Improvements in Tyres for the Wheels of. Bicycles, Tricycles, and other Vehicles.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Mar., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 1st Dec., 1893-Accepted, 6th Jan., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tyres for the Wheels of. Bicycles, Tricycles, and
other Vehicles.
I, WILLIAM BORTHWICK SMITH, of 139, Cannon Street, in the City of
London, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to the wheel tyres of velocipedes of all kinds, and other
carriages, and more especially to pneumatic or inflated wheel tyres in the construc-
tion of which it is important that provision should be made to prevent the puncture
of the tyre.
In order to put my invention in operation I form the pneumatic tyre of the
wheel with a separate internal air tube and with an outer protecting cover which is
made so as to be readily detachable from the metal rim of the wheel when the air
tube is deflated but is firmly held to the said rim when the inner tube is inflated
with air or gas under pressure.
The air tube is made preferably of closely woven silk and may be either in one
straight length the ends of which are joined together by cement, or in any suitable
manner or it may be a circular tube with a continuous air chamber; this air tube
is dressed with a substance impervious to air such as methylated collodion, or
pliable varnish or a solution of mastic or gutta percha, and sometimes whether
otherwise dressed or not the air tube is lined inside or coated outside, with india
rubber and it is fitted with a valve and connection for inflating it in the usual
way.
Air tubes so formed are contained in an outer casing, and are made of such size
that they are not subject to any tension when inflated with air or gas under
pressure.
The protecting covering tyre which envelopes the air tube is formed with an
outer sheathing of vulcanized india rubber having underneath it, for about the
width of the usual ground tread, or the part of the tyre which touches the ground
when running, a layer of hard rubber, vulcanite, or other suitable substance, and
also two or more folds or layers of canvas or other suitable material which I make
of the full width of the covering tyre the layer of hard rubber, vulcanite, or other
such material forming a band, either continuous or interrupted, round the tyre
between the outer sheathing and the canvas.
I attach the inner folds or layers of canvas to each other at their edges only for
a sufficient width, their remaining central parts opposite to the tread of the tyre
being left separate. Sometimes I use a layer or coating of resin or resinous
substance applied between two layers of canvas to the full width of the ground
tread of the tyre, or the canvas layers themselves may be impregnated with resin,
so as to afford better resistance against puncture.
The edges of the covering tyre which embrace the inner air tube, and fit into a
recess in the metal tyre, are formed in the following way :-
The cover is fitted completely round the inner air tube, and its two longitudinal
inner edges meet one another for the complete circumference of the wheel. Below

page_text: .
their junction they have projections upon them which (in cross section) project
downward, and their lower or inner edges are also extended laterally so that when
fitted together they form a wedge shaped section the lower part of which is the
widest, and this wedge shaped section fits into a corresponding recess formed in the
bottom of the metal tyre and completely round the latter. The line of junction of
the two edges of the projections upon the covering tyre which form the wedge
shaped section as described is not radial, but its lower end is inclined to the right
or left, so that the line of section is parallel, or nearly so, with one of the sides of
the recess in the metal tyre.
By this arrangement, the cover can be quickly and easily removed and replaced
when required, the edge which has its inner side parallel with the side of the recess
being introduced after the other edge has been fitted into its place. When both
are in place they are perfectly firm and secure. The bottom of the recess in the
metal tyre being flat (in cross section) the arms or spokes of the wheels can be
more readily and securely attached to it than when it is curved as is usually the
case. A sufficient number of small perforations passing through the sides of the
recess in the metal tyre may be used to prevent what is known as "creeping," or a
slow longitudinal movement of the tyre round the wheel.
.
In a somewhat modified method of construction, I make the inner edges of the
covering tyre of uniform thickness where they meet each other at the centre of
the metal tyre of the wheel, and I attach them to such metal tyre by means of
fastenings of wire, or metal stamped or otherwise formed. Each such fastening
consists of a wire or other metal bar or plate, the ends of which inside the covering
tyre are bent round to form hooks and are passed through corresponding holes near
the edge of such covering tyre. At the centre of the metal bar or plate is formed
another at right angles to the former, which after extending for a short distance
is bent downward for a short distance at right angles and is then bent up again.
at right angles so as to be parallel with its original direction. This bent part is
passed through a hole in the metal tyre, and its bent end serves to firmly hold the
covering tyre in its place in the metal tyre. A sufficient number of such fastenings
are used, for the two edges of the covering tyre, at a suitable distance apart com-
pletely round the tyre, and in this way the inner tyre and the covering tyre are
held firmly attached to the metal tyre, but can be readily removed at any time
when desired. The fastenings may be used for covering tyres which are attached
to the outside of the metal tyre as well as to those which are attached inside the
latter as described.
The inner air tube or chamber may be constructed in a way somewhat similar
to that in which the thicknesses or folds of canvas are arranged inside the
covering tyre as already described. In such case I provide the inside of the air
tube round its outer circumference (or adjoining the part of the outer covering
tyre which touches the ground when running) with an extended fold or double
thickness of the material which forms the air tube, for about one-fourth to one-third
of the inner circumference (in cross section) and I either leave the free edge of this
extended fold unattached to the tube, or cemented, or otherwise attached to the
latter at its extreme edge only either continuously or at intervals, the remaining
unattached or loose part being in such case somewhat corrugated longitudinally, so
that when the air tube is inflated the loose flap is forced tightly against the inside
of the tube, and if the latter be punctured the loose flap is forced back sufficiently
and remains unpunctured, and afterwards closes the hole made in the tube, by the
internal pressure of the air against it.
In tyres of the improved shape described, the wire spokes may be attached to
the metal tyre by bending them round studs or hooks fixed on the sides of the
dove-tailed recess already described.
I preferably make the band of hard rubber, vulcanite, or other suitable substance,
interposed between the outer rubber and the inner canvas of the covering tyre, as
described, more or less serrated or corrugated on its outer surface or having one or
more longitudinal ridges or projections. Or these projections may be in the form

page_text: of lateral or cross-bars of any desired form and dimensions. The object of such
projections is to counteract the tendency of pneumatic tyres to slip sideways,
whilst at the same time the outer tyre will present a smooth rounded surface not
likely to collect mud and dirt as is the case with corrugated tyres as sometimes
heretofore used.
The covering tyres and metal rims of the wheel described are applicable to tyres
other than pneumatic tyres, as for instance to cushion tyres consisting of cellular or
spongy rubber or other substances forming an elastic core, or to resilient tyres
having a core formed of coiled steel wire or of ribbon steel or other such elastic
material.
When applied to such tyres, wires or laces may be passed through holes in the
flange of the rim, and through the edges of the covering tyre inserted in the latter,
for better securing the latter in its place.
Tyres made according to my invention are strong, durable, and offer great
protection against puncture of the inner air tube when running.
The details and proportions of the parts may be varied more or less as may be
found advisable.
1
1000
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tyres for the Wheels of Bicycles, Tricycles, and
other Vehicles.
I, WILLIAM BORTHWICK SMITH, of 139 Cannon Street, in the City of London,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
Eame is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement and accompanying drawing, that is to say :-
My invention relates to the wheel tyres of velocipedes of all kinds, and other
carriages and more especially to pneumatic or inflated wheel tyres in the con-
struction of which it is important that provision should be made to prevent the
puncture of the tyre.
In order to put my invention in operation I form the pneumatic tyre of the wheel
with a separate internal air tube and with an outer protecting cover which is made
so as to be readily detachable from the metal rim of the wheel when the air tube is
deflated but is firmly held to the said rim when the inner tube is inflated with air or
gas under pressure.
The air tube is made preferably of closely woven silk and may be either in one
straight length the ends of which are joined together by cement, or in any suitable
manner, or it may be a circular tube with a continuous air chamber; this air tube
is dressed with a substance impervious to air such as methylated collodion, or
pliable varnish or a solution of mnastic or gutta percha, and sometimes whether
otherwise dressed or not, the air tube is lined inside or coated outside, with india
rubber and it is fitted with a valve aud connection for inflating it in the usual way.
Air tubes so formed are contained in an outer casing and are made of such size
that they are not subject to any tension when inflated with air or gas under
pressure.
In the accompanying drawing which is in illustration of my invention,
Figure 1 is a transverse section through the tyre and the hollow rim of a wheel
constructed according to my invention.
Figure 2 shews a solid rim to which it may be applied instead of the hollow rim
shewn in Figure 1, which is formed by bending a sufficiently wide strip of metal
into the required form as shewn.

page_text: The protecting cover tyre which envelopes the air tube a is formed with an outer
sheathing of vulcanized india rubber 6 having underneath it, for about the width of
the usual ground tread, or the part of the tyre which touches the ground when
running, a layer of hard rubber vulcanite or other suitable substance c, and also two
or more folds or layers of canvas or other suitable material d, d', which I make of
the full width of the covering tyre, the layer of hard rubber, vulcanite, or other
such material forming a band, either continuous or interrupted, round the tyre
between the outer sheathing and the canvas.
I attach the inner folds or layers of canvas to each other at their edges only for
a sufficient width, their remaining central parts opposite to the tread of the tyre
being left separate.
The edges of the covering tyre which embrace the inner air tube, and fit into a
recess in the metal tyre, are formed in the following way
The cover is fitted completely round the inner air tube a, and its two longi-
tudinal inner edges, meet one another for the complete circumference of the
wheel.
Below their junction they have projections f, f, upon them which (in cross
section) project downward, and their lower or inner edges are also extended
laterally so that when fitted together they form a wedge shaped section the lower
part of which is the widest, and this wedge shaped section fits into a corresponding
recess formed in the bottom of the metal rim and completely round the latter.
The line of junction of the two edges of the projections upon the covering tyre
which form the wedge shaped section as described is not radial, but its lower end is
inclined to the right or left, so that the line of section 9 is parallel, or nearly so,
with one of the sides of the recess in the metal tyre.
By this arrangement, the cover can be quickly and easily removed and replaced
when required, the edge which has its inner side parallel with the side of the
recess being introduced after the other edge has been fitted into its place. When
both are in place they are perfectly firm and secure. The bottom of the recess
in the metal rim may be flat (in cross section) or curved as shewn in Figure 3 and
the side i of the recess may be bent round as shewn in dotted lines, so that the
bottom consists of three thicknesses of metal. A sufficient number of small
perforations passing through the sides of the recess in the metal rim may be used
to prevent what is known as "creeping," or a slow longitudinal movement of the
tyre round the wheel.
The inner air tube or chamber may be constructed in a way somewhat similar to
that in which the thicknesses or folds of canvas are arranged inside the covering
tyre as already described. In such case I provide the inside of the air tube
round its outer circumference (or adjoining the part of the outer covering tyre
which touches the ground when running) with an extended loose fold or double
thickness of the material which forms the air tube, for about one-fourth to one-
third of the inner circumference (in cross section) and I either leave the free edge
of this extended fold unattached to the tube, or cemented or otherwise attached to
the latter at its extreme edge only, either continuously or at intervals, the
remaining unattached or loose part being in such case somewhat corrugated
longitudinally, so that when the air tube is inflated the loose flap is forced tightly
against the inside of the tube, and if the latter be punctured the loose flap is
forced back sufficiently and remains unpunctured, but afterwards closes the hole
made in the tube, by the internal pressure of the air against it.
In tyres of the improved shape described, the 'wire spokes may be attached to
the metal tyre by bending them round studs or hooks fixed on the sides of the
dovetailed recess already described.
I preferably make the band of hard rubber, vulcanite or other suitable substance,
interposed between the outer rubber and the inner canvas of the covering tyre, as
described, more or less serrated or corrugated on its outer surface or having one or
more longitudinal ridges or projections. Or these projections may be in the form
of lateral or cross bars of any desired form and 'dimensions. The object of such

page_text: projections, is to counteract the tendency of pneumatic tyres to slip sideways,.
whilst at the same time the outer tyre will present a smooth rounded surface not
likely to collect mud and dirt as is the case with corrugated tyres as sometimes
heretofore used.
The covering tyres and metal rims of the wheel described are applicable to tyres.
other than pneumatic tyres, as for instance to cushion tyres consisting of cellular
or spongy rubber or other substance forming an elastic core, or to resilient tyres
having a core formed of coiled steel wire or of ribbon steel or other such elastic:
material.
When applied to such tyres, wires or laces may be passed through holes in the
flange of the rim, and through the edges of the covering tyre inserted in the
latter, for better securing the latter in its place.
Tyres made according to my invention are strong, durable, and offer great.
protection against puncture of the inner air tube when running.
The details and proportions of the parts may be varied more or less as may be
found advisable.
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 I am aware
that it has been previously proposed to protect pneumatic tyres from puncture by
means of metal and other bands and I do not therefore desire to claim such bands.
per se but what I claim is :-
1. In pneumatic tyres, an inner air tube of silk dressed with a substance
impervious to air, substantially as described.
2. For the purpose of fixing the outer covering tyre upon the rim of the wheel,.
the projections ff, upon the edges of the covering tyre, such projections forming
a wedge shape in cross section, and fitting into a recess of corresponding shape in
the rim of the wheel, the line of junction of the projections f, f', being parallel
with one of the sides of the recess, substantially as aud for the purpose described.
and illustrated.
3. The loose fold on the inner side of the air-tube a, having its free edge
attached to the latter at intervals, substantially as and for the purpose described
and illustrated.
4. The combination with the outer covering attached as described, of the
band c between the outer rubber and the inner canvas of the covering tyre, sub-
stantially as described and illustrated.
5. The combination with the pneumatic tyre and outer covering, of the hollow
metal rim constructed substantially in the manner described and illustrated.
Dated this 1st day of December 1893.
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.