improvements in or relating to Tyres.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Nov., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 17th Aug., 1899-Accepted, 11th Nov., 1899
improvements in or relating to Tyres.
I, LAVINIA LENTON, of Rockland Works, Eagle Street, Coventry, Warwickshire,
Trimmings Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
My invention relates to wheel tyres especially elastic tyres and has for its prin-
cipal objects to provide a cheap, light and durable substitute for the indiarubber
commonly employed, improved means for opening, closing and securing the
covers of pneumatic and like tyres, and an improved tyre protecting band.
In constructing say an air tube according to my invention, I take a strip of
"chamois
or similarly dressed leather and cut it to a width equalling the trans-
verse circumference of the desired tube. I then stretch the leather lengthwise
and treat it on both sides with one or more applications of a solution of india-
rubber in naptha or the like. Next I stretch the leather transversely and again
treat it with the solution. In this way I fill up the pores of the skin and render
it air-proof and waterproof; the deposit of indiarubber is not liable to peel off
and the leather may be stretched in various directions without destroying the
impenetrability by air or water. The edges of the strip may be secured together
in various ways to form the tube, but I prefer to cause the said edges to abut
against each other and solution one strip of indiarubber along the inside of the
joint and another along the outside. The transverse joint or joints in the tube
may be made in a similar way.
In constructing a tyre cover, I employ two or more layers of the leather and
treat the outer surface of the outer layer with solution to make the cover water-
proof. The application of solution may be repeated at intervals as the cover
wears. The layers may be solutioned together if desired and canvas or other
suitable fabric may be used in conjunction with the leather. Indiarubber may
be employed as an outer cover or tread and may also be combined with the leather
in the inner cover. The cover is preferably made up and shaped on a former,
and the edges may be retained more or less in their contracted condition by
stretched strips of leather, canvas or the like stitched, solutioned or otherwise
secured thereto. Such a cover may be applied in any suitable manner, but in
constructing a cover for a pneumatic tyre I make the width of such cover greater
than the transverse circumference of the air-tube. Around each edge of the
cover I make a series of short cuts at regular intervals and at right angles to
such edges; the cuts on one edge alternate with those on the other edge. At the
inner end of each short cut I make a cross cut parallel to the edge of the cover,
thus forming a series of tabs on each edge of the cover. The cover itself may
be made of leather as above described or otherwise, so that when the tyre is inflated,
the cover will expand transversely and contract circumferentially and bind firmly
on to any suitable rim on which it may be placed. prefer a plane deep rim
having the edges slightly inturned. The tabbed edges of the cover may be formed
separately and attached to the main part by any suitable means; and the said

page_text: edges are stiffened, canvas or some other non-stretching material being preferably
employed for this purpose so that the cover may be made a fairly tight fit for
the rim to prevent its leaving such rim accidentally if the tyre deflate when in use.
In action, the cover is wrapped round the airtube and the tabs on the opposite
edges are buttoned together. The tyre may be partly inflated before being
placed on the rim, after which tyre may be fully inflated and used. The tyro
may be fixed to the rim circumferentially by one or more bolts or the like or
other means may be provided to prevent creeping if such be found necessary.
In tubeless or single tube pneumatic tyres made of leather as above described,
the inner layer of leather is air-proofed by treating it with solution. A flap of
such air-proofed leather, indiarubber or other air-proof material is arranged across
the joint of a tubeless tyre to make or assist in making the airseal, and such flap
is preferably adapted to contract onto the joint. A suitable fluid or semifluid may
be used with the flap or joint. When an airtube is employed, a flap or band of
canvas or other suitable material, not necessarily elastic, may be arranged over
the joint to protect the airtube.
In constructing a tyre protector according to my invention, I take two, three
or more strips of the leather and stretch one lengthwise and the next crosswise
and so on, and solution them together into a band. This band is preferably com-
pressed between rollers and may be secured between the layers of the cover, inside
the cover or outside the said cover, as desired.
Improvements in or relating to wheel Tyres,
I, LAVINTA LENTON, of Rockland Works, Eagle Street, Coventry, Warwickshire,
Trimmings Manufacturer, 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 wheel tyres especially elastic tyres and has for its prin-
cipal objects to provide a cheap, light and durable substitute for the indiarubber
commonly employed, improved means for opening, closing and securing the
covers of pneumatic and like tyres, and an improved tyre protecting band.
And in order that my invention may be properly understood I will describe
with the aid of the accompanying drawings the best methods of and means for
carrying out the said invention known to me at the time of filing this specifi-
cation; though it will be readily understood that this description may be varied
from considerably without exceeding the fair scope of my invention.
Figures I and II are transverse sections of air tubes constructed according
to my invention.
Figures III and IV are diagrammatic and ordinary transverse sections respec-
tively of a tyre cover, air tube and rim constructed according to my invention.
Figure Vis a transverse section of a tubeless tyre on a Westwood rim, and
Figure VI is an underview of part of a pneumatic tyre showing the edges of
the cover in course of being secured together.
Like numerals indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
My substitute for the sheet or like india-rubber commonly employed in the

page_text: manufacture of pneumatics and other elastic tyres consists of chamois leather
treated with india-rubber solution. One advantage of this material is that it
may be very readily shaped to an annular-cylindrical or other desired form.
If the form be comparatively difficult to get I shape the leather before beginning
to treat it with solution; otherwise I give the leather one or more dressings of
very thin solution (india-rubber dissolved in naptha or the like) before shaping
it. Then I treat it with one or more applications of thicker solution, allowing
each one to dry before applying the next. The first dressing of solution may be
applied by dipping the leather in a bath of the liquid; in any case the solution
should be rubbed well into the pores of the leather, and it is made very thin (ie. a
small proportion of rubber to a large proportion of solvent) to assist the introduc-
tion of the solution into the said pores. The subsequent applications of thicker
solution cause the leather to retain the form to which it has been shaped against
all ordinary strains, without destroying its flexibility. When the solution has
dried, one side (hereinafter referred to as the right side) is found to be smooth,
and the other side (hereinafter referred to as the wrong side) is rough. In the
case of pneumatic tyres I find it best to present the right side of the leather to
the compressed air. If, in order to obtain strength or for other reasons, two layers
of leather are employed, I prefer to secure them together with the two wrong
sides in contact. This material is waterproof and airproof, it is both cheaper and
lighter than india-rubber and will not puncture so easily; its great flexibility
prevents its hindering the action of the air in a pneumatic tyre and hence it
does not "slow" the tyre.
In constructing an air tube according to my invention I take a strip of chamois
leather 2 (Figures I and II) and cut it to a width preferably somewhat exceed-
ing the transverse circumference of the desired tube. I first stretch the leather
in one direction and then soak it in thin solution; next I stretch the leather
transversely to the first direction and again soak it in the thin solution. The
solution is rubbed well in so as to close the pores. When dry, I apply the
leather, right side inwards, to a former or ring of the shape which the air tube
will assume when inflated, but a little smaller in dimensions to allow of a certain
amount of expansion of the leather tube, but less than is often allowed for rubber
tulos. I stretch the leather on the former and shape it thereto, the outer
circumference being larger than the inner. I then apply one or more coats of
thicker solution to the wrong or outer side of the leather, so as to set the shape;
after removing the leather from the former, the right or inner side may be
similarly dressed. The edges 3, 3 of the strip 2 may be secured together in
various ways to form the tube, but I prefer to cause the said edges to overlap
cach other along the inner circumference and solution them together, also
solutioning on a strip of india-rubber 4 along the inside of the joint and another, 5,
along the outside. The transverse joint or joints in the tube may be made in
a similar way. The strip 5 along the outside of the longitudinal joint may have
an insertion of fabric 6 (Figure 1); or I may use a strip of canvas or the like 7
preferably cut on the cross and folded, with the edges overlapping in the centre,
to a width of say half-an-inch, the folds being solutioned together, as shown in
Figure II. In either case I prefer to leave the edges of the strip (5 or 7) free.
The said strip fits into the rim, (either directly or the cover intervening,) and
keeps the air tube central, it also makes the tyre as a whole more firm. It is not
necessarily located along the joint in the tube.
1
If an extra strong air tube or a light single tube tyre be required, it may be
constructed as above described from two dressed leathers solutioned together with
the wrong sides in contact, the said leathers being pressed firmly together pre-
ferably by a metal roller.
In constructing a tyre cover comprising my prepared chamois leather, I may
use the said leather in one or more thicknesses and with or without canvas or
the like. The leather need be stretched lengthwise only and, if used with canvas
or the like, may be employed in place of the usual rubber outer cover. If two

page_text: thicknesses of leather be used they are preferably solutioned together with the
wrong sides in contact. The application of the solution to the outer surface
makes the cover waterproof, and the said application may be repeated from time
to time as the cover wears. A puncture proof band, constructed as hereinafter
described may be arranged on the tread of the tyre, or between the leather and
the canvas or the like if any.
I will describe my improved means for opening, closing, and securing the covers
of pneumatic and like tyres as applied to a tyre having a cover of india-rubber
and canvas, though it may also be applied in a similar manner to a cover in
which my prepared leather is employed.
I take a rubber outer cover 11 say about 4 inches wide and having its edges,
as usual, somewhat shorter in circumference than its tread, and line the same
with a strip of canvas 12, cut on the cross and measuring about 2 inches wider
than the rubber, so that the canvas projects about 1 inch beyond each edge of the
rubber. I place the rubber thus lined on a former of the kind hereinbefore
described. This former, while larger than that employed for a corresponding air-
tube, is still preferably somewhat smaller than the tyre when fully inflated. A
former for a 28 inch roadster tyre may measure about 84 inches to 86 inches on
its outer circumference, reducing to 70 inches to 72 inches on its inner circum-
ference. The tread of the cover may measure about the same as the outer circum-
ference of the former, so that the said cover, when in place on the former, will
fit closely along the centre thereof. I hold the cover firmly in the central
position on the former and stretch the sides and edges transversely, thus con-
tracting the said sides and edges circumferentially to fit against the former and
drawing the two edges together. This stretching of the projecting parts of the
canvas puckers their free edges into two "frills" which are removed, either next
or later on. I connect the two remaining edges 13 of the cover together, tem-
porarily but firmly, by sewing, solutioning or other suitable means while I secure
the bands 14 to the said edges. These bands butt up against the edges of the
rubber 11 and hold the stretched parts of the canvas firmly in position at the
sides and on the under part of the cover, that is, the part which is adapted to lie
in the rim. I cut these bands on the cross and stretch them somewhat before
or while fastening them in position otherwise the operations of stretching the
tyre on to the rim and inflating the said tyre, might extend the side edges unduly
and allow the tyre to leave the rim in case of accidental deflation.
On to the free edges of the bands 14 I solution tapes or the like 15. These
tapes are preferably of the same width as the tabs hereinafter described, and
being woven on the straight are adapted to prevent transverse extension of the said
tabs. The said tapes might be cut on the cross if a very strong material were
employed, but by making them on the straight I can use a lighter material and
obtain that stiffness which is desirable in order that the hereinafter described
tabs may butt firmly against each other without giving way. I next liberate
the edges of the cover from each other and cut off the frills if they have not been
previously removed. After removing the cover from the former I neatly roll
down the cut edges. Then 1 secure a pair of strips 16 to the edges of the cover,
these being cut on the cross and solutioned as to their wider parts to the inner
surface of the cover, while the narrower parts thereof are turned back and
solutioned over the tapes 15, the said narrower parts being about the same width
as the said tapes.
The edges of the cover thus prepared are adapted to cross and interlock in the
bed of the wheel rim and form a kind of sectional, double false rim or band to
the tyre. It is only on this double false rim or band that the security of the
tyre in the wheel rim mainly depends, the compressed air in the tyre binding
the false rim to the wheel rim. I prefer a plain rim having the edges 19 some-
what inturned, so that the false rim may be buried and the edges 19 make con-
tact with the rubber 11 and thus avoid any unsightly gaps. In Figure V the
tyre is shown fitted to the well known Westwood rin. Around the edges of

page_text: the cover, which measure about 70 inches to 72 inches for a 28 inch wheel, I
make a series of short cuts 17 at regular intervals and at right angles to such
edges; the cuts on one edge alternate with those on the other edge. At the inner
end of each short cut I make a cross cut 18 parallel to the edge of the cover,
thus forming a series of tabs 20 on each edge of the cover. The spaces between
the cuts 18 are equal in length to the said cuts; I find 1 inch a convenient length
for each.
When an ordinary rubber air tube 24 is employed with a cover constructed as
above described I employ a flap 21 to protect such tube against the joint. I
find in practice that this flap should be secured by one edge 22 along the inside
of the tread of the tyre and the part which overlays the said joint should be
stiffened, as by a solutioned fold 23, as shown. The flap should be of such a
width as to lie evenly against the interior of the cover when the tyre is inflated
and encircle or nearly encircle the air-tube, forming in fact a kind of pocket. If
an air-tube provided with a strip, such as 5 or 7 hereinbefore described, be
employed, the flap 21 will not be necessary.
The above described method of manufacturing a cover, which saves blocking
the rubber, may be applied in the same way to a cover in which my prepared
leather is employed instead of the rubber outer cover A cover, the edges of which
are adapted to be fastened in the manner described, must either be blocked or
otherwise shaped.
In action, the cover is wrapped round the air tube and the tabs 20 on the oppo-
site edges are crossed and engaged with one another by bending up, passing, and
flattening down each pair of transversely adjacent free ends of the tabs 20 in
turn, as shown in Figure VI. When all the tabs are thus interlocked the cover
forms a complete tubular case for the air-tube. The tyre may be partly inflated
before being placed on the rim, after which it may be fully inflated and used.
Inflation of the tyre causes the cover to expand transversely and contract circum-
ferentially and thus bind firmly on to the rim; experience shows that no further
means of fixing are necessary.
In making a tubeless pneumatic tyre I construct the cover or case as above
described and line the canvas or the like with a layer of chamois leather 25,
air-proofed by treating it with solution by the process hereinbefore set forth.
I secure a flap 26 of preferably india-rubber by one edge to the interior of the
case co that the said flap will overlap the tabs 20 and make or assist in making
the air seal. The said flap is preferably adapted to contract on to the joint and
I find it best to stretch it as I fasten it on. I may use two such flaps, attaching
one near each edge of the case and arranging them to overlap each other. A
suitable fluid or semi-fluid may be used with the flap or joint.
In constructing a tyre protector according to my invention, I take two, three
or more strips of the leather and stretch one lengthwise and the next crosswise
and so on, and solution them together into a band. This band is preferably com-
pressed between rollers and may be secured between the layers of the cover,
inside the cover, or outside the said cover as desired.
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
1 claim is:
1. A new article of manufacture consisting of chamois leather treated with
india-rubber solution and adapted to be used as a substitute for sheet or like
india-rubber in the construction of wheel tyres.
2. A new process of manufacture consisting in treating chamois leather with
one or more applications of thin india-rubber solution, causing such thin solution
to close the pores of the leather, and adding one or more applications of thicker
solution to preserve the shape of the said leather, substantially as set forth.
3. A new process of manufacture consisting in treating chamois leather with
one or more applications of thin india-rubber solution, causing such thin solution

page_text: to close the pores of the leather, shaping the said leather to the desired form
either before or after treating it with the said thin solution, and adding one or
more applications of thicker solution to preserve the shape of the said leather,
substantially as set forth.
4. An air tube for a pneumatic tyre consisting of chamois leather treated with
india-rubber solution, substantially as set forth.
5. The herein described process of manufacturing an air tube by treating
chamois leather with india-rubber solution, and stretching and shaping the
leather, and making the longitudinal and transverse joints, substantially as set
forth.
6. An air tube for a pneumatic tyre constructed, arranged, and adapted to
operate substantially as herein described with reference to Figure I or Figure II
of the accompanying drawings.
7. Making the longitudinal and transverse joints in an air-tube of the kind
herein referred to, by causing the edges thereof to abutt or overlap, applying
strips of india-rubber along the inside and the outside of the joints and securing
the contacting surfaces with india-rubber solution, substantially as set forth.
8. An air tube or single tube pneumatic tyre constructed of two layers of
chamois leather treated, arranged and joined substantially as herein described.
9. A cover for a wheel tyre consisting of chamois leather treated with india-
rubber solution, with or without canvas or the like, substantially as set forth.
10. The herein described process of manufacturing a cover for a wheel tyre
by treating one or more thicknesses of chamois leather with india-rubber solution,
and stretching and shaping the leather, substantially as set forth.
11. The means herein described for shaping and retaining the shape of a wheel
tyre cover built up of canvas or the like and india-rubber or chamois leather
treated with india-rubber solution.
12. A wheel tyre cover or case provided with a sectional, double, false rim or
band adapted to sit tight in the bed of the wheel rim, substantially as set forth.
13. The herein described means for opening, closing and securing the covers
of pneumatic and like tyres.
14. A wheel. tyre cover having Ṭ shaped cuts in its edges forming T shaped
tabs, which tabs are adapted to be so engaged as to disengagably connect the
said edges, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
15. A cover for a wheel tyre constructed, arranged, and adapted to operate
substantially as herein described with reference to Figures III, IV and VI of
the accompanying drawings.
16. The combination with a pneumatic tyre cover of the kind herein referred to
and an air tube, of a flap secured by one edge to the inside of the tread of the
tyre, having a stiffened part to overlap the joint in the said cover, and adapted
to more or less nearly encircle the said air tube, substantially as and for the pur-
pose set forth.
17. In a pneumatic tyre having the edges of its cover or case cut so as to inter-
lock with each other, the combination with such interlocking edges, of a flap con-
structed and arranged substantially as set forth in Claiming Clause 16 hereof.
18. A tubeless pneumatic tyre having T shaped interlocking tabs on the
respective edges of the air proofed case, and a flap of india rubber secured by
one edge to the interior of the said case and adapted to overlap the said tabs,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
19. A tubeless pneumatic tyre having T shaped interlocking tabs on the
respective edges of the air proofed case, and two flaps of india rubber each secured
by one edge to the respective sides of the interior of the said case and adapted
to overlap each other above the said tabs, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
20. A tubeless pneumatic tyre constructed, arranged and adapted to operate
substantially as herein described with reference to Figure V of the accompanying.

page_text: 21. In a tubeless pneumatic tyre of the kind referred to in Claiming Clauses 18,
19 and 20 hereof, causing the india-rubber flap or flaps to contract on to the tabs,
substantially as set forth.
22. A tyre protecting band constructed and arranged as herein described.
23. A tyre protector comprising two or more strips of the herein described
solution-treated chamois leather, stretched alternately lengthwise and crosswise,
and solutioned together into a hand, substantially as set forth.
Dated this Seventeenth day of Anonst. 1809.
DOUGLAS LEECHMAN, M.Cy.E.I.,
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents,
9, Exchange Chambers, New Street, Birmingham,
18, Hertford Street, Coventry, & 75, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
l'atent Agent for the Applicant.