Improvements in Pneumatic Tyres.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Apr., 1899--Accepted, 13th May, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pneumatic Tyres.
I, Louis Cox, of No. 3, Great Charles Street, Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Tyre Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement, reference being had to the drawings
accompanying this specification and to the figures and letters shewn thereon:
The object of my present invention is to improve the covers of pneumatic tyres
and also to improve the means of attachment of pneumatic tyres to the rims of
wheels. Figure 1. represents in section the cover of a pneumatic tyre open.
Figure 2, is a section representing the two edges brought together. Figure 3
represents in part elevation an under view of the cover shewing the fastenings
in one form. Figure 3 is a similar view shewing a stud fastening. Figures
& 5 the wire and adjustable screwnut. Figures 6, 7, & 8 are respectively side view,
plan and end view of the fastening device. Figures 9, 10, & 11 are respectively
side view, plan and end view of a modification of the method of fastening
Figure 12 shews the stud form of fastening.
I construct the cover (A) of canvas or other suitable material the said cover
completely encircles the inner tube (B) but is not itself a complete tube being
divided circumferentially where it rests within the rim. The adjacent edges of
the cover (A) or the strips of leather secured thereto on one edge of the cover and
the strip of leather secured to the other edge of the cover slightly overlap one
another. I securely attach by sewing, cementing or other suitable means the
strip of leather (C) to one or both edges of the cover. The leather strip (C) is
by preference secured to the inner surface of the cover which is then bent back
and cemented over the leather so as to enclose the leather in a kind of pocket but
the edges of the leather strip on either or both of the edges of the cover may
extend beyond the edges of the cover. The leather strip (C) may be of any desired
width but by preference should not extend beyond or much beyond the edges of
the rim.
The outside of the cover is covered with india-rubber (1) or other suitable wear
resisting material so as to form the tread portion of the tyre, though for the racing
path the canvas cover (A) alone may afford sufficient tread. The inner tube (B)
is placed within the cover (A), and the edges of the cover (A) are secured together
in the following manner. The overlapping edges of the cover or leather bands are
perforated with holes (E) at suitable distances apart circumferentially so that the
holes (E) on the two edges or on one edge and the leather correspond when the
two edges of the cover (A) are brought together. The edges of the cover are then
secured together by a lace passing through the holes thus made which secures both
sides together. Other suitable methods of fastening may be used of which the
following will be found convenient for the purpose in either of the forms
described.
One method consists of a shanked or looped stud (F) Figure 12 with preferably
a flat disc shaped head the shank is passed through the corresponding hales in

page_text: the overlapping edges so that the head of the stud is inside the cover and the
looped or shanked end of the stud protrudes outside the surface of the cover the
two overlapping edges are then secured together by threading short lengths of
wire (H) through the looped shanks circumferentially similar to the arrange-
ment shewn in Figure 3* these short lengths which I prefer of wire but which
might be of catgut or other suitable material should be of such a length as not
to interfere with the ready attachment of the tyre to the rim when inflated. I have
found that lengths from a fourth to a ninth of the circumference of the cover
answer very well.
The flat heads or discs of the shanked stud (F) so as not to injure the inner
air chamber in any way may have a strip of canvas or other material over same.
Or instead of employing the aforesaid Hat-headed shanked or looped studs I use
a special form of fastening consisting of a bar or strip of metal (1) of the same
length relative to the distance circumferentially of the holes from hole to hole in
the two overlapping edges.
This metal bar (I) is turned up at right angles at each end (I¹) within which is
a hole thus forming looped or eyeletted flanges or shanks for the reception of the
wire lengths (H)..
It will be readily understood that the shanks or flanged ends of the metal strips
or bars (I) pass through the holes that exist in the two overlapping edges see
Figure and the wires (H) are passed through the looped flanges or shanks (I)
and thus secure the two overlapping edges in place. In connection with the
wire lengths (H) I employ a special arrangement to prevent the wires from
creeping and becoming disengaged from the looped shanks of the studs or
looped shanks or flanged ends of the metal bars.
وو
To prevent this I screw thread the one end (H¹) of each length of wire (H) so
as to receive a small wormed nut (J) consequently when the wire is threaded
through the eyes of the studs or looped ends of the metal bars the screw nut (J)
can be adjusted where desired (within certain limits) on the wire (H) so that it
cannot creep out of the eyes of the studs or fastenings though the nut (J)
will allow of a certain amount of traverse between the looped shanks or eyes of
the studs or fastenings. Both the latter methods are clearly shewn on Figures
& 3. Further as an alternative method of fastening for the two sides of the cover
of a pneumatic tyre I may sometimes dispense with the studs or fastenings and
wires such as described above and substitute a metal bar (K). of the same length
relative to the distance of the holes apart circumferentially in the cover or tyre
the extremities of. the bar (K) are turned up at right angles and have studs (K)
consisting of flat-headed discs mounted thereon so that when the fastening is
placed in position in the cover circumferentially the studs or buttons (K) protrude
through the holes in the cover as aforesaid, and are buttoned on to the said studs.
The holes in the edges of the cover may be provided with eyelets or not as
preferred.
If desired one or both edges of the cover may be provided with a protecting
flap to protect the inner tube from being injured by the laces or the studs or the
metal fastenings and wires or other means of securing together the edges of the
The leather strip or strips are made into complete rings the diameter being
such that they can when the tyre is uninflated be stretched over the edge of the rim.
A tyre so constructed will on inflation be securely fixed to the rim without the
use of cement or other methods of fastening.
cover.
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
I claim is-
First. A pneumatic tyre for cycles and other vehicles consisting of:-
(a). A cover of canvas or other suitable material.
-
(b). A ring or two rings of leather firmly sooured to the me
P

page_text: (c). The edges of the cover or the edges of one or both of the leather rings
overlapping.
(). Corresponding holes eyeletted (or not) cut in the overlapping edges.
(e). An inner inflatable tube.
(f). A suitable tread.
(g). A lace or studs and wire or other suitable device such as shown for
securing the two edges of the cover together.
All combined and operating together substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated.
Second. In pneumatic tyres for cycles and other vehicles the use for the pur-
pose of securing the tyre to the rim of one or two rings of leather secured to one
or both edges of a cover. The edges of the cover being secured together substan-
tially in the manner hereinbefore described and illustrated.
Dated this 12th day of April 1899
EDWD. J. PAYNE & SON,
Warwick Chambers, 104, Colmore Row, Birmingham,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.