Improvements in 'Tyres for Cycle and other Vehicle Wheels.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 30th Jan., 1897
Improvements in 'Tyres for Cycle and other Vehicle Wheels.
I, RUDOLF BRETTNER of 22, Newman Street, W. Diamond Setter, 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 improvements in connection with tyres for cycle and
other vehicle wheels, such as those employed-in cabs, carriages and the like.
In carrying out my invention I propose to employ a series of springs which
serve to support the outer cover or tyre formed from a corresponding number of
metal plates connected together in chain form. Around the periphery of the rim
of the wheel a number of small hollow metal pillars is fixed forming sockets for
the reception of stout pins which are hinged at their outer end to the metal plates
forming the outside of the tyre. These pins are formed in two pieces the
upper one pivoted to the lower at right angles to the pivot connecting the pins to
the tyre. The pin is thus free to move in any direction adapting itself to the
motion of the tyre due to the variation in pressure.
The springs I employ are of spiral or helical form, and encircle these pins
resting at their lower ends in sockets formed by the hollow pillars above mentioned,
or otherwise bearing against a fixed part. The sides of the tyre are formed by
bands of rubber or other flexible material completely covering the springs and
interior parts, these sides giving to allow for the action of the tyre the springs
taking the whole pressure. Instead of forming these sides from resilient material,
a series of metal plates may be employed loosely connected to each other and
adapted to give to pressure in any direction. The tyre so constructed is very
resilient and at the same time in no way liable to get out of order or to be
damaged.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had to
the accompanying sheet of drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of part of
the tyre and wheel, the side parts being removed at one point to show the springs,
Fig. 2 is a cross section of the tyre and Fig. 3 a section at right angles, Figs. 2
and 3 showing a slightly modified arrangement.
A is the rim of the wheel provided as shown in Fig. 1 with a series of small
plates B secured around the periphery by screws. These metal plates overlap
each other at the ends and serve to carry the hollow pillars C which are placed at
a short distance from each other around the wheel.
As shown in Figs. 2 and 3 the plates B' are of somewhat different form, being
provided with the sinall eyes or tubular extensions b at each end through which the
wire passes connecting them together. D is a stout pin extending into the
hollow posts or sockets provided with the cross pin d at its lower end passing
through slots c in the said posts. This cross pin allows the pin D to move:
vertically in the socket without permitting it to become disengaged. The upper
part D of the pin is formed from a separate piece hinged to the lower, and is also
ivoted to the plate E, a series of which forms the outside or cover of the tyre.
The two pivots are at right angles so as to permit the pin D to move relatively to
the outside of the tyre either transversely or longitudinally. A spring F is placed
around the pin and bears against the plate E resting at its lower end in the
socket c' at the top of the post C.

page_text: Instead of the pin being formed in two parts and pivoted together, the socket
may be pivoted at its lower end to give the required motion. The outer plates E
are hinged together at their ends so as to form a continuous chain and complete the
tyre. The edges e of these plates are turned over at the sides and enclose the side
pieces G which completely hide the interior of the tyre and protect it from dust or
dirt. These sides are preferably formed from flexible material, but may be made
in any other suitable manner which will allow of.the desired resiliency.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is.-
(1.) In an improved tyre for vehicle wheels, the combination of a number of
hollow posts or sockets pins carried by the said posts and free to move within them,
plates forming the exterior of the tyre connected to the pins, springs encircling the
.said pins and pivots in the pins or hollow posts allowing motion in any direction
relatively to the outer plates, substantially as described and for the purposes
specified.
(2.) In an improved tyre for vehicle wheels, the combination with hollow posts
or sockets fixed on the rim of wheel and pius sliding in the said sockets formed in
two parts pivoted together, of plates forming the exterior of the tyre pivoted to
the pins and springs bearing against the said plates, substantially as and for the
purposes specified.
(3.) In an improved tyre for vehicle wheels, the combination with plates fixed
on the wheel, hollow posts or sockets carried by the said plates and provided with
vertical slots and pins formed in two parts sliding in the said sockets and connected
by means of cross pins, of a series or chain of plates forming the periphery of the
tyre connected together at their ends and pivoted to the extremities of the pins,
springs bearing against the said plates and encircling the pins and side pieces or
coverings enclosing the springs and other parts, substantially as and for the
purposes specified.
(4.) The improved tyre for vehicle wheels, comp g hollow posts or sockets,
pins carried by the said sockets, springs on the pins and plates forming the exterior
of the tyre, substantially as described and shown in Fig. 1 of the accompanying
sheet of drawings, and for the purposes specified.
(5.) The improved tyre for vehicle wheels, constructed and operating substan-
tially as described and shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings, and
for the purposes specified.
Dated this 29th day of October 1896.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.