Improvements in Pneumatic Tyres for Wheels of Vehicles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Jan., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 30th Sept., 1897-Accepted, 4th Dec., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pneumatic Tyres for Wheels of Vehicles.
(A communication from abroad by JAMES HENRY NORTHROP of Hopedale, County of
Worcester, State of Massachusetts, one of the United States of America,
Machinist.)
I ALFRED GEORGE BROOKES of 55 and 56 Chancery Lane, in the County of
London, Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
-
This invention relates to pneumatic tyres for vehicle wheels, it being more
especially applicable to that class of tyres in which the outer or tread surface is
provided with rim engaging edges whereby the tread surface is detachably con-
nected to or at the face of the wheel rim, the said tread surface surrounding and
protecting an inflatable inner air tube.
This invention has for its object the production of a novel inner air tube, it
being so vulcanized that it normally lies in a folded over or roll-like condition, the
inflation of the air tube through a suitable pipe or nozzle connected with it, causing
the said air tube to expand and unroll, the inflation of the inner tube acting within
the outer tube serving to lock and maintain the engagement. of the rim engaging
edges of the tread surface in engagement with the tyre.
This invention consists essentially in an inflatable air tube folded or rolled
longitudinally over upon itself and vulcanized, it assuming circular form when
inflated, the said tube resuming its folded or rolled over form when 'deflated,
substantially as will be described.
Also the use with a tread surface having rim engaging edges, of an inner air
tube folded or rolled over upon itself longitudinally and vulcanized, the inner tube
being put rolled into circular form transversely when inflated, and again resuming
its folded or rolled form when deflated, substantially as will be described.
Also the use with an outer or tread surface of an inner air tube folded over upon
itself longitudinally and vulcanized in such a condition, and provided with a rib
adapted to enter the space between the edges of the tread surface on the tyre, the
said tube being adapted to assume a circular form when inflated, substantially
as will be described.
In this invention, the valve stem is constructed in a novel manner."
The valve stem consists essentially of an india rubber tube, having at one end a
wide flange, the said flange being. corrugated or indented, so that it may receive
and contain a quantity of the india rubber cement used to join the flange to the
tube.
:
The exterior of the tube is also corrugated, so that it may retain the india rubber
solution between it and the hole in the outer tyre or tube through which the valve
stem is drawn, to thereby enable the inner tube to be inflated.
The tube is drawn through a hole in the outer tyre of less diameter than the
ube, and during such operation the tube is distended and contracted, and conse-
quently, when the tube is released, it contracts in the direction of its length and

page_text: expands diametrically, thus filling the hole in the tube firmly, the projections of
the corrugations thereafter holding the tube firmly in the outer tube.
This invention also consists for use with a bicycle tyre of a valve stem, composed
of a hollow tube having a flange adapted to be seated against the tube.
Also for use with a bicycle tyre, of a valve stem composed of a hollow tube having
a flange corrugated at its side to contact with the tube which is to be inflated and
with which the stem is used.
Also for use with a bicycle tyre of a valve stem, composed of a hollow tube, and
a flange extended therefrom at one end, the exterior of said tube and the said
flange being both corrugated.
The rim of the wheel has near its edges suitable hooks and the tread has its edges
thickened to present hooks to engage the hooks of the rim the tread having its
inner edges so shaped, and of such length as to overlap each other when the hooks
of the tread are in the hooks of the rim.
My improved inner air tube, is first made into a tube and then folded or rolled
longitudinally and vulcanized in such condition, so that the completed tube when
deflated normally assumes a folded or rolled up form.
This inner air tube will be provided with a valve stem of any usual or suitable
construction so that when it is placed inside of the tread, and an air pump is
attached to the stem extending from the inner air tube through the tread and rim
of the wheel, the inner air 'tube may be inflated so that as the pressure of the air
within the air tube expands the same it causes the hooked ends of the tread to be
firmly seated and locked to the rim, so that the said tread cannot be withdrawn
or taken off of the rim until after deflating the inner air tube.
In this invention it is impossible for a thin part of the inner tube to be caught
between any portion of the tread and be so pinched or held that subsequent. inflation
will break or tear the inner tube.
In a modification, the rim has also inturned hooks and the tread surface has
hooked ends, but the edges of the tread containing the hooks do not overlap.
The inner tube in this form of my invention has an attached rib which occupies
a position between the edges of the tread, and when the inner tube is inflated and
expanded from its normally rolled up or folded condition, it acts to cause the
hooked ends of the tread to firmly engage the hooks of the rim, so that the rim
cannot be detached until the inner tube is deflated.
In this modification of this invention the rim will have at suitable intervals
suitable holes, to receive a pin or other device which may be inserted through
said holes and contact with the bead and push it in, after which the hooked edges
of the tread may be readily displaced from the hooks of the rim.
According to another arrangement an endless hose pipe or tube tyre is used, it
being supposed to be provided with a slit in its side, the improved inner tube
having the tread surface resting in the concaved surface of the rim which may be
of wood or any other suitable or usual material.
i
The rolled up condition of the inner tube, constitutes a convenient and available
form, so that it may be readily inserted into the slit or hole of the tread surface,
and when put in it may be inflated in usual manner fully filling and sustaining
the tread surface in circular form.
The valve stem consists essentially of an india rubber hollow tube corrugated
externally, said tube having at one end, a wide thin flange corrugated preferably
at both its outer and inner sides, the grooves forming part of the corrugations in
the flange being adapted to receive the rubber or other cement which holds the
flange to the tyre with which it may be used.
When used with an inner tube, the outer side of the flange will set onto the
outside of the inner tube, but it will be obvious that the valve stem might be used
with an outer tube and then the face of the flange next the hollow tube would
come in contact with the interior surface of the outer tube and would be connected
therewith by the use of usual or suitable cement.
The flange may be cemented in the outer surface of the inner tube and the

page_text: hollow tube-like part of the stem is passed through a hole made for its reception
in the outer tnbe, and also through a hole in the rim which may be of any, usual
material, either wood or metal, and the hollow tubular stem of the valve having
expanded, may fill the whole of the outer tube and of the rim.
Corrugations on the hollow tube-like stem of the valve aid very materially also
in retaining the valve stem in place in the outer tube.
1000
(A communication from abroad by JAMES HENRY NORTHROP of Hopedale, County of
Worcester, State of Massachusetts, one of the United States of America,
Machinist.)
1 ALFRED GEORGE BROOKES of 55 & 56 Chancery Lane, in the County of London,
Chartered Patent Agent, 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 pneumatic tires for vehicle wheels, it being more
especially applicable to that class of tires in which the outer or tread surface is
provided with rim engaging edges whereby the tread surface is detachably con-
nected to or at the face of the wheel rim, the said tread surface surrounding and
protecting an inflatable inner air tube.
This invention has for its object the production of a novel inner air tube, it
being so vulcanized that it normally lies in a folded over or roll-like condition,
the inflation of the air tube through a suitable pipe or nozzle connected with it,
causing the said air tube to expand and unroll, the inflation of the inner tube
acting within the outer tube serving to lock and maintain the engagement of the
rim engaging edges of the tread surface in engagement with the tyre.
This invention consists essentially in an inflatable air tube folded or rolled
longitudinally over upon itself and vulcanized, it assuming circular form when
inflated, the said tube resuming its folded or rolled over form when deflated,
substantially as will be described.
Also the use with a tread surface having rim engaging edges, of an inner air
tube folded, or rolled over, upon itself longitudinally and vulcanized, the inner
tube being put into place in its rolled up condition and being unrolled into circular
form transversely when inflated, and again resuming its folded, or rolled, form
when deflated, substantially as will be described.
Also the use with an outer or tread surface of an inner air tube folded over upon
itself longitudinally and vulcanized in such a condition, and provided with a rib
adapted to enter the space between the edges of the tread surface on the tyre, the
said tube being adapted to assume a circular form when inflated, substantially as
will be described.
In this invention the valve stem is constructed in a novel manner.
The valve stem consists essentially of an india rubber tube, having at one end a
wide flange, the said flange being corrugated or indented, so that it may receive
and contain a quantity of the india rubber cement used to join the flange to the
tube.
The exterior of the tube is also corrugated, so that it may retain the india rubber

page_text: solution between it and the hole in the outer tire or tube through which the valve
stem is drawn, to thereby enable the inner tube to be inflated.
The tube is drawn through a hole in the outer tire of less diameter than the
tube, and during such operation the tube is distended and contracted, and conse-
quently, when the tube is released, it contracts in the direction of its length and
expands diametrically, thus filling the hole in the tube firmly, the projections of
the corrugations thereafter holding the tube firmly in the outer tube.
This invention also consists for use with a bicycle tire of a valve stem, com-
posed of a hollow tube having a flange adapted to be seated against the tube.
Also for use with a bicycle tire of a valve stem composed of a hollow tube having
a flange corrugated at its side to contact with the tube which is to be inflated and
with which the stem is used.
Also for use with a bicycle tire of a valve stem, composed of a hollow tube, and a
flange extended therefrom at one end, the exterior of said tube and the said flange
being both corrugated.
Fig. 1 represents a cross section of one form of rin (and tread surface with my
improved inner tube therein and deflated.
Fig. 2 is a similar view with the inner air tube inflated.
Fig. 3 shows a modified form of my invention with the inner air tube deflated,
and
Fig. 4 shows the same inflated.
Fig. 5 is another view of the same parts showing how the inner tube may be
pushed in to remove the tread; and
Fig. shows my inner tube in a tread surface made as a pipe tire, supposed to
be slitted for a short distance at its side for the admission of the inner tube, the
said inner air tube being in deflated condition, said Fig. also showing the valve
stem attached to the inner tube, as will be used with a double tube tire.
Fig. 7 shows the outer side of the flange of the valve stem, and
Fig. 8 shows the said valve stem in longitudinal section.
Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, A represents the portion of the rim of a wheel,
it having near its edges suitable hooks a, and B represents a tread having its
edges thickened to present hooks to engage the hooks a, the tread shown having
its inner edges so shaped, and of such length as to overlap each other when the
hooks of the tread are in the hooks of the rim. C represents my improved inner
air tube, the same being first made into a tube and then folded or rolled longi
tudinally and vulcanized in such condition, so that the completed tube when
deflated normally assumes a folded or rolled up form as in Fig. 1.
This inner air tube will be provided in usual manner with a valve stem of any
usual or suitable construction so that when it is placed inside of the tread, as
represented in Fig. 1, and an air pump is attached to the stem extending from the
inner air tube through the tread and rim of the wheel, the inner air tube may be
inflated to occupy the position shown in Fig. 2, so that as the pressure of the air,
within the air tube expands the same it causes the hooked ends of the tread to bo
firmly seated and locked to the rim, so that the said tread cannot be withdrawn
or taken off of the rim until after deflating the inner air tube.
In this invention it is impossible for a thin part of the inner tube to be caught
between any portion of the tread and be so pinched or held that subsequent inflation
will break or tear the inner tube.
In the modification Figs. 3 and 4, the rim D. has also inturned hooks d, and the
tread surface E has hooked ends e, but the edges of the tread containing the
hooks do not overlap, as in Figs. 1 and 2.
4
J
The inner tube F in this form of my invention has an attached rib f, which
occupies a position between the edges of the tread, and when the inner tube is
inflated and expanded from its normally rolled up or folded condition, it acts to
cause the hooked ends of the tread to firmly engage the hooks of the rim, so that 5
the rim cannot be detached until the inner tube is deflated.

page_text: In this modification of this invention the rim will have at suitable intervals
suitable holes, as represented in Fig. 5, to receive a pin or other device f which
may be inserted through said holes and contact with the bead and push it in, as
represented in Fig. 5, after which the hooked edges of the tread may be readily
5 displaced from the hooks of the rim.
Fig. 6 shows a tread surface G, shown as an endless hose pipe or tube tire, it
being supposed to be provided with a slit in its side, the improved inner tube being
represented therein in its deflated condition the tread surface resting in the con-
caved surface of the rim H which may be of wood or any other suitable or usual
material.
The rolled up condition of the inner tube, in Fig. 6 puts it in a convenient and
available form so that it may be readily inserted into the slit or hole of the tread
surface, and when put in it may be inflated in usual manner fully filling and
sustaining the tread surface in circular form.
Having described the construction of the inner tube and shown it in connection
with an outer tube, I will now describe the novel valve stem; it being shown in
Figs. 7 and 8, detached, and in position in Fig. 6.
The valve stem consists essentially of an india rubber hollow tube g corrugated
externally, as at g¹, said tube having at one end, a wide thin flange g² corrugated
preferably at both its outer and inner sides, the grooves forming part of the corru-
gations in the flange being adapted to receive the rubber or other cement which
holds the flange to the tire with which it may be used.
When used with an inner tube, the outer side of the flange will set onto the
outside of the inner tube, as shown in Fig. 6, but it will be obvious that the valve
stem might be used with an outer tube and then the face of the flange next. the
hollow tube would come in contact with the interior surface of the outer tube
and would be connected therewith by the use of usual or suitable cement.
As shown in Fig. 6, the flange is cemented in the outer surface of the inner
tube and the hollow tube-like part of the stem is passed through a hole made for
its reception in the outer tube, and also through a hole in the rim which may be
of any usual material, either wood or metal, and in said Fig., the hollow tubular
stem of the valve is shown as having expanded, filling the holes of the outer tube
and of the rim.
-
These corrugations on the hollow tube-like stem of the valve aid very
materially also in retaining the valve stem in place in the outer tube.
.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, declare that what.
I claim is:-
1. An inflatable air tube folded or rolled longitudinally over upon itself and
vulcanized, said tube being adapted to assume a circular form in cross section
when inflated, and returning to its folded or rolled over form when deflated, sub-
stantially as described.
2. The use with a tread surface having rim engaging edges, of an inner tube
folded or rolled over upon itself longitudinally and vulcanized, the said inner tube
being put into circular form transversely when inflated and again resuming its
folded or rolled form when deflated, substantially as described.
3. The use with an outer or tread surface, of an inner air tube folded or rolled
over upon itself longitudinally and vulcanized in such a condition, and provided
with a rib adapted to enter the space between the edges of the tread surface when
on the tyre, the said air tube being adapted to assume a circular form when inflated,
substantially as described.
4. The use with a bicycle tube, of a valve stem, composed of a hollow tube
having a flange adapted to be seated against the tube, substantially as described.
5. The use with a bicycle tyre, of a valve stem, composed of a hollow tube
having a flange corrugated at its side to contact with the tube which is to be inflated
and with which the stem is used, substantially as described.

page_text: 6. The use with a bicycle tire, of a valve stem, composed of a hollow tube, and
a flange extended therefrom at one end, the exterior of said tube and the said
flange being both corrugated, substantially as described.
Dated the 30th day of September 1897.
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56 Chancery Lane London Agents for the Applicant.