Improvements in Pneumatic Tires and in Rims for the same.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Nov., 1893-Accepted, 30th Dec., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pneumatic Tires and in Rims for the same.
I, FREDERICK WILLIAM HUESTIS, of Dent Street, Boston, Suffolk County,
State of Massachusetts, United States of America, Salesman, 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 improvements in the construction of pneumatic tires
for bicycles, particularly that class in which a rim, an air tube, and an outer cover
or envelope are employed, the latter being provided with metallic rings or wires
longitudinally along its edges and by means of which the envelope is secured to
the rim in order to protect the air tube.
This invention relates to the peculiar formation of the rim and the rings, which
are arranged to interlock in a positive manner. The engagement is produced
through the tendency of the air tube to expand under pressure. The peculiar
feature consists in creating a series of depressions upon the rim on the concave
portion, or that part which serves as a seat for the air tube. The metal of the
rim is not broken but displaced, as shown, while the rings or bands are similarly
formed and the prominences or knobs upon one side of the rings are to engage the
depressions in the rim.
The drawings represent in Fig. 1, a sectional elevation of a rim of a bicycle
embodying my invention.
Fig. 2 is a perspective of a portion of one of the rings.
Fig. 3 is a section showing attachment of ring with the cover.
Fig. 4 is a cross-section of a complete tire under my invention.
Fig. 5 is a modified form of rim, likewise under my invention..
In said drawings 2 represents a rim of a bicycle equipped with a pneumatic tire;
the air-tube is shown at 3 and the outer envelope or cover at 4. Longitudinally
of the cover and along its edges 5. 5. are attached metallic strips in the form of
rings, 6. 6. which serve to engage the rim and thus interlock these two parts and
so enclose the air tube. To carry out my invention I propose to roll, press, stamp
or otherwise create certain recesses or depressions 7. 7 at intervals in the rim in
corresponding portions and preferably near the edges thereof. In creating these
depressions the metal is simply displaced and generally not cut through thus
creating prominences or knobs upon the inner or convex circumference of the rim.
Similarly a series of prominences 9 are created in the rings or metallic strips
and said projections are spaced so as to coincide with the depressions in the rim.
These may be created at intervals or a regular spacing may be made throughout
the entire circumference.
In the use of pneumatic tires one objectionable feature, termed creeping, takes
place with the air-tube. This is occasioned by the rotation of the wheel, and the
fact that the air-tube is fastened only at one point, while in many instances the
outer cover or envelope is free to slip around the rim, a pull or strain is produced
upon the material of the air-tube. This action which occurs at each revolution of
the wheel may be instanced to that effected by pulling a piece of rubber, which is
fastened to a fixed point, and gradually is weakened, and in the air-tube this is
followed by rupture and collapse.
In the tire under my invention it will be noticed that the outer envelope has
positive mechanical attachment to the rim, and in as much as the air-tube is held
fast to the rim by means of the air valve (not shown) it is evident that no creeping
can possibly take place since the envelope is secured firmly to the rim. Further-
more the rim does not require to be of any particular shape in cross section, but

page_text: of such form as will create the best seat for the air-tube, since the rim can be
rolled out and the depressions formed at the same time. Similarly the rings.6. 6.
can be rolled out in long strips and then cut into suitable lengths.
The engagement of the envelope with the rim is readily effected when the
subsequent inflation of the tire interlocks said rim and cover and these parts are
held together as an entirety.
In securing the bands or rings 6. 6. longitudinally along the edges of the
envelope, the latter may be moulded about said rings, or some positive mechanical
device as rivets or other fastening implements may be employed. In some
instances in order to avoid the knobs on the surface of the rim created by forming
the depressions 7. 7. and thereby allow such surface to remain smooth as is usual,
I have turned the edges of the rim inwardly upon itself, as shown in Fig. 5
previously creating the depressions in this overlapping portion. This construction
serves to strengthen and stiffen the rim.
In the illustrations herewith presented and accompanying the Specification I
have shown the metal composing the rim as forced outwardly, thus creating
depressions upon the concave portion while the edges of the cover are provided
with projections which enter and engage therein. In lieu of the above a very
evident alternative may be produced by creating prominences in the rim which
are adapted to enter depressions existing in the edges of the cover.
A further modification and one which I consider is embodied in the scope of my
invention is to omit the metallic rings or bands 6. 6. attached to the edges of the
cover, in which event the projections or prominences 9 now existing in the said
bands may then be moulded or shaped out of the material composing the said
cover. In either construction the positive engagement of the rim with the
cover is secured and creeping is prevented, and equally effective results are
obtained.
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. A rim for bicycle tires consisting of a metallic band semi-circular or other-
wise in cross-section, having its concave surface as an outer periphery and its
convex surface as the inner periphery, and provided with a series of similarly
shaped depressions formed in the material composing the rim upon its concave
surface and arranged circumferentially along or near either edge, substantially as
and for purposes explained.
2nd. In pneumatic tires, the combination with an annular band semi-circular in
cross-section and provided with a series of depressions integrally upon the concave
surface, of an envelope or cover fitted with longitudinal metallic rings formed
with prominences, which engage the depressions in the rim, substantially as stated
and set forth.
3rd. A pneumatic tire for bicycles composed of a metallic rim semi-circular or
otherwise in cross-section, and formed with integral depressions in its concave
surface, an air-tube seated upon said rim, an envelope or cover fitted with
unyielding rings longitudinally upon each edge, and a series of prominences formed
integrally and at intervals to engage the depressions in the rim, substantially as
described and specified.
4th. In pneumatic tires the combination with an annular band semi-circular or
otherwise in cross-section and provided with a series of depressions or prominences
integrally upon the concave surface, of an envelope or cover formed with
prominences or depressions which are arranged at intervals along each opposite
edge and are adapted to engage similar prominences or depressions created in the
rim, substantially as explained.
5th. A pneumatic tire for bicycles composed of a metallic rim semi-circular or
otherwise in cross-section and formed with integral depressions or prominences in
its concave surface, an air tube seated upon said rim, and an envelope or cover

page_text: provided with a series of prominences or depressions at intervals longitudinally
upon each edge, said prominences being formed from the material composing the
rim and adapted to engage with said rim, substantially as stated and set forth.
Dated this 24th day of October 1893.
FREDERICK WILLIAM HUESTIS.