Improvements in Tyres and Rims of Wheels for Cycles, Autocars, Motorcars, and other Vehicles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 13th June, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 13th Mar., 1897-Accepted, 12th June, 1397
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tyres and Rims of Wheels for Cycles, Autocars,
Motorcars, and other Vehicles.
I, MARY ANNIE WALTON of 59 Inverine Road, Charlton, in the County of
London, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The improvements in tyres relate chiefly to the employment of some hard and
spring-like material, either as a guard to the air-tube, or instead of the air-tube.
The materials that at present seem suitable are:-Fine spring wire, or thin
ribbon, of steel, aluminium, hard brass iron; also the hard outside of bamboo
and cane.
I. As a guard to the air-tube, I prefer at present a long piece of wide and very
thin hard metal ribbon similar to very thin crinoline steel or watch spring. The
length of this ribbon being rather more than the longitudinal perimeter of the
tyre, the breadth of the ribbon being about one-third or other convenient fraction
of the transverse perimeter of the tyre. This long piece of ribbon is first bent so
as to be like one-third or some other suitable fraction of a straight tube split down
lengthwise. This piece being now bent like a hoop, with the convex part outside
the two ends are rivetted or otherwise fastened together, and the "guard" is made.
If desired the edges of the "guard" may be blunted by a beading of rubber, or
other suitable material.
The "guard" just described may be inserted loosely between the air-tube and
the cover of the tyre, or may be affixed to the inner side of the cover, or may be
affixed to the outer side of the air-tube, or may be incorporated in the material of
the cover on the ground side during manufacture, or may be incorporated in the
material of the air-tube on the ground side during manufacture. In the last case
the cover may be dispensed with and the air-tube suitably thickened and corrugated
on the part that comes in contact with the ground, so as to allow for wear, and
counteract slipping. The air-tube, the guard, and the cover are easily slipped
over the edge of the rim into the groove, and properly arranged before the air-tube
is inflated.
For tyres of "racers" and even of some other cycles, the metal ribbon may be
preferred narrower than above mentioned, and it may be used flat instead of being
bent transversely; especially may this be convenient when the "guard" is
incorporated in the material of the cover or of the air-tube.
It may be convenient to arrange a fastening so that one end of the metal ribbon
forming the guard may slide longitudinally with reference to the other end of the
ribbon, instead of the two ends being fastened together rigidly..
II. Iustead of the air-tube I form a helix of fine spring wire, or spring metal
ribbon, or the hard outside of bamboo or cane. The diameter of the helix is the
diameter of the tyre transversely, the length of the helix is the perimeter of the
tyre longitudinally.
The several turns of the helix are of the same size, and are suitably fastened
to one another or to a common longitudinal connecting strip, or to common
longitudinal connecting strips. This helical tyre is bent round in the groove of
the rim and the two ends are secured together, the connecting strip or strips,
or the connections of the several turns of the helix with one another being on

page_text: the inside towards the centre of the wheel. The helical tyre may itself be secured
to the rim by suitable fastenings.
The consecutive turns of the helix may be in contact with one another or at a
convenient distance apart-the latter is specially allowable when the helical tyre is
to have a cover, to preserve it from rust or wear, to keep it clean, or to prevent
noise on the grit of the roads. In this case the helix is bent round inside the cover
the ends not being united, and together they are passed over the rim-the fastening
of the helix to the rim grips the edges of the cover between the helix and the rim.
Or the helix may be bent round inside the cover, the two ends of the helix
fastened together, then the helix and cover passed between the two halves of the
rim as hereafter mentioned.
The tyre may be a single helix as just described or it may consist of two helices,
one wound right and the other wound left, the one being wound over the other, and
the several turns of the one being suitably fastened to the several turns of the
other.
Instead of the helical tyre being formed in one long piece it may be formed in
segments and secured to the rim by suitable fastenings."
III. According to another method, I form a helix of wire or metal ribbon, or
other suitable material wound in the direction of the circumference of the wheel,
the diameter of the helix being the diameter of the tyre, the length of the helix
being not more than the transverse diameter of the tyre. The several turns of the
belix may be of the same size so that the part coming in contact with the ground
will be flat crosswise, or the middle turn of the helix may have a greater diameter
than the others, the two turns next to it, one on each side may have a diameter
rather less, the two turns next to them may have a diameter rather less still, and
so on with each consecutive pair of turns of the helix-by this arrangement, the
part coming in contact with the ground will be curved crosswise. The several
turns of the helix_may be secured to one another either rigidly or with a certain
amount of play. The wire, ribbon, or other material forming this helix will be of
larger gauge than that before mentioned.
The helix thus formed is put in a cover and together the two are passed on to the
rim of the wheel, the cover is then tightly laced or otherwise suitably fastened to
the rim. The pressure exerted by the ground on the tyre is taken up by the
pressure of the helix against the interior of the cover which is firmly attached to
the rim. The helix may also be retained in its position concentric with the wheel
be elastic ligatures, or by springs which may be employed together with the cover,
or instead thereof. The helix may be affixed to the inner side of the cover, or
may be incorporated in the material of the cover during manufacture. For the
purposes of the method now described, instead of a helix, one or more hoops of
wire, metal ribbon, or other suitable material may be substituted. The several
hoops may be secured to each other, either rigidly or with a certain amount of
play, or they may be left to act independently of one another. If only one hoop
of ribbon be employed, it may conveniently be fashioned as explained in
Section I.
In each of the foregoing, the part of the tube or cover which is to come in
contact with the ground may conveniently be thickened to allow for wear, and
corrugated or studded to counteract side-slip.
IV. The rim is made of such section as best to suit the tyres herein described.
According to one method, the section of the rim is an are of a circle. According
to another method the rim needs a section narrower across the edges than within,
towards the centre of the wheel. According to a third method I make the rim
of two dises or rings of sheet metal stamped out flat; then stamped in dies to form
the recesses, then these two parts are fitted together. They may be rivetted
together to form rims, over the edges of which the air-tube, guard, cover, or any
of them will pass before the air-tube is inflated. Or half the spokes may be
fastened to one half-rim, and the remaining spokes may be fastened to the other
half-rim, in such a way that the two half-rims can be temporarily separated :

page_text: allow the tyre passing between them to its proper position, and then securely fastened
together by screws or other suitable device. The cover containing air-tube and
guard, or either of them can thus be made quite ready before being put on the
wheel.
The foregoing descriptions of tyres and rims of cycles relate also to autocars,
motorcars and other vehicles,-the heavier vehicles requiring the materials to be
of greater strength and weight.
Dadahi rost...
1900
Improvements in Tyres and Rims of Wheels for Cycles, Autocars,
Motorcars, and other Vehicles.
1, MARY ANNIE WALTON of 65 Priolo Road late of 52 Inverine Road, both
in Charlton, in the County of London, married, 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:-
The improvements in tyres relate chiefly to the employment of some hard and
spring-like material, either as a guard to the air-tube, or instead of the air-tube.
The materials that seen most suitable are:-Fine spring wire or thin ribbon of
steel, kronand metal, aluminium, hard brass, phosphor bronze; also the hard outside
of bamboo and cane.
I. As a guard to the air-tube I prefer a long strip of wide and very thin hard
metal ribbon, the width for cycles at present in use being from about 1 inch to
2 inches or even more; the thickness being 006 inch or even less for light cycles,
and rather more for heavier machines. The length of this ribbon is rather more
than the longitudinal perimeter of the tyre, the breadth of the ribbon is about
one-third or other convenient fraction of the transverse perimeter of the tyre.
This long piece of ribbon is beut in two ways at the same time between rolls, viz.
like a gutter and like a hoop, with the concave part of the gutter towards the
centre of the hoop Figs. 1 to 4. The two ends are now soldered or brazed
together, or fastened by rivets, or both soldered and rivetted, and the guard is
made. The edges of the metal ribbon are smoothed, and may be covered by a
piping of leather, rubber, lead, or other suitable material. If the metal ribbon be
of steel it may be varnished to preserve it from rusting. The foregoing describes
the ribbon cut of the required length before being bent; in manufacture it can be
made in long coils and cut off in lengths as required.
The guards of metal ribbon may be prepared in the same way as the rims of
wheels called "jointless rims," that is they may be first made as short cylinders
cut from a large tube and then bent or guttered between rolls, only the concave
of the gutter is, in the guards, towards the centre of the hoop, whereas in the
jointless rims the convex of the gutter is towards the centre of the hoop.
The guards of metal ribbon as just described when used with ready made tyres
Fig. 1 may be inserted loosely between the air-tube and the cover, or may be
affixed to the inner side of the cover, or may be affixed to the outer side of the
air-tube, the affixing being effected in any convenient way.
I prefer however to employ the guards with tyres specially designed for their
use, and in doing this, I incorporate the guard in the material of the cover Fig. 3
on the side towards the ground, or I incorporate the guard in the material of the
air-tube Fig. 2 on the side towards the ground, the incorporation in each case being
effected at the time of manufacturing the cover or the air-tube respectively.
When the guard is incorporated in the material of the air-tube, the cover inay

page_text: be dispensed with and the air-tube suitably thickened and corrugated on the
"tread" or part that comes in contact with the ground so as to allow for wear,
and counteract side slip. This is my improved "single tube tyre" Fig. 2.
When the transverse of the "tread" of a tyre is in the form of an arc of a circle, I
prefer the transverse section of the guard to be about one-third of such circle, that
is, the transverse section of the guard to subtend an angle of about 120° at the centre
of such circle Fig. 4. This are is sufficient to protect the air-tube from probable
puncture without being too deep to prevent the easy bending or giving of the guard
when the wheel passes over an obstacle. For tyres of racers and even of some
other cycles the guard may be preferred much narrower than above mentioned.
may also be used flat instead of being bent or guttered. Especially may this be
convenient when the guard is incorporated in the material of the cover Fig. 5 or of
the air-tube.
When the transverse of the "tread" of a tyre is not in the form of an arc of a
circle it may be convenient to have the transverse of the guard flat except at the
edges which may be suitably curved, thus forming a flattened gutter, Fig. 6.
It may be convenient to arrange a junction Figs. 7 and 74 so that one end of the
guard may slide lengthwise with respect to the other end, instead of the two ends
being fastened together. To do this I solder or rivet, or hoth solder and rivet to
one end of the guard two pieces of the same material one on each side in such a way
that between these two pieces towards one end thereof there is left a space to
receive the other end of the guard, and in which space it can slide lengthwise.
The air-tube, the guard, and the cover, or any of them are easily slipped over
the edge of the rim into the groove and properly arranged before the air-tube is
fully inflated. Or they may be used with my improved rim as hereafter
explained. Figs. 14. 15. 154 16.
11. Instead of the air-tube, I form a helix of fine spring-wire, or narrow spring
metal ribbon Fig. 8 or the hard outside of bamboo or cane. The diameter of
the helix is the diameter of the tyre transversely, the length of the helix is the
perimeter of the tyre longitudinally. The several turns of the helix are of the
same size and are suitably fastened to one another, or to a common connecting strip
or to common connecting strips. This helical tyre is bent round in the groove of
the rim and the two ends are fastened together, the connecting strip or strips or the
connections of the several turns of the helix with one another being on the inside
of the hoop, towards the centre of the wheel.
The helical tyre may itself be secured to the rim by suitable fastenings or the
ends of the connecting strip or strips may be pulled tight together and securely
fastened thus pulling the helical tyre well down into the hollow of the rim and
holding it there.
The consecutive turns of the helix may be close to one another, or at a convenient
distance apart-the latter is especially allowable when the helical tyre is to be
used with a cover to preserve it from rust or wear, to keep it clean, or to prevent
noise on the grit of the roads. In this case the helix is bent round inside the cover,
the ends not being united, and together they are passed over the rim-the
fastening of the helix to the rim grips the edges of the cover between the helix and
the rim. Or the helix may be bent round inside the cover, the two ends of the
helix securely fastened together, then the helix and the cover passed between the
two halves of my improved rim as hereafter explained. Figs. 14. 15. 15 16.
The tyre may be a single helix as just described Fig. 8 or it may consist of two
helices, one wound right and the other wound left, the one being wound over the
other Fig. 9 and the several turns of the one being suitably fastened to the several
turns of the other, or the several turns of both helices being suitably fastened to a
connecting strip or to connecting strips. The second helix counteracts the
tendency of the first helix to unwind itself.
More than two helices may be used to form one tyre and these may be wound
one over another to form a strong and elastic tyre, or some of them may be
arranged Fig. 10 side by side like a multithreaded right-handed screw and other

page_text: some of them may be arranged side by side over these like a multithreaded left-
handed screw, and so on thus making one layer or two or more layers according
to the strength of tyre required.
When however I form a tyre of several helices I prefer to start them all at the
same time from different points in the transverse circumference of the tyre, half of
them right-handed and half of them left-handed, but those that go right-handed do
not go all above or all below those that go left-handed, for as the helices that go
right-handed and the helices that go left handed cross one another, they do so
above and below alternately and are thus interwoven or plaited into a tube or
tyre Fig. 11. The different helices give support to each other without the
numerous fastenings necessary to plain-wound or non-woven helices. The helices
running in each direction may be close together or at any convenient distance
apart, so that the tyre may be close-woven or open-meshed as desire.l. The pitch
of the belices is regulated by the number of wires or ribbons used, by the gauge of
the wires or width of the ribbons, and by the spaces between the different helices.
This kind of tyre is easily fixed to the rim by passing one or more wires or
metal strips through the helical tube and drawing the ends through holes in the
rim, tightening, and securing.
Instead of a helical tyre being formed in one long piece it may be formed in
segments and secured to the rim as before. When the tyre is in place upon the
rim and before it is tightened thereon, the cover is put on and arranged, then the
tightening of the helix in the groove of the rim grips the edges of the cover
between the helix and the rim.
III. Instead of the air-tube-another method.
1 form a helix of wire, or metal ribbon, or other suitable material, wound in the
direction of the circumference of the wheel Figs. 12. and 124 the diameter of the
helix being the diameter of the tyre, the length of the helix being the transverse
diameter of the tyre. The several turns of the helix may be of the same size, so
that the part coming in contact with the ground will be flat crosswise; or the
middle turn of the helix may have a greater diameter than the others, Fig. 12 the
two turns next to it, one on cach side may have a diameter rather less, the two
turns next to them may have a diameter rather less still, and so on with each
consecutive pair of turns of the helix-by this arrangement the part coming in
contact with the ground will be curved crosswise Fig. 124. The several turns of
the helix may be secured to one another either rigidly or with a certain amount of
play. The wire, ribbon, or other material forming this helix will be of larger
gauge than that before mentioned.
The helix thus formed is put in a cover, and together the two are passed on to
the rim of the wheel, the cover is then tightly laced or otherwise suitably fastened
to the rim. The pressure exerted by the ground on the tyre is transmitted by the
helix against the interior of the cover Fig. 124 which however is firmly attached
to the rim. The helix may also be retained in its position concentric with the
wheel by elastic ligatures or by springs, which may be employed together with the
cover, or instead thereof. The helix may be affixed to the inner side of the cover,
or may be incorporated in the material of the cover during manufacture.
For the purposes of the method here described, instead of a helix one or more
houps of wire Fig. 12 metal ribbon, or other suitable material may be substituted.
The several hoops may be secured to one another either rigidly or with a certain
amount of play, or they may be left to act independently of one another.
If only one hoop of ribbon be employed it may conveniently be bent like a
gutter and like a hoop as explained in Section I Figs. 1 to 4.
In each of the foregoing the part of the air-tube or cover which is to come in
contact with the ground may conveniently be thickened to allow for wear, and
corrugated or studded to counteract side-slip.
IV. The section of the rim is made of such shape as best to suit the tyres herein
described. According to one method, a rim whose section is an arc of a circle.
According to another method the rim needs a section of a semi-oval so that the

page_text: tyre being pulled tightly into its groove may have a tendency to form a narrow
tread "Fig. 13.
According to a third method I make the rim of two discs or rings of sheet metal
Figs. 14. 15. 15 16. stamped out flat, then stamped in dies to form a half recess in
each for the tyre. Then these two parts are fitted together Fig. 16. They may
be rivetted together to form rims over the edges of which the air-tube, guard,
cover, or any of them will pass before the air-tube is inflated. Or half the spokes
'may be fastened to one half-rim, and half the spokes may be fastened to the other
half-rim, in such a way that the two half rims can be temporarily separated to
allow the tyre passing between them to its proper position and then securely
fastened together by screws or other suitable device. The cover containing
air-tube and guard or either of them, or helical tyre, or boop-tyre can thus be made
quite ready before being put on the wheel. The cover may be fastened round the
air-tube, guard, helical-tyre or hoop-tyre or any of them.
The two half rims may be readily attached together or detached by the following
arrangement-In stamping out one half-rim I make several radial slots Fig. 14
about inch long, and having a width rather more than the thickness of the plate.
In stamping out the other half-rim I make the same number of tongue pieces
Figs. 15. 15 each having a hole about 1 inch diameter, the tongue pieces being
situated in such positions that when bent ont at right angles to the plane of the rim
Fig. 15 they will readily pass through the slots in the other half-rim Fig. 14;
a wire bent in the form of a circle will thread through all the tongue pieces and
ihold the two half-rims together Fig. 16.
The foregoing descriptions of tyres and rims relate not only to cycles but also to
autocars, motorcars and other vehicles-the heavier vehicles requiring the materials
to be of greater strength and weight.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The guard described in Section 1 for use with ready-made tyres as explained
Figs. 1. 4. 5. 6.
2. The guard described in Section 1 to be incorporated in the material of the air
tube during manufacture. This includes my single-tube tyre Figs. 2. 4. 5. 6.
3. The guard described in Section I to be incorporated in the material of the
cover during manufacture Figs. 3. 4. 5. 6.
4. The junction for the sliding of the guard as described in Section I Figs. 7
and 74.
5. The jointless ribbon guard as described in Section I.
6. The helical tyre of wire, metal ribbon, bamboo or cane described in
Section II, to be used either with or without a tyre-cover, to be formed of one
helix, or of two helices wound right- and left-handed one over the other; or of
more than two helices wound one over another, some right-handed, and others left-
handed; or of more than two some wound side by side right handed, and other
some wound side by side left-handed one group being wound above another group
as explained Figs. 8. 9. 10.
7. The helical tyre of wire, metal ribbon, bamboo or caue described in Section II,
the different helices of which are wound some right-handed and some left-handed
and cross one another alternately above and below, thus forming a woven or plaited
tube or tyre aa therein explained Fig. 11.
8. The helical tyre of wire, metal ribbon, bamboo, or cane described in Section II
formed in segments instead of in one long piece.
9. The method of attaching a tyre to the rim by passing one or more wires or
metal strips, through the whole length of the tyre or through part thereof and
securely fastening it or them to the rim.
10. The method of fastening a tyre-cover to the rim by gripping it between the
tyre and the rim in the act of fastening the tyre itself to the rim, as explained.

page_text: 11. The helical tyre of wire, metal ribbon, bamboo or cane described in.
Section III to be used either with or without a tyre cover, the several turns of the-
helix being of the same size, or decreasing gradually from the middle towards the-
two sides, the said helix being held concentric by the tyre-cover, by elastic-
ligatures, by springs, or by any of them Figs. 12 and 12^.
12. The tyre formed of one or more hoops of wire, metal ribbon, bamboo, cane,.
or the like, described in Section III to be used either with or without a tyre-cover,
the several hoops being of the same size as one another or decreasing gradually
from the middle towards the two sides, the said hoop or hoops being held
concentric by the tyre-cover, or by elastic ligatures or by springs or by any of
them Figs. 12 and 12ª.
13. The rim formed of two discs as described in Section IV, stamped out,.
stamped to form recesses, slots, tongue-pieces, holes, or any of them Figs. 14. 15..
15A 16.
14. The method of attachment of the two half-rims by tongue pieces, passing.
through slots and secured therein by a wire hoop Figs. 14. 15. 15A 16.
15. The method of forming a narrow tread by a rim semi-oval in section as.
explained in Section IV Fig. 13.
W. W. SPENCE,
Agent for Applicant.