Improvements in Elastic Tires for Wheels.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Dec., 1897-Accepted, 19th Feb., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Elastic Tires for Wheels.
I, EDWARD JAMES CHAMBERS, residing at 172, Waterloo Street, Woodstock, in
the County of Oxford, and Province of Ontario, Canada, Blacksmith, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
The object of this invention is to provide the felloe of a wheel with a tire, con-
sisting of a plurality of independent abutting sections of spring metal; to detach-
ably connect the tire sections to the felloe in such a manner that their lateral and
longitudinal displacement will be entirely prevented; and to cover the joint
between the tire sections with shields of spring metal, adapted to embrace the sides
of the tire sections; and the invention consists essentially of providing the felloe
with a central radial flange, to the perimeter of which is fitted a buffer concentric
with the felloe and equally overhanging each side of the flange, a series of inde-
pendent abutting sections of spring metal fitted to the felloe, and held in position
by the compression of their opposite meeting edges against the sides of the radial
flange, a plurality of independent shields of spring metal, arranged to cover the
joints between the tire sections, held in position by the compression of their opposite
meeting edges against the spring sections, and an outer covering of rubber or other
suitable material to encase the tire sections and shields; the whole device being
hereinafter set forth and more particularly pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings:-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a section of a wheel, felloe and tire:
Figure 2 is a similar view without the shields:
:
Figure 3 represents a cross section on the lines a, a, Figure 1:
Figure 4 is a similar view on the lines b, b, Figure 1:
Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the joint protecting shields ;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the tire sections:
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a section of the felloe with the fabric or rubber
apron for protecting the ends of the tire section.
Like letters of reference refer to like parts throughout the specification and
drawings.
A represents the felloe, the perimeter a of which is preferably concaved; B repre-
sents a flange extending radially from the middle of the perimeter a. The flange B
may be of any suitable depth and width, but it is preferable to have it from one-half
to five-eighths of an inch in depth and three-eighths of an inch in width. Whilst
it is preferable when possible to make the flange B integral with the felloe A, it is
not desired to confine the invention to this construction as the flange B may be
made separate from the felloe A, and secured to it by glue, screws, or other fastening
mediums.
C represents an apron of rubber or fabric material connected to the felloe A, and
projecting beyond each side of the flange B. When the flange is separably formed
:

page_text: from the felloe the apron C is placed on the rim and bound between the rim and
the flange, the edges of the apron in this case projecting equally beyond both sides
of the flange.
D represents a buffer connected to the perimeter of the flange B and concentric
with the perimeter of the felloe A. The buffer D projects evenly beyond each side
of the flange B, and has its perimeter convexed to meet the under side of the two
sections when depressed, whilst its edges are preferably opposed to the edges of the
felloe A. This arrangement of the buffer and felloc forms a channel at each side
of the tire concentric with the perimeter of the felloe.
F, F represent the tire sections which are preferably made of tempered spring
metal. Each tire section F is substantially circular in cross section, and has its
ends f, f, curled, as shown in the drawings, to provide a rounded gripping surface
for the opposite meeting edges of the tire sections when in position. The ends f, f
are so rounded as to form an annular channel at each side of the tire sections when
assembled to receive the edges of the apron C when pressed therein, as shown
in Figure 1 of the drawings. When the tyre sections F, F are being
assembled to form the tire, the ends ff of each tire section are
expanded to permit of the tire section being sprung over the buffer D,
and to allow of the longitudinal adjustment of the tire sections when
being moved into an abutting position against the edge of the next adjacent tire
section. When the tire sections have been relieved of the expanding force the
ends f, spring together and tightly embrace the sides of the flange B, which
embrace will prevent their separation from the felloe under ordinary conditions.
When the tire sections have been assembled, the edges of the adjacent tire sections
will abut and this abutment of the edges will prevent their longitudinal displace-
ment. When the tire sections are in position they will form a substantially tubular
ning securely and detachably fastened to the felloe. The buffer D prevents the lateral
displacement of the tire sections, causes the accurate return of the tire sections to
their normal position after being flattened by the weight of the load upon the wheel,
and minimizes the liability of breakage of the tire sections. The edges of the apron,
being folded or pressed into the channel formed by the curled ends of the tire
sections, protect them against rust and other injury resulting from the action of
moisture or dampness.
The tire sections F, F are encased by a covering of rubber or other flexible
material, and it is found advisable to protect the joints between the tire sections
by shields G, G of spring metal. These shields are of a slightly greater diameter
than the diameter of the tire sections F, F. Each shield G embraces two adjacent
tire sections F, F and covers the joint between them. The opposite meeting edges
of each shield G are folded back upon the body of the shield, as shown in Figures 3
and 5 of the drawings, and the inner side of each shield G is provided with a
clip H, which overlaps the inner face of two adjacent sections F, F and prevents
the displacement of the shield G.
To encase the tire sections and shields a covering I of rubber or other suitable
material is used. This cover, when in position, with the aid of the felloe, tightly
encloses the several parts of the tire, and is (preferably) secured in place by
stitches J passed through suitable openings K in the flange B. Although the
covering I is shewn in the drawings to be sewn or stitched to the felloe, it is not
advisable to confine the invention to this method of securing the covering in posi-
tion, as it is possible to use other means whereby it may be fastened to the felloe,
such as fitting each edge of the felloe with an annular groove, and providing the
edges of the covering with a continuous wire adapted to spring into the grooves
of the felloe when the covering is fitted in place. Other means, such as cementing
the covering to the felloe, may be employed.
A tire constructed on this principle will have the strength and durability of an
ordinary metallic tire, and all the advantages and properties of a pneumatic tire.
As it is possible to dispense with the metallic shields I do not confine myself
to their use in the tire.

page_text: 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 a wheel the combination of a felloe, having a central flange projecting
radially from its perimeter, and a tire consisting of a plurality of independent
annular sections held in position by the compression of their opposite meeting edges
against the sides of the radial flange, substantially as specified.
2. In a wheel the combination of a felloe, having a central flange projecting
radially from its perimeter, and a tire consisting of a plurality of independent
annular sections held in position by the compression of their opposite meeting edges
against the sides of the radial flange, an apron connected to the felloe extending
beyond the sides of the flange to protect the opposite meeting edges of the tire
sections, substantially as specified.
3. In a wheel the combination of a felloe, having a central flange projecting
radially from its perimeter, a tire consisting of a plurality of independent annular
sections held in position by the compression of their opposite meeting edges against
the sides of the radial flange, an apron connected to the felloe extending beyond the
sides of the flange to protect the opposite meeting edges of the tire sections, and
a tubular cover to enclose the tire sections, apron, and flange, substantially as
specified.
4. In a wheel the combination of a felloe, having a central flange projecting
radially from its perimeter, a tire consisting of a plurality of independent annular
sections held in position by the compression of their opposite meeting edges against
the sides of the radial flange, and a buffer connected to the perimeter of the flange
and overhanging its sides to assist in preventing the displacement of the tire sec-
tions, and to assist in protecting them against breakage by compression, substantially
as specified.
5. In a wheel the combination of a felloe, having a central flange projecting
radially from its perimeter, a tire consisting of a plurality of independent annular
sections held in position by the compression of their opposite meeting edges against
the sides of the radial flange, an apron connected to the felloe extending beyond
the sides of the flange to protect the opposite meeting edges of the tire sections,
and a buffer connected to the perimeter of the flange and overhanging its sides to
assist in preventing the displacement of the tire sections, and to assist in protecting
them against breakage by compression, substantially as specified.
6. In a wheel the combination of a felloe, having a central flange projecting
radially from its perimeter, a tire consisting of a plurality of independent annular
sections held in position by the compression of their opposite meeting edges against
the sides of the radial flange, an apron connected to the felloe extending beyond
the sides of the flange to protect the opposite meeting edges of the tire sections,
a tubular cover to enclose the tire sections, apron, and flange, and a buffer con-
ected to the perimeter of the flange and overhanging its sides to assist in prevent-
ng the displacement of the tire sections, and to assist in protecting them against
breakage by compression, substantially as specified.
7. In a wheel the combination of a felloe, having a central flange projecting
adially from its perimeter, a tire consisting of a plurality of independent annular
ections held in position by the compression of their opposite meeting edges against
he sides of the radial flange, a plurality of shields to protect the joints of the tire
ections, consisting of a semi-divided annular plate to embrace two adjacent tire
ections, and a clip connected to the inner side of the annular plate to embrace the
aner faces of two adjacent tire sections, substantially as specified.
8. In a wheel the combination of a felloe, having a central flange projecting
adially from its perimeter, a tire consisting of a plurality of independent annular
ections held in position by the compression of their opposite meeting edges against
he sides of the radial flange, an apron connected to the felloe extending beyond
he sides of the flange to protect the opposite meeting edges of the tire sections,
plurality of shields to protect the joints of the tire sections, consisting of a semi-

page_text: divided annular plate to embrace the adjacent tire sections, and a clip connected
to the inner side of the annular plate to embrace the inner faces of two adjacent
tire sections, substantially as specified.
9. In a wheel the combination of a felloe, having a central flange projecting
radially from its perimeter, a tire consisting of a plurality of independent annular
sections held in position by the compression of their opposite meeting edges against
the sides of the radial flange, an apron connected to the felloe extending beyond
the sides of the flange to protect the opposite meeting edges of the tire sections, a
tubular cover to enclose the tire sections, apron, and flange, a plurality of shields
to protect the joints of the tire sections, consisting of a semi-divided annular plate
to embrace the adjacent tire sections, and a clip connected to the inner side of the
annular plate to embrace the inner faces of two adjacent tire sections, substantially
as specified.
10. In a wheel the combination of a felloe, having a central flange projecting
radially from its perimeter, a tire consisting of a plurality of independent annular
sections held in position by the compression of their opposite meeting edges against
the sides of the radial flange, a buffer connected to the perimeter of the flange and
overhanging its sides to assist in preventing the displacement of the tire
sections, and to assist in protecting them against breakage by compression, a
plurality of shields to protect the joints of the tire sections, consisting of
a semi-divided annular plate to embrace the adjacent tire sections, and a clip con-
nected to the inner side of the annular plate to embrace the inner faces of two
adjacent tire sections, substantially as specified.
11. In a wheel the combination of a felloe, having a central flange projecting
radially from its perimeter, a tire consisting of a plurality of independent annular
sections held in position by the compression of their opposite meeting edges against
the sides of the radial flange, an apron connected to the felloe extending beyond
the sides of the flange to protect the opposite meeting edges of the tire sections, a
buffer connected to the perimeter of the flange and overhanging its sides to assist
in preventing the displacement of the tire sections, and to assist in protecting them
against breakage by compression, a plurality of shields to protect the joints of the
tire sections, consisting of a semi-divided annular plate to embrace two adjacent
tire sections, and a clip connected to the inner side of the annular plate to embrace
the inner faces of two adjacent tire sections, substantially as specified.
12. In a wheel the combination of a felloe, having a central flange projecting
radially from its perimeter, a tire consisting of a plurality of independent annular
sections held in position by the compression of their opposite meeting edges against
the sides of the radial flange, an apron connected to the felloe extending beyond
the sides of the flange to protect the opposite meeting edges of the tire sections, a
tubular cover to enclose the tire sections, apron, and flange, and a buffer connected
to the perimeter of the flange and overhanging its sides to assist in preventing
the displacement of the tire sections and to assist in protecting them against
breakage by compression, a plurality of shields to protect the joints of the tire
sections, consisting of a semi-divided annular plate to embrace two adjacent tire
sections, and a clip connected to the inner side of the annular plate to embrace the
inner faces of two adjacent tire sections, substantially as specified..
Dated the 13th day of December 1897
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.