Improvements in Tyres for Bicycle and similar Wheels.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Mar., 1897
Combiete Specification Left, 2nd Dec., 1897-Accepted, 5th Feb., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tyres for Bicycle and similar Wheels.
I, ARTHUR KEATS, of Marston Road, Stafford, Machine Maker, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The present invention has reference to that class of tyre for bicycle and other
wheels, wherein the resiliency is obtained from a metallic spring or springs confined
within a cover of rubber or other suitable material, instead of from an inflated
tube.
According to my invention, I propose to use a spring in the form of a belt or band
of open coiled spiral springs woven together. Or, I may use a single wire bent into
a series of arches crossed at the base, and seated in the rim at the edges thereof,
where they are suitably confined. As a modification of the above, a spiral spring of
circular or irregular form may be used, having its coils disposed in a slanting
direction, so as to give the resiliency desirable.
The woven wire band may be strengthened diagonally or longitudinally in the
centre, by inserting extra coils, and also at its edges, which may be so disposed as to
lock the edges of the cover in position on the rim of suitable form.
The thickened or strengthened central portion will then come under the tread of
the outer cover.
For securing the spring band on the wheel rim, a double strip of metal may be
employed, which will also be used for distending the said band after the cover has
been put in place.
The wearing qualities of the outer cover I propose to materially improve by backing
it with a canvas lining having a thick cord in the warp at suitable distances, to
resist the friction of the spring band on the inner face of the cover, and to prevent
"creeping."
The cover itself may be tubular or arched, according to circumstances.
I, ARTHUR KEATS, of Marston Road, Stafford, Machine Maker, 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 present invention has reference to that class of tyre for bicycle and other
wheels wherein the resiliency is obtained from a metallic spring or springs
confined within a cover of rubber or other suitable material, instead of an inflated
tube.

page_text: According to this invention, I propose to use a spring in the form of a belt or band,
which is bent into the shape of an arch in cross section upon the wheel rim, the edges
of the band being confined within recesses in a circumferential hoop, which also serves
as an expanding device for distending the spring band within the cover.
In the accompanying drawing I have shewn the spring band in two forms, as
applied to a bicycle tyre.
Fig. 1 a cross section, and
Fig. 2 a side view, of the tyre; and
Fig. 3 a plan of one form of spring band, detached. ⚫
Fig. 4 shows a modification in cross section, and
Fig. 5 a detached plan of the modified spring band.
Fig. 6 shews, in side view, an alternative device for disteuding the expanding
device.
Referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, a is a spring band of transversely arranged coiled
wires woven together so as to form an endless band.
This band a may be partially flattened before the wires is finally hardened, and at
its edges it is pressed or rolled as flat as possible.
b is the wheel rim, and c is an open ended metal hoop of W form in cross section
which receives the edges of the band a, when the latter is in place. dis the outer
cover, and e are screws arranged at intervals around the rim, so as to bear against the
hoop C.
Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the spring band a is made of a wire bent zig-zag in a
transverse direction. When bent or doubled for insertion in the tyre, the edges are
crossed (see Fig. 4) and engaged in channels in the hoop c, on opposite sides thereof, as
shewn. In other respects, the features of the tyre do not differ from those shewn in
Figs. 1 and 2.
It will be seen that when the edges of the spring band a are inserted into the
recesses or channels of the hoop c, the band a will assume an arch form within the
cover d, which is thereby held elastically distended. To increase the tension of
the cover, the hoop c, whose ends are merely lapped (see Fig. 2), and not secured
together, is caused to expand circumferentially by screwing up the screws e, or
operating an equivalent device, as, for instance, that shewn at Fig. 6, thereby forcing
out the spring band a against the cover d.
In Fig. 6 is shewn a device consisting of a lever f, fulcrummed adjustably to the
rim b, which, when rocked, bears against the hoop c, and forces it away from the rim,
thereby increasing the length of its circumference. In this manner, the resiliency
of the tyre can be adjusted to any desired degree.
It may be remarked that the expanding hoop may, if preferred, be made in
sections, instead of being in one piece, as above described.
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. An adjustably elastic tyre for bicycle and other wheels, comprising a band of
spring wire, and open hoop within the wheel-rim, for receiving the edges of the band,
and means for circumferentially expanding the hoop, to force out the spring band
against the cover, substantially as set forth.
2. In combination with the wheel rim and flexible cover of an elastic tyre, the
employment of a transversely wire woven spring band supported in an expanding hoop
beneath the cover, and arranged to operate in the manner above set forth.
Dated this 2nd day of December 1897.