Improvements in Tires for Bicycles and other Vehicles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 10th June, 1897-Accepted, 26th Mar., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tires for Bicycles and other Vehicles.
I, FRANK BAYLIES GRISWOLD, of Number 75, First Street, Troy, New York,
United States of America, Engineer, 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:-
The invention is a device for attaching pneumatic tires to the rims of wheels
of vehicles, such as bicycles. Generally described, it consists of a band which
encircles the rim inside of the tire. The ends of the band are connected to a
tightening device. The said tightening device is substantially a double crank,
and it is operated by means of a rod passing through the tire and projecting on
the inside of the rim. By turning this rod in one direction the band is loosened,
and in the other direction it is tightened.
The device is applicable to various forms of tires, as hereafter explained, and
may be modified accordingly.
In the drawings Figs. 1 to 13 inclusive show the device as adapted to an air
tight tubular tire. Figs. 14, 15 and 18 show the application of the device to a
tire having an outer sheath and an interior inflatable tube, the outer sheath being
partially tubular. Figs. 16 and 22 show the application of the binding wires to
a tire sheath, which is made tubular on the rim by approximating its edges. Fig. 21
shows a mode of sewing the binding wires to the inside of a tire sheath. Figs. 17,
19 and 20 show the tightener applied to wires such as used in Figs. 14 and 15.
Fig. 23 shows a modified form of tire sheath in a rim having a groove. Fig. 24
is a modified form of tightener. Fig. 25 shows the tire in place on the rim.
Figs. 26 and 27 show the tightener applied to a double tire, the inner tube of
which has a band to prevent undue expansion of the tire at the place where the
tightener rod or valve body protrudes.
Similar numbers of reference indicate like parts.
Referring first to Figs. 4, 5, 19 and 20, the tightener consists of a rod 1, formed
integrally with which are two circular plates, 2 and 3 connected together at 4 so
that these two plates are parallel with a recess between them. The band which
is attached to this tightener may consist of a strip of thin metal, the ends of which
are shown at 5 and 6, Figs. 4 and 5. The end 5 is pivoted to the under side of
plate 2.
The end 6 is pivoted to the under side of plate 3, the pivot points being
on opposite sides of the center. The parts being in the position shown in Fig. 4,
when the tightener rod 1 is rotated on its axis, the parts assume the position shown
in Fig. 5; the end 5 of the band then coming in the recess between the plates 2
and 3, and the end 6 being carried to overlap the end 5. The tightener thus acts
as a double crank to constrict the band 5 and 6. Fig. 19 is an elevation showing
the parts in the position of Fig. 4; and Fig. 20 a similar elevation showing the
parts in the position of Fig. 5.
Instead of making the band of a single strip of metal, as 5 and 6, it may be formed
of two wires 7 and 8, Fig. 17, the opposite ends of said wires being united to
plates 9 and 10, which plates are pivoted respectively to the circular plates 2 and 3
of the tightener, in the manner already described. In order to attach the ends

page_text: of the wires 7 and 8 to the plates 9 and 10, I provide on each plate as 9, turned over
clips 11, through which clips pass the headed ends of the wire 7 and 8. These
ends are held in the clips by a pivot button 12, which is turned lengthwise the
plate 9 to allow the wires to be inserted in the clips, and is then turned trans-
versely, as shown in Fig. 17, to hold the wires in place.
Instead of making the tightener with two plates as 2 and 3, Fig. 19, I may make
it with three plates, as 2, 3, and 13, as shown in Fig. 24; the plate 9 to which
the wires 7 and 8 are attached, or the end 6 of a flat band, if a flat band is used,
is pivoted between the plates 3 and 13, as shown at the point a, while the plate 10
of the wires 7 and 8, or the end 5 if a flat band is used, is pivoted between the
plates 2 and 3 at the point b. The advantage here is that the ends of the band
may be secured to pivots extending between the adjacent plates, and the outer
plate 13 covers and protects the end of the band which comes between plates 3 and 13.
I will now describe how the tightener is applied to a double tube tire, such as
is illustrated in Figs. 14, 15, 16, 18, 22 and 23. In the form of tire shown in
Figs. 14 and 15, 14 is an outer tube or tire sheath, and 21 is an inner inflatable
tube. The outer sheath is here shown in tubular form, split everywhere around
its circumference except for a short distance on either side of the place where the
tightener is applied, and on either side of the inflating valve for the inner tube.
Thus referring to Fig. 25, the outer sheath is split between the points 16 and 17,
and 18 and 19, but is solid between the points 17 and 18, and 16 and 19. Between
the points 17 and 18 is a circular opening 20 Fig. 14, 21 is an inner inflatable tube.
On the inside of the sheath are stitched, by means of thin wire, the binding wires 7
and 8, as shown in Fig. 21. The stitching ends a little beyond the points 17 and 18.
The body portion of the wires 7 and being thus fastened inside of the outer
sheath and on each side of the slit therein, extend entirely around the tire when
it is on the rim 22, as shown in Fig. 25, and the ends of the wires 7 and 8 come
between the outer sheath and inner tube, and are connected to the plates 9 and 10,
as already described, and as shown in Fig. 15. The rod 1 of the tightener then
protrudes through the hole 20, and also through the rim, as shown in Fig. 25.
In using the device the inner tube 21 is inserted into the outer sheath, and the
tightener rod being turned to bring the parts into the position shown in Fig. 19,
the combined tire is placed upon the rim. Then the tightener rod 1 is turned
by means of a lever, for example, inserted in the hole 23 Fig. 19 to bring the parts
into the position shown in Figure 20, thus causing the plates 9 and 10 to overlap
and to constrict the wires 7 and 8 tightly, so that they bind the tire sheath 14
closely upon the rim 22. Then the inner tube is inflated through the ordinary
valve 50, and the tire is ready for use.
The strain upon the wires 7 and 8 holds the edges of the tire where it is split
very closely together, so that no special fastening between these edges is necessary.
This is illustrated in the cross-section, Fig. 18. When it is desired to remove the
tightener, the button 12 may be turned to release the ends of the wire 7 and 8
from the plates 9.
Instead of using a tire such as 14, which is partly slit, I may use one which
is wholly slit, and is substantially in the form of a flat band, when not in place.
Such a tire is represented at 24, Figs. 16 and 22. I may embed the wires 7 and 8
in the material of such a tire, as shown in Fig. 22 instead of stitching them on,
as shown in Figs. 16 and 21. The opening 20 for the tightener rod 1 is here formed
in each edge of the tire, so that when the semicircular recesses in the edges are
brought together when the tire is put upon the rim, they form one circular opening.
The ends of the wire 7 and 8, Fig. 22, may be connected to the plates 9 and 10,
in the manner already described.
The ease with which the band wires 8 and 7 and tightener may be attached
by sewing to the inside of the tire sheath, as represented in Figs. 14, 15, 16, 18
and 22, renders it possible easily to convert tires which were originally single
tubes, and directly inflated, into the outer sheaths of double tires. It often happens
that such a single tube tire becomes worn or punctured to such a degree as to

page_text: make it of no more utility as a single tube tire, because it will not contain an
Such tires are then generally thrown away as useless. I can take such tires and
either slit them partly, as shown in Figs. 14 and 15, or wholly as shown in Figs. 16
and 22, attach my binding wires 7 and 8 to the inside of them, as already described,
and provide a tightener connected to said band wires, and an internal inflatable
tube, and thus the former single tube tire becomes the outer sheath of a double
tire, and may enter upon a new lifetime, because it is no longer required to hold
air, and therefore whatever punctures may be in it, will exercise no effect.
is an important economy in the use of tires.
This
It will be seen from Fig. 18 that I may employ the ordinary form of concave
rim, 22, of the kind to which single tube tires are usually cemented, and that it
is not necessary to alter the rim in anywise to allow of the tire being attached
thereto by means of my binding wires and tightener.
It is possible however to attach the tire by the means represented in Fig. 23,
in which there is shown a band 6 interposed as before between the inner tube 21,
and the tire sheath 14, and pressing upon the enlarged edges 25 of the tire sheath,
which enter a suitably formed recess in the rim. The ends of this band are the
same as shown at 5 and 6 Fig. 5 and are connected to the tightener in like manner.
I will now describe how my invention is applied to a single tube tire, that is a
tubular tire which is directly inflated, and which has no internal inflatable tube.
The rim 22, which is of the same shape as shown in Fig. 18, receives the tubular
tire 26. Through an opening in this tire passes the body of a tubular case 27,
shown separately in Fig. 9. The end of the case is flanged at 28, and the body
is screw threaded to receive a flanged washer and nut 29 and 30, by means of which
said case is secured tightly to the tire. The body of the case protrudes through
the rim, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The case 27 receives two distinct devices,
the first being the band tightener represented in Figs. 4 and 5, and the second, the
valve for inflating the tyre. The rod 1 of the tightener is made short, Figs. 2
and 3, and is nicked to receive the end of a key 31, which is shown separately in
Fig. 13. When this key 31 is inserted into the tube 27 it enters the nick in the
rod 1, and by turning the key, the tightener may be turned into the positions shown
in Figs. 4 and 5. The shape of the rod 1 with the plates 2 and 3 is especially
shown in Fig. 10. The tightener is inserted into the tube 27 in the following man-
ner. In the end of said tube there is an opening 32, Figs. 9 and 12, in the shape of a
mutilated circle, adapted to receive the rod 1. The mutilation of the opening is
caused by a thin plate 33. The rod 1 is inserted into the tube 27 when its flat
side 34 Fig. 10 coincides with the straight edge of plate 33, but when the tightener
is rotated in the case, said plate 33 enters a groove 55, Fig. 10, in rod 1 and in this
way the tightener is detachably seated and held in the case 27, and cannot be
pushed out of said case by the insertion of the key 31.
I will now describe the valve which occupies the case 27 beyond the end of the
rod 1. This valve, shown in Figs. 7 and 8, has an outer casing 35, which is en-
larged at 36, and which has a threaded portion 37, which is received in the threaded
end of the tube 27, as shown in Fig. 2. The lower end of the casing 35 is closed
by a screw plug 38, having an air aperture 39. The valve 40 is held to its seat by
a spiral spring 41. The valve stem 42 protrudes through an opening in the seat,
and enters a chamber in the screw plug 43, which is on one side of a cap 44. On
the other side of the cap is another screw plug 45, adapted to enter the threaded
chamber in the casing when the cap 44 is reversed, as shown in Fig. 8, and in the
side of the cap 44 adjacent thereto is formed a channel 46. In its normal con-
dition this valve is as shown in Fig. 7, the spring 41 and the air pressure coming
through the opening 39 and holding the valve to its seat.
When it is desired to
deflate the tire the cover 44 is inverted and inserted in the casing, as shown in
Fig. 8. Then the plug 45 bears upon the end of the valve stem, and pushes the
valve away from its seat, so that the air can escape between the opening 39 and
the channel 46.
In order to inflate the tyre the cap 44 is removed, and a suitable air compressing

page_text: pump having, as is usual, a screw connection, is joined to the threaded chamber
in the casing formerly occupied by said cap. On operating the pump in the
ordinary manner the valve 40 is forced away from its seat, and the compressed air
enters the tyre through the passage 39.
It will be seen from the foregoing that the inflating valve for the tyre and the
device for securing the tyre to the rim are arranged in but one opening in the
tyre, and also that the valve and tightener are arranged in a single containing
case also that all the parts of the tightener and valve are detachable. The valve
can be removed from the case 27 so as to render access to the tightener easy.
I have shown the band form of tire in this device, but of course I may use the
wire form in place thereof.
Referring now to Figs. 26 and 27, in tires in which the outer sheath is every-
where slit around its circumference, it is necessary for the body or casing of the
inflating valve for the inner tube to pass between the edges of the slit, and hence,
although a lacing as represented in Fig. 26 at 47, may sometimes be used, to bind
the edges of the sheath together, still, there is a tendency for the expanding inner
tube to move the edges of said sheath apart at the place where the valve body passes
through, and thus to produce a protuberance on the outside of the sheath.
The same effect happens because of the presence of the tightener rod 1, in the
arrangements of tires, represented in Figs. 14, 15, 16, 18 and 22. In Fig. 26,
22 represents the rim 14 the sheath, and 21 the inner tube as before, while 50 is
a valve body secured to the inner inflatable tube as represented in the cross-section,
Fig. 27.
In order to prevent the edges of the sheath 14 from being unduly forced
apart in the manner stated, I interpose between the sheath 14 and the inner tube 21,
a tube or sleeve of non-elastic cloth or similar material, 51. This cloth encircles
the tube 21 and restrains the same from expanding at places near the valve suf-
ficiently to force the edges of the tire sheath apart. The length of the sleeve 51
may be short, and extend only a few inches on each side of the valve body.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The construction and arrangement of the tightener and band, substantially
as described.
2. The combination of the tightener and band with a tire sheath, internal in-
flatable tube and wheel rim, substantially as described.
3. The combination of the tightener and band with a single tube inflatable tire,
substantially as described.
4. The combination of the tightener, band, and inflating valve with a single tube
inflatable tire, substantially as described.
5. The combination of the tire sheath, inflatable tube, valve case or tightener rod,
and an enclosing non-elastic sleeve around the inflatable tube and in proximity
to said valve case or tightener rod, substantially as described.
6. A tire sheath produced by slitting a single, tube inflatable tire and having
binding wires secured at the inner edges and a tightener as set forth connected
to said wires.
7. The combination of tightener, valve, a casing common to both and a single
tube tire to which said casing is attached substantially as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.
Dated 04th
1007
FRANK BAYLIES GRISWOLD.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.