Improvements in Wheels for Bicycles and similar Vehicles.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Feb., 1898-Accepted, 9th Apr., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Wheels for Bicycles and similar Vehicles.
I, JAMES DEARNESS, BOWLEY, residing at No. 1517 Washington Street, Houston, in
the County of Harris and State of Texas, United States of America, Building
Contractor, 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:-
This invention relates to wheels for bicycles and similar vehicles; and particu-
larly to the tire thereof, and the object of the invention is to provide an improved
tire for this purpose which is adapted to take the place of a pneumatic tire and
to operate in a similar manner.
The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the
accompanying drawings form a part, in which:
Fig. 1 is a side view of a bicycle wheel constructed according to my invention,
part of the construction being shown in section;
Fig. 2, a cross section of my improved tire, and the rim of the wheel; and
Figs. 3, and are longitudinal sections of details of the construction.
In the drawing forming part of this specification the separate parts of my
improvement are designated by the same numerals of reference in each of the
views, and in said drawing, I have shown an ordinary bicycle wheel provided with
a rim 5, to which the spokes 6, are secured in the usual or any preferred manner,
said rim being preferably provided with bores or passages 11 as shown in Fig. 2,
through which the spokes are inserted or within which said spokes are secured.
The rim 5, is preferably of the form in cross section shown in Fig. 2, the inner
side thereof, being convex, and the outer side substantially flat, and formed in
each edge of the outer side of said rim is an annular groove 8, in each of which is
secured a metal ring 3.
These metal rings 3, are shown in Figs. 2 and 4 and the ends thereof are con-
nected by means of a sleeve 10, which is prepared to receive the opposing threads
at either end of the rings 3, in practice a small tool is inserted through the prepared
opening 15 in the tire and the rim into the holes shown thus tightening rings 3
in grooves 8 where they remain stationary, holding tire firmly to rim.
My improved tire is shown at the extreme outward wearing surface formed to
bear most heavily on the centre or thin part of the strip 4, thereby increasing its
pneumatic action, and is composed of rubber, rubber and canvas or other suitable
material, and said tire is open throughout its length on the inner side thereof, and
in practice, the edges of the sides of the tire are formed in loops encircling the
rings 3 as shown at 17, in Fig. 2, said edges being held in place to the rim 5, by
said rings 3 and on the inside of the outer bearing portion of the tire is mounted
a reinforcing strip 4, which may be composed of spring steel, wood or any suitable
material, steel being preferred, and the ends of this strip may be connected as
shown in Fig. 3 by a shaft carrying opposing threads by which said strip may
be expanded or contracted through the aid of a small tool inserted through the
openings 9 in the rim into prepared holes in centre of shaft. A very thin steel

page_text: clamp should be used in conjunction with the expanding shaft to keep the joint
firm. The object sought in expanding the strips is the tensioning of the sides of
the wire, which is the ground result obtainable by my invention. The result will
be the same and the method preferable because cheaper, if the tire 2 and strip 4
are manufactured in full sympathy or being properly related in circumference one
with the other, the strip 4 may be then placed in position with but simple joining
or splicing of the ends. The rings 3 by using two or more sleeves 10 to back
ring may then be tightened down to the rim in the grooves 8 leaving the wire at
the proper tension, requiring no further care unless the wire should stretch from
constant use, when it (the wire) may be retensioned by having the grooves 8
deepened as shown at 13 Fig. 2, which could be done when the rims are made, the
extra depth in said groove being filled with rubber or other suitable material
arranged to admit of being taken out in sheets or layers as required.
The reinforcing strip 4, is mounted on the inner side of the bearing surface of
the tire, and is held in place and made to revolve with the tire 2 by the transverse
strips 7, which are formed integrally with said tire, and formed on, or secured to
the outer portion of the rim 5, between the rings 3 is a shoulder or projection 12,
which is of the form shown in Figs. 1, and 2, and which is intended to limit the
inwardly directed movement of the outer portion of the tire or to form a bearing
therefor, if under any circumstance, the outer portion of said tire should be unduly
depressed.
By means of this construction, I provide a strong substantial and durable tire,
and one which will operate upon the principle of a pneumatic tire, and it will be
apparent that the puncture of the tire will not destroy the efficiency thereof.
It will be apparent that changes in, and modifications of the construction herein
described may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention or
sacrificing its advantages.
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 wheel for bicycles or similar vehicles having a rim 5 which may have the
projection or shoulder 12 and also the opening 15 and provided on the outer
surface thereof with two annular grooves which may be as shown at '13, a metal
ring 3 mounted in each of said grooves, the ends of each of said rings being con-
nected by a sleeve 10 and means for operating said sleeves, a tire mounted on said
rim; said tire being composed of rubber and canvas or similar material with the
extreme outward wearing surface formed to bear most heavily on the centre or
thin portion of the strip 4 and being open on the inner side thereof, the edges
being looped and adapted to encircle and be engaged by said rings 3, in con-
junction with the grooves 8. of said rim, a peripheral reinforcing strip which may
be provided with means for expanding or extracting the circumference thereof;
mounted on the inside of the bearing surface of said tire, said reinforcing 'strip
being held in place by transverse strips 7, substantially as and for the purpose
described:
2. A wheel for bicycles or similar vehicles having a rim as 5 with grooves as 8;
openings as 15, a tire as 2 having the loops 17 in either edge carrying a ring: 3
connected by one or more sleeves, as 10, in each of said loops, the wearing surface
of said wire being formed as shown, a strip 4, mounted as shown, adjusted to tire
both acting unitedly with rings 3 and loops 17 to produce elastic tension in said
wire, substantially as and for the purpose described.
تيم
1000
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.