IMPROVEMENTS IN INDIA RUBBER TYRES AND METAL FELLOES FOR VELOCIPEDES AND OTHER LIGHT WHEELED VEHICLES
Year: 1884

page_text: I WILLIAM GOLDING of Yarburgh Street, Moss Side, Manchester, in the County
of Lancaster, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN INDIA RUBBER TYRES AND METAL FELLOES FOR VELOCIPEDES
AND OTHER LIGHT WHEELED VEHICLES," to be as follows:-
It is necessary, in order to understand the nature of invention, to explain that
it is the ordinary practice to mould the india rubber tyre for velocipedes,
cylindriform, and to insert it in the cavity of a curved metal felloe, in which
position it is retained by cement. Now it is found in practice that the rubber
stretches laterally reaching beyond the edges of the felloe, and, on meeting fixed
obstacles, it is cut by being forcibly pressed between them and the edges of the
felloe. The useful effect of the elasticity of the mass of the rubber in preventing
vibration is also lost, as it is limited to the small quantity pressed between the
edges of the felloe and the ground, which is not sufficient for the purpose. It also
frequently happens that portions of the tyre become loose from the felloe and serious
accidents have occurred from this cause.
The object of my invention is to fix the rubber tyre in the felloe in such a
manner that it cannot become loose, and that the full beneficial effect of its
elasticity shall be obtained. At the same time I make the felloe stronger and more
rigid without increasing its weight.
To effect this object, I mould the rubber tyre hollow, with a groove along its
whole length reaching from the surface to the hollow. By preference I mould it
in such shape that the outlines in section of both its outer and inner surfaces are
elliptical, and so placed relatively, that the rubber is thickest at the broad ends of
the ellipses (which coincide with each other in direction), thinner at the narrow
ends, (in the centre of which is the connecting groove), and thinnest at the sides.
The felloe I construct of two separate parts of any suitable elastic metal,
preferably of rolled sheet steel. The outer rim is U shaped with flanges turned
inwards, resting loosely one over the other and semi-circular in outline. Under
these flanges, and fitting tightly between them and the bottom of the rim, I place
a thin metal tube.

page_text: Holes
To fasten the tyre to the felloe, I make use of convenient lengths of thin steel
or other elastic metal rolled into a tubular shape, but having the edges turned up
and inwards. These are constructed of the same diameter as the hollow space in
the rubber tyre, and curved to the bend of the felloe; the groove formed by the
turned-up edges being on the inner side of the curve. In fixing them, the end of
each length is slightly opened and forced over the end of the adjoining one.
are made at the proper distances for the spokes, and these holes pass through all
three rims. The spokes are made in the usual way, but the heads should be curved;
and when the whole arrangement is fixed, which must be performed in a certain
order, each spoke from its head passes through the hole and the groove in the outer
grooved tube, the groove in the rubber tyre, the holes through the loose flanges of
the U shaped rim, the holes in the closed tube, and the hole in the curve of the
U shaped rim.
When the spokes are screwed up into the hub of the wheel, in the usual manner,
they render the whole rigid and the rubber tyre immoveable. As the operative
portion of the tyre has a broad convex base of metal to bear upon, it cannot be
nipped, and is capable of exerting its full elasticity in all directions.
0

page_text: I, WILLIAM GOLDING, of Yarburgh Street, Moss Side, Manchester, in the county
of Lancaster, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN INDIA RUBBER TYRES AND METAL FELLOES FOR VELOCIPEDES
AND OTHER LIGHT WHEELED VEHICLES," and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The object of this invention is to fix the rubber tyre securely in the felloe and in
such manner that the full effect of its elasticity shall be obtained, while at the
same time making the felloe stronger and more rigid without increasing its
weight.
To effect this object, I mould the rubber tyre hollow and grooved. By preferenco
I mould it in such shape that the outlines in section of both its outer and inner
surfaces are elliptical or egg-shaped, and so placed relatively that the rubber is
thickest between the broad ends of the ellipses (which coincide with each other
in direction), thinner at the narrow ends (in the centre of which is the connecting
groove), and thinnest at the sides.
The felloe I construct of two separate parts of any suitable elastic_metal,
preferably of rolled sheet steel. The outer rim is U shaped with flanges. In this
rim is placed a closed metal tube, either in one circular piece or in sections rolled
into shape and fitting edge to edge. The flanges of the outer rim are then rolled
down tightly upon it. These flanges overlap each other and when in position are
semi-circular in section.
To fasten the tyre to the felloe I make use of binders of thin steel or other
elastic metal formed into a tubular shape, and having the edges turned up and
inwards, forming a groove on the inner side of the curve. These binders are con-
structed to fit the hollow space in the rubber tyre, and they are curved to the bend
of the felloe. They are made in convenient lengths for manipulation say from six
to twelve inches, according to the size of wheel. Holes are made at the proper
distances through the rims and binders. The spokes are of the usual kind but
slightly longer and have their heads curved. The method of fixing is as follows:-
A binder is placed in position on the felloe, and the spokes are passed through the
holes in it & through the corresponding holes in the rims. The spokes are then
slightly tightened by being screwed into the hub of the wheel. The rubber tyre is
then placed round the felloe and over the binder. The edges of the tyre formed by
the groove are inserted by the fingers between the binder and the felloe and pressed
down into place. The next binder is then placed in position, the rubber being
stretched laterally out of the way while this is being done.
The end of the binder is slightly opened out and forced over the end of the
preceding one, first however clipping off the lower portions of the part which will
overlap. The edges of the rubber are inserted as before. The first binder is now
screwed up tighter and so the fixing proceeds. When the last one is to be inserted,
the binder first placed in position is loosened, so as to allow the edges of the rubber
tyre to be inserted at the finish without damage.
Each spoke from its head inwards, passes through the hole and groove in the
binder, the groove in the rubber tyre, the holes through the loose flanges of the
U rim, the holes in the closed tube and the hole in the outer curve of the rim.
When it is required to renew a spoke, the tyre and binder are loosened by
unscrewing the neighbouring spokes, the edges of the rubber are taken out and the

page_text: rubber is stretched on one side while the spoke is taken out and another inserted.
The rubber is then replaced and the spokes screwed up as described.
When the spokes are all screwed up tightly into the hub of the wheel, in the
usual manner, they render the whole rigid and the rubber tyre immoveable. As
the operative portion of the tyre bas a broad convex base of metal to bear upon,
it cannot be nipped and frayed by sharp edges, and it is in a position to exert its
full elasticity in all directions. The whole felloe is also strengthened by the
binders and method of fixing without adding extra weight, as the binders replace
rubber, which in that position in a solid tyre is useless, being inoperative..
The illustration shows the tyre and felloe in cross section.
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. The construction and application for the wheels of Velocipedes and other
light wheeled Vehicles of the Rubber Tyre, hollow and grooved, substantially as
herein described.
2. The construction of the felloe, substantially as herein described.
3. The method of fixing the tyre to the felloe by means of binders, tightened up
by the spokes, substantially in the manner hereinbefore set forth.
Dated this second dow of Ontahan 1001