Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Oct., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 24th June, 1898-Accepted, 13th Aug., 1898
ALEXANDER BRUCE, 4, Finnart Street, Greenock, Master Mariner, WILLIAM
CONNAL, 20, Nicolson Street, Greenock, Foreman Tinsmith, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of the spring & coir tyre is principally to do away with any chance
of puncture while giving as near as possible the same amount of resillience as
tyres made on the pneumatic principle.
The tyre consists of a steel rim but instead of being made in the section of a
circle as in ordinary cycle tyres, the outer edges of the rim are turned inward
forming a flange, in which are inserted a close series of perpendicular spiral
springs the flange in the rim keeping them effectually in place, while the top
edge of the springs are made concave to hold in place the tyre. The outside tyre
consists of a roll of coir covered with waterproof canvas and having the running
face covered with rubber. If thought advisable the outer tyre may be an ordinary
rubber cushion.
The spring & coir tyre obviates all danger of puncture and does away with
inflating. The weight of this tyre may be a percentage heavier than the pneu-
matic, but the cost will be a great deal less also it is admirably adapted for hard
work.
A very great advantage in the wheel is that all the springs are separate and
interchangeable and any one can put in a new spring if required without the. aid
of a mechanic, or without in any way disturbing the rest of the springs. Another
advantage is that the rim of the tyre is narrower than those on the pneumatic
principle consequently less friction when in use.
Doted this Thirteenth day of October 1897
We, ALEXANDER BRUCE, 4, Finnart Street, Greenock, Master Mariner, and
WILLIAM CONNAL, 19, Crawford Street, late of 20, Nicholson Street, Greenock,
Foreman Tinsmith, 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 intention which relates to tyres for eveles and other vehicles has for its

page_text: object to provide a tyre having the advantage as regards resilience of the pneumatic
tyre whilst obviating risk of puncture and collapse incidental to the use of
pneumatic tyres.
In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention, Figure 1 is a side
elevation of part of a cycle wheel rim showing the improved tyre secured thereon
and Figures 2 and 3 are cross sections of the same. Figure 4 is a cross section
of part of the rim of a wheel as adapted for use in carriages or like vehicles.
As shown by these drawings the improved tyre comprises a rim A of steel or
similar material which instead of being made in the section of a circle as in
ordinary cycle tyres has its outer edges turned inwards to form flanges at a in
which are inserted a series of perpendicular spiral springs B, the flanges in the
rim keeping them effectually in place, gutta-percha or other cement being filled
into the flanges to prevent the springs coming together. The top edges of the
springs are made concave at b to hold in place the tyre, and they may be fitted
with concave plates b¹ to form a seat for the outside tyre.
The springs are placed as closely together as possible without actually touching
and they are so fitted within the flanged rim that whilst one of the convolutions
of any one spring rests on the right hand flange as indicated at Figure 2 the
corresponding convolution of either of the adjoining springs rests on the left hand
flange as indicated at Figure 3, so that the pressure is alternately on the two sides
of the rim and is properly distributed whilst the tyre or tread is maintained
centrally.
The outside tyre or tread C which is made entirely of rubber, either solid or
hollow, is cemented on them or on the concave plates at the outer ends of the
springs.
This spring tyre obviates all danger of puncture and requires no inflating. All
the springs B are separate and interchangeable and any one or more of them may
be replaced without the aid of a mechanic or without in any way disturbing the
rest of the springs. The rim of the tyre being narrower than those on the pneu-
matic principle less friction results when in use.
In tyres for the wheels of carriages or like vehicles, the outside tyre is preferably
held in place on the springs by means of an inextensible and flexible wire or
cord passed circumferentially through the tyre as indicated at Figure 4; and the
springs may be held apart by means of metal or other strips.
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:-
A wheel tyre composed of a flanged rim engaging a series of spiral springs dis
posed closely around its periphery and an outside tyre or tread held in place by
the concave outer ends of the springs substantially as described.
WALLACE FAIRWEATHER,
Of the Firm of Cruikshank & Fairweather,
Chartered Patent Agents,
62, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agent for the Applicants.