Improvements in Pneumatic Tyres and in Rims and Wheels for Velocipedes and other Light Vehicles.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Apr., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 1st Jan., 1892-Accepted, 6th Feb., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pneumatic Tyres and in Rims and Wheels for
Velocipedes and other Light Vehicles.
I, WILLIAM GOLDING of 4 Portman Street, Moss Side Manchester, Manu-
facturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
It relates firstly, to a pneumatic tyre consisting of an outer rubber band or
casing permanently fixed to flanges shaped on the rim, and of an inner tubular
cushion or of inner tubular cushions distended by compressed air; secondly, to a
rim for use with such a tyre; thirdly, to methods of securing the outer band or
casing of the tyre to the rim; fourthly, to the method of attaching the spokes to
the rim; and fifthly, to a device by means of which the air cushion or cushions are
easily inserted or withdrawn.
1. The outer casing is either a flat band of equal thickness throughout or
preferably it is tapered so as to be thinnest at the edges and thickest at the tread.
In the latter case it is shaped and vulcanized in a straight length on a round
mandrel in the usual way. To facilitate the fixing, in some of the methods, it is
formed with a small flange or beading along each edge. This bead is readily made
by turning over the edges of the casing before wrapping and vulcanizing it. The
band or casing is strengthened by an insertion or lining of canvas or other suitable
material, preferably cut on the bias or cross. It is joined up endless by cementing
the edges together with rubber solution, and by a canvas or rubber or a canvas
and rubber band cemented inside over the join, or in some cases the edges of the
join are bevelled, united and vulcanized together.
The casing is permanently fixed to the rim flanges by the methods hereinafter
described in paragraph 3.
The compressed air is contained in an interior cushion, or in two or more cushions,
preferably two or four, laid end to end. Each cushion consists of the usual thin
rubber bladder, but instead of being joined into a ring, as is the usual practice,
these bladders are straight tubular bags closed at the ends. The ends may be
closed by being coated with rubber solution, and cemented, tied or sewn up, but
they are preferably closed by moulded rubber caps with flat ends which are
placed in or over the ends of the bladder tubes and securely sealed with rubber
solution.
Each bladder is preferably sewn up or cemented in a canvas envelope or in a
light and strong casing of any other suitable material. Or the bladder may be
wrapped round with a skeleton canvas (cut on the cross) while on the mandrel and
the canvas vulcanized to it. Each such cushion is fitted with an inlet pipe or with
an inlet pipe and valve.
The cushion or cushions are inserted within the outer casing, between it and the
rim in the manner hereinafter described in paragraph 5. It or they are of
sufficient length to surround the rim, and when inflated for the ends to abut flat
together.
2. The rim is formed with lateral ilanges either recessed or plain. The middle
part is rolled with a shallow, concave groove of the same curvature as the inflated
cushion. The edges of the rim are extended sideways, bent outwards and

page_text: roached towards each other, forming an inner recessed lateral flange on
h side or they are simply extended so as to form two plain lateral flanges.
th of these forms are shaped out of a strip of sheet steel without join in the cross
tion and are of the kind known as solid rims.
The rim with plain lateral flanges is also shaped so as to form a hollow rim to
ain greater strength and rigidity with lightness.
The outer curve in cross section is larger than the inner and has smaller flanges.
s made by rolling either two strips of steel at the same time and brazing them
ether at the edges, or by rolling it from a single strip and brazing the edges
ether at the middle of the inner curve, the edges having been first bevelled and
rlapped in the usual way. The recesses and flanges are shaped to accommodate
edges of the outer casing of the tyre to which they are securely fixed.. These
ges also provide the means for inserting the spokes, by which the rim and hub
bound together.
The outer casing is securely fixed to the rim :
A) When the rim has recessed flanges by inserting the edges of the casing in the
corresponding recesses and,
(a) Vulcanizing rim and casing together;
(b) Cementing them together;
(c) Pinning and binding them together by passing the spokes through rim and
casing;
(d) Pinning and binding them together by means of pins, bolts, or rivets ;
B) When the rim has plain flanges, and the edges of the casing are beaded, by
(a) Pinning and binding rim and casing together by passing each spoke
through a thin flexible band of leather or metal, through the casing side.
and through the flange;
(b) Pinning and binding them together by means of rivets or clenched
wire holdfasts, with or without flexible bands;
(c) Binding them together by means of a straight or waved wire tightly
drawn round the rim, one on each side, over the casing and flanges, the
ends of the wires being twisted together;
(d) Sewing, lacing or wiring them together, the edges of the rubber and
canvas casing being first bound with canvas, galloon, or leather, sewn or
vulcanized on, and small holes drilled in the rim flanges.
The outer casing and the rim may be connected together by any of the methods
reinbefore specified or by any practicable combination of two or more of them:
hen the edges of the casing are vulcanized in the recesses of the rim, an inflated
bular core piece made of canvas and rubber vulcanized together, the canvas being
tside, is placed within it. The outer curve of the casing is smoothly covered
th cloth, and the whole bound round with cloth by winding a strip of cloth
lically round tyre and rim. After vulcanizing the core piece is deflated and
thdrawn in the same way as the air cushions. In this case the join in the casing
also vulcanized.
When flexible metallic bands or ribbons are used, they are preferably of
el or phosphor bronze, having one or both edges curled so as to prevent
tting the rubber. In those cases where the cover pinned to the rim by the
okes passing through the flanges, the parts may be bound more strongly together,
so required, by means of nipples screwed down the spokes tightly on the inner
rves of the flanges.
4. The rim is secured to the hub by passing, the spokes through the lateral
nges. The direction of the flanges is perpendicular to the axes of the corre-
onding spokes, which allows the spokes to be made straight. They are thus
sily turned round when tightening up. The head of each spoke lies outside the
nge, the other end being screwed into the hub. They are placed in opposite
irs and cross each other. The greater angle of inclination makes the wheel more
an ordinarily rigid and affords, with lighter spokes, greater resistance to buckling
rains., A broken spoke can be removed and another fixed without disturbing the

page_text: tyre. When the spokes are also employed to bind the tyre to the rim, the rubber
gives them an elastic tension, minimising vibration and rendering them less liable
to snap.
5. The interior cushion or cushions are inserted in the tyre through a narrow or
through narrow longitudinal slits cut in the centre of the rim, one slit being
provided for each cushion. When the cushions are not inflated they can be readily
passed through such narrow slits. A cord and small weight are first passed through
the slit, and the wheel turned round until the cord appears at the same or at the
next slit. The cord is tied to the end of the cushion and it is drawn through into
place, reaching from the middle of one slit to the middle of the next. The slits are
covered by cementing rubber coated canvas over them, allowing room for the inlet
pipe to pass through. The cyclist can conveniently carry a surplus cushion or two
with him.
In case of puncture, the damaged cushion is withdrawn through the slit
and a perfect one at once inserted as previously described. The damaged one
can afterwards be repaired at his convenience. When the spokes pass through the
centre of the rim, the slits can be placed on one side. An alternative arrangement
is to insert and withdraw the cushions through a slit or slits in the outer tyre or
casing, such slits being cemented, sewn or laced up when not in use.
Dated this 31st day of March 1891.
WILLIAM GOLDING.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in. Pneumatic Tyres and in Rims and Wheels for
Velocipedes and other Light Vehicles.
I, WILLIAM GOLDING, of No. 4 Portman Street, Moss Side Manchester,
Inventor and Patentee, 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:-
It relates; first, to a pneumatic tyre consisting (a) of an outer rubber band or
casing permanently, that is positively or mechanically, secured to flanges shaped on
the rim.
In my Specification No. 19990, dated 8th Decr. 1890, I describe a tyre
or outer casing secured to the flanges of a shallow rim by the air pressure alone.
It is found in practice that when the outer casing consists of an unclosed tube in
cross section, that is of an arch-shaped casing, the air pressure is not sufficient to
prevent the casing from creeping round or fretting within such shallow rims. In
order to prevent this movement I now mechanically secure such casing sides to the
flanges of the rim and such securing may be independent of or may be subsidiary
to the pressure of the contained compressed air..
It also relates (6) to an inner tubular bladder or cushion or to inner tubular bladders
or cushions constructed with separate closed ends, each fitted with an inlet pipe
and capable of being distended with compressed air; secondly, to a rim for use
with such a tyre; thirdly, to methods of securing the outer band or casing of the
tyre to the rim; fourthly, to the method of attaching the spokes to the rim-and
fifthly, to a device, consisting of a slit through the base of the metal rim or through
the side of the casing or tyre free of the rim, and capable of being closed when not
in use, by means of which the air bladder or cushion or air bladders or cushions are
easily inserted or withdrawn.
On Sheet 1 of the drawings hereunto annexed, Figs. 1 and 2 are elevations of
parts of the inner curve of the metal rim shewing the slit, (the covering being
removed), by means of which the air bladder or cushion or air bladders or cushions
are inserted or withdrawn. Figs. 3 and 4 are cross sections of my improved tyre,
in combination with two forms of the steel rim or felloe, illustrating the method of
securing the outer casing to the rim by means of the spokes, passed through thin
flexible metallic bands placed round the outside of the casing.
..

page_text: :
On Sheet
of the drawings, Figs. 5, 7, and 9 are longitudinal sections of a part
of my improved air bladder towards the end, and Figs. 6, 8, and 10 are the corre
sponding elevations, shewing different arrangements for closing the ends. Fig. 11
illustrates the rim and tyre, (as shewn in cross section in Fig. 3), complete and
built into a wheel, but with the central part, containing the hub and the inner ends
of the spokes, cut away: the upper half of the figure is a longitudinal section
through the outer casing and the rim, shewing the air bladder or cushion in position,
and the lower half is sliewn in elevation. Fig. 12 is a cross section illustrating the
method of shaping the outer casing with a beading along each edge.
On Sheet 3 of the drawings, Figs. 13, 15, 16, 17, and 18 are cross sections
and illustrate alternative methods of securing the edges of the outer casing to the
rim flanges. Fig. 14 shews a variety of the form illustrated by Fig. 4.
On Sheet 4 of the drawings, Figs. 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23 are elevations of
segments of the tyre and rim, illustrating on the right and left hand sides the
methods of securing the outer casing to the rim, shewn in cross section on Sheet 3.
Figs. 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, and 25 illustrate, at the middle of the figures, various
positions for the slit through the casing or tyre for inserting and withdrawing the
interior air bladder or cushion, and alternative arrangements of the lacing for
temporarily closing the same.
Ou Sheet 5 of the drawings, Figs. 26, 27, and 28 illustrate elevations of a short
segment of the tyre and rim, the section in connection with the elevation
representing a diagonal cut at an angle of forty five degrees, the cavities not being
shaded. The sections alone also represent direct cross sections, that is sections of
the rim and tyre made by a plane passing through the axis of the wheel.
These figures illustrate the method of securing the casing sides to the flanges
of the rim by the use of flexible metallic bands the ends of which are secured
to or through the rim flanges. Figs. 27 and 28 also illustrate a slight modifi-
cation of the improved hollow rim described and claimed in my Specification
No. 19990, A.D. 1890.
On Sheet 6 of the drawings, Fig. 29 illustrates an end view, Fig. 30 a plan view
laid flat, and Fig. 31 a longitudinal section of a part of my improved air bladder
shewing alternative arrangements for closing the ends. Fig. 32 is a front elevation
of the same shewing another arrangement of the separate closed ends. Figs. 33, 34,
35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, and 42 illustrate details of the methods of securing the
ends of the metal bands shewn in Figs. 26, 27, and 28 to or through the rim
flanges.
The same letters refer to the same parts throughout. The cross sections of the
metallic rim and of metallic bands are shewn by the solid black shaded lines. The
wheel rim is indicated at r; is the outer casing, is the inner tube or bladder.
a, a are the flexible metallic bands, and s, s are spokes.
1 (a). The outer casing is either a flat band of equal thickness throughout, or
preferably it is tapered so as to be thinnest towards the edges and thickest at the
tread. In the latter case it may be shaped and vulcanized in a straight length on
a round mandrel in the usual way. To facilitate the fixing in some of the methods,
it is formed with a small flange or beading along each edge. This bead is readily
made by turning over the edges of the casing before wrapping and vulcanizing it.
The band or casing is strengthened by an insertion or lining of canvas, or other
suitable material, preferably cut on the bias or cross. It may be joined up into an
endless ring by cementing the edges together with rubber solution and by a canvas
or rubber or a canvas and rubber band cemented inside over the join, while in some
cases the edges of the join are bevelled, united, and vulcanized together. In order
to effect this, the casing is shaped, wrapped, and vulcanized on a ring-shaped
mandrel. Fig. 12 illustrates a cross section of such a mandrel, either straight or
ring-shaped, with a cross section of the casing strip upon it. The canvas stripfis
first placed upon the mandrel m with the edges overlapped and solutioned
together.
The crescent-shaped rubber strip t is then placed over and solutioned to the

page_text: canvas tube already on the mandrel, and the edges turned down to form the beads..
It is then wrapped and vulcanized in the usual way. After vulcanizing, the canvas
is peeled apart at the overlap, and solutioned over the beading. Instead of forming
the beading by turning down the edges, it may be moulded on the casing strip.
before it is put on the mandrel, by rolling the strip under pressure upon a bar or
ingot dished out to the required shape. The beading may be made firmer by-
enclosing a length of cord or twine within it. This beading adds considerably to
the strength and security of the fixing of the tyre to the rim," whatever may be the-
particular method of fastening adopted, while it is essential to some of the methods:
which may be employed.
The casing is secured to the rim flanges by the methods hereinafter
described in paragraph 3. (b) The compressed air is contained in an interior
bladder or cushion or in two or more bladders or cushions laid end to end.
Each cushion consists of the usual thin rubber bladder tube, but instead of
being joined into a ring as is the usual practice, these bladders are straight:
tubular bags closed at the ends. The ends may be closed by being coated
with rubber solution, and cemented, tied or sewn up, but they are preferably
closed by thin rubber caps with flat or curved ends, which are placed in or over
the ends of the bladder tubes and securely sealed with rubber solution. In the
annexed drawings, the air bladders are shewn at b, and the caps closing the
ends at c. Figs. 5 and 6 shew the cap placed outside the tube, and Figs. 7 and 8.
shew the cap inserted within it. Both these methods are suitable for affixing the
caps by means of rubber solution, after the tube is vulcanized. Figs. 9 and 10
illustrate a circular cap partly spherical in shape, the edges of the cap and tube.
being bevelled off, solutioned, and vulcanized together. In the case of the tubes
illustrated in Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8, when the caps are afterwards affixed by means of
rubber solution, it is preferable to vulcanize them on mandrels in the usual way.
All three forms may however have the caps vulcanized on. The joins of the caps
are covered by thin strips of rubber . Fig. 32 shews the ends closed so as to.
abut together diagonally, the cap being a flat oval shaped diaphragm secured the
same as that shewn in Fig. 10. Figs. 29, 30, and 31 illustrate a convenient method
of closing the ends without caps. The closed tube is laid flat as shewn in Fig. 30
and the end cut into the shape of a convex curve. The edges of the cut are.
solutioned together and the join covered by the thin strip which is solutioned on
and the whole vulcanized together. Fig. 29 is the end view of it when completed
and inflated sufficiently to give it a rounded form, and Fig. 31 illustrates the
position taken by the ends when abutted together and inflated, one end fitting into.
the other.
A
When the tubes are vulcanized flat with closed ends, the small hole for the inlet
pipe is first punched through to allow the air free escape during vulcanization;:
and in order to prevent the excessive and unequal contraction in length to which
they are liable during vulcanization, they are bound down to fixed points by means.
of a short strip of canvas solutioned to each end, which is afterwards peeled off.
convenient way to vulcanize the tubes with closed ends is to fold the tube double
half round the mandrel and wrap it in the usual way, the inner surfaces being.
prevented from sticking together by the usual means. Each bladder tube may be.
sewn up or cemented in a canvas envelope or in a light and strong casing of any
other suitable material thus forming what is herein described as a cushion. Or
the bladder may be wrapped round with a skeleton canvas, (cut on the cross), while
on the mandrel, and the canvas vulcanized to it. Each such bladder or cushion is
fitted with an inlet pipe i, or with an inlet pipe and valve. The bladder or
bladders or cushion or cushions is or are inserted within the outer casing, between
it and the rim, in the manner hereinafter described in paragraph 5. It is or they
are of sufficient length to surround the rim, and when inflated for the ends to abut.
firmly together, sec e c, Fig. 11.
2. The rim is formed with lateral flanges either recessed or plain. The middle
part is rolled into a shallow convex or concave groove. The edges of the rim are.

page_text: tended sideways, bent outwards and approached towards each other forming an
ner recessed lateral flange, see r, q, q, Fig. 13, also r, Figs. 14, 15, and 26; or
ey are simply extended so as to form two plain flanges, see " Figs. 4, 16, 17,
id 18. With some of the means of securing, the curled part of the recessed
anges need not be continuous along the edges, though it is desirable and convenient 5
so construct them, but they may be arranged to recur at spaced intervals in the
rm of hooks. Both these forms of rims are shaped out of a strip of sheet steel,
ithout join in the cross section, and are of the kind known as "solid rims." The
m with plain lateral flanges is also shaped so as to form a hollow rim to obtain
eater strength and rigidity with lightness. For illustration of this see », Figs. 3, 1
and 28. The outer curve, in cross section, is larger than the inner and has
aller flanges. It is made by rolling either two strips of steel at the same time
d brazing them together at the edges, or by rolling it from a single strip and
azing the edges together at the middle of the inner curve.
The recesses and flanges of the rims are shaped to accommodate the edges of the
ter casing of the tyre to which they are securely fixed. These flanges also
rovide the means for inserting the spokes, by which the rim and hub are bound
gether.
3. The outer casing is securely fixed to the rim,
(A). When the rim has recessed flanges, by inserting the edges of the casing
in the corresponding recesses and,
(a). Vulcanizing rim and casing together, see Figs. 13 and 20;
(). Cementing them together, see Figs. 13 and 20;
(c). Pinning and binding them together by passing the spokes & through rim
aud casing, see Fig. 14;
(d). Pinning and binding them together by means of pins, bolts, or rivets,
see Fig. 15 in which the bolts are indicated at 1, and wire rivets at d;
(B). When the rim has plain flanges, flat or curled, and the edges of the casing
are beaded, by
(a). Pinning and binding rim and casing together by passing each spoke
through a thin flexible band of leather or metal, through the casing side, and
through the flange, see Figs. 3, 4, 11 and 19;
(b). Pinning and binding them together by means of rivets or clenched wire
holdfasts, with or without flexible bands, see Figs. 16 and 21 in which the
casing edges, covered with canvas on both sides are shewn wrapped over the
flanges of the rim, and secured by a metal band and rivets shewn at x, or by
clenched wire holdfasts shewn at d;
(c). Binding them together by means of a straight or waved wire tightly
drawn round the rim, one on each side, over the casing and flanges, the ends
of the wires being passed through a hole in the rim flanges and twisted
together or otherwise suitably secured, sec w', w², Fig. 17;
(d). Sewing, lacing or wiring them together, the edges of the rubber and
canvas casing being first bound with canvas, galloon, or leather, sewn or
vulcanized on, and small holes drilled in the rim flanges for the purpose,
see g and in Figs. 18 and 23.
When the spokes are placed so that the heads come inside the outer casing, I
refer to cover them and the inside of the rim with canvas solutioned on, as
dicated at, in Figs. 13, 15, 16, 17, and 18..
The outer casing and the rim may be connected together by any of the means
methods herein before specified, or by any practicable combination of two or
ore of them. Fig. 26 illustrates the casing edges each wrapped round a flexible
etallic band, 2, the ends of which are secured to the rim flanges by bolts.
ig. 36 represents a section through the bolt hole. The pin of the bolt is shewn
and y represents the nut, The bolt stem passes through and is fixed to
e metal band and the head is fast in the casing side. The hole through the
m flange is shewn at n. To fix the tyre t, it is slightly stretched so as to
ass. over the flanges. The stretch takes place between the two bolts which
-

page_text: secure the two ends of the band. The pin is pushed through the hole, the
elasticity of the casing brings the bands into position, and the nut is then screwed
up tight. Fig. 28 represents a similar arrangement but instead of the round.
holes through the rim flange, notches or slots are cut through from the edge. The.
rim is strengthened round the slots by packing it with thin pieces of steel brazed
in. The bolt is passed along the slot and the nut tightened up. The fastening
shewn in Figs. 27 and 38 is a rivet or rivet shaped stud; it is passed through the
slot and turned a quarter round pressing down firmly upon the rim. Each band
may be long enough to encircle the rim, in which case the two holes or slots
shewn serve for the two bolts, pins, or rivets which secure the two ends. Or
more than one band may be used to encircle the rim on .cach side. In the
latter case the fasteners and holes will be proportionately increased. The ends
of the round bands, Fig. 28 may be flattened to admit of the hole being
made for the bolt, or they may be turned up and bushed with steel and screwed
so as to form pins for the nuts as shewn at 1, 1, Fig. 42. Instead of the two.
contiguous ends of the bands being separately secured as just described they may
he secured together by means of one bolt or pin. Fig. 33 represents a front eleva-
tion of the ends of a flat metallic band or of the contiguous ends of two flat
metallic bands, with a screwed pin inserted through slots A. in the over-
lapping ends. Fig. 34 illustrates a plan view of the same. The bands are
secured to the casing edges for the greater part of their length but are loose near
the ends so as to allow of the casing edges being stretched somewhat when placed
over the rim. The pin is then passed through the rim flange and secured as
previously described. The round or cylindrical bands may have the ends flattened,
slotted, overlapped, and secured in the same way. Figs. 35 and 37 illustrate
a modification suitable for cylindrical or tubular bands. The screwed pin is
slotted at A, A and the ends of the band passed through. In this case the ends
of the bands are one above the other. Fig. 41 illustrates a form of the pin which
allows of the ends of the band being placed side by side while admitting
of their being drawn up tight between the bolthead and the rim side. Figs. 39
and 40 illustrate an alternative method of fastening the pin j. It is slotted at A:
and is tightened up by means of the wedge shaped split spring pin being driven
in the slot outside the rim. When the edges of the casing are vulcanized in the
recesses of the rim, an inflated tubular core piece, made of canvas and rubber
vulcanized together, the canvas being outside, is placed within it. The outer curve
of the casing is smoothly covered with cloth and the whole bound round with
cloth by winding a strip helically round tyre and rim. After vulcanizing and
unwrapping, the core piece is deflated and withdrawn in the same way and by the
same means as provided for the insertion and withdrawal of the air bladder or
cushion. In this case the cross join in the casing is also vulcanized. When
flexible metallic bands or ribbons are used, they are preferably of steel or
phosphor bronze, having one or both edges curled so as to prevent them cutting
the rubber. For tubular metallic bands such as are represented at in Fig. 28
I prefer to use brass tubes of the finer gauges. In those cases where the outer
casing is pinned to the rim by the spokes passing through the flanges, the parts
may be bound more strongly together, if so required, by means of nipples.screwed
down the spokes tightly on the inner curves of the flanges. These are shewn in
Fig. 14, the nipples and part of the spokes being shewn in longitudinal section.
It is not essential that every spoke should pass through the casing side when a
flexible metallic band is used as represented in Fig. 3. It is securely held when 4,
6, or 8, according to the size of the wheel, pass through the casing edge on each
side of the rim. The other spokes may pass through the rim flange only, the
heads of the spokes pressing against the outer surface of the flange. The casing
edges may be packed during construction with strips of hard rubber compound, or
with stout canvas, leather, or pieces of metal.
4. The rim and hub are secured together, according to my improved arrange-
ment, by passing the spokes through the lateral flanges. See s, & Figs. 3, 4, 11,

page_text: and 14. The direction of the flanges is perpendicular to the axes of the corre-
sponding spokes, which arrangement allows the spokes to be made straight. They
are thus easily turned round while being tightened up. The head of each spoke
lies outside the flange, the other end being screwed into the hub in the usual
manner. They are placed in opposite pairs and cross each other. The greater
angle of inclination makes the wheel more than ordinarily rigid, and affords, with
lighter spokes, greater resistance to buckling strains. A broken spoke can be
removed and another fixed without disturbing the tyre. When the spokes are also
employed to bind the tyre to the rim, as shewn in Figs. 3, 11 and 14, the rubber
gives them an elastic tension, minimising vibration.
3. The interior bladder or cushion or bladders or cushions is or are inserted or
withdrawn through a narrow slit or through narrow longitudinal slits cut in the
centre of the rim, one slit being provided for each bladder or cushion. See Figs. 1
and 2, the slit being shewn at h. It is made midway between the two rows of
When the bladders or
spokes. The holes for the spokes are shewn at k, k.
cushions are not inflated, they can be readily passed through such narrow slits. A
cord and weight are first passed through the slit and the wheel turned round until
the cord appears at the same or at the next slit as the case may be. The cord is
tied to the end of the bladder or cushion and it is drawn through into place,
The slits are
reaching from the middle of one slit to the middle of the next.
covered by thin strips of metal made to the same curvature both ways as the part
of the rim to be covered. Strips of canvas or rubber or of both, made to fit the
shape and depth of the slit, are securely attached to the metal covering. These
fill up the orifice.in the rim, as shewn at o, Fig. 11. The covering strip is screwed
into place, shewn at v, Fig. 11. The screw holes made in the rim for the purpose
are shewn at n, n, Figs. 1 and 2. A hole is made through the covering strip in
order to pass the inlet pipe through, see i, i, Fig. 11.
In
The cyclist can conveniently carry a surplus bladder or cushion with him.
case of puncture, the damaged bladder or cushion is withdrawn through the slit
and a perfect one at once inserted. The damaged one can afterwards be repaired
when convenient.
An alternative arrangement to effect the same purpose is to cut a slit er slits
through the outer tyre or casing, free of the rim, sufficiently long to allow of the
inner bladder or cushion to pass through, such slits being cemented, sewn, or laced
up or otherwise suitably secured when not in use. Such a slit is shown at 2,
Fig. 20. It is a longitudinal cut made through the casing just outside and free
from the edge of the rim. The figure represents an elevation of part of a tyre,
with beaded edges, vulcanized or cemented into lateral recesses in the rim as
shewn in cross section at Fig. 13, but the method of securing is immaterial so
far as the slit is concerned. When the casing is being built up, the position
of the slit or slits is noted and a strip of stout canvas, cut on the straight, is
vulcanized on the casing inside to form a backing for the eyelets and to prevent
the lining canvas from being torn at the slit by the stress of the compressed
air. There is also a lap of canvas placed inside the slit, one edge being
solutioned to the inner surface of the casing towards the rim, and the loose part
of the lap tucked down, behind the slit, between the bladder and the casing.
The illustration shews how the slit may be closed by lacing when not required.
Fig. 25 shews a similar slit through the side of a tyre which is a closed tube
in cross section and is cemented within the rim. In the figure the upper row
consists of eyelet hooks.
When the interior bladder is deflated, this arrangement as shewn can be
unhooked without unfastening the ends of the cord or lace, and upon rehooking
the cord or lace and inflating, the pressure of the contained compressed air holds
it quite secure.
Fig. 21 illustrates an elevation of part of the tyre and rim shewn in cross
-section at Fig. 16. No longitudinal slit is required in this form, but only two
.short transverse slits through the edge of the casing as shewn at 2¹, 2, Fig.
1
21.

page_text: Eyelet holes are made through the outer surface, the canvas being sufficient on
the inner edge. The lacing may be effected as shewn, holes being drilled in the
rim flange for the purpose. Fig. 22, which represents an elevation of the cross
section shewn in Fig. 17, illustrates another arrangement. A longitudinal slit is
cut through the casing just under the encircling wire. The lacing is effected by
passing the cord alternately through and over the flange and casing. In Fig. 24,
the longitudinal slit is indicated by the dotted line, just free from the edge of the
rin, and is represented as being made through the side of a closed tubular tyre.
The slit is covered by a tab such as is described in my Specification No. 3178,
A.D. 1891, and the edges of the opposite tabs are laced or otherwise secured
together over the rim. Fig. 19 illustrates a method of forming an aperture for
the purpose, by combining two of the methods of securing described in paragraph 3.
The figure is an elevation of part of the tyre and rim shewn in cross section
at Fig. 4, in which the tyre is secured to the rim by being pinned thereto by the
spokes. No slit is required in this form. For a distance of, say, 6 inches the metal
band is cut off, and the head of the central spoke shewn passes through a hole of
the same size in the casing, so that the casing side is free of it. This length of
the casing edge is then laced to the rim flange as shewn, holes being drilled
through it for the purpose. When the tyre is deflated, and this length is unlaced,
a sufficient aperture is opened out to allow of the iuterior bladder or cushion being
conveniently removed and replaced. I find that the material which gives the best
result for lacing is proofed braided silk salmon line.
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 I am
aware that wheel rims having holes fitted with removable cover plates or plugs to
allow of the insertion and withdrawal of the air chambers or tubes of pneumatic
tyres are not new and lay no general claim to such arrangement, but what I
claim is,
1. In a hollow flexible tyre or casing for the wheels of velocipedes and other
light vehicles, an interior detachable inflatible bladder or cushion fitted with
an inlet pipe and constructed with separate closed ends placed so as to abut
together.
2. In a hollow flexible tyre or casing for the wheels of velocipedes and other
light vehicles, interior detachable inflatible bladders or cushions each fitted with
an inlet pipe, and placed end to end but not joined together endless.
3. A wheel tyre for velocipedes and other light vehicles consisting of a detachable
inflatible bladder or cushion fitted with an inlet pipe, in combination with an outer
flexible casing adapted to be securely attached to the edges of the rim or felloe of
the wheel, substantially as set forth.
4. A wheel tyre for velocipedes and other light vehicles consisting of detachable
inflatible bladders or cushions each fitted with an inlet pipe, in combination with
an outer elastic casing adapted to be securely attached to the edges of the rim or
felloe of the wheel, substantially as set forth.
5. To secure the outer casing of a pneumatic tyre to the rim or felloe of the
wheel by vulcanizing the edges of the casing to or in the flanges of the rim, sub-
stantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by Figures 13 and 20.
6. To secure the outer casing of a pneumatic tyre to the rim or felloe of the
wheel by cementing the edges of the casing into recessed flanges formed in the
rim, substantially as set forth with reference to Figs. 13 and 20.
7. To secure the outer casing of a pneumatic tyre to the rim or felloe of
the wheel by pinning and binding the edges of the casing to the flanges of the rim
by means of the spokes, and an outer encircling flexible band, or series of bands, on
each side, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, and illustrated by Figs 3, 4, 11,
and 19.
8. To secure the outer casing of a pneumatic tyre to the rim or felloe of the
wheel by pinning and binding the edges of casing and rim together by means of
R

page_text: pins, bolts, rivets, or holdfasts, substantially-as-set-forth with reference to Figs. 15
16 and 21..
9. To secure the outer casing of a pneumatic tyre to the rim or felloe of the
wheel by binding the edges of casing and rim together by means of a straight or
waved wire, one on each side encircling the casing and rim, the ends of the wires
being passed through a hole in the rim, drawn taut, and twisted together, or
otherwise suitably secured, substantially as set forth with reference to Fig. 17.
10. To secure the outer casing of a pneumatic tyre to the rim or felloe of the
wheel by sewing lacing or wiring the edges of the casing to the edges of the rim,
substantially as set forth with reference to Figs. 18 and 23.
11. To secure the outer casing of a pneumatic tyre to the rim or felloe of the
wheel by binding and pinning the edges of the casing to the flanges of the rim, by
means of encircling flexible bands attached to the casing edges and secured to the
rim by means of bolts. pins or rivets, substantially as set forth with reference to
Figs. 26, 27, 28, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, and 42.
12. To secure the outer casing of a pneumatic tyre to the rim or felloe of
the wheel, the combination of any two or more of the methods described in
paragraph 3.
13. For securing the edges of the outer casing of a pneumatic tyre to and
through the flanges of the rim or felloe of the wheel, the use of encircling wires
or bands, flexible inextensible bands or ribbons, pins, bolts, rivets, or wire. hold-
fasts, either separately or in any practicable combination.
14. In the wheel of a velocipede or, other light vehicle, the combination con-
sisting of a metallic rim or felloe having recessed lateral flanges, the headed wire
spokes, one or more interior inflatible bladders or tubes, and an outer clastic casing
the edges of which are inserted in the recessed flanges of the rim and secured
therein by passing the spokes through rim and casing, substantially as hereinbefore
set forth.
15. In the wheel of a velocipede or other light vehicle, the combination of a
hollow metallic rim or felloe having lateral flanges, the headed wire spokes, one or
more interior inflatible bladders or tubes, and an elastic casing the edges of which
are secured to the flanges of the rim by passing the spokes through a thin flexible
encircling band, through the casing side and through the flange, substantially as
hereinbefore set forth and illustrated by Figs. 3 and 11.
16. In combination with the hollow rim shaped with two reverse curves and
having lateral flanges with holes or lateral slots, the flexible outer casing fitted
with round or flat metallic bands at the edges and with bolts, pins, rivets or studs,
such bolts, pins, rivets or studs being passed through the holes or lateral slots in the
rim and secured substantially as set forth with reference to Figs. 27, 28, 33, 34, 35,
37, 38, 39, 40, 41, and 42.
17. In a wheel for velocipedes the arrangement and method of fixing the spokes
by which they are passed through the edges of the flanged rim and crossed in pairs
between the rim and hub, substantially as herein before set forth.
18. In a hollow tyre or casing for the wheels of velocipedes, the device consisting
of a slit or slits, constructed in the side of the tyre or casing, and strengthened and
reinforced and adapted to be closed up when not in use, by means of which one or
more interior inflatible bladders or tubes may be inserted and withdrawn without
loosening the outer tyre or casing from the rim of the wheel, substantially as set
forth with reference to Figs. 20, 21, 22, 24 and 25.
19. A wheel tyre for velocipedes, consisting of one or more interior inflatible
bladders or tubes, in combination with an outer elastic or flexible tyre or casing
constructed with a slit or slits through the side capable of being closed by lacing
when not required, through which the interior bladder or tube can be passed without
removing such outer tyre or casing from the rim or felloe of the wheel, substantially
as set forth with reference to Figs. 20, 21, 22, 24 and 25.
20. In the wheel of a velocipede or other light vehicle, the combination with a
pneumatic tyre consisting of an outer tyre or casing and an interior detachable

page_text: inflatible bladder or cushion having separate closed ends or with interior detachable-
inflatible bladders or cushions placed end to end, of a metallic rim to which the-
outer tyre or casing is secured, such rim having a central slit or slits constructed in
it for the purpose of passing through such but-ended inflatible bladder or cushion
or bladders or cushions, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by
Figs. 1, 2 and 11.
21. The manufacture of a but-ended inflatible rubber tube and the use of the.
same in pneumatic tyres for wheels such tube being constructed substantially as
described with reference to Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 29, 30, 31 and 32.
22. The manufacture of an elastic or flexible band with beaded edges and the
use of the same to form the outer casing of a pneumatic tyre, in the manner.
and for the purpose substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this 31st day of December 1891.
WM. GOLDING.