An Improved Construction of Wheel
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Oct., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 6th Aug., 1895-Accepted, 28th Sept.,
1895
TRUYISIONAL DIVIFICATION.
An Improved Construction of Wheel
.I, WILLIAM IVES, of 17, Milton Place, Halifax in the County of York,
Architect and Surveyor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be, as
follows:-
The object of my invention is to construct a wheel for cycles, vehicles, light
milley's, or other purposes, in which I nse one, two, three or more yielding tubes
filaced in any suitable or convenient position between the centre and outer rim of
the wheel:
In carrying out my invention I make the wheel in two or more parts-vie., an
inner part containing the axle of any description or through which the axle
would pass, and which part would be grooved, or otherwise prepared to receive
the tube or tubes: This inner part may if required be made in two or more pieces
that is, it may be split in two or more pieces for the better mode of fixing this
part of the wheel to the outer part hereafter mentioned. The outer part now
mentioned consists of the tyre, or felloe, or outer rim, which tyre may be of any
description, and the spokes also of any description, and also an annular rim
confining the said spokes, which rim would be grooved or otherwise prepared to
fit on the top of the proposed tnbe or tubes. There would be a space between
these two parts which the rubber tube or tubes would fill up or partially fill up,
and in case the friction between the two parts before mentioned (by the means or
method of the tubes simply touching the two parts, or hearing on both parts)
should not be considéred sufficient for the proper driving of the wheel. I would
form cross grooves or corrugate one or both of the parts so that the rubber tubes
would get a better grip: The tubes' may also be corrugated if desired, and I
might also use an arrangement of teeth to obtain this purpose. But I would so
construct or make these two parts, i.e. the one containing the axle and the other
containing the spokes, so that in case of a burst in one or more of the tube or tubes
it would be impossible for the two parts to become disconnected from each other
(and would thus prevent the wheel from collapsing) neither would the wheel slip
or slide to either side .e. one part would be unable to leave the other, nor would
the wheel come to a sudden stop on the occasion of a burst in the tubes, but
would simply go on running.
Instead of placing these tubes and their enclosing covers as before described
within the wheel, the said tubes may be placed outside the spokes and they would
answer the same purpose.
+
Instead of placing the tubes into grooves or cavities they may be placed between
two flanges or rims flat or otherwise.
Although I have referred to the use of pneumatic tubes in thist Specification,
I wish it to be understood that solid: india rubber or cushion tubes may be used
instead. Tubes or cushion rings herein referred to may be, made either round,
oblong, square or other form in cross, section.
Dated this 2nd day of Octóber 1894.
TASKER & CROSSLEY,
Halifax, Patent Agents.

page_text: 41
'
An Improved Construction of Wheel.
1. WILLIAM IVES, of 17, Milton Place, Halifax, in the County of York,
Architect and Surveyor, 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:-
The object of my invention is to construct a wheel for cycles, vehicles, light"
pulleys, or other purposes, in which I use one, two, three or more yielding tubes
placed in any suitable or convenient position between the centre and outer rim of
the wheel.
In oarrying out my invention I make the wheel in two or more parts-viż., an
inner part containing the axle of any description or through which the axle would
pasa, and which part would be grooved or otherwise prepared to receive the tube
ur tubes. This inner part may if required be made in two or more pieces that is
it may be split in two or more pieces for the better mode of connection between
this part of the wheel and the outer part hereafter mentioned... The outer part
now mentioned consists of the tyre, or felloe, or outer rim, which, tyre may be of
any description, and the spokes also of any description, and also an annular flanged
rim confining the said spokes, which-annular rim would be grooved or otherwise
prepared to fit on the top of the proposed tube or tubes and would also be in loose
connection with the inuer part. There would be a space between these two parts
which the rubber tube or tubes would fill up or partially fill up, and in case the
friction between the two parts before mentioned (by the means or method of the
tubes simply touching the two parts or bearing on both parts) should not be
considered sufficient for the proper driving of the wheel, I would form cross
grooves or corrugate oue or both of the parts so that the rubber tubes would get a
better grip. The tubes may also be corrugated if desired, and I might also use
an arrangement of teeth to obtain this purpose. But I would so construct or, make
these two parts, ie, the one containing the axle and the other containing the spokes,
so that in case of a burst in one or more of the tube or tubes it would be iropossible
for the two parts to become disconnected from each other (and would thus prevent
the wheel from collapsing) neither would the wheel slip or slide to either side i.e. one
part would be unable to leave the other, nor would the wheel come to a sudden
stop on the occasion of a burst in the tubes, but would simply go on running.
Justead of placing these tubes and their enclosing covers as before described within
the wheel, the said tubes and enclosing covers may be placed outside the spokes
and they would answer the same purpose.
My invention consists in placing either solid rubber tubes; cushion tubes; or
pneumatic tubes within the wheel around or about the axle or hub of the wheel as
shewn on drawings in preference to placing the same outside the wheel or outside
the felloe (by this means I propose to avoid all puncture, and side slip and other
evils or drawbacks known in connection with present tubes or tyres of cycles or.
vehicles and also by this means to reduce vibration).
These tubes may be of any size or strength and may be of round or square or of
any other cross section as found most suitable, and also these tubes may be placed
at any distance from the axle or centre of wheel or any where between the axle and
felloe as thought most convenient, or again, these tubes and their enclosing.covers,
may be placed outside the folloe and spokes and they would answer the same
purpose again, where more than one of these tubes is used, they may be placed the
one above the other or side by side, or even cross cornered as shewn in Fig. 17, as
thought fit, and these tubes it will be seen, may be multiplied indefinitely, i.e.,
instead of one, two, three or four tubes being used as shewn in the various sections
any further number may be employed if desired.

page_text: The wheel it will be scen is practically built in two portions or parts, disconnected
from each other, (and each part is made up, of one or more pieces) viz. a centre
part containing the axle of any description, which axle is not part of my invention,
and an outer part consisting of the tyre or felloe, and the spokes and an annular
rim to confine the spokes to the felloe, and these two parts are each flanged and
grooved to receive the tubes, and are also prepared to prevent one part leaving the
other.
In the method of building up these two parts, it will be seen there is more or
less likelihood of side play between the two disconnected parts of the wheel, and to
avoid this side play or lateral friction, I would employ or adopt any suitable neans
of ball bearings or other bearings to make these two portions slide or ride easily
against each other or within each other vertically, and by this means avoid any
hinderance to the proper working of the tubes.
To provide means of friction (not lateral) between these two parts or portions of
wheels I would corrugate or groove each part upon which the tubes bear, or I
would corrugate the tubes themselves, or both.
It will be noticed in most of the drawings herewith that no, valves are shewn for
the purpose of inflating the tubes..
It will however be understood that a slight modification or extension in the
construction of the wheel will enable valves to be placed to most of the tubes
shewn. In. Fig. 10 I do shew a means whereby valves may be introduced.
There are doubtless many other ways of building up the wheel to those here
shewn, but the principle of the bearing of wheel on rubber tubes: placed, above
the axle and again placed below the axle-and more especially the combination
of the two bearings above and below the axle as shewn on drawings 9 to 18 is the
main purpose or object of my invention irrespective of any means or method of
building up the wheel.
Such being the nature and object of my invention I will now proceed to
describe the same more fully, and for that purpose will make reference, to, the
accompanying sheets of drawings illustrating several modes of putting my
invention into practice.
Fig. 1 is sectional elevation showing the lower half of my improved wheel,
wherein A is the axle, mounted in a hub B, having projecting from it a disc.or
flange the extremity of which is hollowed out or grooved, as at C¹ so as to fit
the Hexible tube D. The part just described is what I term the inner part of the
wheel. The outer part of the wheel is shewn at E and comprises a shell or
casing which by means of spokes F is connected to the outer rim of the wheel not
shewn: According to this construction of wheel when the wheel becomes weighted.
the hollow surface of the disc C presses upon the flexible tube D below the
axle whereby the wheel, will yield to the weight put upon, it, but as soon as the
weight is removed, the flexible tube will expand into its normal condition and so
lift up the flanged disc.C.
Figs. 2 and 3 correspond to Fig. 1 except that in these cases 1 employ two
flexible tubes D and D and Fig. 4 is a similar construction except that I employ.
a midfeather or flange G entering into a groove G for the purpose of steadying
the two parts of wheel and preventing sideway or lateral movement of either part
of the wheel.
Fig. 5 illustrates another construction of wheel, but in this case, instead of the
flexible tubes D being placed side by side, they are placed one under another, but
I wish it to be clearly understood that in the five figures already referred to, the
pressure upon the flexible tubes is underneath or below the axle..
Fig. 6 shews another arrangement of wheel where in this case: the flange C is
made with a rim: J which rests upon the flexible tube D, which tube is supported:
in a channel or grooved part K which is part of the outer portion of wheel-E and
which by means of spokes F is connected to the outer rim of the wheel.
To prevent lateral or sideway movement a flange L may be used which can be.
made to enter into a groove M if found necessary as clearly seen in Fig. 6.

page_text: Figs. 7 and 8 are similar to Fig. 6 except that I employ two flexible tubes. For
filling or inflating the flexible tubes with atmospheric air, openings N are made in
the parts E for the purpose of inserting and introducing any ordinary air valve.
I wish it to be understood that Figs. 6, 7 and 8 shew how the bearing or
pressure is in these cases above the axle and not underneath the axlo as in the.
preceding figures.
Fig. 9 illustrates a construction of wheel where when the wheel is weighted the
downward pressure of the axle acts upon a flexible tube below the said axle and
also (at the same time and with the same movement) upon a flexible.tube above the
said axle, and this is effected' in the following manuer: The part C₁ of hub B
bears upon the outer flexible tube D above the axle and the part C of said hub
bears upon the inner flexible tube D below the axle therefore when the wheel is
weighted or the axle descends, the curved surface bears upon the flexible
tube D above the axle as just described and simultaneously with such movement
the curved surface C rests and bears upon the flexible tube D' below the axle, thua.
by this arrangement I obtain pressure upon the flexible tubes both below.and above
the axle simultaneously.
In the wheel just described and illustrated at Fig. 9 the tube D! may be attached
to the hub or inner part B, whilst the tube D may be attached to the shell or
casing or outer part of the wheel.
Fig, 10 is like unto Fig. 9 excepting that the tubes are placed further apart ‚ând
that provision is made at N for the purpose of introducing an air valve.
Fig. 11 is a slightly modified arrangement· from Fig. 9; in this case, the ourved
part C when the wheel is depressed bears upon the inner tube Diabove the centre
of the wheel and also hears upon tlie outer tube Dbelow the centre of wheel.
Fig. 12 shews an arrangement where the bearing or pressure of the wheel when
weighted is upon two tubes D and D above the axle and on a third tube Dl below.
the axle, both pressures being simultaneous.
Fig. 13 is another arrangement for obtaining the same or similar effect.as
Fig. 12.
'
In Fig. 14 I shew an arrangement where four flexible tubes.may be employed.
The whole of the said tubes may be round as shewn at D. and D on the. loft
hand side of the figure, or they may all be squaro as shewn at D and D½ on the
right baud side of the figure. This arrangement shows that when the axle descends.
by means of pressure, the inner tubes D and D will be compressed above the axle
and also the outer tubes D and D³ will be compressed but below, the axle, the whole
of the tubes acting together or at the same time.
In Fig. 15 I show a like arrangement to Fig. 14, though somewhat differently
managed.
On a close observation of Fig. 16 it will be apparent, that according to the
arrangement here shewn when the wheel is-weighted and the axle descends pressure
will be placed upon the flexible tube D' above the axle on the right hand side of
the drawing and also upon the flexible tube:DB on the left hand side of the drawing
but under the axle.
In Fig. 17 another construction of wheel is shewn having four flexible tubes.
According to this arrangement when the axle is depressed the parts C! and C³
act upon tubes D and D' above the axle but the parts C and C³ act upon
flexible tubes D and D below the axle consequently the pressure upon. the
tubes is equalised, or the tubes may be arranged vice versa.
Fig. 18 shews another arrangement of wheel according to which when the axle
is depressed the pressure is placed upon the two central tubes D and D' above
the axle and at the same time below the axle pressure is put upon the two
outer tubes D and D as will be understood on a close observation, of the
drawings.
In all the figures referred to except in Figs. 9 and 17 I have shown only on
half of a portion of a wheel to which my invention refers, because the other half
is simply a repetition of that shewn, placed on the other side of axle.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my Baid
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that
what I claim is:-
Firstly. In a wheel having a movable central part B and an outer part E,
together with one or more flexible tubes, all arranged and operating in such a
manner as to place pressure upon the said tube or tubes below the axle, as herein.
described and shewn in the drawings.
Secondly. In a wheel having a movable central part B and an outer part E,
together with one or more flexible tubes, all arranged and operating in such a.
manner as to place pressure upon the said tube or tubes above the axle as herein
described and shewn in the drawings.
Thirdly. In a wheel having a movable central part B and an outer part E,
together with one or more flexible tubes, all arranged and operating in such a
manner as to place pressure upon the said tube or tubes below the axle and above the:
axle simultaneously as herein described and shewn in the drawings.
Dated this 5th dow of August 1805
TASKER & CROSSLEY,
Halifax, Putont Agents.