Improvements in Velocipedes.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Nov., 1892-Accepted, 5th Aug., 1893
CUM LEIC DI BUITICATION.
Improvements in Velocipedes..
I FRANK HUGHES of the Firm of Hughes Eli and Hughes, of 76, Chancery
Lane, London, W.C. Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
(a communication to me from abroad by Adolphe Grupe of L'Ile Saint Denis,
Paris, France, Manufacturer) and in what manner the same is to be performed to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in velocipedes and refers particularly
(1) to a novel construction of pneumatic tyres and means of attaching same to the
wheel (2) to a novel construction of wheel rim adapting it to the reception and
retention of the tyre (3) to a novel means of preventing puncture and consequent
collapse of the tyre (4) to the arrangement and construction of valve or cock for
the admittance and regulation of the supply of air to the interior of the tyre;
and (5) to an arrangement of mechanism for indicating the varying levels of the
ground over which the velocipede passes.
By my construction of metallic rim the india-rubber tyre is readily removed
without the use of any tools and is held without the employment of any adhesive
material thus greatly facilitating repairs. The rim is of a V form in section thus
imparting great strength thereto without impairing its lightness; this construction
has moreover the advantage of keeping the ends of the spokes apart so that they
may not reach the air chamber. Inside this rim are openings designed to receive
spurs, forming part of the india-rubber tyre in order to prevent the same from
turning.
The outward form of the rim shows no acute angle and it requires no screws,
hoops or levers for the adherence of the india-rubber tyre, hence it may be readily
cleaned; and as further this rim bears upon only one fifth of the circumference of
the tyre, the latter retains the whole of its elasticity. The two outer edges of the
V section of the rim are rounded for convenience of construction and so as to
prevent the tyre from being cut in consequence of the pressure exerted by the
weight of the rider. The prevention of puncture and consequent collapse of the
tyre is effected by means of a woven wire band inserted in the thickness of the india-
rubber, this band is further of use in the method of fixing the air valve or cock to
the tyre all as hereinafter more particularly described.
By my arrangement of metallic valves and cocks I am enabled to dispense with
the india rubber valves ordinarily used and which are easily deteriorated and then
allow the air to escape.
By the application of my level indicator or index to velocipedes, the riders of
such machines will be able to ascertain the different levels of the roads over which
they are travelling and to rapidly sketch or draw geographical and other maps.
Sheet 1. illustrates my new or improved wheel rim and pneumatic tyre.
Fig. 1 is a section through the rim and tyre.
Figs. 2. and 3. illustrate the manner of fitting on or removing the tyre when the
air is exhausted therefrom.
Figs. 4, 7 and 10 are sections of the rim, showing different means of forming the
same.
Fig. 5. is a plan of that part of the rim in which are formed openings designed
to receive the enlarged ends c of the india-rubber envelope of the tyre in order to
prevent the same from turning.
Figs. 6, 9 and 12 are side views of these enlarged ends.
Figs. 8, and 11 are inside views of the rim cut in two.
My improved pneumatic tyre consists of an air tube A of soft india rubber, the
inside of which communicates with the outside by the valve shown in Fig. D

page_text: Sheet II allowing the entrance of the compressed air forced in by the pump.
This tube A is enclosed in an india-rubber envelope or casing B lined interiorily
with strong linen or canvass to maintain the tyre within a given size. The
envelope B is furnished with two enlarged ends c and c' which are placed in the
rim D and therein held when the tyre is inflated by means of the projections E
which may also be used for any other kind of pneumatic tyres. Various forms of
these projections E upon the wheel rim are shewn in Figs. 4, 7 and 10.
The first mode of arranging these projections consists in making two notches a in
the shoulder of the wheel rim D see Fig. 5 and in these notches a are located the
two tabs formed integrally with the ends c, c¹ of the envelope B see Fig. 6.
According to the second arrangement the two shoulders of the rim D are provided
with tabs e see Figs. 7. and 8 which enter the notches d formed in the enlarged
ends c Fig. 9. the third arrangement consists in fixing in the rim D (Figs. 10
and 11) pieces which slide in the notches f made in the end c Fig. 12.
The thick line 9 Figs. 1, 2 and 3 shows the wire gauze band used to prevent the
envelope B from being punctured by sharp stones or pieces of broken glass when
the machine is travelling.
Sheet II. shows various metallic valves and their fittings and the indicators of
levels. Fig. D shows one of the metallic valves. The valve 14 is inserted in the
perforated tube 15. The spring 16 exerts a pressure upon the valve 14 guided by
the square part 17. To introduce the valve and the spring in position, the plug 18
must be unscrewed, this plug bearing upon the washer 19 which in its turn bears
upon the air tube A. This air tube, A, bears upon the second washer 20 which is
in contact with the envelope B bearing upon the curved part 5 of the rim D. The
valve which is placed in position in the rim through an opening in the latter is
secured to the air chamber by a nut 21. The leather washers 22 and 23 form a
joint under the nut 24.
Fig. E. shows another kind of valve. The washer 25 shrunk on the tube 15 is
perforated and sewn to the wire cloth band or strip g, inserted in the thickness of
the india rubber envelope B. Fig. F shows a cock 26 designed as a substitute for
the valve. Figs. G H, I and J show an indicator fixed to the sleeve 27 of the
steering bar of the velocipede by means of the bolt 28 see Fig. H, the bolt 29
enabling it to be set level while the conical parts in the frame 30 support the
indicator. The dial is placed horizontally and carries an axis 32 from which is
suspended the pendulum 31 the lower end of which is furnished with teeth 33
gearing with the bevil gearing 34 fixed to a straight gearing 35 actuating the
gearing 34 which is a third of the latter in size so as to impart to the index or
hand 36 Fig. H three times the motion produced in holding the pendulum level so
that when the velocipede ascends or descends the degrees are indicated in one or in
the other direction.
This mechanism is enclosed in a small cylinder 38 Fig. J covered by a glass to
prevent the access thereto of rain, snow, dust, and the like. This indicator may
be made to assume various forms, the above being merely described by way of
example as I may for instance also use that shown in Fig. K. The same consists
of a ring in which is placed a pendulum or weight 41, actuating by means of the
pinions 42, 43 and 44 the index or hand 40 indicating the degrees of inclination or
slopes upon the circumference of the ring.
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.
1st. In velocipedes, the metallic wheel rim furnished with projections for clasping
the india rubber envelope wherein the air tube is enclosed substantially as herein
described and shown.
2nd. In pneumatic tyres for velocipedes, inserting a metallic band or strip in the
thickness of the india rubber forming the envelope of the tyre substantially as
brein described and shown.

page_text: 3rd. In pneumatic tyres for velocipedes, the perforated metal plate forming
part of the valve tube and sewn to the metallic band or strip above claimed
substantially as herein described and for the purpose set forth.
4th. In pneumatic tyres for velocipedes the metal valve, and cock for controlling
the admission of air in the air tube or chamber substantially as herein described
and shown.
5th. The adaptation to velocipedes or other vehicles of an indicator allowing
the rider of the vehicles to ascertain the levels of the roads upon which they
travel and to compute geographical maps substantially as herein described and
shown.
6th. The improvements in velocipedes arranged, constructed and operating
substantially as herein described and shown in the accompanying drawings and for
the purpose set forth.
Dated this 26th day of November 1892.
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHES,
76, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.