Improvements in Velocipedes and other Vehicles.
Year: 1893

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Velocipedes and other Vehicles.
1, EUGENE VINCENT of 3, Rue du Louvre, Paris, France, Velocipede Manu-
facturer, 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 :-
Pneumatic tyres of velocipede wheels when placed upon the outer circum-
ference of the wheel, as usual, have not been successfully protected against
perforation.
I have devised a construction of wheel which, while possessing the advantages
of flexibility and elasticity, supersedes, and avoids the objections to, ordinary
pneumatic tyres.
To this end my system of wheel is constituted essentially of two rims, of which
the outer one is flexible, free, and independent, while the inner rim to which
the spokes are fixed is rigid and serves as a reservoir for compressed air.
From the outer circumference of the inner rim or air reservoir, radiate a
number of cylinders communicating with the air reservoir and in which work
pistons whose rods are connected to shoes in which the external rim is loosely
held.
The construction forming the subject of the present application for Letters
Patent is illustrated by way of example in the annexed drawing, but it will be
understood that I do not limit myself as regards the forms, dimensions, materials
or accessory details.
In the drawing, Figure 1 shews a side view of one arrangement as applied to a
velocipede wheel. Figure 2 is a cross-section on line 1-2 Figure 1 drawn to a
larger scale.
The same letters of reference denote like parts in both the figures.
Each of
As shewn, the rigid rim or reservoir a, in which the spokes bare fixed, is
provided on its exterior circumference with any number of chambers c.
these chambers c receives a piston d whose rod e is jointed or fixed to a flanged
clip or shoe in which is inserted a sole piece g upon which bears the loose external
rim faced with leather i, india-rubber, or other suitable material.
From the foregoing it will be understood that after having pumped air under
pressure, through nozzle m into reservoir « and chambers e, the loose external
rim of the wheel on the latter being put in motion will adapt itself to the
undulations of the ground at its points of contact therewith, so as to cause the
rim to be slightly flexed and through the rods e move the pistons in their
cylinders or chambers c at same time that the shoes fy will slip upon the inner
face of the flexible rim which is caused to resume its original shape when no
longer in contact with the ground or after passing over an obstacle by the action of
the compressed air contained in chambers cacting upon the faces of pistons d.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
The improvements in velocipedes and other vehicles, principally characterized
by the combination of the inner rim forming a compressed air reservoir, with a
series of chambers containing pistons operating under the alternate action of the
independent exterior rim and of the compressed air, substantially as described
with reference to the accompanying drawing for the purpose specified.
Dated this 6th day of December 1893.
E. VINCENT,
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents