Improvements in and relating to the Wheels of Velocipedes and other Carriages.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Feb., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 10th Dec., 1891-Accepted, 16th Jan., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to the Wheels of Velocipedes and
other Carriages.
I, HARRY JOHN SWINDLEY, of. 12 Castlenau Gardens, Barnes, in the County
of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby, declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
:-
My invention relates to improvements in pneumatic or air inflated tyres for the
wheels of velocipedes and other carriages, and it has for its object, facilitating
the removal and re-insertion of the air chamber for the purpose of repair or
otherwise.
A pneumatic tyre as is well known, consists of three essential parts, two of
which may be combined so as to form one part; these are, first the air chamber
which is preferably made of pure rubber of exceeding lightness, and secondly the
outer case or covering of canvas and rubber either vulcanized together or forming
two distinct parts. In order that the air chamber may be repaired when punctured,
or otherwise damaged, it is necessary that it should be easily got at, and it is the
object of my invention to attain this end in a more easy and simple manner than
that adopted in the tyres at present on the market.
In carrying my invention into practical effect I proceed as follows:-I take a
rim of the desired size and section and either solid or hollow-preferably the
latter and at a convenient position I form in it a hole preferably of an oval shape
the major axis being longitudinal with the rim, and of a size in proportion to the
width of the rim. I then strengthen the rim at this place by the addition of
stiffening plates, or their equivalents, so that its strength at the part pierced by
the hole is not less than that at any other part. I then take a plate adapted to
cover this hole and of a suitable shape to adapt it to be passed through the said
hole from the interior face of the rim to the exterior face thereof, and I fix to this
plate one or more screwed studs, by means of which together with one or more
plates or bridges the plate closing the hole may be locked tight in position. I then
take the canvas and outer rubber case either separately or combined and attach it
to the rim in the ordinary or any other convenient manner. I then take the air
chamber which I prefer to make in a straight length with the ends closed by very
thin walls, the said ends being preferably bevelled or chamfered off and not square
with the other walls of the chamber, so as to present the least possible resistance
to the resiliency of the tyre at the point of juncture of the two ends of the said
chamber. To one end of this chamber I attach the plate adapted to close the hole
in the rim, and in the screwed stud thereof I make a suitable non-return valve for
the purpose of the inflation of the said air chamber.
To the other end of the air chamber I attach a tape or its equivalent of a
length exceeding the circumference of the rim. To insert this air chamber the
tape attached to the air chamber is passed round inside the hollow tyre formed by
the canvas and rubber cover and the rim, through the hole in the said rim by any
suitable means, and the air chamber is drawn into position inside the hollow tyre-
the said air chamber being of course at this time uninflated. The closing plate
of the hole being placed in position and the other end of the air tyre being drawn

page_text: up into close contact with the end of the said air chamber attached to the plate,
the said plate is locked firmly in position thereby closing the hole in the rim.
The air chamber is then inflated by means of an air pump which is preferably
adapted to be screwed on to the end of the hollow stud containing the valve.
As a modification I sometimes connect the two ends of the air chamber by a
suitable connecting pipe a portion of which is attached to each end of the said air
chamber, and the ends of which are of such a length that they may be easily and
conveniently connected and coupled together after the air chamber is in position
by means of a screw coupling or its equivalent.
1 prefer to use a hollow rim as it provides space for this connecting tube or
pipe and also for the tape attached to the air chamber to be conveniently stowed
away.
It will be seen that all that is necessary to remove the air chamber is to release
the air therein, remove the nut or nuts holding the closing plate in position and
withdraw the air chamber, when another air chamber can be at once inserted, the
whole operation occupying only a few minutes.
Dated this 13th day of February 1891.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E., ETC.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to the Wheels of Velocipedes and
other Carriages.
I HARRY JOHN SWINDLEY of 12 Castlenau Gardens, Barnes, in the County
of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in pneumatic or air-inflated tyres and in
rims therefor for the wheels of velocipedes and other carriages, and it consists in
forming in the rim of the wheel one or more holes or slots-according to the
diameter of the wheel-through which the air-tube can be inserted and withdrawn
from the tyre without disturbing the connection of the said tyre with the rim of
the wheel, and each of which is adapted to be closed by a suitable plug or plate or
its equivalent, and in forming the air-tube of the tyre in one length in the form of
a bag, ie., in a straight length with closed ends.
÷
Pneumatic or air-inflated tyres as at present constructed consist of three essential
parts, first, the air-tube, second the wrapping or covering of canvas or other suit-
able material for defining the size and shape of the tyre and equalizing and dis-
tributing the pressure within it, and third, the outer cover or tread, which is usually
made of rubber. In some cases the two latter are combined, the best known
arrangement being the insertion of a canvas web in the outer rubber cover or tread
during the process of manufacture. The outer rubber cover or tread and the
canvas wrapper or cover whether combined or separate from the hollow tyre and
are fixed to the rim of the wheel either by cement or by some mechanical device,
the air-tube being first placed within them. When the air tube is damaged by
puncturing or otherwise and will not hold and contain the air within it, it becomes
necessary to get at it either to repair it in place, or to get it out for the purpose
of repair, and to do this it is necessary to open the hollow tyre, and sometimes
also to remove either a portion or the whole of it from the rim of the wheel.
The object of my invention is to facilitate the withdrawal of the air-tube from
the hollow tyre for the purpose of repairing it, without interfering with the
hollow tyre or unfixing or removing it from the rim of the wheel, thereby enabling
the hollow tyre to be permanently and therefore more securely fixed to the
said rim.

page_text: which
atram this end in the manner lustrated by the accompanying drawings, in
Figures 1 and 2 (Sheet No. 1.) are views in transverse, and broken longitudinal,
section respectively of the rim and tyre of a wheel embodying my invention, and
Figure 3. (Sheet No. 1.) is a broken view in plan thereof showing the hole in
the rim and the closing plug or plate shown in Figures 1 and 2, with one locking
bolt in position for inserting the plug or plate into the hole in the rim, and the
other in position for locking it thereto.
Figure 4. (Sheet No. 1.) is a broken view in longitudinal section showing other
means of fixing a closing plug or plate to the rim of the wheel.
Figures 7 and 8 (Sheet No. 1.) are views in transverse, and broken longitudinal
section, respectively, showing another device for closing the hole in the rim.
Figure 9. (Sheet No. 1.) is a view in trausverse section showing a method of
closing the hole in the rim by means of a screw plug.
Figures 10 and 11. (Sheet No. 1.) are views in transverse section, and broken
longitudinal section, respectively showing the application of my invention to a
solid rim, and
Figure 12 (Sheet No. 1.) is a view in transverse section showing a method of
strengthening solid rims where the holes are cut.
Figures 13 and 14 (Sheet No. 2.) are broken views in longitudinal section, and
plan, respectively showing a method of closing the hole in the rim by means of a
sliding plate.
Figures 15 and 16 (Sheet No. 2.) are views-on a reduced scale-in sectional
elevation showing a method of closing the holes in the rim-when there are more
than two-by means of a continuous plate,
Figure 17 (Sheet No. 2.) is a view in transverse section of a rim with a con-
tinuous internal plate,
Figure 18 (Sheet No. 2.) is a view in transverse section of a rim with a con-
tinuous external closing plate, and
Figure 19 (Sheet No. 2.) is a view in transverse section showing a further modi-
fication of this arrangement.
of
Figure 20 (Sheet No. 2.) is a view in transverse section showing the application
my invention to another construction of tyre and rim.
Figure 21 (Sheet No. 2.) is a broken view in longitudinal section showing a
method of attaching the air-tube to the closing plug or plate.
Figure 22 (Sheet No. 2.) is a broken view in longitudinal section showing an
arrangement for connecting the two ends of the air-tube, or two air-tubes, together,
and
Figure 23 (Sheet No. 2.) is a broken view in longitudinal elevation of the air-
tube showing the ends thereof and the continuous canvas strip or tape.
Throughout the several views in longitudinal elevation or section, the rim is for
convenience shown straight instead of curved, and in Figures 5 and 18 both
inclusive the parts of the tyre are, for distinctness not shown.
Similar letters denote similar parts throughout the several figures of the
drawings.
In the rim A of the wheel is cut or formed one or more holes or slots a of any
suitable size and shape, but preferably oval. The number of holes or slots in each
rim will depend upon the diameter of the wheel and the size of the tyre, and for
the purpose of this Specification I shall unless otherwise stated assume that there
is but one hole or slot in each rim. The rim is strengthened at that point where
the hole a is cut in any convenient manner. If the rim is a hollow one I insert a
strengthening piece A₁-preferably at the joint of the rim-through which the
hole is cut. If the rim is a solid one, it may be strengthened by means of an
exterior plate A' as shown by Figures 10 and 11, or by forming a flange A' round
the hole or slot as shown by Figure 12.
The hole or slot a is closed by a plug or plate B which is made of the same
hickness as the rim so as to present an even surface on the concave face thereof

page_text: when the hole or slot is closed, and it is preferably made hollow as shown by
Figures 5 and 6 for lightness. The plug or plate B has a flange b adapted to bear
against the convex face of the rim, and it is fixed thereto by means of two
bolts b, b, having F-shaped heads which on being turned inwards permits the plug
to be passed into the hole a¹ in the rim, and on being turned outwards engage with
the edge of the hole on the concave face of the rim and thus allow the plug to be
rigidly drawn up into, and held in place by the nuts 62, 62, on the ends of the
bolts, b. The plug may also be fixed to the rim by means of screws b', b¹,
threaded direct into the rim as shown by Figure 5, or by stud bolts 1,, fixed to
the rim and passing through the holes in the plug as shown by Figure 6.
When a hollow rim is used, I sometimes close the hole on the concave face of
the rim by a plate 13 kept in position and fixed to the rim by means of a bridge or
plate B¹ bearing against the convex face of the rim, the two being drawn together
by means of a nut & threaded on a screw stud carried by the plate B as shown
by Figures 7 and 8. The plate B is made of such a shape as will allow it to be
passed through the hole a into the interior of the hollow tyre. This closing device
is particularly suitable for pneumatic tyres of the "Dunlop" type as the plates B
and B grip the outer cover and canvas lining round the hole a when they are
drawn up taut by the nut 62, and thus prevent the said cover and lining from
being dragged from their seating on the rim by the pressure of air within
the tyre.
When the size of the rim used will permit, I make a hole a in the rim round,
thus enabling the plug B to be screwed into the said hole as shown by Figure 9.
As a modification I sometimes use a sliding plate to close the hole in the rim
as shown by Figures 13 and 14. This plate B may be adapted to slide either
on the convex or concave face of the rim, but preferably on the latter as shown
by Figures 13 and 14. In the plate B is a hole 63 which when the plate is in
the position shown by Figure 14, coincides with the hole a in the rim and thus
opens it, and when the sliding plate is in the position shown by Figure 13 the
hole a is closed. The plate B is guided on the rim A and locked thereto by
means of studs 6', b, fixed to the plate B and passing through slots a', a', in the
rim, and of nuts 6, 12, screwed on the studs b', b'. Owing to the length of this
plate it affords such additional strength to the rim A at that part where the
hole a is cut, that other means of strengthening it are not needed.
than one hole or slot is required in the rim I prefer to make the closing plate B
a continuous one in the form of a second rim extending entirely round the rim,
the said plate having the same number of holes or slots 63 as there are holes or
slots a in the rim, as shown by Figures 15 and 16, the former showing the holes
or slots open and the latter closed. This continuous plate or second rim B may
be adapted either to slide on the concave face of the rim as shown by Figure 17,
When I use a continuous
or on the convex face thereof as shown by Figure 18.
external plate or second rin B I may mount the hollow tyre on the said plate or
rin as shown by Figure 19, instead of on the main rim A of the wheel.
When more
The continuous plate or second rim B may be fixed to the rim A by expanding
or contracting it by means of a right and left handed screw as shown by Figure 18,
or by any other suitable device.
In the plug or plate B is formed a hole for the inflation tube to pass through,
and in the arrangement shown by Figures 7 and 8 the stud b' is made hollow for
the same purpose, but the inflation tube may pass through a separate hole in the
rim if desired.
The ends of the air-tube D may be made either square or bevelled preferably
the latter as shown by Figures 2 and 23 so that the end walls offer no appreciable
resistance when the tyre is compressed. The inflation tube D is preferably fixed
to the air-tube D in close proximity to one of its closed ends if there is but one
hole in the rim, but if there are two or more, it is preferably fixed at about the
centre of the length of the air-tube. To facilitate the withdrawal and insertion of
the air-tube and to enable its ends to be brought and kept together I fix by

page_text: cementation or vulcanization to the tube preferably on that side adapted to fit on
the concave face of the tyre, a tape or strip of canvas or other non-stretchable
material E, having loose and free ends. This non-stretchable backing prevents
undue stretching of the air-tube when it is being drawn in or out of the hollow
tyre, and it also protects the air-tube from wear due to friction.
The plug or plate B may if desired be fixed to the air-tube D as shown by
Figure 21, in which case I prefer to dispense with the inflation tube, and to fix
the air-tube D to the plug or plate B by means of a tubular bolt d having a
flat end d adapted to fit within the air-tube, so that when the tubular bolt d is
drawn up taut either by an independent nut, or by a threaded metal inflation
valve Fas shown by Figure 21, it binds the air-tube D tight to the plug or
plate B.
To enable the air-tube to circulate round the tyre or to connect the separate
lengths of the air-tube when more than one length is used, I connect the two
adjacent ends thereof by means of two small tubes d', d', adapted to pass through
the closing plug or plate B, and to be connected to one another by a short
length of pipe d²-having suitable running joints-with which is preferably
combined the inflation valve F as shown by Figure 22. It will be obvious
that the ordinary air-tube with open ends may also be used, but such ends will
have to be solutionized or cemented together after the air-tube is placed in
position, and uncemented when it is required to withdraw it from the hollow tyre.
It will be understood that holes or slots are formed in the part or parts of the
hollow tyre which come in contact with the rim to coincide with the holes or slots
in the said rim. When the hollow tyre is built up of two or more parts as illus-
trated by Figures 1, 2 and 4, (Sheet No. 1.) and Figure 19 (Sheet No. 2.)-in
which X designates the outer cover or tread and Y the canvas wrapper or cover-
the holes or slots are made through the wrapper or cover Y only, but when the
hollow tyre is of the type illustrated by Figure 20 (Sheet No. 2.) of the accom-
panying drawing, in which the two parts X and Y are formed together in the
process of manufacture, the holes or slots are cut or formed through the whole
substance of the tyre, as tyres of this type are fixed to the rims in the ordinary
way by cementation. In this construction I place ferrules a¹ or their equivalents
round the holes or slots, which bind the edges of the tyre to the rim and act as
anchors for the tyre.
To withdraw the air-tube, the hole or holes, or slot or slots, in the rim are
opened the air-tube having first been deflated, and it is then withdrawn through the
said hole or holes, or slot or slots, a piece of string or its equivalent having been
first fixed to one end of the tube to provide a means of drawing the tube back
again.
It will be seen that by my invention a rider can easily repair a punctured tyre in
a few minutes, and by carrying one or more spare air-tubes, reduce the time
occupied in repairs to a minimum.
My invention is applicable to all types of inflatible tyres whether inflated with
air, gas, or a liquid.
I wish it to be particularly understood that I do not limit myself to the precise
details of construction, and the arrangements of the various parts as hereinbefore
described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, but that I hold myself at
liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and
scope of my invention.
I am aware that holes have already been made in the rims of wheels for the
attachment of the spokes, and in hollow tyres for the withdrawal and introduction
of the air-tubes, also that it has been proposed to use air-tubes with closed ends
and I do not therefore broadly claim such as my invention, neither do I make any
claim to the general construction of pneumatic or air-inflated tyres, as my invention
is applicable to all such tyres, but
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said,

page_text: invention and in what manner it is to be performed, I declare that I am aware of
the Specifications filed with Birt's application for Patent No. 21,250%, and I lay
no claim to any invention which may be held to be covered by the said Speci-
fications but, what I claim is :-
•
1st. The improvements in the wheels of velocipedes and other carriages, as
hereinbefore described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
2nd. In a pneumatic or air-inflated tyre, giving access to the air-tube or tubes,
without disturbing the cover or covers forming the hollow tyre or removing the
same from the rim, by forming in the rim and in the tyre one or more holes or slots
each of a sufficient size to allow the air-tube or tubes when either partially or
wholly deflated to pass therethrough, and each provided with a closing plug or
plate or their equivalents, as and for the purpose herein before described and illus-
trated by the accompanying drawings.
3rd. In a wheel for velocipedes and other carriages, the combination with a
hollow tyre permanently fixed to the rim and having an air-tube within it; of one
or more holes or slots in the rim capable of allowing the air-tube to be withdrawn
from the hollow tyre without disturbing the connection of the said hollow tyre with
the rim of the wheel, as and for the purpose set forth.
4th. In a wheel for velocipedes and other carriages, the combination with a
hollow tyre fixed to the rim of the wheel, of an air-tube preferably made in the
form of a bag i.e., with closed ends; of one or more holes or slots in the rim,
capable of allowing the air-tube to be inserted in and withdrawn from the said
tyre; and of one or more plugs or plates adapted to close the said holes or slots
in the rim of the wheel, as set forth.
5th. In a wheel for velocipedes and other carriages, the combination with a
hollow tyre fixed to the rim of the wheel; of an air-tube made in the form of a
bag i.e., with closed ends, and having an inflation tube located at or near one end
thereof; of one or more holes or slots in the rim capable of allowing the air-tube
to be inserted in and withdrawn from the hollow tyre; and of one or more plugs
or plates adapted to close the said holes or slots in the rim of the wheel, one of the
said plugs or plates having a hole or its equivalent for the passage of the inflation
tube, as set forth.
6th. In a wheel for velocipedes and other carriages, the combination with a
hollow tyre permanently fixed to the rim of the wheel, of an air-tube having closed
ends and tapes attached thereto, of one or more holes or slots in the rim of the
wheel, and of one or more plugs or plates adapted to close the said holes or slots,
all combined arranged and operating as and for the purpose set forth.
7th. In a wheel for velocipedes and other carriages, the combination with a
hollow tyre permanently fixed to the rim of the wheel, of an air-tube having closed
ends and a continuous tape of non-stretchable material fixed to it, and an inflation
tube located in any suitable position; of one or more holes or slots in the rim
capable of allowing the air-tube to be inserted in and withdrawn from the hollow
tyre; and of one or more plugs or plates adapted to close the said holes or slots in
the rim of the wheel, one of the said plugs or plates having a hole or its equivalent
for the passage of the inflation tube, as set forth.
8th. In a pneumatic or air-inflated tyre for the wheels of velocipedes and other
carriages, the combination of the rim of the wheel having one or more holes or
slots therein; of an outer cover or covers of canvas or rubber or their equivalents
either combined or separate having one or more holes or slots therein; of an air-
tube having closed ends and adapted to be placed within the hollow tyre formed
by the outer cover or covers; and of one or more plugs or plates or their
equivalents adapted to close the said holes or slots; all combined arranged and
operating as and for the purpose set forth.
9th. In a pneumatic or air-inflated tyre for the wheels of velocipedes and other
carriages, the combination with the rim of the wheel having one or more holes
or slots therein; of a hollow tyre having one or more holes or slots therein; of

page_text: one or more bag-shaped air-tubes each having closed and bevelled or chamfered
ends and a continuous tape of non-stretchable material fixed to any convenient
part thereof, and of one or more plugs or plates or their equivalents adapted to
close the said holes or slots, all arranged and operating as and for the purpose
set forth.
10th. In a pneumatic or air-inflated tyre for the wheels of velocipedes and
other carriages, the combination with a hollow tyre having one or more holes or
slots therein; of a rim having one or more holes or slots therein; of one or more
plugs or plates adapted to close the said holes or slots; and of two or more air-
tubes each having closed ends and each connected to the other by a junction pipe,
all combined arranged and operating as and for the purpose set forth.
11th. In a wheel for velocipedes and other carriages, the combination with a
hollow tyre fixed to the rim of the wheel; of one or more air-tubes made in the
form of bags ie., with closed ends, and each having an inflation tube located at or
near one end thereof; of two or more holes or slots in the rim and in the hollow
tyre, capable of allowing the said air-tubes to be inserted in and withdrawn from
the said tyre; and of a continuous internal or external plate or second rim, adapted
to close the said holes or slots in the main rim of the wheel, as set forth.
12th. In a wheel for velocipedes and other carriages, the combination with the
rim of the wheel having one or more holes or slots therein; of a hollow tyre
mounted on a second rim or continuous plate hang one or more holes or slots
therein and capable of being moved circumferentially on the rim of the wheel,
and of being fixed thereto; and of one or more air-tubes preferably having closed
ends, all combined arranged and operating as set forth.
13th. In a pneumatic or air-inflated tyre, attaching to the air-tube-preferably
at that part which comes in contact with the concave face of the rim-a tape or
strip of canvas or other non-stretchable material to prevent the said air-tube from
stretching and so facilitate its withdrawal from and insertion in the hollow tyre, as
set forth.
14th. In a pneumatic or air-inflated tyre, the use of an air-tube having sealed
or closed ends bevelled or chamfered so that the closing walls are not at right
angles to the tread of the wheel, and a tape or strip of canvas or other non-
stretchable material fixed along its entire length, as and for the purpose set forth.
15th. In a pneumatic or air-inflated tyre having an air-tube made in two or more
lengths placed end to end in the said tyre, connecting these lengths of tube to one
another so that the pressure may be the same in each length by means of small
pipes or tubes passing out through holes in the rim and connected together by a
junction pipe, as set forth.
16th. In wheels for velocipedes and other carriages having pneumatic or air-
inflated tyres the air-tubes of which are adapted to be withdrawn through holes
in the rim, connecting the air-tubes to the plugs or plates adapted to close the
holes in the rims of the wheels by means of tubular bolts having flanged ends
adapted to fit within the air-tubes and bind them to the closing plugs or plates, as
set forth.
Dated this 10th day of December 1001