Improvement in Wheel Tires for Bicycles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Sept., 1897-Accepted, 30th Oct.,
1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvement in Wheel Tires for Bicycles.
I, ERNEST SYDNEY Ross, Engineer, of 85 Cimitiere Street, Launceston,
Tasmania, 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 relates to improvements in Wheel Tires for Bicycles or other
vehicles, and has for its object to provide an efficient means, whereby a flexible
or pneumatic tire may be made impervious to the action of sharp objects coming
in contact with its tread portion, thus avoiding the inconvenience of having the
tire accidentally deflated by puncture.
The invention will be hereinafter fully described and specifically set forth in the
annexed claims.
In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a bicycle wheel having my
improvements embodied in its construction.
Figure 2 is a plan view of a section of armor forming part of my invention;
and
Figure 3 is a plan view of one of the plates or scales composing the armor.
In the practice of my invention, I use preferably, a double tube tire comprising
a cylindrical tube or shoe, A, and the inner inflatable tube, A¹, the latter tube
being in connection with an ordinary valve B which passes through the rim C of
the wheel in a manner common to all pneumatic tires.
Located between the tube A and the tube A¹ is an armor, E, and this said armor
is composed of a backing e and a series of overlapping plates e arranged like the
scales of a fish so that they overlap in every direction for the purpose of affording
adequate protection to the inner tube. These said plates or scales are of rectan-
gular contour and they have their corners rounded so that no sharp points are
presented to injure the tube A and they are respectively supplied with apertures, e²,
These said apertures are
for the purpose of connecting them to the backing e.
arranged opposite to each other upon a horizontal line so that when the plates are
connected to the backing by means of the threads or loops e³, a swinging action
of the plate or scale is prevented, while at the same time a sufficient portion
thereof extends beyond the loop to allow of readily bending the armor into circular
shape. These said plates are composed of sheet metal, preferably of a non-
corrosive character such as zine or aluminum and the backing is preferably com-
posed of wire gauze but any suitable fabric may be employed.
It will be noted that in the construction of my armor, no rivets are used and
the plates are so arranged that they are all independent of each other and con-
nected only to the fabric backing, whereby no projections of any character are
presented to injure the inner inflatable tube of the tire.
The loops e³ may be connected to each other in series, illustrated by dotted lines,
Fig. 2 of the drawings and they should be composed of some soft fibrous string
not liable to scratch or injure the inner tube A¹. In connecting the armor to
the tire, it is preferably cemented by means of its fabric backing or if desired, it

page_text: may rest within a segmental recess formed in the outer tube or shoe A and being
so arranged as to bring the armor directly over the tread portion of the tire.
I do not confine myself to the specific shape of the scales e¹, as illustrated as it
is obvious that under the scope of my invention I am entitled to make them either
circular or elliptical in contour.
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. A pneumatic tire having an armor located between the inner and outer tubes,
comprising a backing of fabric and a series of plates overlapping each other like
the scales of a fish, substantially as shown and described.
2. A pneumatic tire having an armor located between the inner and outer tubes
thereof, said armor comprising a series of overlapping plates and a fabric backing,
the plates being secured to the backing by means of threads or loops, substantially.
as shown and described.
3. In a pneumatic tire, the combination of an inner and outer tube and an
armor located between them, said armor comprising a backing or fabric and a
series of overlapping plates of rectangular contour having rounded edges, said
plates being respectively supplied with apertures upon a horizontal line, and a series
of threads or loops engaging with the said apertures, substantially as shown and
described.
Dated this 11th day of September 1897
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.