Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 30th May, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Mar., 1897-Accepted, 1st May, 1897
I, SEBASTIAN ZIANI DE FERRANTI, of -27 Charterhouse Square, London, in
the County of Middlesex, Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
My invention has reference to improvements in spring tyres for bicycles and
other vehicles.
Hitherto such tyres have usually consisted of an inner rigid and an outer flexible
rim, a row of springs being placed between the two. In such arrangements
however the springs were liable to snap when compressed beyond a certain point,
and my invention has for its object to prevent this by limiting the amount of
compression of the springs, and it also relates to means for preventing the side
slips which frequently occur in the case of bicycles on wet or greasy roals.
As heretofore I provide an inner and an outer rim, the former being connected
to the hub of the wheel by the spokes. Between these rims I place a double row
of C springs which are fastened to the rims in any convenient manner. Between
these two rows of springs and surrounding the periphery of the inner rigid rim is
placed a rubber or other pad of suitable thickness, so that in the movement of the
wheel over any unevenness or obstacle on the road the springs will only be
compressed until the outer flexible rim comes in contact with the pad, that is to
say, further compression of the springs is prevented. A rubber tread is placed on
the outer flexible rim.
My arrangement for preventing side slip in the case of bicycles consists in
forming on the above mentioned outer rim downwardly projecting flanges or teeth
at each side. These flanges or teeth are normally out of contact with the ground
but should a side slip occur one or other of the flanges will come in contact with
the ground and tend to keep the machine in an upright position, preventing a
"spill."
This arrangement for preventing side slip may be applied to a pneumatic tyre
in which case a thin metal band (preferably steel) with downwardly projecting
flanges or teeth at each side is placed on the outside of the tyre, and a rubber tread
placed over the band.
JOHN P. O'DONNELL, Fel. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
70 & 71 Palace Chambers, Westminster, London, S.W.,
Agent for the said Applicant.
Improvements in Tyres for Bicycles and other Vehicles.
I, SEBASTIAN ZIANI DE FERRANTI, of 27 Charterhouse Square, London, in
the County of Middlesex, Electrician, 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 :-
My invention has reference to improvements in spring tyres for bicycles and

page_text: Hitherto such tyres have usually consisted of an inner rigid and an outer flexible
rim, a row of springs being placed between the two. In such arrangements
however the springs were liable to snap when compressed beyond a certain point,
and my invention has for its object to prevent this by limiting the amount of
compression of the springs.
As heretofore I provide an inner and an outer rim, the former being connected
to the hub of the wheel by the spokes. Between these rims 1 place a double row
of "C" springs which are fastened to the rims in any convenient manner.
Between these two rows of springs' and 'surrounding the periphery of the inner
rigid rim is placed a rubber r other pad of suitable thickness, so that in the
movement of the wheel over any unevenness or obstacle on the road the springs
will only be compressed until contact is made between the outer flexible rim aud
the pad, or between pads, that is to say, further compression of the springs is
prevented. A rubber tread is placed on the outer flexible rin, said rim having
flanged serrated edges or teeth to prevent side slips as hereinafter described.
In order that my invention may be better understood and more readily carried
into effect will now describe it with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which-
Figure 1 is a side view of part of a bicycle wheel with a tyre constructed
according to my invention, showing the buffer or pad for limiting the compression
of the springs as a continuous strip surrounding the outer side of the inner
rim.
Figure 2 is a similar view showing the buffer formed of several pieces or blocks
placed at intervals round the outer side or periphery of the inner rim and inner side
of the outer rim.
Figure 3 is a vertical cross section of the tyre illustrated in Figure 1, also
showing the flanges or projections on outer rim for preventing side slip.
Figure 4 is a vertical cross-section of the tyre with buffers or pads as shown in
Figure 2, and eide slip preventing flanges or projections.
The same letters refer to the same parts in the several figures.
a al are respectively the outer and inner rims, the latter being connected to the
hub by spokes in the usual manner. b(see Figs. 3 & 4) are "C" springs
suitably fitted between said rims a a' at opposite edges thereof: c (Figs. 1 & 3) is
the continuous strip or pad of rubber or other suitable material on the outside of
the inner rim a¹ forming a buffer for limiting the compression of the springs bb;
dd', Figures 2 & 4, are pads arranged oppositely on the outer surface of the inner
rim a¹ and inner surface of the outer rim a respectively, being an alternative form
of buffer to that shown in Figures 1 and 3. It is obvious that the position of the
pads d d', Figures 2 & 4, in relation to springs b b', may be varied, and the pad or
buffer c (Figs. 1 & 3) may if desired be arranged on the inner surface of the outer
rim a. ee, Figures 3 & 4, are the projecting flanges on the outer rim a. which may
either be plain or serrated, for preventing side slip. f is a rubber or other tread
on the outer rim a.
It will be seen that with my invention as above described the liability of the
springs 66 to snap owing to undue compression is reduced to a minimum as when
compressed to a certain extent any further pressure will be taken on the pads or
buffers c, d, d¹. Taking the case of a bicycle, in the event of a side slip occurring
one or other of the flanges or projections e el (Figures 3 and 4) will come into.
engagement with the ground and tend to prevent further slip.
My limiting buffer or pads may be employed in connection with all forms of
springs serving the same purpose of preventing breakage and undue strain, and I
have illustrated and described two of the many forms in which my invention may
be usefully applied. My buffer may also be employed on either meta! or wooden
inner rims aud its form may be varied, for instance, it may take the form of a
projection or projections formed in the rim itself instead of as above described
.separately attached pads or projections...

page_text: 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 :-
1. In spring tyres for the wheels of cycles and other vehicles, buffers or pads for
limiting the compression of the springs substantially as herein described for the
purpose specified.
2. In a spring tyre for cycle and other vehicle wheels, the combination with
outer and inner rims such as a a¹ of a double row of "C" springs between said
rims and pads or buffers for limiting the compression of said springs, substantially
as herein described.
3. In a tyre for the wheels of cycles and other vehicles consisting of inner and
outer rims with springs working between said rims, serrated flanges or projections
such as e el on the outer rim for the purpose of preventing side slip substantially
as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 23rd day of March 1897.
JOHN P. O'DONNELL, Fel. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
70 & 71 Palace Chambers, Westminster, S.W.,
Agent for the said Applicant.
JOHN P. O'DONNELL, Fel. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
70 & 71 Palace Chambers, Westminster, S. W.,
Agent for the said Applicant.