Improvements in Elastic Tyres for Cycles and the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 11th May, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 10th Feb., 1897-Accepted, 13th Mar.. 1897
Improvements in Elastic Tyres for Cycles and the like.
We, GUISEPPE VINCENZO DE LUCA, and STAFFORD HILL, of the Firm of
De Luca Hill and Co., of 6 and 7 Long Lane, Aldersgate Street, in the City of
London, Glass Bottle Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:
Our invention relates to an improvement in resilient tyres for the wheels of cycles
and the like and is intended to take the place of and supersede the pneumatic tyres
which are the source of so much trouble to cyclists by reason of the frequency with
which they become punctured or cut, and the frequency with which they require to
be reinflated when in use.
Now according to our invention we make the tyre of a rubber or other tube within
which we place a metallic helix preferably of steel ribbon coiled so as to form a tube
and tempered to or about the usual spring teinper.
Such rubber helical coil we make to correspond in size with the interior diameter
of the rubber or flexible tube in which it is to be inserted and so that it may fill
the same tightly and if required exert some outward pressure.
A longitudinal tie or ties may be carried along the metallic helix and be secured to
each or some of the convolutions so as to regulate them and keep them in their
proper relative positions.
The tyre thus formed is bent round the felly of the wheel and the ends joined
together by appropriate fastening, clips or fittings.
Such tyres when properly constructed and proportioned in respect of the substance,
diameter, and temper of the helix and otherwise in relation to the work required of it
possess all the resiliency of the pneumatic tyre without the liability to collapse
when punctured or slightly damaged to an extent which would ruin an ordinary
pneumatic tyre.
Dated this 11th day of May 1896.
NEWNHAM BROWNE,
Agent for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Elastic Tyres for Cycles and the like.
We, GUISEPPE VINCENZO DE LUCA, and STAFFORD HILL, of 6 and 7 Long Lane
in the City of London, Glass Bottle Manufacturers, 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:-
Our invention relates to an improvement in resilient tyres for the wheels of cycles
and the like and is intended to take the place of and supersede the pneumatic tyres
which by reason of the frequency with which they become punctured or cut, and the
frequency with which they require to be reinflated when in use, are the source of so
much trouble to cyclists.

page_text: Our invention comprises a metallic helix preferably of steel ribbon coiled so as to
form an open tube, and tempered to or about the usual spring temper, together with a
covering of canvas, rubber, or both or the like.
In the accompanying sheet of drawings Fig. 1 is an elevation of part of a wheel
according to our invention Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the same,
Fig. 3 is an elevation of part of the helically coiled spring,
Fig. 4 is the canvas or canvas and rubber tube covering the spring. Fig. 5 is a
transverse section thereof and Fig. 6 is the outer rubber covering.
A. is the helical coil of preferably steel ribbon of spring temper, and which coil
is of the length necessary to fit round the felly or frame of the wheel to which it
is to be applied.
We prefer that the two edges of the spring be slightly inclined or bent or turned
over, (that is to say inwards in relation to the coil) so that it may be less liable to
wear the cover than it would be if the edges were left flat, but such bending over of
the edges must be too small to render the spring rigid or materially lessen its
resiliency.
bb are holes for a purpose hereinafter explained. D, is a tubular canvas case
shown also in transverse section at D', of size to fit tightly over or slightly compress
the helical coil, and which is drawn over it in the following manner. A mandrel
is provided of slightly greater length than the coil, and of somewhat smaller diameter,
about five-sixths of the diameter of the coil is a convenient size, and this is inserted
through the coil, and one end of the coil is fixed thereto by means of a stud on the
mandre! passing through and engaging in one of the holes b. The coil is then
drawn closely round the mandrel so that it is coiled tightly on it and the other hole b
hooked over an appropriate stud near the other end of the mandrel, and the canvas
tube D is then easily drawn over after which the coil is disengaged from the studs
on the mandrel and expands so as to entirely fill the canvas cover, and the mandrel
being released by the expansion of the coil, is drawn out leaving the coil within the
cover. The canvas covered coil is then bent round till the ends meet and the free
ends of the spring
are fastened together or each of them may be tucked under or
within the last previous turn of the coil so that it does not present a sharp end edge
to the cover and the ends of the canvas cover are then joined preferably by being
put together and the join covered with canvas attached with rubber solution, after
which the whole may be sprung on to the wheel.
We prefer however before putting the tyre on the wheel to place on it a cover E.
of rubber the surface of which is preferably moulded, for instance as shewn at E' to
prevent its slipping on the road, and we make such cover as shewn at E, with eyelet
holes near to its edges, or other devices by means of which it may be laced or
otherwise fastened round the canvas covered spring, the lacing or other fastening
being so arranged that when the whole is sprung on to the wheel the lacing is on
that side of the tyre which lies within the hollow of the rim. A strip of canvas or
the like, may be cemented with rubber solution over the lacing thereby protecting
the lacing and forming the whole into a tube. Instead of the outer (rubber) cover
being placed immediately over the spring cover and within the rim, it may be
placed over both the covered spring and the rim after the former has been sprung
on to the wheel.
It is advantageous that the rubber cover should be made wholly or partly on a
backing of canvas to give the fastenings greater stability and this is conveniently
done by facing the rubber with a strip of canvas lining on each side, leaving the
central portion its full elasticity. For the further strengthening of the coverings we
may use a strip G of leather or like suitable material fixed by means of rubber
solution on the canvas
cover D so that it lies between that and the outer
covering E.
Such tyres when properly constructed and proportioned in respect of substance
diameter, and temper of the helix, in relation to the work required of them, are
much less liable to slip on the road than are pneumatic tyres, and possess all the
resiliency of the pneumatic tyre without their liability to collapse when punctured

page_text: and will remain useful when damaged to an extent which would ruin a pneumatic
tyre.
One great advantage of onr improvements is that the spring coil, placed in the
first canvas cover and faced with the strip G as above described, can be used in
place of the air tube in any ordinary pneumatic tyre and may be made to any size
and strength required for the wheels of cycles, carriages and the like.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-.
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The improvements in elastic tyres for cycles and the like substantially as
hereinbefore described.
2. Tyres for cycles and the like made of a helical coil of steel ribbon or other like
resilient metal with a cover of canvas and rubber or one or both of these or
like covering substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.
3. A tyre for the wheels of cycles and like vehicles comprising a coiled spring A,
cover D, and outer cover E, either with or without a strip G, substantially as
described and shown in the drawings.
1007
G. V. DE LUCA.
STAFFORD HILL..