Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 25th May, 1893-Accepted, 10th Feb., 1894
Fig. 5 is a section of a tvre somewhat similar to Fig. 3.
On the drawings, a is the rubber tyre, is the rim which may be formed of steel,
or aluminium made or rolled into a suitable shape. g is an air space in the centre
of the tyre. n are spokes.
The tyre, in Fig. 1, consists of a hard rubber tread c which is, preferably, thick,
as shown, in the centre and tapers away to a crescent shape, in section, at the edges.
Thin narrow necks d. d¹, of rubber connect the tread c to two beadings e, el of
rubber, one at each side. These beadings, which are continuous round the tyre,
are made, by preference, so as to taper away to the parts where they join the
narrow rubber necks d, d. The inner part, f, of the tyre is made thick enough to
give strength to the beadings e, el, and to keep the tyre in place when sprung on to
the rim. The rim is made with a trough shaped part for the reception of the
inwardly projecting part fl of the tyre. The trough shaped rim holds the tyre
firmly in place and prevents lateral movement.
The tyre, which is, by preference, made or moulded in one piece as shown, may
have corrugations on the tread, and also on the inside, for the purpose of reducing
weight, if so desired.
The beadings e, e', as will be seen from the drawings, are so made as to serve as
spring supports for the tread c which is, practically, slung or suspended between
them. The shape of the beadings is, also, such that the greatest resistance is
offered to compression when the tread is pressed inwards by the weight of the rider
on mounting the machine. The construction of the tyre is such that the tread,
when passing over small obstacles, readily yields or admits of compression and when
the obstacle is passed the beadings, by their elastic or spring action, immediately
cause the tyre to resume its former shape. The air space g is not inflated, although,
if desired, it may be blown up in the same way as a pneumatic tyre, and, in this
case, a double cushioning or resilient action takes place; namely, the action of the
compressed air and of the spring beadings e, e¹.
The spring headings are made sufficiently strong to prevent the tread flattening
down against the rim when the rider mounts the machine.
Of course the larger the air space and the thinner the tyre the lighter it
will be.

page_text: In Fig. 2 the tyre is made more resilient by the addition of springs h, which are
curved into a shape as shown. These springs are laid in the trough b' of the
rim and extend right round it. The part, of the tyre rests on the springs h. If
desired only one long spring h may be fitted round the rim.
"
"
In Fig. 3 the rubber tread c, which is or may be made on the same principle as
an ordinary cushion" or solid" tyre and be of any suitable shape, is solutioned
or otherwise suitably secured to a strip of canvas or leather i. The canvas or
leather is doubled at the edges, and, threaded through the folds at each side, are
two wires i, j, (see Fig. 4). "Parts k are cut out of the cauvas so as to expose the
wires and at these parts steel springs are caught or fitted on or to the wires.
These springs, which are fitted right round the wheels, are bent into the form
shown and are secured in any well known manner at their inner ends to the rim,
which may be made trough shape so as to protect the springs.
This tyre acts in precisely the same manner as the tyre Fig. 1, as the metal
springs have the same cushioning effect as the beadings e, e¹.
The outer ends of the springs 1, Fig. 3, may be secured to the wires j, j, by
means of solder or the like if so desired. Instead of having flat springs as shown
these springs may be made of bent wire.
Instead of the springs, at each side, being separate, as shown at Fig. 3, they
may be made as shown at Fig. 5, i.e., each spring is made with two curved parts,
one at each side, which support the tread. The rim b in this case may be a
narrow strip.
It is evident that the exact form of tyres shown on the drawings may be departed
from without the exercise of any ingenuity and without departing from the
principle of the invention, and, as such is the case, it is to be understood that I do
not confine myself to the forms shown and described.
The exact shape of the rim is immaterial as the part f', of the tyre can be
moulded into different shapes.
The improved tyre has the same or nearly the same resiliency as a pneumatic
tyre and this resiliency is not impaired or destroyed when the tyre is punctured.
The new tyre is much more resilient than the ordinary cushion tyres.
The tyre Fig. 1 may, if so desired, be secured to the rim by solution, by wires,
or by any of the other well known and common methods.
The tread may be made separate from the body of the tyre and be secured
thereto by solution alone or by strips of canvas or other fabric solutioned to
each part.
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 tyre for the wheels of cycles and other vehicles having a tread which is
slung or suspended upon or between spring supports, substantially in the manner
and for the advantages herein before described.
2. The construction of tyre substantially as hereinbefore described with reference
to Fig. 1 of the drawings annexed.
3. The construction of tyre substantially as hereinbefore described with reference
to Fig. 2 of the drawings annexed.
4. The construction of tyre substantially as herein before described with reference
to Fig. 3 of the drawings annexed.
Dated this 24th day of May 1893
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
70, Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.