An Improvement in and connected with Pneumatic Tyres for Wheels.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Aug., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 23rd June, 1894-Accepted, 18th Aug., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in and connected with Pneumatic Tyres for
Wheels.
SAMUEL JACKSON CLUFF Tea Dealer 32 Bachelors Walk Dublin Ireland do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The forming of the tire of a succession of hollow india rubber balls which is
virtually puncture proof and non slipping.
The balls to be placed close together in an ordinary rim or in a rim provided
with spaces for each ball and fastened in with suitable cement or the balls may be
placed in a tube & used as an ordinary tire-I can also fasten in mechanically by
having special balls made-puncture proof as strong balls are hard to puncture and
the weight brings several in contact with the ground and one destroyed or even
more if separated will have very little effect.
Non slipping as each ball will have a separate footing and the inclination of one
to slip would be arrested by the others in contact with the ground.
Dated this 23rd day of August 1893.
SAMUEL JACKSON CLUFF.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in and connected with Pneumatic Tyres for
Wheels.
I, SAMUEL JACKSON CLUFF, Tea Dealer, 32 Bachelor's Walk, Dublin,
Ireland, 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 consists essentially in the formation or construction of the rim of
the wheel for the reception direct of a succession of hollow india-rubber balls,
whereby a pneumatic tyre is produced which is virtually puncture-proof, and
non-slipping.
In my Provisional Specification, I mentioned that the balls may be arranged in
connection with an ordinary rin, and also that the balls may be placed in a tube,
and thus used as an ordinary tyre. By experience I find these two methods of
using balls are not practicable, and therefore desire to disclaim same, and to confine
myself to the specific feature relating to the construction and formation of the
rim, and the direct application thereto of the balls, as hereinafter more fully
described.
In order that my said invention may be more readily understood, and worked out
in practice, I will describe the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1, is a side view of portion of a tyre constructed according to my invention
and showing the peculiar formation of the rim which is shaped so as to contain a
continuous succession of spaces or indentations each of which constitutes an
individual socket or cavity for the reception of an inflated ball. Fig. 2, is a plan
(flat) view of same.
a, is the rim, and b, the sockets or cavities formed therein. c, the balls which
are placed direct in the sockets or cavities b, and secured by cement or other
suitable solution.

page_text: In my Provisional Specification I have spoken of securing the balls mechanically
to the rim, but on experiment I find it is not desirable to do so, and now wish
it to be understood that I prefer to secure the balls by solution or cement as
-described.
It will be obvious that a tyre constructed according to my invention will afford a
corresponding if not a greater amount of elasticity-to that afforded by the
ordinary pneumatic tube, while should one or more of the balls be destroyed by
puncture or otherwise the tyre can still be used as the injured section being limited,
the continuity of the rolling surface will not be seriously impaired. At the same
time it is obvious that the injured ball or section can be readily replaced without
disturbing the tyre bodily, as is necessary in the case of injury to any part of the
ordinary pneumatic tyre.
My invention also possesses the advantage of non-slipping, since it will be
readily understood that each ball will have a separate footing, and the inclination
of one to slip would be arrested by the neighbouring ones in contact with the
ground.
Lightness and strength are also secured by my invention, since owing to the
wavy character of the rim, the necessary strength is obtained from the minimum
amount of material employed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would have it understood
that I do not claim generally, the use of india-rubber or other balls in combination
with metal rims for the purpose of producing pneumatic or elastic tyres, but what
I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is :-
First. In tyres for wheels, the use and application of a rim provided with spaces
or indentations forming sockets or cavities for the reception of india-rubber balls,
substantially as herein specified.
Second. In tyres for wheels the use and application of a rim provided with spaces
or indentations forming sockets or cavities in combination with india-rubber balls
arranged and operating substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein
described and set forth.
Dated the 22nd day of June 1894
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
9, Westland Row, Dublin, Agents for Applicant.