Improvements in and relating to Tyres and Brakes for Cycles, Motor Vehicles and the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Tyres and Brakes for Cycles, Motor
Vehicles and the like.
WILLIAM WALTER BENGOUGH, 27, Cambridge Terrace, Cliff Town, Southend-
on-Sea, in the County of Essex, and 140, Minories, in the City of London, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to bicycles, tricycles, velocipedes, motor cars, motor
carriages, and the like; the special objects of which are embodied in the following
features relatively and consist of
(1.) A metal hoop to surround the rubber tyre or rubber cover of the wheels
of the aforesaid vehicles.
(2.) A metallic brake to act on the aforesaid hoop.
(3.) The method of applying the aforesaid brake on the hoop.
(4.) A tyre and covering to be suitable for the aforesaid hoop, made of a sub-
stance requisite for the purposes required.
My improved apparatus consisting of the metal hoop which will be perfectly
true in the circumference, and to be about one third of said circumference, also
to suit the radius requisite according to the diameters of the tyres or covers, will
be rolled hollow and into corrugations, there to be multiple, the hoop will be
made of mild steel of a light thickness suitable for the necessary strength required,
the hoop can also be manufactured of any other metal.
By the application of this apparatus the tread of the wheel will not be spread
at the point of contact at the base, as is the case with the rubber tyre, the forma-
tion of the hoop preventing this occuring, the resilience will not be affected to
any noticeable extent in the travel of the wheel.
The application of the hoop is simple, merely being placed over, and secured to
tyre or the cover by the inflation of same, when the hoop is firm on tyre or cover
the operation is completed and safe, retained in this position, and allowing the
wheel to travel at any velocity; if in case of leakage the hoop becomes slack on the
tyre, a repetition of the inflation is all that is necessary to secure again.
When the apparatus is applied as aforesaid stated, puncturing of the tyre is
avoided, side slipping of the wheel prevented, wear and tear reduced by the
material used in the manufacture ensuring substantial durability.
In my improved apparatus the aforesaid brake consist of a suitable formed steel
box, tapered inwardly, and to be filled in with a ductile metal, corrugated on
friction face to suit the corrugations on the hoop.
By the application of the aforesaid apparatus the brake is arranged to be
manipulated from the handle bar with suitable connections to hoop, and can also
be applied to the hoop by electric power, this to be also applied from handle bar
by conduction to one or all the wheels in both cases.
The brake apparatus can also be so attached that it can be applied by electric
nower and by hand Dower combined.

page_text: The aforesaid tyre and cover will be made of rubber or other suitable substance,
and to be formed so as to fit the inner surfaces of the metal hoop.
The apparatus as aforesaid described consisting of the corrugated metal hoop,
with or without the brake attachments can also be applied to any ordinary tyre or
cover, the hoop required to be of the exact circuniference, and diameter of the
said tyre, the hoop passed over tyre and inflated till secured in position required
completes the operation with perfect safety and security.
Dated this 16th day of December 1899.
WILLIAM WALTER BENGOUGH.
Improvements in and relating to Tyres and Brakes for Cycles, Motor
Vehicles and the like.
WILLIAM WALTER BENGOUGHI, of 27, Cambridge Terrace, Cliff Town, Southend-
on-Sea, in the County of Essex, and 140, Minories, in the City of London, Engineer,
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:―
in the accompanying two sheets of drawings Figures 1, and 2, shew the metallic
hoop in the form as it is manufactured and ready for use to be placed over the
rubber tyres and covers as described and according to this invention, also shewing
the form of the corrugations existing on the same as marked at A, these in all
cases will be multiple and formed close together, this is so arranged to allow that
more than one of the said corrugations will be in contact at the base at the same
moment, a narrow plain margin exist at each side at the termination of the
corrugations, the edges of the hoop will be turned slightly outwards, with a small
rounding on same but not shewn, this is to avoid the possibility of the rubber
of the tyre or cover being injured as would be the case supposing the edges were
to be left sharp; as shewn at Figure 3. The apparatus consisting of the
metallic hoop is in its place on the tyre of the wheel and occupies about one third
of the circumference of the said tyre, this quantity of the surface being con-
sidered quite sufficient to secure a firm grip when fast on the tyre, also for the
action of the tread of same at the base, whether this may be of the ordinary tyre
or to consist of the tyre and cover as described in this invention, this said
dimension will exist for either type, the quantity of the corrugations on the hoop
will be determined by the various diameters of the tyre as these may occur, and
of similar form as shewn in the annexed drawings.
In Figure 7, the metallic brake is shewn in section and constructed as described
and according to this invention, also shewing the ductile metal in section in the
box marked B, at Figure 6, is shewn the top plan of the brake, at Figure 8, is
shewn the elevation of the brake, also shewing the corrugations on the face of the
ductile metal marked B, these correspond to the corrugations on the metallic
hoop, at Figure 4, the brake is shewn suspended from the framework of the
vehicle as may be of a bicycle and fixed on the same at a position adjacent to
the wheel by the lug shewn at the top of the brake, this allows the apparatus to
swing by the said lug, at this figure the wheel is shewn at liberty, at Figure 5,
the apparatus is shewn as close upon the hoop, this is to indicate that the brake
is applied to the hoop, this operation is performed by a lever attachment at the
handle bar of the vehicle, the said lever to be of an ordinary type and to connect
to rods and the crank as shewn to the brake, these said rods to have suitable guide

page_text: brackets to ensure the action being certain, these connections are shewn in part
only; in the case of bicycles the apparatus will be applied to the rear wheel only,
and at the position relatively to the wheel as shewn at Figures 4, and 5, Figure 9,
shews the rubber cap in section to be used as herein described, the dotted lines at
Figures 6, and 8, shew the cap in position on the brake.
When the brake is to be operated by electric power the motor to be used will be
affixed at a suitable convenient position and connected to the brake rods as shewn
at Figures 4 and 5. The position of the motor which will be of an ordinary type
is not shewn as this may vary according to circumstances as may be determined
upon.
In the design of the apparatus consisting of the aforesaid metallic hoop as
described, the object studied in this invention have been to ascertain and obtain
a principle and a method whereby in a trustworthy and reliable manner the
inflated tyres also the covers of the same of the wheels of vehicles such as bicycles,
tricycles, velocipedes, motor carriages and the like would be protected from the
possibilities of being punctured, also the side slip of the wheel avoided by the
action of the corrugations on the hoop when at the tread at the base, by the grip
thereon during the travel of the same, this I accomplish by the apparatus accord-
ingly and as aforesaid and described, consisting of the metallic hoop; this will
be manufactured of mild steel or other metal, I prefer the best mild steel of a
thickness compatible to the necessary strength required, to be rolled into a hollow
form with the corrugations also rolled thereon and therein as shewn to be perfectly
round and true in the circumference, the extent of the hollowing will be about one
third of the circumference of the diameter of the tyre of the wheel, this said
dimension I consider sufficient for the purpose required; by employing this
corrugated form for the hoop I acquire strength with lightness of material, also
the efficiency desired and intended inasmuch that this form will reduce the possi-
bility of the side slip, also the friction at the point of contact with the base as
herein described; the corrugations on the hoop will be multiple, and of sufficient
quantity to allow the crown of the hoop to be fully corrugated, the depth and width
of these said corrugations will be regulated and determined upon by the quantity
employed in the various sizes of the hoop, these corrugations on the inner surface
of the hoop will correspond to those upon the outer surface and will grip the rubber
of the tyre or cover as the case may be when in position, the crown of the hoop
presents the surface to be acted upon by the metallic brake; as aforesaid described
the hoop being made of steel and to be rolled into the form as described this said
process of rolling will impart sufficient temper into the hoop and would be retained
during the period of use, also capable to combat with the inevitable inequality of
rough roads and the like; when in travel, the hoop in every case will be tested
after manufacture to ascertain that the same is sound and efficient before sub-
mitting the apparatus for use.
In the design of the apparatus consisting of the metallic brake as aforesaid
described and according to this invention the object sought for has been to obtain
a more thorough and reliable brake, also for this to act in a more trustworthy
manner than hitherto performed by the ordinary rubber brake used for the same
purpose as herein and particularly described, I accomplish this by employing
a metallic box of a suitable form for the purpose, the body of which will be
manufactured of cast steel or cast iron malleable of a light consistency throughout,
to be tapered inwardly from the face as shewn at Figure 7, forming a hollow
shallow box, this hollow portion will be filled in with a suitable ductile metal at
a melting temperature, when this metal is colled the tapering in the box will
retain the said metal solid and firm in its place, the friction face of the metal will
be corrugated to correspond to the corrugations on the hoop, and the ductile metal
will stand prominent from the body of the box a certain distance as shewn at
Figures 6, and 7, marked B in the annexed drawings, this is to avoid the metal of
which the box will be manufactured at any period coming in contact with the
said steel hoop caused by ordinary wear of the ductile metal by the friction of

page_text: operating as a brake; a considerable period would elapse before this would take
place, owing to the ductile metal being made of a sufficient hardness to ensure
this to happen, this said quality of hardness will not affect or deteriorate the
original consistency of the metallic hoop by the frequent applications necessary
by the use of the same as a brake.
When the ductile metal is worn close to approaching the body of the brake box,
the said metal can be melted out from the same and refilled as originally, this
operation will obviate the expense of a complete apparatus as a brake to occur when
this is about to happen.
The apparatus manufactured as aforesaid and described consisting of the metallic
hoop and the brake are very simple in construction, the material used for the same
will be inexpensive the cost of production will therefor be very moderate for the
results obtained by the adoption.
If prefered the brake could be made of other metal than as aforesaid described
and could consist of ordinary brass, gun metal and the like of similar consistency,
these metals would not be detrimental to the hoop by the application to the same
as a brake, but the cost of production will be much greater.
By the application of this invention consisting of the metallic hoop, and the
usage thereof, the tread of the tyre will not be spread at the point of contact with
the base, the use of the hoop over the tyre is competent to prevent this to happen
to a considerable extent, when ridden the rubber tyre when fully inflated will in
all cases define a spread at the moment of contact with the base of an oval form
this said form being perfectly flat, and of considerable dimension and occur
throughout the full circuit of the wheel at every revolution at the point of contact,
this mal-formation will necessitate the rider putting forth great energy and
exertion; the metallic hoop will reduce this considerably inasmuch that the
corrugated form of the said hoop is rendered perfectly rigid by the inflation of
the tyre enclosed within the same, also as this is equally distributed throughout
the tyre this will prevent the spread taking place to a large extent as the contact
at the base will be rendered more acute, the air within the tyre being compressed
by the inflation of the same, this will act as a cushion, also able to allow the
metallic hoop to momentarily assume any slight mishape, also to recover the same
that may occur throughout the circuit of the wheel in travel, also the trueness of
the hoop will not be affected by these incidents that may take place; this friction
by the spread at the base being thus avoided, the speed of the wheel in motion
should be accelerated, and travel with less exertion of the force required as
without the use of the metallic hoop as aforesaid and described; the resilience of
the tyre will not be affected in any manner by the hoop being employed as
aforesaid and described, also the hoop being as stated manufactured of a durable
metal will avoid the possibility of any injury to the rubber tyre and the like by
wear and tear also accidents otherwise than caused by punctures and the like,
as against this occurrence the apparatus will act as a protector, in the event of
the hoop becoming liable to incur some unforeseen injury such a dent by contact
with an obstacle such as a stone, or the like, this may be remedied by removing
the hoop from the tyre and force the injury back to the original form by a light
hammering with a small wood block or other means; as aforesaid and described
the hoop being manufactured of mild steel this operation can be achieved with
safety to the hoop, also the temper imparted to the same at the manufacture will
not be affected, if the injury is not serious the vehicle could proceed till con-
venient for this to be performed: or without the hoop as herein described.
When the apparatus as aforesaid and described is to be applied to the tyre and
the like, the exact dimension of the wheel over the tyre with the diameter of the
same at the rim must be ascertained as the hoop being secured to the position
required by the inflation of the tyre only, these dimensions as stated are important
as the hoop begins to tighten at the moment the tyre is fully inflated, when this
is complete the hoop will be firmly secured on the tyre. to effect this the tyre is
deflated after removal from the vehicle, if in position on the same, the tyre placed

page_text: to
on
within the metallic hoop and the tyre inflated, a slight guidance of the same by
hand being necessary till about to grip the hoop, when this is firm on the tyre, the
inflation will cease and the operation complete, any further undue inflation will
be absolutely unnecessary and the wheel returned to the vehicle or otherwise, the
hoop thus fixed on the tyre will have the same manner, and a similar
effect as would be given an iron or steel hoop when shrunk
to an iron wheel by the process of heating and cooling, also will be equally
as firm and safe allowing the wheel to travel at any velocity required, if however
at any time the hoop may become loose or slack on the tyre from leakage of the
same, this is easily ascertained, to re-inflate the tyre would only be necessary to
secure the apparatus firm in position as aforesaid and described, to remove the
hoop from the tyre at any time will be merely to deflate the tyre, the process for
this, also for the fastening of the said hoop is quite simple to perform, with no
skill required during the operation.
The use of the metallic hoop will not deteriorate the rubber of the tyre as the
corrugations will not be sharp, also during the period of use neither friction or
action will take place, the said rubber tyre and the like could be ridden on at
any time with the hoop removed by necessity or desire and would act as an
auxiliary, thereby not prevent the progress of the vehicle.
By the usage of the brake apparatus as aforesaid and described, the possibility
of a failure to operate when applied or during the period of application is reduced
to a minimum inasmuch that the general arrangements of the connections to and
from the handle bar to the brake and the position where the said brake is fixed
will prevent this to happen, the effect of applying the brake to the wheel is
immediate, inasmuch that the brake being suspended from the framework of the
vehicle by the connection to same at a fixed position by a bolt and nut to the lug
at the top of the brake as shewn, this will allow the same to swing from the afore-
said bolt, and as the lug at the back of the brake is attached to the connections
from the lever at the handle bar, this being operated upon will push the brake to
the periphery of the hoop on the wheel to the position shewn, this said position
being considered particularly adapted for the exertion of the brake power to be
applied to the wheel, and thereby gradually bring the break to the metallic hoop,
the corrugations on which uniting with those on the face of the brake renders the
application sure and certain, also with little energy required to be used, and as
the metals acted upon are dissimilar and unlike in their composition, the motion
of the wheel or wheels will be retarded in a smooth and easy manner, at any speed,
without vibration, jarring, jerking or any unpleasantness whatever taking place,
also will allow the brake to act as a skid if deemed necessary at certain periods,
as for instance when the vehicle is descending down a steep gradient or a declivity
a slight operation from the lever at the handle bar will produce this effect, to
release the brake entirely is merely to cease the operation at the handle bar lever
and the brake will fall free from. the periphery of the hoop on the wheel, or
could be further induced to do so by the attachment of a spring to the lever at
the handle bar, adjacent to the same, or direct at the break. the operation of
steering the vehicle free with the handle bar will not be interfered with by the
brake lever being attached to the same, as this will be compensated for by a
suitable joint to allow the said lever to swing with the handle bar at the same
time, also without the brake being rendered in-operative, but not shewn.
When the vehicle may be at any time ridden without the metallic hoop, the
metallic brake as aforesaid described would be rendered in-operative, inasmuch
that the metallic surface of the brake, would. if applied to the rubber tyre as a
brake injure the said tyre, also with no effect obtained: to remedy and avoid this
to happen also to make the break operative, I employ a cap to fit temporarily over
the box of the brake as shewn at Figure 9, in section, also at the dotted lines
as shewn at Figures 6, and 8, this said cap would be made of a suitable material
for the purpose required, such as rubber or the like. also made in dimensions so as
to be sprung on to the box over the ductile metal as shewn, the friction face of

page_text: the said cap will correspond to the form of the tyre, thus acting as an ordinary
brake the vehicle could proceed, these said caps could be carried with the ordinary
outfit, appliances and the like usually carried with the vehicle if so desired, the
application would be rapid, also the brake would not require to be removed from
the position for this to be performed.
When the apparatus consisting of the metallic hoop is being operated on by
the metallic brake, the possibility of the said tyre slipping within the hoop, and
leaving the said hoop stationary at the brake, would be null and void, inasmuch
providing that the hoop being properly secured on the tyre by, full inflation,
the simple effect of the rubber grasping the internal corrugations on the hoop
would prevent this to happen.
When the apparatus consisting of the aforesaid brake as described is to be
applied by electric power to the wheel or wheels, a small motor will be fixed on
the vehicle adjacent to the hand power connections, or to act direct on to the brake
as the case may be, this said motor would be of sufficient power to control the
action of the brake or brakes, also of a capacity for ordinary periods before
requiring recharge, but when the vehicle itself may possibly be driven by electric
power, the power for the brake motor could be obtained from the same source,
the application of the power to the brake or brakes could be by conduction from
the handle bar.
The electric power could be used on the brake of a vehicle that also has the
hand power fitted, either to be auxiliary to the other, or combined as may be
preferential, also the brake could be fitted with the electric power only, in this
case as aforesaid and described the power could be operated from the handle bar
by conduction or otherwise.
The connections from the handle bar to the brake would be constructed of light
strong materials such as mild steel rods or tubes, the brackets and the crank also
of light strong material to avoid any undue weight, compatable with the necessary
consideration allowed for durability, also for the strength required for the purpose.
The aforesaid tyre also the cover as described and according to this invention
will be made of rubber or any other suitable material or substance that may be
considered appropriate for the effect required, as the tyre with the use of the
metallic hoop would not require to be in contact with the base while travelling,
only on rare occassions, an expensive material for the said tyre would not be
necessary as any substance that will ensure perfect inflation, and to secure the said
hoop, also able to retain the said inflation is all that would be required to support
the hoop in the position as aforesaid described the principal feature of the said
tyre and the cover will consist of the form of the crown of the aforesaid, these
would be moulded to have corrugations upon the crown, to be counterpart also
to correspond to those on the inner surface of the aforesaid corrugated metallic
hoop as aforesaid described. also to suit the dimensions of the varied rims of the
wheel or wheels of vehicles such as bicycles, tricycles, velocipedes, motor vehicles
of all description, and the like, when the inflation is performed by a rubber air
tube beneath the cover the corrugations would not be necessarily required on the
crown of the said air tube which, when used with a corrugated rubber, or other
material, cover, could be ordinary and plain.
The apparatus complete consisting of the aforesaid corrugated metallic hoop
combined with the metal brake, with the connections as described, could be applied
and secured to any ordinary rubber tyre or cover, as the case may be that exist
on the vehicle at the moment, without incurring the outlay for the aforesaid
corrugated type, the application of the hoop to the tyre would be precisely similar
as herein and aforesaid described and with the dimensions fully stated, and fully
inflated, the impressions formed by the corrugations on the inner surface of the
hoop acting on the tyre by the inflation, this process will be quite sufficient to
secure the said hoop to the position upon the tyre: the application of the hoop to
the tyre will not in anywise be detrimental to the rubber inasmuch that the
corrugations are slightly round in form as aforesaid stated and described and

page_text: perfectly safe from injury; but I prefer the corrugated form of the tyre and cover
as stated and aforesaid described in connection with the metallic hoop.
The metallic brake as aforesaid described could be dispensed with in all or in
any case if prefered, or not required, permitting the metallic hoop to be used as a
protector only for the rubber tyre and the like from punctures and other possible
similar accidents while travelling, also obviate the side slip of the wheel as afore-
said described.
The apparatus complete and consisting of the aforesaid metallic hoop, combined
with the metallic brake, can be used for the wheel or wheels of any vehicle other-
wise than bicycles, tricycles, tandems and the like, such as motor cars, motor
carriages also other vehicles of similar construction and design, in all these cases
the entire apparatus will be so constructed and manufactured whereby the material
used will be of sufficient strength and consistency to enable the metallic hoop to
sustain the proportionate weight required for each vehicle, also the break with the
component connections will be constructed of materials having the coefficiency of
strength with durability, also to withstand the inevitable stress and strain
necessarily required from a break for the wheels of the varied vehicles to which
the aforesaid brake may be applied thereunto, the said break may consist of one,
or series, and applied to one or all the wheels of the vehicles, and connected one
to the other to be operated on combined with the application from one lever, or
otherwise, as the case may be, but as aforesaid and described the metallic brake
is not adapted to act upon the hoop of the steering wheel of any vehicle, such as
a bicycle, a tricycle, a tandem, or any other vehicle having such steering wheels.
In cases where the vehicle is ridden by more than one person, necessarily so for
such vehicles as a tandem a tricycle and the like, the brake attachment for
operation whether this so operation be applied by hand or electric power,
could be so fitted and arranged that the said break could be manipulated by the
rider not steering the vehicle.
When at periods the metallic hoop is removed from the wheel for any indefinite
length of duration, the said removal being advisable when not in use, the hoop
should be well cleansed and well covered with a pigment, oil, or the like to prevent
oxidation to occur from exposure by atmospheric influence, before placing the
said hoop on the tyre, at any time it would be advisable to well cover the inner
surface of the same, also the tyre with powdered French chalk, this to prevent any
adhesion which would cause a difficulty in the act of removal.
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. The construction of an apparatus whereby, and in a safe and effective method
a protector for rubber tyres, and the like, of the wheels of cycles, motor vehicles,
and the like, from punctures and other such injury is imparted; arranged in the
form of a metal hoop having series of corrugations thereon, and acting substantially
as hereinabove described and set forth.
2. The construction of an apparatus to afford and allow a ready, safe and effective
manner to operate as a brake, arranged in the form of a hollow box, filled with a
ductile metal having series of corrugations thereon and acting substantially as
hereinabove described and set forth.
3. The construction of an apparatus to afford a safe, effective method in the
form of a cap to fit the metallic brake, and to act substantially as hereinabove set.
forth and described.
4. The construction of an apparatus to afford in a safe and effective manner,
arranged in the form of a tube and cover having series of corrugations thereon
and operating substantially as hereinabove set forth and described.
5. The construction and arrangement as hereinabove described, respectively with
reference to and shewn in Figures 1, to 3 inclusive, and in Figures 4, to 9,

page_text: inclusive of the annexed drawings of the nature referred to in the preceeding
claims.
6. The combination of all the parts as hereinabove described and shewn in the
annexed drawings forming an improved metallic hoop, metallic brake, rubber
tyre, and rubber cap, for the tyres of the wheels for cycles motor vehicles and
the like.
Dated this 28th day of August 1900
WILLIAM WALTER BENGOUGH.