Improvements in Retaining Devices for Rubber Tires and in Machines for Applying Rubber Tires to Vehicle Wheels.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Aug., 1899-Accepted, 2nd Dec., 1899
Improvements in Retaining Devices for Rubber Tires and in
Machines for Applying Rubber Tires to Vehicle Wheels.
I, CHARLES STAPLETON, of Number 219, West 44th Street, in the City of New
York, County and State of New York, U.S.A., Lawyer, 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 retaining devices for rubber tires, and to machines
for applying retaining devices to the tires in securing them on a vehicle wheel,
and has for its object: first, to provide a retaining device which will not cut
through the rubber either vertically, or laterally when in use and at the same
time, hold the tire securely in place; second, to provide a simple device by which
my retaining device, as well as the wires in common use now, can be applied to a
tire when placing the same upon a wheel; third, to provide a simple device to
bring the ends of the rubber together after the retaining device is secured in
position.
As now constructed, two wires are passed longitudinally through the tire, and
after the tire is in position on the wheel, the ends of the wire are brought
together respectively, and fastened, the tension being sufficient to prevent the
displacement of the tire when in use.
In practice, considerable tension must be placed on the wires, and as they have
but little body, they soon cut through and the same is made worthless. To
obviate this difficulty, metal bands have been used, but it has been found that
while the bands will not cut through vertically as the wires do, they will cut
through the tire laterally, as the thinness of the bands obviously make com-
paratively sharp edges. Others have used two wires secured together throughout
their length, but as the wires must be small in diameter, the retaining device.
is not broad enough to keep the tire from turning over.
To obviate the above mentioned difficulties, I have connected the retaining
wires by a flat band so that the wires are sustained and can not cut through
the tire vertically, and as the wires do not cut through laterally, I am able to
overcome all difficulties relative to the cutting of the tire, while by using the
band between the wires, the device is broad enough to prevent the tire turning
over.
In applying retaining devices to rubber tires, a band, or wires, just a trifle
longer than necessary to go around the rim, is inserted in a longitudinal opening
in the tire, the tire is then placed on the rim of the wheel, the ends of the band,
or wires, are gripped and drawn together while the rubber is pressed back until
the ends are secured together, and the rubber is then pressed forward until the
opposite ends of the rubber tire meet. My improved machine has for its object
to provide a machine by which both wires can be gripped at the same time, a
feature that is absolutely necessary where the wires are joined by the band as
shown in my present invention, so that both can be drawn forward together.
. 077

page_text: While such a construction is necessary to successfully work my improved retain-
ing device, it is also much more desirable for securing the wires in place than
the devices in common use, as both wires can be drawn forward at the same time.
After the retaining wires or bands are inserted in the tire and secured, the
rubber must be forced back so the ends of the tire meet. It is the common
practice to place wires, or bands under the tire when placing it in position on
the rim, and after the retaining wires or band are secured together, the wires,
or bands beneath the tires are gripped by a machine, and the rubber is forced
longitudinally until the ends meet. I have found that the compressed end of
the tire can be gripped by a vise, and can be moved longitudinally by rotating
the wheel, thereby making this work much simpler, and I use this device in con-
nection with my machine for bringing the ends of my retaining device together.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a plan view of a section of my improved retaining device, detached
from the tire ;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle wheel, and a sectional
view of a rubber tire and of my improved retaining device in position ;
Figure 3 is a sectional view of my retaining device slightly enlarged;
Figure 4 is a central, vertical section of one of the gripping blocks which I
use with my improved machine;
Figure 5 is a plan view of the block of the same;
Figure 6 is a view of my machine in elevation, showing a vehicle wheel in
position, the same being indicated by dotted lines;
Figure 7 is a plan view of the same;
Figure 8 is an end view of lower part of machine;
Figure 9 is a section of the wheel rim, with section of apparatus adjusted
ready to force retaining device together;
Figure 10 is same as Figure 9 with the ends of the retaining device drawn
together;
Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 4, showing gripping device for wires;
Figure 12 is a bottom plan view of the same;
Figure 13 is a side view of the clamp which draws the retaining device
together, part being in section;
Figure 14 shows my device for drawing the ends of the tire together, the vice
being adjusted to the tire ready for the rotation of the wheel; and,
Figure 15 is a-view of the same after the wheel has been rotated and the ends
have been brought together.
In the drawings t is a portion of the felloe of a vehicle wheel, is the metal
rim, is the rubber tire. and are the two wires joined by a band p².
The band may be secured to the wires by brazing, or in any desired manner:
but in practice it is more advantageous to make the band and wires integrally
either by rolling or drawing as now practiced in wire making.
In securing the retaining device in position, the device is passed through the
tire and the ends are clamped in the clamping device shown in Figures 4 and 5,
in which is the block provided with trunnions, w, with two passages q²,
and with a socket . A block is provided with a central, screw-threaded open-
ing in which is mounted a bolt, having a screw-threaded portion, and a
cylindrical portion, which works in said socket 7. Pivoted in the block q
are two bars z, z, each of which is provided at the lower end with an inwardly
directed extension which clamps the wires p, p against the portion of the block
between the passages q², g², the clamping being effected by the turning of the
bolta.
The wheel is then placed in the machine of which the following is a
<description:.
is the supporting legs, having frame a², on which is mounted supporting
frame b, c is a wire tightener consisting of frame, in which a sliding frame d
is mounted and is operated by screw f¹ is a lever, having arms for
securing wheel in place, the same being tightened in conjunction with the rack st

page_text: is a
having notches s. is an iron rod on which the wheel is mounted;
movable block mounted in guides m¹ so that wheels of different diameters may
be operated upon, and the arm clamps upon the rod a', kare braces connect-
ing the arm with the lever .
When the ends of the retaining device are clamped in the clamping devices,
the trunions we are inserted in the grooves el e¹ of the wire tightener after placing
the wheel in the machine as shown in Figure 6; a clamp is clamped upon
the tire adjacent to one end thereof; then by turning the screw f¹, the ends of
the retaining device are brought together, as shown in Figure 10), during which
operation the end of the rubber tire is compressed as shown in shaded lines
After the ends are secured together, it is necessary to draw the ends of the tire
together. For this purpose I mount on the frame a vise g¹ supported by
standards. The jaws of the vise are clamped upon the compressed end of
the tire, and then by rotating the wheel, the compressed end will be slid along
thereby removing the compression and the ends will be brought together.
With large wheels I prefer to use a lever y', as the wheel can be more easily
rotated.
I can use the same machine for securing wires in place by substituting the
clamping device shown in Figures 11 and 12 for the one shown in Figures 4
and 5, in which the bolt el carries the gripping head which acts with the
block to grip the wires p . It is also evident that a grip could easily be
constructed which would grip a flat band, or the clamp shown in Figures 4
and 5 could be used for that kind of a retaining device.
It is evident that many changes may be made without departing from the
spirit of my invention relative to the machine, as the lever and attachments
may be omitted; there may be two vises instead of one, and the vises could be
drawn together by a screw instead of by rotating the wheel.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. The improved retaining device for rubber tires, constructed and operating
substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
2. The improved machine for applying rubber tires fo vehicles, constructed
and operating substantially as described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
3. The improved machine for drawing the ends of the rubber tire together
after the retaining device is in position, constructed and operating substantially
as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
4. The retaining device for solid rubber tires comprising two wires joined
by a flat band, the same being mounted within the body of the tire and enclosed
by the same.
5. In a machine for applying rubber tires to vehicle wheels, a frame in which
the wheel may be rotably mounted, a standard supporting the wire tightening
device and a wire tightener consisting of two clamping devices, a frame in which
one of said clamping devices may be mounted, a slidable frame mounted in said
last frame, and provided with a holder for the other clamping device, and a screw
or other device to move said slidable frame, substantially as herein specified.
6. In a machine for applying rubber tires to vehicle wheels, the frame
supported by legs, standard b', carrying wire tightener c, and adjustable
blocks in guides m', and clamping devices and in conjunction with rod n',
and racks, substantially as herein specified.
7. In a machine for applying rubber tires to vehicle wheels, the supporting
frame, standards h', vise g¹ and rod n' in adjustable bearings, substantially as
herein specified.
8. In a machine for applying rubber tires to vehicle wheels, the supporting

page_text: frame, standards h¹, vise g¹ and rod n' on which the wheel is rotably mounted,
and lever y, substantially as herein specified.
9. In a machine for applying rubber tires to vehicle wheels, a clamping device
having a grip adapted to grasp both wires of the retaining device, a frame to
carry said clamping devices, and a screw, or similar means to draw them toward
each other, substantially, as herein specified.
Dalal thin 4th
Arend 1000
GARRY P. VAN WYE,
Agent, 13-21, Park Row, New York City, U.S.A.