R. W. ASHLEY & F. OBEBKIRCH. WIRE . APPLICATION FILED AUG-1.19M. Patented‘ Apr. 13, 1915. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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I or“ ‘ R. W. ASHLEY 8; F. OBERKIRCH. WIRE WHEEL. - APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1, 1913 P a .% d A p PM 1 om, l 9 1 Rd. 3 s H. E E T 8 ..° H E E T am

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- R. W. ASHLEY & F. OBERKIRCH. WIRE WHEEL. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1, 1913. 1L 9 131%m Patented Apr. 13, 1915. 3 SHEET8~SHEET 3.

WITNESSES .' - \ “FILQEERT W. ASHLEE? AND FRANK OZBERKIRCH, OF YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR-‘S TQ GENERAL IRXM COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW’ YORK.

‘WIRE WHEEL.

Speci?cation of Letters Patent. . Patented Apr. 13}, i915. Application ?led August 1, 1913. Serial No. 782,336.

To all whom it may] concern .' opposed in their diagonally inclined planes, Bed-t known that We, Roiirnr ll/hillsHLnY and the fourth or lesser acute series of and linens. 'OBERKIRCH, citizens of the tulres cure of a substantial portiomoi United States, and residents of New York hearing, outward and inward transverse 5 city, in the county of New York and State thrust, us well usnssisting in all the other not New York, have ini'ented certain new and positions the first, second and third series useful improvements in Wire , oi’ of spokes. By setting" up a wheel of this which the following is a speci?cation. type under tension a satisfactory, reliable, The invention relates .to improvements in light ,aud durable suspension wheel is had, Wire wheels and has particular reference to the result being the reduction to form and 65 :1 wire .wheel of the type provided with a se; practice of a true and correct four point ries of interloced Wire spokes under tension, suspension Wheel. the Wheel thereof being so formed as to Another object of the invention is the pro viding‘ of a hub designed to take the stand constitute n Wheel fellyhsnd as well as a de 70 l5 mountulole rim supporting member. _ By ard bearing! spindles and sleeves having cost constructing n Wire Wheel in the manner as integrally therewith u ?ange adapted ‘to ' is hereinafter‘described it is "found that the have mounted therein two separate series 0i.’ Wheel telly o1‘ demountehle vrim supporting spokes, and a rcceptionhead adapted to re base will take diverse types of demountahle ceive driving; means't'orming part of udriw 24) rims comprisingthe individual straight side ing , the body of suid'liub being ar type of rim, the individual clencher bend ranged to take the other or remaining series type of rim and the universal reversible of spokes. The type and manner of string ?anged type of rim; ing the spokes comprised in the structure The object oi? the invention is the provid disclosed herein may be mounted between a 25 ing of e wheel rim folly, and n standard deinountable rim ands hub shell so that it hearing huhuhsving' suspended. under ten~ may be utilized in connection with either the sion between said rim and hub ‘in separate demountahle rim type of structure or it may alinement four series of spokes in four (lliE' be utilized in a structure wherein the Wheel in its entirety is demountable. ferei'lt positions, namely, ?rst, from ‘the rear 85 of the huh to the rear of the rim, (the ver Another and further object of the inven tical or right angle series), second, from the tion is the providing of a Wheelfelly rim re rear of the hub to approximately the ‘front inforced onbofh of its edges so that the some may be constructed of a light body of of the rim, (the obtuse-series of spokes), steel, such reinforcement heingso arranged third, from approximately the rear of the 90 r rim to the front of the hub, (one of the acute as to take means for receiving and locking series of spokes oppositely, opposed to ‘the thereto a demounteble rim of any type -v obtuse series of spokes), the second {ind rying'means to also take any type ‘of cushion or pneumatic . The hub structure is so third series of spokes crossing one another arranged that the supporting ?ange at a point substantially on a plane with the 95 center tread line of the Wheel, and fourth, may be readily bolted to- the drum of from the front of the rim to the front of the at motor car, (wherein the rear ‘wheel struc hub (the secondary acute series of spokes of ture is used, the front Wheel hub structure a lesser inclination than the ?rst mentioned being also of a. standard type) obviating the acute series of spokes). By stringing :1 Wire ‘necessity of changing any of the standnrd 00 Wheel in this manner the ?rst or vertical ‘parts on n motor car when one is desirous of series of spokes takes care of the vertical changing from :1 Wooden or artillery wheel and driving thrust, the second or obtuse se~ type of equipment to the wire Wheel type oi.‘ ries takes care of the outward transverse equipment. - _ t In the following is described, in connec thrust and. assists sni'dt‘ '. series of spokes in 10-5 5 taking care of th igg'ht susnining and tion with the ‘accompanying drawings, the traction sustnini s. the third series or embodiment of the invention the features ?rst mentioned acute ' es of spokes takes thereof, h '7 more particularly pointed out care of the inward. tr thrust desist~ hereii'iaiter ' 1 r ' ing the ohtuse series oi? spokes in that these the u"; l. is u. vertical (Ii CH intermediate series of spokes are oppositely Wheel type oil: 1,135,424

structure illustrating the position of the , mounted from the forward portion of the four point spoke suspension 'wherein the hub in single alinement to the back of rim four series of spokes are mounted in two (10) in the same alinement as the series of lines of contact on both the hub and rim; spokes (12), (acute series of spokes B). ‘Fig. 2. is a vertical sectional view of the rear Said series of spokes (12) described, (acute 70 wheel structure illustrating the manner in series B.) cross the series of spokes (11) on ~ which the four series of spokes are mounted approximately the tread center line of’ the in four lines of contact on the hub and two wheel and in weight and force resistance lines of contact on the rim and also the are oppositely opposed to said spokes se 10 means of attaching the structure as a whole ries (11). > 75 to the brake drum, forming part of a motor (13) designates a series of acute spokes vehicle; Fig. 3. is a side elevation partly in strung from the forward portion of the hub diagran'nnatical illustration of the wheel in the same alinement as the series of spokes showing the type of suspension spoke inter (12) to approximately the forward portion 15 lacing; Fig. L1. is a face elevation of the rear of the rim (10) in the same alinement at the 80 hub structure; Fig. 5. is a cross section of rim point as the series of spokes (11), said the wheel felly rim illustrating in connec series of spokes (13) (acute series of spokes tion therewith the position a clencher type A.) are of a lesser acute angle than of the of demountable‘ rims assumes thereon; Fig. series of spokes (12). The series of spokes 6. is a further cross section of the wheel fell'y (7) takes care of the vertical or driving rim illustrating the straight side type of de thrust and series of spokes 11 takes care of mountable rim thereon and Fig. 7. is a dia~ the outward transverse thrust assisted by grammatical illustration of a standard hub the series of spokes (12) to which they are structure illustrating the manner in which oppositely opposed, which takes care of the 25 the four series of spokes are supported inward transverse thrust, which assists and 90 thereon, the lines of support being substan , equalizes the distributi n of the vcrticle and tially at right angles thereto, and further both inward and outward transverse thrusts. more approximately at right angles to the and the series of spokes (18) takes care of 3 ozllf‘iexact.. position of the obtuse and acute series the bearing thrust as well as assisting in of spokes‘ equalizing the forces upon all of the afore Similar numerals of reference indicate mentioned series of spokes. 95,, similar parts throughout the several views. Him (10) has formed on one edge a de In drawings (1) indicates the hub of the pending channei (14-) for reinforcing same front wheel type of structure provided in ternally thereof with bearing shell cavities at that point and on its back edge a recep tion beading (14“) for reinforcing that edge, 100 (2) and at its rear edge with a circular thereby permitting a wheel folly rim for ?angc (3) which is so arranged as to take a ieavy types of to be constructed out speedometer sprocket of any ty ' e‘ The shell of comparatively a light sheet stecl,‘thereby portion of hub (1) at the rear t iereof is pro providing a wheel that is light in its super 40 vided with a raised beading (4t) and at the structure and one that will actually increase 105 front edge with a' similar bead (5), the ex the life of a used upon it, as the life of treme outer edge of said hub being exter a tire used upon a wire wheel of this type is nally threaded to take a suitable hub cap due to the absorption of shock on the sus (6). Beading (ll) has formed therein in a pension tension means in the wheel itself, 45 single alinement a series of holes adapted to rather than any appreciable decrease in the 110 take the vertical or right angle‘ series of weight of the wheel at its periphery thereof, ‘spokes (7) (series H.) the upper ends of which is the rim, the result obtained being said series of spokes (7) being provided that the wheel may be provided with a sub with suitable nipples (8) and mounted in stantial and heavy rim rather than a type of 50 cups (9) on wheel felly rim (10). Said se~ a wheel which has heretofore had in it the 115 ries of spokes (7) need not be set at a de main object of reducing the weight of a flecting right angle, but they may be set or wheel at said periphery. dished either into an acute or an obtuse an— )Vith reference to Fig. 2. of the drawings, gle', as in some instances the width of the hub (15) is_ made in one piece and ,has hub (1) necessitates the dishing of said formed therein bearing reception cavity (16) I series of spokes. and at its back portion a ?ange (17) pro (11) designates the second 'or obtuse se vided with a circular channel (18) having ries ‘of spokes mounted in beading (4) of cut therein two lines of apertures (19) and 60 hub (1) in alinement with the'series of a series of holes (20) adapted to-rceeive‘ spokes (7),’whence they project from the bolts .(21 ) for fastening the hub structure in back portion of said hub to approximately its entirety to brake drum (22). The for the forward portion of rim (10) wherein ward end of hub (15) has formed therewith they are adjustably mounted in the same a sleeve (23) which has cut therein a plu manner as series (7) (obtuse series G). rality of apertures (24) in two separate lines (12) indicates an'acute series of spokes and associated with said sleeve a reception arsenal. .

head or sleeve (25) provided with driving Said series of spokes B. taking care of the dog head reception grooves (26), the outer inward transverse thrust and assists series end of shell (23) being externally threaded oi’ spokes G., and the series of spokes It. to take a suitable hub cap (27). Series of takes care of the bearing sustaining means spokes (7) (vertical series ll) are mounted and assists all of the {l'EOl'QIllQ‘fltl?llGt'l spokes 1ll) in. one series of apertures (1'9).in circular and is represented by the line Z——Z and ex; bead (l8) and extend therefrom to the rear tends from the front of the hub to the front of rim (10)7 spoke series (11) are mounted of the rim. Series of spokes (8) are mount "in the other line of apertures (19) in head ed in the rim and hub at a right angle to the axis oi’ said hub, series of spokes G. are 10 (18) and extend therefrom to the forward portion of rim (10), (obtuse spokes series mounted with respect to the rim and hub on Gr). Series of spokes (12-) extend from one an obtuse angle. T he exact tangential incli line of apertures (24:) in shell (‘23), which nation of said series oi.E spokes being had by 'is the forward portion of the huh7 to the the distance of suspension between the outer periphery of the hub flange (33) and the so 15 back of riin (10) in the same alinenient. with. the series of spokes (7), (acute spokes series telly rim of the wheel; the strength of the B. oppositely opposed to obtuse series spokes wheel. at this point being maintained by the G. and crossing one another at approxi increase of the diameter of the ?ange (83). mately the tread center line of the wheel Series of spokes H. are mounted from the rear of the hub to the rear of the rim and so 20 rim). Series of spokes (13), (acute spokes series A.) extend from the other he; of said series of spokes G. are mounted from holes in sleeve (23) or the fQlWZéH‘tll the rear of the hub to approximately the portion of the hub, to approximately the front of the rim. Series of spokes B. are forward portion of rim (10) in'alineinent mounted at an acute angle to the axis of the with the series of spokes (11). said series of hub9 and are so placed with relation to said 90 spokes (13) being at a lesser acute angle rim and hub that the tangential inclination (than said series of spokes (12). of the same is substantially op osite the ob 'With reference to Figs. 5. and 6. of the tuse angle series of spokes ., the point drawings the structure as illustrated in ljig. where said oppositely opposed spokes cross 30 5. shows the wheel telly rirn as having each other being substantially on the tread as’ mounted in channel (ill) thereof a locking center line of the wheel. Said series of ring (28) engaging and supporting head spokes B. are mounted in the front ofthe . (29) on a clencher ty we of rim (30). This hub and extend to the hack of the rim in structure is provide for the individual alinenient at said. 'pointwith the series of 35 clencher bead type of tire. in Fig. 6; the (le spokes H.v Eteries of spokes A. are mounted mountable rim (30) is provided with in said huh and rim at an acute angle at a straight side heads (31) for the individual lesser degree than the series of spokes B. straight side type of tire. and this series of spokes takes care of the outward transverse thrust on the wheel, as Referring to Fig. 'i'. of the drawings, the 105 40 diagram as illustrated. shows a standard sisting both of the series of spokes G. and roller bearing- hub (32) for either the ‘front 13., said series of spokes A. heinginounted or rear wheel types of construction, the rear in the front of said hub and extending to shell portion of said huh having formed in approximately the front of the rim in the. same alineinent at that point with the so tegrally therewith a circular flange (33) 110 adapted-to receive two series of spokes, the ries of spokes G. By st 'inging a series of outer end of said huh (82)}laring outwardly spokes under tension between a hub and rim, as at (34;) and provided with means adapted and by segregating said spokes into four in to receive a hub cslp (35). The diagonally dependent series. arranging them so that at the rim point two of each series are in aline inclined portion (3d) of hub (32) receives 115 50 the two remaining series of spokes. The ment with each oppositely opposed series, right angle or vvertical series of spokes ll. and by mounting each of said four series in ' takes‘ care (of the vertical thrust on the wheel ‘four separate lines of contact with the hub and assists the driving spokes in taking care structure a iiouc‘point suspension wheel is had, thereby providing a wheel of this type, of the weight of the suspension of the body far superior inv its weight, strength and driv 120 5.5 to which the wheel is applied, and is indi cated by the line 0--—o, the series of spokes ing power sustaining ineans. Gt takes care of the outward transverse It is obvious that the device herein shown and described may be varied in its structural thrust, assisting; series oi spokes lhl. and are‘ torn! and features without departing from mounted in ?ange at a point substan» 125 60 tially at a right angle to the periphery oi the spirit of the invention. ?ange (83) and is represented by the line ' ‘W hat we claim and desire to secure by n~n. Series of spokes ll. extend from the. Letters Patent of the United States.‘ is: front oi’ the huh to the hack oi the rim and 1. A device or" the character described in is represented by the hue ‘Inf-4n and or sees cluding a vehicle wheel comprising a rim 130 65 the run center tread line at on by y-@,/. provided with nonbolted-on locking means 1,135,424

‘for an auxiliary or demountablo rim, a hub and four series of spokes connecting said and four series of spokes connecting said rim and hub, one series extending from the rim and’hub, oneseries ‘extending from the back of the hub to the back of the rim. an back of the hub to the back of the rim, an other series extending from the back of the other series extending from the-back of the hub to the front of the rim, another series hub tothe front of the rim, another series extending from the front of the hub to the extendin from the front of the hub to the back of the rim, and a, fourth series extend back of tie rim, and a fourth series extend ing from the front of the hub to the front ’ ing‘ from the front of the hub to the front of the rim, three of said series being angli 10 of the rim, three of said series being an larlydisposcd relative to the central plane .if gularly disposed relative to the central the wheel and the other series being a ppi'oxi ‘plane of the wheel and the other series being mately parallel with said plane, tln central approximately parallel with said plane, the plane of the rim and the central plane of central plane of the rim and the central rotation of the hub being removed from one 15 plane of rotation of the hub being removed from one another. another, two of said series of spokes being arranged so as to cross one another on the 2. A device of the character described in~ plane of the tread center of the wheel, said eluding a vehicle wheel comprising a rim four series of spokes being mounted in two provided with.nonbolted-on locking means separate lines of contact in said rim and for an auxiliary or den'iountable rim, a hub four separate lines of contact in said hub. and four series of spokes connecting said 4. A device of the character described rim and hub, one series extending from the comprising an integral shell hub having .back of the hub to the back of the rim, an formed therewith a supporting flange at its 65 other series extending from the back of the inner end, and at its outer end an enlarged ‘ hub to the front of the rim, another series shell and driving head, and four series‘of extending fronr the front of the hub to spokes connecting said rim and hub, two of the back of the rim, and a fourth series ex tending from the front of the hub to the said series being mounted in said supporting front of the rim, three of said series being flange and two of said series being mounted 30 angularly disposed relatii'ei to the central in said enlarged supporting shell, all of said plane of the wheel and the other series be series of spokes being mounted in two lines ing approximately parallel with said plane, of‘contact on said rim and four lines of the central plane of the rim and the cen contact on said hub, two of said series of tral plane of rotation of the hub being re~ spokes crossing each other at or near the 35 plane or tread center of the wheel. moved from one another, two of said series In testimony whereof we have hereto of spokes being arranged so as to cross one signed our names in the presence of two sub another on the plane of the tread center of the wheel. scribing witnesses. ' ' 3. A device of the character described in. ROBERT \V. ASHLEY. 40 FRANK OBERKIRCH. cluding a vehicle wheel comprising a rim \Vitnesses : provided with nonbolted-on locking means E. E. Hames, for an auxiliary or deinountable rim, a hub A. DELATOS.