Year: 1897

page_text: I, JULIUS DEBORDE, of 28 Herschelstrasse Hanover, in the Empire of Germany,
Merchant do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in tyres for velocipedes the object of which
is to provide a serviceable substitute for the ordinary inflated tubes forming pueumatio
tyres.
These latter have always been under the disadvantage of puncturing very readily
whereupon the air contained within the tyre of course escapes. All substitutes for
pneumatic tyres which it has heretofore been attempted to introduce have, on the
other hand, had the defect of being considerably heavier and at the same time much
less resilient.
By means of this invention these various defects are effectually remedied.
A tyre
provided with my novel filling will maintain its firmness and resiliency even when
punctured in several places, as the said filling does not escape. On the other hand
a tyre made in accordance with my invention is fully as resilient as an ordinary
pneumatic tyre which it exceeds in weight only to a very slight extent.
The characteristic feature of the improvement is that the tyre is filled with hollow
spheres or balls of india-rubber, cork or the like which balls are covered or encased
and united so as to form a string or chain and are embedded in a suitable gelatinous
substance.
In order to form such a chain the separate balls are wrapped round or surrounded
with thread or the like and maintained at appropriate intervals one from another.
One or more such strings or chains is introduced within a tube of india rubber,
fabric or the like whereupon a gelatinous or sticky substance in a liquid condition
is pumped into the tyre. When the mass has set a tyre is obtained filled with the
spheres or balls and the surrounding gelatinous substance. Any want of uniformity
in the distribution of the balls which would certainly take place were free balls
employed is entirely obviated by the use of balls which are covered or surrounded
and connected so as to form a string or chain, as the intervals between the ball is
determined by the fabric connecting them.
The intervals between the balls may be greater or less according to the degree of
lightness and resiliency desired. Thus for light or racing bicyles for instance, the
rubber balls would be arranged at short distances one from another, whilst for
heavy velocipedes such as touring machines or tricycles, the separating intervals
may be greater.
In order that the gelatinous mass may not become hard in cold or frosty weather.
it will be found best to add to it some glycerine or other substance acting in a
similar manner. In addition to this it is also preferable to add some preservative
ingredient such as formaldehyde or the like.
It will of course be obvious that the method of carrying my invention into
practice above described is susceptible of numerous modifications without thereby
departing from the nature of my said invention.
Thus, for example, the rubber balls or the like may be united so as to form
chains by first introducing them into thin woven tubes of gut or the like at certain

page_text: intervals and then twisting the tube, thus keeping the balls in position.
Instead of rubber balls other substances or bodies may be employed such for
instance as celluloid or cork spheres or the like. It is likewise possible to replace
the gelatinous mass referred to by any other suitable substance which is elastic and
will surround the balls in an air-tight manner,
Dated this 19th day of January 1897.
I, JULIUS DEBORDE, of 9 Hallesches-Ufer Berlin in the Empire of Germany, late of
28 Herschelstrasse Hanover in the Empire of Germany Merchant 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 improvements in tyres for velocipedes the object of
which is to provide a serviceable substitute for the ordinary inflated tubes forming
pneumatic tyres.
These latter have always been under the disadvantage of puncturing very readily,
when the air contained within the tyre of course escapes. All substitutes for
pneumatic tyres which it bas heretofore been attempted to introduce have, on the
other hand, had the defect of being considerably heavier and at the same time much
less resilient.
By means of this invention these various defects are effectually remedied. A tyre
provided with my novel filling will maintain its firmness and resiliency even when
punctured in several places, as the said filling does not escape. On the other hand
à tyre made in accordance with my invention is fully as resilient as an ordinary
pneumatic tyre which it exceeds in weight only to a very slight extent.
The characteristic feature of the improvement is that the tyre contains a number
of hollow spheres or balls which are connected by a suitable covering that is twisted
intermediately between the balls, or by threads knotted or netted round them, so as
to form a string or chain connection for the same; and said balls are embedded in
a suitable gelatinous substance.
In the accompanying drawing one method of carrying out my invention is
represented, by way of example.
Figure 1 represents a section through a portion of a velocipede wheel provided
'with my new filling.
Figure 2 shews some connected links or members of a chain of balls.
In order to form such a chain a number of hollow balls of rubber, cork,
celluloid or other suitable elastic material are wrapped round or covered with thread
yarn or the like d, and maintained at appropriate intervals one from another by
twisting together the covering material between the balls. One or more such
strings or chains is introduced within a tube b of india rubber, fabric or the like,
while the space between the string or chain of balls and the tube is filled with a
gelatinous or sticky substance or filling masscina liquid condition which is pumped into
the tyre under pressure. When the mass has set a tyre is obtained filled with the
spheres or balls and the surrounding gelatinous substance. Any want of uniformity
in the distribution of the balls which could not be avoided were loose balls employed
is entirely obviated by the use of balls which are covered or surrounded and connected
so as to form a string or chain, as the intervals between the balls is determined by
the fabric connecting them.
Figure 3 shows a modified construction of chain in which the hollow balls a are

page_text: secured by being netted within the yarn or threads d, which yarn or threads are
twisted or knotted together between the balls.
The intervals between the balls may be greater or less according to the degree of
lightness and resiliency desired. Thus for light or racing bicycles for instance, the
rubber balls would be arranged at short distances one from another, whilst for
heavy velocipedes such as touring machines or tricycles, the separating intervals
may be greater.
In order that the gelatinous filling mass may not become hard in cold or frosty
weather it will be found best to add to it some glycerine or other substance acting
in a similar manner. In addition to this it is also preferable to add some
preservative or antiseptic ingredient such as formaldehyde or the like.
It will of course be obvious that the method of carrying my invention into
practice above described is susceptible of numerous modifications without thereby
departing from the nature of my said invention. For example, the rubber balls or
the like may be united so as to form chains by first introducing them into thin
woven tubes of gut or the like at certain intervals and then twisting the tube of gut
between the balls thus keeping such balls in position.
Instead of rubber balls other substances or bodies may be employed such for
instance as celluloid or cork spheres or the like. It is likewise possible to replace
the gelatinous mass referred to by any other suitable substance which is elastic and
will surround the balls in an air tight manner.
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 :-
1. A tyre composed of a tube of suitable material, resilient balls arranged therein,
connecting strings between the balls, and a filling of yielding material in the space
between the connected balls and the tube, substantially as set forth.
2. A tyre composed of an exterior tube of suitable material, resilient balls within
said tube connected by a suitable covering twisted into a string intermediate of the
balls, to form a string or chain of balls, and a yielding filling mass in the tube,
surrounding the string or chain of balls, substantially as set forth.
3. A tyre consisting of an exterior tube of suitable material, series of hollow
resilient balls in the tube, said balls being connected by a suitable covering web
twisted into a string between the balls, and a yielding gelatinous filling mass in the
space between the connected balls and the tube, substantially as described with
reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
4. A tyre consisting of an exterior tube of suitable material, series of hollow
resilient balls in the tube said balls being covered and connected together by a
netting formed of yarn or threads knotted or twisted together, and a yielding filling
mass in the space between the connected balls and the tube, substantially as described
with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.
atte S Tun May OF CURE 200
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.