Year: 1892

page_text: craulication. 21st June 1892-Accepted, 30th July, 1894
ulication. 21st June 1892-Accepted, 30th July, 1890
ube;
Fig. 2 a plan view of the same;
Fig. 3 a broken sectional elevation showing the spring inside the tube;
Fig. 4 a side elevation showing the spring outside the tube;
Fig. 5 a sectional elevation showing two springs, one inside and the other outside
the tube;
Fig. 6 a broken side elevation of a wheel provided with a tire formed from my
flexible tube;
Fig. 7 a cross section taken in the line 5 of Fig. 5; and
Fig. 8 a cross section of a modified form in which the spring is located in the
body of the tube.
A is the flexible hose, preferably of rubber; and B the reinforcing spring.
Reinforcing wire coils have heretofore been used in the construction of rubber
hose, both on the outside and inside, for the purpose of preventing lateral com-
pression, the coil operating to rigidly hold the rubber out in circular form or to
protect it from external wear or injury. In such cases, the purpose and effect of
the coil has been to prevent compression or flattening of the hose, and this has
interfered with its being closely wound either for use or on a reel. The object
of my invention is directly the opposite-to provide for reinforcing a flexible
tube without interfering with its being compressed or flattened in at least one
direction.
I prefer to insert in the tube an open coil wire spring, of suitable size, and
having its series of coils leaning in the same direction, so that, when the tube is
fully compressed, the coils will come in contact with or press upon or against each
other, each coil against the one immediately preceding it. In this way, force being
applied to the outside of the tube, the coils are pressed down one upon or against
another, and of course the tube correspondingly compressed or flattened. Thus,
while securing the benefits of an ordinary reinforcing coil, my peculiar construction
of coil, forming a compressible elastic spring, allows the tube to be flattened to the
extent necessary for use or coiling, but at the same time protects it against injury
by undue compression. After compression, the elasticity or resiliency of the
spring or, as I prefer to call it, series of springs-will at once cause the tube to
resume its circular shape.
As shown in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive, the reinforcing spring is made of round or
flattened wire, formed into an open coil, having its loops set at an angle sufficient
to permit of compression or flattening-that is, each loop leans to one side of its
center at least in one direction. As shown in Fig. 3, the spring is inserted in the
tube, and this is the way in which I prefer to use it. As shown in Fig. 4, the
spring is outside, encircling the tube. As shown in Figs. 5 and 7, two springs

page_text: are used, one inside and one outside the tube; and as shown in Fig. 8, a single
spring is used, placed in the body of the tube.
In Fig. 6 I have shown my improved tube in the form of an elastic tire for
wheels, in which construction I contemplate using it; but of course it will be
understood that I also intend to use it in any way and for any purpose to which
it may be found applicable.
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. A flexible tube provided with a series of springs contiguous to each other,
the springs being adapted to lean in the same direction and when subjected to
pressure in cross section to fold one upon the other and thus change the elastic
action of the springs from a longitudinal to a transverse direction, and having
Eufficient resiliency to resume their normal position when relieved from pressure,
ubstantially as described.
2. A flexible tube provided with a series of springs contiguous to each other,
the springs being adapted to lean in the same direction and when subjected to
pressure in cross section to fold one upon the other and thus change the elastic
action of the springs from a longitudinal to a transverse direction, and having
sufficient resiliency to resume their normal position when relieved from pressure
to hold the tube out in its original form, and being on the inside of the tube,
whereby they are concealed from view and a smooth outside surface presented,
substantially as described.
3. In combination with a wheel, a flexible tire of rubber or other suitable
material provided with a series of springs contiguous to each other, the springs
being adapted to lean in the same direction and when subjected to pressure in
cross section to fold one upon the other and thus change the elastic action of the
springs from a longitudinal to a transverse direction, and having sufficient resiliency
to resume their normal position when relieved from pressure, substantially as
described.
Dated this 21st day of June 1892
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.