Improvements in Rims and Tyres for Wheels.
Year: 1897

page_text: Improvements in Rims and Tyres for Wheels.
I, SAMUEL CLELAND DAVIDSON, of Sirocco Engineering Works, Belfast, Ireland,
Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention has reference to rims and tyres for wheels and particularly to wheels
of carriages, bicycles and other road vehicles and its chief objects are to construct a
light rim of great strength, to construct the rim so that it will securely hold and
support an india rubber, leather or other more or less elastic tyre, and to construct
tyres specially adapted to fit within and be supported by the improved rims.
The improved rims are of the type which have a continuous hollow or channel
around the outer face and a characteristic feature of the improved rims is that they
are tightened up or pinched in against the tyre by means of bolts or screws at say an
inch apart, more or less, passed transversely through the two sides of the rim at a
suitable distance from the bottom of the hollow or channel the result being a rim
of great strength.
According to my invention, in one modification of same, I construct the tyres of
indiarubber or other more or less elastic material either as solid tyres or with one or
more tubular air spaces therein of any suitable size or shape relative to that of the
exterior surface of the tyre, according to the extent of resilience desired, and to the
amount of weight that it is required to carry, and I form the inner face of the tyre
as an approximately flat surface of usually about or a little less than the full width
of the tyre itself at its widest place, before it is secured in position. on the wheel rim,
and with a continuous groove around each of its outer sides at a short distance out-
wards from each edge of the said flat inner face. I construct the wheel rims upon
which the above described tyres are to be mounted of preferably sheet-metal, curved
outwards so as to form a continuous hollow or channel around the outer face of the
wheel rim and preferably with the outer edges of same turned inwards (and then
preferably outwards again) as flanges or collars (hereinafter referred to as the rim
collars) projecting into said hollow or channel, the inner edges of which are just
sufficiently wide apart to allow the flat inner face of the tyre to pass between them.
At a suitable distance within the circumference of the rim collars, I have a series of
holes around both sides of the rim, at usually about an inch apart, and these holes
are preferably so indented inwards as to form countersunk cavities to fit the heads
and nuts of bolts which I pass through the same from one side of the rim to the
other, so that when said nuts are tightened up thereon, the outer edges of the rim and
the turned in rim collars may be gradually drawn in towards one another. Before
so tightening up the bolts, the tyre is mounted upon the rim, its inner face dropping
or passing freely in between the inner edges of the rim collars and resting upon the
bolts, in which position the groove around each side of the tyre should be fair
opposite the inner edge of each of the rim collars, so that when the nuts on the bolts
through the rim are tightened up, the outer edges of the rim are forced inwards, and
the rim collars are therefore gradually drawn in towards one another and become
embedded in the grooves around the tyre. When the bolts are sufficiently tightened

page_text: up, the tyre is held so firmly between the rim collars that a perfectly.secure attach-
ment of it to the rim is ensured. The support which the rim bolts give to the inner
face of the tyre not only retains the tyre conveniently in position while the rim
collars are being drawn into the side grooves of the tyre by the tightening of the
nuts on the bolts, but also prevents its being unduly forced into the bottom space in
the rim channel, from the indentation of a pointed stone or other obstruction that the
tyre may encounter on a roadway, and at the same time the intermediate space
between the bolts leaves so much of the inner face of the tyre unsupported that its
resistance against such indentations is consequently of an elastic or springy nature,
which as the inner face of the tyre cannot be forced against the hard face of the rim,
to a great extent prevents the stone cutting the indiarubber, or causing jar or shock
to the resilience of the tyre.
According to another modification of my invention, in which the indiarubber or
other tyre may also be constructed either solid or with one or more tubular air spaces
therein, as in the modification first hereinbefore described, an inwardly projecting
flange or rib (hereinafter referred to as the tyre flange) is constructed upon its inner
face and usually with perforations in same transversely to the plane of the wheel.
I construct the wheel rim for the tyre of preferably sheet metal curved outwards so
as to form a continuous hollow or channel around the outer face of the wheel rim,
but which channel differs from that of the rim previously described, by being in
cross section broad at base, then narrowed inwards to form a relatively narrow
throat in the channel, beyond which the outer edges of the rim are turned outwards
and so angled as to fit closely against the face of the tyre on each side of the tyre
flange. Around the sides of the rim which form the narrowed in throat of the rim
channel, bolt holes are formed and bolts and nuts employed therein in the same way
as in the first described modification of the rim. I then spring the tyre into position
around the wheel rim, so that the tyre flange fits into the throat of the rim channel,
with the inner face of the tyre on each side of the tyre flange resting on the
outwardly turned edges of the rim, the perforations in the tyre flange being then
brought opposite the holes in the wheel rim. I then pass the bolts through the holes
of the wheel rim, and the corresponding holes of the tyre flange, and by tightening
up the nuts on the ends of the bolts I draw up the sides of the narrowed in throat
of the wheel rim closely against the tyre flange, which firmly secures the tyre in
position. The outwardly projecting edges or collars of the rim are carried just
sufficiently far outwards upon or around the curvature of the inner face of the tyre
to give the same suitable support against any side thrusts it may sustain in use when
going round a quick curve at a high speed, or from coming in contact with a stone
or other obstruction on one side of the tyre.
I
According to another modification I construct the indiarubber or other tyre with a
hollow or channel around its inner face, so that a cross section of the whole tyre
somewhat resembles a horse-shoe in shape; or the hollow or channel may be con-
structed on the inner face of a tyre formed with a tubular air space in it, so that the
two tyre flanges are formed thereon, with the hollow or channel between them.
construct the wheel rim on which the tyre is to be mounted with a rib or projection
(hereinafter called the rim projection) around the central part of its outer face;
this rim projection may be constructed of suitably shaped sheet-metal, brazed or
otherwise secured to the wheel rim with or without holes in same to give access to
the spoke heads or it may be of tough wood, secured to the wheel rim by screws from
the inner side of the wheel rim into the wood; bolt holes are formed in the rim sides
and rim projection, so that the bolts and nuts may be employed therewith to draw
the rim sides and rim collars in upon the tyre flanges as in the first described
modification, for the purpose of holding the tyre firmly clasped to the rim, by being
pressed against the rim projection by the rim collars, the inner edges of which are
thus embedded into the sides of the tyre flanges, which are preferably made with a
slight groove around their outer sides, to ensure the rim collars clasping and holding
the tyre securely at the proper place.
To render any of the hereinbefore described tyres more efficiently suitable for

page_text: variable weights or for heavy vehicles such as carriages or motor cars, I may
construct them with an inward and somewhat V-shaped projection or rib in the
tubular space or horse-shoe cavity therein around the side opposite to and facing the
wheel rim, and so apply it thereon that in a cross section of the projection or rib
the apex
of the V approximately faces the centre of the wheel rim, so that should the
tyre be subjected to unduly heavy weight or concussion and be much compressed
thereby, this projection or rib will be forced against the opposite interior face of the
tyre or against the rim projection as the case may be. The outer part of the tyre
and sides is thus prevented from being too much pressed down upon the rim collars,
which otherwise might cause jar or shock thereon; also when the tyre is subjected
to strong side thrusts this projection or rib comes in contact with and bears interiorly
against one side or other as the case may be of the tyre itself and gives it greater
resistance to such side thrust.
The improved wheel rims hereinbefore described can be employed in connection
with other tyres than those described whether non-pneumatic or pneumatic. These
rims when drawn or pinched in by the bolts or screws as described possess very great
strength. The improved rims in fact constitute a characteristic feature of the
invention independently of the particular tyre employed.
D
1 01
1007
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 and 56, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.
I, SAMUEL CLELAND DAVIDSON, of Sirocco Engineering Works, Belfast, Ireland,
Merchant, 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:―
My invention has reference to rims and tyres for wheels and particularly to wheels
of carriages, bicycles and other road vehicles and its chief objects are to construct a
light rim of great strength, and so that it will securely hold and support an india-
rubber, leather or other more or less elastic tyre, and to construct tyres specially
adapted to fit within and be supported by the improved rims.
The improved rims are of the type which have a continuous hollow or channel
around the outer face and a characteristic feature of the improved rims is that the
edges or outer part of the sides of same are tightened up or pinched in against the
tyre and held firmly in this position by means of bolts or screws at say an inch apart,
more or less, or other equivalent device passed transversely through the two sides of
the rim at a suitable distance from the bottom of the hollow or channel, the result
obtained from so drawing the edges of the rim towards one another and securing
them in this position being a rim of great strength and also that the tyre is firmly
and securely held upon the rim while at same time the tyre is supported upon the
bolts. The tyres employed therewith are preferably of the type which may be
termed "non-pneumatic" inasmuch as their resilience is not dependent on the
employment of tubes inflated with air under pressure, such as in the tyres usually
known as pneumatic, but pneumatic tyres, if suitably shaped can also be used with
my improved rims.
According to my invention, in one modification of same I construct my improved
wheel rims of preferably sheet metal curved outward so as to form a continuous
hollow or channel around the outer face of the wheel rim, and preferably with the
outer edges of same turned inwards (and then preferably outwards again) as flanges

page_text: or collars (hereinafter referred to as the rim collars) projecting into said hollow or
channel, the inner edges of which are just sufficiently wide apart to allow the inner
face of the tyre employed therewith to pass between them. At a suitable distance
within the circumference of the rim collars, I have a series of holes around both sides
of the rim, at usually about an inch apart, and these holes are preferably so indented
inwards as to form countersunk cavities to fit the heads and nuts of the bolts which
I pass through same from one side of the rim to the other, so that when said nuts
are tightened up thereon, the outer edges of the rim and the turned in rim collars
may be gradually drawn in towards one another. I construct the indiarubber,
leather or other more or less elastic tyres to be mounted upon the above-described
rims, either as solid tyres or with one or more tubular air spaces therein, of any
suitable size or shape relative to that of the exterior surface of the tyre, according to
the extent of resilience desired and to the amount of weight that it is required to
carry, and I form the inner face of the tyre as an approximately flat surface, of
usually about or a little less than the full width of the tyre itself at its widest
place, before it is secured in position on the wheel rim, and with a continuous groove
around each of its outer sides, at a short distance outwards from each edge of said
flat inner face.
Before tightening up the bolts, the tyre is mounted upon the rim, its inner face
dropping or passing freely (that is to say, without compression or forcing) in between
the inner edges of the rim collars and resting upon the bolts, in which position the
groove around each side of the tyre should be fair opposite the inner edge of each of
the rim collars, so that when the nuts on the bolts through the rim are tightened up,
the outer edges of the rim are forced inwards, and the rim collars are therefore
gradually drawn in towards one another and become embedded in the grooves around
the tyre. When the bolts are sufficiently tightened up, the tyre is held so firmly
between the rim collars that a perfectly secure attachment of it to the rim is
ensured. The support which the rim bolts give to the inner face of the tyre not
only retains the tyre conveniently in position while the rim collars are being drawn
into the side grooves of the tyre by the tightening of the nuts on the bolts, but also
prevents its being unduly forced into the bottom space in the rim channel, from the
indentation of a pointed stone or other obstruction that the tyre may encounter on
a roadway, and at the same time the intermediate space between the bolts leaves so
much of the inner face of the tyre unsupported that its resistance against such
indentation is consequently of an elastic or springy nature, which as the inner face
of the tyre cannot be forced against the hard face of the rim, to a great extent pre-
vents the stone cutting the indiarubber, or causing jar or shock to the resilience of
the tyre.
According to another modification of my invention I employ a wheel rim similar
to that of the first hereinbefore described modification, with in addition thereto a rib
or projection (hereinafter called the rim projection) around the central part of the
hollow or channel in its outer face, which rim projection may be constructed of
suitably shaped sheet metal, brazed or otherwise secured to the wheel rim with or
without holes in the outer face of same to give access to the spoke heads, or it may be
constructed of tough wood secured to the wheel rim by screws through same from
the inner side into the wood. Bolt holes are formed in said rim projection so that
the bolts passing through the bolt holes in the rim sides, as employed in the first
herein before described modification, may also pass through the rim projection,
whereby when the nuts on said bolts are tightened up the outer part of the rim sides
and rim collars are drawn in towards the rim projection. For this form of rim I
construct the indiarubber, leather or other more or less elastic tyre with a hollow or
channel around its inner face, so that a cross-section of the whole tyre somewhat
resembles a horse-shoe in shape. Or the hollow or channel may be. constructed on
the inner face of the tyre formed with a tubular air space in the body of same, or,
if desired the body of the tyre may also be solid; so that two tyre flanges are thus
formed thereon with the hollow or channel between same. I then spring said tyre
into position on the rim, so that the ends of the tyre, when of horse-shoe form, or the

page_text: yre flanges when of tubular or solid construction, drop in freely between the rim
ides and the rim projection. The nuts on the ends of the bolts, on being then
ightened up, draw the rim sides and rim collars. in upon the tyre ends or tyre
anges, and press same against the rim projection, the inner edges of the rim collars
eing thus embedded into the sides of the tyre ends or tyre flanges, which are pre-
erably made with a slight groove around their outer sides, to ensure the rin collars
lasping and holding the tyre securely at the proper place.
To render any of the hereinbefore described tyres more efficiently suitable for
ariable- weights or for heavy vehicles such as carriages or motor cars, I may
construct them with an inward and somewhat V-shaped projection or rib in the
ubular space or horse-shoe cavity therein around the side opposite to and facing the
wheel rim, and so apply it thereon that in a cross section of the projection or rib
the apex of the V approximately faces the centre of the wheel rim, so that should the
tyre be subjected to unduly heavy weight or concussion and be much compressed
thereby this projection or rib will be forced against the opposite interior face of the
tyre or against the rim projection as the case may be. The outer part of the tyre
and sides is thus prevented from being too much pressed down upon the rim collars,
which otherwise might cause jar or shock thereon; also when the tyre is subjected
to strong side thrusts this projection or rib comes in contact with and bears interiorly
against one side or other as the case may be of the tyre itself and gives it greater
resistance to such side thrusts.
The improved wheel rims hereinbefore described can be employed in connection
with other tyres than those described, whether non-pneumatic or pneumatic. These
rims when drawn or pinched in by bolts or screws as described possess very great
strength. The improved rims in fact constitute a characteristic feature of the
invention independently of the particular tyre employed.
In the accompanying drawings:-
Figure 1.is. a cross, section of a wheel rim and a tyre constructed in accordance
with my invention with the tyre mounted in position upon and firmly clasped and
attached to the rim.
Figure 2 is a cross section of the same rim and tyre before the rim bolts are
tightened up to clasp the rim sides and collars upon and thereby secure the tyre
firmly to the rim.
:
Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 are cross sections respectively illustrating modifications.
Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, a is the wheel rim curved outwards so as to
cc are rim collars
form a continuous hollow or channel, b around the outer face.
at the outer edges of the rim formed by flanging said edges inwards and then again
outwards (the return or outward flange being optional). The inner edges of said
collars ce are just sufficiently wide apart to allow the inner face of the tyre to pass
between them (see Figure 2). d d are a series of holes around both sides of the rim
at about an
an inch apart and preferably indented so as to form countersunk cavities as
shown. e is the indiarubber or other tyre which may be formed either with a
fubular air space f as shown or with more than one tubular air space or solid. The
In each side of
inner face of the tyre is flat in cross section or approximately so.
said tyre is a continuous groove g to receive the corresponding rim collar or flange c.
his, one of the tightening-up bolts. "When the tyre has been mounted on the rim
as shown in Figure 2 the bolts h'are passed through the rim from side to side and
tightened up by the nuts ; the outer edges of the rim are thereby forced inwards
and the collars or flanges e c are therefore gradually drawn in towards one another
and become embedded in the grooves g g of the tyre. The tyre is thus securely and
firmly attached to the rim, and its inner face is supported by the bolts' h.
"
In the modification shown in Figure 3, the rim collars cc and the tyre grooves 99
are somewhat different to the corresponding parts in Figures 1 and 2.
The modification shown in Figure 4 differs from that shown in Figures 1 and 2
5 in having an approximately V-shaped projection or rib m in the tubular air space/

page_text: for the purpose herein before described. The modification shown in Figure 5 differs
from that shown in Figures 1 and 2 firstly in having a hollow or channel n around
the inner face of the tyre extending into the tubular space f so that a cross section
of the tyre somewhat resembles a horse-shoe in shape and secondly in having a
central rib or projection p around the outer face of the rim channel.
q represents
one of a number of holes in the outer face of the rib p to give access to the heads of
the wheel spokes r. In mounting the tyre it is sprung into position on the rim so
that the parts at the sides of the channel n drop in between the sides of the rim and
projection p. The holes are then tightened up so as to draw the rim sides and
rim collars c c inwards.
The modification shown in Figure 6 differs from that shown in Figure 5 merely
in having the channel n of insufficient depth to extend into the tubular air space f.
It is obvious that in any of the modifications other suitable devices may be used
in lieu of the bolts h and nuts i; for example wire can be used laced through the
holes d from side to side of the tyre.
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:-
1. In a wheel, a rim having a continuous channel around its outer, face, a tyre
having an approximately flat inner face entering the said rim but not extending to
the bottom of the said channel and bolts or other equivalent device passed
transversely through both sides of the said rim at a distance from
the bottom of the said channel whereby the edges of the said sides are
forced or drawn inwards towards one another and against the sides of the said tyre,
the bolts giving support to the inner face of the tyre while allowing it to be forced
between them in case of abnormal pressure, substantially as herein before described.
2. In a wheel, a rim having a continuous channel around its outer face and an
inturned flange at each of its outer edges, a tyre entering the said rim but not extend-
ing to the bottom of the said channel, the tyre having an approximately flat inner
face and a continuous groove around each of its outer sides, and bolts or other
equivalent device passed transversely through both sides of the said rim at a distance
from the bottom of the channel whereby the edges of the sides are forced or drawn
inwards towards one another and against the sides of the tyre and the inturned
flanges into the grooves, the bolts giving support to the inner face of the tyre while
allowing it to be forced between them in case of abnormal pressure, substantially as
hereinbefore described.
3. A wheel rim having a continuous channel around its outer face, a projecting
rib around the central part of the said face and bolts or other equivalent device
passed transversely through both sides of the said rim and through the said project-
ing rib and drawing or forcing the edges of the said sides inwards towards one
another and securing them in this position in combination with a tyre fitting between
the sides of the said rim and having an approximately flat face bearing upon the said
bolts and having also a recess in the inner face to receive the said projecting rib,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
4. A tyre having an approximately flat inner surface, a continuous tubular space
or internal horse-shoe cavity, and a continuous and approximately V-shaped pro-
jection on the tyre within the said space or cavity opposite to and facing the wheel
rim, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Total 41: 1011
1000
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 and 56, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.