Improvements in and connected with Tires for Cycles.
Year: 1891

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Tires for Cycles.
We, THOMAS FANE and CHARLES FREDERICK LAVENDER, both Manufacturers
of Cycles and both residing at Number 4 Anderson Street, in the City of Toronto,
County of York, Province of Ontario, Canada, 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 :-
Heretofore pneumatic tires for cycles consisted principally of two styles, which
are known respectively as the "Dunlop" and the "Clincher" the former of these
was comprised of an air tube covered with a thin sheet of canvas and enclosed in
an outer tube commonly called the tire bound to the rim of the wheel by a thin
covering of canvas, which covering completely enclosed both the tire and the rim
of the wheel, in the event of this tire becoming punctured it was necessary to
remove the entire outer covering of canvas, the outer covering of rubber and also
that portion of the canvas covering of the air tube surrounding the punctured.
part to allow of the patch being put on to close the puncture; when the puncture
was properly patched it was necessary to enclose the air tube in the outer covering
of rubber, place the tire in position on the rim and again bind on the canvas
covering; besides the large loss of valuable time during the operation of repairing
(which could only be accomplished by skilled mechanics provided with a complete
outfit of repairing tools) the surface of the tire was rendered uneven by this
patch; the clincher tire consisted of a rim especially formed for this purpose, an
air tube placed on the periphery of this rim and an outer covering of rubber
enclosing the air tube, the ends of which outer covering were held by the clinched
portion of said rim, the great objection to this tire being that it was necessary
to make the sides of the rim of the wheel of such a size as to render the tire of
little more advantage than what is ordinarily known as the cushion tire, and the
object of our invention is to produce a pneumatic tire which can be easily removed,
repaired and replaced, whilst at the same time it retains all the elasticity obtained
from the expansion of the air tube by the pressure of the air contained therein,
and it consists essentially of the device hereinafter more fully set forth and more
particularly pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings :-
Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of a pneumatic tire and rim of a wheel, showing
the outer covering the air tube, the peculiar formation of the rim and means for
securing the tire to the rim.
Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of a pneumatic tire and rim of a wheel
showing an alternative means for securing the tire to the rim which consists of an
annular plate placed therein.
Figure 3 is a perspective view partially in section of a section of the rim of a
wheel showing in perspective the same annular plate for securing the tire to the
rim as that illustrated in Figure 2 and also showing the means for connecting the
ends of said annular plate.
Figure 4 is a cross sectional perspective view of one-half of a wheel showing
the rim and the tire disinflated ready for removal.
Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of the outer covering laid out flat showing the
loop at each end, an endless wire running through each of said loops.
Like numerals of reference refer to like parts throughout the Specification and
drawings.
As shown in the drawings, the outer tube commonly called the tire consists of a
strip of fabric material 1, with a sheet of rubber, 2, placed on either side of it. It
will be noticed by reference to the drawings that the strip of fabric material, l

page_text: projects beyond the edges of the rubber 2, and has formed along each edge a loop, 3,
through which
passes an endless wire or ring 3".
The inner tire consists of an air tube, 4, provided with the usual means of
inflation and enclosed by the outer covering or tire and the rim 6 of the wheel.
By reference to Figure 1 of the drawings it will be noticed that the rim 6 is
corrugated and has an annular recess 16 formed near each edge into which enters
une edge 3 containing the endless wire 3" of the outer covering or tire.
By reference to Figure 5 of the drawings it will be noticed that our outer
covering or tire is arched shaped or curved in cross section, and the object of this
construction is to render the tire proof against being readily punctured. In the
uires hereinbefore described the outer covering was made flat in cross section and
to place the tire in position on the wheel, it was necessary to stretch it to a
considerable extent, which stretching rendered the tire weakest at the point where
the greatest resistance and strength were required and rendered strongest at that
point at which no great strength or resisting power was required.
From the construction of our outer covering or tire it will be seen that the tire is
made, in the first place, in the form it is required to be when placed on the wheel
and the air tube inflated to its fullest extent and that there is no stretching or
expansion required to place it and hold it in position on the rim of the wheel.
The
air tube 4 is first placed around the rim 6 of the wheel and over this air tube is
placed the outer covering or tire, the ends 3 containing the endless wire 3" of which
pass into the annular recess 16 in the rim 6.
By inflating the air tube 4 to its fullest capacity the wired edges of the outer
covering or tire are forced into the annular grooves or recesses 16 with sufficient
pressure to firmly hold them there as long as the air tube remains inflated, it being
impossible to remove the outer tire from the rim while in this condition on account
of the endless wire running through each edge of the outer covering being of a
smaller circumference than that of the outer edge of the rim 3.
By disinflating the air tube 4 the air tube and tire drop into the position shown
in Figure 4, that is, at the top of the wheel they sink down into the recess 17 and
consequently fall a corresponding distance beneath the lower edge of the rim 6; so
that a person can readily lift the air tube and tire over either edge of said rim and
as easily replace it.
In Figure 2 we have shown an alternative means for holding the pneumatic tire
in place from which it will be noticed that this air tube rests upon an annular
plate 5 located in the rim 6 of the wheel, and also that said air tube is partially
surrounded by the outer covering or tire.
Again by reference to the drawings it will be noticed that the wired edge 3
extends beneath the annular plate 5 and that the edges 7 of the rim 6 project above
said plate 5. By inflating the air tube 4 to its fullest capacity the annular plate 5
is formed upon the outer covering or tire and firmly holds the same in position, the
wired edge preventing the ends of the outer covering passing from beneath the
edge of the annular plate 5 and rim 6, and it might here be stated that the greater
the pressure upon the plate 5 the more firmly the tires are held in position.
In Figure 3 we have shown our method of joining the ends of the annular plate 5
which consists of casting a lug 8 upon the under side of the plate 5 at one end and
forming an opening 9 therethrough, and casting a second lug 10 on the under side
of said annular plate 5 at or near the opposite end and forming an aperture 11
therethrough.
It will be noticed again by reference to the drawings, that the lug 8 is fitted with
a teat 12 which projects through an opening formed in the under side of the rim 6
for the purpose of firmly holding said lug firmly in position. On the under side of
the rim 6 and on the side of the lug 8 opposite to the lug 10 is a lug 13 fitted with
an aperture through which passes the bolt 14 fitted with a tightening nut 15, said
bolt 14 having an enlarged head which butts against the face of the lug 10. By
screwing the nut 15 on the bolt 14 the ends of the annular plate 5 are quickly and
securely brought into their proper position.

page_text: 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 general combination and arrangement of parts constituting a tire for a
cycle, substantially as herein shown and described.
2. The general combination and arrangement of parts constituting a tire for a
cycle substantially as shown in Figures 1, 4, and 5 of the drawings.
3. The general combination and arrangement of parts constituting a tire for a
cycle substantially as shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings.
4. A pneumatic tire consisting of an outer tube having an endless wire along
each edge thereof, an air tube partially enclosed by the outer tube provided with
the usual means of inflation, and a rim the sides of which are so formed as to grip
the wired edges of the outer tube, and securely hold all parts in place when the
air tube is inflated to its fullest capacity, substantially as described.
5. In a cycle a tire consisting of an air tube provided with the usual means of
inflation, an outer tube or covering curved to correspond with the curve of the air
tube, each edge of the cuter tube having an endless wire running therethrough in
combination with the rim of the wheel, which rim is provided with an annular
recess near each edge into which enters the wired edge of the outer tube or
covering, substantially as described.
6. A tire for cycles consisting of an air tube provided with the usual means of
inflation, an outer tube or covering curved to correspond to the curve of the air
tube, and having a wire or string passing through each edge in combination with
the rim of the wheel having an annular recess at or near each edge into which
enters the wired edge of the outer tube or covering, substantially as described.
7. A tire for cycles consisting of an air tube provided with the usual means of
inflation, an outer tube or covering through each edge of which passes an endless
wire in combination with the rim of the wheel, and an annular plate located therein
to grip the wired edges of the outer tube or covering and securely hold all parts in
place, substantially as described.
8. A tire for cycles consisting of an air tube provided with the usual means of
inflation, an outer tube or covering having each edge enlarged or beaded in com-
bination with the rim of the wheel, and an annular plate located therein to grip the
beaded or enlarged edges of the outer tube or covering, and securely hold all parts
in place, a lug cast on the under side of each end of said annular plate, and a lug
secured to the under side of the rim of the wheel, a tightening bolt passing through
all of said lugs having its inner end riveted or enlarged to prevent it passing
through said lugs, and a tightening nut on its outer end for the purpose of drawing
the ends of said annular plate tightly together, substantially as described.
Dated this 9th day of December 1891.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicants.