Improvements in Wheels for Cycles and other Vehicles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd June, 1896-Accepted, 15th Aug., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Wheels for Cycles and other Vehicles.
I WILLIAM GRIFFITH HONEY of 28 Grand Parade, Cork, Photographer, 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:—
This invention relates to improvements in the construction of wheels for cycles,
and other vehicles, and has for its object to provide a simple arrangement which
will give great resiliency to the wheel, without danger of puncture.
In carrying out my invention, instead of employing a tyre formed from an
inflated tube which being at the periphery is liable to get injured I propose
to use a number of tubes or a continuous tube which is employed to form the wheel
itself.
According to one arrangement in which a single tube is employed it is connected.
to a centre boss or metal hub and is wound spirally until it meets the periphery of
the wheel, when it is connected to a metal or other rim. This tube is inflated to
any required pressure, and the body of the wheel is thus formed from a pneumatic
arrangement the whole of which serves as a resilient cushion. To keep the coiled
tube in position the rim is provided with a number of spokes, connected to the
central rim or boss, which is independent of the body of the wheel, so as to form a
frame which prevents the pneumatic tubing buckling or collapsing.
According to a slightly modified arrangement a number of concentric pneumatic
tubes is employed placed around the ceutral drum or bearing and each inflated.
Instead of tubes solid rubber rings or coils may be employed.
A further modification may also be used consisting of a metal spring coiled so as
to extend spirally from the central bearing to the rim, thus allowing the wheel to
give on meeting with any obstacles, preventing any jolting of the vehicle.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is bad to
the accompanying sheet of drawings in which
Fig. 1 shows the wheel constructed according to one arrangement, and Fig. 2
shows a modification.
According to Fig. 1 the frame is formed by means of the rim A and spokes a
connecting the rims to the central ring a'. The rim may be furnished with a
rubber tyre a² or may consist simply of metal. Within this frame the body of the
wheel formed from the inflated tubes B is placed concentrically around the central
bearing or drum C. As shown in Fig. 2 a single tube B' is employed wound in a
spiral manner around the drum C, and provided with means by which it can be
inflated in the manner well known.
The arrangement is otherwise similar to that shewn in Fig. 1 the rim being
employed and radial arms or spokes a³ securing the body of the wheel in position,
the spokes in this case being fitted to the central drum C and free of the rim, which
is fixed to the periphery of the pneumatic tubes.
The ring a must have an opening sufficiently large to allow the axle to be
passed through the bearing or drum C, and to allow for the play of the wheel. As
mentioned, instead of tubes, rings or coils of solid rubber may be employed, the
arrangement being otherwise similar.
The arrangement in which a strong metal spring is employed has a somewhat
similar appearance to the coiled tubing shown in Fig. 2, the spokes or frame being
also applied in a similar manner.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
(1.) A new or improved wheel for cycles or other vehicles, having its body
formed in a resilient manner from pneumatic tubes substantially as described and
for the purposes specified.
(2.) The improved wheel for cycles and other vehicles, having its body formed
from a coiled pneumatic tube extending from a central drum or bearing to the rim
substantially as and for the purposes specified.
(3.) An improved wheel for cycles and other vehicles, having its body formed
from a series of concentric pneumatic tubes placed between the rim and central
drum or bearing substantially as and for the purposes specified.
(4.) The improved wheel for cycles and other vehicles, having its body formed
from pneumatic tubing and a frame enclosing the said body having a rim and
radial spokes substantially as described and shown in Fig. 1.
(5.) An improved wheel for cycles having its body formed from a coil of solid
rubber and a frame enclosing the said coil substantially as described and shown
and for the purposes specified.
(6.) An improved wheel for cycles and other vehicles having its body formed
from a coiled metal spring extending from the rim to a central drum or bearing
and a frame enclosing the spring and preventing it bending or buckling substantially
as described and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 23rd day of June 1896.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.