Improvements in Pneumatic Tires.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Nov., 1895-Accepted, 21st Dec., 1895
Improvements in Pneumatic Tires.
I, ANDREW GRAFF, of 111 Pacific Street, in the City of Brooklyn, County
of Kings and State of New York, United States of America, Shoe Manufacturer,
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 pneumatic tires for bicycles, and other vehicles, and the
object thereof is to provide an improved tire of this class, which is provided with a
reinforcing of bearing surface composed of heavy leather, which extends partially
around the tire, in transverse section, and also to provide a rubber covering, which
is applied to that portion of the tire in transverse section, which is not covered by
the leather reinforcing or bearing part thereof, and with this and other objects in
view, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of
parts hereinafter described and claimed.
The invention is fully disclosed in the following Specification, of which the
accompanying drawing forms a part, in which :-
Fig. 1, is a transverse section of my improved tire, and also of the rim of a
wheel; and,
Fig. 2, is a longitudinal section of a portion of the tire.
In the practice of my invention, I provide a tire, which is tubular in form, and
which is composed of a rubber tube A, which is surrounded by heavy canvas tube B,
and secured to the canvas tube B, so as to entirely surround the bearing surface
thereof, and to extend about half way around the tire, in cross section, is a
reinforcing or bearing section C, of leather.
This reinforcing or bearing section C, is preferably composed of sole leather,
which is subjected to a treatment by which it is rendered soft and flexible, whereby
the flexibility and elasticity of the tire is preserved, while providing a covering for
the bearing surface thereof, which it is practically impossible to puncture, or which
cannot be punctured or similarly, injured in ordinary use.
The inner portion of the tire, or that portion thereof, which is not secured by the
leather, reinforcing, or bearing section C, is provided with a covering D, of rubber,
which extends about half way around the tire in cross section, and connects with
the edges of the reinforcing leather section C.
In practice, the separate parts of my improved tire are united by cement, or in
any desired or preferred manner, and any preferred kind of leather may be used for
the reinforcing on bearing surface C; and the tire may be connected with the rim E,
in the usual manner, and as will be readily understood.
As thus constructed, there is comparatively no danger in my improved tire being
punctured, or otherwise rendered useless, by accident, as is frequently the case with
tires of this class, as now constructed, and the necessity of frequently repairing the
same or procuring a new tire, is largely if not entirely avoided.
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 pneumatic tire, for bicycles or other vehicles, comprising a rubber tire, a
canvas tube which encloses the same, a reinforcing or bearing section of sole
leather, which extends around the tire. and also encloses the outer half thereof,

page_text: in cross section, and a rubber covering which encloses the inner portion of the
tire, and counects with the edges of the outer or bearing section thereof, said
parts being constructed, combined and arranged, substantially as shown and
described.
2. The combination with a pneumatic tire, composed of an inner tube of rubber,
which is enclosed by a tube of canvas, of an outer or bearing section of sole leather,
or similar material, which surrounds the same, and extends part way around the
tire in cross section, and a covering for the inner portion thereof, which extends
around that part of the tire not covered by the outer or bearing portion of leather,
said parts being constructed, combined and arranged, substantially as shown and
described.
Dated this 17th day of November 1895.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.