Improvements in Tires for Cycle and other Wheels.
Year: 1897

page_text: I! :
Date of Application, 13th Apr., 1897-Accepted, 17th July, 1897.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION:
Improvements in Tires for Cycle and other Wheels.
I, THOMAS BASSFORD, Signalman, of St. Thomas, in Elgin County,
Deminion of Canada, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
:
This invention relates to improvements in tires for the wheels of bicycles and
elker foot propelled machines, but may be advantageously used on wheels. of
buggies and other vehicles. The novelty and many advantages of the invention
will appear from the following description and claims when taken in connection
with the annexed drawings, in which:
Fig. 1, is a cross sectional perspective view of a tire constructed according to my
improvements.
Fig. 2, is a longitudinal sectional view of the same.
Fig. 3, is a sectional view taken in the plane at right angles to Fig. 2.
Fig. 4, is a cross sectional perspective view taken at a different point from that
shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 5, is a perspective view of a modification of one of the springs.
Fig. 6, is a perspective sectional view of one of the springs, and:
Fig. 7, is a similar view of a modification.
In carrying out my invention, I take strips or tapes of spring metal, sufficiently
light and strong, and cut them to the desired length and width. These strips a, I
provide at each end with an eye b. These eyes may be formed by turning the ends
of the strips in a rolled manner as shown, or they may be formed by soldering or
brazing an eye 6, to the under side at each end of said strips. After thus providing
the strips or bands with eyes, I string the same upon rods c; there being one rod
provided for each end of the strips. securing bolt A, is provided for connecting
the wires c, and this bolt has a T-head preferably curved on the under side of its
branches as shown so as to serve more effectively in retaining the wires and
consequently the eyed ends of the strips which are bowed prior to being placed
beneath the branches or head of the T-bolt. This bolt has a threaded stem as
shown, which is designed to take through the hole, in the wheel rim B, and a
securing nut e, is placed on said threaded stem whereby the head of the bolt may
be driven firmly against the rim of such covering as may be employed for the
springs with the ends of the rods interposed. A washer or plate f, is preferably
employed, and arranged between the wheel rim and securing nut. The rim or
felloe B, may be of any suitable construction, and the securing bolt may take
through a hole or aperture therein such as at present used for the passage of the
inflating tube in pneumatic tires. A rubber C, or other suitable flexible covering
may be employed for the springs, and if desired the wheel may be provided with
a tube for the attachment of a pump whereby air may be forced into the hollow
tire, and used both as a spring or cushion and also a pneumatic tire. The strips
which are preferably spring steel, are arranged upon the rods so that the edges of
said springs will touch or come quite close together, yet allowing each spring free
and independent movement.

page_text: A tire thus constructed may be cheaply manufactured, it is very light and yield-
ing, and should any one or more of the springs become impaired or injured it or
they can be readily removed and replaced by another or others. In the modification
illustrated in Fig. 7, of the drawings, I have illustrated the rod at one end of the
spring as soldered or brazed thereto. In this construction, I avoid the turning of
an eye on the spring, which in some cases may be very desirable.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is:
1. A wheel tire comprising a series of spring metal strips having an
eye at each
end, rods passing through said eyes, a T-headed bolt with the branches of its head
engaging the rods so as to hold the ends of the springs close to each other in
combination with a wheel rim or felloe, and a nut for securing the bolt to the
felloe and consequently the tire thereto, and a covering for the springs,
substantially as specified.
2. A wheel tire comprising a series of spring metal strips having rods soldered
or brazed across the ends thereof, a T-headed bolt with the branches of its head
engaging the rods so as to hold the ends of the springs close together; in
combination with a wheel rim or felloe, and a nut for securing the bolt to the
felloe and consequently the tire thereto, and a covering for the springs,
substantially as specified.
Dated this 13th day of April 1897.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.