Improvements in Metallic Wheels for Perambulators, Bath Chairs, Velocipedes, Carriages, and other Vehicles.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 29th July, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 29th Apr., 1891-Accepted, 29th July, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Metallic Wheels for Perambulators, Bath Chairs,
Velocipedes, Carriages, and other Vehicles.
I ALFRED WEBB No. 14 Ashted Row in the City of Birmingham in the County
of Warwick Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
By means of constructing the hub or center on different principles and to secure
the spokes to the hub or center by other means than the old method in forming the
hub or center Fig. 1A either of cast or wrought iron, cast or wrought steel, brass,
copper or any metallic substance the same to be made in one or more parts which I
think best The hub or center Fig. 1^ consist of a piece of either hollow or solid
mettale of any metallic substance either screwed or partly screwed and fit with
pegs Fig. S snugs Fig. U blocks Fig. T for the purposes of fastening or locking
the flanges on the barrel of the hub which may have a shoulder on one or both
ends as I find most convenient. I then take two sets of flanges as shown Fig. 1
and 2 flange Fig. 1 is made to fit on the shoulder of the barrel Fig. 14 the other
flange Fig. 2 is screwed to fit the other end of the barrel Fig. 1 the flange Fig. 1
being made with slots or groves on the inner face as shown by Fig. C. The flanges
These
Fig. 1 are provided with a number of pegs on the face as shown by Fig. A
pegs are to receive the spokes as in old method one end of each spoke is headed
but the other end instead of being screwed is made or bent as a hook or loop as
Fig. B
The spokes are then securely hooked on the pegs Fig. A. on the flanges
Fig. 1 they being previously attached to the rim in the ordinary way by means
of a round or cone head.
Flange Fig. 2 is provided with a number of holes on the inner face to
correspond with the pegs Fig. A on which the hooks or loops of the spokes are
placed The flanges are then placed together the points of the pegs on which the
hook are placed entering the holes in Fig. C flang Fig. 2 The spokes having
been placed in the slots or grooves in the face of the flanges Fig. C the hub
is then tightened up by means of screwing or forcing the flanges apart by means
of a screw or locking them with pegs or snugs fixed on the barrel which makes
the wheel perfectly rigid and it is impossible for the spokes to get loose as in
the old method of screwing. Flanges Fig. 3 and 4 shows another. principle
by which I secure the spokes to the hub Fig. 14 I make a number of slots
or groves in the flanges Fig. 3 as many as I require. I also make a number of
holes Fig. D the same in number as the slots or groves on the flange the spokes
instead of having a cone shaped head to fit in the rim. I. form the end of the
spokes as shown by Fig. H by this principle it secures the rim in such a manner
that it prevents the rim from springing as it secures the rim on both sides and this
prevents the spokes from moving in the rim. I then make at the other end of the
I then
spokes Fig. E. a bend at any angle I may require to suit any sized rim
place the end of the spokes so formed in the holes Fig. C and in the slots and
groves I then place flanges Fig. 4 in their proper places which secures and holds
the spokes in such a manner that they cannot get loose I then secure the flanges
to the barrel by means of blocks, wedges or keys-in flanges 5 and 6 I secure the
spokes to the flanges-flange Fig. 5 being made with groves or slots as shown by
Fig. G The end is shaped to fit in the groves of the flanges Fig. 5 the other end
of the spokes having been connected with the rim in which an oblong hole or slot
is made to allow the end of the spokes Fig. F to pass through It is then
connected to the flange Fig. 5 by placing them in the groves Fig. G I then put

page_text: the flanges Fig. 6 in their places and screw them together by means of screws nuts
and washers. I first place in a cavity or grove either in barrel or flanges of the hub
or center a number of discs Fig. K as many as will fill the grove Fig. L causing
their projecting faces to touch each other and to bear on the axle pin allowing the
wheel to revolve with greater freedom round the axle pin the great freedom of
action and absence of friction This I claim to be one of the merits of my invention
I take a piece of cast or rolled brass or copper or any other metallic substance !
may think best I form the metal the same shape to correspond with the barrel
and hub and flanges by either casting stamping raising or spinning by means of stamps
or press
I then take the metal so formed and incase the whole or part of the hub
which may be made in common iron and when covered will have the appearance of
solid brass or copper.
As shown by Fig. 7 a very simple method by which I secure the spokes to the
hub or center I make in the flanges Fig. 7 a number of holes round or oblong
which I find most convenient. As shown by Fig. M I then form on the end of the
spokes a hook or knob Fig. B I then hook the spokes in the holes of the flanges
Fig. 7 having previously been secured to the rim by means of cone shaped head on
the other end of the spoke I then place the cap Fig. 8 in which I make a
number of holes in the edge or slots to fit the spokes the same in number as the
flanges I then place the cap Fig. 8 over the flanges which allows the spokes to
pass through I then secure the caps to the flanges with nuts screws or pegs The
spokes are then firmly fixed.
And the improvements and advantages claimed for these my invention are these
that by my method I am able to construct wheels both cheaper and simpler than
the old method of construction.
Dated this 26th day of Tuly 1900
ALFRED WEBB.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Metallic Wheels for Perambulators, Bath Chairs,
Velocipedes, Carriages, and other Vehicles.
I ALFRED WEBB of No. 271 Witton Road Aston in the County of Warwick,
Manufacturer late of 14 Ashted Row in the City of Birmingham 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 has for its object to construct and connect in a simple and efficient
manner the wire or metallic spokes to the rims hubs flanges or barrels of the wheels
of perambulators bath chairs velocipedes carriages and other vehicles and at the
same time to tighten the spokes This I effect by constructing and combining the
parts in the following manner by means of constructing the hubs or centers on
different principles and to secure the spokes to the hubs or centers by other means
than the old method, in forming the hub center or barrel 1ª either of cast or
wrought iron cast or wrought steel, brass, copper or any metallic substance the
same to be made in one or more parts which I think best The hub center or
barrel 1 consist of a piece of either hollow or solid metal of any metallic substance
either screwed or partly screwed the barrel to be in one or more parts and is fitted
with a tension nut or nuts P Fig. 15 which is screwed on the center of the barrel
Fig. 1 or on one or both ends These nuts are for the purpose of putting the
tension on the spokes I also screw the barrel 1 Fig. 17 with right hand screw 24
at one end and the other end with a left hand screw 34 By this means I can also
tighten up the spokes by turning the hub or barrel 1^ in the flanges which are
screwed, by means of a square Fig. 17, 2" or groves Fig. 16, 3" or notches Fig. 16, 10
at one or both ends of the barrel which separate the spoke flanges The alternating
wire or metallic spokes of the wheel are thereby separated and expanded and

page_text: tightened and securely fixed in the flanges and rim Fig. H 1. I also fix the
Hanges Fig. 3 to the barrel with pegs S snugs U blocks T for the purposes of
locking them on the barrel 14 which may have a shoulder on one or both ends as I
find most convenient I then take two sets or two pairs of flanges as shown by
Fig. 1 and 2 flange Fig. 1 is made to fit on the shoulder of the barrel Fig. 14.
The other flanges Fig. 2 is screwed to fit the other end of the barrel Fig. 1 the
flange Fig. 1 being made with slots or groves on the inner face as shown by C the
flanges Fig. 1 are provided with a number of pegs on the face as shown by A.
These pegs are to receive the spokes as in the old method one end of each spoke
is headed but the other instead of being screwed is made or bent as a hook or loop as
shown by B The spokes are then securely hooked on the pegs A. on flanges
Fig. 1 they being previously attached to the rim in the ordinary way by means of
a round or conical head Flanges Fig. 2 is provided with a number of holes on
the inner face to correspond with the pegs A. on which the hooks or loops of the
spoke are placed The flanges Fig. 1 and 2 are then placed together the points
of the pegs on which the hooks or loops are placed entering the holes in flanges
Fig. 2 The spokes having been placed in the slots or groves C in the face of the
flanges Fig. 1 the hub is then tightened by means of screwing or forcing the flanges
apart on the barrel by means of a lock nut or collar screwed on one or both ends
of the barrel Fig. 1 These I call the tension nuts P and when screwed against the
flanges Fig. 1 the tension on the spokes is so great that the wheel becomes perfectly
rigid and it is impossible for the spokes to get loose as in the old method of
screwing.
I then
Flanges Fig. 3 and 4 shows another principle by which I secure the spokes to
the hub I make a number of slots or groves C in the flanges Fig. 3 as many as I
require I also make a number of holes d, the same in number as the slots or
groves C in the flanges Fig. 3 the spokes instead of having a cone shaped head to
fit in the rim I form the end of the spokes as shown H By this principle it secures
the rim in such a manner that it prevents the rim from springing as it secures the
rim on both sides and this prevents the spokes from moving in the rim I then
make at the other end of the spokes E a bend at any angle I may require to suit
any size rim
I then place the end of the spokes so formed in the holes C, and in
the slots or groves I then place flanges Fig. 4 in their proper places which
secures and holds the spokes in such a manner that they cannot get loose
secure the flanges Fig. 3 and 4 to the barrel Fig. 14 which may be screwed at one
or both ends or by means of blocks U wedges or keys V in flanges Fig. 5 and 6
shows how I secure the spokes to the flanges Fig. 5 & 6 which are made with a
number of slots or groves. As shown by G the end of the spokes are shaped
to fit in the groves of the flanges Fig. 5 and 6 the other end of the spokes having
been connected with the rim II. 1. in which round or oblong holes or slots have
been made to allow the ends of the spokes F to pass through They are then
connected to the flanges Fig. 5 by placing them in the slots or groves G. I. then
put the flanges Fig. 6 in their places which have a ring or bung I. F on the inside
which press against the ends of the spokes and prevents them moving down the
slots or groves
1 screw them together by means of screws nuts and washers but I
first place in a cavity or grove either in the barrel Fig. 1ª or in the flanges Fig. 5
& 6 of the hub or center a number of discs R. as many as will fill the groves L
causing their projecting faces to touch cach other and to bear on the axle pin
allowing the wheel to revolve with greater freedom round the axle pin the great
freedom of action and absence of friction This I claim to be one of the merits of my
invention I now put the tension of the spokes by means of a center nut P which
may work on or between the barrel Fig. 14 which may be in one or more parts or
by means of the barrel 1 being screwed at each end one end screwed right hand 2ª
and the other end screwed left hand 3 on which the flanges are screwed. By
turning the barrel 14 the flanges are forced apart the wheel then becomes rigid.
I take a piece of cast or rolled brass copper or any other metallic substance I may
I form the metal the same shape to correspond with the barrel hub
think best

page_text: and flanges by either casting stamping raising or spinning by means of stamp or
press I then take the metal so formed and incase the whole or part of the barrel
hub or flanges which may be made in common iron and when covered will have the
appearance of solid brass or copper.
I show by Fig. 7 a very simple method by which I secure the spokes I make
in a ring or plate a number of holes either round or oblong which I find most
convenient as shown by M I then form on the end of the spokes B. a hook which
I then hook in the holes in the ring or plate Fig. 7 having previously been secured
to the rim Fig. H 1 by means of a conc shaped head on the other end of the spokes
I place the cap Fig. 8 in which I make a number of holes or slots in the edge to fit -
the spokes the same in number as in the ring or plate Fig. 7 I then place the cap
or cover Fig. 8 over the ring or plate which allows the spokes to pass through I
then secure the cap to the barrel 1 by means of screwing the rings plates and
caps on the barrel Fig. 1A or with nuts screws and pegs S the spokes are then
firmly fixed. In making a laced wheel I make in a thin plate Fig. 14 a number
of holes I then screw on the barrel 1 either in the center or at one or both
ends a tension nut P I then place on the barrel 1 the right and left hand inner
flanges or covers as shown by Fig. 15 I then place on each end of the barrel 1^
the plate Fig. 14 which contains as many holes as I require and is for the purposes
of threading and securing the wire N I also provide a number of small eyes or
small hooks which I pass through the rim H 1 These are headed in the same
manner as the spokes or I may drill a number of small holes in the rim H 2 which
1 find most convenient These are also for the purposes of drawing the wire through
I now secure the wire to one or more of the holes in the ring or plate Fig. 14 which
has been placed on the barrel 1^ I now pass the wire through the rim H 2 or
through the small eyes O and through the small hooks N I then pass the wire
or wires from the hub or center to the rim as many times as I require and securing
the wires as they cross cach other Having now laced up the wheel I tighten the
wire or spokes by means of moveing the tension mut P or nuts or by turning the
barrel 1 which may be screwed with a right 2 B Fig. 17 and a left hand 3 screw
Wheels made on this principle are much lighter and stronger than those made on
the old principle.
I will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying drawing and
those left with the Provisional Specification the manner in which my invention is
to be performed.
Fig. 9 represent in front elevation or edge view a metallic spoked wheel for a
perambulator or other vehicle constructed according to my invention before the
metallic spokes have been expanded and the tension put on them: and
Fig. 10 represents in side elevation and Fig. 11 in front elevation or edge view
the said wheels after the metallic spokes have been expanded and tightened up.
Fig. 12 represents end elevation and longitudinal section the hub or barrel of
the wheel the flanges being represented in the same position on the barrel as shown
in Fig. 12.
Fig. 11 represents the metallic spoked wheel with the spoke flanges in its fully
expanded position or in the position represented in Fig. 12 and
Fig. 13 represents in side elevation à laced wheel with the wires tightened up.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in the several figures of
the drawings.
1A is the hub or barrel of the wheel. Fig. 1. 3. 5 and 7 are the spoke flanges in
which the spokes are placed Fig. 2. 4. 6 and 8 are the front flanges Letters C
show the slots or groves in the spoke flanges A shows the pegs on the inner face
of the flang Fig. 1 B shows the spoke for Fig. 1 flanges R shows the discs.
C shows the slots or groves in flanges Fig. 3. D the holes in the flanges Fig. 3.
E shows the spoke at one end and H. H at the other end G shows the slots or
groves in flanges Fig. 5 and F the spokes L shows the grove in which the discs R
M shows the oblong holes in flang or plate 7 B the spokes Fig. 8. shows
the cap or cover for the plate Fig. 7 Letters S shows pin T the blocks U the
work.

page_text: wedge V the keys N shows the eye in the rim Fig. 13. O shows the small
hook in the rim Fig. 13.
It will be seen by examination of the drawing and fig. that each of the spoke
flanges Fig. 1. 3. 5 and 7 is provided with a series of slots or holes The outer
ends of the several spokes are headed in the usual way and are seated in seats or
depressions in the metallic rim of the wheel and the inner ends of the spokes are
bent or turned at right angles and are bent as a hook or loop for engaging in the
slots or holes in the spoke flanges The screwed ends or end of the barrel 1 is
provided with flats or square 2B or notches 1° for receiving a tool for turning the hub
or barrel for the purposes of separating the spokes flanges or by turning the tension
puts on the barrel 1* By this means I can put as much tension on the spokes
as required.
In order to remove the tension from the spokes when it is required to separate
the parts for packing or transit or to replace a broken or injured spoke it is only
necessary to rotate the barrel 1^ and the tension nuts P in the direction proper to
cause the spoke flanges to approach one another when the broken or injured spoke
may be removed and replaced by a new one and the tension again put on the spokes
in the manner hereinbefore described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention
and the manner in which the same is to be performed I wish it to be understood
that I claim as my invention
In constructing the hubs and parts of the hubs and spokes of metallic spoked wheels
for perambulators bath chairs, velocipedes and other vehicles in the manner herein-
before described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings for the purpose of
expanding and tightening the said metallic spokes and securing them to the hubs that is
to say making the spoke flanges of the hub loose upon one or both ends of the barrel 1ª
so that the said barrel is capable of rotation within the said loose spoke flanges and
makeing the front flanges screwed in its interior, and a portion of the barrel screwed
on its exterior for the front and spoke flanges to work upon for the purposes of
separating the two spoke flanges and thereby tightening and securing the metallic
spokes to the said flanges substantially as described and illustrated also connecting
the inner ends of the metallic spokes to the spoke flanges of the kind described and
illustrated by makeing the said inner ends of the spokes hooked and bent and
causing them to engage with the holes and slots in the said flanges substantially as
described and illustrated.
11001
ALFRED WEBB.