Improvements in Pneumatic or Inflatable Tires for Bicycles and other Vehicles.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application. 8th Mar., 1,92-Accepted. 9th Apr., 1392
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pneumatic or Inflatable Tires for Bicycles and
other Vehicles.
I, GEORGE WASHINGTON DORR, of 7120 Wentworth Avenue, in the City of
Chicago, in the County of Cook, and State of Illinois, U.S.A. Civil 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 object of my invention is to provide an inflatable or pneumatic tire, which,
first, has the inflated tube divided longitudinally into separate air-chambers or
compartments, so that there will not be a complete collapsing of the tire when the
same is punctured; second, is so constructed as to prevent the tube being injured
by the edges of the rim or felly of the wheel when said tube is in a more or less
deflated condition; and third, is held in position on the felly or rim by the inflation
of the tube, and the peculiar construction of a pad in which the envelope of the
inflated tube is seated and cushioned.
In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a segment of a wheel having my improved tire
thereon.
Figure 2 is a cross-section through my improved tire.
Figure 3 is a similar view through a modified form thereof.
Figure 4 is a similar view through a second modification thereof.
Figure 5 is a similar view through a third modification of the same, and,
Figures 6 and 7 are detail views which show by means of cross-sections the
respective positions of the pad, before use, and, after it has been stretched on the
felly and the pneumatic tire seated therein.
Referring to the drawings A represents the rim or felly of a wheel: B represents
a rubber pad seated in the periphery of said felly: and C represents the tubular
rubber envelope or case enclosing the inflatable tube D.
The periphery of the felly or rim A of the wheel may be either concave or flat,
and the endless pad is, preferably, of a slightly less diameter than the periphery
of the rim or felly so that it must be stretched to get it in position thereon. The
periphery of the rims of most wheels having pneumatic tires are concave.
When
this is the case the back of the pad is of a corresponding convexity, and rests
snugly in said concave periphery; but whether said periphery be concave or flat.
the said edges of the pad are provided with longitudinal upwardly extending
flanges a, a, which bear against and cover the side edges of the rim, as shown, and,
prevent lateral displacement thereof. These flanges prevent displacement, whether.
the diameter of the pad is such as to render it necessary to stretch it onto the
periphery of the rim or not. Of course where it is stretched onto the rim, it is
held tighter in position than in cases where it is not stretched; therefore, I prefer
to make it so that it must be stretched.
The outer surface of the pad is concave for the reception of the tubular
envelope C, and as its curvature is struck from a centre, the radius of which is
much less than that from which the curvature of its back is struck, the result is
that the centre of said pad is much thinner than the side edges thereof.
Thus the rim facing portion of the envelope is securely nested in, and is embraced
between the thicker side edges of the pad or flaps b, b, and has its sides re-enforced
thereby. The lower extremities of these flaps bare, preferably, beveled, so as to
give a sharp edge e to the same, and these edges rest in inversely beveled seats,
which are made by providing the side walls of the envelope C, near the rim facing
segment thereof, with the shoulders d, d.
The envelope C is tubular and endless in form, and is seated in the outer concave

page_text: surface or periphery of the pad B, and its rim facing portion, at a point, preferably,
midway between the sides of the pad is slit longitudinally its entire length. After
the inflatable tube D is placed in the envelope, preparatory to the latter being
seated in the pad, this slit is, preferably, closed by bringing the butt edges e, e, of
the same together, and cementing over them a strip of suitable duck or canvas E.
While it is not deemed absolutely necessary, I prefer to cover the inner surface of
the tread portion of the envelope with duck or canvas G. This canvas G may
extend up the sides of the inner surface of the envelope and terminate a little
above the plane of the centre of the same, or it may line the entire inner surface
thereof. It is, preferably, secured to the envelope by vulcanizing it thereto.
The tube D is made of the best quality of rubber, and has its exterior, with the
exception of its rim facing portion, as shown, covered with suitable canvas or other
fabrick, which is vulcanized or otherwise secured thereto. The tube is inflated by
means of a suitable valve and when inflated, the disposition of the fabric G. on the
inner surface of the envelope, and the fabrick on the tube itself (which renders
that part of the envelope and tube to which it is applied practically non-elastic)
causes the distension of said tube to be inwards toward the rim of the wheel,
thereby securely holding the envelope in the pad, and assisting in preventing the
displacement of the pad itself. Besides the effect caused by the distension of said
tube when inflated, the disposition of the fabric G and assists in resisting the
lateral flattening of the tire under the weight of the machine and rider, and causes
the flattening or spreading to take effect on the inner and upper part of the case,
opposite the tread, where it will be more successfully opposed by the construction
of the pad.
Besides the use of the fabric G and to direct the pressure of the
tube D towards the rim so as to hold the same and the envelope securely thereto,
it renders the tire more impervious to punctures.
In Figure 3 of the drawings I show my invention with the envelope slightly
changed by the addition thereto of longitudinal ribs. These ribs are located,
one on each side of the slit of said envelope. an equal distance from the butt edges
thereof, and their apexes are, preferably, intersected by the same radial line
(struck from the centre of tube D.) as the edges of the rim are, and the outer
sides of said ribs are very nearly vertical. The action of these ribs is such, that,
when lateral pressure is exerted on the flaps of the pad, by said envelope, the
lower part of said flaps bear inwards, and oppose the spreading of the adjacent
walls of said envelope. These ribs, though, may be omitted, if desired.
While the lower extremities of the flaps of the pad, rest, preferably, in the scats
made by shoulders d of the envelope, yet they may be made to lap entirely outside
of the envelope, as shown in Figure 4.
In Figure 5 show the pad with the lower edges of the flaps outside of the
envelope as shown in Figure 4, and provided with the ribs f, as shown in
Figure 3.
The operation of placing my improved tire on the felly or rim of a wheel is
substantially as follows:-The pad is first stretched onto the periphery of the rim
so that the flanges a thereof embrace the edges of the rim between them; then
the tube is placed in the envelope in a deflated condition, and the envelope scaled
by bringing the butt edges thereof together, and cementing over them the strip E,
as hereinbefore described, and then the envelope is stretched or placed in the
concave periphery of the pad with the tread thereof outermost and so that the
valve can pass through the opening in the rim made with reference thereto.
The inner tube D is then inflated in the usual manner, and thereby, as hereinbefore
fully explained, secures the envelope to the rim, so that it cannot by any ordinary
usage be displaced. The method of thus putting together the parts of a pneumatic
tire, and placing it upon the felly or rim of the wheel, is as new as the construction
of the tire itself, and is so simple that when in need of repair all that the repairer
has to do in order to get at the parts thereof is to deflate the tube, and pull the
envelope off, and then when it is all right, replace it again in the manner above
stated.

page_text: In Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, it will be observed that I have divided
the inflatable tube into three separate air-chambers or compartments by means of
the vertical diaphragms g, g. These diaphragms are made of elastic rubber, and
extend longitudinally the entire length of the tube, so as to divide it into
endless air-chambers.
These separate air-chambers are supplied with air to inflate them by separate
valves , or by means of a union valve H, as shown in Figure 1. The valve H is
a three-way valve, by manipulating which it will discharge through a suitable
pipe 1, 2, or 3 into the compartment desired. When the tube is punctured, the
exhaustion of the air from the chamber, in the walls of which said puncture is
located, can be compensated for by forcing more air into the uninjured chambers
until the diaphragms (which are very elastic) bulge into the collapsed chamber
sufficient either to cover the puncture itself, or fill up said chamber. I can have
two or more air-chambers in the tube D, according to the number of diaphragms:
I prefer, however, to have then, a central and two side chambers, as shown.
make these diaphragms vertical, because it reduces to a minimum the possibility
of the diaphragms themselves becoming injured.
I
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: -
First The combination in a tire for vehicles with an inflated endless tube, of a
vertical elastic partition having its longitudinal edges secured to the inner circun-
ference of said tube so as to divide the same longitudinally into separate air-
chambers.
Second The combination in a tire for vehicles with an inflatable endless
tube, of a longitudinally disposed vertical elastic diaphragm having its longi-
tudinal side edges connecting the ends of a segment of the circumference of said
tube.
Third The combination in a pneumatic tire with a tubular envelope or case, of
an inflated tube enclosed within the same, and vertical elastic partitions arranged
longitudinally within said tube so as to divide it into separate longitudinal air-
chambers.
Fourth The combination in a pneumatic tire with a rim, of a tubular case
having its inner segment slit longitudinally and brought close together under the
said rim, and an inflated tube enclosed within said envelope.
Fifth The combination in a pneumatic tire with a rim, of a tubular case
having its inner segment slit longitudinally and brought close together under said
rim, and provided with longitudinal ribs projecting from the upper segment of said
case coming within the embrace of said rim, and located on each side of said slit, as
set forth.
Sixth The combination in a pneumatic tire with a rim, of a pad covering the
periphery thereof, and a tubular case having its inner segment slit longitudinally
and brought close together under said rim and provided with longitudinal ribs
on each side of said slit which enter grooves made with reference thereto in
said pad.
:
Seventh The combination in a pneumatic tire with a rim, of a pad covering the
periphery thereof and having upturned flanges which clinch the side edges of said
rim, and a tubular case seated in the outer concave circumference of said pad, as
set forth.
Eighth The combination in a pneumatic tire with a rim, of a pad covering the
outer periphery thereof which is provided with upturned flanges clinching the side
edges of said rim, and has its side edges below said flanges converted into thick
flaps which embrace the tubular case, and said tubular case seated in the outer
concave periphery of said pad, as set forth.
Ninth The combination in a pneumatic tire with a rim, of a pad suitably
secured thereto the side edges of which are converted into flaps by being made

page_text: thicker than the central part thereof, a tubular case provided with side shoulders
which form a seat for the lower extremities of said pad, as set forth.
Tenth The combination in a pneumatic tire with a rim, of a pad the side edges
of which are converted into flaps by being made thicker than the central part
thereof, and which are provided with upwardly turned flanges, that clinch the side
edges of said rim, and a tubular case provided with side shoulders which form a
seat for the extremities of the flaps of said pad, as set forth.
Eleventh The combination in a pneumatic tire with a rim, of a pad which is
provided with upturned flanges that clinch the same, and is provided with flaps
below said flanges, of the tubular case the inner segment of which is slit longi-
tudinally and seated in the concave outer circumference of said pad, which
is provided with longitudinal ribs on either side of said slit that enter grooves
in the pad made with reference thereto, and has side shoulders which form a seat
for the extremities of said flaps, and an inflated tube, as set forth.
Twelfth The combination in a pneumatic tire with a rim, of an inflated tube,
an envelope or case therefor, and a pad the side edges of" which are thicker than
the central part thereof and which is inserted between said rim and envelope and
has its outer circumference concave so as to form a seat for said envelope from which
the latter cannot be displaced when said tube is inflated, but can be easily removed
when said tube is deflated, as set forth.
Thirteenth The combination in a pneumatic tire with the rim, of an inflated
tube and an envelope therefor, the interior surface of the outer circumference of
which is covered with canvas, as set forth.
Fourteenth The combination in a pneumatic tire with the rim, of an inflated
tube having the exterior surface of its outer circumference and its sides covered
with canvas, and an envelope or case for said tube.
Fifteenth The combination in a pneumatic tire with the rim, of an inflated tube
having the exterior surface of its outer circumference and its sides covered with
canvas, and an envelope therefor the interior surface of the outer circumference of
which is covered with canvas, as set forth.
Sixteenth The method of securing pneumatic tires to the rims of wheels con-
sisting of, first placing an endless inflatable tube within an envelope, then sealing
said envelope, then placing the envelope upon the periphery of the rim of the
wheel, and then inflating said tube.
Seventeenth The method of securing pneumatic tires to the rims of wheels,
consisting of, first: stretching a pad having a concave periphery on the periphery
of said rim, then seating in the concave periphery of said pad a sealed envelope
which encloses an endless tube, and then inflating said endless tube.
Dated this 4th day of February 1892.
GEORGE WASHINGTON DORR,
7120, Wentworth Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
H. B. Barlow,
Agent for Applicant.