Improvements in and relating to the Manufacture of Pneumatic Tyres.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 15th July, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 17th Apr., 1899-Accepted, 2nd June, 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to the Manufacture of Pneumatic
Tyres.
We, EDWARD GREATBATCH WOOD, of 298, Upper Parliament Street, Liverpool,
in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, and ENOCH ARMITAGE, of 71, Alderson
Road, Liverpool aforesaid, Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to improvements in and relating to the manufac-
ture of pneumatic tyres, and is applicable to pneumatic tyres having detachable
covers or casings as well as to those of hose pipe form.
In one construction of tyre with detachable cover or casing according to our
invention, the cover or casing comprises a ring of inverted U section formed of
transversely arranged threads or cords coated with rubber solution whereby they
are held together, and, it may be, to a canvas or canvas and rubber lining, said
ring being, in some cases, provided at its edges with retaining rings. Such a
cover or casing is formed, for example, by spirally winding one or more threads
or cords (hereinafter referred to as cords) coated with rubber solution around a
mandrel of a suitable diameter and of sufficient length to enable a ring of the
required size to be made thereon. Previous to winding the solutioned cord or
cords on the mandrel, there is laid along it, on one of its sides, a suitable strip
of canvas solutioned on its outer surface only, whilst along the diametrically
opposite side of the mandrel there is laid a suitable strip of rubber (or, it may
be, of rubber lined with thin canvas) which will form part of the tread of the
casing, the edges of the rubber overlapping the edges of the strip of canvas, to
which they are solutioned, so as to entirely cover the mandrel. In applying the
cord to the mandrel, one end is attached thereto and the mandrel is then re-
volved, the cord being thereby drawn from a spool through one or more suitable
tanks or boxes containing solution and wound tightly and closely over the before
mentioned canvas and rubber lining. The cord is moved lengthwise of the
mandrel by suitable means. After the solution has set, the tube thus formed
is slit longitudinally. To enable this to be readily done, it is convenient to form
the mandrel with a groove extending lengthwise thereof and adapted to serve as
a guide for the cutting knife.
On removal from the mandrel the slit tube has its ends connected so as to form
a ring of inverted U section. The cords are flexibly held in position by the
canvas and layer of rubber to which they are solutioned and also to each other
so that each one may bear an equal amount of strain when in tension. To each
edge of this cover or casing there may be secured by cement, stitches, wire staples
or the like a retaining ring comprising a ring of helically wound cord, said ring
being of approximately the same diameter as the wheel rim, for which the casing
is intended. The cord may be wound on a drum or disc between a pair of flanges
which are arranged at a slightly greater distance apart than the diameter of the
cord and which prevent successive coils over riding whilst being wound; one
or both of the flanges may be removable. The cord is passed through suitable

page_text: boxes or tanks containing solution so as to thoroughly coat its surface, rollers
being employed, if necessary, for spreading an additional and somewhat thicker
layer of solution on the sides of the cord, so that, when wound into ring form,
the whole of the turns or wraps may be thoroughly solutioned together. After
being allowed to set the ring may be removed from the drum or disc. In some
cases it may be advantageous to insert a strip or strips of canvas between the
sides of the flanges, so as to give additional strength to the wound retaining
ring; the canvas, when necessary, may be clamped on the outer periphery of the
flanges and be large enough to leave sufficient material to overwrap the edge of
the cover or casing to which it is applied.
It will thus be seen that the retaining rings are formed of one length of cord
helically wound to flat-ring form of the required diameter, each coil taking
practically an equal amount of strain against the tendency of the tyre, when
inflated, to force the edges of the cover or casing from the groove in the wheel
rim.
Y
In some cases, in forming outer covers or casings the cord is wound on a
mandrel of larger diameter so as to allow the cut edges of the body part of the
casing to be folded over either inwardly or outwardly so as to more firmly grip
the retaining rings.
To the edge of one of the retaining rings another one, wound in a similar
manner and enclosed in canvas, may be secured so as to extend over and inside
the opposite retaining ring in such a manner as to protect the air tube from being
damaged when the cover or casing is being removed.
In another modification according to our invention, the spirally wound retain-
ing rings are made first, and then held at the required distance apart so that
the cord or cords may be wound round them, in zig-zag fashion i.c. the spool con-
taining the cord may be caused to travel continuously in the form of figure eight
each of the retaining rings being encased in the loop-like portions which form
tubular edges to the cover or casing; sufficient slack is left between the said
tubular edges to allow the cover or casing thus formed to partly encircle an air
tube.
The mandrel used in forming the body part of a hose pipe tyre according to
this invention is conveniently built up of sections so arranged that on the re-
moval of one or more sections the mandrel will collapse. Over the collapsible
mandrel is slipped an air or inflating tube, which may have one or more strips
of canvas, rubber or the like placed thereon so as to give additional strength to
the tread or other portion of the tyre, if desired, and one or more solutioned
cords then wound thereon as herein before described. One end of the air tube is
left projecting sufficiently beyond the cord to enable it to be placed inside the
other end and the two ends solutioned together in the usual manner.
We would have it understood that the transverse cords in either a hose pipe
tyre, or in a detachable tyre may, when necessary, have the retaining rings
secured thereto in any convenient manner, for example, by solution, stitching,
wire staples and canvas or any one or more of them combined or otherwise
according to requirements without departure from the essential features of our
invention, and also that the helically wound retaining rings may be employed
in conjunction with the ordinary form of canvas cover or casing whether woven
or otherwise as a retaining ring.
In tyres constructed according to this invention the use of wire retaining rings
may be avoided and all the cords which are embodied in the cover or casing will,
when the tyre is inflated, be in tension.

page_text: Improvements in and relating to the Manufacture of Pneumatic
Tyres.
We, EDWARD GREATBATCH WOOD, of 298, Upper Parliament Street, Liverpool,
in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, and ENOCH ARMITAGE, of 71, Alderson
Street, Liverpool, aforesaid, Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of this in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:
This invention has reference to improvements in and relating to the manufac-
ture of pneumatic tyres, and is applicable to pneumatic tyres, having detachable
covers or casings as well as to those of hose pipe form.
In one construction of tyre with detachable cover or casing according to this
invention, the cover or casing comprises a ring of inverted U section formed of
transversely arranged threads or cords coated with rubber solution (hereinafter
called cord) whereby they are held together, and, it may be, to a canvas or canvas
and rubber lining, said ring being, in some cases, provided at its edges with re-
taining rings. Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawing shows in cross section and
part elevation a mandrel with detachable cover or casing ready for removal there-
from; and Fig. 2 in cross section and part elevation the detachable covering or
casing cut open, removed from the mandrel and the edges folded over.
A is a mandrel, around which is wound the cord B coated with rubber solu-
tion, of sufficient length for the size of detachable cover or casing required. Pre-
vious to winding the cord on the mandrel there is laid along it, on one of its
sides, a strip of fine thin canvas C cut on the bias (shown by the dotted line
Fig. 1) ant solutioned on one of its sides only. This strip of canvas is of
sufficient width to nearly cover the mandrel, and over the uncovered portion
thereof there is laid a strip of rubber D, (or it may be if desired, of rubber lined
with thin canvas cut on the bias) which will form part of the tread portion of
the casing. The strip of rubber D is tapered off at its edges and overlaps the
canvas C to which it is solutioned so as to entirely cover the mandrel A. E is
a narrow groove cut longitudinally of the mandrel; the rubber strip should be
placed diametrically opposite the groove E on the mandrel.
In applying the cord B to the mandrel A, one end is attached thereto, and the
mandrel is caused to revolve by any convenient means, such as a lathe, the
cords B being drawn from a spool or the like and passed through one or more
tanks or troughs containing solution. The cord-spool and tanks or troughs may
be carried on a sliding carriage and traversed longitudinally of the mandrel at
such a rate that the cord is closely and evenly wound over the before mentioned
canvas and rubber lining. It is evident that one or more cords may be wound
simultaneously on to the mandrel by altering the speed of travel of the sliding
carriage and by arranging guide plates for directing each cord so as to prevent
overwrapping. After the winding of the cord is completed, rubber solution may
be applied and when this is sufficiently set, the tube thus formed is slit along
the groove E in the mandrel A which is diametrically opposite the part of the
tube intended to form the tread portion of the tyre.
The slit tube is then removed from the mandrel, and its two ends connected
together in any convenient manner; i.e. one end of the unwound mandrel cover
is solutioned to the inside of the opposite and transversely wound end a ring of

page_text: U section being thus formed. The cords B are flexibly held in position on the
canvas C and rubber strip D to which they are solutioned and also to each other
so that they are capable of slightly moving away from each on the tread or
rubber portion whilst being bent into ring form. As all the cords when cut are
of the same length it will be seen that each will take an equal amount of trans-
verse strain. After the split tube has been formed into a ring each cut edge is
turned or folded over until it is opposite the other edge to which the rubber ])
is cemented (Fig. 2). Within the folded-over edges of the transversely wound
outer covering or casing a retaining ring comprising a ring of helically wound
cord as hereinafter described is inserted, said ring being of approximately the
same diameter as the wheel rim for which the casing is intended so that the
rings when fully strained shall take the position relatively to the wheel rim as
shown in Fig. 2. The folded over edges, retaining ring and body part of tho
casing are firmly solutioned together and, if necessary, may be stitched to give
a firmer hold.
The retaining rings are formed of cord, wound on a drum or disc and between
pairs of flanges arranged at a slightly greater distance apart than the diameter
of the cord and which prevent successive coils over-riding whilst being wound.
Fig. 3 is a section of one form of retaining ring forming device; Fig. 4 is a
similar view showing a modified arrangement of forming device and Fig. 5 is
an elevation to a reduced scale of a portion of a ring forming device mounted
on a pulley.
The cord G, forming the retaining ring, may be of any suitable material. that
is practically non-extensible, is wound on a spool from which it is drawn and
on its way to the ring forming drum passes through suitable tanks or troughs
containing a binding solution which thoroughly coats its surface so that when
wound at a uniform tension into ring form of the desired inside and outside
diameters the whole of the turns, when the solution is set, are thoroughly held
together. The cord may be maintained at a uniform tension in any convenient
manner, and may be guided through a form of drawing plate placed in line with
the grooves formed between the end flange H which may be formed on the
tubular body part H¹ onto which one or more loose ring plates J are placed;
between each two adjacent plates J is inserted a distance piece or washer K of
slightly greater width than the thickness of cord G which is to form the retain-
ing ring, and of a diameter corresponding to the smallest or inside diameter of
the ring. The loose ring plates J and washers K after being slid onto the body
part H of the ring mandrel and an end flange H2 placed thereon are clamped
together by bolts L as shown in Fig. 3. The ring mandrel H, H with the rings
may be conveniently mounted to revolve on a drum mandrel M on the axis Mas
shown in Figs. 3 and 5.
In some cases it may be advantageous to insert a strip or strips of canvas N
(represented by the dotted lines in Fig. 4) between the flanges of the ring
forming device, so as to better retain the cords in position when being wound
thereon. In this arrangement the flanges may conveniently be composed of
thinner plates J J so arranged that the outer edges of the strips of canvas N may
be inserted between each pair of flanges. The canvas N is cut on the bias and
large enough to leave sufficient material to overwrap the edge of the ring to
which it is to be applied. The inner edge of the canvas is clamped between
plates J J and a distance ring piece K: thus the outer and the inner edges of
the canvas are simultaneously clamped by pressing the flanges H' and H2 together
by the bolts L (Fig. 4). It will thus be seen that the retaining rings instead of
being formed as referred to in our previous Patent No. 11953 of 1897 and the
ends connected they are formed of a length of cord G helically wound to a flat
ring form of the required diameter, each coil taking practically an equal amount
of the strain tending to force the edges of the cover or casing from the groove
in the wheel rim where the tyre is inflated.
Fig. 6 is a cross section of a hose pipe tyre constructed on a collapsible man-

page_text: drel and Fig. 7 is a cross section shewing the hose pipe tyre casing complete with
retaining rings solutioned thereto ready for the outside rubber covering. The
mandrel used in forming the body part of a hose pipe tyre according to this in-
vention is conveniently built up in sections, so that on the removal of one or
more sections the mandrel will collapse. Fig. 6 shews a suitable mandrel which
is made in four outside parts A2, A3 and a central piece A. On the removal of
the central piece A' the two smaller sections A³, which are tapered, as shown in
Fig. 6, may be pressed inwards and then withdrawn, the other two larger sec-
tions A³ can then be readily removed from the tubular casing. The collapsible
mandrel when put together is clamped in any convenient manner and an air or
inflating rubber tube P is slipped thereon; a strip of rubber D or canvas cut on
the bias being solutioned longitudinally along the outside of the air tube P so
as to give additional strength to the tread and diametrically opposite the tread
another strip of canvas in tape or ribbon form is solutioned: one or more solu-
tioned cords B are then wound thereon as hereinbefore described. One end of
the air tube P is left projecting sufficiently beyond the cord B to enable it to be
placed inside the other end and the two ends solutioned together in the usual
manner. A retaining ring of cord G formed as hereinbefore described with
reference to Fig. 4 is placed on either side of the tyre and solutioned thereto,
the extending canvas N on the edges of each ring being cemented to the tyre
previous to the outside rubber cover being fixed thereto.
We would have it understood that the transverse cords in either a hose pipe
tyre or in a detachable tyre may, when necessary, have the retaining rings
secured thereto in any convenient manner, for example by solution, stitching,
or otherwise according to requirement without departure from the essential fea-
tures of our invention, and also that the helically wound retaining rings may be
employed in conjunction with a tyre casing such as described in our previous
Patent No. 11953 of 1897 or the ordinary form of canvas cover or casing, whether
woven or otherwise, as a retaining ring.
In tyres constructed according to this invention the use of wire retaining rings
may
be entirely avoided and all the cords which are embodied in the cover or
casing will, when the tyre is inflated be in tension.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. A detachable pneumatic tyre having a cover comprising a ring of U section
formed of transversely arranged threads or cords coated with rubber solution
whereby they are held together and to a canvas or canvas and rubber lining
provided at its side portions with retaining rings substantially as described.
2. A detachable pneumatic tyre cover of the kind referred to in Claim 1
wherein retaining rings composed of helically wound cords are contained within
and solutioned to the folded over edges of the the canvas lining substantially as
described and shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.
3. In the manufacture of a tyre of the kind specified in Claim 1 the use of a
rotatable mandrel formed with a groove, means for supplying the thread or
cord to be wound thereon and means for solutioning the thread or cord, substan-
tially as described.
4. A pneumatic tyre comprising an inflatable air tube, a tubular covering
formed by spirally winding solutioned threads or cords over the said tube, and
being provided with helically wound retaining rings, and an outer tubular cover,
substantially as described.
5. Means for securing pneumatic tyres in place comprising retaining rings
formed of solutioned cords wound helically and having a canvas covering solu-
tioned thereto, or not, substantially as described.
6. In the manufacture of the retaining rings specified in the preceding claim,

page_text: the use of the rotatable device or mandrel shewn in and described with reference
to Figs. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings.
For the Applicants,
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Chartered Patent Agent.