Improved Means for Preventing Punoturing of Air Tubes in Pneumatic Tyres.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 13th June, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 12th Mar., 1894-Accepted, 28th Apr., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Preventing Punoturing of Air Tubes in
Pneumatic Tyres.
I CHARLES FILLAN HODGES of Summerland Road in the County of
Waterford Works Manager do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:
A series of curved or flat strips of metal placed circumferentially between the
inner air tube and outer tube of pneumatic tyres and arranged side by side or
preferably partially underlapping.
The side strips partially underlapping the centre strip if in a series of three
strips, and if in a series of five strips each outer strip partially underlapping its
inside neighbouring strip. The centre strip in either case partially overlapping
each side strip, to prevent any nails or other puncturing material from penetrating
the inner air tube.
The series of strips of thin metal flat or curved to be fastened together at
intervals by strips of leather or other material to keep the metal strips in the
position in which they have been arranged side by side or preferably partially
under and overlapping as before stated.
The series of strips of thin metal can also be fastened to the outer covering tube
at intervals to keep the strip of thin metal central in position leaving the ends free
of the outer tube.
The ends of the series of thin metal strips preferably spring steel placed
circumferentially between the inner air tube and outer tube of pneumatic tyres to
overlap one end and underlap the other end or abut.
One or more of the thin metal strips can be slotted for a distance at one end,
the other end having a headed pin to ride in the other slotted end to keep the ends
in position and from any side play but to allow the ends to have free motion
circumferentially.
The ends of the series of the thin strips of metal can be protected with leather
or other material with a leather or other strip under the underriding end to prevent
the ends from abrading the inner air tube.
The series of strips of thin metal placed circumferentially between the inner air
tube and outer or covering tube of pneumatic tyres can be made in continuous
strips going around the whole circumference of inner air tube the ends being free
as before stated or in segments of the circumference of the air tube.
Dated this 12th day of June 1893.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Preventing Puncturing of Air Tubes in
Pneumatic Tyres.
I, CHARLES FILLAN HODGES, of Summerland Road, Waterford, in the
County of Waterford, Works Manager, 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 :-
My invention relates to improved means for preventing puncturing of air tubes

page_text: in pneumatic tyres and has for its object to protect the inner case or air tube from
the risks of a sharp stone, nail, or the like, puncturing same, in a thoroughly
efficient manner, without at the same time adding materially to the weight of a
tyre so protected, and also without lessening the travelling powers of same.
And in order that the said invention may be more ready of comprehension I
have shewn same upon the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings wherein,
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portion of the protecting means
Fig. 2 being a similar view shewing the manner of locking the ends together
whilst
Fig. 3 is a section of a pneumatic tyre shewing my invention applied thereto.
Referring to the drawings wherein like letters of reference indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several figures I have there shewn three strips a though any
suitable number may be employed of watch spring steel or other suitable material
possessing the necessary qualifications of resiliency, lightness, and toughness which
strips I arrange so that in the case of three being employed the edges of the
centre strip will slightly overlap the adjoining edges of the strips on either side as
shewn, or if found desirable I may arrange the strips a side by side with the edges
of the centre strip abutting against the opposing edges of the other strips. The
strips a so arranged are covered or partially covered with a casing of leather canvas
or other suitable material.
I preferably employ a foundation strip b of canvas or other textile material
which is placed upon that surface of the combined strips a which would be in
closest juxtaposition with the air-tube of the tyre and at intervals along the length
of the combined strips a. I provide short strips b' of canvas or the like attached
to or formed integral with the foundation piece b which strips & pass across the
surface of two of the steel or other protective strips a (in the case where three of
these strips are employed) and enclose them. The central protective strip which
is free is held in position by a number of narrow longitudinal strips of any suitable
material b³ placed over the central protective strip a and sewn or otherwise attached
to or formed integral with the under strips as shewn more particularly in
Fig. 1.
I do not confine myself to the form of covering described alone but may vary
same or employ any other suitable form that will fulfil the intention in view.
The strips a arranged in the position described and maintained in that position
by the covering are placed circumferentially between the inner air-tube or core c
and the india-rubber sheath or cover d of the pneumatic tyre as shewn in Fig. 3.
I preferably secure the opposing ends of the protective strips a together when
such strips have been placed circumferentially around the air-tube or core c by
providing a headed stude on one opposing end (the under one) and a longitudinal
slot in the other end, the said stud engaging in such slot and allowing free
circumferential movement of the two opposing ends of the strips a whilst at the
same time preventing any lateral movement (Fig. 2).
The said opposing ends of the protective strips a may be covered with leather
or other material with also a leather or other strip placed under the under end to
prevent the said ends abrading the inner air-tube or core c.
I have shewn the protective strips a on the drawings as being of a flat form but
they may be fashioned with a slight curve if found desirable
The series of protective strips a can be secured in any suitable manner to the
outer cover or sheath d of the tyre leaving the ends of such strips free or the said
strips a may be placed between the cover or sheath d and the inner air-tube or
core c without being secured to the said cover or sheath d.
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;
1. The improved means for protecting the air tubes of pneumatic tyres against
puncture consisting of a covine

page_text: their edges overlapping or abutting and maintained in place by means of a canvas
or other foundation strip and a number of transverse canvas or other bands and a
number of longitudinally placed canvas or other strips substantially as described
and illustrated.
2. In improved means for protecting the air-tubes of pneumatic tyres against
puncture as above claimed the opposing ends having respectively a headed stud on
one end engaging in a longitudinally formed slot on the other end capable of
allowing circumferential movement of the protective strips but preventing all
lateral movement thereof such opposing ends being also suitably covered to prevent
abrasion of the air tube the whole device being secured or placed in a loose manner
between the inner air tube and the outer sheath or cover of a pneumatic tyre
substantially as and for the purpose described and illustrated.
Dated this 12th day of March 1894.
HUGHES & YOUNG,
12, Basinghall Street, London, E.C., Agents for the Applicant.