Improvements in Wheels for Cycles and other Vehicles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Nov., 1897-Accepted, 24th Dec., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Wheels for Cycles and other Vehicles.
I, WILLIAM CRICHTON of Caledonian Railway, Auldbar Road Station, By Forfar,
Forfarshire, Signalman, 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 improvements in the construction of wheels for use
with cycles and other vehicles, and provides a means by which such wheels may
be rendered resilient without requiring the use of pneumatic tyres.
In carrying out my invention I propose to employ springs, and according to one
arrangement a small spiral spring is employed, fitted in a case and secured to each
spoke. The spokes are made double, and the springs are placed between the ends,
one part of the spoke being secured to the hub and the other to the rim. Instead
of making the spring separate from the spoke I may coil the spoke itself at about
the middle of its length into the form of a spring so as to take up the vibration.
According to another modification I propose to make the hub in two parts,
consisting of an annular ring placed around the hub. Between the hub and ring
a strong spiral spring is placed, connected to both the hub and ring, and the spokes
are fitted to the latter so that the coiled spring absorbs the vibration.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had
to the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which Fig 1 shows part of the wheel
constructed according to my invention with one of the cases in section, and Fig 2
shows a modification.
Referring to Fig. 1, each spoke A is formed in two parts, the inner one secured
to the hub B and the other to the rim C. Between the two parts of the spoke, the
spring D is fitted secured at each end to one of the parts. This is placed within
the case which prevents any dirt interfering with the action of the spring. The
spring forms a resilient connection between the two parts of the spoke, so that the
vibration or jolting will not be transmitted and the wheel will be thoroughly
resilient.
As shown in Fig. 2 the arrangement is somewhat different, the spokes being of
the ordinary kind but connected at their inner ends to the ring E placed around
the hub B, and at a short distance from it. The hub and ring form a case within
which the coiled spring D¹ is placed, this spring being connected at one end to the
ring and at the other to the hub. The spring may be flat or circular in cross
section as found most suitable.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
(1) An improved wheel for cycles and other vehicles having a series of spiral
springs fitted to the spokes, and a case containing the said springs, substantially
as and for the purposes specified.
(2) The improved wheel for cycles and other vehicles, having each spoke coiled
at about the middle. or made in two parts with a spiral spring connecting them,

page_text: and a case containing the said spring substantially as described and for the
purposes specified.
(3) The improved wheel for cycles and other vehicles, having a ring placed round
the hub, to which ring the spokes are connected, and a strong coiled spring placed
between the ring and hub, and connected to both, substantially as described and 5
shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 22nd day of November 1897.
GEO. H. RAYNER.
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.