Improvements in and relating to Pneumatic Tyres for Cycles and other Vehicles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Nov.,
4007
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Aug., 1898-Accepted, 3rd Sept., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Aug., 1898-Accepted, 3rd Sept., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Pneumatic Tyres for Cycles and
other Vehicles.
I, HENRY GOULD DIXON, of 41, High Street, Dundee, in the County of Forfar,
Scotland, Cycle Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
-
This invention relates to improvements in pneumatic tyres for cycles and other
vehicles, the objects being to secure the tyre to the rim in new and improved
ways and to readily obtain access to the interior for the purpose of repairing
punctures
In carrying out my invention according to one modification,
make the cover
of the tyre of such a section that when in position it is in the form of a horse
shoe and open next the rim, such opening being sealed by a special kind of band.
Its edges are preferably thickened and extensible to some extent. Sometimes I
may join the edges of the cover at one point by a rubber bridge.
Around the rim of the wheel is placed a broad band of metal or other suitable
material or materials, such band forming an airtight seal over the open part of
the cover, its extremities being drawn together and secured by nuts and a right
and left hand screw. The nuts are fixed, one near each extremity of the band
and to the surface nearest to the axis of the wheel, that is to say the nuts and the
screw are outside the space which contains the compressed air, and are preferably
inside the rim, access to the screw being obtained through a small hole in such
rim. The ends of the band preferably underlap, the extremity which is under-
neath having a slot in which the nut of the other extremity works, the object
being to cause the band to grip the edges of the cover equally all round.
upper extremity of the band may be strengthened by means of a plate.
The
I prefer to hold each nut in a stud in such a manner that they can be placed
in position and when there the screw keeps them from coming out, that is to
say the studs which are bolted to or otherwise form part of the band--have
slots normal to the axis of the screw and in these slots the nuts are held. The
band is broad enough to bridge over the space in the cover next the rim. In
order to make certain that no air may pass the band I cover it with a sheath of
rubber or of rubber lined with canvas. This sheath may taken the form of a
tube, or its edges may be laced together, the lacing being preferably outside the
air space.
When the band is tightened the edges of the tyre are pressed on the
shoulders of the rim such rim preferably being of a special section-and con-
sequently the combination of the tyre and the covered hand forms an airtight
space. Such a form of tyre may be used without a separate air tube, although I
prefer to use one. If a separate air tube be used the band may not be sheathed.
I prefer to sheath the band and use a separate air tube and two air valves, one
in communication with the inside of the air tube and the other
with the inside of
the cover, such valves preferably being attached
to the band. With such a combination the tyre may be used as a single
tube tyre, the inner air tube being deflated, and then should such tyre be

page_text: punctured the inner air tube may be inflated, it then being used as a double tube
tyre. By using such a combination a puncture need only be repaired when a con-
venient opportunity offers. In some cases the inner air tube may be attached to
or form part of the sheath, or even the air tube itself may be used as a sheath.
Sometimes the extremities of the band may not overlap but approach close to one
another the joint if need be bearing on a hink its extremities resting upon and
abutting against a rubber platform. In such a case the rubber sheath or laced flap
is not necessary.
Sometimes where an inner air tube is used, I may not use screws and nuts to
tighten the band, but press its extremities together by inflatang the air tube until
studs or catches engage with holes in or projections on the rim, the
studs or catches then being secured, if need be, by means of nuts or other
suitable devices. If the inner air tube be then deftated the combination of the
band and the cover will form a single tube tyre, the inner air tube being held in
reserve as previously explained. In some cases the extremities of the steel bands
may have slickets in which are loose bolts which project through the rim. After
inflation, and when the band is drawn together, nuts on the loose bolts, when
tightened, keep the band tight.
The inside of the cover may be lined with air proof rubber, such rubber being
in a state of tension when attached to the canvas, the object being to automatic-
ally stop any small puncture.
in another modification of a single tube tyre I may make the edges to overlap
keeping such edges in contact by means of the band.
If
In another modification I may use a single tube, such tube having a series of
holes in it at the side next the rim, these holes being for the purpose of obtaining
access to its inside. The tube rests upon a rubber cushion with which the rim is
Lined. The band is within the tube and when it is tightened it presses the bottom
of such tube against the rubber cushion and thus makes the tyre air tight
desired, the holes, by means of which access is obtained to the interior, may be
laced together or ridges may be formed at their edges which could bear against
shoulders in the rim and thus keep them from widening when the tube is inflated.
The band may be of any suitable type, such as I have already described.
In another modification I may employ a single tube similar to that described
immediately above, and have within it an air tube, such air tube having an
extensible portion next the tread and an inextensible portion next the rim of the
wheel. When such an inner air tube is inflated it will cause the tyre to cling
tightly to the rim and that without extraneous aid such as by means of a metal
band.
In another modification I may employ an inextensible single, tube tyre some-
what similar to that described above, such tube bearing against a rubber cushion
within and around the rim. On inflation the tube will press still harder against
the cushion and so make the apertures, by which access is obtained to the
interior, airtight.
Improvements in and relating to Pneumatic Tyres for Cycles and
other Vehicles.
I, HENRY GOULD DIXON, of 41, High Street, Dundee, in the County of Forfar, 50
Scotland, Cycle Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what

page_text: 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 pneumatic tyres for cycles and other
vehicles, the objects being to secure the tyre to the rim in new and improved
ways and to readily obtain access to the interior for the purpose of repairing
punctures.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of performing and carry-
ing the same into effect or practice may be properly understood, I have hereunto
appended three explanatory sheets of drawings in which the same reference
numerals are used to indicate corresponding parts in all the figures where
shown:-
Figure 1 (Sheet 1) is a cross-section at BB (Figure 2) showing one modification
of a tyre.
Figure 2 (Sheet 1) is a part longitudinal section at A A (Figure 1) of same.
Figure 3 (Sheet 1) is a transverse section at CO (Figure 1) and
Figure 4 (Sheet 1) is an isometric view of a portion of the rubber sheath.
Figure 5 (Sheet 1) is a cross-section at DD (Figure 6) of another modification.
Figure 6 (Sheet 1) is a part longitudinal section at E E (Figure 5) of same, and
Figure 7, (Sheet 1) is a transverse section at FF.
Figure 8 (Sheet 2) is a cross-section at HH (Figure 9) of another modification,
and
Figure 9 (Sheet 2) is a part longitudinal section at GG (Figure 8) of same.
Figure 10 (Sheet 2) is a cross-section at J J (Figure 11) of another modification,
and
Figure 11 (Sheet 2) is a part longitudinal section at II (Figure 10) of same.
Figure 12 (Sheet 2) is a cross-section of another modification.
Figure 13 (Sheet 3) is a cross-section at M M (Figure 14) of another modifi-
cation.
and
Figure 14 (Sheet 3) is a part longitudinal section at KK (Figure 13) of same,
Figure 15 (Sheet 3) is a transverse section at LL (Figure 13).
Figures 16, 17, and 18 are cross-sections of other modifications.
In carrying out my invention according to one modification as illustrated by
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, I make the cover 20 of the tyre of such a section that when
in position it is in the form of a horse shoe and open next the rim 21, such open-
ing being sealed by a special kind of band 22. Its edges 23 are preferably
thickened and extensible to some extent.
Around the rim of the wheel is placed a broad band of metal 22 or other
suitable material or materials, such band forming an air tight seal over the open
part of the cover, its extremities being drawn together and secured by nuts 24 and
a right and left hand screw 25. The nuts are fixed one near each extremity of
the band and are next the surface nearest to the axis of the wheel, that is to say
the nuts and the screw are outside the space which contains the dompressed air, and
are preferably inside the rim, access to the screw being obtained through a small
hole 26 in such rim. The ends of the band preferably underlap, the extremity
which is underneath having a slot 27 in which the nut of the other extremity
works, the object being to cause the band to grip the edges 23 of the cover equally
all round. Each nut 24 consists of a stud whose reduced extremity fits into a
hole in the band, it being kept in position by the pins 28. By securing the stud
nut to the band in the manner described a certain amount of flexibility is pro-
vided and each nut readily adjusts itself to the screw when being manipulated.
The band is broad enough to bridge over the space in the cover next the rim.
In order to make certain that no air may pass the band, I cover it with a sheath
of rubber 29 or of rubber lined with canvas. This sheath may take the form of
a tube, as shown in the drawings. When the band is tightened the edges 23 of
the tyre are pressed on the shoulders of the rim-such rim preferably being of a
special section-and consequently the combination of the tyre and the covered

page_text: band forms an airtight space. Such a form of tyre may be used without a
separate air tube, although I prefer to use one. If a separate air tube be used
the band may not be sheathed. I however prefer to sheath the band and use a
separate air tube and two air valves, one in communication with the inside of the
air tube and the other with the inside of the cover, such valves preferably being
attached to the band. With such a combination the tyre may be used as a
single tube tyre, the inner air tube being deflated, and then, should such tyre
be punctured the inner air tube may be inflated, it then being used as a double
tubed tyre. By using such a combination a puncture need only be repaired when
a convenient opportunity offers. In some cases the inner air tube may be
attached to or form part of the sheath.
Sometimes as in the modification illustrated by Figures 5 6 and 7, the extremi-
ties of the band 22 may not overlap but approach close to one another, its
extremities resting upon and abutting against a rubber platform 30. In such a
case the sheath 29 is not necessary. In attaching this tyre to the rim, the band
is first uncoupled and passed through the cover so that the platform 30 is under-
neath. It is then coupled together and placed in position on the rim, the edges
of the cover are then placed in the recess in such rim and the band is tightened,
and finally the tyre is inflated.
Sometimes, as illustrated by Figures 8 and 9 where an inner air tube 31 is
used, I may not use screws and nuts to tighten the band 22, but press its ex-
tremities together by inflating the air tube until studs or catches 32 engage with
holes in the rim, the studs or catches then being secured, if need be by means
of nuts or other suitable devices. If the inner air tube be then deflated the com-
bination of the band and the cover will form a single tube tyre, the inner air tube
being held in reserve as previously explained. The tyre is detached from the
rim by pushing the stud 32 out of its hole by means of a pin acting through the
hole 33 such stud being on a flexible spring 34 fixed to the band.
In some cases, as illustrated by Figures 10 and 11 the extremities of the steel
band 22 may have slickets 35 in which are loose bolts 36 which project through
the rim.
After inflation of the inner air tube and when the band is drawn
together nuts 37 on the loose bolts, when tightened, keep the band tight.
The inside of the cover may be lined with air proof rubber, such rubber
being in a state of tension when attached to the canvas, the object being to auto-
matically stop any small puncture. Une way of applying such rubber is to set
the canvas cover on a mould in the opposite way to that in which it is finally
used, that is to say the tread of the tyre is convex in its normal condition, but
when the rubber lining is being applied it is concave. After the rubber lining is
attached to the cover, it is reversed and the rubber cover or tread applied in the
usual way.
As the rubber lining was applied to the canvas cover when the inside
of same was convex, it will be in a state of compression when such cover is turned
back again and consequently, if the cover be punctured the rubber lining will
still hold in the air, as the edges of the hole tend to come together.
In another modification of a single tube tyre, as illustrated by Figure 12 I may
make the edges 23 to overlap, keeping such edges in contact by means of a band 22.
In another modification, as illustrated by Figures 13, 14 and 15, I may use a
single tube 38, such tube having a series of holes 39 in it at the side next the
rim, these holes being for the purpose of obtaining access to the inside. The
tube rests upon a rubber cushion 40 with which the rim is lined. The band 22
is within the tube and when it is tightened it presses the bottom of such tube
against the rubber cushion and thus makes the tyre air tight. If desired the
holes 39 by means of which access is obtained to the interior may be laced
together as shown at 41, or ridges 42 may be formed at their edges which could
bear against shoulders in the rim and thus keep them from widening when the
tube is inflated. These ridges are shown in Figures 16 17 and 18. The band
may be of any suitable type, such as I have already described

page_text: In another modification, as illustrated by Figure 17 I may employ a single
tube similar to that described immediately above, and have within it an air
tube 31, such air tube having an extensible portion next the tread and an in-
extensible portion 43 next the rim of the wheel. When such an inner air tube
is inflated it will cause the tyre to cling tightly to the rim, and that without
extraneous aid such as by means of a metal band.
In another modification, as illustrated by Figure 18, I may employ an inexten-
sible single tube tyre somewhat similar to that described above, such tube bear-
ing against a rubber cushion within and around the rim. On inflation the tube
will press still harder against the cushion and so make the apertures by which
access is obtained to the interior, airtight.
I wish it to be particularly understood that I do not limit myself to the precise
details of construction herein before described and illustrated on the annexed
drawings, but that I hold myself free to make such changes and alterations as
conform with the disposition and scope of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
-
(1) In pneumatic tyres, the mode of securing the cover to the rim, and of
obtaining access to the inside of the cover, or to the inner air tube, substantially
as herein before described and illustrated by Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4.
(2) In pneumatic tyres, the mode of coupling the two ends of the band'
together, substantially as herein before described and illustrated by Figures 1, 2,
3 and 4.
(3) In pneumatic tyres, the mode of making the band to form an air tight joint
by means of the sheath 29, substantially as described.
(4) In pneumatic tyres, the mode of securing the cover to the rim, and of
obtaining access to the inside of the cover, or to the inner air tube, substantially
as hereinbefore described and illustrated by Figures 5 6 and 7.
(5) In pneumatic tyres, the mode of making the band to form an air tight
joint by means of the edges 23 and platform 30, substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated by Figures 5 6 and 7.
(6) In pneumatic tyres, the mode of securing the cover to the rim, and of
obtaining access to the inside of the cover, or to the inner air tube, substantially
as hereinbefore described and illustrated by Figures 8 and 9.
(7) In pneumatic tyres, the mode of securing the two extremities of the band
by means of flexible catches 32, as hereinbefore described and illustrated by
Figures 8 and 9.
(8) In pneumatic tyres, the mode of securing the cover to the rim, and of
obtaining access to the inside of the cover or to the inner air tube, substantially
as herein before described and illustrated by Figures 10 and 11.
(9) In pneumatic tyres, the mode of securing the two extremities of the band
by means of loose bolts 36 and slickets 35 in the band, as herein before described
and illustrated by Figures 8 and 9.
(10) In pneumatic tyres, the mode of applying the rubber lining to the cover
in order to make such cover retain the air when punctured as described
(11) In pneumatic tyres, the mode of securing the cover to the rim, and of
obtaining access to the inside of the cover, substantially as herein before described
and illustrated by Figure 12.
(12) In pneumatic tyres, the mode of securing the cover to the rim, and of
obtaining access to the inside of the cover, or to the inner air tube, substantially
as hereinbefore described and illustrated by Figures 13, 14 and 15.
(13) In pneumatic tyres, the combination of apertures 39 and a rubber
cushion 40, substantially as described and for the purposes set forth.
(14) In pneumatic tyres, the mode of securing the cover to the rim, and of
obtaining access to the inside of the cover, or to the inner air tube, and of sup-

page_text: porting the sides of the apertures as herein before described and illustrated by
Figure 16.
(15) In pneumatic tyres, the mode of securing the cover to the rim, and of
obtaining access to the inside of the cover, or to the inner air tube, as herein-
before described and illustrated by Figure 17.
(16) In pneumatic tyres the mode of securing the cover to the rim, and of
obtaining access to the inside of the cover, as hereinbefore described and illus-
trated by Figure 18.
Dated this 25th day of July 1898
GEO. C. DOUGLAS & Co.,
41, Reform Street, Dundee, Agents for Applicant.