Improvements in the Construction and Application of Pneumatic Elastic Tyres to Improved Metal Rims of Wheels for Cycles and other Vehicles.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Nov., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 17th July, 1893-Accepted, 9th Sept., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction and Application of Pneumatic
Elastic Tyres to Improved Metal Rims of Wheels for Cycles and
other Vehicles.
I, ALEXANDER BLACK, of 90 Commercial Street, Dundee, in the County of
Forfar, N.B. Cycle Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention comprises various improvements in the construction and
application of pneumatic elastic tyres to improved metal rims of wheels, together
with methods of securing the one to the other, for cycles and other vehicles.
The objects of my invention are :—
To construct an improved canvass cover or case for the air tube; to make it
stronger than those hitherto made; to place the most material where it is most
required; to improve the shape of the tyre, thus making it more suitable for
running; to reduce vibration; to more securely attach the tyre to the rim of the
wheel; to improve the construction of the rim by reducing its weight by shaping it
in a more suitable manner than hitherto, and so facilitating access to the air tube
for repair.
My first improvement relates to the construction of the cover, usually made of
canvass, which protects the air tube, said cover being externally covered or
protected by the rubber tyre. Said cover is made from two pieces of canvass or
other suitable material cut from the solid piece, that is to say, cut out of the fabric
to form a continuous ring. The internal diameter of the canvass is such, that
when attached to the rings of wire which bind it to the tyre when the air tube is
inflated there will be no creases; and the external diameter is such that the two
canvass rings may be overlapped and sewn or otherwise attached to one another.
It may also be made of two or more thicknesses of cloth placed diagonally in order
that it may resist the stress more uniformly. Instead of cutting the canvass rings
from the solid I may weave or knit them to the desired shape, or I may even weave
or knit the cover in one piece.
A cross section of this cover when made would be of shape somewhat like a
horseshoe, the fixing wires being at the extremities and the overlap, if any, where
it is rounded. By constructing the cover as described, I endeavour to make the
section nearly semi-elliptical, the narrower diameter being horizontal to the surface
over which the wheel travels. The wires for securing the tyre to the rim in the
known way, may be continuous or otherwise; if continuous, I preferably weld the
ends together after they are in position and permanently secure one of such to
the rim, although this is not absolutely necessary.
Another improvement consists in the construction of the wheel rim, which, in one
modification as applicable for new wheels, consists in making the part of the rim
which carries the tyre concave, and fairly deep while at the same time cutting out
portions of the rim at the sides to lighten it, the projections left being quite
sufficient to keep the tyre in position.
Again, in existing wheels according to another modification; the tyre may be
kept more securely in position by a series of pins or projections of suitable shape,
fixed, or soldered at the sides of the rim. The use of such projections or pins
allows of the rim being made relatively flatter than those in use at present,
considering the base of such projections the termination of the rim proper.
By thus cutting out the rim as heretobefore described, or by using pins, the

page_text: difference between the diameter of the circle of the securing wires and the least
diameter of the rin, that is to say the diameter at the bottom of the hollow in the
rim, need not be so great as heretofore.
Dated this 3rd day of November 1892.
GEO. C. DOUGLAS & Co.,
41, Reform Street, Dundee, Agents for Applicant.
COMT LEIM OFEUIETCATION.
Improvements in the Construction and Application of Pneumatio
Elastic Tyres to Improved Metal Rims of Wheels for Cycles and
other Vehicles.
I, ALEXANDER BLACK, of 90 Commercial Street, Dundee, in the County, of
Forfar, N.B. Cycle Agent, 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 comprises various improvements in the construction and
application of pneumatic elastic tyres to improved metal rims of wheels, together
with methods of securing the one to the other, for cycles and other vehicles.
The objects of my invention are:-
To construct an improved canvas cover or case for the air tube; to make it
stronger than those hitherto made; to place the most material where it is most
required to improve the shape of the tyre, thus making it more suitable for
running to reduce vibration; to more securely attach the tyre to the rim of the
wheel; to improve the construction of the rim by reducing its weight by shaping
it in a more suitable manner than hitherto, and so facilitating access to the air tube
for repair.
And in order that my said invention may be properly understood, I now proceed
to particularly set forth the system, mode or manner, in or under which the same is
or may be used, or practically carried into effect, reference being made to the
accompanying drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is
to say: :-
Figures 1. and 2. (Sheet 1.) show the disposition of the canvas before the air tube
covers are cut out, Figure 3. the half cover, and Figure 4. a cross-section of an
elastic tyre with loose air tube constructed on my system.
Figures 5. and 6. (Sheet 2.) show respectively a cross-section and a side view of
another modification, in which the canvas cover forms part of the outer cover,
Figures 7. and 8. a cross-section and a side view of my improvements as adapted
for existing rims.
My first improvement relates to the construction of the cover 9. usually made
of canvas, which protects the air tube 10, said cover being externally covered
or protected by the rubber tyre 11. Said cover is made from two pieces of
canvas 12. or other suitable material cut from the solid piece 13, that is to say,
cut out of the fabric to form a continuous ring. The internal diameter of the
canvas is such, that when attached to the rings of wire 14, which bind it to
tyre when the air tube is inflated there will be no creases; and the external
diameter is such that the canvas rings may be overlapped and sewn or otherwise
attached to one another, as shewn at 15, Figures 5. and 7. Each ring 12.
which goes to the formation of a cover may also be made of two or more
thicknesses of cloth laid upon one another, and cemented together, with the warp
or the weft of the one piece placed diagonally to the warp or the weft of
the other, that is to say in the drawings, Figure 1. shows one piece and
Figure 2. the other piece of cloth, the warp or the weft of the one being at
about an angle of 45° to that of the other. These two pieces being laid on one

page_text: another in the manner shewn and cemented together, the ring 12. as shewn by
dotted lines in Figures 1. and 2. is then cut out, the construction of the cover
afterwards proceeding on the lines previously described. Instead of cutting the
canvas rings from the solid I may weave or knit them in the known way to
the desired shape, or I may even weave or knit the cover in one piece. Cross-
sections of this cover are shown by Figures 5. and 7. By constructing the cover
as described, I endeavour to make the section nearly semi-elliptical, the narrower
diameter being horizontal to the surface over which the wheel travels.
wires for securing the tyre to the rim in the known way, may be continuous or
otherwise.
The
Another modification of the aforesaid canvas cover is shewn by Figure 4. As
therein modified the canvas cover 9. which is loose, that is to say is not attached to
the tyre 11. is made from two rings 12. (Figure 3.) overlapped top and bottom
at 15. thus forming a tube which wholly surrounds and protects the air tube 10.
Another improvement consists in the construction of the wheel rim, which, in one
modification (as illustrated by Figures 5. and 6.) as applicable for new wheels,
consists in making part of the rim which carries the tyre concave and fairly deep
while at the same time cutting out portions of the rim at the sides to lighten it, the
projections 16. left being quite sufficient to keep the tyre in position.
Again, in existing wheels according to another modification, (as illustrated by
Figures 7. and 8.) the tyre may be kept more securely in position by a series of
pins or projections 17. of suitable shape, fixed, or soldered at the sides of the rim.
The use of such projections or pins allow of the rim being made relatively flatter
than those in use at present, considering the base of such projections the termination
of the rim proper. By thus cutting out the rim as heretofore described, or by
using pins, the difference between the diameter of the circle of the securing wires
and the least diameter of the rim, that is to say the diameter at the bottom of the
hollow in the rim, need not be so great as heretofore.
When it is required to obtain access to the air tube it is deflated and then
removed from the rim in the known way without disconnecting the securing wires.
If desired one of the securing wires may be cemented to the rim although this is not
absolutely necessary.
I wish it to be particularly understood that I do not limit myself to the precise
details of construction herein before described and illustrated on the annexed
drawings but that I hold myself free to make such changes and alterations as
conform with the disposition and scope of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to be under-
stood that I am aware that it has been proposed to secure pneumatic tyres to rims
of wheels by means of continuous wires or bands, and I lay no claim at large to
such construction but, I declare that what I claim is :-
(1) In wheels provided with pnematic tyres, the general construction, com-
bination and arrangement of parts, substantially as and for the purposes herein
set forth.
(2) In wheels provided with pneumatic tyres, the mode of constructing the cover
in the manner hereinbefore described and illustrated by Figures 1. 2. 3. and 4.
(3) In wheels provided with pneumatic tyres, the mode of constructing the cover
in the manner hereinbefore described and illustrated by Figures 1. 2. 3. 5. 6. 7.
and 8.
(4) In wheels provided with pneumatic tyres, the mode of constructing the wheel
rim concave and with portions cut out of the sides in order to lighten it, the
remaining projections keeping the securing wires in position in the manner herein-
before described and illustrated by Figures 5. and 6.
(5) In wheels provided with pneumatic tyres, the mode of adapting existing
wheel rims to covers of the type hereinbefore described and illustrated by fixing

page_text: or soldering to the sides of the rim a series of pins or projections, as described and
illustrated by Figures 7. and 8.
Dated this 15th day of July 1893.
GEO. C. DOUGLAS & Co.,
41, Reform Street, Dundee, Agents for Applicant.