otherwise attached to each other. By this invention I obtain
an equally light and serviceable wheel or pulley of wrought metal, of either one,
two, or more parts, but few in number; the metal plates being cut, arranged,
and the portions secured to each other, for the purpose indicated.
A strip or oblong sheet of iron, steel, phosphor bronze, or other suitable metal or
alloy is so formed as to present a band of a desired width after one or both edges
have been cut or slit in a fringe like manner. These fringe strips may be cut at
right angles to the band or central portion of the sheet, or at any other angle
thereto, and in various ways; and they are intended to form the arms or support
of the wheel or pulley. Each of the said fringe strips or arms, may be used in the
constructed article, or some of them cut away entirely or partially, where an open
arm pulley is required. These arms may be stamped, bent, twisted, corrugated,
flanged, or otherwise treated; so as to obtain great strength with rigidity and
lightness.
A central band or strip of metal having these fringe like arms upon each side,
may be rolled up to form a pulley in two ways. If it be rolled so that the central
band occupies the outer or circumferential part of the circle, and the arms bent
inwards the central band forms the rim of the wheel, and with a hole through the
ends of the arms, (in this case prolonged beyond the centre of the wheel), a
complete wheel having rim, arms, and central hole or hub, is made from the une
sheet or piece of metal; but for many purposes it is desirable to combine with the
arms a separately formed hub or central body. This may be cast in place, or be
otherwise arranged and provided for.
The other mode of rolling up the metal sheet is with the central band inwards
to form the hub of the wheel, while the arms radiate outwards. To these arms a
rim is attached by screwing, riveting, or other suitable means; thus forming a
wheel or pulley composed of two main portions or pieces of metal.
In either case, a cast or wrought metal hub, or a plate or plates may be combined
with the parts already named, in order to give the centre of the wheel greater

page_text: strength or stiffness, and for other reasons; or the wheel or arms may be placed in
a suitable mould or receptacle, and a hub or boss cast in place.
The arms can be variously arranged to give mutual support, as well as to support
the rim and hub; and they can also be made to form projections or an interrupted
or serrated flange on the edge of the rim; and both the rim and hub may also be
stiffened by cutting and flanging, or adding to the thickness of the same at the
edges. In many cases it is desirable to have a considerable body or substance at
the various parts, or even to have a solid or disc like wheel or pulley without
adding unduly to the weight thereof. This is effected by filling up the spaces
indicated with wood, paper, or any suitable cementing composition or plaster,
which may be combined with sawdust, cork, fibrous, cellular, or other suitable
material, in any convenient way. In a similar manner the rim or periphery may
have cast upon it a casing of any suitable material, and the sheet metal be
perforated or arranged to form a key to hold and retain the composition in place.
This casing or coating is available to prevent belts from slipping, and is useful for
slightly varying the diameter, and for other purposes.
I prefer, however, in most cases, to wind upon the rim a suitable covering or tyre
in the form of a band, rope, or cork, to give a proper surface for the transmission
of power by belts or ropes; or as a tyre for vehicle wheels.
A band or bands of paper, leather, fibrous materials, woven or felted fabrics,
india rubber, gutta percha, or the like; or ropes or cords of the same materials; or
wires or bands of metal; may be wound upon the rim or periphery of the pulley,
drum, or wheel; combined with a suitable cementing bedding or holding material,
or fastenings, and the wheel or pulley properly formed to receive the same.
Various combinations of these materials can be used with advantage; as for
example wire covered with india rubber or gutta percha, or any of these articles
with canvas; and it is to be understood that the surfaces of the same may be
ground off, pressed, or otherwise dressed and made true, to any form, section, or to
suit the various uses to which they may be put.
It is further to be understood that for the purposes of this invention the fringe
strips or arms may be welded or secured to the central band or strip previously to
bending the latter; and that the metal work or other materials may be pressed,
hammered, or otherwise treated to form the same true and perfect for its purposes;
also that the metal work may be galvanized, thereby not only serving as a
safeguard against rust but also strengthening the latter by virtually soldering
together many of the parts of the pulley or wheel; and this may be also combined
with a plastic or cementing composition. Metal tyres are in some cases secured
to the wheels, and the pulleys or wheels made in halves or other divisions, or made
to spring over a shaft in position, and that compound wheels or pulleys of large
dimensions, both in diameter and width, may be made by this invention.
In the annexed drawings the same reference letters in the various figures refer
to like parts, or to parts having the same function. Fig. 1 is an oblong strip of
sheet metal slit or cut along one side into a kind of fringe, which latter forms the
arms A, while the baud or plain portion of the sheet B, usually forms the rim or
circumference of the wheel or pulley. The arms A being bent at right angles to
the band B, and the latter formed into a circle, produces Fig. 2,-in perspective
elevation, of which Fig. 3 is a section. This may be used as an entire wheel or
pulley when combined with a boss or hub, C, or as one side or half only; but by
putting two together as in Fig. 4 or Fig. 5,-also in section, -a complete and
strong web or box pulley, or wheel, is produced.
Fig. 6 also represents an oblong strip of sheet metal, slit or cut upon each side
to form arms A, as before stated; the band or rim portion B, being now in the
centre. This is also bent into a circle, and the arms put at a right or other angle
thereto, and in Fig. 7 an example is given in section of a pulley or wheel made
from such a strip of metal as described, the boss C being secured as shown, and the
sides dished. If the arms are made long enough to extend beyond the centre of

page_text: the wheel or pulley, a hole may be made through the centre, or the ends turned
outwards to form a boss, thus resulting in a complete wheel being formed of a
single piece of sheet metal.
Figs. 8 and 9 are sections showing how the fringe strips or arms A may be bent
under one or both sides to support or strengthen the rim of the wheel; or to form
a separate tyre or rim only which may be attached to another wheel. Fig. 10 is
an elevation of a wheel formed after this manner, the arms A. being bent under
the rim, and overlapping each other towards the centre; a boss or strengthening
plates being riveted or bolted thereto. Fig. 11 is a wheel or pulley with open
arms, the intervening ones being cut away entirely, or else partially, and then
doubled down beneath the rim to strengthen it. The arms are shown as
extending from the sides of the pulley rim alternately to the opposite side of the
boss or strengthening plates C, to which the arms are secured. Fig. 12 is a similar
but lighter wheel or pulley, having a greater number of arm strips cut away
partially, the remaining portions being turned outwards to form a flange, which
greatly stiffens the rim.
Fig. 13 represents two half pulleys of the style of Fig. 10. Any of these, or
other forms, may be made in halves or other divisions, or to spring open at one
part to put over a shaft in position. In the latter case the rim is usually in one
piece, and the opening portions may be fastened together by a plate or plates
through the web or other part of the pulley. In order to make the rim perfectly
true without turning, the joint should be either a butt or lap joint; and if the
latter, a portion of the rim set down to receive the lapped part of the other side.
Figs. 14 and 15 are wheels of a heavier character, the arins being welded or attached
to the band or tyre. In the former figure the tyre and arms are one, the ends of
the arms being secured to the hub; while in the latter, the band,-in one piece
with the arms, is directly connected with the hub, and the outer ends of the
arms are secured to the tyre. Fig. 16 is a diagram representing adjacent arms of
a piece cut like Fig. 1, in which they are bent in various directions. Fig. 17 is an
elevation of a wheel in which the principal portion is of one piece of sheet metal
cut upon both sides, as shown in Fig. 6; to the arms A, of which, the boss and
tyre are both secured. In this case a few of the arms are bent inwards from
alternate sides of the band B, while the greater number of arms are bent outwards
in a similar manner, and secured to the tyre so as to give numerous points of
support to the latter without undue heaviness. The inwardly turned arms may be
bent parallel with the plane of the band B, and used as, or attached to, the staves
of a wooden barrel or drum, or they may be dispensed with, and a smaller wheel
fitted within the band B, making thus a very strong and light compound wheel of
large dimensions.
Fig. 18 shows four varieties of corrugations or flanging, which may be given to
the arms, to impart lateral stiffness to the same.
Figs. 19, 20, and 21 show various sections of rim or tyre of wheels, being
covered to any section with one or more bands, cords, ropes, wires, or combinations
thereof; D; to make either driving or wearing surfaces more or less elastic, or to
vary the diameter of a wheel. These are put on with, or bedded in, a suitable
cementing composition. In Fig. 21 the tyre is that of a velocipede wheel, the
circles denoting one or more bands of wire, cord, or hard material, coated with
india rubber, wound upon the wheel to the section required, and suitably bedded
and cemented. In Figs. 19 and 20 paper, canvas, rope, or other like material is
shown, and may be wound in a continuous manner to give additional diameter, or
a better wearing, driving, or elastic surface. Figs. 8 and 9 are shown with a metal
outer or wearing surface; the former having the tyre arranged in spring fashion,
and the latter figure shows the tyre filled with a plastic or cementing composition E,
more or less elastic. These with Figs. 19, 20, and 21 may be used as the band or
periphery B of a wheel, or as a separate tyre put on to the body or rim of another
wheel or wheels as is indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 4. In this figure the two
halves are fastened together with wood, paper, or other material between them;

page_text: and the web of a tyre, as in figure 9, may be likewise placed between the halves.
The tread, rim, and sides can thus be made somewhat elastic, or not easily distorted
by ordinary blows, when filled solidly with a suitable. substance or composition
such as tar or pitch with sawdust, cork, shavings or other like materials.
Fig. 22 is a section of a pulley or wheel of the kind indicated in Fig. 10, but
filled with a suitable composition, as above described, to give body and solidity
without unduly adding to the weight. Figs. 5 and 7 may be similarly treated,
and any of them after galvanizing, or without this process,-may be coated with
a composition such as Dr Angus Smiths coating for pipes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. A wheel, drum, or pulley, made of sheet metal, substantially as described.
2. A wheel, drum, or pulley of malleable metal, having the whole or a part
of its rim or periphery combined with its arms or supports, substantially as
described.
3. Making the whole or a part of a wheel, drum, or pulley of one piece of sheet
metal, substantially as described.
4. Forming the rim or periphery of a wheel, drum, or pulley, substantially as
described.
5. Forming the arms or supports of a wheel, drum, or pulley, substantially as
described.
6. Cutting or forming sheet metal in a fringe like manner, substantially as
described.
7. Bending or arranging cut or otherwise formed portions of malleable metal
so as to form arms or supports for a wheel, drum, or pulley, substantially as
described.
8. A box or closed wheel, drum, or pulley of sheet metal, substantially as
described.
9. Forming an open arm pulley, substantially as described.
10. Overlapping the arms or supports of a wheel, drum, or pulley, substantially
as described.
11. Flanging the rim or arms of a drum, wheel, or pulley, substantially as
described.
12. Flanging, corrugating, or bending the arms or supports of a wheel, drum,
or pulley made of sheet metal, to give lateral stiffness, substantially as described.
13. Galvanizing a wheel, drum, or pulley made of malleable metal, substantially
as described.
14. Strengthening or soldering the various portions of a wheel, drum, or pulley,
by coating the same with metal, as in the galvanizing process, substantially as, and
for the purpose described.
15. The combination of a wheel, drum, or pulley, made of malleable metal, with
a cementing, coating, or filling composition, substantially as, and for the purpose
described.
16. The combination of a boss, hub, or strengthening plates, with a sheet metal
wheel, drum, or pulley, coated or protected by a metal, or by a cementing or
adhesive composition, substantially as described.
17. The method of fastening two or more portions together to form a web
pulley, wheel, or drum, when made of sheet metal, substantially as described.
18. The method of making large or light wheels and of providing numerous
points of support for the tyre or rin, substantially as described.
19. The method of making compound wheels, both in width and diameter,
substantially as described.
20. The method of strengthening the rim or tyre of a wheel, drum, or pulley
by flanging or by bending portions of the same beneath or above the said rim or
tyre, substantially as described.

page_text: 21. The method of adding to the diameter of a wheel, drum, or pulley by a
metal tyre, made of sheet metal, substantially as described.
22. The combination of an elastic, driving, or adhesive surface or tyre, with a
sheet metal wheel, drum, or pulley, substantially as described.
23. A tyre for wheels, drums, or pulleys, of paper, cord, wire, india rubber, or
combinations thereof, wound upon the same in one or more layers, in a continuous
manner, substantially as described.
24. The various methods and forms of making a wheel, drum, or pulley,
substantially as, and for the purposes, described and shown.
Dated this 8th day of February 1886