Improvements in and relating to Wheel Tires.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Jan., 1898-Accepted, 12th Mar., 1898
Improvements in and relating to Wheel Tires.
A communication by THOMAS HENRY GRIGG, of No. 3838 Baring Street, in the
City and County of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, United States
of America, Cabinet Maker.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both
in the County of Lancaster 118, New Street, Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, and 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, 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:
1
The object of the invention is to provide a wheel tire possessing the essential
advantages of a pneumatic tire, yet avoiding the objectionable features incident
thereto; and to this end the invention, as generally stated, consists in the com-
bination with a wheel, of a rigid tire thereon, and an interposed elastic connection,
which preferably, though not essentially, comprises a laterally-secured rubber ring
or diaphragm encircling the felly of the wheel in such manner that the load upon
the wheel is equally borne and distributed throughout the connection so as to secure
a uniform and effective cushioning action during the running of the wheel.
The invention also comprises various novel features of construction whereby
advantages are gained, as will hereinafter appear.
In the annexed drawings
Figure 1 is a transverse section through the improved tire as applied to the felly
of a wheel.
Figure 2 is a vertical section, as on the line x-x of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is an elevation of one of the clamp-rings.
A represents a wheel-felly preferably elliptical, or substantially so, in cross-
section. To this felly the tire B is applied, the same being indicated, in this
instance, as constructed of superposed layers of wood, or other suitable material,
built or shaped into U-form in cross-section, similarly to an arch (in contra-
distinction to bending), so as to possess the requisite strength and rigidity. The
inner or open side of the tire is covered throughout by a ring or diaphragm C, of
comparatively thin rubber, or elastic fabric, whose lateral edges are clamped or
otherwise firmly held against the opposing edges of the tire. In the present
instance wire clamping rings c are employed for this purpose, the meeting ends of
each ring being equipped with a turn-buckle c', whereby the ring may be expanded
to clamp, or contracted to release, the edge of the diaphragm, as desired. The
felly A is peripherally secured to the face of the diaphragm so as thereby to be
yieldingly connected with the tire. By preference the felly is secured to the
diaphragm by means of an expansible and contractible clamp-ring D which
encircles the latter, such ring being provided with a turn-buckle d similarly to the
rings c above mentioned. The central and lateral bearing surfaces of the
diaphragm are reinforced to strengthen them at these places.

page_text: From the above described construction, it will be obvious that during the rotation
of the wheel, the load thereon is equally distributed throughout the diaphragm
and that thereby a uniform cushioning effect is secured; that the wheel is capable
of more or less lateral movement in respect to the tire owing to the elasticity of the
diaphragm, and that thereby is materially reduced the effect of shocks incident to
riding upon rough roads; and further that by reason of the peculiar bodily-
yielding action of the wheel in respect to its tire, considerable initial force with
comparatively little energy by the rider may be exerted upon the pedals.
The improved tire requires no inflation with air, thus obviating the otherwise
liability of its being punctured; and there is no tendency of the tire to rebound
upon its striking stones and similar obstructions in its path, but it will, on the
other hand, ride directly over the same without shock to the rider.
Although it may be remarked that the described tire is designed more especially
for use in connection with bicycles and analogous vehicles, yet obviously it may be
applied to vehicle wheels generally; and further while the tire has herein been
shown and described in its preferred form, the invention is not confined to that
particular construction, as obviously the invention may be considerably modified
without departing from the fair spirit of the invention; thus, for example, the
construction of the felly and tire may be reversed, that is, the felly may be hollow,
the tire solid, and the diaphragm laterally secured to the felly and centrally to
the tire. In the light of the invention other modifications will suggest them-
selves to the mechanic.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. The combination of the felly, the rigid tire, and a transversely and longi-
tudinally elastic web or band interposed between and secured to said felly and tire
so as to provide a yielding connection throughout the periphery of the felly, the
said web or band being secured along its lateral edges to one of said parts, and,
intermediate said edges, to the other part, substantially as described.
2. The combination of the felly, the rigid tire U-shaped in cross-section, and
a transversely and longitudinal-elastic connection between said felly and the sides
of the tire, substantially as described.
3. The combination of the felly, the tire U-shaped in cross-section, the dia-
phragm covering the inner open side of said tire, the clamp rings securing the
lateral edges of said diaphragm to the opposing edges of the tire, and the central
clamp-ring securing said diaphragm to the felly, substantially as described.
4. The described tire constructed of superposed layers of material built or shaped
into U-form in cross-section, in contra-distinction to bending, and means for
yieldingly securing said tire to the felly of a wheel.
5. The described tire constructed of superposed layers of material built or shaped
into U-form in cross-section, a diaphragm of rubber or elastic fabric on the inner
open side of said tire, and means for securing said diaphragm to the felly of a
⚫ wheel.
Dated this 2nd der of January 1898