New Inflatable Tyre for the Wheels of Cycles and other Vehicles.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New Inflatable Tyre for the Wheels of Cycles and other Vehicles.
FERNAND FELICIAN DEMOLDER, of 4, Holmdale Road, Amhurst Park, London,
in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
In making inflatable tyres in which the use of a permanently tubular inner air
bag is dispensed with, the edges of the flexible ring which has then been used,
have generally been designed, in order to obtain an air-tight joint, when said
ring was made into a temporary tube, to fit close against each other, to overlap
or interlock, or a band of rubber has been used, as sole or additional means of
obtaining the desired result, which, cemented on the inner side of said "tube" to
one of the edges thereof, was made to overlap the other edge.
Whatever the merits of these dispositions, they all carry with them the necessity of
fixing the valve through which the tyre is inflated, to the "tube," a circumstance
which, in practice, is attended with great disadvantages.
Firstly, assuming the "tube" to be removable from the rim, it is necessary,
in order to remove it therefrom to first detach the valve from the rim, an operation
which renders the removal of the tyre troublesome, & in the course of which the
connection between the "tube" & the valve itself is liable to get injured, when the
tyre will leak.
Secondly, difficulties are experienced in replacing the 'tube" on the rim,
because unless the valve, which has to be introduced first into the opening provided
for it in the rim, is placed quite straight radially to the wheel, & thus maintained
while both edges of the "tube" are being located on the rim, said edges, whether
locking, overlapping, or otherwise brought into close contact, or the rubber flap
or band which may be used independently or in addition, are-liable not to produce
an airtight joint.
Different arrangements have been proposed to remedy these disadvantages,
but they are in part complicated, & in part unworkable.
The present invention relates to an efficient tyre of simple construction, in which
the inflating valve is a fixture to the rim & quite independent of the flexible
ring, which constitutes the main portion of the tyre; & I have so divised my said
tyre that I do not depend either for producing an air-tight joint, or for attaching
the flexible ring to the rim, on either mechanical pressure applied from without,
or on inflation of the tyre or any part thereof.
My new tyre consists essentially of a flat flexible ring constructed of the
materials generally used in making the outer covers of ordinary inflatable tyres.
This ring is lined on its inner surface with a more or less thin sheet of fine rubber,
which serves, in tyres of the type in question, to make said ring air retaining, &
also facilitates the formation of the necessary air-tight joint; the outer surface or
tread may be moulded to any suitable pattern. I preferably provide the edges of
my flexible ring with continuous outward projections, thickened & stiffened to a
suitable degree by folds of canvas or their equivalent. These edges being brought
towards each other give the flexible ring the shape of a portion of a tube; it is

page_text: placed on a rim (solid or hollow & made of any suitable material) with up & in-
turned edges; & its edges or feet locate into this grooved rim. I make said feet
angular & with their narrow vertical face preferably about perpendicular to the
surface of the rim.
To obtain an air-tight joint between these fect, I use an endless band of fine soft
rubber, which I shall henceforth term the "flap" & which supplies the missing
portion of the "tube," being suitably fastened to the rim all along its circum-
ference. This flap I make of suitable width (according to the destination of the
tyre) & thickness & sometimes thicker towards the centre; & I prepare it of such
shape that its wings will, when the tyre is fitted ready for inflation, exert a certain
pressure on the edges & marginal surfaces of the flexible ring which they overlap.
The flap is, when thus fitted, arched or bent outward, & though I sometimes
manufacture it flat, I find that it answers my purpose best when manufactured
of more or less arched section & fixed on the rim with its concave side inwards,
that is, facing the centre of the wheel, as the increased pressure it then develops
when forced into the reverse shape, insures a perfectly reliable joint. In no case
is it necessary to have recourse to any other means to obtain this joint.
29
It will have been gathered that the inflating valve, which may be of any ordinary
kind, is introduced into the rim through a hole bored midway between the edges
thereof, then through the flap, & permanently screwed or otherwise secured air-
tight to the flap & rim.
Said Hap is applied to the rim symmetrically therewith, that is to say with its
centre line corresponding to the centre line thereof. I also make
this flap of the same diameter centrally as the centre of the rim
(this may be the bottom of a groove as will be hereafter explained) &
fasten it thereto by means of solution, or by placing over & around it,
in the centre, a thin metal band, a wire, cord or the like, or in any other approved
manner. In order to facilitate the fastening. I generally shape the rim with a
narrow & more or less deep central groove, into which the flap will be firmly held
by the fastening device:
I arrange the parts in such way that between the feet of the flexible ring,
when put on the rim there is just enough room left for the wings of the flap to
pass between them & diverge at such an angle, that, at their edges at least, they will
before inflation bear upon the inner surface of the flexible ring.
As, under inflation, the feet of a tubular ring such as above described recede
laterally to a more or less considerable extent, I preferably make the scaling flap,
in order to enable its wings better to follow them, in the manner hereafter
described I mould the flap of plain arched section, concavity facing inwards,
compress it laterally to a smaller width, & solution a restraining backing, say of
canvas, on its convex side, either over its whole width, or ouly over the central
part thereof; I make the flap of such original circumferential length that after
the above described treatment it will just fit, along its centre line, over the centre
of the rim. The canvas band used for the purpose, I preferably cut on the bias &
stretch longitudinally, with the result that both flap & backing will be capable
of a considerable lateral expansion, which the pressure will bring about, while the
absence of longitudinal expansion, or even the longitudinal contraction (which may
result according to the lesser or greater extent to which the flap has been laterally
compressed) will be a further desirable consequence of the process above described.
Pressure, indeed, unless the above arrangement be adopted has a tendency to
increase the circumferential length of the rubber flap, as well as its width. Bearing
this in mind, & for the purpose of simplifying the process of manufacture, I
sometimes make the flap circumferentially shorter along the centre than the centre
of the rim, by only just the extra length which it would acquire under pressure,
if free to expand, so as to avoid what would be otherwise the result, namely, having
the flap in a state of longitudinal compression when the tyre is in use, a
circumstance which, in certain dispositions, have made the tyre unable of holding
air.

page_text: When I adopt this latter method, I may raise the flap from the bottom of the rim
by interposing an india-rubber, vulcanite, or leather core or the like between them;
I prefer to make the core of such thickness that the inner face of the flap will be at
a lower level than the upper edges of the tubular ring before inflation of the tyre.
The modes of fastening the flap & core to the rim are the same as those explained
with reference to the flap only. When I make the core of india-rubber, I generally
mould it in one piece with the flap.
Whichever of the above described forms of flaps be employed, a temporary
"tube is obtained, by fitting the other parts to the rim, & this tube" can be
inflated. To assist in keeping the joint air tight, I apply to the wings of the flap,
on its inner face, some viscid substance; I find that ordinary non-fermenting
sticking paste, with admixture of glycerine (which keeps the paste moist & soft,)
answers the purpose well.
Dated this 11th day of March 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New Inflatable Tyre for the Wheels of Cycles and other Vehicles.
FERNAND FELICAN DEMOLDER, of 4, Holmdale Road, Amhurst Park, London, N.,
in the County of Middlesex, 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:
In making inflatable tyres in which the use of a permanently tubular inner air
bag is dispensed with, the edges of the flexible ring which has then been used.
have generally been designed, in order to obtain an air-tight joint when said
ring was made into a temporary tube, to fit close against each other, to overlap
or interlock, or a band of rubber has been used, as sole or additional means of
obtaining the desired result, which, cemented on the inner side of said "tube" to
one of the edges thereof, was made to overlap the other edge.
Whatever the merits of these dispositions, they all carry with them the necessity
of fixing the valve through which the tyre is inflated, to the "tube,' a circum-
stance which, in practice, is attended with great disadvantages. Firstly, assuming
the "tube" to be removable from the rim, it is necessary in order to remove it
therefrom, to first detach the valve from the rim, an operation which renders the
removal of the tyre troublesome & in the course of which the connection between
the "tube" & the valve itself is liable to get injured, when the tyre will leak.
Secondly, difficulties are experienced in replacing the "tube" on the rim, because,
unless the valve, which has to be introduced first into the opening provided for it
in the rim, is placed quite straight radially to the wheel, & thus maintained while
both edges of the "tube" are being located on the rim, said edges, whether locking.
overlapping or otherwise brought into close contact, or the rubber flap or band
which may be used independently or in addition, are liable not to produce an
air-tight joint.
Different arrangements have been proposed to remedy these disadvantages, but
they are in part complicated & in part unworkable.
The present invention relates to an efficient tyre of simple construction in which
the valve (supposing one to be used) is a fixture to the rim, & quite independent
of the flexible ring which forms the main portion of tyre; & I have so devised my
said tyre that I do not depend, either for producing an air-tight joint, or for

page_text: attaching the flexible ring to the rim, on either mechanical pressure applied from
without, or on inflation of the tyre or any part thereof.
My new tyre consist essentially of a flat flexible ring constructed of the materials
generally used in making the outer covers of ordinary inflatable tyres. This ring
is lined on its inner surface with a more or less thin sheet of fine rubber, which
serves in tyres of the type in question to make said ring air retaining, & also
facilitates the formation of the necessary air tight joint; the outer surface or tread
may be moulded to any suitable pattern.
+
I preferably provide the edges of my flexible ring with continuous outward
projections, thickened & stiffened to a suitable degree, by folds of canvas or their
equivalent. These edges being brought towards each other give the flexible ring
the shape of a portion of a tube; it is placed on a rim (solid or hollow & made of
any suitable material) with up- & in turned edges, & its edges or feet locate into
this grooved rim; I make said feet angular, & with their narrow vertical face
preferably about perpendicular to the surface of the rim.
To obtain an air-tight joint between these feet, I use an endless band of fine
soft rubber, which I shall henceforth term the "flap," & which supplies the missing
portion of the "tube," being suitably fastened to the centre of the rim all along
its circumference. This flap I make of suitable width & thickness, & sometimes
thicker towards the centre, & I prepare it of such shape that its wings will, when
the tyre is fitted ready for inflation, exert a certain pressure on the edges & marginal
surfaces of the flexible ring-which they overlap. The "flap" is, when thus fitted,
arched or bent outwardly, & though I sometimes manufacture it flat, 'I find that it
answers my purpose best when manufactured of more or less arelied section & fixed
on the rim with its concave side inwards, that is, facing the centre of the wheel,
as the increased pressure it then develops when forced into the reverse shape,
ensures a perfectly reliable joint. In no case is it necessary to have recourse to any
other means to obtain this joint. It will have been gathered that the inflating
valve, which may be of any ordinary kind, is introduced into the rim through
a hole bored midway between the edges of same, then through the flap
manently screwed or otherwise fastened in air tight to the flap & rim; or the tyre
may be inflated without a valve being used, by means, for instance, of a sharp
nozzled inflator driven through the tyre at any point which has been inwardly
coated with semi-plastic rubber in order to prevent leakage of air through the
puncture on the inflator being withdrawn. My new tyre by its construction, is
particularly well adapted for this system of inflation without valve, & some place
in the middle of the flap (which is itself made of soft india-rubber) would naturally
be selected to effect the inflation, an opening having been provided in the rim to
let the nozzle of the inflator through.
per-
The flap is applied to the rim symmetrically therewith, that is to say, with its
centre-line corresponding to the centre-line thereof; I also make this flap of the
same diameter centrally as the centre of the rim (this may be the bottom of a
groove as will be hereafter explained) & fasten it thereto by means of solution, or by
placing over & around it in the centre a thin metal band, a wire or cord or the
like, or in any other approved manner.
In order to facilitate this fastening I generally shape the rim with a narrow &
more or less deep central groove, into which the flap will be firmly held by the
fastening device & I arrange the parts in such way that between the feet of the
flexible ring, when put on the rim, there just room enough left for the wings
of the flap to pass between them & diverge at such an angle that, at their edges at
least, they will, before inflation, bear upon the inner surface of the flexible ring.
As, under inflation, the feet of a tubular ring as above described recede laterally
to a more or less considerable extent, I preferably prepare the sealing flap, in
order to enable its wings better to follow them, in the manner hereafter described:
I mould the flap of plain arched section: concavity facing inwards, compress it
laterally to a smaller width, & solution a restraining backing, say of canvas, on
its concave side, either over its whole width or only over the central part thereof;

page_text: I make the flap of such original circumferential length that, after the above
described treatment, it will just fit along its central line, over the centre of the
rim. The canvas band used for the purpose I preferably cut on the bias & stretch
it longitudinally before solutioning, with the result that both flaps & backing
will be capable of a considerable lateral expansion which the pressure will bring
about, while the absence of longitudinal expansion, or even the longitudinal
contraction which may result (according the lesser or greater extent to which the
flap has been laterally compressed) will be a further desirable consequence.
Whichever of the above described forms of the flap be employed, by fitting the
cther parts on the rim, a temporary tube is obtained, which can be inflated. To
assist in maintaining the joint air-tight, I apply to the wings of the flap on its
inner face, or on the marginal inner surfaces of the tubular ring, some viscid
substance; I find that non fermenting sticking-paste, with admixture of glycerine
(which keeps the paste moist & soft) answers the purpose well.
The drawings only illustrate (in transversal sections) the dispositions which I
preferably use out of the different arrangements above described.
Fig. 1 represents the tyre ready for inflation, the flap F, having been placed
around the rim R, and fixed thereon by means of cord, wire or band C, & the
flexible ring or tube T, also located on the rim.
Fig. 2 represents section of the flap as preferably moulded, with a narrow canvas
backing C, B, which can be, if desired, solutioned on the flap to preserve it from
direct contact with the rim. On inflation, the air pressure forces the edges EE of
the flexible ring more closely into the recesses of the rim, & the flap fits itself into
the space between said edges EE. Figs. & 3, it will be noticed, shew the rim.
provided with a groove in the centre along the circumference, which grooved rim I
use in preference to a plain curved one.
Fig. 4 illustrates a form of the flap in which same is considerably thicker in
the middle than towards the edges; the object of this disposition & of the angular
ridge-shape given to the central part is made clear in Fig. 3, where the tyre is
represented before inflation: as air is pumped into the tyre, the edges EE of the
flexible ring will recede laterally, when the flap will straighten itself, its flanges
coming into fuller contact with the rim & with the inner surface of the tubular
ring respectively. I preferably make the height H somewhat greater than the
height H. I also prefer to arrange so that, when the tyre is inflated, an interstice
is left on either side between these two vertical faces.
In Figs. 1 & 3, L is the inner lining of fine & fairly soft rubber which makes the
tubular ring air retaining & facilitates the formation of an air-tight joint with the
flap F. The sharply angular edges or feet EE are formed not only of canvas,
but partly of fine rubber, for the same purpose.
It is obvious that when I make as I preferably do—the flap of such width that
the extreme edge of its wings W. W, come into contact before inflation of the
tyre with the inner lining of the tubular ring T, two joints J & J will be formed &
ensure air tightness, since at J₁, there is bound, in any case, to be contact.
It is equally obvious that the elastic force of the rubber flap, on which I wish it
to be clearly understood that I solely rely for ensuring air-tightness, being put
into play by causing said flap to assume a shape different from that to which it
was moulded, will hold the tyre on the rim & prevent it from accidentally coming
off it. The valve, if one be used, (which may be of any suitable construction)
having to be introduced through the centre of the rim & of the flap, I suitably
arrange the cord, band or the like C, so as to give the inner end of the valve
passage in such manner that said cord does not interfere with the proper working
of the valve. The disposition. which would in any case be simple enough not to
need insisting on here, would depend on the kind of valve used. The band C may
sometimes consist simply of a narrow band of canvas cut on the straight & which I
solution over the flap towards the centre after said flap has been put on the rim.
After applying to the wings of the flap or to the inner edges & marginal surfaces
of the flexible ring T a little of some such viscid substance as above described, the

page_text: "
said ring T is placed on the rim, the wings W, W, of the flap being lifted with the
fingers as the edges E.E are located in the grooves of the rim underneath them.
Having now particularly described & ascertained the nature of my said
invention, & in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
[ claim is :-
1). In temporarily tubular inflatable tyres for the wheels of cycles & other
vehicles, the combination of a flat flexible ring enlarged at its edges and lined
'with a sheet of fine & fairly soft india-rubber with a trough shaped rim in which
these edges fit, & with an independent circular flap or band of fine soft india-rubber
of suitable thickness, which before as well as after inflation makes an air-tight
joint between said feet, owing to the disposition to which I hereinafter lay claim.
2). In temporarily tubular inflatable tyres for the wheels of cycles & other
vehicles, the combination with a flexible ring & rim as described in Claim No. 1, of
a circular india rubber flap or band moulded of the same diameter centually as
the centre of the rim, to which centre it is suitably permanently fastened, while
it is moulded of such section as to exercise a certain pressure, owing to its elastic
force, on the feet of the flexible ring which it overlaps.
3). In temporarily tubular inflatable tyres for the wheels of cycles & other
vehicles, the combination with a flexible ring & rim as described in Claim No. 1, of
a circular india-rubber flap or band of the same diameter centrally as the centre
of the rim, moulded concave, the concavity facing inwards, that is to say, facing
the axis of the wheel.
4). In temporarily tubular inflatable tyres for the wheels of cycles & other
vehicles the combination with a flexible ring & rim as described in Claim No. 1, of
a circular india-rubber flap or band of same diameter centrally as the centre of
the rim & of such width that, before inflation of the tyre the wings or flanges of said
flap will be in contact at or towards their edges with the inner wall of the flexible
ring when the latter is placed on the rim.
5). In temporarily tubular inflatable tyres for the wheels of cycles & other
vehicles, the combination with a flexible ring & rim as described in Claim No. 1 of
a circular india-rubber flap or band of the same diameter centrally as the centre
of the rim, moulded thicker in the middle & with a sharp edge on either side of
this middle part, where the thinner flanges or wings proper begin, substantially
as shown in Figs. 3 & 4, as and for the purpose set forth.
6). In temporarily tubular inflatable tyres for the wheels of cycles & other
vehicles, the combination with a flexible ring & rim as described in Claim No. 1, of
a circular india-rubber flap or band in which the excess thickness of the central
part of the flap over the adjacent thickness of the wings, is less than the vertical
thickness of the foot of the tubular ring, substantially as set forth.
7). In temporarily tubular inflatable tyres for the wheels of cycles & other
vehicles, the combination with a flexible ring & rim as described in Claim No. 1 of
a circular india-rubber ring as described in Claim No. 6 the thick central part of
which is made of such width that an interstice is left on either side between it
& the feet of the tubular ring at an early stage of the process of inflation,
substantially as set forth.
8). In temporarily tubular inflatable tyres for the wheels of cycles & other
vehicles, in combination with a flexible ring & rim as described in Claim No. 1,
a circular india-rubber flap moulded of such original section & diameter that after
laterally compressing it & solutioning on its concave face a strip of canvas (or its
equivalent) of suitable width, cut on the bias, & longitudinally stretched prior to
application, said flap will be centrally of the same diameter as the centre-line of
the rim. & will, for the rest, exercise when the tyre is fitted ready for inflation,
a lateral pressure on the inside face of the tubular ring at or towards the edges
thereof, substantially as & for the purpose set forth.
9). In temporarily tubular inflatable tyres for the wheels of cycles & other
vehicles, in combination with a flexible ring as described in Claim No. 1 and a

page_text: circular india-rubber flap which makes a joint between the edges of said flexible
ring, of a trough section rim, solid or hollow & made of any suitable material,
provided with a central groove or channel running circumferentially, substantially
as & for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 10th day of December 1808