Improvements in and relating to Pneumatic Tyres for the Wheels of Cycles and other Vehicles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Apr., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 18th Dec., 1896-Accepted, 13th Mar., 1897
Improvements in and relating to Pneumatic Tyres for the Wheels
of Cycles and other Vehicles.
I, FREDERICK EDWARD VERNEY TAYLOR, of Sitapur, India, Major 2nd Derbyshire
Regiment, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved construction of pneumatic tyres for the
wheels of cycles and other vehicles."
According to my invention I employ in the construction of my improved tyre a
number of air chambers made of elastic material or of non-elastic but flexible
material and used with or without a protecting or enclosing cover which may be
retained on the rim by any of the well known methods for securing the cover of
ordinary pneumatic tyres. The said chambers are retained in position by the cover
when such is used, or by the rim when a cover is not used. They may have separate
inflating valves or may be so connected that they will be inflated simultaneously.
I sometimes secure the chambers to the rim of the wheel by threading them
in an air-tight manner on to a tubular hoop which encircles the rim the ends of
said hoop being secured together or to the wheel rim. Holes, corresponding to the
air chambers, are provided at intervals in the hoop and a suitable inflating valve is
provided whereby all of the air chambers can be inflated simultaneously through the
hoop. The hoop may be made in two or more parts or in one part.
In lieu of the central hoop aforesaid I sometimes employ a chain, cord or the like
for securing the air chambers to the rim. The ends of the cord may be united by
a nut.
In this case the air chambers are inflated separately through separate
valves.
In some instances the chambers are shaped to fit and be locked in position on the
rim and are then made strong enough to be used without a cover, and each chamber
is furnished with an inflating tube. A gap may be provided in the rim to allow of
inserting the chambers. This will be subsequently closed by a slide on the rim.
When the air chambers are not fixed to the wheel rim they are retained by the
enclosing cover, and are provided with inflating tubes which are tucked under the
chambers when the latter are inflated. The air chambers may be conveniently
inserted through holes in the rim and fresh ones can be introduced in this way
and damaged ones taken out without removing the cover. The number of air
chambers used may be conveniently the same as the number of spokes. In some
instances I provide doors or cover plates with catches for closing the openings in
the rim after the air chambers have been introduced between the rim and the
enclosing tyre cover.
I sometimes provide a cover having holes in it corresponding with the holes in
the rim. I also preferably provide thin cords of indiarubber for tying the inflating
tubes of the air chambers after the latter have been inflated. These cords are formed
with a loop to hook on the bend of the inflating tube.
The air chambers may he expanded by inflation to a size considerably above their
normal capacity and this capability of expansion can be utilized when the chambers
composing a tyre are in juxtaposition for bringing about the filling up of any gap
or gaps that might be created in the tyre by the collapse of one or more of the air
chambers.

page_text: The air chambers when not made of elastic material may be folded like concertina
bellows so that on complete inflation they may be extended to the limit of their folds.
If any of the air chambers of my improved tyre are punctured or otherwise
damaged they can be readily removed and replaced by others. And if one of the
said air chambers being of elastic material, becomes deflated the expansion of the
rest of the air chambers will cause the space thus formed to be filled up.
capability of expansion of the air chambers to close up the spaces created by the
collapse of any of the air chambers is only, obviously, applicable to those tyres in
which the air chambers are of elastic material and confined within an outer cover.
This
In some instances the inflation is effected through one or more of the spokes
which is or are made hollow for the purpose.
I prefer to provide a tool consisting of hinged arms and a screw for separating
the air-chambers to facilitate the removal of damaged air chambers and the insertion
of fresh air chambers.
Dated this 2nd day of April 1806
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in and relating to Pneumatic Tyres for the Wheels
of Cycles and other Vehicles.
I, FREDERICK EDWARD VERNEY TAYLOR, of Sitapur, India, Major 2nd Derbyshire
Regiment, 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 and connected with pneumatic tyres for
the wheels of cycles and other vehicles.
According to my invention I employ in the construction of my improved tyre a
number of air chambers made of elastic, or of non-elastic but flexible material, used
with or without a protecting enclosing cover which when used may be retained on
the rim by any of the well known methods for securing the covers of pneumatic
tyres. The said chambers are retained in position by the rim when the cover is
not used.
In the accompanying drawings which illustrate several forms of pneumatic tyres
constructed in accordance with my invention;
Figure 1 is a section through a part of an inflated tyre in which the air chambers
between the cover and the rim are separately inflated and,
Figure 2 is an underside plan view of the same.
Figures 3 and 4 are sections of modified forms of the air chambers.
Figure 5 shows in plan a portion of a cover suitable for use with chambers such
as those shown in Figure 1.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of an air chamber suitable for use without a cover.
Figure 7 is a section of another form of air chamber to be used without a cover.
Figures 8 and 9 illustrate in perspective, forms of rims for use with the air
chambers shown in Figures 6 and 7 respectively.
Figure 10 represents sectional views of two portions of a tube used for inflating
the chambers simultaneously, together with air chambers in position on the said tube.
Figure 11 represents in longitudinal and transverse section a modification of the
air chamber for use with an inflating tube common to all the chambers.
Figure 12 illustrates a form of tube for use in inflating the air chamber shown in
Figure 11.

page_text: Figure 13 is a section of a modified form of air chamber, and
Figure 14 shows a suitable inflating tube for use therewith.
Figure 15 represents in transverse section and plan a form of rim and inflating
tube for use with air chambers such as are shown in Figure 1 when the same are to
be simultaneously inflated.
Figure 16 illustrates a form of separately inflated chamber adapted to be held in
place on the rim by a rod, cord, chain or the like; and
Figure 17 represents an instrument for use in replacing a damaged chamber.
Like letters of reference denote corresponding parts in the several figures.
A, A are the inflatable air chambers; B is the rim of the wheel; C, C are the
spokes; D is the tyre cover.
In Figures 1 and 2 the rim B is perforated at intervals as indicated at b, between
the spokes C, so that when the cover D is in place on the rim the inflatable elastic
air chambers A may be inserted through the said perforations. Each air chamber,
of which there are preferably a number equal to the number of spokes, is provided
with a tube a by means of which the chamber may be inflated, and which after
inflation is closed by tying it with a cord or otherwise and is then tucked in between
the chamber and the rim. The hole in the rim may then he closed by a lid c which
may be hinged to the rim and be fastened when closed with a sliding catch or other-
wise. The holes in the rim are not necessarily round as indicated in Figure 2; they
may be of any suitable shape, and the lids may be dispensed with.
An alternative method of closing the elastic air chambers as indicated in Figure 3
is by means of a non-return valve E which allows air to be forced inward to expand
the chamber when the latter has been inserted through the hole in the rim, but
prevents the escape of the air. The above described form of air chamber may also be
used without a cover as hereinafter explained.
Instead of inflating each chamber separately as in the foregoing examples, all the
chambers of a tyre may be inflated simultaneously. A chamber adapted for this
purpose is shown in Figure 4. In this instance each chamber A is fitted at one of
its ends with a hollow screw d and at its other end with a nut e. The screw d is
adapted to be screwed into and retained by the nut in the end of the chamber next
adjacent. One at least of the chambers is furnished with an inflation valve which is
inserted through a suitable hole in the rim in the ordinary way. The chambers are
first coupled up tightly, then the cover is put on and air is forced in through the
inflation valve. Instead of the screw connection fittings above described this form of
chamber may be fitted with a hollow projecting tube at one end adapted to be pushed
into, and retained in a suitable seat in the end of the chamber next adjacent.
As before mentioned an ordinary cover may be used with the aforesaid air chambers,
but a very suitable cover for the two first described constructions is shown in
Figure 5. This is simply an endless elastic tube having perforations which correspond
to those in the rim. The cover is first placed on the rim so that the holes in the cover
coincide with the holes & in the rim, then the expansible chambers are inserted
through the holes, into the cover and inflated.
In some instances the chambers are shaped to fit and to be locked in position on the
rim and are then made strong enough to be used without a cover. When the
chamber shown in Figure 3 is used in this way it is preferably provided with a
strengthening plate fattached to or formed in one with the valve tube so that when
the nut g is screwed up to the rim, the chamber is held firmly in place. The platef
may be dispensed with and a rib & (shown dotted) be formed along each side of the
chamber, such ribs being adapted to engage with suitable annular grooves in the
wheel rim. Other chambers of this kind are shown in Figures 6 and 7, and rims
suitable for them in Figures 8 and 9 respectively. The chainber shown in Figure 6
is provided with a longitudinal groove i on each side adapted to fit over a corresponding
inwardly turned edge of the rim B while a longitudinal rib on each side of the
chamber having a hole through it lengthwise for the insertion of a retaining wire lies
in a corresponding groove k in the rim. Each chamber is provided at one end with
an intiating tube a, and as each chamber is placed on the rim it is inflated by means

page_text: of the said tube a which is then closed by tying it with string or otherwise and
arranged so that it will be covered by the chamber next inflated. The tube of the
last chamber to be placed in position is passed through the hole b in the rim
(Figure 8), and when the chamber has been inflated the tube is tied or otherwise
fastened and tucked in under the chamber as described with reference to the
chambers shewn in Figures 1 and 2. By this method only one hole is required
to be formed in the rim. In Figures 7 and 9 a method is shown of attaching the
chambers to a rim which has a gap 1 formed in it. The chambers are in turn
introduced through this gap and arranged so that the grooves i in the sides of the
chambers coincide with the edges j of the rim, and are then pushed round on the
rim until the tyre is complete, when a slide m on the rim is slid over the gap so as
to complete the rim and hold the last inserted chamber in place.
I sometimes secure the chambers to the rim of the wheel by threading them in
an air tight manner upon a tubular hoop which encircles the rim, the ends of the
said hoop being secured together or to the wheel rim. In this instance the air
chambers are constructed with internal tubes a¹ extending across them from wall to
wall. Figure 10 illustrates this method, F is the tubular hoop, perforated at intervals
as shown at so that the perforations therein coincide with corresponding perfora-
tions a² in the inner tubes a¹ of the chambers A when the latter are all in place on
the tube F. This tube F having the chambers A threaded on it is clasped round
the rim B and is fastened as shown in Figure 10 by means of a bolt m' that secures the
two ends of the tube together and to the rim B or by passing a hook on one end
into an eye on the other, or by screwing the ends together, or by other means. The
inflating tube a is passed through a hole in the rim and all the chambers are inflated
simultaneously in the usual manner.
The chambers A for use in this form of tyre may be of any suitable shape for
instance they may he cylindrical like that shown in Figure 16 which represents a
chamber of this kind but adapted for separate inflation as hereinafter explained.
Instead of being threaded upon the hollow tube F the chambers may be formed
each with an opening or slit at the side that allows of its being placed upon the tube
from the side at any part thereof. Such a chamber is shown in Figure 11, and a
tube adapted for chambers of this kind is shown in Figure 12. The chamber A in
this case is pushed over the tube F which enters the slit a³ the nipple l' entering a
corresponding short tube a' in the chamber. When all the chambers are in place
they are inflated simultaneously. The slit a' instead of being made radial as shown
may be curved so as to prevent any tendency of the chamber to slip off the hoop.
Figures 13 and 14 show another method of attaching the chambers separately to the
hollow hoop. These chambers are each provided with a screw socket or nut which is
screwed in an air tight manner upon à correspondingly screw threaded nipple
projecting radially from the hollow hoop or tube F. Each chamber may also be
provided at one end with a hook and at the other with an eye so that when the
chambers are in place the books may be caused to engage with the adjacent eyes and
so fasten all the chambers together round the rim. A cover is not required for these
chambers when they are made sufficiently strong.
Chambers similar to those first described may also be used in conjunction with a
hollow hoop. The chambers are passed through holes b in the rim B, Figure 15, and
the inflation tubes a are fastened on or applied to the nipples . Each of the
nipples in all of the foregoing examples, are preferably provided with non-return
valves so that in the event of a chamber being punctured, the other chambers will
not be deflated.
Sometimes I prefer to separately inflate the chambers used in conjunction with a
hoop; the chamber shown in Figure 16 is adapted for use in this manner.
inner tube through which the hoop F is threaded is not perforated as in Figures 10
and 11, and the chamber is provided with an inflation valve E, shown at the side so
that it may be used on rims as heretofore constructed. It is obvious that it is not
necessary in this case to use a hollow tube to secure the chambers in place, a solid

page_text: hoop or wire, a chain, cord or the like may be used for the purpose; such chambers.
are also well adapted for use without a cover.
As has been hereinbefore mentioned the air chambers are not necessarily of elastic
material, such as india-rubber, they may be of any suitable flexible substance, leather,
prepared cloth, or the like.
Where valves are not used for air chambers of the kind shown in Figure 1, the
inflating tube a is usually closed by tying it, and to enable this operation to be more
efficiently performed I provide a special string or tie preferably of india rubber and
having a loop at one end. When the chamber has been inflated the tube a is doubled
upon itself and the plain end of the string or tie pushed into the loop so formed, then
the tie is wound tightly round the doubled part of the tube until the loop in the
tie is close to the tube a, whereupon the loop is slipped over the doubled end of the
tube a and is there held fast.
To insert a new chamber into the place of one which has been deflated, it is.
necessary to press apart the adjacent chambers which have expanded into its place.
For the purpose of separating these chambers I have devised a special instrument
shown in Figure 17, consisting of two cranked levers n pivotted to a handle o, and
adapted to be opened or closed by means of a right and left handed screw p. In
use, the thin points of the levers, when the latter are closed are inserted between
the expanded chambers, the screw p is then operated so as to open the levers and
force the chambers apart, then the new chamber may be inserted in place ready for
inflation.
Most of the devices which have been used in conjunction with ordinary pneumatic
tyres and covers may equally well be applied to the chambers or covers of tyres.
constructed according to my invention; thus, the chambers may be self-sealing or
they or the cover may have thick treads.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. A pneumatic tyre having a plurality of inflatable chambers inserted within the
cover by passing them through a hole in the rim, or constructed to engage with
the rim and to be used without a cover, each chamber being inflated independently
of the other chambers, substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. A pneumatic tyre having a plurality of inflatable chambers arranged to be
simultaneously inflated by means of a tube adapted to communicate with the interior
of each chamber, substantially as and for the purpose described.
3. The inflatable chambers adapted to be held in place on the rim by a cord,
chain or the like passing through them, substantially as and for the purpose-
described.
4. The cover consisting of an endless tube of flexible material having perforations.
in its periphery corresponding in number to the number of inflatable chambers in.
the tyre, substantially as, and for the purpose described.
5. A pneumatic tyre, for the wheels of cycles and other vehicles, constructed
substantially as described with reference to one or other of the forms illustrated by.
the accompanying drawings for the purposes specified.
1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant..