Improvements in and relating to Pneumatic Tyres, with Air Com- pressing Appliances, for Bicycle and other Vehicle Wheels.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Oct., 1897-Accepted, 8th Jan.,
1898
Improvements in and relating to Pneumatic Tyres, with Air Com-
pressing Appliances, for Bicycle and other Vehicle Wheels.
I, JAMES HARRY KEIGHLY MCCOLLUM, of 1001 Bathurst Street, in the City of
Toronto, in the County of York, in the Province of Ontario, Canada, Electrician,
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: -
My invention relates to improvements in Automatic Air Pumps for Pneumatic
Tyres for Bicycle and other vehicle wheels and the object of the invention is to
design a very simple, cheap and efficient form of pump, which may be operated
by the rotation of the wheel to pump the air in the tube to any desired pressure
automatically and maintain such pressure continuously and it consists essentially
of a suitably formed passage-way located in the tread of the tyre extending
around the entire periphery of the tread portion and preferably provided with
an interior tube of any suitable form and material extending preferably through-
out the entire passage-way and having separated ends, one end of which is
connected with a suitably formed air valve and the opposite end of which
communicates with the atmosphere the tubular pump being so arranged when
the valve is opened that the continued pressure of the tyre on the ground as the
wheel rotates forces the air in the tubular passage-way from the open end along
the tube through the valve into the air tube or interior of the tyre, the parts
being constructed and arranged in detail as hereinafter more particularly explained.
Fig. 1, is a perspective view mostly in section showing portion of a rim and
double tube tyre provided with my improved automatic air pump.
Fig. 2, is an enlarged cross section through a double tube tyre provided with
my improvements.
Fig. 3, is an enlarged sectional detail of the preferred form of valve.
Fig. 4, is a detail showing an alternative form of passage-way.
In the drawings like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each
figure.
A is the rim, B is the tyre proper, which is preferably provided around its
tread periphery with a central circumferential rib b, and side ribs b b preferably
two at each side. 13 is the interior lining of the tyre proper, which usually
consists of stockinette, canvas or other suitable material.
It will be noticed on reference to Fig. 2, particularly that the central or tread
portion 2 of the fabric B is broad V-shaped in cross section and preferably so.
C is a circumferential reinforcing strip located to the inside of the fabric
lining B' directly opposite the tread portion. The inner side of the reinforcing
strip C is made of pure rubber and is consequently very resilient. The inner side
of the reinforcing strip C is concentric and the sides of the strip taper. The
outer side of the strip provided with a reverse broad V-shaped groove c, the
outer. ends of which meet the broad V-shaped groove 2 formed as above described
and extend around immediately inside the tread portion, thus forming substan-

page_text: tially a passage-way diamond-shaped in cross section around the entire periphery
of the centre of the tread portion of the tyre, which preferably projects beyond the
concentric portion in which the air tube D extends.
C" is a reinforcing brace made of canvas, stockinette or any other suitable
fabric or material which is suitably vulcanized or otherwise affixed to the con-
centric centre portion of the reinforcing strip C. The reinforcing brace C¹ extends
around the entire inner periphery of the strip, C and serves to maintain the
passage-way cb2 from spreading or otherwise getting out of shape.
E is the pumping tube, which is located in the passage-way 62 and extends
throughout the length of the same. The pumping tube E is preferably made of
rubber but may be made of any suitable elastic or springing material and may be
put in stretched if desired, so as to prevent it from creeping or may have a rein-
forcing strip or cover of canvas or any other suitable material for this purpose.
The cross sectional form of the tube may be varied or changed as circumstances
may require or as may be found best in practice.
One end E of the tube E extends up through an opening c¹ made through
the reinforcing strip C and brace Ce is a strip of canvas, which is fastened to
the end E of the tube E and passes through the hole and back over the top of
the braces C', thus serving to retain this end of the tube securely in position.
F is a mushroom made with a stem f at an angle thereto. The hole f¹ of the
mushroom is located opposite to the hole and the stem of the mushroom
extends through a hole in the air tube to which the outside portion of the
mushroom is securely cemented.
G is a mushroom, which extends through an opening d¹ on the inner side of
the air tube to which it is cemented. The stem g of the mushroom G meets
the stem f of the mushroom F. The end of the tube E¹ also meets the end of
the supplemental tube E²; which extends through the mushroom G.
H is a ferrule preferably of metal, which connects the stems f and g, the said
ferrule extending through on the inside of the tubular extension E¹ and supple-
mental tube E³. I is a valve casing and I¹ the enlarged top thereof.
J is a metal tube, which is bent in the form of a double elbow and extends
through a hole i into the upper chamber of the valve and through an opening a in
the rim within which it is bent and extends into the supplemental tube E2.
K is a mushroom, the stem k of which surrounds the supplemental tube and bent
end of the metal tube J. The base of the mushroom K is in bent form as shown
and is cemented to the base of the mushroom G.
L is the mushroom of the valve, the stem of which extends through the
aperture a in the rim and has the flaring base cemented to the inside tube. In
the inside tube in the centre of the base is a hole d² directly opposite the
passage-way through the stem 7 of the mushroom. The valve I hereinbefore
described has the stem extending through the central passage-way of the mush-
room in which it is suitably secured in the usual way. At the bottom of the
stem of the valve I is screwed the hollow plug 12 which is of the usual form used
in such like valves. An enlarged upper end of the valve I is provided with a
central 'chamber I³ having a central orifice i¹ against which the valve 2 fits, the
"top of the valve being preferably provided with the rubber washer 23. The
valve is held in its seat by a spiral spring . I is a cap, which is screwed into
'the top of the chamber 13, the flange of the cap having a rubber washer 5
inserted between it and the cap of the valve.
I is a disc valve provided with a central depending pin 2 and an upper leather
washer 3. The bottom of the chamber is provided with a rubber disc seat 4,
which is held in position by an annular groove 5 made in the bottom of the
chamber. The disc seat 4 is provided with a central aperture 6 opposite the
orifice ¹. The disc valve 15 has attached to or forming part of it a screw pin 7,
which extends through a threaded aperture 8 in the centre of the cap I4. The
pin 7 is provided with a central passage-way 9 with branch '91 leading laterally
therefrom (see Figs. 1 and 3).

page_text: In order to provide for the ready admission of the air into the end of the tube
connecting with the atmosphere I preferably provide within the tyre around the
inner air tube a pair of bands 10 10 of canvas or any suitable flexible material,
which leaves the central annular passage 11, which connects by an orifice 12 with
the end of the tube as indicated. I also provide an aperture 13 in the tyre near
the rim in order to provide for the admission of air into the passage-way 11.
Although I describe this branch' passage-way, which is really an annular
passage-way around the inside of the tyre I find in practice that it is hardly
necessary as the air seems to get into the atmospheric end of the tube without
any apparent connection with the outer air at all. However, for greater safety
and to ensure proper working of my pump I provide the band above described.
I close and secure the end E3 of the tube E underneath the base of the mush-
room F by turning it over a flap e as shown and tying, cementing or otherwise
securing it preferably to the canvas, or other inner sustaining material. It is
essentially necessary that both ends of the tube E particularly be retained in
place, and this is preferably effected by cementing or affixing a portion of the
length of the tube at both ends but preferably at the pumping end where the
tube enters the mushroom for a short portion of the length.
Having now described the principal parts involved in my invention I shall
briefly describe its operation and utility. As the wheel rotates in the direction
indicated by the arrow the passage-way cb2 is compressed and consequently the
tube E located therein and the air in such tube is forced from the atmospheric
end around the valve end where it enters through the passage-way i, chamber 13
and aperture 6, and forces the valve down and the air passes through the stem
of the valve and hollow plug at the lower end into the air tube. This pumping
is continuously repeated as the wheel rotates.
When the compression accomplished by the rotation of the wheel and the com-
pressing of the air tube in the passage-way is equal to the pressure of the valve
outwardly plus the pressure of the air in such valve from the air tube, that is to
say when they are in equilibrium, of course there will be no air pumped into
the air tube.
In order to ensure the prevention of the escape of the air when the wheel is
at rest I preferably provide as hereinbefore described the disc valve 15 and screw
pin 7 by which the valve may be forced down on its scat 5 and all escape of air
effectually prevented.
Should it be desired to let the air out of the inner tube it is merely necessary
to turn the screw pin 7 part way down, so as to remove the valve
from its seat
when the air from the interior of the air tube will pass up through the orifice a¹
through the chamber 13 and passage-way 91.
The ribs and hereinbefore described serve to effectually prevent the punc
turing of the tread passage-way and the tube therein and serve to prevent the
wheel from slipping laterally and also are an excellent base for giving the desired
pressure to the passage-way and tube therein, so as to close the same continuously
circumferentially as the wheel rotates.
It will be seen that the passage-way leading from the end E¹ of the tube E to
the valve is at an incline and this is essentially important as it effectually
prevents a jarring or bumping motion to the wheel as it rotates.
Although I show the opposite end of the tube connected by an annular passage-
way to the outer air it will be understood that the same or a similar oblique
passage-way might be utilized jointly or separately.
It will of course he understood in the operation of this invention that the
great advantage arises from the fact that the pressure upon the central rib, so
as to close the passage-way and tube therein is sustained by the pressure of the
air on the inside of the tube reinforced by resistance offered by the brace and
sustaining strip, which are formed arc-shaped.
In order to insert the tube in the passage-way I preferably
make openings

page_text: in the inner fabric at convenient distances apart for the drawing of the tube
into position.
Although I show this invention as applied to a double tube-tyre it will of
course be understood that it might with equal facility be applied to a single
tube tyre.
In the drawings I have shown the pumping tube oval in cross section but I wish
it to be understood that it may be a flat, diamond-shaped or arc-shaped tube, or
it may be flat at one side and arc-shaped on the other, or in any other suitable
form.
At the end of the tube where it enters the branch passage to the valve I
preferably stiffen such tube either by making it thicker or by inserting a spiral
spring to the inside or outside of said tube.
It is also contemplated by me that the ferrule connecting the mushrooms may
be made so that the pumping tube may extend therethrough. I may also in
practice make a single double-base mushroom to pass through the inner tube
obliquely.
In Fig. 4, the passage-way is still shown substantially diamond-shaped in cross
section but with a central flat groove in which fits the flat tube.
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 what
I claim is:
1. A pnuematic tyre having a circumferential passage located in the tread thereof,
branches leading from each end of said passage to the exterior of the tyre and a
connection between the outer end of one of said branches and the interior of the
tyre, substantially as described.
2. A pneumatic tyre having an automatic air pump consisting of a compressible
passage on its tread portion extending circumferentially thereof, and branch
passages located within the wall of said tyre leading from said tread passage to
the exterior of the tyre and a connection between the outer end of one of said
branches and the interior of the tyre, substantially as described.
3. The combination with a tyre having a central air space, of a compressible
passage located circumferentially outside of the said central air space, said
passage being permanently in communication with the atmosphere and with said
central air space, substantially as described.
4. The combination with the tyre having a central air space, of a passage
located circumferentially outside of the central air space, a compressible tube
located in said passage and extending circumferentially around the tyre within
the same and a branch tube extending from one end of said tube obliquely
through the tyre to the rim thereof and a suitable air valve connected to the end
of such branch tube and communicating with the interior of the tyre as and for
the purpose specified.
5. The combination with the tyre having a central air space, of a passage located
circumferentially outside of the central air space, a compressible tube located in
said passage and extending circumferentially around the tyre within the same
and a branch tube extending from one end of said tube obliquely through the
tyre to the rim thereof, an obliquely shaped mushroom having the base thereof
hermetically secured to the outside of the air tube next the passage-way and a
correspondingly obliquely arranged mushroom having the stem thereof abutting
the stem of the outer mushroom and a base thereof hermetically secured to the
outside of the central air tube and a suitable air valve connected to the end of
such branch tube and communicating with the interior of the tyre as and for
the purpose specified.
G. The combination with the tyre having a central air space, of a passage.
located circumferentially outside of the central air space, a compressible tube
located in said passage and extending circumferentially around the wheel within
the same and a branch tube extending from one end of said tube obliquely

page_text: through the tyre to the rim thereof, an obliquely shaped mushroom having the
base thereof hermetically secured to the outside of the air tube next the passage-
way and a correspondingly obliquely arranged mushroom having the stem thereof
abutting the stem of the outer mushroom and a base thereof hermetically secured
to the outside of the central air tube, and a supplemental mushroom surrounding
the continuation of the branch passage-way and having its base suitably secured
to the base of the inner obliquely arranged mushroom and the air valve connected
to the end of such branch tube and communicating with the interior of the tyre
as and for the purpose specified.
7. In combination in a wheel, the rim, a tyre having a central air space, a
passage in the tread, a tube extending throughout the length of such passage,
a mushroom at one end of the tube extending obliquely into the central air
space, a mushroom on the inner periphery of the tyre extending obliquely towards
the outer mushroom and abutting the end of the same, a metal ferrule extending
into both mushrooms, a tubular communication between the end of the inner
mushroom and the interior of the central air space and a suitable valve for same
as and for the purpose specified.
8. In combination in a wheel, the rim, a tyre having a central air space, a
passage in the tread, a tube extending throughout the length of such passage,
a mushroom at one end of the tube extending obliquely into the central air space,
a mushroom on the inner periphery of the tyre extending obliquely towards the
outer mushroom and abutting the end of the same, a metal ferrule extending
into both mushrooms, a tubular communication between the end of the inner
mushroom and the interior of the central air space, the valve casing provided
with an enlarged upper end and chamber therein, a metallic bent tube extending
from the end of the mushroom passage-way into the interior of the chamber, the
valve casing mushroom surrounding the stem of the valve, the hollow plug at
the lower end of the valve casing, the spring, the valve proper, the orifice at the
top of the valve proper and an operating means for such valve as and for the
purpose specified.
9. In combination in a wheel, the rim, a tyre having a central air space, a passage
in the tread, a tube extending throughout the length of such passage, a mushroom
at one end of the tube extending obliquely into the central air space, a mushroom
on the inner periphery of the tyre extending obliquely towards the outer mush-
room and abutting the end of the same, a ferrule extending into both mushrooms,
a tubular communication between the end of the inner mushroom and the
interior of the central air space, the valve casing provided with an enlarged upper
end and chamber therein, a metallic bent tube extending from the end of the
mushroom passage-way into the interior of the chamber, the valve casing mush-
room surrounding the stem of the valve, the hollow plug at the lower end of the
valve casing, the spring, the valve proper, the orifice at the top of the valve
proper, the valve cap, the screw pin provided with a central hole and lower dise
and pin extending into the orifice opposite the valve proper as and for the
purpose specified.
10. In a tyre such as described and in combination with a passage-way in the
tread of the tyre and pumping tube such as described, of the valve, a passage-
way connecting the same to one end of the pumping tube, a suitable valve inter-
posed between the branch passage-way and the interior of the air tube, an
encompassing pair of bands for the air tube forming a passage-way between them,
an opening between the latter passage-way and the atmosphere through the tyre
and an opening between such latter passage-way and the atmospheric end of the
pumping tube as and for the purpose specified.
11. In a tyre in combination with the pumping tube connected at one end
with the atmosphere, of a valve connected at the other end to the passage-way
leading from the pumping tube, the said valve comprising the hollow stem
portion, a plug with central passage-way, the spring, the valve proper, the
enlarged chamber at the upper end, the washer at the lower end of the chamber,

page_text: the cap; the screw pin with central passage-way and disc-shaped end and pin
depending from same all arranged as and for the purpose specified.
**
12. In a tyre, in combination the tyre proper, the passage located in the tread
thereof, the pumping tube located in same, and the compressible circumferential
rib formed on the exterior of the tyre opposite the compressible passage-way as
and for the purpose specified.
13. In a tyre in combination, the tyre proper, the passage located in the tread
thereof, the pumping tube located in same and the compressible circumferential
rib formed on the exterior of the tyre opposite the compressible passage-way and
the auxiliary compressible side ribs located at each side of the central compressible
rib as and for the purpose specified.
--1
な
14. In a tyre in combination, the tyre proper, the passage located in the tread
thereof, and formed in the rubber portion and the interior .circumferential con-
centric brace for the passage as and for the purpose specified.
"
.15.. In a.
tyre in combination, the tyre proper.. provided with the interior
fabric lining having a broad V-shaped interior circumferential. groove formed
throughout the centre of the tread, the rubber strip having a reverse broad
V-shaped circumferential groove meeting the outer groove and forming. a diamond-
shaped passage-way, the said strip being tapered towards both sides and concentric
on the inside as and for the purpose specified.
1 1
16. In a tyre in combination, the tyre proper provided with an interior fabric
lining having a broad V-shaped interior circumferential groove formed throughout
the centre of the tread, the rubber strip having a reverse broad V-shaped circum-
férential groove meeting the outer groove and forming a diamond-shaped passage-
way the said strip being tapered.towards both sides and concentric on the inside
and an inner circumferential brace located to the inside of the circumferential
passage-way in the tread as and for the purpose specified.
17. In a tyre. in combination, the tyre proper provided with the interior fabric
lining having a broad V-shaped interior circumferential groove formed throughout
the centre of the tread, the rubber strip having a reverse broad V-shaped circum-
ferential groove meeting the outer groove and forming a diamond-shaped passage-
way, the said strip being tapered. towards both sides and concentric. on the inside,
the pumping tube located in the passage-way and having the ends provided with
end flaps attached to or forming part of same, and passed through openings in
the fabric and suitably held therein so as to hold the tube in position as and for
the purpose specified.
18. In a tyre in combination the tyre proper provided with the interior fabric
lining having a broad V-shaped interior circumferential groove formed throughout
the centre of the tread, the rubber strip having a reverse broad V-shaped circum-
ferential groove meeting the outer groove and forming a diamond-shaped passage-
way, the said strip being tapered towards both sides and concentric on the inside,
the pumping tube located in the passage-way and having the ends provided with
end flaps attached to or forming part of same and passed through openings in
the fabric and suitably held therein so as to hold the tube in position and the air
tube filling the concentric inside portion of the tyre as and for the purpose
specified.
19. The combination with the tyre having a central air space, of a substantially
diamond-shaped passage located circumferentially outside of the central air space
in the centre of the tread portion and having flexible walls as and for the purpose
specified.
20. The combination with the tyre having a central air space, of a substantially
diamond-shaped passage located circumferentially outside of the central air space
in the centre of the tread portion and having flexible walls and a suitably
formed compressible tube located in said passage and communicating at one end
with the atmosphere and at the other end with the central air space through the
medium of a valve as and for the purpose specified.

page_text: 21. The combination with the tyre having a central air space, of a substantially
diamond-shaped passage-way located circumferentially outside of the central air
space in the centre of the tread portion, a flat groove in the inner side of same
and a flat tube to fit such groove as and for the purpose specified.
Dated the 22nd day of October 1897.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.