Improvements in Tyres for Cycles, Motor Cars and other Vehicles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 4th June, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 28th Sept., 1897-Accepted, 18th Dec., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tyres for Cycles, Motor Cars and other Vehicles.
I, JAMES SCOTT, of 39 Lombard Street, in the City of London, Engineer do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The invention is intended to obviate the danger and inconvenience caused by
the liability to perforation of the ordinary forms of pneumatic tyres now in use.
when such perforation has occurred these tyres are rendered useless until repaired
by a tedious and troublesome process.
In order to remedy this defect I construct my improved tyre in the following
manner. The steel rim of the wheel is so bent outward that it forms a deep groove
enabling it to grip slightly above their centres (and thus preventing their falling
out) a series of balls (solid or hollow) of about 2 of an inch to 1½ inches in
diameter which balls are placed in the groove either in close contact or at a
slight distance apart surrounding the whole of the exterior diameter of the wheel
so that the wheel when in motion will run on this series of balls. I do not restrict
myself to the use of balls within the grooved rim but may prefer to use air vessels
or separate pieces of solid material of any shape.
If necessary a seat may be sunk in the steel wheel rim to hold the balls or other
shaped material in place or I may prefer to make partitions for this purpose.
At one or more parts I make an opening in the steel wheel rim for the purpose
of inserting the balls air vessels or other shaped material into the groove or for
taking these out when requiring to be replaced. An arrangement is provided to
close this opening.
I make the balls or other shaped air vessels above mentioned of india rubber
canvas or any material capable of holding air and these may be inflated with air
or any gas under pressure if required or I may prefer to use balls or other shaped
pieces in a solid form made of cork, wood, compressed paper or any other material
having sufficient elasticity for my purpose.
If necessary I cover these balls vessels or other shaped material with india
rubber canvas (plain or waterproofed) or any other substance or I coat them with
any protective composition which may seem advisable. If preferred I protect the
whole of the exterior surface of the wheel by a band of canvas, india rubber or
other suitable material to be fastened between the exterior lips of the wheel rim
or in any other convenient manner.
Dated this third day of Tax 1907
Improvements in Tyres for Cycles Motor Cars and other Vehicles.
I, JAMES SCOTT, of 39 Lombard Street, in the City of London, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
[Price Sd.]

page_text: performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This invention for improvements in tires for cycles, motor cars and other
vehicles has for its object to obviate the danger and inconvenience arising from
the liability to puncture of the ordinary forms of pneumatic tires which, when
punctured, are rendered useless until repaired, the repairing process being both
tedious and troublesome; and consists essentially in forming the rim of a wheel
hollow or with a circumferential channel or groove and securing therein hollow
balls of resilient material.
In the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings: Fig. 1 is a sectional eleva-
tion of a segment of a wheel rim and tire constructed according to this invention,
Figs. 2 and 3 are right and inverted plans respectively, and Fig. 4 a vertical
cross section of the same. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of a modified arrange-
ment of tire and Fig. 6 is a vertical cross section of the same.
Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive a metal rim a is bent to form a cir-
cumferential channel or groove in which hollow spherical balls bare placed and
maintained at suitable distances apart by means of small bolts c and nuts d as
shown. The cross section of the said circumferential channel is circular having
a depth slightly in excess of its radius whereby the edges e are slightly inset and
clip the balls when inserted so as to prevent their falling out, the said edges being
also bent or bevelled outwardly to prevent them from cutting the surfaces of tho
balls.
In order to further secure the balls bin position, and to prevent the collection
of dirt and moisture in the ball channel, a band f of metallic, flexible or elastic
material, having holes corresponding to the balls, is wrapped round the periphery
of the rim so that each ball fits in and projects through its corresponding hole,
thereby ensuring a tight and flexible joint, while the free edges of the band are
turned backwards over the sides of the rim and secured together by laces g.
Obviously the band f might be secured to the rim a by hooks and eyes, cement
or other known fastening device.
The balls are perforated by holes h to permit of the free entry and exit of air.
Referring to the modified arrangement shown in Figs. 5 and 6: The rim a
is tubular, of suitable cross section, and has holes in its periphery through which
the hollow balls b are inserted so as to leave a part projecting outside to form the
tread of the tire as shown.
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 tires for cycles, motor cars, and other vehicles, the combination of a
wheel rim formed with a circumferential channel, with hollow balls of resilient
material placed in and held by the said channel substantially as described.
2. In tires for cycles, motor cars, and other vehicles, the combination of a
wheel rim formed with a circumferential channel, hollow balls of resilient material
placed in and held by the said channel, and screws and nuts for securing the
balls in position in the rim substantially as described.
3. In tires for cycles, motor cars and other vehicles, the combination of a wheel
rim formed with a circumferential channel, hollow balls of resilient material
placed in and held by the said channel, and a perforated band secured to the
said rim and securing the spheres in position substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
4. In tires for cycles, motor cars, and other vehicles, the combination of a
wheel rim formed with a circumferential channel, hollow balls of resilient
material placed in and held by the said channel, screws and nuts for securing the
balls in position in the rim, and a perforated band secured to the rim substantially
as described.

page_text: 5. The arrangement and construction of tires for cycles, motor cars and the
like, substantially as described and shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive.
6. In tires for cycles, motor cars, and other vehicles, the combination of a
hollow wheel rim with hollow balls of resilient material substantially as described
and shown in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings.
Dated this 28th. day of September 1897
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.