Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd June, 1897-Accepted, 11th Dec., 1897
We, WILLIAM ROBERT BELL, Machinist, of 15-17 Elm Street, and SUSAN
ELIZABETH WILDMAN, Lady, of 16 Terrace Place, both of Danbury, County of
Fairfield, Connecticut, in the United States of America, 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 invention relates to pneumatic tires and tubing, and more particularly to
mechanical devices for closing punctures, ruptures and breaks therein, and has
for its object to provide a simple device which may be quickly inserted in the
puncture, rupture or break in a pneumatic tire and secured therein, and which
will effectually close such opening and render the tire serviceable.
Bicycle riders are constantly subjected to othe annoyance of punctured,
ruptured or cut tires, which render their machine useless until the injury is
repaired, and it very frequently happens that the puncture, rupture or break,
in the tire occurs at a distance from the home of the rider or repair shop and
the rider is compelled to push his wheel back to his home or to the shop, owing
to his lack of suitable means for closing the puncture, rupture or cut.
Rubber plugs have been devised by which, with suitable tools for inserting
them in a puncture and with a supply of rubber cement, a puncture in a single
tube tire may be temporarily patched, but with double tubes such devices are
usually of little or no value. A rubber plug can not, however, be used by an un-
skilled person to effectually close a rupture or slit in either a single or double tube,
and such injuries being common, both in city and country, the bicycle rider, when
they occur, becomes a victim of circumstances, and what was intended as a
pleasure trip frequently turns out to be a serious disappointment and a cause
of fatigue and exposure often resulting in sickness.
Truncated cones provided with a threaded aperture for receiving a screw have
been devised, the cone being forced endwise through the puncture or opening, the
base resting against the inner side of the tube and a washer resting against
the outside thereof and the screw being passed through the aperture in the washer,
and through the puncture or opening and turned into the threaded aperture in the
base of the cone. It is obvious that devices of this form tend to enlarge the
puncture when inserted, and the base of the cone being unyielding the device will
not conform in any degree whatever to the contour or curvature of the inflated
tube. Any device having a thick or cone shaped head can not be used in double
tubes when the puncture, rupture or opening, does not extend through the walls
of both tubes, unless the inner wall is cut or punctured to permit the head or
cone to pass into the second tube. If placed between the walls of the inner and
outer tube the head or cone will cut its way into the inner tube, or else the device

page_text: will be torn out of the outer tube by the pressure of the inner tube against it.
A device of this kind will not answer the purpose if the puncture is not completely
closed, or if for any reason the tire can not be kept fully inflated. A material
flattening of the tire from any cause will drive the point of the cone, or the blunt
end of a conical or thick head through the opposite wall of the tire at the point
where the tire rests in contact with the rim of the wheel at every revolution
of the latter when the puncture closer comes in contact with the surface on which
the wheel is supported.
Devices have been provided, having a nut or head which is inserted in the tire
through the puncture, the part that rests against the inner surface of the tube
being concave and the washer. resting on the surface of the tire being
also concave, the two members being drawn by a screw into contact with
the respective surfaces. This construction grips the tire at the circumference of
the washer and inner head or nut and leaves the walls of the tire within such area
with little or no pressure thereon; not only is there danger of the tire being cut
entirely through nt the circumference of the device, but the part adjacent to
the screw not being held in binding contact may allow the air to escape between
the side of the opening in the washer and the screw, should there, for any cause,
not be a complete contact of the part with the inner surface of the tire.
This invention is designed to obviate the objections to the devices for closing
punctures, here pointed out, and in so doing not only provide a device that will
completely close a puncture but will also effectually close ruptures, slits and
breaks. An essential feature of the invention consists of a thin plate provided"
with a continuous flange projecting from one of its faces at a right angle and at
or near the margin of its circumference and a threaded stem or shank rigidly
attached to the middle or center of the flanged side. This plate is inserted edge-
wise through the opening in the tire, and with the stem or shank protruding there-
from and the flanged face resting against the interior surface. A correspondingly
flanged plate or washer is placed on the stem or shank with its flanged surface
resting against the outer surface of the tire. The opening in the washer is
flared from its inner to its outer surface to receive a conical nut, which, when
screwed on the stem or shank, completely closes the flared opening in the washer,
forces the wall of the tire away from the shank, and draws the inner head or plate
and the washer into binding contact with the wall of the tire at all points
within the area of the head and washer and more particularly within the area.
of the flanges, the latter biting or gripping the surfaces outside the edges of the
punctures, rupture or opening, and preventing the torn part of the tires from
being drawn apart.
The objects of the invention are accomplished in the manner and by the means
hereinafter more fully described in detail and claimed, reference being made to
the drawings accompanying this specification and in which the same letters of
reference indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a plan view of a section of a pneumatic tire showing a series of
washers, nuts, and the ends of the shanks as they appear when used to close a
puncture or rupture.
:
Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section on the linear Fig. 1.
Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the plate.
Figure 4 a bottom plan view of the washer.
Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the conical nut.
Figure 6 is a plan view of a number of flanged washers united in a single sheet
and provided with stems or shanks.
Figure 7 is a longitudinal vertical section on line y-y, Fig. 6.
Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of a number of flanged heads united in a single
sheet.
Figure 9 is a view of the key and wrench used to insert the head or plate in
the puncture and turn the nut onto the shank.

page_text: Figure 10 is a side or edge view of the key screwed onto the shank, a part being
cut away to show the flared interior of the key.
In carrying out the invention a thin disk or oblong plate forming the lead with
a short threaded stem or shank a is provided, the threads thereon being con-
tinuous the entire length of the shank. The shank a may be formed integral with
the disk or plate A which forms the head, or it may be rigidly secured therein
or attached thereto in any manner that will prevent the escape of air there-
through when secured in a punctured or ruptured pneumatic tire or tube. The
diameter of the stem or shank a is greatest at the face of the head, and it decreases
very slightly but uniformly for a distance toward its end. The head may be
circular and have the shank concentric thereon, or the head and washer may be
oblong with circular ends. The oblong head is preferred for closing ruptures
or slits, the length of the head being placed lengthwise of the rupture or slit, but
this form may be used to close a simple puncture, the shape of the head permit-
ting it to be readily inserted' in the opening. A well defined flange B is formed
on the margin of the face of the head A at its outer circumference and projects
therefrom at a right angle, the edge of the flange not being thin or sharp enough
to cut into the surface of the tube when drawn into contact therewith. A washer C
is provided which corresponds in shape to the hold A and fits over the shank a
when the latter is in place in a puncture or rupture. The washer C is provided
with a well defined continuous flange c on the circumference of its inner face and
it is also provided with an outwardly flared aperture D through which the shank a
passes. The diameter of the aperture, which is circular, is slightly greater than
the diameter of the shank a at its point of attachment to the head. A conical
nut E. having the interior of its tapering end e slightly flared to conform to the
greater diameter of the shank a at and near its point of attachment to the head;
rests within the flared aperture 1), and completely closes the aperture when all
the parts are in place in a puncture or rupture. The diameter of the washer C
is slightly less than the diameter of the head A, to prevent the flanges from
coinciding and cutting a hole in the wall of the tube. This construction permits
the flanges on the head and washer to each bite or press into the surface of the
tube and prevent it from being drawn away from the puncture or rupture, at the
same time permitting the surfaces of the head and washer to press the wall
of the tube and hold it rigidly hoween them. This compression of the wall of
the tube begins before the nut E reaches the head A, and the edges of the
puncture or rupture are forced against the shank a, and against each other along
the line of the rupture before the tapering end of the nut reaches the face of
the head. The tapering nut as it approaches the head A forces the wall of the
tire away from the shank and compresses it within the area of the flauges of the
hend and washer, the puncture or rupture being completely closed,, thereby per-
mitting the tire to bo inflated to its greatest capacity without the edges of the
puncture or rupture being drawn apart. The head of the nut E is provided with
two nicks el el which extend from the aperture therein to the circumference..
These nicks e¹ el receive the ends of a two pronged wrench F, prongs ff of which
rast on each side of the shank a. The nut may first be turned with the fingers.
and the wrench then used to complete the operation. The other end of the wrench
consists of a cylindrical key G which is provided with a threaded aperture g,
slightly flared to conform to the shape of the shank a, onto which it is screwed to
facilitate the insertion of the head into a puncture or rupture in the tire. The
key or wrench, is flat midway of its ends and is widened out, and its sides H cross-
cut and its edges single-cut to provide a file which may be used to cut off the
end of the shank flush with the face of the nut when a pair of nippers are not at
hand.
When the rupture or cut is too large for a disk or an elongated head with a
correspondingly shaped washer to be successfully used, a larger plate or head A,"
provided with two or more shanks.a, is employed. These heads or plates A, aro
provided with a flange B projecting from the margins of their face. Flanges b

page_text: extend around the face of the head at a distance from the shank and at a slightly
less or at a greater distance on the face of the washer from the aperture therein
which receives the shank a. This donstruction provides a means that success-
fully grips the tube at a distance outside the edges of the cut or rupture, and' also
within the edges thereof, and effectually closes such cut or rupture. The same
conical shaped nut and the flared aperture in the outer face of the washer or outer
plate, is provided and used with plate A. A sheet containing a number of these
multiple shanked heads or plates may be provided and the number required to
close a single cut or rupture separated therefrom with a pair of shears.
When it is desired to close a puncture or rupture in a pneumatic tire or tube a
disk or plate is selected of a diameter or dimension largo enough to enclose or
surround the puncture or rupture, allowing a slight margin between the edges
of the puncture or rupture and the flange on the disk or plate, keeping in view the
fact that the flanged washer is smaller than the disk or head. To close a puncture,
screw the hollow end of the key or wrench onto the shank a and against the head,
or as far, as it will go, then grasp the tube between the forefinger and thumb and
compress it until the edges of the puncture or rupture separate, or open slightly,
and then insert the disk or plate edgewise in a manner similar to inserting a
button in a buttonhole, the key being grasped as near the head as possible. Con-
siderable pressure will be necessary to force the lead through the opening if a
disk or plate of sufficient diameter has been selected. The wall of the tube will
stretch or give enough to permit the use of a disk or head considerably larger
than the puncture, cut or rupture. When the head A, is within the tube, or tubes
if the tire is a double tube, the head is moved by means of the key until the shank
is in the center of the puncture, or in the middle of a rupture or cut and then the
key is used to draw the head against the face of the wall. To guard against the
shank falling out of a cut or rupture when the key is removed, the tube may
be flattened until the head rests against the opposite interior wall. The key is
then unscrewed from the shank and the washer placed thercon and the nut screwed
onto the shank, cara being taken to force the washer and head into rigid contact.
with the surfaces of the tube. The projecting end of the shank is then cut off
with the file or with a pair of nippers provided with sharp edges flush with the
surface of the nut or of the washer, in case the nut should rest below the surface
of the washer. A plate having more than one stem or shank may be inserted in
'a' slit or rupture, the end and edge being inserted by the same movement far 3
enough to permit the opposite end and edge to be forced into the slit' or rupture.
This improved puncture and rupture closing device is intended for permanent
use in closing a puncture, rupture or cut. Under many conditions its permanent
use will be preferable to repairs to punctures, ruptures or cuts, with rubber o
other cement. The distance the washer rises from the surface of the tire is so 4
alight that it offers no obstruction to the use of the tire, while the flat head will
not injure tho interior of the tube, should the tire become flattened, or suddenly
deflated while riding the wheel, a contingency which would seriously injure a tire
repaired with a conical or thick head.
The shanks, nuts, and apertures in the washers or outer plates, are all, respec- 4
tively, of the same size, and the same key may be used to apply any size to a
punctured or ruptured tire.
"
Both the plate and washer may be slightly bent or curved to conform in whole
or in part to the curvature of the tire when it is inflated.
The edge of the outer face of the washer and the edge of the inner head or 5
plate opposite the flanged side is beveled or rounded. This form of the inner plate
or head will prevent the edge from cutting the interior of the tire, should the tire
any time become deflated in whole or in part.
at
"
Thin rubber washers may be interposed between the inner surfaces of the 'tire
and the plate or head and between the outer surface of the tire and the washer, 5
and a rubber sleeve may be fitted on the shank when used on tires of slight
elasticity.
--
!: .

page_text: Having now particularly described and and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:
1. A puncture closer for pneumatic tires, consisting of a thin flanged head pro-
vided with a threaded shank to extend through the wall of the tire and through
a washer provided with a flange, the aperture in said washer flared outwardly to
receive a conical nut, provided with means to receive a tool for turning it, fitted
thoreto and to said shank to draw said head and said washer into binding contact
with the surfaces of the walls of a tire, substantially as shown and described.
2. A puncture closer for pneumatic tires, consisting of a head provided with a
flange to rest against the interior surface of the tire and having a threaded shank
to project through the puncture in said tire, a flangod washer to rest on the outer
surface of the tire, the aperture in said washer flared outwardly to receive a conical
nut, provided with means to receive a tool for turning it, fitted to said shank and
to said aperture to draw said head and said washer into binding contact with the
wall of said tire, said nut adapted to force said tire away from said shank and
compress it within the area of the flanges on said head and washer, substantially
as shown and described.
3. A device for closing punctures and slits in pneumatic tires, consisting of a
thin plate having a continuous flange projecting from its face at the margin
thereof and having a threaded shank attached to said face to project through said
puncture or slit, a washer to rest on said shank having an outwardly flared aperture
and provided with a continuous flange on the margin of its face, a conical nut,
provided with means to receive a tool for turning it, fitted to said shank and to
said flared aperture with its tapering end adapted to forco said tire out of contact
with said shank when screwed thereon, substantially as shown and described.
4. A device for closing punctures and ruptures in pneumatic tires, consisting of
a flanged head provided with a threaded shank tapering from its point of attach-
ment to said head, said head adapted to rest against the interior surface of the
tire with the shank projecting through the puncture or rupture therein, a flanged
washer, to rest on said shank, having the aperture therethrough flared outwardly
and a conical nut having means to receive a tool for turning it and provided with
a flared aperture, fitted to said shank and to said flared aperture in said washer
to force said tire out of contact with said shank and draw.said head and said washer
into binding contact with the surface of the tire, substantially as shown and
described.
- 5. A device for closing punctures and breaks in pneumatic tires, consisting of
8 thin plate having a continuous. flange on the margin of its face,
a threaded shank rigidly attached to said face concentrically therewith, a thin
washer provided with a continuous flange on the margin of its inner face and
provided with an aperture concentrically therein to receive said shank, said
aperture flared from its inner to its outer surface, a conical nut threaded to screw
on said shank and tapered to rest in the flared aperture in said washer, said nut
provided with nicks to receive a wrench to turn said nut and draw said washer
and said plate in rigid contact with the surfaces of the walls of a pneumatic tire,
when inclosed therebetween, substantially as shown and described.
6. In a device for closing ruptures and slits in pneumatic tires, the combination
with an oblong plate provided with a series of threaded shanks rigidly attached
to said plate at a distance from each other thereon, said plate provided with a
continuous flange on the margin of its fuce and with, semicircular flanges across
its face connecting with the flanges on its margins, of a plate provided with
apertures therethrough corresponding in position with the position of said. shanks
on said plate, said apertures flared from the inner to the outer surface of said
plate, and said plate having a continuous flange on the margin of its face and
semicircular flanges transversely thereon connecting therewith, conical nuts pro-
vided with nicks to receive a wrench and apertured and threaded to fit on said

page_text: shanks and in the flared apertures in said washers, substantially as shown and
described.
Dated this 23rd day of June 1897.