Improvements in Pneumatic Tires for Bicycles and other Vehicles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Apr., 1896-Accepted, 20th June, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pneumatic Tires for Bicycles and other Vehicles.
I, JOHN CONRAD LIGHTHOUSE, of 203 State Street, in the City of Rochester,
County of Monroe and State of New York, United States of America, Manu-
facturer, 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 :-
The object of my improvement is to protect the rubber tube from being
punctured, by the employment of an exterior covering of leather or equivalent
material, which is attached to the wheel rim in a peculiar manner, as will be more
fully described. The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of
parts hereinafter set forth and embodied in the claims.
In the drawings,
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of the tube in line x x of Fig. 2;
Fig. 2 is a cross section in line y y of Fig. 1;.
Fig. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the metal band for connecting the edges of
the external leather covering;
Fig. 4 is a plan view of a part of the interior binding strap;
Fig. 5 is a cross section similar to Fig. 2, but showing a modification in the
means for connecting the leather covering.
A indicates the ordinary inflatable rubber tube, and B the wheel rim, which is
ordinarily made of wood, C is an external covering which incloses the air tube,
said covering being also made in tubular form and preferably of leather, although
other material such as strong canvas can be employed. This covering is made of
a strip folded over, the edges being brought to the inner side and properly secured
beneath or within the wheel rim B. D is a thin metallic band extending around
the tire and serving to connect the edges of the leather. For this purpose it is
provided at its edge with sharp spurs a a and in the center with a longitudinal
groove or cavity b the spur being turned down and clenched through the edges of
the leather as shown, and the center groove serving to receive the binding strip E,
which also extends around the wheel. By the means the edges of the leather are
secured, forming a tube which incloses the air tube, and the binding strip is seated
without making any undue projecting of the parts, and preserving the symmetry
of the tire. The wheel rim B is secured to the tire by means of bolts or screws cc,
which pass through it and also through the band D and into the binding strip E,
which thus serves as the connection between the parts and gives stiffness and
support to the fire. The bolts or screws pass through bearings d d, set into the
wheel rim to prevent wear and give suitable support. The bolt heads may be
either on the outer or inner side. Fig. 5 shows an attachment in which the edges
of the leather covering are stitched together. In any case the binding strip E is
essential to connect the tire to the wheel rim and to give stability to the
attachment. If desired the leather covering may be thickened at the tread
surface to resist puncture and wear.
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 I
claim is-
1st. In a pneumatic tire, the combination of the inflatable air tube, the external

page_text: covering to the same, the band to which the edges of the covering are attached,.
the binding strip between the band and the air tube, the wheel rim, and connections
between the wheel rim and binding strip, as described.
2nd. In a pneumatic tire, the combination with the covering C having its edges
separated, the binding strip D provided on opposite sides with spurs a taking into
the edges of the covering from its inner face and also provided with a longitudinal
groove b in its outer face and of the same depth as the thickness of a covering, and
a band E resting in and filling said groove, the binding strip and band forming
a connection which is of the same thickness as that of the covering at its edges and
is continuous therewith; of the wheel rim, and bolts c connecting the band there-
with, as.and for the purpose set forth.
3rd. In a pneumatic tire, the combination with the covering C having its edges
separated, the binding strip D provided on opposite sides with spurs a taking into
the edges of the covering from its inner face and also provided with a longitudinal
groove b in its outer face and of the same depth as the thickness of a covering, and
a band E resting in and filling said groove, the binding strip and band forming
a connection which is of the same thickness as that of the covering as its edges and
is continuous therewith; of the wheel rim B, bearings d set into the same from its
inner face outward, and bolts a passing through the band, the strip, and the
bearings individually, and having nuts on their inner ends, as and for the purpose
set forth.
Dated this 28th day of April 1896.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.