Improvements in Pneumatic Tyres for the Wheels of Velocipedes and other Vehicles.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 10th July, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 10th Apr., 1894-Accepted, 10th Oct., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pneumatic Tyres for the Wheels of Velocipedes
and other Vehicles.
I, CHARLES KINGSTON WELCH, The Hollies, Eaton Road, Coventry, in the
County of Warwick, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:---
This invention relates to pneumatic tyres for the wheels of velocipedes and
other vehicles, and has for its chief object to provide improved inextensible covers
for the inflatable tube. My said invention is applicable to many types of existing
pneumatic tyres but for convenience I will first proceed to describe the same with
reference to that type of tyre which is held in place on the wheel by wire or other
inextensible cores.
According to one arrangement I construct an arched tyre cover from cord,
thread, gut, or similar fibrous or non-fibrous and preferably non-stretching material
of any suitable section by winding or threading same transversely across the
inextensible cores which are held at a suitable distance apart while the said
cord or other material is wound or threaded thereon. The cord or the like is
preferably threaded in S-fashion though it may be threaded in any other suitable
manner. Each fold or section of the cord or the like is pressed tightly against its
neighbour so that when completed the cover consists of the inextensible cores
joined together by a large number of transverse sections of closely packed threads
or cords or the like.
In combination with said transverse sections of cord or the like I in some cases
use a series of longitudinal threads or cords, that is to say, cords or the like which
extend circumferentially around the tyre. Said circumferential threads or cords
or the like may be placed inside or outside the transverse cords or may he inter-
woven therewith either at the tread or other part of the tyre and may be solutioned
or vulcanized to the transverse threads. In some cases I place rubber or other
suitable substance between the transverse and longitudinal threads, cords or the
like to prevent wear by the rubbing of one set on the other when in use.
said cords or the like may be vulcanized with the inner tube or with the outer
tread part or cover of the tyre. In some cases I build up the cover from separate
lengths or strips of thread, cord or the like provided with eyes at both ends
whereby said strips can be threaded on the inextensible cores. Such strips may in
some cases be made of leather or the like. They may be embedded in rubber.
Moreover
To make a tubular cover which entirely encloses the inflatable tube I proceed as
follows, that is to say, I wind a thread, cord, gut, rope or equivalent fibrous or
non-fibrous strip of material of any suitable section spirally round a suitable
mandrel or otherwise in order to form a close or compact tubular cover adapted to
receive and enclose the inflatable tube or lining. Said cover may be kept intact
by a thin coating of rubber solution or other effective substance applied preferably
to the sides thereof and which also serves to keep out moisture. Said coating is in
some instances made detachable. In combination with a cover so constructed I
sometimes use longitudinal or circumferential threads, cords, strips or the like
which may be applied in a manner similar to those above described with reference
to the arch-shaped cover, or otherwise. Said circumferential cords or the like are
preferably applied so as to cause the inflatable tube to assume an oval shape in
section. This cover may also be used in combination with a separate tread piece
which may be held in place by inextensible cores in the edges thereof. Or the

page_text: tread piece may be formed from an endless or spirally wound fabric such as strong
webbing or its equivalent on which the rubber or elastic tread may be solutioned
or vulcanized. This may in some cases be made to form in combination with the
inextensible inflatable cover, jacket or tube the means of securing the same to the
rim. For instance it may be fitted into a grooved channelled or recessed rim, and
secured thereto by inflating the tyre or tube between the inextensible endless
tread and the rim. In some cases I use an outside cover which completely
envelops the inner cover above described and which is held in place by cores in the
edges thereof, said cores when in place resting inside or outside the rim of the wheel.
In a modification, the endless coil forming the cover may be substituted by a
number of rings of any suitable material which may be threaded on the inflatable
tube or on wires or other inextensible cores. These rings may be woven or formed
by spirally winding a suitable fibrous or non-fibrous material which in some cases
may be surrounded by rubber and moulded into any desired shape. For instance
they may be made to fit one into the other so that when threaded or placed
together they will form a tube.
The above described methods of forming the inextensible jackets for air-tubes or
tyres may be used with advantage for forming compressed or closure tyres or
tubes. For instance I may enclose a suitable inflatable tube within the casing and
solution a strip or the like on its inner circumference, I may then roll or turn the
strip outwards thus causing the inner tube to be compressed and the threads or
cords to close together more tightly. Should it be desirable to compress the
rubber still further another strip is solutioned or cemented inside, after which the
outer strip is taken off and the tyre or tube again rolled inwards or reversed.
This operation may be repeated until the desired compression is obtained.
It may
in some cases be necessary to solution these tubes to the casing; or the whole may
be vulcanized together.
These constructions of cover admit of very easy' repair and renewal of the
inflatable tube as it is obvious that the transverse cords can in some cases be pushed
in or parted at any desired place thus making an opening which allows of patching
the inflatable tube, or of withdrawing said tube altogether and replacing same by
another tube.
I may in some cases construct by the above described methods pneumatic tyres
which have no inflatable tubes.
With any of the forms of cover above described I may use an ordinary rubber
tread; I sometimes however use a metal tread which may be solid or made of links
like a chain. Such a tread would. of course be more suitable for heavy vehicles
such as cabs or omnibuses than for cycles, and may in some cases be used as the
means of securing the tyre to a suitable rim.
Dated this 10th day of July 1893.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pneumatic Tyres for the Wheels of Velocipedes
and other Vehicles.
1, CHARLES KINGSTON WELCH, of The Hollies, Eaton Road, Coventry, in the
County of Warwick, Engineer, 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 tyres for the wheels of velocipedes and other
vehicles, and has for its chief object to provide improved inextensible covers or
jackets for the inflatable tube, said covers or jackets are more especially suitable

page_text: for use with that type of tyre which is held in place by wire or other inextensible
cores.
My invention comprises covers or jackets made both of an arched or divided
tubular shape and also of a tubular shape.
Said covers or jackets when finished and in position on the tyre consist of two
layers of threads extending transversely across the tyre, said threads are sometimes
placed obliquely across or in the shape of the letter S, and the several threads of
the one layer are at an angle with the threads of the other layer. The threads
are maintained in position by means of solution, and by a few circumferential
threads extending round the tyre interwoven therewith, or by either method. Said
circumferential threads are preferably placed at the edges or edges and tread
portion in the case of an arched or divided tubular jacket or at the tread portion in
the case of a tubular jacket.
The wires or other cores are secured at the edges or sides of the jacket either in
a fold of the same or in loops formed in the several cords or threads of which the
jacket is composed.
Various methods of constructing the jackets above described, may be used. I
will now describe one or two by way of example.
According to one arrangement, I wind cord, thread, gut, yarns or similar fibrous
or non-fibrous and preferably non-stretching material of any suitable section
transversely across two inextensible cores which are held at a suitable distance
apart while the said cord or other material is wound thereon. The cord or the like
is preferably threaded S-fashion though it may be threaded in any other suitable
manner. Each fold or section of the cord is pressed tightly against its neighbour
so that when completed the cover consists of the inextensible cores joined by a large
number of tightly packed cords or threads.
In combination with the transverse threads, I use as above described, longi-
tudinal threads which extend circumferentially round the tyre when the latter is
completed. In this case I prefer to make the cover by weaving yarns in various
fashions, and then folding and manipulating the woven fabric in a manner which I
will proceed to explain.
For example, I weave a tube having the warp threads omitted at certain
portions of the said tube as shewn in Figure 3 of the drawings. The warp threads
strengthen the tyre at the tread and where the wires are placed for securing the
tyre to the rim. This tube is pressed flat so that the warp threads are at the edges
and in the centre of the two layers of transverse threads. The securing wires or
cores are then placed in position in the edges and the two layers solutioned or
otherwise joined together. I preferably displace the central portions of the two
layers with regard to each other before securing the two layers together so that the
transverse threads cross each other at any suitable angle. In other methods of
making the covers I weave strips with portions of the warps left out or I weave a
tube of large diameter with portions of the weft left out whereby I am enabled to
cut endless strips. Said strips are folded over and attached to the inextensible
wires or cores in various ways as will be hereinafter described in detail.
According to another method of making a cover I form a tread piece of spirally-
wound fabric or tape, said fabric or tape having threads extending in a longitudinal
direction only. When the spiral is pressed flat it forms two layers of threads, the
threads in one layer making an angle with the threads in the other layer.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a view showing a portion of a jacket constructed in accordance with
my invention.
Figure 2 is an end view of the same.
Figure 3 shows a similar jacket which is manufactured in a different manner from
that shewn in Figure 1.
Figures 4, 5 and 6 are views hereinafter explained of a jacket manufactured in
another manner.
Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6, shewing a modification, and

page_text: Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 5, and hereinafter explained.
Figure 9 is a view of a jacket formed of a spirally-wound tape.
Like letters denote similar parts in all the drawings.
A is the one layer of the jacket, B is the other layer, C are the longitudinal or
circumferential threads and D are the wire or other inextensible cores for securing
the tyre to the rim.
Referring now to Figures 1 and 2. The two layers of the jacket are woven
separately and each consists of weft threads a with a few warp threads e at or near
the edges thereof so that loops as at a¹, a¹ are formed at each edge. Two such
pieces of fabric are placed one on the top of the other and their edges are displaced.
so that the weft threads of each are oblique and cross each other at an angle as
shown in Figure 1. The cores D are then threaded through the loops at the edges
being inserted alternately through the loops in each layer of fabric. The two pieces
of fabric are thereby united by their edges as shewn in Figure 2. The two layers
may be further treated with india-rubber solution so as to form a single piece of
fabric having cores in its edges.
In Figure 3 a jacket is shewn which is practically the same as that shewn in
Figure 1, but which is made in a different manner. The fabric here consists of a
woven tube having weft threads a b, which form a spiral. The warp threads of
said tube are few in number and are inserted at the places shewn. When the tube
is flattened the warp threads c' in the centre are brought together and the weft
threads are displaced longitudinally at the centre so as to be disposed in S-fashion
as shown. The two cores D are then inserted in the fold at the edges and the two
layers are solutioned or cemented together. In some cases I sew the two central
portions of the two layers together as shown at E in the drawing, or said central
portions may be merely united by india-rubber solution. The jacket thus made
consists of two layers of threads which cross each other and are reinforced by
longitudinal threads at the centre and edges. I sometimes dispense with the
central warp threads, and further, the warp threads of the edges may be woven in
such a manner with the weft as to form continuous loops or pockets for the reception
of the inextensible cores.
In Figures 45 and 6 I shew a fabric which is practically the same as that shewn
in Figures 1 and 2, but made in another manner. The fabric is woven in one piece
with weft threads a and b held together by a few warp threads at c, c. The weft
threads a, b are really continuous as was the case with the fabric shewn in Figure 3,
but I wish to distinguish the two halves of the fabric which will ultimately form
the two layers of the jacket, by different letters. The fabric thus consists of
straight weft threads forming loops a', 6' at the edges and maintained in position by
a few warp threads. The edges of the fabric are now displaced so as to bend the
weft threads into the shape shewn in Figure 4. The fabric is then bent over so as
to form two layers and one of the cores is threaded through. the loops a¹, b' alter-
nately, as shown in. Figures 5 and 6. The core on the opposite edge simply
inserted in the central fold of the fabric as at e, or it may be inserted through the
threads e alternately so as to be held in position: The two layers are preferably
solutioned together to form a single piece.
The jacket shown in Figure 5 may be woven in two layers instead of being
folded in the middle as is shown in the end view Figure 7. On comparing Figure 6
with Figure 7, it will be seen that the warp threads c², Figure 7 correspond to the
threads c near the fold in Figure 6 but in Figure 7 the two layers of the jacket
are shewn as being united by the warp threads whereas in Figure 6 this is not
the case.
It is easily seen that the jacket shewn in Figure 5 is practically the same as that
shown in Figure 1, the difference being that the two layers of Figure 5 are formed
of one and the same piece of fabric whereas in Figure 1, the two layers are
manufactured separately.
In order to make the jackets shewn in
the ends of the layers must be joined.
Figures 1, 3 and 5 into continuous rings
This presents no difficulty and at the
b

page_text: lapped joint the jacket will not be thicker than at any other part of the jacket, that
is to say, the joint will consist of two layers of threads solutioned together like the
remaining portion of the jacket. This is easily seen from Figure 8 which shews.
a piece of fabric folded over in the middle at e so as to form two layers A and B.
The edges of the strip are displaced as clearly shown thereby causing the threads
of the two layers to cross each other at an angle as is also shewn in Figure 5. It.
results from this that at each end of the band au approximately triangular piece
which is only one layer thick is formed, consequently, when these ends are lapped
to form the continuous jacket the joint is only of the same thickness as the..
remaining part of the jacket.
In another method of weaving the fabric the threads which will ultimately extend
transversely across the tyre are the warp threads and they are maintained in position
by a small number of weft threads. In this case the fabric is woven to the form of
a tube which is approximately of the same diameter as the wheel to which the
jacket is to be applied. Transverse strips are cut from such a tube and the edges
of such strips are displaced and then turned over so as to form two layers of trans-
verse threads which cross at a suitable angle. This may be seen from considering
Figure 5, taking into account the fact that the threads a and b are now supposed
to be warp threads and c weft threads and also that the loops a bare non-existent..
The core which previously extended through the loops a¹ and 6' is now folded up in
the edge of the fabric the two layers of which are united by solution. I may make
the joint between the edges of the fabric to occur at the middle or tread portion
of the jacket instead of at the edge if it is desirable. Such methods of folding are
well known when applied to ordinary woven fabric but when used with such fabric
as that hereinabove described the edges of the fabric are displaced so as to cause.
the threads thereof to cross each other as shewn in the drawings. Instead of
solutioning or otherwise uniting the two layers of fabric to form an arched or
divided tubular jacket I sometimes place the air tube between the said layers which
then form a tubular jacket. Two such tubular jackets may be used, the threads.
being displaced so as to cross each other at any suitable angle. In the case where
a jacket such as that shewn in Figure is used as a tubular jacket the core D is
preferably threaded alternately through the loops e at the centre of the fabric.
The jacket constructed as above described may be vulcanized either to the air
tube or to the outer cover or to both if desired, a single tube tyre being formed in
the latter case.
In Figure 9 I shew a portion of a jacket formed by winding a tape into a spiral..
Said tape is formed of longitudinal threads a only, and is wound into a spiral
round the two wires or cores D, D which may or may not be in the form of endless
rings. The spiral, if not already flat, is then flattened so that a flat band is made,
in which the tape forms alternately two layers A and B and which has two
cores D, D one at either edge thereof. As is easily seen from the drawing, the
threads a, a in one layer cross the threads b,b in the other layer. The threads a, a
and b, bare really continuous spiral threads but are lettered to shew the
arrangement in layers. This band it will be seen is very similar to that shown
in Figure 3 in construction with the difference that the single thread ab of
Figure 3, is replaced by a number of parallel threads a b, a b in Figure 9. The
ends of the tapes are so arranged that they may be secured to the cores in such a
manner that an even surface is formed at the tread portion of the tyre in the same
manner as the other methods of carrying out my invention herein described.
The cores which I use in these jackets may be of wire or any other suitable material..
In some cases they are endless or they may be adapted to be coupled at their ends
or secured to the rim in other ways.
For heavy vehicle tyres it is very advantageous to have a strong yet flexible
jacket and I sometimes in such cases, use more than two layers of threads, said
threads being of the ordinary substance and thickness.
By using a jacket made of layers of transverse thread alone or with a small
number only of longitudinal threads, besides obtaining a tyre which is durable and

page_text: not easily punctured, I obtain a very resilient tyre and the speed of the vehicle is
increased to a greater extent than has hitherto been the case when pneumatic tyres
have been fitted to wheels, in short a pneumatic tyre made with my improved
jacket is very "fast."
It is also evident that by the use of my invention a tyre is obtained which is
readily and easily repaired. I have found also that the nearer the threads are
placed together in the fabric portion of the tyre the greater is the durability of the
tyre both as regards its strength and the wearing action of the threads of the
fabric upon each other. By the adoption of my invention the speed of the machine
is considerably increased as the arrangement of the threads assists the preventing
or counteracting of any back-lash.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I am aware that
it has been proposed to make tubular tyres and tubes of two layers of tape wound
spirally in opposite directions, said tape having longitudinal threads only, but
I claim
1. In a pneumatic tyre, an arched or divided tubular jacket consisting of two or
more series of parallel threads extending transversely across the tyre, the threads
in one or more series being at an angle with the threads in the other or remaining
series of threads respectively and with or without inextensible cores contained in
the sides or edges of the jacket for holding the tyre to the rim, substantially as
described.
2. The modification of my invention wherein the jacket is provided with longi-
tudinal threads at the sides or edges of the jacket either with or without similar
threads at the tread portion of the jacket, substantially as described.
3. In a pneumatic tyre an arched or divided tubular jacket consisting of two
or more series of parallel threads very closely packed together and extending
transversely across the tyre, the threads in one or more series being at an angle
with the threads in the other or remaining series of threads respectively and with
or without longitudinal threads substantially as described.
4. In a pneumatic tyre an arched or divided tubular jacket consisting of two or
more series of parallel threads extending transversely across the tyre the threads
in one or more series being at an angle with the threads in the other or remaining
series respectively and so arranged that the tread portion of the tyre presents, in use
an even surface to the road substantially as described.
5. For pneumatic tyres, a jacket constructed substantially as described, with
reference to any of the forms or modifications illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 10th day of Anvil 1801
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.