Improvements in and relating to Elastic Tires for Vehicle Wheels.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 23th Dec., 1896-4ccepted, 17th Apr., 1997
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Elastic Tires for Vehicle Wheels.
I, JOSEPH RIDGE, of 39 Lakeside Building, Chicago, County of Cook and State
of Illinois, United States of America, Patent Solicitor, 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:-
The purpose of my invention is to provide a cushioning structure of springs, ás a
tire for vehicle wheels, which embraces, in its features of improvement, provision for
applying the tire to the rim of a vehicle wheel by means of constriction, in which
I use a metallic band adapted to be applied to a wheel rim, as a base for the flexible
portions, whereby the tire may be readily mounted and secured upon the wheel.
I also provide for longitudinal and circumferential yielding or flexibility of the tire
throughout the peripheral portion thereof, whereby the cushion structure may act
radially and thereby obviate fulness at the angles of the chord when the cushion is
flattened or depressed under pressure, as in use. I also provide means for preventing
the spring coils from forceful contact one with another to obviate liability to
fracture.
To prevent rolling or undue side movement of the tire structure I provide a double
alignment of springs, that are reinforced, in the present example, by inner concentric
springs. I also, with other features, provide a supplemental peripheral cushion
structure, all of which are hereinafter fully described and claimed.
With reference to the accompanying drawings which form a part of the
specification,
Fig. 1 is a section of the metallic part of the tire structure, in side élevation.
Fig. 2 is à transverse section of the completed tire.
Fig. 3 is a detail; in plan, showing coiled springs, the outer or upper flexible wiro
structure that unites the springs and fasteners for the saine.
Fig. 4 is a section, in plan, of the lower or base band, showing provision for
securing the coiled springs to said band.
Fig. 5 shows in vertical longitudinal section the base band where its extremities
are coupled together, including à section of wheel rim.
Fig. 6 is a transverse section centrally of Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view in vertical section, on line & Fig. 3.
Fig. 8 is a detail, in vertical section on line y, y, Fig. 3.
Fig. 9 is a detail, in perspective showing the interlocking of the flexible outer
springs connections.
Fig. 10 shows one of the principal springs with its stem or post adjunct.
In reference to the several parts of the structure, A represents the lower band or
base portion of the metallic structure, embracing a rib or raised central part, A,
made of a single piece of sheet metal. I preferably use a strip of metal of suitable
width and having length sufficient to encircle the rim of a wheel, and by means of
rollers or dies form it into the shape, in cross section, shown, and at the same time
give it the curve corresponding to the wheel rim. The latter, in the present example,
is of the kind, ordinarily constructed of wood, in use for other tirés.
As apparent, the band A, is designed to rest in the concave or trough-like outer
surface of the rim, and in the present example, as shown in Fig. 6, its sides extend
outwardly beyond the outer margins of the rim.
On the surface of band A, and adjacent to rib A¹ are provided plates B, that Berve

page_text: as seats for the springs. These plates or seats, B, are respectively a single piece of
sheet metal bent, as apparent, into shape to raise them above the surface of band, A,
and perpendicular to the plane of the wheel and are secured, each, by a rivet b, to
said band, which rivet in conjunction with the angular part of the plate resting
against the rib serves to securely fasten the part.
a¹.
The springs, a, of helical formation, are reinforced by inner concentric springs
The springs a aro secured to the base or band, A, in a manner indicated in Fig. 4.
That is, the end coil of the spring is inserted under the plate B.and made to engage
with rivet b, by encircling the latter.. The springs a are arranged in double alignment,
one on either side of rib A¹ and preferably alternate in their succession around the
structure. The more substantial portion of the tread is constructed of wire in such
manner as to permit the desired longitudinal or circumferential Bexibility. To this
end the wire of which the lateral portions are lettered is in 'two parts.and is formed
with transverse loops 6 and 63, shown in detail in Fig. 9. On spring a is provided a
stem portion a", the primary purpose whoreof is hereinafter set forth.
At the upper
or outer portion of the stem all and parallel to the top of spring a is provided an
angular formation a adapted theroby as a means for joining the flexible top
structure.
A's shown, the loops and b³ are of such formation as to engage with the angular
formation a of stema and at the same time interlock one with the other, a wider
loop with a curved inner terminal from one side, alternately engaging with a narrower
one having an angular termination. from the opposite, side. The method employed
in this example of securing the flexible, wire structure to the spring ends, as shown in
detail in Fig. 7, is the employment of a metallic fastener m formed by folding a
strip of sheet metal approximately to a T-shape with the stem portion straight. The
lateral portions having their terminals bent, are inserted into the end coil of the spring
and turned or screwed into a firm position between coils leaving the stem, axial in.
position and adapted to receive the loops 6 and 6 respectively... The ends of the
steun portion are then turned down, as shown,. to secure. the loop. At the inter-
locking connection of the two divisions, at a, a similar fastener m is used, which is
inserted up through the curved hook of 62 and the stem spread around the uppor
or outer branches of said loop, as shown in Fig. 8.
To obtain convexity that gives symmetry to the tire and also to provide cushioning
action supplementary to that of the principal, springs, I employ curved plates 6 of
thin spring metal, arranged transversely, the, pendent ends or sides whereof; clasp, the
lateral portions of the wire structure. By this means the plates, are held in
position, yet free to spread or flatten, thereby permitting the desired flexion of the
plate. The series of plates 6, throughout their circumferential extent, are connected
one with another by springs which, serve to make; a. longitudinally elastic belt of
this part of the tire structure. The primary purpose of rib Al is to arrest the action
of the principal springs in the direction of compression and thereby, prevent such
impact of one coil upon another as, might result in fracture. To this end the depth
of the rib is such that the wire top structure comes in contact with, it before the
springs a are completely depressed. Another object in providing the rib is, that in
such construction of the band A, rigidity is imparted by the central, fold, thus
permitting the use of metal lighter in weight.than could otherwise be used. Another
purpose is, that in conjunction with the stem, adjuncts a" of the springs, it serves to
prevent rolling or undue
undue lateral movement, of the upper or outer, part of the tire
structure.
As shown, stem a" has its lower or inner end inserted through an aperture.in, the
top of the rib to occupy a position between the walls of the latter, and is free to play.
back and forth in line with the springs. The end of the stem, as shown, is angular.to
prevent accidental withdrawal, being inserted by flexing the stom. It is evident
that the stem a", may be of suitable length to come in contact with the rim, or
band' A, before the coils of the springs are entirely closed, and thus assist rib Aor,
in the omission of the latter, prevent.or moderate impact of coils.
1.
As hereinbefore related, the band A is preferably made a continuous part sufficient
"

page_text: in length to encircle the wheel rim and rest in the concavity of the latter. Means of
sécuring the tire to the rim and at the same time preserve the desirable feature of
separableness of the two, before referred to,, may be varied. A construction that
provides for constriction of the tire is the means I employ in this example. The
mechanism for this purpose is shown in Figures 5 and 6. The part D in those figures.
represents a section of wood rim. An especially adapted form of turn-buckle is used to,
bring the two ends of band A, together, in which each end of the latter is provided with
lags,.e, secured, to rib A' by shanks extending into the space within the .rib. and
secured by rivets, as apparent, one lug being scrow-threaded and the other smooth in
its aperture. A screw bolt el, threaded at one end and smooth at the other, serves,in
constriction or relaxation, whereby the tire may be readily drawn over the edge of.
the rim into place and tightened into firmness in position. To permit manipulation
of the screw e when in position on the rim, a central enlargement.e, is provided.
having radial openings to perunit the introduction of a pin or key. The bottom of the
rim, as shown, is excavated for the accominodation of the screw and lugs and is.
suitably perforated 'through, to give access to the screw enlargement from beneath
the circle of the rim.
To enclose the metallic parts of the tire and preserve the longitudinally elastic.
character of the structure, as shown in Figure 2, a covering of shoe elastic i, as an
element of softness, is first drawn over, and a complete covering, of elastic, rubber,
laced, together at is then applied. Either or both, the shoe elastic and rubber
casing should be drawn on with considerable tension to produce the best result in
preventing elongation of the chord, or depression on the ground. Both, shoe
elastic and rubber casing, are not essential but in omitting one, the rubber is
preferably retained.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the. samne is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. In a tire, the combination of a succession or series of coiled springs having their
lines of flexion or longitudinal axes radial and adjustably operating connections that
so unite said springs at their outer ends as to permit lengthening or shortening of the
peripheral circumference of said tire.
2. In a tire, the combination of a series of radially flexing coiled springs,
connections which so unite said springs at their outer ends that automatic shortening
of the circumferential extent of the peripheral surface of the tire may occur under
compression, and an inclosing casing or covering of rubber or other elastic
material.
3. In a spring tire, the combination with the rim of a vehicle wheel, of a series of
helical springs externally of said rim, in double alignment, or staggered, and a
peripheral structure that adjustably connects one spring with another longitudinally
of the series, at their outer ends.
4. In a spring tire, the combination with the rim of a vehicle wheel, of a series of
helical springs externally of said rim, in double alignment, or staggered, a series of
supplemental helical springs respectively concentric with the primary springs,
and a peripheral structure that connects one spring with another of the succession at
their outer ends.
5. As a new article of manufacture, in a spring tire, the combination of a base band
that will encircle the rim of a wheel concave in cross section and adapted to rest in
a hollow or trough-like rim, a series of onter arched flexible plates, a spring structure
interposed between the said band and the said arched plates, a covering of elastic
material, and readily accessible means for constricting or removably securing the
structure thus formed, upon a wheel rim, the whole constituting an annular cylindrical
cushioning structure adapted to the purpose set forth.
6. In a tire for vehicles, tho combination of a band in one or more parts, adapted to
encircle a wheel rim, a double alignment of springs secured at their inner portions to
the band, a raised portion or rib connected with said band, that is intermediate

page_text: of the spring rows, and a tread portion or band that connects said springs at their
outer ends.
7. In a spring tire, the combination of a band to oncircle the rim of a wheel, a rib
or central raised portion of, or on said band, a series of radially arranged helical
springs and extensions-joined with said springs that are so connected with the rib or
raised part of the band' as to permit of spring compression and at the same time
restrain "rolling" or undue lateral flexion of the spring structure.
8: In a spring tire, the combination of a lower band to encircle the rim of a wheel,
a series of springs mounted upon and surrounding said band and joined one to
another at their outer ends, and a series of arched flexible plates mounted upon
said springs.
9. In a tire for vehicles, in combination with an inner or supporting band, a
metallic spring structure, an outer structure of wire loops, metallic fasteners adapted
to be entered into the spring coils, and a portion of said fasteners suited for insertion
through the wire loops aforesaid and bent down to secure the parts of the structure,
substantially as shown and set forth.
10. In a tire, the combination with a lower or base band, and a series of helical
springs, of a series of arched transverse plates that are flexibly joined one with
another to form a circumferentially extensible and contractible band.
11. In a tire, the combination of a concave inner band, a central rib, plates on either
side of said rib as seats for springs, and a series of radially arranged helical springs in
double alignment.
1
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
JOSEPH RIDGE.
.45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.