Improvements in the Construction of Wheels for Common Road Vehicles and in the Method of Applying Tyres thereto.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Mar., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 4th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 3rd Feb., 1900
Improvements in the Construction of Wheels for Common Road
Vehicles and in the Method of Applying Tyres thereto.
We, WILLIAM SIMPSON, FRANCIS GODLEE, WALTER LIGHT BODMAN, and DANIEL
HARRISON SIMPSON, all of Pomona Engine Works, Lund Street, Cornbrook, Man-
chester, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of our said invention to be as
follows:-
-:
Our invention relates chiefly to the wheels of heavy draught vehicles, and
especially what are known as the driving wheels. of motor vehicles for common.
roads, with which great strength is required to withstand heavy strains, shocks,
or vibrations, and with which it is desirable (especially when used with chain
or other gearing) to obtain an absolute drive on all parts of the wheel structure.
With such wheels it is also desirable to use a flexible tyre to reduce the vibrations
upon the vehiclo structure and the wheel itself, and in adopting such tyre it is
necessary to so fix it as to prevent all "creeping," and to bring all parts of such
tyre under direct influence of the drive. It is also desirable to so fix the tyre as
to prevent undue waste, and allow of the wearing away of a fair proportion of
the tyre section.
According to our invention we build the said wheels out of two or more (by
preference) solid wooden (oak) discs or wheels, made in segments, and each disc
bound by a metal hoop. Such discs we place side by side, and by the aid of bolts
and nuts (or other suitable devices) tightly clamp them together. We then put
such composite wheel in a machine, and by the use of suitable tools produce the
desired hub and remove superfluous parts, and the resulting product is a very
strong anu substantial wheel.
In applying a flexible tyre we employ a (by preference) metal plate of circular
formation, and to, or on its periphery we apply a T flange, made up of angle-
iron, and around such flange, and through openings therein, we mould and
vulcanise the flexible tyre in the required thickness and width.
Prior to clamping the aforesaid wooden discs together we interpose the said
plate carrying the rubber tyre between them, and the outer diameter of the
plate is such as to cause the inner diameter of the tyre to lie flush with, and
tightly upon, and across, the periphery of the discs. The clamping bolts are
then passed through the discs and the plate, and thus we produce a unique
construction of wheel and attach the tyre in a manner which prevents all
"creeping " and ensures of an absolute "drive" on all parts of the wheels
circumference.
For attaching a rack or toothed rim for chain or spur driving we make use
of certain of the clamping bolts and pass them through the rim, discs and plate,
and whilst thus increasing the solidity of the wheel, enable the parts to be
readily fixed or taken to pieces, and create a positive drive from the toothed rim.
to the tyre.
In applying the tyre to wheels composed of three (or more) discs we employ

page_text: (by preference) a plate between each adjoining disc, and the tyre comprises (by
preference) two or more parts, side by side.
In building up the three disc wheel we employ three hoops, and for ensuring
of the tyre being a tight fit we give the hoops a slight inward taper.
Although preferring the wheels to be of wood, we may use metal or other suitable
material, and instead of a flange as aforesaid, we may employ other devices on
which to mould the tyre and secure it to the plate, and we may utilise the plate
in a variety of ways in relation to the discs.
In lieu of flexible tyres we may apply solid or semi-solid tyres.
Dated this 6th day of March 1899.
Improvements in the Construction of Wheels for Common Road
Vehicles and in the Method of Applying Tyres thereto.
We, WILLIAM SIMPSON, FRANCIS GODLEE, WALTER. LIGHT BODMAN, and DANIEL
HARRISON SIMPSON, all of Pomona Engine Works, Lund Street, Cornbrook, Man-
chester, Engineers, 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:-
Our invention relates chiefly to the wheels of heavy draught vehicles and
especially what are known as the driving wheels of motor vehicles for common
roads with which great strength is required to withstand heavy strains, shocks
or vibrations and with which it is desired (especially when used with chain
or other gearing) to obtain an absolute drive on all parts of the wheel structure.
With such wheels it is also desirable to use a flexible tyre to reduce the vibrations
upon the vehicle structure and the wheel itself and in adopting such tyre it is
necessary to so fix it as to prevent all "creeping" and to bring all parts of such
tyre under direct influence of the drive. It is also desirable to so fix the tyre as
to prevent undue waste, and allow for the wearing away of a fair proportion of
the tyre section.
According to our invention we build the said wheels out of two or more (by
preference) solid wooden discs or wheels made in segments and each disc
bound by a metal hoop. Such discs we place side by side, and by the aid of bolts
and nuts (or other suitable devices) tightly clamp them together. We then put
such composite wheel in a machine, and by the use of suitable tools produce the
desired hub and remove superfluous parts. The resulting product is a very
strong and substantial wheel.
In applying a flexible tyre we employ a (by preference) metal plate of circular
formation, and to, or on its periphery we apply a T flange made up of angle-.
iron, and around such flange, and through openings therein, we mould and
vulcanise the flexible tyre in the required thickness and width.
Prior to clamping the aforesaid wooden discs together we interpose the said
plate carrying the rubber tyre between them, and the outer diameter of the
plate is such as to cause the inner diameter of the tyre to lie flush with, and
tightly upon and across the periphery of the discs. The clamping bolts are
then passed through the discs and the plate and thus we produce a unique
construction of wheel and attach the tyre in a manner which prevents all
"creeping" and ensures of an absolute "drive" on all parts of the wheels
circumference.

page_text: For attaching a rack or toothed rim for chain or spur driving we make use
of certain of the clamping bolts and pass them through the rim, discs and plate,
and whilst thus increasing the solidity of the wheel enable the parts to be
readily fixed or taken to pieces and create a positive drive from the toothed rim
to the tyre.
In applying the tyre to wheels composed of three or more discs we employ a
plate between each set of adjoining discs, and the tyre comprises two, or more
parts, side by side.
although preferring the discs to be of wood we may use discs of metal or other
suitable material, and instead of a flange as aforesaid we may employ other:
devices on which to mould the tyre and secure it to the plate, and utilise the
plate in a variety of ways in relation to the discs. In lieu of flexible tyres we may
apply solid or semi-solid tyres.
To permit of our invention being clearly understood we have hereto annexed*
two sheets of drawings and will now proceed to describe the same with the assis-
tance of the various figures and letters of reference marked thereon.
One Sheet one, Fig. 1 represents a vertical section, and Fig. 2 a side elevation
of so much of a wheel as is necessary to permit of our invention being under-
stood.
On Sheet two, Figs. 3, 4 and 5 represent broken side elevations of certain parts
separately. Figs. 6 and 7 represent modifications.
According to our invention and referring to Figs. 1 and 2 which illustrate the
construction of wheel we find best suited for motor lurry requirements, we employ
two discs (A) made, by preference, in segments of solid hard wood put together"
under pressure, and each disc bound by a metal hoop (B). Besides these discs.
we employ a third disc with by preference certain portions cut away and pro-
ducing a ring (C) and boss (1), with, or without radial arms or spokes to connect
them. We also employ two metal plates (E) the diameters of which are slightly
larger than those of the discs (A). Upon the extreme edges of the plates we
rivet two angle-iron rings (F) forming, in conjunction with the plate, a section
or double flange.
Upon and around such double flanges we mould the half portions (G) of a, by
preference, flexible tyre in the proportions and manner illustrated, 'thereby
embedding the flanges and effecting an intimate connection with the tyre.
The several parts when put together lie in the relation shewn in Figs. 1 and 2,
the plates (E) coming between the discs and ring with the hooped peripheries
lying snugly and tightly within the inner circumference of the tyre.
In the plates (E) are holes (H), and in the discs (A), ring (C) and boss (1)
corresponding holes, H so that when the parts are brought together, and the
several holes brought in line, a series of bolts (I) are passed through such holes
and by the aid of nuts () the several parts are firmly clamped together. To
give a metal surface for the nuts (J) to screw against we provide a set of ring
plates (K), let into grooves in the outer faces of the discs, as illustrated.
clamping the discs (A) may be cut away to give the usual wheel outline.
After
Upon the side of the wheel, when used for driving purposes, we mount a toothed
wheel rim (L) which we secure by bolts (M) passing through holes (H) in the
wheel and through similar holes in the rim, as illustrated, and thus by the same
bolts securely attach the rim, further bind the wheel, and provide for the most
effective drive upon all parts of the wheel.
By the use of the plates (E) between the dises, we, on the one hand, give great
stiffness to the wheel, and on the other hand make a most perfect connection of
the tyre to the wheel.
To ensure of a further connection we may form holes in the flanges (F) through
which the rubber may be moulded, or provide rivets (F) as shewn, the heads of
which will help to prevent the tyre "creeping."
The wheel is fitted to its axle in any suitable manner, but we may use a tubular
bush (N) with soft metal liner (O), a set of angle rings (1) screwing on to one end

page_text: of the bush and on to a tapered ring (Q) at the other end and held tightly
by a nut (R) screwing against any suitable abutment.
Whilst the foregoing describes the form in which we prefer to construct a
wheel for motor lurry purposes, we may construct it as shewn in Fig. 6, or as shewn
in Fig. 7. In lieu of employing discs of wood, we may as aforesaid employ discs
of metal or other suitable materials and in such connection or with very hard
wood we may dispense with the hoops (B).
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same, is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is
1-A wheel composed of two or more, by preference, wooden discs, in com-
bination with one or more metal plates interposed and firmly held between the
said discs, and a flange or like object on each plate on to which, or with which,
the whole or a part of a flexible tyre is moulded, or intermoulded, as and for the
purpose herein set forth and illustrated on the accompanying drawings.
2: A wheel composed of two or more by preference wooden discs, one or
more plates interposed and firmly held between the discs, a flange or like object
on each plate on to which, or with which the whole or a part of a flexible tyre
is moulded, or intermoulded, a toothed rim, upon the side of one of discs, and
means for securely bending such dises, plates and rim together substantially as
and for the purposes herein set forth and illustrated on the accompanying
drawings.
3: A circular metal plate with holes formed in it, a flange or like object upon
such plate, and the whole or a part of a flexible, solid, or semi-solid tyre moulded
upon such flange, substantially as herein set forth.
Dated this lot dev
N
WILLIAM SIMPSON,
FRANCIS GODLEE,
WALTER LIGHT BODMAN,
DANIEL HARRISON SIMPSON.
By John G. Wilson & Co., Fels. Inst. P.A.,
Patent Agents to the Applicants.
www.
WILLIAM SIMPSON,
FRANCIS GODLEE,
WALTER LIGHT BODMAN,
DANIEL HARRISON SIMPSON.
John G. Wilson & Co., Fels. Inst. P.A.,
Patent Agents to the Applicants.