US1025343A - Spring-wheel. - Google Patents

Description

H. VILLIERS-STUART. SPRING WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED 00T.8I 1909.

Patented May 7, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

H. VILLIERS-STUART.

SPRING WHEEL.

APPLIOATION FILED 00T.8, 19 09.

1,025,343. v Patented May 7, 1912.

4 BHBETSSHEET 2.

l/vi Human COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH (IO-.WASHINGTON. u. c.

H. VILLIERS-STUA RT. SPRING WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED 0018, 1909.

1,025,343.. Patented May 7, 1912.-

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

I mm I Witnuoeo COLUMBIA PLANOORAPHJJO" WASHINGTON. n. c.

H. VILLIERS-STUART.

SPRING WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED 0018', 1909.

1,025,343. Patented May 7, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0.,WASIHNGTON, r). c

UNITEI) STATES PATENT OFFTCE.

HORACE VILLIERS-STUABT, O'IE LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

SPRING-WHEEL.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HORACE VILLIERS- STUART, of Louisville, in the county of Jefferson and State of Kentucky, have invents ed certain new and useful Improvements in SpringlVheels; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

This invention is a novel improvement in wheels in which the hub is centered and supported on the rim by springs in such manner that the rim and hub are capable of yielding relative radial displacement in a resilient manner so as to cushion the shocks of impact during travel of the vehicle over rough ground, such wheel being designed to do away with the use of or need for pneumatic or cushion tires.

The object of the present invention is to provide a wheel of this character in which the hub will be floated or yieldingly sup ported on the rim by springs of novel design and construction and which are adapted to safely yield a distance in excess of that hitherto obtained in spring-wheel construction; which will have an ample margin of safety against fracture greatly in excess of the actual engineering requirements in which there are no hinge oints or pivots to wear and rattle; in which the parts are readily detachable and replaceable, so that any worn or broken parts may be easily replaced or repaired; which will not be rendered incapable of use should a few springs therein be broken; in which the wheel tire will remain close to the ground even at high speed and on rough streets without excessive vibration in the axle.

The invention consists in the novel construction of wheel; and also in the novel construction of the leaf springs connecting the rim to the hub; and in means whereby the leaves of each spring may be caused to come into action successively; and in means for absorbing rebound of the springs.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated the present preferred embodiment of the invention in a vehicle wheel which in general appearance resembles a standard artillery wheel; and I will now explain the invention in detail with reference to said drawings and summarize in the claims the novel features and combinations Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 8, 1909.

Patented May 7, 1912.

Serial No. 521,767.

thereof embodied in the invention and for which protection is desired.

Figure l is a side elevation of one-half of a wheel partly broken away. Fig. 2 is a central vertical transverse section of one of the springs, a portion of the hub and felly partly in side elevation. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional View on line 33, Fig. 1. Fig. at is an expanded plan view of the inside of one of the springs. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional View on line 55, of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a similar view on line 66, Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a side view of a modified form of spring. Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view on line 88, of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a similar view on line 99, of Fig. 2. Fig. 10 is a detail side view partly in section of a modified form of hub and spoke; and Fig. 11 is a similar view of a modified manner of fastening spring to spoke. Fig. 1.2 is a detail plan view showing another means of fastening the springs to the rim. Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional view on line 13-13, Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is a detail side view of an obvious modified arrangement of the reinforcing springs. Fig. 15 is a detail side view of another such arrangement.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the hub of the wheel consists of an annular shell 1, preferably of malleable iron, from which radiate short spokes l said parts being preferably formed in a single casting. The shell 1 is bolted between two end plates 1*, 1, and form therewith the complete hub. The plates 1", 1, being adapted to fit on the axle (not shown) to which the wheel is to be attached; and said plates may contain the ball races (indicated at 1*) as commonly used in the bearings of such wheels. When a wheel of this design is ordered to replace a worn wheel or standard artillery wheel it is not necessary that the hub plates 1, 1, be supplied with the new wheel, but only the casting 1, 1 which can be readily secured between the plates 1, 1, of the old wheel by means of bolts 1 The makers of automobiles generally use a standard construction of hub and ball races, and by making the hub of my wheel in sections, as shown, the owner of such wheel can procure new wheels for his vehicle with less expense; and the manufacturers of this patent can buy hub sections like 1, 1', on the market.

The spokes 1 are connected to the rim by novel springs which are constructed as follows: Each spring is preferably approximately U-shaped in contour, and has its cen" tral portion attached to the felly 6, and its extremities attached. to the ends of adjacent spokes 1. The spring however has an out-- wardly curved bend at each side, as inclicated at 2, about in line with the spokes, and which bends T term the heels of the spring. These heels have special function hereinafter explained. Each spring is pref-- erably composed of a plurality of thinsteel leaves or plates 2, which extend throughout the length of the spring, and are attached at their ends to the spoke sections 1. The leaves 2 are so bent at the heel portions 2 of the spring that they stand somewhat apart at such points as indicated clearly in Fig. 2 of the drawings. In other words at the heels of the spring each individual leaf 2 is slightly separated from the adjacentleaves of the spring, but they come close together at each side of the heels, and are rigidly united at the central portion of the spring, where they are secured to the felly, and are also rigidly inserted at their ends where they are attached to the spokes. The springs are secured to the felly 6 by means of bolts 3 and plates 3 so to clamp the leaves 2 securely together at this point. The leaves 2 are preferably reinforced at their central portions by means of a set of thicker but shorter leaves 2 placed above and below the leaves 2. The longest leaves 2 extend to the beginning of the heel portions 2 of the spring. Preferably I place above and below the leaves 2. and between them and the leaves 2 extra leaf springs 2 which extend to about the centers of the heel portions of the leaves 2. At and near the extremities of the leaves 2 I place spring clamps 3; as shown these clamps are composed of U- shaped clips havingthreaded ends transfixing cross spring plates 3 and secured by locking and jam nuts 3 The spring plates 3 are preferably curved outwardly so to cause the clips to yieldingly draw the ends of the leaves 2 together and cause them to draw the heel portions of the leaves 2 more or less closely together, according to the adjustment of the spring clamps 3.

It will be observed by reference to Fig. 2 that as stated the leaves 2 are normally separated and stand apart in the heel portions 2 the distance apart at which these leaves 2 stand in this heel portion being controlled by clamps 8 and by clamps 3* which latter are each composed of a ll-shaped clip 3" having its threaded ends upturned and embracing the sides of the springs and transfixing the ends of a curved spring-plate 3, the clips being secured to the spring plate by fastening and locking nuts 3. The tension of the spring clamps is regulated by adjusting the nuts. The spring clamps 3, 3", regulate the pressure of the springs 2 against the leaves 2, and the clips engaging side notches 2 in the leaves of the spring keep the latter in alinement. By tightening the nuts on the clamps 3 and 3 any desired friction between the leaves may be obtained. The spring clamps permit the leaves of the spring to come into play successively thus absorbing shock gradually; they also cause friction between the several leaves, which friction helps to absorb shock and prevents excessive rebounding; they also hold the leaves more or less together, and thus cause them to eventually reinforce each other and. amplify the strength of the spring. Thus the greater the pressure on the axle the greater will be the resistance of the spring; in other words the resistance of the spring increases proportionately with the pressure thereon.

The heel parts of the spring perform, the function of a pivot but as the leaves are separated at the heel portions excessive friction. at such point. which would be quite undesirable, is avoided. The spokes Tl are preferably notched on their sides as at- 1 and the ends of the leaves 2 have similar notches 2" in their sides; after the notched ends of the leaves 2 are brought into register with the notched ends of the spokes, clamping plates 4 are placed on opposite sides of the spoke and leaves, (see Figs. 2, 6,) and are secured by througlrbolts 4" transfixing the leaves, springs and clamp plates. The plates 4-. are provided with side flanges 4 which engage the notches 2 1 of the leaves and spoke, and form keys or looks to prevent the leaves pulling longitudinally away from the spoke. In other words the clamps 4 key the leaves to the spoke and the bolts 4t merely have to hold the clamps in position and are not subjected to the shearing strain of holding the leaves. In this way no motion permitted between the spring leaves and spokes at their junction. All that is necessary in order to detach the leaves from the spoke sections is to remove the plates 4P; and a spring can be removed by detaching its ends from the spokes and removing the bolts which fasten the center of the springs to the folly.

The spring leaves 2 are preferably made so thin that they can be severely bent a great number of times without injury, but they actually have to be bent very little. The main spring effect is produced in the long part of the spring between the heels and the central bolts. The heel portions act like a hinge pivot, to permit the necessary play between the hub and rim, in the plane of the wheel. By having the leaves 2 separated at the heel portions friction and bind ing is avoided therebetween at such points and consequently wear at these points which would ordinarily be the most vulnerable or weakest parts of the wheel, is avoided; and these heel portions take up and compensate for the longitudinal sliding action of the spring leaves when the wheel is in use.

By having the leaves 2 and 2 arranged to come successively and frictionally into action the bouncing effect of a solid tire is avoided, and the yielding action of a cushion tire is realized. The pressure on the hub is transmitted through the spoke sections to the springs, and tends to close the heels of the spring leaves; this pressure is first trans mitted through the leaves 2 to the spring leaves 2 next the felly causing them to bend slightly one over the other, and the spring leaves 2 lying between the leaves 2, 2 are subjected to the same action. This weight tends to separate the outer leaves from the inner leaves, but this separation is more or less prevented by the spring clamps 3* which while they yield to some extent (so that apparently all the leaves bend together toward the felly) as a matter of fact cause the inner springs to come into action successively, according to the extent of tension of the clamps. This clamping pressure produces friction between all the leaves of the spring and prevents excessive speedy rebound. The pressure on the hub is transmitted by suspension to the overlying springs, and the action of leaves in such springs is practically reversed, the inner leaves being first tensioned and the outermost springs coming into action successively by reason of the clamps 3, 3*. hen the spoke sections are parallel with the axle the heels of the springs yield with little or no pressure thus preventing any tendency to break the spokes from the hub, and this is the important practical result of the novel construction of my springs.

It will be noted by reference to Figs. 1 and 2 that the ends of the leaves 2 preferably project beyond the clamps 1 toward the hub and for different lengths, and thus lessen the liability of fracturing the spoke at any particular point. Preferably, and as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the leaves 2 are separated at their ends into two groups, the groups being applied to opposite sides of the interposed spoke. The supporting or reinforcing leaves 2 are also preferably made of different lengths to avoid presenting any sharp corners or unyielding points to the moving portions of the leaves 2. The ends of the leaves 2 are also preferably rounded and tapered as shown to prevent any excessive line of pressure upon the leaves 2. This novel spring has a larger radius of action; a minimum liability to fracture; a maximum power to absorb shock, with a mimimum of rebound; is capable of action in all directions in the plane of the wheel, without undue strain at any point, and can easily be replaced or repaired.

Instead of making the hub section 1 and spokes 1 integral, the spokes might be formed separately, and each spoke have a segmental hub section 1 on its upper end, see Fig. 10, which sections 1 can be fitted together and secured to and between the hub plates 1, 1 by bolts, see Fig. 10. This construction has the advantage that any spoke can be readily replaced if broken without necessitating an entirely new set of spokes.

Instead of making the springs U-shaped and connecting the ends thereof to adjacent spokes 1 the U-shaped springs may be approximately cut in half, and each of such half springs is attached to an individual spoke as indicated in Fig. 7. The construction and operation of these half springs is substantially the same as the springs shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

It would of course be possible to have all the leaves 2 of each spring attached to one side of the spoke 1 as in Fig. 11, instead of on opposite sides thereof, as in Figs. 2 and 3. l/Vhen so applied to but one side of the spoke only one clamp 4 would be necessary. The felly 6 of the wheel may be of metal U-shaped in cross section, as indicated in Fig. 3, and outside of this may be placed a standard steel rim 6 bolted to the felly and a solid rubber tire 6 may be placed on this rim. The springs may be protected by an annular casing 7, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3. Or the springs may be housed or covered in any other desired manner to exclude the dust.

As shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 15, instead of attaching the springs to the rim by through-bolts 3 they are secured thereto by means of a metal plate 13 which is placed over the springs, at center thereof, and is fastened to the rim 6 by means of bolts 13 secured by nuts 13 said bolts passing beside the springs and not through them. The springs are transfixed centrally by a small bolt 13 the head and nut of which are concealed in holes in plates 13 preferably of wood. The bolt 13 prevents relative longitudinal motion of the leaves but does notweaken them as much as bolts 3 would do. The wood plates B are somewhat resilient and the springs are less likely to snap at their bearings thereon. F ig. 14 shows how the reinforcing springs 2 may be tapered on their ends; also that the lower set of springs 2 2 and clamps 3 may be omitted. Fig. 15 also shows a construction in which the lower reinforcing springs 2 and 2 and clamps 3 are omitted. The invention is not restricted to the particular number of spring clamps 3 shown; springs 2 can be used on either or both sides of springs 2; and also the springs 2 could be used on either or both sides of the springs 2. At the point of connection between the springs and spokes short reinand the reinforcing forcing springs t may be applied to the outer sides of the spring leaves 2 as shown in Figs, 1, 2, 3, 7 and 10, to prevent undue breaking strain upon the leaves 2 against the outer edges of the clamps 4t.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent thereon is:

1. In a wheel the combination of a hub and felly, a multiple of leaf springs having their inner ends fast to the hub, and their outer portions fast to the folly and having intern'iediate curved heel portions; with spring leaves intermediate the heel portions shorter than and on opposite sides of the first leaves and reinforcing the latter.

2. A wheel comprising a hub, spokes, felly, and springs composed of a multiple of leaves having their inner ends fast to the spokes, and their outer portions fast to the felly and having intermediate bent heel portions, the leaves being normally spaced apart in such heel portion; with reinforcing leaves shorter than the first leaves and attached thereto intermediate the heel portion.

8. In a wheel the combination of a hub, a felly, and springs each composed of a series of leaves having an intermediate curved heel portion, the leaves being separated or spaced apart in the heel portion; with shorter reinforcing springs on the opposite sides of the leaves and extending from the folly to the heel portion.

a. In a wheel the combination of a hub, felly, and springs interposed between and connected with the felly and hub, each spring comprising a plurality of leaves and having an intermediate bent heel portion; with yieldable clamps binding the leaves yieldably together.

A wheel comprising a hub, spokes, telly, and springs composed of a multiple of leaves having their inner ends fast to the spokes, and their outer portions fast to the folly and having intermediate bent heel portions, the leaves being normally spaced apart in such heel portion; with yieldable clamps for binding the leaves yieldably together.

6. In a wheel the combination of a hub, a folly, and springs each composed of a series of leaves having an intermediate curved heel portion, the leaves being separated or spaced apart in the heel portion; with rein forcing springs beside the leaves and yieldable clamps engaging the ends of the reinforcing springs.

7. In a wheel the combination of a hub, felly, and springs interposed between and connected with the felly and hub, each spring comprising a plurality of leaves and having an intermediate bent heel portion; with reinforcing spring leaves on opposite sides of the first leaves, and yieldable clamps for binding the leaves yieldably together.

8. In a wheel the combination of a hub, a folly, and springs each composed of a series of leaves having an intermediate curved heel portion, the leaves being separated or spaced apart in the heel portion; with reinforcing springs on the opposite sides of the leaves extending from the felly to the heel portion, and clamps surrounding the leaves and the reinforcing springs.

9. In a wheel the combination of hub, spokes, felly, and springs, each spring composed of a series of leaves fastened at their outer sides to the folly and at their inner ends to the spokes and having an inter mediate curved heel portion, the leaves being spaced apart in the heel portion; with reinforcing springs on the opposite sides of the leaves extending from the felly to the heel portion, and clamps engaging the ends of the reinforcing springs.

10. In. a wheel, the combination of a hub, folly, and springs, each spring composed of a series of leaves fastened at their outer sides to the felly and at their inner ends to the hub, and having an intermediate curved heel portion; with reinforcing leaves on the opposite sides of the spring extending from the felly to the heel portion, clamps engaging the ends of the reinforcing leaves, supplemental leaves shorter than the reinforcing leaves extending from the point of attachment to the felly toward the heel, and clamps connecting the leaves wh reby they are caused to come into operation succes sively.

11. In a wheel. the combination of hub, spokes, felly, and springs, each spring composed of a series of leaves fastened at their outer sides to the folly and at their inner ends to the spokes and having an intermediate curved heel portion, the leaves being separated in the heel portion; with reinforcing leaves on the opposite sides of the springs extending from the folly to the heel. portion, clamps engaging the ends of the reinforcing leaves, supplemental leaves shorter than the reinforcing leaves arranged on opposite sides of the spring and extending from the point of attachment to the felly toward the heel, and clamps connecting all the leaves whereby they are caused to come into operation successively.

12. In a wheel the combination of hub, spokes and felly, and approximately U- shaped springs each composed of a multiple of leaves attached centrally to the folly and at their opposite ends to adjacent spokes, and having bent heel portions adjacent the spokes, reinforcing leaves attached to the springs intermediate the heel portions, and clamps yieldably binding all the leaves together, and adapted to cause them to come successively into operation.

13. In a wheel the combination of hub, spokes, felly, and a series of approximately U-shaped springs each composed of a multi ple of leaves attached centrally to the telly and at their opposite ends to adjacent spokes,

said springs having bentheel portions adjacent the spokes the leaves being separated in said heel portions; with reinforcing leaves attached to the springs on opposite sides thereof intermediate the heel portions, and yieldable clamps binding all the leaves together.

l t. In a wheel, the combination of a hub, spokes, telly, and a series of U -shaped springs each comprising a series of parallel leaves attached centrally to the telly and at their opposite ends to adjacent spokes and having heel bends adjacent the spokes; reinforcing leaves extending between the heel portions, clamps yieldably binding the leaves together adjacent the heel portions, and additional reinforcing leaves at the central portion ot the spring, and clamps yieldably uniting the said leaves to the spring whereby they are caused to .come into action successively, substantially as described.

15. In a wheel, the combination of a hub, spokes, telly, and a series of U -shaped springs each comprising a series of parallel leaves attached centrally to the telly and at their opposite ends to adjacent spokes and having heel bends adjacent the spokes, the leaves being separated in the heel bends; with reintorcing leaves extending between the heel portions, clamps yieldably binding the leaves together adjacent the heel portions, additional reinforcing leaves, at the central portion of the spring, and clamps yieldably uniting all the said leaves, substantially as described.

16. In a wheel, the combination ot a spoke having notches in its side edges, with a spring having notches in its end adapted to register with the registered notches in the spoke, and a clampplate engaging the notches in the spoke and spring to lock them against relative endwise movement.

17. In a wheel, the combination of a hub, spokes, and telly, said spokes having notches in their sides, with springs attached to the telly, and having notches in their ends adapted to register wit-h the notches in the spokes; clamp plates engaging the notches in the spokes and springs to lock them against relative endwise movement, and bolts transfixing and securing the clamp plates to the spokes.

18. In a wheel the combination of a hub, a telly, and springs interposed between the telly and hub, each spring comprising a plurality of leaves having a reversely bent heel portion, the leaves being connected closely together at the telly and hub connections but being spaced apart in said heel portion.

19. In a Wheel the combination of a hub, and telly; with approximately U-shaped springs each composed of a multiple of leaves attached centrally to the telly and at their opposite ends to the hub, and having reverse bends or heel portions intermediate the hub and telly, the leaves being connected closely together at their ends and at center, but spaced apart in the heel portions.

20. In a wheel the combination ot a hub, a telly, and springs interposed between the telly and hub, each spring comprising a plurality of leaves tast to the rim and the hub and having an intermediate bent heel portion, the leaves being closely connected together at the hub and telly but spaced apart in said heel portion; and means for limiting the separation of the leaves in the heel port-ion during the compression of the spring.

21. In a wheel the combination of a hub, spokes, and telly; with springs each composed of a plurality of leaves having an intermediate reversely curved heel portion having its inner end detachably tastened to a spoke, and its outer portion tastened to the telly, said leaves being spaced apart in the heel portion, and short springs attached to the spokes over the ends of the leaves and reinforcing the latter at their junction with the spokes, substantially as described.

22. In a wheel the combination of a hub, spokes, and telly; with springs each composed ot a plurality of Ushaped leaves having intermediate reversely curved heel portions having their inner ends detachably tastened to adjoining spokes, and their outer portions tastened to the telly, said leaves being spaced apart in the heel portions, and short springs attached to the spokes over the ends of the leaves and reinforcing the latter at their junction with the spokes, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the toregoing as my own, I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HORACE VILLIERS-STUART.

Witnesses:

ORMSBY DE BUT'rs GRAY, J r., OCTAVE Rassnvma, J r.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

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