Improvements in Pneumatic Tyres and Means of Inflation and Deflation.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Feb., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 15th Nov., 1897-Accepted, 15th Feb., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pneumatic Tyres and Means of Inflation and
Deflation.
ALBERT ABRAM WADE, 6, Hough Terrace, Bramley, Leeds, Designer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Hitherto in flexible, inflatable, wheel tyres, valves of some description have
always been used for their inflation.
These are always more or less troublesome, as, when it is desired to inflate a
tyre, a dust cap must be unscrewed and the nozzle of the inflator screwed on, then
when inflation is finished, it must be unscrewed & the cap recrewed. The process
is nearly as long for deflation.
In addition to this tediousness the valves are expensive & troublesome in them-
selves, being complicated, and consisting of many parts & fittings some of which
often need renewing.
My present invention, is to dispense with valves in or upon pneumatic tyres;
especially certain tyres of the description commonly known as tubeless, that is,
tyres that have no air-tube or chamber & can be turned inside out for repairs &
which when inflated or in position for inflation have an air tight joint either wholly
or partly around their inner periphery within the rigid wheel rim upon which they
are sustained in position.
In such tyres there are various methods of obtaining an air-tight joint, and the
use of some of these joints as apertures for inflation according to this invention
is impossible.
Therefore it is to those air-jointed tyres that my invention more particularly
applies, which, when mounted upon rims with one or more orifices opening directly
upon the tyre joint, may be inflated by the simple insertion of a suitable inflator
nozzle or delivery tube and inflating through any part of the tyre joint which
may be opposite the inflation aperture in the rim, and its equally simple with-
drawal when inflation is concluded.
The nozzle with a non-return valve & inflator behind it; is shaped like a two-
edged hollow blade. This is lubricated with soft-soap, soap & water or moistened
by the lips, & slipped through the air-joint, the soft rubber surfaces of which close
immediately at the sharp edges permitting no escape of air.
Preferably the nozzle is straight & the air-joint also in cross section, whether
approximately radial in the tyre cross section or oblique.
All air joints, however, varying more or less from the above in cross section,
as V shaped or curved, which will admit a similar inflator nozzle whether straight
or curved, or more than two-edged, & so far prevent escape of air around the nozzle
that the tyre may be inflated, are included in my invention of air-joints used as
apertures for inflation.
Rigid wheel rims upon which inflatable tyres are secured have never hitherto been
made with special apertures for the admission of inflator nozzles to the air joints
of tyres.
All apertures hitherto made in such rims, have been for other purposes; the

page_text: principal being; namely, for the protrusion through, of the tyre valves now in
common use, for spokes, & other wires.
According to my invention special apertures are provided in the rims upon which
tyres are mounted, that can be inflated directly through their air-joints.
One or more of such apertures being in each rim and opening immediately upon
the air joint or joints in whatever part of the rim they may be situated.
These rim apertures are preferably approximately of the same shape as a cross
section of the inflator nozzle; viz., a slit wider at the centre than at the ends:
and I also prefer that the ends of such slits should continue a little way very
narrow, so that the sharp edges of the nozzle may enter them but be unable to
touch the ends for the swell of the blade & thus prevent the abrasion of the nozzle
edges against the rim aperture ends.
The outer angles of the opposing surfaces of inflatable tyre air-joints or openings,
should be a little rounded so that the blade-nozzle may more readily find the joint
& enter.
And the outer edges of the inner thin air proof tyre lining should be well laid
back to prevent their being caught by the point of the nozzle.
To prevent dust or mud from lodging in the inflation apertures of the rim, any
suitable cover is provided: as, a strip of rubber having a self-closing slit, stretched
over & secured at each end of the rim opening; or a little metal cover suitably
secured by pivot & spring to easily lift or swing out of the way.
To deflate the tyre the nozzle-blade is inserted through the joint & twisted a
little obliquely which the rim aperture must be wide enough to allow.
In all cases there must be enough soft rubber at the air joint to yield to the nozzle,
and maintain an at least approximately air-tight closure at the nozzle edges, and to
instantly close upon its withdrawal.
Another form or adaptation of this invention for use in all other flexible
inflatable tyres or the air tubes of such is as follows.
A short rubber tube of suitable diameter say, half an inch, has inserted &
cemented within it, two half cylinders of rubber, but at one, the inner end, they
thicken at right angles to the joint & form, together, an oval & the tube end being
stretched more of course, constricts more closely the inner lips of the two halves,
forming a short air tight joint, through which when in position upon the tube or
tyre, inflation can be accomplished as described above.
A rubber flange is made to surround the binding tube about midway, for cementa-
tion to the surface surrounding the opening in any air-tube or tyre through which
the body passes. The outer portion projects through the rim & is prevented
dragging by a thin metal sheath, secured by fabric to the outer surface of the tube
or tyre.
The constriction of the inner short air-joint may be reinforced by wrapping
with twine, or fabric around the end of oval section, Deflation is by insertion of
a smoothe end instrument, as a wire, the air escaping by the sides; or down the
inside or outside of the inflator nozzle.
I am aware that so-called rubber valves have been proposed before for use in
tyres but not of the improved form described herein.
Dated this 13th day of February 1807
Improvements in Pneumatic Tyres and Means of Inflation and
Deflation.
I, ALBERT ABRAM WADE, Harewood Mills, Harewood, near Leeds, Designer,
late of 6, Hough Terrace, Bramley, Leeds, do hereby declare the nature of this

page_text: invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The object and nature of this invention is to dispense with the various affixed
valves at present in common use for the inflation or deflation of pneumatic tyres
of all descriptions.
The said valves being expensive and very liable to get out of order, and are then
most troublesome.
The inflation or deflation of several forms of so-called tubeless tyres; that is
tyres which may be opened partly or wholly at a division or divisions around the
inner circumferences which are seated upon or within the rigid wheel rims carry-
ing the said tyres; is accomplished by using the said divisions as apertures for
inflation or deflation in the manner hereinafter described.
In the case of single tube tyres, or the inner tubes of detachable tyres the same
mode of inflation is attained in a modified manner hereinafter described.
In the case of tyres with air-tight joints or divisions, much less trouble is
experienced in detaching from or replacing upon their rims, as there are no valves
to detach or adjust & any part of the tyre can be mounted upon any part of the rim.
My invention includes an improved rim.
In the accompanying drawing Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 are cross sections of
inflatable tyres with a division or air joint around their inner circumference.
Figs 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11 show an inflator nozzle partly or fully inserted
through the air joint. Fig. 7 showing a cross section of nozzle in the air-joint.
Figs. and 10 illustrate the modified manner as used with air tubes or single
tube tyres, as though a single tube tyre is not shown the manner of applying is
the same.
Fig. 13 shows the nozzle and check valve with the width of blade to view, con-
nected with a flexible tube and thereby with any suitable air pump.
Fig. 14 is an enlarged view of the valve and seat.
A similar nozzle and connection being shown in Fig. 1 with another form of
return check valve.
Fig. 12 shows the shape of inflation slit in a segment of rim.
Similar letters refer to similar parts in the several views.
In Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 11, A is the outer cover or tread, preferably of rubber rein-
forced with fibrous fabric, A¹ the inner air proof lining extending around the air-
joint faces at D, J the circular elastic toggle-joint which exerts a transverse thrust
at D and between the rim edges much greater than the air pressure area for area
within the tyre, making the soft rubber at the edge faces D close immediately at
the thin edges of the nozzle N, which is lubricated to facilitate entrance with soft
soap or glycerine, or moistened by the lips upon insertion. During insertion it
may be slightly moved from side to side to facilitate entrance.
Upon its quick withdrawal the elastic edge-faces D with the air pressure upon
the toggle-joint J, instantly close after it.
There must be enough soft rubber in all cases at the edge faces to yield to and
bed around the nozzle-blade, which may be flatter on one side if desired for use
where one side of the air joint is more rigid than the other.
C shows the inflation slit in the rim B directly opening upon the air joint, in
whatever part of the rim situated.
Fig. 2 shows a tyre as taking off or putting on a rim. The rubber lip L being
added bedding for the nozzle blade, and more readily conforming to any inequalities,
ensures an air tight joint.
Fig. 3 shows a similar tyre fully inflated, The rim B is composed of thin metal
single at the centre, b, and double at the edges 61 where most strength is required.
The central part 6 being thinner to dispense with needless weight; the necessary
circumferential rigidity being supplied by the wood back 61.
Or the metal may be rolled thicker at the sides instead of doubling.
The metal tyre may be endless and shrunk upon the wood back; or cut across

page_text: and suitably secured around the wood back with the ends meeting and bolted
firmly to the wood back.
Figs. 4 and 5 show inward extending lips, d, in combination with a toggle-joint
divided centrally.
Fig. 4 shows nozzle as entering.
Fig. 5 shows the tyre inflated and toggle-joint pressed down, with nozzle still
inserted.
Fig. 6 shows nozzle inserted in a tyre with air joint obtained by inward extending
lips, with no toggle-joint combination and reinforcement.
Fig. 7 shows a base plan of a similar tyre to Fig. 1. D being the air-joint
and N¹ a cross section of nozzle, the outer lines being the two separated edge faces
and the central line the air passage. Fig. 8 shows the nozzle inserted back from
where the sectional view is taken, the air joint being obtained by the spring of
the rubber band V.
In Figs. 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 11 I claim nothing new except as in combination with
my new mode of inflation, which they illustrate and which may be used on forms
of tyres other than the ones herein described and illustrated.
Fig. 11 shows a section of tyre similar to Fig. 1, in perspective with the inflator
nozzle inserted, shown in breadth.
The nozzle herein described and set forth is to the best of my knowledge new
in use, and is in form like a two edged rounding knife blade, the end being rounded
smooth, and not over one sixteenth of an inch thick in the centre. I prefer that
the air should have egress from a small eye on each side as shown at N Fig. 6.
Or the end may have a fine slit instead of the eyes; but must still be rounded
and smooth so that the edges of the slit shall not scrape the rubber edge faces
during entrance.
Fig. 13 shows one form of check valve, R being a rubber ball or cone and band
which is stretched round the barrel and held between that and the end of the con-
necting tube by the outer ring K. The elasticity of the rubber band brings the ball
back upon its seat P after each pulsation of air.
At OK Fig. 1 is shown another form of non-return valve. The blade screws
into the barrel K, which contains the valve proper O, preferably of metal, the
spiral spring shown returning it to its seat after each pulsation. The seat may be
coned as shown or flat for suitable valve, a non-corrosive metal being preferable
for material.
As the nozzle is withdrawn upon inflation any slight leakage in the valve is
unimportant, and the same valve combined with the nozzle and an inflator will
inflate many tyres. Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate a modification of my invention for
use in single tube tyres or the air tubes of detachable ones.
E is the ordinary outer cover, held within the rim by wires. H, the air tube.
A short, flanged fabric and rubber tube, T, has cemented within it two half
cylinders of soft rubber; at one the inner end they thicken at right angles to the
division D and form an oval. The flanged end of the tube constricts the inner
lips, forming a short air joint D', through which when cemented in position as
shown in Fig. 9, inflation can be accomplished as described above.
The outer portion projects through the rim and may be protected by a thin metal
sheath, S dotted line, secured by fabric to the outer surface of the air tube or tyre.
No dust cap is needed.
The constriction of the inner lips may be reinforced by wrapping.
Deflation may be accomplished by inserting the nozzle, & pressing the pliable
tube Z Fig. 1 connecting with the inflator, upon the valve stem 0.
use.
I am aware that similar short air joints have heretofore been made, but to the
best of my knowledge, not with the oval inner part, which I believe to be new in
The constriction of the oval tending to lengthen and compress the lips.
Deflation in tires with circumferential divisions, is performed by slightly turning
the inflator nozzle while inserted, the slit in the rim being wide enough to allow
this, the air escaping at the sides.

page_text: The ends of the rim slit are preferably continued a little, very narrow, to pre-
vent the nozzle edges being abraded against the metal C Fig. 12.
The inflator nozzles may be made of metal, preferably non-corrosive, or of other
suitable material. They may be rigid or moderatly pliable.
In the case of a flexible nozzle a non-return valve may or may non be combined
with it, as in some cases the pressure between the edge faces of the air joint will
close the passage in the flexible nozzle if of the same shape in cross section, after
each pulsation of air.
Such flexible inflator nozzles may be made in one piece with the tube connect-
ing with the inflator; or merely in one piece with a short cylinder for securing
within the end of connecting tube.
A flexible shield or pocket shown by the dotted line W, Fig. 13, is made of
suitable size for the insertion therein of the inflator nozzle. Soft soap may be
placed within the shield so that the nozzle is ready lubricated for use. The shield
may be secured by suitable cover to the barrel K to prevent loss. The return
check valve may be secured in the tube connecting with the pump separately from
the nozzle.
In taking a tyre off the rim which is inflated in this manner through a circum-
ferential division, there is no valve to trouble with and when the tyre is replaced
upon the rim any part of the division which may be opposite the rim slit is the
aperture for inflation.
The outer edges of the air-joint or division should in all cases be a little rounded
so that the nozzle may more easily and certainly enter.
The nozzle should be a little thicker and wider at the end, tapering gradually
back in thickness and width, and the shield if wished may be cylindrical and rigid
and secured in place by screwing or sliding upon the end of the valve barrel, as
sectionally shown by dotted line M Fig. 1.
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 pneumatic tyres which have an air-tight division or divisions around their
inner circumference when mounted upon a suitable rigid wheel rim; the use of
such divisions as an aperture for inflation. Substantially as described.
2. Forming the rims of pneumatic tyres with slits or openings for inflation
through, substantially in the manner hereinbefore described and illustrated in
Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive, 11 and 12 in the accompanying drawing.
3-The inflator nozzle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to
Figs. 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 13 in the accompanying drawing.
4-The combination of a suitable non-return valve with the blade nozzle, substan-
tially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figs. 1 and 13 in the accompany-
ing drawing.
5--On a pneumatic tyre of the kind described forming the single lip substan-
tially as herein before described and set forth at L Fig. 2 in the accompanying
drawing.
6-The rigid or pliable shield or pocket, substantially as hereinbefore described
with reference to Figs. 1 and 13 in the accompanying drawing.
7-For pneumatic tyres the oval compressed short air-joint as hereinbefore
described with reference to Figs. 9 and 10 in the accompanying drawing.
8 In a pneumatic tyre the combination of a rigid channeled wheel rim, with
a narrow aperture for the inflator nozzle-a flexible circular band provided with
thickened edges to engage the rim, which when in position acts as a tube with a
division around its inner circumference within the rim edges, made air-tight by
the toggle-joint base-and the division as an opening to inflate and deflate through,
substantially as described.
9. In pneumatic tyres the combination of a rigid wheel rim-a tubular flexible
tyre mounted upon the rim with a division along its inner circumference which

page_text: is airtight when in position, but may be opened when deflated-and the division
as an aperture for inflation and deflation, substantially as described.
10. The construction of tubeless pneumatic tyres without special valve hole;
to be inflated in the manner hereinbefore described; and used without affixed
valve, substantially as described.
Dated this 13th day of November 1897