Improvements in Tyres for Velocipedes and other Carriages.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Oct., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Aug., 1892-Accepted. 17th Sept., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tyres for Velocipedes and other Carriages.
I PHILIP LOUIS RENOUF Manager to Messrs. Humber & Co. Ld. of Coventry
in the County of Warwick, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
"
The object of this invention is to construct inflated or so-called "pneumatic
tyres for velocipedes or carriage wheels in such a manner to render them easily
attachable without the employ of indiarubber solution, lacing, wiring bandaging or
similar devices, though such devices may be added for additional security; further
to render them easily detachable, to avoid the too sudden lateral deflection of the
inner or air-chamber at the points where it is no longer supported laterally by the
rim, and cause the section of the air hole to change gradually from a true circle to
an oval, when under varying pressure. Also to provide a flattened base which will
obviate a tendency to roll in the rim and will diminish the unadvantageous elasticity
of such tyres when subjected to lateral pressure. For this purpose I employ a rim
with a flat or nearly flat outer surface instead of the deep concave rim in ordinary
use; the edges of this rim are turned upwards to a slight extent or may be rolled
or drawn into a bead. Where the inflated tyre is of the "single tube"
type in
which the tyre and canvas or equivalent restraining material are moulded in one
piece, the tyre is provided with the usual cylindrical hole or air chamber and the
bottom of the tyre is shaped so as to fit the rim accurately; the tyre, on being
inflated will tightly fill out and embrace the rim, and having a flat or nearly flat
bottom will resist lateral pressure more effectually than the usual round bottomed
tyre and will thus material improve the steady running of the vehicle whilst being
less liable to being rolled or pushed out of the rim.
When the tyre is of the double tube type, composed of an inner air chamber and
a protecting outer covering of indiarubber or similar substance, similar rims are
used; the outer cover is open at the bottom, but so shaped that when in its proper
position the interior section forms a perfect circle to be filled up by the air chamber,
and the bottom exactly fits the rim. In some cases the cover is edged with one or
two or even three canvas flaps. The inner tube is moulded with a fibrous restraining
substance or else covered by a bag in such a way that it cannot elongate when
inflated; it is laid into the rim and covered with the outer cover; the edges of the
latter are brought together where they form their flaps, they are made to overlap
or to interlock. It will be readily understood that the inner tube on being inflated
will cause the outer tube to assume its proper position and force the lower edges or
beads of the rim and accommodate themselves to the shape of the latter, the parts
of the outer tube that lie between the lower part of the inner tube and the outer
part of the rim will be firmly compressed and pinched by these parts. Where the
edges of the outer tube overlap or where they interlock a rim of the usual concave
section may be used. It is usual for the rim and the air chamber to approximately
correspond so that that part of the air chamber which lies below the edges of the
rim never alters its shape when the tyre is in use; and the part of the air chamber
just above the rim comes into immediate and sudden action; but in these cases I
prefer to interpose a considerable body or "cushion" of rubber between the inner
chamber and the upturned edge of the rim; so that the deflection of the sides of the
air chamber when under varying pressure is graduated and greater efficiency as
well as diminution of danger obtained. In some cases however instead of turning
up the edges of the rim, the top of the rim may be made perfectly flat or nearly
flat, and the tyre provided with two edges projecting inwardly and covering the
edges of the rim, thereby allowing the whole of the air chamber to exert its elastic

page_text: influence when in contact with the road, whilst a firm and stable base is provided
for the tyre. The same object is obtained by fluting the rim and the bottom of the
tyre which can be either of the single tube type, or of the double tube type, the
flutes of the rim in the latter case keeping the edges of the cover together whilst
greatly strengthening the rim. The rim may in this case have a plain surface,
covered with corrugated rubber, leather, wood or similar substance.
In some cases the rim is perforated and the tyre or the outer cover provided with
small studs to fit these perforations or the rim may be provided with studs and the
tyre with corresponding indentures. Where the rim is flat topped with no lateral
projections, the inner hole of the tyre may be brought nearer the centre of the wheel
so as to flatten the bottom of the hole so as to correspond to the top of the rim.
These devices may be modified so as to admit of two or more air chambers being
used. In each case the tyre is immediately detachable by deflation of the air
chamber or air chambers.
Dated this 30th day of September 1891.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tyres for Velocipedes and other Carriages.
I PHILIP LOUIS RENOUF Manager to Messrs. Humber & Co. Ltd. of Coventry
in the County of Warwick 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 object of this invention is to construct inflated or so-called "pneumatic
tyres for velocipedes or carriage wheels in such a manner as to render them
easily attachable without the use of india-rubber solution, lacing, wiring, bandaging,
or similar devices, (though such devices may sometimes be added for additional
security); further to render them easily detachable; to avoid the too sudden
lateral deflection of the inner or air-chamber at the points where it is no longer
supported laterally by the rim, and cause the section of the air-hole to change
gradually from a true circle to an oval when under varying pressure from the
road.
The inner hole or air chamber, when in a normal state and not subjected to
external pressure, is quite round in section, and the canvas or other fibrous
restraining material is so constructed and proportioned that the inflation of the
tyre, when in position, makes the tyre a perfect fit on the rim.
I sometimes employ tyres of the double tube type and sometimes of the single
tube type.
In the former case the outer covering of the tyre is sometimes wrapped round
the inner tube, the edges overlapping on the inner circumference to such an
extent that they are kept firmly in position on the rim by the pressure of the
inner tube towards the rim, these edges are preferably formed out of canvas or
are strengthened by canvas and so shaped that they interlock.
In other cases, whether the tyre be of the single or of the double tube type,
adhesion to the rim is secured by the variation of the rim and that part of the
tyre which is in contact with it from a purely cylindrical section, the arc of
the surfaces being broken by grooves, corrugations, indentations or perforations.
Referring to the drawings, which shew sections of pneumatic tyres, Figs. 3 and 4
shew the outer covers only; to be used with separate air-chambers; on all tyres
where a separate air-chamber is required, this latter may be of pure rubber surrounded
by a canvas bag, or may be of the "insertion" variety, in which the rubber and
canvas are vulcanised together.
Fig. 1. shews a tyre composed of an inner chamber A, surrounded by a canvas
cover B to prevent elongation, and an outer cover C; the edges of the latter overlap
to so considerable an extent that, when the air-chamber is duly inflated, they are

page_text: pressed tightly against the rim D and cannot be removed by the pressure a cycle
tyre is subjected to in ordinary use.
Fig. 2 shews a similar tyre, the edges being moulded or otherwise shaped so as
to interlock.
Fig. 3. represents an outer cover in which the edges butt together, but are
furnished with the canvas flap L moulded or solutioned to the inner side of one edge
and the canvas flap M moulded or solutioned to the outer side of the other edge;
if the air-chamber be laid inside this cover and the whole tyre imbedded in an
ordinary rim, it will be evident that flap L will be pressed by the air-chamber
against the inner side of the cover, and flap M will be nipped or pinched between
the outer part of the cover and the rim, thereby securing the tyre to the rim.
Fig. 4. represents a cover to be fixed in a somewhat similar manner, the tongue O
being inserted between the flaps P and Q before the air-chamber is inflated.
In Fig. 5. the centre of the rim is grooved, and the edges of cover C shaped to
fit the groove and firmly butt against one another.
The rim D in Fig. 6. is comparatively flat but has the edges rolled into beads or
otherwise turned up; the edges of cover C are shaped to suit the rim.
In Fig. 7. the surface of rim D is corrugated longitudinally and the corresponding
parts of the cover (which is split along the centre) shaped to fit these corrugations;
by these means, though nearly the whole of the tyre is available for pneumatic
action a great amount of surface is obtainable for the purpose of securing adhesion
to the rim.
Fig. 8. shews the same tyre fitted to an ordinary concave rim, E, a strip of
leather, rubber, or other material, furnished with the longitudinal corrugations, is
riveted or otherwise secured to the rim.
In Fig. 9. the rim is provided with a series of pairs of depressions, or holes; and
outer cover C furnished with a corresponding number of pairs of studs or pro-
jections R. S. fitting into the said holes or indentations.
In Figs. 10 and 11. the rim is similar to the preceding but the studs R. S. are of
metal or other hard substance: they are fixed firmly into the tyre directly on to a
layer of canvas solutioned to the tyre; and are furnished with small heads: the
holes in the rim just admit the insortion of these heads; when the tyre is inflated
the studs will tend to get slightly further apart, the heads of the studs will
then lodge under the rim and it will be impossible to detach the tyre without
deflating it.
Now I am aware that tyre covers have been fastened to rims by being hooked over
the edges of rims provided with studs, but in these cases the inflation of the inner
tube subjected the outer cover to enormous tension and strained the holes and the
studs or hooks, besides interfering with the true pneumatic action and the rotundity
of the tyre one part of which would be separated from the other by the inter-
vention of the rim; also that studs and plates have been used as adjuncts in
combination with flaps or other fastening devices: but in my invention the studs.
only, as described, with assistance of the inflation will secure the tyre, and the outer
cover is put in compression or nipped by the pressure of the air-chamber towards
the rim.
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature of my invention and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :—
1. The combination of an air chamber so constructed as to tighten on the rim,
with an outer cover the overlapping edges of which are compressed and interlocked
between the air-chamber and the rim as illustrated in Figs. 1-4. in the manner and
for the purpose described.
2. The combination of a grooved rim D and a corresponding outer cover C as
illustrated in Fig. 5.
3. The combination of rim D and outer cover C in Fig. 6. of the shape and for the
purpose described.

page_text: 4. The combination of corrugated rim D in Fig. 7. with a pneumatic tyre having
its inner circumference corrugated in the manner and for the purpose described.
5. The combination of the corrugated strip E in Fig. 8. with the rim D and the
corrugated surface of a pneumatic tyre for the purpose described.
6. The pneumatic tyre C Fig. 9. provided with a series of projections such as R 5
and S to fit a suitable rim D.
7. The outer cover C Fig. 10. is provided with series of projections and studs, to
be pressed into corresponding holes in rim D and to be kept in position by the
inflation of an inner chamber A.
8. The single tube pneumatic tyre provided with series of studs as illustrated in 1
Fig. 11 and in the manner and for the purpose described.
Dated this 1st day of August 1892.
PHILIP LOUIS RENOUF.