Improvements in the Construction of the Wheels and Tyres of Cycles and other Vehicles.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 1st July, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Apr., 1894-Accepted, 25th May, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of the Wheels and Tyres of
Cycles and other Vehicles.
We, THOMAS PICKUP of 51, Springfield Road, Burnley, in the County of
Lancaster, Grocer, and JAMES SPENCER of 1, Whittaker Street, Burnley
aforesaid, Mechanician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The first part of our invention relates to the construction of wheels of
cycles or other vehicles, which we considerably modify and render lighter in
construction more durable and yielding or elastic to the weight of the rider, and
at the same time better capable of penetrating the surrounding atmosphere than
those at present constructed.
In carrying out our invention, instead of carrying the spokes proceeding from
the hub direct to a rim as at present, we dispense with the rim entirely, and in its
place employ two hoops or rings or two rims composed of thin steel or iron tubing,
the said hoops or rings being parallel or side by side within say an inch or so of
each other. The spokes proceeding from the hub on one side of the wheel are
fixed to one of these iron or steel tubular rings or rims, whilst the spokes from the
opposite side of the hub are secured to the other tubular ring. We have thus a
wheel consisting of two spoked tubular rings, the spokes branching from each
respectively to a hub.
The space between the two spoked rings of the wheel we form into an air
chamber by means of air proof canvas, indiarubber or like material, which when
inflated in the manner hereinafter described, will be limited in its expansion by
bearing against the spokes.
In place of the usual tyre we employ an outside cover of indiarubber or other
elastic material, which is secured on each side of the two respective rings or rims
of the wheel.
It will be evident that when inflated the whole will form an air wheel, in which
is permitted the free circulation of air throughout the entire wheel, without
adding to the cost or increasing the weight by the use of metal flanges, instead of
spokes.
Cross spokes or stay pieces or small tubes may extend from one ring to the
other in order to steady or strengthen them, and may be entirely covered by the
outside cover; or, if desired, additional spokes may proceed from the two rings
direct to the centre of the hub, in which case the dimensions of the air chamber
will of course be much diminished.
The next part of our invention relates to the ordinary tyres of cycles or the
like, and consists in applying thereto on that portion of the circumference, which
comes in contact with the ground, longitudinal strips of thin sheet steel having
clips formed at their extremities consisting of split hoops of the same material
and required dimensions which envelop the tyre. The said longitudinal strips
may be continued at suitable intervals all round the tyre.
If desired, the longitudinal metal strips provided with the aforesaid hooped split
clips may be applied to the inner surface of the outer cover of the tyre instead of
on the outer surface.

page_text: The said series of metal strips will not only prevent puncture, but will also
have a tendancy to prevent skidding in wet weather and may readily be removed
and replaced in case of damage.
Dated this 30th day of June 1893
GEO.
DOWNING;
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of the Wheels and Tyres of
Cycles and other Vehicles.
We THOMAS PICKUP of 51, Springfield Road, Burnley, in the County of
Lancaster, Grocer, and JAMES SPENCER of 1, Whittaker Street, Burnley,
aforesaid Mechanician, 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 :-
The first part of our invention relates to the construction of wheels of cycles
or other vehicles, which we considerably modify and render lighter in construction,
more durable and yielding or elastic to the weight of the rider, and at the same
time better capable of penetrating the surrounding atmosphere than those at
present constructed.
In carrying out our invention, instead of carrying the spokes proceeding from
the hub direct to a rim as at present, we dispense with the rim entirely, and in its
place employ two hoops or rings or two rims composed of thin steel or other
tubing, the said hoops or rings being parallel or side by side within say an inch
more or less of each other.
The spokes proceeding from the hub on one side of the wheel are fixed to one
of these iron or steel tubular or other rings or rims, whilst the spokes from the
opposite side of the hub are secured to the other tubular ring or rim. We have
thus a wheel consisting of two spoked tubular rings, the spokes branching from
each respectively to a hub.
The space between the two spoked rings of the wheel, we form into an air
chamber by means of air proof canvas, indiarubber or like material.
In place of the usual tyre, we employ an outside cover of indiarubber or other
material, which is secured on each side of the two respective rings or rims of the
wheel.
It will be evident that when inflated the whole will form an air wheel, in which
is permitted the free circulation of air throughout the entire circle of the wheel,
without increasing the weight by the use of metal flanges instead of spokes.
Cross spokes or stay pieces or small tubes may extend from one ring to the other
in order to steady or strengthen them, and may be entirely covered by the outside
cover; or, if desired, additional spokes may proceed from the two rings direct to
the centre of the hub, in which case the dimensions of the air chamber will, of
course, be much diminished.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is a front elevation, and Fig. 2 a cross section of a bicycle or similar
wheel, constructed in accordance with our invention.
In these views, A and A' are the two hoops or rings or two rims composed of
thin steel or iron or other material, and the spokes B proceeding from the hub C
are secured to each of these rings or rims respectively, whilst the U shaped
cross or star pieces D hold or steady the two rims or rings firmly in position.
By this novel arrangement and construction of the spokes and rim of a bicycle
wheel, we are enable to hold the tyre in suspension between the two rings or rims
or other similar rim or the like, so that the tyre when under the weight of the rider

page_text: will not bear against any solid or rigid surface, but will be hung or suspended and
This
free to yield bodily to the ever varying pressure that may be put upon it.
will be fully understood by reference to Fig. 3, which is a cross section of the
rim and tyre.
A and A' are the two rings or hoops of steel or other tubing or material con-
stituting the rim as already described. D is one of a number of U shaped stay-
pieces, extending from one ring to the other at intervals round the entire wheel.
The tyre is held in suspension by means of outer cover E of stout canvas or rubber,
which is secured at one end to the tubular ring A', whilst its other end is attached
to the opposite ring A. The stay pieces D are provided with prongs or projections G,
which are struck down to firmly hold a wire hoop F which serves the purpose of
fastening the outer flap cover in the manner bereinafter explained.
The outside or flap cover H is also cemented or otherwise attached to the tubular
ring or rim A', and its other end is then secured to wire hoop I, which is of less
diameter than the hoop F, so that on the inflation of the pneumatic tube or tyre J,
the hoop I, when in position, will be forced under the hoop F, whereby they inter-
lock each other, constituting a reliable fastening, which cannot become loose, until
the air has been allowed to partially or wholly escape from the pneumatic tube J.
In the latter event the inner pneumatic tube J is at once accessible for repairs.
Although the novel means of fastening here described, we think the one best
suited for our improved tyre, any other or well known method may be employed as
thought expedient. We wish it to be understood, however, that we do not claim
any right to the particular method of fastening the tyre herein described, except
in combination with our improved construction of wheel and divided rim.
It needs not necessarily follow also that the divided rim is essential (though it is
by preference used by us and constitutes an essential feature of our invention) for
obtaining the novel effect or suspension of the tyre, as a deeply constructed ordinary
rim may be so adapted in conjunction with the suspending cover E as to bring
about the same result.
In Fig. 4 is illustrated an air wheel constructed in accordance with our invention.
The space between the two spoked rings A. and A' of the wheel is here formed
into an air chamber J by means of air proof canvas, indiarubber or the like, an
outer cover of canvas being first secured to the rims to limit or prevent undue
expansion of the inner inflated chamber J. From rim to rim is also an outer or
flap cover for traversing the roads. The whole thus forms an air wheel in which
is permitted the free circulation of air throughout the entire wheel without
increasing the weight by the use of metal flanges instead of spokes, as
heretofore.
In Fig. 5 is also shewn another modification of our invention. In this view, the
spokes cross from the tubular rings A and A' to the hub from right to left and
vice versa.
The pneumatic tube, and suspending and flap covers are here employed exactly
as described in relation to Fig. 3.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The construction and arrangement of a bicycle or similar wheel with divided
rim consisting of rings or rims A and A' and stay pieces D, whereby any portion
of the space between such rims may be occupied by the tyre suspended or otherwise,
substantially as described and illustrated.
2. The manufacture and use of a suspended tyre in combination with divided or
like rim and means for fastening same, substantially as described and illustrated in
Fig. 3.
3. The improved form and construction of air wheel, substantially as described
and illustrated in Fig. 4.

page_text: 4. The modification of bicycle or similar wheel, substantially as described and
illustrated in Fig. 5.
Dated this 28th day of March 1894.
F. RICHMOND,
79, St. James Street, Burnley, Agent for Applicants.