Improvements in Vehicle-wheels.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Jan., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 9th Oct.. 1891-Accepted, 9th Jan., 1892
PROVISIONAL
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Vehicle-wheels.
I, ROBERT MCLEAN, of Belvidere, in the County of Boone, and State of
Illinois, United States of America Inventor, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to a metallic vehicle-wheel and among other things, my
invention has for its object to obviate the casting of the sockets or holes for the
metallic spokes as it has been found that such holes or sockets are surrounded by
hard metal edges, which are liable to cut the spoke; secondly to secure the proper
full shape to the wheel with as little weight as is consistent with the maximum
strength; thirdly to obviate gripping the spoke between two castings and to
distribute the strain equally through the length of the spoke, whereby greater
elasticity to the wheel is secured and it is caused to run quietly and with more
ease; fourthly to obviate the use of fastening-nuts which are constantly being lost,
and subject the occupant to inconvenience and expense, and finally to lock the
wheel to the axle in such manner that it can turn freely thereon and at the same
time be easily removed, and replaced.
The axle is reduced at its ends to form a spindle the latter having an annular
groove or keyway into which the jaws of the clutch-box are fitted in order to connect
the hub to the axle in such a manner that the wheel can freely rotate on the axle
and at the same time be easily removed therefrom and replaced thereon, the outer
extremity of the spindle being preferably provided with an enlarged round head
which protrudes beyond the annular groove. The thimble of the hub is fitted
tightly over the spindle and a portion of the axle so as to be free to turn or rotate
thereon and said thimble has a series of three or more annular seats, two of the
seats being at the ends of the thimble and the other at a point between the outer
seats and at the middle of the thimble, each seat having a series of grooves parallel
with the axle to receive the metallic spokes.
The spokes extend from the felly and run alternately into the hub from opposite
sides. The spokes on one side extend from the felly to the right-hand scat are
then bent at right angles and extend across the central and left-hand seats and
rest in the grooves therein, while the alternate spokes on the other side of the
wheel extend from the felly to the left-hand seat, are bent at right angles and
extend across the central and right-hand seats and rest in the grooves therein.
The outer end of the thimble is left open and is recessed transversely, to provide
two protruding portions adapted to be expanded radially into the clutch-box to
rigidly secure the latter and the thimble of the hub together in order to insure
their rotation on the spindle.
The right-hand seat and the spokes fitted in the grooves thereof are held in
place and protected by a casing fitting snugly around said parts, and having
openings to permit the spokes to pass into and emerge from the casing.
A similar casing embraces the left-hand seat and is perforated for the passage of
the spokes.
On the outer side of the right-hand seat is a clutch-box having a central opening
with radial recesses which receive the bifurcated end of the thimble and when
the latter is expanded radially the expanded portions enter the radial recesses in
order to couple the clutch-box firmly to the thimble and hub. This clutch-box
is close against the seat, the end of the hub and the spokes, so as to partially
inclose said parts and within the casing is arranged jaws which are normally closed
together by a suitable contrivance and fit in the annular groove or keyway in end
of axle-spindle in order to connect the hub to the axle in such manner as to

page_text: permit the hub and wheel to rotate freely on the axle and at same time permit its
ready removal and replacem ut without unfastening nuts and the like.
The jaws
have a transverse perforation for receiving a stud integral with the casing of the
clutch and serving as the pivot for said jaw and each jaw has a projecting thumb-
piece passing through a radial slot in the outer wall of the casing of the clutch to
permit the jaws to be readily moved on their pivots and thrown out of engagement
with the keyway in the axle-spindle for the purpose of removing the wheel. The
jaws are normally closed by a spring and said jaws are preferably recessed on their
opposing edges to fit snugly in the keyway.
Dated the 25th day of Docomhar 1800
ROBERT MCLEAN.
W. P. Thompson & Boult,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Vehicle-wheels.
1, ROBERT MCLEAN, of Belvidere, Illinois, U.S.A. Inventor, 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 :-
My invention relates to a metallic vehicle-wheel, and among other things my
invention has for its object to obviate the casting of the sockets or holes for the
metallic spokes, as it has been found that such holes or sockets are surrounded by
hard metal edges which are liable to cut the spoke, secondly, to secure the proper
full shape to the wheel with as little weight as is consistent with the maximum
strength; thirdly, to obviate gripping the spoke between two castings, and to
distribute the strain equally through the length of the spoke, whereby greater
elasticity to the wheel is secured, and it is caused to run quictly and with more
ease; fourthly, to obviate the use of fastening-nuts, which are constantly being
lost, and, finally, to lock the wheel to the axle in such manner that it can turn
freely thereon and at the same time be easily removed and replaced.
With these ends in view my invention consists in the combinations of devices
and peculiar construction and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter fully
described and claimed.
To enable others to understand my invention 1 have illustrated the same in the
accompanying drawings, in which-
Figure is a vertical sectional view through a metallic wheel embodying my
invention, the section being taken in the direction of the length of the axle.
Fig. 2 is a detail view of the hub detached from the axle.
Fig. 3 is a detail view of the thimble.
Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are detail views of the clutch box.
Like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts in all the figures of the
drawings.
denotes the axle which is slightly reduced to form the spindle 2 supported by
the annular shoulder or ledge 3, and at its upper end the spindle is provided with
an annular groove or keyway 4, into which the jaws of the clutch-box are fitted in
order to connect the hub to the axle in such a manner that the wheel can freely
rotate on the axle, and at the same time be easily removed therefrom and replaced
thereon, the outer extremity of the axle-spindle being preferably provided with
an enlarged round head at 4', which protrudes beyond the annular groove or
keyway 4.
5 denotes the thimble or hub which is fitted tightly or snugly over the axle, so
as to be free to turn or rotate thereon, and said thimble has a series of three or
more annular seats formed at suitable intervals thereon, as at 6 6' 6", the
seats 6¹ 6" being at the ends of the thimble or hub, and the seat 6 being situated

page_text: at a point between the outer seats, and at the middle of the thimble, each seat
having a series of grooves 7 formed therein parallel with the axle and spindle to
receive the metallic spokes 8 81.
9 designates the felly of the wheel and the spokes 8 8' extend from the felly and
run alternately into the hub from opposite sides thereof. Thus the spokes 8
extend from the felly to the right hand seat 6" on the thimble are then beut at
right angles and extend across the seats 6 6' and rest in the seats therein, while the
alternate spokes 8' extend from the felly to the left hand seat 6', are then bent in a
similar manner and extend across the seats 6 6' and rest in the grooves therein, as
clearly shown in Fig. 1. The outer end of the thimble is left open, and it is
recessed transversely so as to provide two protruding portions 11 11 which are
adapted to be entered between the clutches 21 and 22 and be fitted into radial
recesses 20 in the clutch box 20, so as to rigidly secure the clutch-box and the
thimble of the hub together, in order to insure the rotation of said parts together
upon the axle spindle.
The flange or seat 6" at the right hand or inner end of the hub and the spokes
fitted in the grooves in said seat are held in place and protected by a casing or
band 12, which fits snugly over and around said parts, is suitably secured in place
and has openings which permit the spokes to pass into and emerge from the casing,
15 designates the inner casing or band for the opposite end of the hub
which is secured over the seat 6', and is perforated for the passage therethrough of
the spokes.
as shown.
On the opposite side seat 6" of the hub is arranged the clutch-box 20, which has
a central opening and radial recesses 20¹ which receive the bifurcated end of the
thimble. This clutch-box is arranged close against the seat 6, the end of the hub
and the spokes, so as to partially inclose said parts, aul within the casing of the
clutch-box are arranged the jaws 21 22 which are normally closed together by a
suitable contrivance, and (projecting through the opening 20" formed by the
projections 11 11', as shown in Fig. 6,) fit in the annular groove or keyway in the
end of the axle-spindle in order to connect the hub to the axle in such a manner as
to permit the hub, wheel, and clutch-box to rotate freely on the axle, and at the
same time permit its ready removal and replacement without unfastening nuts and
other contrivances which are liable to become lost. The jaws 21 22 are formed
with transverse perforations that receive the pintles or studs 23 integral with the
casing of the clutch, and which serve as the pivots for said jaws, and each jaw is
further provided with an outwardly-projecting thumb-piece 24, which passes through
one of the slots 25 cut in the outer wall of the casing of the clutch, so as to permit
each jaw to be readily moved on its pivot and thrown out of engagement with the
keyway and the axle-spindle for the purpose of removing the wheel. The jaws are
normally forced or closed together by means of a spring 26, or any equivalent
thereof, and said jaws are preferably recessed on their opposing edges, as shown, to
fit snugly in the keyway of the axle-spindle.
The operation and advantages of my invention will be readily understood and
appreciated by those skilled in the art to which it relates from the foregoing
description, taken in connection with the drawings.
Changes in the form and proportion of and parts details of construction can be
made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing the advantages of my inven-
tion, and I therefore reserve the right to make such modifications as fairly fall
within the scope of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that
what I claim is :
1. In a metallic-wheel, the combination of an axle, the thimble having the
grooved seats, the spokes bent and fitted in the grooves of the seats, and a clutch
rigid with the thimble and engaging the axle, for the purpose described, substan-
tially as set forth.

page_text: 2. In a metallic-wheel, the combination of an axle, a thimble fitted thereon, the
spokes, and a clutch-box having the end of the thimble fitted into recesses in the
same and engaging the axle, substantially as described.
3. The combination of an axle having the annular keyway, a hub, and a clutch
rigid with the hub and having a movable jaw or jaws which fit in the keyway of
the axle, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.
4. In a metallic-wheel, the combination of an axle having the annular keyway
or groove, the thimble fitted on the axle, the spokes fitted in seats on the thimble
and the slotted clutch-box rigid with the thimble and having the spring-pressed
jaws which normally fit in the keyway, and have thumb-pieces that protrude
through the slot in the casing of the clutch-box, substantially as described.
Dated this 9th day of October 1891.
W. H. MUNNS.