Patent GB-190510613-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Cushion or the like Tyres and in or relating to Wheels or Rims therefor.
Inventor: HARTRIDGE WILLIAM BAKER
Filed: 1905-05-20
Granted: 1906-02-08
Abstract: 10,613. Hartridge, W. B. May 20. Tyres, elastic other than pneumatic; felloes or rims.-Relates to wheels of the type described in Specifications Nos. 2870, 3043, 7728, and 7735, A.D. 1905, in which means are provided whereby, when the tyre wears, successive parts of that portion which was originally below the rim flanges may be exposed to form the running surface. The improvements consist chiefly in securing the rubber &c. tyre, whether continuous or in segments, under lateral, or lateral and circumferential, pressure. The wheels may be formed with radial or other recesses adapted to receive blocks of rubber or other resilient material capable of radial adjustment for wear ; or, the recesses may be of different radial depths, adjustment being effected by circumferentially shifting the blocks from one recess to another of less radial depth. The recesses may be formed in a rubber or other elastic bed. In the twin-track wheel shown in Figs. 1 and 3, rubber &c. blocks 3, dovetailed on to base-plates 4, are secured to the bottom of radial chambers or recesses 2 by bolts 8, or by dovetailing the bottom of the chamber to receive the base-plate. The blocks 3 are arranged to break joint with and overlap those in the adjacent track. Packing-pieces 9 (which may be elastic) are inserted as the blocks are adjusted, or the side walls 12 may be stepped to receive correspondingly-formed flanges on the baseplates 4 ; or angle-irons, having a pin-and-slot connexion with the base-plates, are secured by screws passed through holes in the side-plates. In a single-track wheel, the blocks are arranged diagonally so as to present a continuous running surface. When the adjustment has been carried as far as possible, the remaining rubber &c. section may be discarded or vulcanized on to a new block. Plates 12 are detachably secured at the sides of the wheels, the depth and width of the tyre being such that it does not normally project above the rim flanges, but is exuded by the lateral pressure of the flanges to form a running surface. Wedge-shaped packing-pieces may be drawn down by radial bolts between the tyre segments; or, as shown in Fig. 24, the wedges 39 may be secured by means of inturned lips on the division walls 40 and by transverse bolts. The wedge may be extended to embrace two sides of the tyre segment, or a separate wedge may be fitted at each side of the segment. In the form shown in Fig. 27, lateral compression of the tyre 38 is obtained by means of bolts 52 screwed in the fixed flange 12<a> and bearing against a loose ring 48. In the form shown at Fig. 35, each track of a twin rim has a continuous elastic tyre section 64 extending more than half the circumference of the wheel and dovetailed on to a carrier consisting of links 65 hinged together at 66, the ends of the carrier being passed through the end walls 67 of the rim chamber and secured by nuts 68. When worn, the tyre section is removed from its carrier and fitted on a carrier of greater radial depth ; in a modification, a series of elastic sectors are each dovetailed on a link of the carrier, adjustment for wear being effected by the introduction of another link carrying its tyre section and the insertion of suitable packing-blocks. In another arrangement, the carrier consists of a complete ring formed with shoes in which the tyre sections are pinned or otherwise secured, adjustment for wear being effected by the use of a series of such rings all of the same internal diameter but with shoes of different radial depths. Creeping is prevented by means of ribs or stops on the carrier and rim portion of the wheel. In another form, adjustment of the tyre (or tyre sections) is obtained by means of a series of flanged two-part rims in which the bed is arranged at different radial distances from the outer circumference of the flanges. In the form shown in Fig. 54, the tyre section 38 is formed with extensions 89, adjustment being effected by means of packing 9, 91. The spaces between the chambers in each track may be left vacant, or they may have a wooden or other filling which may be provided with a rubber facing. Or this space may be strengthened by a metal boss threaded to receive bolts for adjustment of the loose rim flanges, whereby the tyre, which normally may be at, or slightly below, the outer periphery of the flanges, is thus laterally compressed and a running tread exuded. For obtaining the necessary lateral pressure, in the case of a twin tyre, Fig. 75, the central flange 117 is in the form of two loose rings forced apart by means of bolts 118. Referring to Fig. 78, a swivelling yoke 125 on the screw 126 of a clamp 123 passes through holes in the fixed flange 124<a> and forces a loose ring 127 against the tyre 122. When the necessary lateral pressure is obtained, slotted wedges 128 are inserted to engage under the inturned lip 124<c> of the rim, and the clamp removed. In another form of segmental tyre, the blocks are formed with a double taper, inwardly at the ends and outwardly at the sides, so that, as the blocks are adjusted outwardly for wear, the reduction in length is compensated for by the greater width, deformation of the block taking place on the side flanges being tightened up. To prevent the material of the tyre segments being ripped when lateral pressure is applied, the rim flanges may bear on metal plates which closely fit between the end walls of the rim pockets. In the form shown in Fig. 93, the rubber tread 149 is dovetailed on to an elastic or other adjustable base and fitted between rubber liners 150. In another method of adjusting continuous or other elastic tyres for wear, the tyre is opened, a packing-ring (or rings) inserted under the tyre, and in the gap thus formed elastic filling-pieces are inserted to complete the periphery of the tyre. In a further modification, the rim flanges are in circumferential sections adapted to be moved inwardly as the tyre becomes worn. The tyre blocks may be in the form of truncated triangular prisms with their apices alternately oppositely disposed. In some cases, as in the internal-gear-driven twin-tyre wheels of motor vehicles, an ordinary endless rubber tyre may be fitted on the inside track. The rim edges may be lined with resilient or other material. Sets of wheels may be provided with rim pockets of graduated depths. The tyre sections of great radial depth may be formed partly of resilient and partly of non-resilient material, for example in alternate layers presented edgeways to the ground.