Improvements in Pneumatio Tires.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Dec., 1896-Accepted, 20th Mar., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pneumatio Tires.
I, SAMUEL WALKEY GILLETT, of 17 St. Ann's Square, Manchester, in the
County of Lancaster, Registered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention, which has been communicated to me from abroad by Langley
Claxton, of 63 Paterson Avenue, Paterson, Passaic County, State of New Jersey,
United State of America, Mechanic, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention relates to pneumatic tires for bicycle and other vehicles, and the
object of my improvement is to provide a tire which shall be not only strong and
durable, but also one which cannot be punctured by any object over which the tire
may pass.
My improvement consists essentially in interposing a practically impenetrable
shield between the exterior tread and the interior air chamber of the tire. This
shield is composed of alternate strips of metal and canvas firmly cemented together,
and the parts are so combined that it acts not only as a shield to the air chamber,
but adds to the strength of the tire. The construction of my improved device as
applied to pneumatic tires is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1, is a transverse section of a bicycle tire embodying my invention,
showing my improved shield inserted between the exterior rubber sheathing of the
tire and an interior inflatable tube;
Figure 2, is a transverse section of a bicycle tire embodying my invention,
showing the shield incorporated in the rubber tread of the inflatable tire;
Figures 3 and 9, are perspective views of a portion of the tire shown in Figure 2,
a part of the exterior of the tire being broken away disclosing the shield within ;
in these figures also a portion of the shield is removed to show the arrangement of
the interior parts of said shield;
Figure 4, is a transverse section of one form of the shield on line 4, 4, of
Figure 5, as it appears when inserted in the tire;
Figure 5, is a plan of a portion of the shield shown in Figure 3. In this figure
the shield is represented as flat, that being its form before insertion in the tire, and
the outer canvas covering of the shield is removed showing the metallic strips
beneath;
Figure 6, is a longitudinal section of the shield on the line 6, 6, of
Figure 5;
Figure 7, is a plan view of one of the metallic strips, having its ends sheathed
with shoes or caps;
Figure 8, is a longitudinal section of a metallic strip on the line 8, 8, of
Figure 7;
Figure 10, is a plan of a portion of the shield, the outer sheet of canvas being
removed, and parts of some of the metallic strips in the outer layer, a portion
of the middle sheet of canvas and parts of some of the metallic strips in the
inner layer being broken away to show the arrangement of the several parts of
the shield;
Figure 11, is a transverse section of the shield on the line 11, 11, of
Figure 10;

page_text: A, is the outer shell of the tire; B is the interior air chamber; C, is the
interior inflatable tube; D is the interposed impenetrable shield.
The shield D consists of two layers of separate strips of metal f, preferably of
steel, enclosed between three alternate pieces of canvas k, one piece of canvas being
between the two layers of metallic strips, and one piece being on the outer surface
of each of said layers of metallic strips, as shown in Figure 10, the whole being
firmly fastened together by means of cement to form practically one piece. The
metallic strips f, are thin and about three-eighths of an inch in width and of
sufficient length to span the entire tread of the tire, or somewhat less than half
the transverse circumference of the tire. The metallic strips are arranged parallel
to each other and transversely to the periphery of the wheel and the distance
between the strips is about one half the width of the strip. The two layers of
metallic strips are so placed with reference to each other that the strips in the
outer layer are staggered over those in the inner layer, as shown in Figures 5, 6
and 10.
The ends of the strips', may be covered with caps or shoes, as shown at t, in
Figures 7 and 8, or they may be unsheathed as shown in Figures 9, 10 and 11, or
the strips in the layer and the ends of the former turned up and folded down over
the ends of the latter as shown at h, in Figures 3 and 5, without in any way
affecting the principle of my invention. It is evident in the spaces between the
metallic strips, the outer and inner sheets of canvas come into contact with
the intermediate sheet und when cemented together, as above described, each
metallic strip is inclosed in a pocket, thereby preventing any lateral change in
its position.
Along the ends of the metallic strips f, and in contact with them and enclosed
in the same canvas covering as are said strips, is a silken cord 1, or similar soft
packing, which acts as a cushion or fender between the ends of the strips and the
rubber of the tire.
The component parts of the shield D, constructed as above described, are held
firmly in their respective places, and cannot move or ride upon each other, and the
shield is rendered strong and pliable, presenting an unbroken metallic surface to
any object which may succeed in penetrating the tread of the tire. Not only is
this shield an effective protection to the inner air chamber, but by reason of its
peculiar construction the tire is greatly strengthened, not interfering with its
resiliency or adding materially. to its weight.
The shield D, may be incorporated in the rubber tread of the outer shell of
the tire, as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 9, or it may be inserted between an exterior
shell and an interior inflatable air tube, as shown in Figure 1. In the latter case
the shield is inserted in the tire in the same manner as the inner tube itself is
inserted, or in any other suitable way, and is held in position by the inflated
inner tube.
When the shield D, is incorporated in the rubber of the tread of the tire, or
is inserted between the exterior shell and the interior inflatable tube, the metallic
strips may be given a semi-circular shape to conform them to the curve of the tire;
or the metallic strips being straight, light and yielding will readily adapt themselves
to the curve of the tire, assuming a semi-circular shape, thus making the shield
semi-circular in form.
I am aware that heretofore wire braid and metallic plates have been used in
pneumatic tires to prevent them from being punctured, and I do not therefore,
claim broadly the use of such materials for that purpose.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is,
In a pneumatic tire, the combination of a series of metallic strips interposed
between the interior air-chamber and the tread of the tire, the said strips being
arranged in layers transversely to the tire, the strips of one layer covering the

page_text: joints of the next layer, and a silken or other soft cord arranged along the edges
of said metallic strips but disconnected therefrom whereby it forms a flexible
fender or cushion between the metallic strips and the other parts of the tire,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 21st day of December 1896.
H. B. BARLOW & GILLETT,
Agents for Applicant.