Improvements in Wheels, Pulleys, and the like.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 29th May, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 30th Dec., 1893-Accepted, 5th May,
1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Wheels, Pulleys, and the like.
I, DAVID JOHN RUSSELL DUNCAN, of Kilmux, Leven, in the County of Fife,
Scotland, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to wheels, pulleys and such rotary devices as are mounted
upon axles and rotate upon or with same, concentrically or otherwise.
The invention consists in the manufacture of a new kind of wheel or rotary
device which is applicable to locomotive purposes and to the transmission or
modification of power and to other purposes.
According to my invention I employ a coiled spring of suitable kind and
material; it may be parallel or tapered and of such strength and resiliency as may
be required; and this can be regulated by varying the length, sectional area and
number of coils or any of them. To the inner end or eye of this coiled spring is
fixed the axle box, bush or device in which the axle may either run loose or be
fixed as required; the outer end is fixed to the inner side of the rim or felloe, or of
any smaller ring circumscribing the area and suitably fixed within the outer rim or
felloe. By this construction the wheel is flexible and resilient over or in that
portion which surrounds the axle or axis upon which the wheel is mounted in a
plane perpendicular to the axis over an area circumscribed by the rim of the wheel
or by any smaller ring which confines the coils of the spring. According as the
load is applied to the axle or to the wheel, the axis will automatically change its
position in degree varying with the load or equivalent and such movements of the
axis will be either straight, horizontal, vertical, circular, elliptical or radial, there
being, in fact, complete freedom of movement through any path in the planes of
the wheel within the limiting ring, but the periphery will or may nevertheless run
in a true circle. Many advantages may be gained by the use of the invention, as
examples (Neglecting the vis viva of the coiled spring) a wheel of larger diameter
than heretofore available may be used because the axis may be eccentrically
disposed but constantly at the same vertical height from the wheel base, and this
may be usefully applied to vehicles in which it is desired to lower the centre of
gravity and the axles without reducing the diameters of the wheels.
driving automatic tension is obtained by the action of the spring. The invention
is also particularly applicable for cycle wheels, since in passing over inequalities of
surface the tyre and rim must transmit all jerks through the spring to the axle, the
cushioning" effect being such that jerks on the axle and their effects are minimised,
also for storing power, for example, for starting vehicles, by retarding the speed of
the periphery and allowing the axle to continue its rotation and increase the tension
of the spring for a limited period a vis veva is acquired. It is also adapted for use
as an automatic brake since the periphery of the wheel may run faster than the
axle fixed to the inner end of the coiled spring, and hence a restraining power
would be exerted upon the periphery.
6
:
In belt
The coiled spring may be suitably encased if desired and the limiting area for
the free movement of the axis in the plane of the wheel may be of any diameter or
diameters suitable to its intended purpose, the axle working through suitably formed
apertures in said casing. I do not confine myself to the use of one coiled spring
only as I may use one or more suitably arranged to effect the above mentioned or
analogous objects, either singly or collectively.
"
1902
J. C. CHAPMAN,
Agent.

page_text: Improvements in Wheels, Pulleys, and the like.
I, DAVID JOHN RUSSELL DUNCAN, of Kilmux, Leven, in the County of Fife,
Scotland, Engineer, 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 wheels, pulleys, and such rotary devices as are mounted
upon axles and rotate upou or with same, concentrically or otherwise.
The invention consists in the manufacture of a new kind of wheel or rotary
device which is applicable to locomotive purposes and to the transmission or
modification of power, and to other purposes.
According to my invention I employ a coiled spring of suitable kind and
material; may be parallel or tapered and of such strength and resiliency as may
be required, and this can be regulated by varying the length, sectional area, and
number of coils, or any of them. To the inner end or eye of this coiled spring is
fixed the axle box, bush, or device, in which the axle may either run loose or be
fixed as required; the outer end is fixed to the inner side of the rim or felloe, or of
any smaller ring circumscribing the area and suitably fixed within the outer rim or
felloe. By this construction the wheel is flexible and resilient over or in that
portion which surrounds the axle or axis upon which the wheel is mounted in a
plane perpendicular to the axis over an area circumscribed by the rim of the wheel
or by any smaller ring which confines the coils of the spring.
According as the load is applied to the axle or to the wheel, the axis will
automatically change its position in degree varying with the load or equivalent,
and such movements of the axis will be either straight, horizontal, vertical,
circular, elliptical, or radial, there being in fact complete freedom of movement
through any path in the planes of the wheel within the limiting ring, but the
periphery will or may nevertheless run in a true circle.
I will now further and more fully describe my invention in reference to the
annexed drawings, in which similar letters of reference are used to indicate similar
parts in all the figures.
Sheet 1 is illustrative of the principle of my invention, several varieties of
springs being shown. Fig. 1 is an elevation and Fig. 2 a central cross-section
thereof showing a ribbon or spring S of constantly rectangular cross-sectional
form from end to end arranged in four coils, fixed at its inner end to the centre
hub or box B carrying an axle A and at its outer end to a rim R. This rim R
may be either a ring of suitably limited area (hereinafter called a "limiting ring")
to which are fixed the spokes as indicated at C, connecting it rigidly to an outer
felloe, rim, or outer circumference hereinafter indicated by the letter T, or it may
be such felloe, rim, or rolling circumference T itself. Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 show in
central cross section coiled ribbons or springs S, in their cross-sections respectively
circular, semi-circular, square, and half-round. Figs. 7 and 8 show in elevation
the springs S with three and five coils respectively, and gradually diminished in
thickness and sectional area from the outer to the inner ends. It will be seen that
the axis or axle A has free movement throughout the plane of the wheel or of the
limiting ring R which may be of any diameter or diameters suitable to its intended
purpose.
Sheet 2 is illustrative of the adaptation of my invention to various purposes, the
same letters of reference indicating the same parts above referred to. Figs. 9
and 10 represent respectively in elevation and central cross-section a pulley, the
limiting ring R being connected to the rim T by the spokes C. Figs. 11 and 12
are the same views of a cycle wheel, the limiting ring R being fixed to rim T by
the spokes C; Figs. 13 and 14 a railway vehicle wheel, the limiting ring R being

page_text: connected by a solid web C¹ to the tyre T. Figs. 15 and 16 show a cart wheel,
the limiting ring R being connected to the felloe T by spokes C.
The principle in all cases remains the same, and the coiled springs are made of
such dimensions as to secure the required strength and resiliency for their
individual purpose.
To prevent lateral bulging or bellying out, and to maintain
the motions of the spring S in practically rectilinear planes, the coiled spring may
be encased in a light annular casing such as D, Figs. 14 and 16, which is fixed to
the ring R or to the hub B. Due provision is made for the movements of the axis
and the casing is arranged in such manner as to cover and enclose each side of the
spring and restrict its lateral movements, but without interfering with its other
movements.
I do not confine myself to the use of one coiled spring only, as I may use one or
more suitably arranged to effect the above or analogous objects.
Sheet 3 illustrates examples of such modified arrangements of my invention.
Fig. 17 is an elevation and Fig. 18 a central cross-section showing the application
of four coiled springs S to one limiting ring R. Here the central hub is shown
cast or formed in two parts B B₁ adapted to be placed and fixed close together on
the axle as in Figs. 18 and 20. To each part of the hub a side plate bb' respectively
is secured, or it may be cast with it, and with four springs such side plates form
practically a square b, Fig. 17; at each angle of the square on the inner sides of
each side plate transverse bearings E are cast or formed, each bored for the
To each transverse
reception of holding bolts e. e. firmly securing the whole.
bearing E is secured the inner end of one coiled spring S, the other end of which
is fixed to the ring R as in Fig. 17; or instead of solid plates bb, equivalently
radial arms connected together at their extremities by suitable tie-bars, and
carrying the bearings E and bolts e, may be substituted as shown for example in
dotted lines in Fig. 17. Any number of coiled springs may be arranged in one
wheel, for example, in Figs. 19 and 20 I have shown a wheel constructed as above
described, in which three such springs are employed, the side plates 6 of the
hub B B carrying the bearings E thus take the form of triangles which may be
three-armed or solidly constructed as above set forth in reference to the square
shown in Fig. 17.
I have illustrated but one spring in each vertical plane, but I may use two or
any number called for to meet special or individual requirements. For example,
I have shown in the cross-section, Fig. 21, an arrangement of a wheel for carts or
other vehicles or purposes with two parallel springs S'S' fixed upon the same hub B
and one limiting ring R, the pair of springs being practically enclosed in the boss
or hub extended to the said limiting ring R as will be readily understood. The
side plates bb are also here shown to keep said springs in position and restrict the
lateral movement as above explained. I do not in fact limit myself to any specific
number of springs in any wheel as they will obviously vary with the conditions of
weight, diameter, and duty obtaining in any particular case.
Many advantages may be gained by the use of the above described invention, as
examples (Neglecting the vis viva of the coiled spring) a wheel of larger diameter
than heretofore available may be used because the axis may be eccentrically
disposed, but constantly at the same vertical height from the wheel base, and this
may be usefully applied to vehicles in which it is desired to lower the centre of
gravity and the axles without reducing the diameters of the wheels. In belt
driving, automatic tension is obtained by the action of the spring which continually
forces the rim of the pulley against the pull of the belt, thereby tending to keep
same tight. The invention is also particularly applicable for cycle wheels such as
are illustrated in Fig. 11, since in passing over inequalities of surface the tyre and
rim must transmit all jerks through the spring to the axle, the cushioning effect
being such that jerks on the axle and their effects are minimised; also for storing
power, for example, for starting vehicles, by retarding the speed of the periphery
of any wheel by a brake or otherwise and allowing the axle to continue its
rotation and increase the tension of the spring for a limited period or until it finally

page_text: stops the rotation of the axle, a ris viva is acquired and power stored up in
the spring which is available to assist starting when the brake is removed from the
tyre. It is also adapted for use as an automatic brake, since the periphery of the
wheel may run faster than the axle fixed to the inner end of the coiled spring, and
hence a restraining power would be exerted upon the periphery.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
:―
1. A new kind of wheel or rotary device rendered flexible in the planes of the
annulus intervening between the axle box and any outer limiting circle concentric
therewith by means of a coiled spring or coiled springs arranged substantially as
above set forth.
2. In a wheel or rotary device the use of a coiled spring of suitable strength
fixed at its inner end to the central hub or axle box, and at its outer end to the
inner side of the felloe, rim, or acting periphery, or of any smaller ring
circumscribing the area and suitably fixed within the said outer rim or felloe,
whereby the wheel or device is flexible and resilient over or in that portion which
surrounds the axle or axis upon which the wheel is mounted, and the axis has
complete freedom of movement throughout any path in the plane of the wheel
within the limiting ring, substantially as and for the purposes above set forth.
3. In a wheel the arrangement of one or any number (within limits) of coiled
springs in combination, each affixed as to its inner end to a bearing in rigid
connection with the central hub, and as to its outer end to the inner side of the outer
rim or felloe, or any smaller limiting ring within same, substantially as above set
forth.
4. In the new kind of wheel above referred to, the arrangement of two or more
parallel springs in the same plane or planes, substantially as described in reference
to Fig. 21.
5. The combination with a wheel or rotary device such as is above referred to,
of the arrangement of side plates such as D for preventing lateral movement of the
coiled springs substantially as above set forth.
6. The improved construction of wheels and rotary devices substantially as
hereinabove described and illustrated.
Dated bia
df DL
1000