Improvements in Pneumatic Tyres.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in Pneumatic Tyres.
I, WILLIAM WALKER FYFE, of 41, Hillside Road, Stamford Hill, London, N.,
Hydraulic Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in pneumatic tyres for wheels
such as are used for cycles, invalid chairs, and the like, and is an improvement
on and further application of the semi-tube described and claimed in my Com-
plete Specification No. 22,341, 1896, and for which I hold a patent.
The object of this invention is to provide in pneumatic tyres a cheap and
efficient means of quickly remedying the effects of punctures or rents, such
means to be readily applicable to any pneumatic tyre.
On the outside of the pneumatic tube of such tyres, and completely covering
the semi-circumference of the tube towards the road surface I employ a semi-
tube, the outer edges of which are attached to the pneumatic tube on opposite
sides, by this means forming two separate air-chambers, one between the semi-
tube and the lower side of the pneumatic tube, the other being the pneumatic
tube itself.
In order to. secure inflation of the semi-tube I construct the same with an
extension, preferably semi-circular in shape, at one side; and this extension will
be about three inches in length and of such width as will enable it to curve over
the upper side of the pneumatic tube, assuming position against the rim of the
wheel to which the tube is to be applied, and meeting the other edge of the
semi-tube, which therefore with the extension, at this point completely encircles
the pneumatic tube. The edge of the extension of the semi-tube is securely
fastened or attached to the pneumatic tube, and to allow the air-valve for normal
inflation of the semi-tube to be inserted, a circular hole is made in the semi-tube
extension, into which the valve is fixed, and the air-passage within the extension
is kept open by a small rubber pad having ducts formed in it, and the pad is
fastened to the pneumatic tube and extends from the valve to where the edge of
the semi-tube is secured to the pneumatic tube.
The normal position of the tube is with the semi-tube inflated by way of the
valve and semi-tube extension, and the lower side of the pneumatic tube towards
the road surface forced by the air-pressure against the rim of the wheel and out
of danger of puncture.
In addition to the said air-valve a second valve is provided leading into the
inside of the pneumatic tube, so that air pumped in through the secondary
valve will distend the pneumatic tube so that its lower side towards the road
surface will be extended to and cover the inside of the semi-tube.
When by reason of puncture deflation of the pneumatic tuhe takes place, the
rider dismounting for a time will connect the air pump to the secondary valve
and by means of the pressure within the pneumatic tube its lower side will
assume position covering the inside surface of the semi-tube towards the road

page_text: surface of the tyre, so covering the puncture and enabling the rider to continue
his journey, leaving the patching of the puncture to be effected at leisure and
the tyre again prepared for a similar eventuality.
improvements in Pneumatic Tyres.
I, WILLIAM WALKER FYFE, of 41, Hillside Road, Stamford Hill, London, N.,
Hydraulic 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:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in pneumatic tyres for wheels
such as are used for cycles, invalid chairs and the like, and is an improvement
on and further application of the semi-tube described and claimed in my Com-
plete Specification No. 22,341, 1896, and for which I hold a patent.
The object of this invention is to provide in pneumatic tyres a cheap and
efficient means of quickly remedying the effects of punctures or rents, such
means to be readily applicable to any pneumatic tyre.
On the outside of the pneumatic tube of such tyres, and completely covering
the semi-circumference of the tube towards the road surface I employ a semi-
tube, the outer edges of which are attached to the pneumatic tube on opposite
sides, by this means forming two separate air-chambers, one between the semi-
tube and the lower side of the pneumatic tube, the other being the pneumatic
tube itself.
In order to secure inflation of the semi-tube I construct the same with an
extension preferably semi-circular in shape, at one side, and this extension will
be about three inches in length and of such width as will enable it to curve over
the upper side of the pneumatic tube, assuming position against the rim of the
wheel to which the tube is to be applied, and meeting the other edge of the
semi-tube, which therefore with the extension, at this point completely encircles
the pneumatic tube. The edge of the extension of the semi-tube is securely
fastened or attached to the pneumatic tube, and to allow the air-valve for normal
inflation of the semi-tube to be inserted, a circular hole is made in the semi-tube
extension, into which the valve is fixed, and the air-passage within the extension
is kept open by a small rubber pad having ducts formed in it, and the pad is
fastened to the pneumatic tube and extends from the valve to where the edge of
the semi-tube is secured to the pneumatic tube.
The normal position of the tube is with the semi-tube inflated by way of the
valve and semi-tube extension, and the lower side of the pneumatic tube towards
the road surface forced by the air-pressure against the rim of the wheel and out
of danger of puncture.
In addition to the said air-valve a second valve is provided leading into the
inside of the pneumatic tube, so that air pumped in through the secondary
valve will distend the pneumatic tube so that its lower side towards the road
surface will be extended to and cover the inside of the semi-tube.
When by reason of puncture deflation of the pneumatic tube takes place, the
rider dismounting for a time will connect the air pump to the secondary valve
and by means of the pressure within the pneumatic tube its lower side will
assume position covering the inside surface of the semi-tube towards the road
surface of the tyre, so covering the puncture and enabling the rider to continue

page_text: his journey, leaving the patching of the puncture to be effected at leisure, and
the tyre again prepared for a similar eventuality.
In the accompanying drawings there are represented drawings of the con-
struction of pneumatic tube tyres according to this invention, and the same will
be referred to in the following description by figures and letters, like letters
indicating similar parts.
Fig. 1, represents the fitting of a pneumatic tyre when same is in normal
condition with the semi-tube inflated and the lower side of the pneumatic tube
towards the road surface folded back against the rim of the wheel.
Fig. 2, is a like view when the pneumatic tube is inflated and extended to
provisionally repair a puncture in the semi-tube.
Fig. 3, represents a portion of the pneumatic tube, showing the rubber pad for
keeping open the air-passages, and having the semi-tube fixed along one of its
sides to the pneumatic tube, but having the other side with the air-passage-
covering extension detached from the pneumatic tube in order to show its
construction. The position which the semi-tube extension will assume on the
pneumatic tube, and the width of the seam or joint by which it is to be attached
are shown by dotted lines.
A indicates the rim of the wheel to which the spokes and the pneumatic tyre
of the wheel are attached, B the outside cover or road-surface covering of a
pneumatic tyre inflation tube whatever may be the attachment-fitting employed.
c is the semi-tube which with its extension d' is attached to the outside of
the pneumatic inflation tube by the joints or seams c.
The valve duct d is provided for normal inflation of the semi-tube by way
of air-passages or ducts d' in the rubber pad de between the semi-tube exten-
sion and the pneumatic tube and the valve is inserted in the circular
hole in the semi-tube extension, the direction of the air current from the
valve being shown by small arrows.
The air-valve for inflation of the pneumatic tube after puncture of the semi-
tube c, consists of a nipple valve and duct f which when the tyre is to be
inflated for normal use or after "patching" has been done should be slightly
opened so as to allow of the gradual escape of the air contained in the tube c².
As the inflation proceeds the lower part of the tube will be pressed back into its
folded position out of use, and the placing of the valves on opposite sides of the
wheels will facilitate this.
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:
Firstly. In pneumatic tyres for wheels the semi-tube with the air-passage-
covering extension e', attached exteriorly and completely covering the semi-
circumference of the pneumatic tube towards the road surface, fitted with the
main nipple and valve and rubber pad with air-passages for normal inflation
and the direct nipple valve and duct f serving to inflate the pneumatic tube 2,
constructed combined and operating as and for the purpose herein specified.
Secondly. In pneumatic tyres for wheels the air-passage-covering extension c¹
of the semi-tube e as and for the purpose herein specified.