An Improved Tyre for the Wheels of Cycles.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Aug., 1893-Accepted, 30th Sept., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Tyre for the Wheels of Cycles.
1, JOSEF THEODOR POPLAWSKY, of 39-41 Am Hafen, Bremerhaven, in the
Empire of Germany, Locksmith, 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 a new construction of tyre for the wheels of cycles,
which possesses the advantages of a pneumatic tyre while avoiding the necessity
of filling the same with compressed air.
In the accompanying drawing which illustrates my improved tyre:-
Figure 1 is a view in cross section of the tyre.
Figure 2 is a view in elevation of the elastic wire insertion, and
Figure 3 is a view in plan of the tyre.
Throughout the views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
My improved tyre is constructed in the following manner:-A wire insertion "a"
made in the form of a closed ring as shown by Figure 2 is enclosed in a rubber
as shown by Figure 3. The mode of attachment of the rubber
on the wire insertion "a" is illustrated by Figure 3.
Cover ""
cover ""
The wire insertion "a" is preferably made of steel wire which is first bent into
an undulating or corrugated shape and it is then wound into a spiral. A spiral of
this kind of the requisite length is then connected together in a suitable manner
so as to form a closed ring. A ring of this construction has extraordinary
elasticity because its tube-like shell or wall can readily expand in the direction of
its length, and the several corrugated or undulating portions of the spiral coils are
capable of yielding in a radial direction.
I prefer to construct the metallic insertion of a number of parts which are
connected together in a suitable manner by sheet metal eyelets, so that if one of
the said parts should become damaged in any way, it can be easily replaced, even
by inexperienced persons.
The rubber cover "" is not of a closed tubular form, but it is slit or divided
circumferentially on its under side. Near the two divided edges of the rubber
cover "" are fixed a number of eyelets "f" arranged diametrically opposite to
each other. Through said eyelets there is passed a lace or wire "g" which
enables the rubber cover to be tightened uniformly throughout its length. The
tyre thus constructed is opened out to a suitable extent and is slipped over the
wheel rim "," but as a rubber ring completely closed upon itself can only be opened
out to the proper extent with great trouble, I form the rubber cover with numerous
incisions ""starting from its divided edges, which considerably facilitate the
opening out of the rubber cover. In order to effect a tight closure of the
incisions "," after the tyre has been placed upon the wheel rim, elastic plates "/"
are placed behind the incisions "i" as shown by Figures 1 and 3. These elastic
plates are preferably attached to the inside of the rubber cover "b" in such a
manner that they cover the said incisions. As an alternative the elastic plates
may be placed in the wall or thickness of the rubber cover.
The plates "1" close-by reason of their elasticity-the incisions "i" in the
cover after the tyre has been mounted on the wheel rim. The incisions are of
such a length that they are completely covered by the wheel rim "c" when the
cover is in place.
To fix the tyre to the rim small screws "d" are attached to the rubber cover,
these screws are passed through the wheel rim "c" and are drawn up tight by
means of nuts screwed on to the said screws.
I wish it to be particularly understood that I do not limit myself to the precise

page_text: details of construction herein before described and illustrated by the accompanying
drawing, but that I hold myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as
fairly fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.
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. The improved construction of tyre for the wheels of cycles as hereinbefore
described and illustrated by the accompanying drawing.
2. In a tyre for cycle wheels, as a substitute for an air chamber, a ring-shaped
metallic insertion of spiral-form closed upon itself, the separate convolutions of
the said insertion being made corrugated or undulating for the purpose of giving
it great strength and considerable elasticity, the said insertion being constructed in
one or more lengths suitably connected together, so that in case of damage to the
insertion it can readily be repaired or replaced, as set forth.
3. In a tyre for cycle wheels having an elastic insertion as specified in Claim 1,
the combination with the said insertion of a rubber cover having incisions in its
divided edges and elastic plates covering the said incisions which serve to effect a
tight closure of the said incisions after the tyre has been placed on the wheel rim,
and having eyelets or other suitable devices on the edges of the cover for the
reception of a lace or wire, by tightening which the rubber cover can be tightened
uniformly throughout its entire length, substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 28th day of August 1802
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.