Improvements in the Construction and Fitting together of Railway, Tramway, and other similar Wheels and Pulleys.
Year: 1885

page_text: Improvements in the Construction and Fitting together
of Railway, Tramway, and other similar Wheels and
Pulleys.
I ROBERT HADFIELD of Sheffield in the County of York Steel Manufacturer
do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION AND FITTING TOGETHER OF RAILWAY, TRAMWAY AND OTHER
SIMILAR WHEELS and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
This Invention has for its object an improved method of making and fitting
together railway tramway and other similar wheels which allows of such wheels
being readily fitted with interchangeable tyres that are easily and cheaply renew-
able while it ensures freedom from vibration and ringing when the wheels are
running.
Fig. 1 of the accompanying; drawings is a plan:-and Fig. 2 a section taken on
the line A B-fig. 1 of one of such improved wheels.
To carry out my invention I cast the interchangeable tyres (c) with any suitable
number of pockets (a) or their equivalents These pockets serve for the reception
of the arms (b) the number of such arms being determined by the required size and
strength of the wheel.
This improved construction of tyre allows of its being cast of very hard steel with
safety thus rendering it far more durable and so prolonging the life of the wheel.
I would here observe that I have found that by employing my improved
manganese steel-(for which Letters Patent No 200 of 1883 have been granted to
me)-in the manufacture of these tyres I obtain the best results;-as such steel
possesses the special and singular properties of being extremely hard and almost
indestructible as regards its wearing properties combined with great toughness-
This peculiar combination of qualities renders it specially valuable in the manu-
facture of such tyres I wish it however to be distinctly understood that I do not
confine myself to steel or to any particular kind of steel for the manufacture of the
said tyres as if desired they may be cast in chilled iron or metal.
The arms and boss of the wheel I preferably cast of mild tough steel or very
strong cast iron and of any suitable form or section.

page_text: My improved method of fitting and fixing the arms in the tyre or rim is illus-
trated in the accompanying drawings and is as follows:-I cast the pockets in or on
the tyre or rim of sufficient size to allow of hard dry oak blocking or packing (d)
being inserted therein-Or in lieu of oak any other suitable material possessing the
property of being a good nonconductor of concussion or vibration may be employed
The end of each arm is completely surrounded by such non-conducting material and
by this means the wheel is caused to run exceedingly quiet and free from the usual
ringing accompanying such wheels-The accompanying drawings clearly shew that
there is no metallic connection whatever between the tyre or rim (c) and the arms
as the latter are securely wedged into the tyre or rim by the non-conducting
blocking or packing-When so secured I put one or more bolts (e) through each
arm to prevent their working loose while under the nut of each bolt I prefer to fit
a plate (f) so as to securely keep the packing in position-The wheel is then ready
for boring.
This improved method of making and fitting interchangeable tyres or rims is also
applicable to pulleys and other like purposes The following are some of the
advantages attendant upon the adoption of my invention (that is to say)-Firstly
Being able to cast a tyre or rim very much harder than heretofore thus obtaining
prolonged life and durability therein-Secondly Securing freedom from vibration
and ringing when the wheel is running-Thirdly-Effecting a considerable economy
as my improved wheels and tyres may for many purposes be put together without
any machining and by unskilled labour.
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. Casting any suitable number of pockets or their equivalents in or on the tyre
or rim of a railway tramway or other similar wheel substantially in the manner
and for the purposes herein before specified.
2. Packing the ends of the arms of a railway, tramway or other similar wheel
with any suitable non-conducting material and otherwise fitting and fixing the
same to the tyre or rim substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-
before specified,
3. The improved construction of railway or tramway wheel substantially as
herein before specified and shewn.
4. The application of my invention substantially in the manner hereinbefore
specified to the construction and manufacture of pulleys and other like purposes.
of T..1.. 10OK
SHIRLEY-BOWDEN,
33, Southampton Buildings,
Holborn, London,
Agent for the Applicant.