Improvements in or connected with Rims and Inflatable Tyres for the Wheels of Cycles and other Vehicles.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Nov., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 14th Aug., 1899-Accepted, 11th Nov., 1899
PROVIDIUNAL DITUITICALIUIN
Improvements in or connected with Rims and Inflatable Tyres for
the Wheels of Cycles and other Vehicles.
We, ANTHONY PULBROOK, of No. 8, Unwin Mansions, Queen's Club Gardens,
West Kensington, London, Solicitor, and EMILY HENRIETTA PULBROOK, of the
same place, Wife of the said Anthony Pulbrook, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
It consists in improved methods of constructing, securing and arranging what
are termed tubeless inflatable tyres in certain special forms of rims.
For this purpose the rim is grooved or concave in its outside lateral centre so
that the circumference of the depression is less than that of the sides. These
may or may not be corrugated or have depressions therein or projections there-
from.
The arch or saddle shaped flexible tubeless pneumatic tyre hereinafter described
may be secured to the rim by means of inextensible wires or the like, which may
or may not be capable of being fastened or secured to the rim by clamping, or
by reason of thickened edges or projections in the tyre adapted to take into
recesses or slots in the rim, or by means of projections in the rim capable of
taking into recesses in the tyre or any part thereof or partly by one of the
aforesaid means and partly by another, or it may be secured to the rim in any
other suitable manner.
We attach in an airtight manner to each side of the arch or saddle, but prefer-
ably radially inside the same, a flap of preferably thin pliable airtight material
preferably so shaped or cut as to rest, when in place, against the sides of the
rim. We attach circumferentially to both flaps, or to the loose flap when one
flap is solutioned to the rim, a band or bands of flat rubber or other airtight
material, preferably more or less elastic, having a normal circumference equal to or
less than the circumference of the depression in the rim; or we may attach in like
manner to one or both flaps a hollow fluid-tight wholly or partly pliable tube or
compartment which may be wholly or partly elastic, containing a compressible or
incompressible fluid, or an airtight compartment with overlapping material for
rigid material to sink into the compartment as described in the Specification of
No. 9697 of 1897. We cement, solution, or otherwise fix, radially to the outside
part of the rim, an airtight material to prevent the escape of the compressed air
through the holes made for the spokes. Or we may use a fluid-tight compart-
ment as described in the Specification of Patents 8696 of 1896 and 9697 of 1897.
This object may be effected in some instances by using one of the flaps. We
may or may not secure to the sides of the rim a band of leather, rubber, rubber-
insertion, or the like, for the wires or like inextensible material in the flaps or
the sides of the tyre to press against, or vice versa we may affix like materials to
the tyre or flaps.
Instead of the edges of the flaps resting against the sides of the rim as before
described, we may make them deeper (sometimes with a pocket in one to receive
the flap of the other) and capable of being pressed together and folded so that
when folded the folded part will rest in the groove or depression in the rim and
be pressed together or against the rim, thereby making an air-tight joint. To

page_text: facilitate this we may use elastic or other clips or bands to keep the edges of
the flaps or folds in place.
It will now be understood that on pinching the sides of the arch or saddle-
shaped tyre together, and holding it over the centre depression in the rim the
flaps, or flap when one flap is connected to the rim, will hang down radially
towards the lateral centre of the rim, and will drop into the depression in that
part of the rim. When thus in place the arch or saddle-shaped tyre being drawn
radially outwards from the rim the flat band or elastic material, or the tube
containing fluid, as the case may be, will be drawn radially outwards from this
depression, and by reason of the greater circumference of the sides of the rim
will closely hug those sides, and thus remaining in position will prevent the pas-
sage outwards of the compressed fluid. In like manner when the edges of the
flaps are pressed together and folded they will take their place in the depression
in the rim, and the air pressure in the tyre will cause the folds to press together
and make an airtight joint. In each case the greater the pressure of inflation
the greater will be the pressure on the pliable Haps to force them against the
sides of the rim, or, as the case may be, to force the folded parts together and
so make an airtight joint. We may facilitate this by having fluid-tight com-
partments between the flaps and the sides of the rim, or by using between the
same or the folds any suitable material or substance to prevent the escape of
air, for instance soft soap, plastic rubber, or a liquid or a substance not injurious
to the material of which the airtight flap is composed or we may enamel or
otherwise polish the outside of the rim and use ordinary rubber solution. We
may have one or several bands of elastic material, or make the entire flaps of
like elastic material, or when using fluid-tight compartments, may have inexten-
sible material in the flaps longitudinally to press into the compartments.
Inasmuch as the ridge formed by the sides of the plate of the valve might
give an outlet for the escape of the compressed fluid in tubeless tyres, we may,
is that part of the tyre where the valve is situated, connect the two sides of the
saddle-shaped tyre together by an airtight band passing from one side to the
other so as to form a complete airtight tube in that particular part of the tyre.
We insert the valve in the usual manner through the connecting part, and pro-
vide by suitable means for making an airtight connection or join between the
tubeless part of the tyre and the aforesaid part forming a tube.
1900
A. PULBROOK,
E. H. PULBROOK,
Per W. H. Beck,
Agent, 115, Cannon Street, London, E.C.
Improvements in or connected with Rims and Inflatable Tyres for
the Wheels of Cycles and other Vehicles.
We, ANTHONY PULBROOK, of No. 5, Greyhound Mansions, Greyhound Road,
Hammersmith, London, late of No. 8, Unwin Mansions, Queen's Club Gardens,
West Kensington, London, Solicitor, and EMILY HENRIETTA PULBROOK, of the
same place, wife of the said Anthony Pulbrook, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
It consists in improved methods of constructing, securing and arranging what
are termed tubeless inflatable tyres in certain special forms of rims.

page_text: For this purpose the rim is grooved or concave in its outside lateral centre so
that the circumference of the depression is less than that of the sides. These
may or may not be corrugated or have depressions therein or projections there-
from.
The arch or saddle shaped flexible tubeless pneumatic tyre hereinafter described
may be secured to the rim by means of inextensible wires or the like, which may
or may not be capable of being fastened or secured to the rim by clamping, or
by reason of thickened edges or projections in the tyre adapted to take into
recesses or slots in the rim, or by means of projections. in the rim capable of
taking into recesses in the tyre or any part thereof or partly by one of the
aforesaid means and partly by another, or it may be secured to the rim in any
other suitable manner.
We attach in an airtight manner to each side of the arch or saddle, but prefer-
ably radially inside the same, a flap of thin pliable airtight material
preferably so shaped or cut as to rest, when in place, against the sides of the
rim. We attach circumferentially to both flaps, or to the loose flap when one
flap is solutioned to the rim, a band or bands of flat rubber or other airtight
material, preferably more or less elastic, having a normal circumference equal to or
less than the circumference of the depression in the rim; or we may attach in like
manner to one or both flaps a hollow fluid-tight wholly or partly pliable tube or
compartment which may be wholly or partly elastic, containing a compressible or
incompressible fluid, or an airtight compartment with overlapping material for
rigid material to sink into the compartment as described in the Specification of
No. 9697 of 1897. We cement, solution, or otherwise fix, radially to the outside
part of the rim, an airtight material to prevent the escape of the compressed air
through the holes made for the spokes. Or we may use a fluid-tight compart-
ment as described in the Specification of Patents 8696 of 1896 and 9697 of 1897.
This object may be effected in some instances by using one of the flaps. We
may or may not secure to the sides of the rim a band of leather, rubber, rubber-
insertion, or the like, for the wires or like inextensible material in the flaps or
the sides of the tyre to press against, or vice versa we may affix like materials to
the tyre or flaps.
Instead of the edges of the flaps resting against the sides of the rim as before
described, we may make them deeper (sometimes with a pocket in one to receive
the flap of the other) and capable of being pressed together and folded so that
when folded the folded part will rest in the groove or depression in the rim and
be pressed together or against the rim, thereby making an air-tight joint. To
facilitate this we may use elastic or other clips or bands to keep the edges of
the flaps or folds in place.
It will now be understood that on pinching the sides of the arch or saddle-
shaped tyre together, and holding it over the centre depression in the rim the
flaps, or flap when one flap is connected to the rim, will hang down radially
towards the lateral centre of the rim, and will drop into the depression in that
part of the rim. When thus in place the arch or saddle-shaped tyre being drawn
radially outwards from the rim the flat band or elastic material, or the tube
containing fluid, as the case may be, will be drawn radially outwards from this
depression, and by reason of the greater circumference of the sides of the rim
will closely hug those sides, and thus remaining in position will prevent the pas-
sage outwards of the compressed fluid. In like manner when the edges of the
flaps are pressed together and folded they will take their place in the depression
in the rim, and the air pressure in the tyre will cause the folds to press together
and make an airtight joint. In each case the greater the pressure of inflation
the greater will be the pressure on the pliable flaps to force them against the
sides of the rim, or, as the case may be, to force the folded parts together and
so make an airtight joint. We may facilitate this by having fluid-tight com-
partments between the flaps and the sides of the rim, or by using between the
same or the folds any suitable material or substance to prevent the escape of

page_text: air, for instance soft soap, plastic rubber, or a liquid or a substance not injurious
to the material of which the airtight flap is composed or we may enamel or
otherwise polish the outside of the rim and use ordinary rubber solution. We
may have one or several bands of elastic material, or make the entire flaps of
like elastic material, or, when using fluid-tight compartments, may have inexten-
sible material in the flaps longitudinally to press into the compartments.
Inasmuch as the ridge formed by the sides of the plate of the valve might
give an outlet for the escape of the compressed fluid in tubeless tyres, we may,
in that part of the tyre where the valve is situated, connect the two sides of the
saddle-shaped tyre together by an airtight band passing from one side to the
other so as to form a complete airtight tube in that particular part of the tyre.
We insert the valve in the usual manner through the connecting part, and pro-
vide by suitable means for making an airtight connection or join between the
tubeless part of the tyre and the aforesaid part forming a tube.
.
And in order that the said invention may be fully understood, we will now
proceed to describe the same with the aid of the accompanying sheet of the
drawings.
Figure 1 of the drawings is a cross section of a rim which is grooved or made
concave as shown so that the circumference at the points a a is less than that
at b b.
Figure 2 is a cross section of an arch-shaped tyre A having flaps B, B of thin
pliable airtight material secured to it or formed with it in such manner that the
connection between the two is airtight. The ends.E E of the flaps BB are less
in circumferential length than the parts b b of the rim shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a cross section of a smilar tyre but the flaps BB of which are
provided at their ends with airtight compartments C containing a fluid.
Figure 4 is a similar section but having one of its flaps B provided with a
pocket D to receive the edge E of the other flap.
Figure is a cross section showing a similar arrangement of tyre in place on
the rim F with the tyre inflated in the usual way. In this case the flaps B cover
the joint of the thickened edges of the tyre with the rim. As the tyre A is
inflated it tends to expand radially outwards, and the ends of the flaps B B
being of a circumferential length about equal to or less than that of the bottom
of the rim, hug closely the sides of the rim as they are drawn outwards, and
form an airtight joint therewith. The sides of the rim may be lubricated with
any suitable material capable of assisting to make an airtight joint. The pres-
sure of the air in the tyre against the flaps B opposite the thickened
edges of the tyre helps to make an airtight joint between such thickened
edge and the groove or hollow in the rim F. It is obvious that an
airtight material such as that shown at G for example must be placed on the
rim for the purpose of preventing the escape of air through the holes for the
spokes. The inflating valve is passed through the rim in the usual way, care
being taken to make an airtight joint by means of washers or otherwise.
Figure 6 is a cross section of a tyre and rim, in which a flap B on one side of
the tyre is inserted into a pocket D, such as is shown in Figure 4, in the other
side, and the parts then rolled together and arranged to rest on the bottom of
the rim, a clip H being inserted to keep the parts in place.
Figure 7 is a cross section of a tyre and rim, in which the edge of one flap B
is provided with a pocket 1 each edge of which is provided with
a compartment C₁ containing a fluid and the edge of the other flap B
is similarly provided with a compartment C containing a fluid which flap
and compartment are inserted into the pocket D between the two compartments C₁.
When the tyre is inflated the compartment C is pressed between the sides D) of
the pocket and the compartments C₁ are pressed firmly against the flap B which
carries the compartment C, the whole making a perfectly air-tight joint.
Figure 8 is a cross section of a tyre and rim in which the two flaps B such

page_text: as are shown in Figure 2 are folded together and rest on the bottom of the rim,
a clip H being inserted in the folds to keep them in place.
Figure 9 is a cross section taken at line X-X of Figure 10, and Figures 10 a
longitudinal section on line Y-Y of Figure 9 of that part of a rim and tube-
less tyre where the inflating valve is situated. Fis the rim, A the tyre the
thickened edges of the outer flaps of which take into the lateral grooves or
recesses of the rim as shown, while the flaps B pass down and bear against the
inner surfaces of the sides of the rim. I is a tube of airtight flexible material
provided at its ends with airtight annular compartments J containing a fluid.
is the inflating valve, L a bar of metal or other sufficiently stiff material shaped
approximately to fit the rim as shown in Figure 9 and M an indiarubber or other
suitable soft and impervious washer interposed between the bar L and the sur-
face of the tube I. When the valve K is passed through the bar L, washer M,
tube I and rim F, and screwed up with its nut N in the usual way the washer N
and tube I make an airtight joint with the rim; but the compartments J further
prevent the access of compressed air from the tyre to the said joint by reason of
their being pressed, when the tyre is inflated, tightly against the internal surface
of the tubeless tyre on the one hand and the bottom of the rim on the other so
that if the joint between the tube I and the rim is not perfectly sound no harm
would be done because the compressed air in the tyre is completely shut off by
the compartments J from the space outside the tube I.
Similar letters of reference relate to like parts in all the figures of the
drawings.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we would have it under-
stood that we are aware that it has already been proposed to make an airtight
joint by means of flaps of rubber stretched over the rim, and that we make no
claim generally to such an arrangement, but that what we do claim is ;-
1
First. In a tubeless tyre making an airtight joint between the tyre and rim
by means of thin airtight-material connected to the sides of the tyre and having
a smaller circumference than the sides of the rim, substantially as described.
Second. In a tubeless tyre the use of flaps connected to the tyre and folded
together so as to make an airtight joint, substantially as described with refer-
ence to Figures 6 and 8 of the drawings.
Third. In a tubeless tyre making the longitudinal airtight joint by means of
longitudinal airtight compartments charged with fluid, substantially as described
with reference to Figure 7 of the drawings.
Fourth. In a pneumatic tyre without an inner tube the use of a tubular part
provided with compartments charged with a fluid for the purpose of making an
airtight connection with the inflating valve, substantially as described with
reference to Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings.
TT CUוחח
18000 20
A. PULBROOK.
E. H. PULBROOK,
Per W. H. Beck,
Agent, 115, Cannon Street, London, E.C.

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Nov., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 14th Aug., 1899-Accepted, 14th Nov., 1899
Improvements in or connected with Rims and Inflatable Tyres for the
Wheels of Cycles and other Vehicles.
We, ANTHONY PULBROOK, of No. 8, Unwin Mansions, Queen's Club Gardens,
West Kensington, London, Solicitor, and EMILY HENRIETTA PULBROOK, of the
same place, wife of the said Anthony Pulbrook, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:
It consists in improved methods of constructing, securing and arranging in-
flatable tyres in certain special forms of rims, in arrangements for repairing
same when punctured, and in providing tyres for use in case of puncture.
We make the rim with transverse corrugations, ridges or projections and
depressions in its bed, or partly in its bed and partly in its sides, or we may
have transverse bridge-pieces radially outside the rim.
The tyre may be in the forms described in the Specification of Patent No. 9697
of 1897 or the like, or it may be arch or saddle-shape.
We secure it to the rim by using pliable and practically inextensible material
such as wires, metallic bands, flat woven wires, wire rope, chains, leather,
textile fabric, cords, or other suitable more or less inextensible material in ring
form which may be bedded in the tyre or become part thereof, or may be
attached thereto or hear upon the same in any suitable manner, or, in the case
of a saddle or arch-shaped tyre, may be inserted in or attached to or bear upon,
the edges thereof, the ring-shaped material being of such a size as will readily
pass over the side of the rim of the wheel either by being altogether larger than
the edge of the rim, or by the well known device of the centre of the rim having
a longitudinal depression or depressions whereby the reduced diameter of the
rim at the depression or depressions enables the more or less inextensible material
to be easily passed over the side of the rim on the opposite side of the wheel.
We place the ring-shaped material under or in connection with the inner tube,
when one is used, so that it may rest between the tube and the bed or other part
of the rim and be pressed by the air pressure against the rim. If no inner tube
is used we place the ring-shaped material in a compartment, which is preferably
separated by an airtight material from that part of the tyre which contains the
compressed fluid.
The aforesaid more or less inextensible material, may, in some instances, not
be formed into a ring but its ends may or may not overlap or pass into a sleeve
or sleeves, or the like, or it may be in several pieces with spaces between each
piece the said pieces being connected together in any suitable manner.
We do not confine ourselves to the whole of the before-mentioned more or less
inextensible material formed into ring-shape being of the same substance but
it may be a combination of two or more substances; for instance we may use
plates, bands or tubes or segments of tubes which may be pliable or non-pliable,
connected together by wires or other pliable material. The said plates or the

page_text: like may have a plane surface on one side and a projection or projections on
the other, and may be connected to the tyre or cover so as to allow the plates
or segments of tubes to revolve when the tyre is not inflated. The plane sur-
face may be used for placing the tyre over the edge of the rim and when in
place in the rim the plates or plates may be turned round so that the projecting
part may contract the inner diameter. We may use suitable devices for causing
the revolution of the plates or tubes or segments of tubes to be effected by the
air pressure.
We preferably use inextensible material round the extreme periphery of the
tyre, either as described in the Specification of the aforesaid Patent No. 9697 of
1897 or we may otherwise make, in any suitable manner, an unstretchable
restraining band on the outside periphery of the tyre, so that its outside ex-
tension being restricted to a certain, limit, the internal air pressure will act in
the line of least resistance and force the pliable or flexible material inwards
radially. For this purpose we may make the cover of material cut on the
straight, or partly on the straight and partly on the bias or cross, or may place
inextensible bands round the extreme periphery.
Now it will be understood that the pliable and flexible material forming that
part of the tyre next the rim, when passed into its place on the rim of the
wheel, and the usual valve adjusted in its place, the pressure of the air will
force the pliable and flexible material or plates into the bed of the rim and into
the corrugations or transverse hollows made by the projections therein; thereby
contracting the extreme circumference of that part of the tyre or cover next the
rim and thereby causing the tyre or cover to tightly grip or hug the rim with-
out creeping. We preferably have sides to the rim to prevent lateral displace-
ment, and preferably make the rim broader than the tyre so that when the tyre
is flattened to its utmost extent by the weight of the vehicle and its load, the
tyre receives the full support of the rim.
Another somewhat similar method of securing inflatable tyres made either in
saddle, arch-shaped, or circular form to the rim is the following:-We form a
ring of more or less inextensible material divided into segments which may be
solid or hollow and preferably cut slanting or at an angle at the ends so that
they may overlap each other; the transverse section of this ring of segments
may be flat or take the shape of the rim or be plano-convex, concavo-convex, or
oblong in form, the extreme convexity being preferably on the inside or smallest
circumference thereof. These segments may be threaded or fastened together
by wires, cords, gut, links, rubber, or other more or less elastic material, one
segment may have a sleeve for a pin in another segment to pass into and the
segments may have projections to pass into depressions in the rim or vice versa,
the rim may have projections to pass into depressions in the segments, or the
said segments or some of them may act as levers after the manner described in
Patent No. 9697 of 1897. In like manner when using a saddle-shaped tyre
the segments on one side may have projections to pass laterally into depressions
in the other or a plate extending beyond the edge of the opposite segment and
passing over it. We use a rim preferably having flanges and a depression or
depressions, into which these rings formed of segments may be snugly laid when
passed over the side thereof. We attach the said rings so formed of segments to
the cover or tyre in such a manner that they may extend sufficiently to allow of
the cover or tyre being placed over the edge of the rim, or that they may be
turned round so that the largest circumference of the ring being placed in the
depression or smallest circumference on one side of the rim, the opposite side
of the ring may be passed over the edge of the opposite side of the rim in the
well known manner. We may enclose the ring or rings of segments in that
part of the tyre bedded in the rim either in its inner circumference or in pockets
on either side, we may place in the hollow of the segments a fluid-tight tube
containing a fluid to assist in pressing them to the rim. When saddle-shaped,
we sometimes attach a flap, which preferably airtight, if not using an inner

page_text: tube, to the inside of the arch of the saddle-shaped tyre so that when the tyre is
in position on the rim it may pass over to the other side, which flap may or not
be secured by an elastic band. We sometimes use another flap, which may or
may not be airtight and may or may not contain a fluid-tight compartment
charged with fluid from the outside of the opposite side of the cover or tyre
which may pass under the ring or rings, or the cover containing the same, and
between them and the bed of the rim or an airtight compartment or elastic
material therein. We sometimes dispense with an inner tube. Now it will be
understood that the pressure of the fluid exerting itself circumferentially round
the tyre will tightly pack the segments together in the bed of the rim, and
thereby secure the tyre to the rim. We may have projections and depressions,
wedges or dovetails, in the slants or angles of the segments or projections and
depressions, wedges or dovetails, either transversely or longitudinally in the
sides of the rings, segments, projections or depressions in the rims. so that the
air pressure on one segment or one ring, may assist in keeping the other or
others in place. When using levers, as described in Patent No. 9697 of 1897,
we may use them without an incurved rim and the fulcrum for the levers may
either be part of the rim or be a part of the lever and in the latter case may pass
into a depression in the rim.
Another method of securing an arch or saddle-shaped tyre or cover to the rim
whether with or without an inner tube is as follows:-On each side of the tyre
or cover abutting on the rim we secure a plate or plates having a form. We
make a depression or depressions at the sides of the rim, or slots therein, to
receive the horizontal lateral projection of the which is attached to the sides
of the tyre. This projection may be such as to form two right angles with the
plate or an acute and an obtuse angle thereto. This projection may or may not
be continuous round the plate or the sides of the rim may be made flat passing
inwards laterally. In that case we make the projecting part of the plate
in two parts with an opening between the two parts to receive the flat part of
the rim passing inwards. We may fasten the plates together in places with nuts,
bolts, screws, or the like. Sometimes instead of the angle plate being placed
in the edge or side of the rim we make a depression in the bottom of the rim to
receive the projection and keep the latter in place by the pressure of the air on
the other portion of the plate. This part of the plate may extend beyond the
projection, so that it may overlap, and when a saddle-shaped tyre or cover is
used may be formed by the use of two angle plates, one on each side of the
cover. In this case we may use a flat or nearly flat rim.
We sometimes attach to the rim inside a pneumatic tyre a tyre composed of
cork or other light or suitable material preferably having a rubber or leather
tread for use in emergency by removing the pneumatic tyre or cover, or we
inay have a similar tyre on either side of a pneumatic tyre or vice versa, a
similar tyre in the centre and a pneumatic tyre on either side, or we may have
a similar tyre side by side with a pneumatic and by these means when a puncture
takes place the wheel will run on the cork or like tyre and not on the rim.
When using strips of fish skin, leather, or rubber, on the tread part of the tyre
the sides are apt to ruck up, and allow mud and dirt to get under the fish skin,
leather, or rubber; to avoid this we use an ordinary rubber cover with a depres-
sion on the tread equal in width to the band or strip of fish skin, leather or
rubber, so, that when the latter is solutioned or cemented to the cover its edges
are flush with the cover. We may likewise paint the edges with a solution of
rubber or balata or a component part of the latter and rubber.
When using a wire or wires, or bands of inextensible material to secure a
tyre to a hollow rim where holes are punched through the radial outside arch
of the hollow rim upon which the tyre is placed, we secure the wire or wires,
or more or less inextensible material, to the rim by passing one end of a piece
of copper wire or the like down through one of the holes and along the hollow
of the rim, bringing it out at another hole; each end is then fastened to the wire

page_text: or band securing the tyre to the rim, and the tyre is thereby prevented from
leaving the rim by either a lateral or longitudinal strain.
When using tyres made of skins or leather we find that such tyres, when
inflated hard, are susceptible to puncture owing to the resistance to movement
they afford. We consequently make the tyre or cover laminated and having
airtight compartments as described in the Specification of Patents No. 18512
of 1893 and No. 15172 of 1894, but instead of using in the inner lamination,
next to the outer, rubber or other material capable of extension or expansion
so as to compress the air in the compartment next the outside unstretchable
cover to nearly the same extent as that in the inner tube we use material capable
only of limited extension or expansion, whereby the compressible fluid in the
lamination not being compressed to the extent of that in the inner part of the
tyre a more yielding tread, less liable to puncture, and more comfortable to ride,
is obtained, or we may effect the same object by having two valves one to each
compartment.
Sometimes we effect the same object by solutioning or otherwise fixing or
placing a band or bands of indiarubber or indiarubber and balata, or like yield-
ing material, under the skin.
We use the following means for repairing punctures in pneumatic tyres
whether of the inner tube or of a laminated outer cover. We take a plug made
of a hollow piece of rubber or the like closed at one end, which is preferably
shaped like a mushroom or with a neck. If the puncture be small we may
enlarge it by a tool in the well known manner to permit of the insertion of the
aforesaid hollow plug. We then inject a small quantity of weak solution into
the puncture, or use a conical brush having a flat base charged with solution so
as to lubricate the sides of puncture and the inside edge thereof. We force the
plug inwards through the puncture by any suitable tool, or by air pressure,
sometimes lubricating the outside of the plug with solution. The plug may
have a ring at its base, or other suitable device to prevent it being forced
through the puncture. We let the plug remain till the solution dries tacky,
then on pressing the plug down on the rim, it flattens and adheres to the inside
of the tube.
We may have the plug strengthened with protective material, and we may fill
its hollow with solution, or after it has been placed in the tyre we may plug
its hollow with any solid material, and we may so cut its edges that they inay
be folded over and close the hollow.
Dated this 12th day of November 1898.
Improvements in or connected with Rims and Inflatable Tyres for the
Wheels of Cycles and other Vehicles.
We, ANTHONY PULBROOK, of No. 5, Greyhound Mansions, Greyhound Road,
Hammersmith, London, late of No. 8, Unwin Mansions, Queen's Club Gardens,
West Kensington, London, Solicitor, and EMILY HENRIETTA PULBROOK, of the
same place, Wife of the said Anthony Pulbrook, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
It consists in improved methods of constructing, securing and arranging
inflatable tyres in certain special forms of rims.
We make the rim with transverse corrugations, ridges or projections and

page_text: depressions in its bed, or partly in its bed and partly in its sides, or we may
have transverse bridge-pieces radially outside the rim.
The tyre may be in any suitable form, arch, circular saddle-shape or otherwise.
By one method, when using transverse corrugations, ridges, projections and
depressions, we secure the tyre to the rim by using pliable and practically in-
extensible material such as wires, metallic bands, flat woven wires, wire rope,
chains, leather, textile fabric, cords, or other suitable more or less inextensible
material in ring form which may be bedded or enclosed in the tyre or become
part thereof, or may be attached thereto or bear upon the same in any suitable
manner, or, in the case of a saddle or arch-shaped or detachable tyre or cover
may be inserted in or attached to or bear upon the edges thereof, the ring-
shaped material being of such a size as will readily pass on to the rim of the
wheel either by being altogether greater in circumference than the edge or
other greatest periphery of the rim, or by the well known device of a portion of
the rim having a longitudinal depression or depressions whereby the reduced
diameter of the rim at the depression or depressions enables the more or less
inextensible material to be easily passed over the greatest periphery of the rim
on the opposite side of the wheel. To assist this we leave a part of the rim free
from corrugations or projections. We place the ring-shaped material under or
in connection with the inner tube, when one is used, so that it may rest between
the tube and the bed or other part of the rim and be pressed by the air pressure
against the rim.
The aforesaid more or less inextensible material may be in several pieces
with spaces between each piece, the said pieces being connected together in any
suitable manner.
We do not confine ourselves to the whole of the beforementioned more or
less inextensible material formed into ring-shape being of the same substance
but it may be a combination of two or more substances; for instance we may
use plates, bands or tubes or segments of tubes which may be pliable or non-
pliable, connected together by wires or other pliable material or by links,
hinges or the like. The said plates or the like may have a plane or hollow
surface on one side and a projection or projections on the other, and may in
some instances be so connected to the tyre or cover as to allow the plates or seg-
ments of tubes to revolve when the tyre is not inflated. The plane or hollow
surface may then be used for placing the tyre over the edge of the rim and when
in place in the rim the plate or plates, segments or the like, may be turned round
so that the projecting part may contract the inner diameter. We may use suit-
able devices for causing the revolution of the plates or tubes or segments of
tubes to be effected by the air pressure.
We preferably use practically inextensible material round the extreme
periphery of the tyre, either as described in the Specification of the Patent
No. 9697 of 1897 or we may otherwise make, in any suitable manner, an un-
stretchable restraining band on the outside periphery of the tyre, so that its
outside extension being restricted to a certain limit, the internal air pressure
will act in the line of least resistance and force the pliable or flexible material
inwards radially. For this purpose we may make the cover of material cut on the
straight, or partly on the straight and partly on the bias or cross, or may place
inextensible bands round the extreme periphery.
Now it will be understood that the pliable and flexible material forming that
part of the tyre next the rim, when passed into its place on the rim of the wheel,
and the usual valve adjusted in its place, the pressure of the air will force the
pliable and flexible material or plates or segments into the bed of the rim and
into the corrugations or transverse hollows made to receive the material or
plates; thereby contracting the extreme circumference of that part of the
tyre or cover next the rim and thereby causing the tyre or cover to tightly grip
or hug the rim without creeping. We preferably have sides to the rim to pre-
vent lateral displacement.

page_text: Another somewhat similar method of securing inflatable tyres made either in
saddle, arch-shaped, or circular form to the rim is the following. We form a
ring of more or less or practically inextensible material; the top, bottom, and
sides of the transverse section of this ring may be flat or plane or may form
angles with each other or may be rounded, oblong, or circular, or may be partly
flat, or partly round, convex, or concave, or the part of the ring abutting on the
rim may take its shape or it may be plano-convex, concavo-convex, or of other
suitable form. The interior periphery of this ring is less in circumference than
a part or parts of the rim or felloe of the wheel to which it is to be secured.
This ring is then divided into segments the outside arc of each segment neces-
sarily having a greater radius than the inner are thereof, these segments may
be solid or hollow or partly solid and partly hollow. The ends of these segments
are preferably cut slanting radially inwards or at an angle so that the ends of
the outside arc of one segment forming the extreme periphery of the ring may
overlap the end of the inside arc of the adjoining segment forming a smaller
periphery of the ring when abutting together in ring form or preferably so cut
that the end of one segment or a projection therefrom may pass into, under, or
over, a depression, ferrule or sleeve in or attached to or passing over the end of
the adjoining segment.
These segments may be threaded, fastened or otherwise held or kept together
by wires, cords, gut, links, hinges, rubber or other more or less elastic material,
and they are preferably enclosed in a pocket of the tyre or cover, one segment
may have a sleeve for a pin in another segment to pass into, or a depression
or opening for a projection from or the end of the next segment to pass into,
under, or over, and the segments, or some of them, may have projections to
pass into depression in the rim, or vice versa, the rim may have projections to
pass into depressions in the segments.
In like manner when using a saddle-shaped tyre we may make two rings
which are preferably enclosed in pockets in each side of the tyre or cover. These
rings may be placed either side by side longitudinally round the rim, or one
ring or segment may be placed over the other, the segments of one ring may
have projections to pass into depressions in the other when placed on the rim,
or when placed side by side, a plate or plates extending beyond the edge of the
opposite segment or segments and passing over it. When using two rings of
segments we preferably adjust the segments so that the junction of two segments,
when in place on the rim, comes at or about the centre of the adjoining segment
on the other side. Or we may have a ring of segments, as aforesaid, on one
side and the well known inextensible wire or its equivalent or a projection to
pass into a depression in the rim or in the segments on the other.
This wire may
be inside or outside the rim radially. When radially outside it is placed inside
the rim transversely or between abutments or shoulders on the sides thereof but
when placed radially inside the rim the edge of the cover or tyre is passed under
the ring of segments and between that ring and the rim passing over the edge
of the latter so that the inextensible wire in the extreme edge of the tyre or
cover being less in circumference than the edge of the rim cannot be drawn
over it.
We use a rim preferably having shoulders, sides or flanges and a depression
or depressions or projection or projections into or over which these rings formed
of segments may be snugly laid when passed on to the rim. We attach the said
rings so formed of segments to the cover or tyre in such a manner that they may
extend sufficiently to allow of the cover or tyre being placed over the edge or
greatest periphery of the rim, or what is attached thereto, or when using an
inextensible ring or its equivalent to thread the segments together that the
segments or some of them may be turned round so that the largest circumference
of the ring capable of being formed by the segments being placed in the depres-
sion or smallest circumference on one side of the rim, the opposite side diametri-
cally of the ring may be passed over the edge of the opposite side of the rim, in

page_text: the well known manner, the segments being turned round when the inextensible
material is in place so that their smallest arcs embrace the smaller periphery
of the rim. We enclose the ring or rings of segments in a part of the tyre or
cover bedded in the rim or snugly laid thereon so that the inner circumference
or periphery of the ring of segments may abut on a part of
the rim or something attached thereto having a smaller circumference
or periphery than another part thereof, we may place in the hollow of the seg-
ments or under them or between them and the rim a fluid-tight tube or com-
partment or fluid-tight compartments containing a fluid which may assist in
forming an airtight joint. When saddle-shaped, we sometimes attach a flap,
which is preferably airtight, if not using an inner tube, (in this case the arch
being made of airtight material) to the inside of the arch of the saddle-shaped
tyre so that when the tyre is in position on the rim it may pass over to the
other side above, between, or under the ring of segments and the edge of the
flap may be secured in any suitable manner and may have circumferentially an
airtight compartment charged with fluid, attached. "We sometimes use another
flap or in lieu thereof bring the edge of the tyre or cover which may or may not
be airtight when using an inner tube but airtight when not using an inner tube
and which may or may not contain a fluid tight compartment or compartments
charged with fluid under the ring or rings, or the cover or pocket containing
the same, and between them and the bed of the rim or an airtight compartment
or elastic material therein. We pass the stem of the valve through a hole
made in one of the segments and clamp it to the rim when we dispense with an
inner tube, it will be understood that we cover that part of the rim where the
spokes pass through in any suitable manner to prevent the escape of the com-
pressed fluid through the spoke holes. Now it will be understood that the pres-
sure of the fluid exerting itself circumferentially round the tyre radially out-
side the ring of segments will tightly pack the segments together on the rim
and thereby secure the tyre to the rim. We may have projections and depres-
sions, wedges or dovetails, in the slants or angles of the segments, but so
arranged that they permit the extension of the ring to pass it over the greatest
periphery of the rim, or projections and depressions, wedges or dovetails, either
transversely or longitudinally in the sides of the rings, segments, or projections
or depressions in the rims arranged as aforesaid so that the air pressure on one
segment, or one ring, may assist in keeping the other or others in place.
And in order that our invention may be fully understood we will now proceed
to describe the same with the aid of the accompanying three sheets of drawings.
Figure 1 of the drawings shows a longitudinal section or part of a tyre or
cover having pliable and practically inextensible material in the part next the
rim in combination with bridge pieces or projections and depressions in the
rim, Figure 2 is a corresponding cross section. R represents the rim of the
wheel, P the transverse projections or bridge pieces, W the pliable material
attached to the tyre or cover C, I the inner or pneumatic tube, C¹ notches cut
in the edges of the tyre or cover C to enable the latter to pass over the projections
or bridge-pieces P. C2 is the unstretchable restraining band secured to the
outer periphery of the tyre or cover C.
It will be understood that the ordinary charging valve is employed though
the same is not shown in the drawings. On inflating the inner tube I the latter
following the line of least resistance forces the pliable material W (which is
attached to the tyre or cover) into the depressions or hollows on each side of the
projections P and thereby causes the inextensible material W to secure the
tyre to the rim.
Figure 3 shows a modification of the above in which inextensible and non-
pliable material is used in a somewhat similar manner. Figure 4 being a corre
sponding cross section. C represents the cover as before, C the unstretchable
restraining band, I the inner or pneumatic tube, R the rim, P the transverse
projections and M the inextensible and non-pliable material. M¹ are flexible

page_text: connecting pieces fixed at each end to the pieces A and passing over the pro-
jections P as shown.
Figure 5 shows a similar arrangement but in which hinges M2 are employed
instead of the flexible material to connect the pieces M together in such a
manner that they can be separated from each other so that the necessary exten-
sion may take place to enable them to be got over the edge of the rim.
Figure 6 is a transverse section of a tyre and rim showing an inextensible
ring G in combination with short segments M mounted rotatably thereon. The
short segment M is shown by dotted lines in the position it is placed in when
the tyre or cover C is being placed on the rim, and in full lines in the position
it is placed in when the tyre C has been placed on the rim R. It will be under-
stood that when the segment M is turned on the ring G so that it stands
radially outwards from the rim, as shown in dotted lines in the figure, the tyre
or cover C can be placed in position on the rim, and that when the tyre or
cover is in that position the segment M can be turned round on the ring G so
that it hugs.the rim as shown in full lines in the figure, and being acted upon
by the air pressure in the tyre will keep the latter in place.
When using a saddle-shaped tyre with rotatable segments such as M in
Figure 6 we sometimes use a rim with grooves in the sides as shown at R¹ in
Figure 7.
Figure 8 illustrates a ring of inextensible material showing how it may be
divided into segments, L1, L2, L³, L4, L³. L and L' show various forms of the
adjacent ends. The dotted lines F1, F2, F3 and F show how sleeves or ferrules
may be applied to cover the ends of the segments, and F5 shows how a plate
may be employed in a recess. These sleeves, ferrules or plates are preferably
made of rigid material, but they may be made of pliable material, or partly of
rigid and partly of pliable material. V shows the inflating valve passed through
one of the segments, which, as shown in the figure, may be so shaped at its ends
as to form a wedge which assists to keep the segments in position.
Figures 9 to 15 inclusive illustrate various forms of section of the ring of
segments. We do not, however, confine ourselves to these forms as it is obvious
the form may be varied according to the shape of the rim and other circum-
stances. In each of these figures M. indicates the segment, and B a band of
stretchable material holding the segments together or keeping them in place.
This stretchable material B is secured by cementing or other suitable means
longitudinally of the segments, but is preferably left free over the ends of the
segments, as shown in Figure 10, to allow of the latter separating so as to extend
the circumference of the ring of segments to enable the tyre or cover to be put
in place over and under it on to the rim. In the example shown at Figure 14
the segment M is shown strung on to a ring or wire G of practically inexten-
sible material so as to be rotatable thereon as and for the purposes described
in reference to Figures 6 and 7.
When using a saddle-shaped tyre or cover we may separate the segments into
two parts longitudinally or use two rings as shown in Figures 4 and 7 for
example.
Figure 16 shows how a ring of segments may be enclosed in a hem or pocket
in the tyre or cover, M indicating a segment in cross section, B the stretchable
material, the tyre or cover, H the hem or pocket, and F5 the plate.
When using rotatable segments as shown in Figure 14 we may enclose them
in a hem or pocket but we prefer to enclose the inextensible wire or ring G
only, as shown in Figures 17 and 18 leaving spaces H¹ in the hem or pocket
for hingeing each segment M thereto as shown.
Figures 19 and 20 are transverse sections of rims and tyres showing how the
segments are used to secure the tyre or cover to the rim. In Figure 19 T indi-
cates a thickened edge on one side of the cover C which is passed under the
pocket H containing the segments M, that is to say between the said pocket
and the rim R.

page_text: In the arrangement shown in Figure 20 one side of the cover is secured by
means of an inextensible wire T¹ having a smaller circumference than the outer
edges of the rim in the well known manner and the other side by the ring of
segments M.
In tubeless tyres we make a longitudinal airtight compartment A in one
edge, see Figure 21, to make an airtight joint as described in the Specification
of a Patent granted to Anthony Pulbrook dated 15th April 1897 No. 9697 the
segment M being contained in a hem or pocket H at the other edge of the tyre.
Figure 22 shows an arrangement of tubeless tyre similar to that shown in
Figure 21 except that the thickened edge T of the tyre takes into a groove in the
rim R being pressed there into by the segments M. Instead of the groove to
receive the thickened edge T being in the rim it may be made in the sides of
the segments M, as shewn in Figure 16.
Figure 23 shows a tyre having a ring of segments M in a hem or pocket H
at one side of the tyre or cover and an inextensible wire T of less diameter than
the edge of the rim on the other side of the tyre or cover the part of the said
tyre or cover connected to the said wire passing under the ring of segments and
between it and the rim as shown.
Figure 24 shows a saddle-shaped tyre or cover having two rings of segments
one on each side. F is a flap passing down from the inside of the cover Cover
the segments M, which flap may contain a plate or plates F2 and F¹ a similar
flap passing down from the outside of the cover under the segments and between
the pockets H containing them and the rim R. This flap F¹ may have formed
in or connected with it an airtight compartment A between the segments and
the rim as shown in the figure especially when an inner tube is not used.
Figure 25 shows a saddle-shaped tyre or cover C with a ring of segments M
in each edge thereof, the rings, when the tyre or cover is in place on the rim R,
being superposed one over the other.
Figure 26 shows another arrangement of saddle-shaped tyre or cover, in which
the segments M have projections M³ which pass into grooves or depressions R¹
in the rim R.
Similar letters of references relate to like parts in all the figures of the
drawings.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we would have it
understood that we are aware that it has been proposed to secure tyres to the
rims by overlapping bands or strips of inextensible material with the ends free
to slide one over another, or by segments of similar bands or strips secured to
the rim or held in place by studs, bolts, or the like, and that we make no
claim to any such arrangements; but that what we do claim is:-
First. Securing a pneumatic tyre or cover to the rim by the use of a pliable
and inextensible material which is pressed by the pressure of air in the tyre into
depressions formed in the rim between transverse projections, ridges, or bridge-
pieces in or on the said rim substantially as described.
Second. Securing a pneumatic tyre or cover to the rim by the use of segments
of inextensible material connected together by pliable material, or by hinges,
and subjected to air pressure which forces the inextensible material into depres-
sions in the rim, substantially as described.
Third. Securing a pneumatic tyre or cover to the rim by the use of segments
or blocks of inextensible material arranged rotatably on a ring of inextensible
material, substantially as described.
Fourth. Securing a pneumatic tyre or cover to the rim by means of a ring or
rings of inextensible material divided into segments, substantially as described
with reference to Figure 8 of the drawings.
Fifth. In a pneumatic tyre or cover therefor the combination therewith of a

page_text: ring of segments of inextensible material held together by pliable or elastic
material, substantially as described.
Sixth. Securing a pneumatic tyre or cover to the rim by the air pressure in
the tyre acting upon a ring of segments of inextensible material bedded in or
on the rim, substantially as described.
Seventh. Securing an arch or saddle-shaped pneumatic tyre or cover to the
rim by means of rings of segments of inextensible material placed in the edges
thereof and superposed one over the other, substantially as described with
reference to Figure 25 of the drawings.
Dated this 10th day of August 1899
A. PULBROOK,
E. H. PULBROOK.
Per W. H. Beck,
Agent, 115, Cannon Street, London, E.C.