Improvements in Pneumatic Tyres.
Year: 1897

page_text: I JAMES HIGHAM 35 Barton Road Stretford Manchester in the County of Lan-
caster Manager do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to automatically keep pneumatic tyres inflated
whilst riding or in use.
To attain this object I form a chamber in the air tube this chamber com-
municates with the air tube by one or more valves to allow the air to pass from
chamber into air tube said chamber communicating outwardly by a valve in the
usual manner these valves if necessary may be arranged for deflating the tyre or
another valve may be used for the purpose. The Tyre can be inflated in the usual
manner the air passing into chamber and thence into air tube.
From the above description it will be apparent that when the wheel upon which
the tyre is placed runs upon the ground or floor it will on each revolution bring
the chamber into contact with the ground or floor thus compressing the chamber
and forcing the air from chamber into air tube said chamber on being relieved
from compression expands and causes an inrush of air to supply the vacuity in
chamber and so on each revolution.
This chamber may be formed in the air tube or may be formed and placed inside
or formed and placed outside between the air tube and cover or rim.
JAMES HIGHAM.
Improvements in Pneumatic Tyres.
I, JAMES HIGHAM of 35 Barton Road, Stretford, Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Manager, 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 pneumatic tyres for the wheels of cycles or other
vehicles in which said wheels are constructed with an air tube for containing air
under pressure, and either with or without an envelope or outer cover.
The object
of this invention is to cause the air tube to be kept automatically fully inflated
when riding, and the machine or vehicle is in use. I attain this object by the
means hereinafter described, reference being made to the accompanying sheet
of drawings in which Fig. 1. represents a wheel rim and pneumatic tyre partly
in section with my invention applied. Fig. 2 is a modification of the same. In
these views similar letters refer to similar parts.
In this invention I form within the air tube a of a pneumatic tyre, an air
chamber as c composed of india rubber of sufficient natural or artificial elasticity
LD
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page_text: to revert to its original shape when external pressure that may be applied thereto
is removed: Said air chamber which is preferably elongated or egg shaped, may
be constructed so as to form a part of the air tube as shown in Fig. 1, or may be a
separate air chamber placed either within the air tube as in Fig. 2 or between the
air tube and the outer cover, or may be placed in or form a part of a tubeless
tyre. I fit flexible non-return valves as d or other preferred pattern in either or
both ends of the aforesaid air chamber, and an inlet valve as e to which an air pump
may be attached in the site of said air chamber and projecting through the rim
of the wheel b. In applying my invention, the air tube in combination with the
herein before described supplementary air chamber c is attached to the rim of the
wheel or placed within the outer cover g in the ordinary manner, and the tyre
inflated through the valve e by means of an ordinary air pump: the air passes
When
through the air chamber c and enters the air tube through the valves d.
the wheel is running, the superincumbent weight compresses the air chamber c
each time said air chamber comes between the rim of the wheel and the ground,
thereby forcing the air that is contained in the air chamber c into the air tube a
through the valves d from whence it is prevented returning by said valves. When
the pressure on the air chamber is released in consequence of the revolution of
the wheel, the nature of the material of which the air chamber c is composed,
causes said air chamber to resume its original shape, and a supply of air is then
drawn in through the valve e. By these means, at each revolution of the wheel,
air is injected into the air tube a through the valves d and a supply is drawn in
through the valve 'e which thereby keeps the air tube constantly fully inflated.
A dust cap f consisting of perforated metal with suitable air filtering material j
is fitted on the valve e to prevent dust being drawn in with air. I do not confine
myself to the precise form of valves shown on the accompanying drawing which
may be varied according to the preference of the user, but,
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
imvention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
1st. In a pneumatic tyre in which is an air tube containing air under pressure,
the combination therewith of a supplementary air chamber of sufficient natural
or artificial elasticity to revert to its original shape after release from pressure,
formed or fitted either within or on the air tube, or between the air tube and the
outer cover, or placed in or forming a part of a tubeless tyre, with one or more
automatic valves for the passage of air from said supplementary air chamber to
the air tube, and an automatic valve for supplying air to the aforesaid supple-
mentary air chamber, substantially as and for the purpose herein before described.
2nd. In pneumatic tyres in which is a tube containing air under pressure, the
combination therewith of a supplementary air chamber forming either a part of
said air tube as Fig. 1 on the accompanying drawing or as an accessory as
represented in Fig. 2, for the purpose and in the manner substantially as herein
before described.
3rd. In combination with a pneumatic tyre the use of an air valve that is
formed or fitted with a perforated dust cap containing air filtering material sub-
stantially as and for the purpose herein before described.
Dated this 19th day of November 1897
THOMAS PRESCOTT
53 Arcade Chambers, St. Mary's Gate Manchester
Agent for the Applicant.