Improvements in or relating to Bicycles, Tricycles, Carriages, and other Road Vehicles.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Mar., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 27th Dec., 1893-Accepted, 24th Mar., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Bicycles, Tricycles, Carriages, and
other Road Vehicles.
I, WALTER SWAIN of 177 Belmont Road, Astley-Bridge near Bolton in the
County of Lancaster, Land Agent, do hereby declare the nature of my said
invention to be as follows:-
This invention refers to improvements in or relating to bicycles, tricycles,
carriages, and other road vehicles and is designed to improve the same in an
efficient manner so as to facilitate their action and remove the well known defects
at present existing, which I effect by providing the same with pneumatic naves or
hubs and spokes; means for self-fastening of pneumatic tyres; prevent puncture
and creep of inflatable tube; reduce slip to a minimum; pneumatic or cushion
bearings, and pedals with automatic grips. The pneumatic nave or hub consists of
metallic or other hollow box with preparations to receive hollow or solid spokes.
Ou the wheel axle, which may be rigid or otherwise and with ball or other
bearings, is mounted a boss or hollow centre to which are attached side plates
which slide in bearings on each side of the nave or hub. Inside the metallic or
other hollow box forming the nave or hub and round the boss or hollow centre is
placed a bag which may be inflated by means of air, gas, or liquids under pressure.
This bag may be provided with hollow fingers to penetrate the hollow spokes to
form a piston to form a cushion in each spoke or arm of the wheel; or the hollow
arms or spokes may be provided with air chambers and springs to work with
pistons and flexible rim. Between the movable side plates and the inflatable tube
are disposed india-rubber or other suitable washers to protect the inflatable tube or
bag from friction. The bearings containing the movable side plates are constructed
so that the same may be readily taken to pieces, and are held in position by
washers and nuts secured to the boss or hollow centre in any convenient manner.
To enable pneumatic tyres to become self-fastening when inflated the rim is so
constructed as to encircle the major portion of the same extending to a point
almost to the width of the tread of the tyre. The tread of the tyre may be either
flat or circular and of such a thickness that in case the inflatable tube bursts the
thick part will bear against the edges of the rim, thus allowing of the vehicle being
propelled until such time as it is convenient to inflate the tube. This improved rim
is equally applicable to wood or metallic rims or felloes. To prevent the inflatable
tube creeping round its rim or seat the inside of the latter is corrugated or ridged,
which will allow of the flexible tube inserting itself therein when inflated. For the
purpose of reducing vibration to a minimum each bearing may be formed with a box or
vessel to contain a spring or air cushion of any suitable form, being connected to
the bearings in any convenient manner. To prevent slip or skidding I provide the
outer surface of the tyre or tread with ridges or projections of any suitable form.
If desired an outer rim of metal or other materials may be provided with holes or
slots to allow of the ridges or projections protruding, thereby providing means to
prevent puncture. The ridges or projections may be planted on the outer surface
of the tyre so as to allow of their being renewed at will, or they may be disposed
in a continuous manner on a sheet to allow of the same being removed and replaced
bodily. To prevent the feet of the rider slipping and to ensure of the efficient
working of bicycles and tricycles I construct the pedals with pivoted serrated
plates on each side to grip the feet or boots of the operator when in position to
drive the machine. The serrated plates are pivoted in any convenient manner and
are operated by springs or levers actuated by plates or their equivalents provided

page_text: to receive the feet of the operator. The serrated plates are adjustable sideways
and may be either single or double. Adjustable and automatic means are provided
to grip the boot toes of the operator, being actuated by means of springs or
otherwise.
Deted the 25th March 1893.
EDMUND CHADWICK, F.I.C.P.A.,
Agent.
UUMI LEIE SI MULTICATION
Improvements in or relating to Bicycles, Tricycles, Carriages, and
other Road Vehicles.
I, WALTER SWAIN of 177 Belmont Road, Astley-Bridge near Bolton in the
County of Lancaster, Land Agent, do hereby declare the nature of my said
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 refers to improvements in or relating to bicycles, tricycles, carriages,
and other road vehicles and is designed to improve the same in an efficient manner
so as to facilitate their action and remove the well known defects at present existing,
which I effect by providing the same (1) with pneumatic naves or hubs and spokes ;
(2) with self-fastening pneumatic tyres with means for preventing puncture and
creeping of the inflatable tube also means for preventing or reducing slip (3) with
an improved construction of pedals. The pneumatic nave or hub consists of a
metallic or other hollow box with preparations to receive hollow or solid spokes.
On the wheel axle, which may be rigid or otherwise and with ball or other bearings,
is mounted a boss or hollow centre to which are attached side plates which slide in
bearings on each side of the nave or hub. Inside the metallic or other hollow
box forming the nave or hub and round the boss or hollow centre is placed a bag
which may be inflated by means of air, gas, or liquids under pressure. This bag
may be provided with hollow fingers to penetrate the hollow spokes to form pistons
to form cushions in the spokes or arms of the wheel. Between the movable side
plates and the inflatable tube are disposed india-rubber or other suitable washers to
protect the inflatable tube or bag from friction. The bearings containing the
movable side plates are constructed so that the same may be readily taken to pieces,
and are held in position by washers and nuts secured to the boss or hollow centre
in any convenient manner. To enable pneumatic tyres to become self-fastening
when inflated the rim is so constructed as to encircle the major portion of the same.
The tread of the tyre may be either flat or circular and of such a thickness that
in case the inflatable tube bursts the thick part will bear against the edges of the
rim, thus allowing the vehicle to be propelled until such time as it is convenient to
inflate the tube. This improved rim is equally applicable to wood or metallic rims
or felloes. To prevent the inflatable tube creeping round its rim or seat the inside
of the latter is corrugated or ridged, which will allow of the flexible tube
inserting itself therein when inflated. To prevent slip or skidding I provide the
outer surface of the tyre or tread with ridges or projections of any suitable form.
If desired an outer rim of metal or other materials may be provided with holes or
slots to allow of the ridges or projections protruding, thereby providing means to
prevent puncture. The ridges or projections may be planted or placed on the
outer surface of the tyre so as to allow of their being renewed at will, or they
may be disposed in a continuous manner on a sheet to allow of the same being
removed and replaced bodily. To prevent the feet of the rider slipping and to
ensure of the efficient working of bicycles and tricycles I construct the pedals with
pivoted serrated plates on each side to grip the feet or boots of the operator when
in position to drive the machine. The serrated plates are pivoted in any convenient
manner and are operated by springs and levers actuated by plates or their

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1, Sheet 1, is a sectional elevation of a modification of my improved
pneumatic nave or hub for carriage or other vehicle wheels with one inflatable
bag.
Fig. 2 is a transverse section of axle and bush through line A' B' in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of a modification of my improved pneumatic nave
or hub for carriage and other vehicle wheels with two inflatable bags.
Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of a modification of my improved pneumatic nave
or hub for bicycle and tricycle wheels.
Fig. 5 is a part sectional side elevation of inflatable bag and nave or hub with
corrugations to prevent creep of inflatable bag.
Figs. 6 and 7 are transverse sections of my improved method of constructing
self-fastening pneumatic tyres for bicycles, tricycles, carriages, and other road
vehicles.
Fig. 8 is a part sectional side elevation showing my improved method of
preventing puncture, reducing slip and creep of inflatable tube.
Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of my improved pedal for bicycles
and tricycles. Fig. 10 is a plan of same.
Fig. 11 is a transverse section through line C' D' in Fig. 9.
Fig. 12, Sheet 2, is a part transverse section of my improved pneumatic hub and
hollow spokes for bicycles, tricycles, carriages, and other road vehicles.
Fig. 13 is a part sectional side elevation of Fig. 12, and
Fig. 14 is a part sectional side elevation of corrugated rim to prevent creep of
inflatable tube for bicycles, tricycles, carriages, and other road vehicles.
In all the figures the same letters are employed to indicate corresponding parts..
The pneumatic nave or hub consists of the metallic or other hollow box A with the
preparations B at suitable distances round its outer periphery to receive hollow or
solid spokes. On the wheel axle C, which may be rigid or otherwise, is mounted
the boss, bush or hollow centre D. On this boss, bush or hollow centre are mounted
the boss or bosses D' and side plates E which slide up and down on the sides F
of the nave or hub. The sides F are secured to the metallic or other hollow box A
by means of screwing as at G or by other means and secured thereto by the set
screws H or other equivalents. On the boss, bush or hollow centre D, which
may be as shown in the drawings or otherwise, is disposed the corrugated or
other receptacle I to receive the inflatable bag J, which may be inflated by means of
air, gas, or liquids under pressure. The inflatable bag J is composed of india-rubber
or its equivalent, and of the form shown with a globular periphery K and a flat
circular seat K' fitting in the corrugated or other receptacle I mounted on the
boss, bush or hollow centre D'. The outer periphery of the inflatable bag J sits
against the corrugations L on the inside of the metallic or other hollow box A to
prevent creep of the said bag. For facilitating the fixing of the internal parts
of the pneumatic nave or hub the boss, bush or hollow centre D is provided with
the semi-circular projections M and the boss or bosses D' carrying the side plates E
and the receptacle I are similarly constructed internally to slide on the same, the
whole being secured in position by the washer M' and metallic nut N screwed on
the outer end of the hoss, bush or hollow centre D. The semi-circular projections M
afford ready and efficient means for displacing and replacing the internal parts of
the pneumatic nave or hub after the off side plate and the nut N have been
removed. If desired the metallic or other hollow box A of the pneumatic nave or
hub may be provided with two inflatable bags J, as in Fig. 3, in which case if one
bursts the axle.C will be upheld by the other that remains inflated, thereby

page_text: allowing the carriage or vehicle to persue its course. If desired the friction
between the side plates E and the sides F of the pneumatic nave or hub may be
minimised by the use of the ball bearings O, the balls being mounted.in the semi-
circular seat P, which allows them to slide and revolve or rotate according to the
up and down movements of the axle C and its adjuncts. The arrangement shown
in Fig. 3 allows of the preparations B being placed internally by which the diameter
of the nave or hub may be reduced accordingly. In adapting my improved
pneumatic nave or hub to bicycles and tricycles the same is constructed as shown in
Fig. 4, with a fixed centre or axle C and a rotating boss, bush or hollow centre D
rotating on ball bearings O; the latter may be employed for the pneumatic naves or
hubs shown in Figs. 1 and 3 for carriages and other road vehicles. If desired the
side plates E may be provided with ball bearings as shown in Fig. 3.
The inflatable bag J may be provided with the hollow fingers R, as shown in
Fig. 12, to penetrate the hollow spokes or arms S to form a piston or cushion in
each hollow spoke or arm of the wheel, which may be used for bicycles, tricycles,
carriages, and other road vehicles. The flat end of the hollow fingers R bear on
pistons T composed of asbestos or other suitable material. The piston T is fixed
or disposed on the sliding tube U mounted in the tube S secured to the boss W on
the outer rim of the metallic or other hollow box A of the pneumatic nave or hub.
The sliding tube U is provided with an annular chamber or groove in which is
mounted the asbestos or other packing X to prevent shake or rattling when the
vehicle is travelling over rough or other roads, and also to prevent dirt or grit
passing up the hollow spoke to the internal parts of the pneumatic nave or hub.
To enable pneumatic tyres for bicycles, tricycles, carriages, and other road
vehicles to become self-fastening when inflated I make them as shown in Figs. 6
and 7; the rim f being constructed so as to encircle the major portion of the
inflatable tube J. The rim f is provided with the projecting rim g in which is
mounted the slide h composed of flexible metallic material, chains, and the like. On
the slide is secured the india-rubber, leather, or other tread ; with semi-circular
or other peripheries. When the tube J is inflated and the tread j is on the road
the inner periphery of the latter depresses the former as shown in Figs. 6 and 7,
and in case the inflatable tube J bursts the tread j will be pushed up so far as to
allow of the wheel bearing on the projecting rim g, thus allowing the vehicle to be
propelled until such time as it is convenient to re-inflate the tube J. To facilitate
the self-fastening action of the inflatable tube J the upper or inner periphery of the
rim fis provided with the corrugations k, by which the said tube is pressed inwardly
as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. This effect may be produced in pneumatic hubs by
forming the inner periphery of the metallic or other hollow box A as shown in
dotted lines in Fig. 1. To prevent the inflatable tube J of a pneumatic tyre
creeping round its rim O' the inside of the latter is provided with the corrugations P',
which will allow of the tube J inserting itself therein when inflated as shown in
Fig. 14.
To prevent slip or skidding the outer or inflatable tube J is provided with the
ridges or projections J' over which is placed the outer rim J³ of metal or other
metallic materials as shown in Fig. 8. The ridges or projections J' may be either
circular as shown and extending almost the full width of the tread of the tyre or
otherwise. When the outer rim J³ is placed in position the ridges or projections J'
bed themselves into the outer periphery of the inflatable tube J as shown in Fig. 8.
By thus only presenting the ridges or projections J2 and the metal or other metallic
shield J³ to the road puncture is entirely prevented.
The
To prevent the feet of the rider slipping and to ensure the efficient working of
bicycles and tricycles I construct the pedals with the serrated side plates / secured
to the levers m pivoted to the sides of the pedal frame n by the pins o.
serrated side plates are provided with the arms p having holes through which
pass the wires or metallic arms secured to the spring plate t mounted on the
pedal centre v, which when depressed by the foot of the rider descends and draws
the serrated plates / inwardly to grip the sides of the rider's boots.

page_text: This apparatus although shown single in Figs. 9, 10, and 11 may be duplicated
and placed on both sides so that it will be ready to receive the foot of the rider in
whatever position when the machine is mounted.
The inflatable tube J may be constructed in the following manner :-A canvas
bag or cloth is woven or plaited in a similar manner to braid, either flat or circular,
so that when made it will stretch lengthwise to a certain extent and contract
crosswise, and which by pulling the same sideways contracts lengthwise. In one
method of making the inflatable tube J the canvas bag or cloth is placed on a
mandrel and then covered with rubber, or it may be encased with two or more
layers of rubber, between each two layers of rubber may be inserted other casings
of the before mentioned canvas or cloth, and after the same has been built to the
requisite thickness the same is bodily turned inside out when drawing it from the
mandrel, which action, when inflated, causes it to bind to the rim by contraction,
which is contrary to inflatable tubes used hitherto.
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 1
claim is :-
1. In a pneumatic nave or hub for carriages or other vehicle wheels the
combination, construction, and arrangement of parts, consisting of a metallic or
other hollow box with preparations to receive spokes, boss, bush or hollow centre
with semi-circular projections to receive sliding side plates and receptacle for
carrying inflatable tube, secured in position by a nut, sides against which the side
plates slide, the whole being substantially as described and illustrated in Fig. 1 of
the annexed drawings.
2. In a pneumatic nave or hub for carriages and other vehicle wheels the
combination, construction, and arrangement of parts, consisting of a metallic or
other hollow box with internal preparations to receive spokes, boss, bush or hollow
centre with semi-circular projections to receive receptacles for carrying two
inflatable tubes, side plates with ball bearings to slide on or against sides secured
to outer periphery, substantially as described and as illustrated in Fig. 3.
3. In a pneumatic nave or hub for bicycles, tricycles, and other road vehicles the
combination, construction, and arrangement of parts, substantially as described
aud as illustrated in Fig. 4.
4. In a pneumatic nave or hub for bicycles, tricycles, carriages, and other road
vehicles the form or construction of the inflatable tube J, substantially as described
and illustrated.
5. In combination with bicycles, tricycles, carriages, and other road vehicles the
use of pneumatic tyres wherein the inflatable tube is depressed from the top by
the corrugations on the wheel rim, and from the bottom by the movable tread so
as to draw in the inflatable tube and make the same self-fastening, applied and
operating substantially as described and as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7.
6. In a pneumatic tyre for bicycles, tricycles, and other road vehicles the use of
the projections J2 and flexible outer plate J³ to prevent puncture, reduce slip, and
creep of inflatable tube, substantially as described and as illustrated in Fig. 8.
7. In combination with pedals for bicycles, and tricycles the use of serrated side
plates and levers operated by the feet of the rider when placed on the spring plate,
so as to grip the sides of the boots of the rider when placed thereon, substantially
as described and as illustrated in Figs. 9, 10, and 11.
8. In combination with the outer periphery of a bicycle and tricycle wheel rim
the use of corrugations to prevent creep of inflatable tube, substantially as described
and as illustrated in Fig. 14.
9. In combination with bicycles, tricycles, carriages, and other road vehicles fitted
with pneumatic naves or hubs the use of an inflatable tube provided with hollow
fingers operating in hollow spokes, substantially as described and as illustrated in
Figs. 12 and 13.
10. In combination with a pneumatic nave or hub for bicycles, tricycles,

page_text: carriages, and other road vehicles the use of hollow spokes, substantially as
described and as illustrated in Fig. 12.
11. In combination with bicycles, tricycles, carriages, and other road vehicles
having pneumatic tyres or pneumatic naves or hubs the use of an inflatable bag or
tube constructed in the manner herein set forth.
Dated the 22nd December 1893.
EDMUND CHADWICK, F.I.C.P.A.,
Agent.