Improvements in Valves..
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Feb., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 15th Dec., 1893-Accepted, 27th Jan., 1894
Improvements in Valves..
I, CHARLES KINGSTON WELCH, of The Hollies, Eaton Road, Coventry, in the
County of Warwick, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
:-
My invention relates to valves and has for its object to provide a valve which
shall be capable of being made very small and compact and also simple and easy of
construction.
My improved valves are especially suited for use with pneumatic or air-inflated
tyres. An important feature of my invention relates to the means whereby air is
entirely prevented from escaping and pressure is maintained in the tyre. My
improved valve can moreover be operated so as to let the air out of or deflate the
tyre when desired.
According to one method of carrying out my invention I provide a cylindrical
part or stem having a flanged end forming ahead. The said cylindrical part is
provided with an axial hole which however is not continued through the head but
connects with one or more branches which open into the air at some point in the
interior flange of the head.
When the valve is fitted to a vessel into which air is to be pumped through the
valve, the head of the said valve is inside the vessel, the cylindrical stem being
pushed through a hole in the outer wall of the said vessel provision being made for
preventing leakage through the hole around the said stem. It is evident that if
the flanged head of the valve is by suitable means brought tight against the side
of the vessel air can not be admitted through the axial hole since the entrance
thereof in the head is closed by the side of the vessel. Moreover if the head of
the valve is pushed away from the side of the vessel air can enter or leave the
same, the entrance to the axial hole being no longer closed.
In order that the nature of my invention may be more clearly understood I will
now proceed to describe some methods of carrying the same into practice as
applied to pneumatic tyres.
I preferably form a screw-thread on the cylindrical portion and arrange that
the air tube of the tyre shall be gripped between the head of the valve and a nut
screwed on the cylindrical valve-stem. In that case it is obvious that the entrance
or entrances to the air hole of the stem would often be closed by the wall of the
air tube of the tyre. I therefore form a channel in, or turn out the edge of, the
interior flange of the head, the entrance or entrances to the air hole being located
in the said channel. The valve-stem projects through a hole in the rim of the
wheel and in order to form a seating for the valve where necessary I may place a
washer between the nut cutside the air-tube and the rim, which washer is so
arranged as to prevent the valve from turning in the rim when the connecting tube
of the air-pump is screwed on to the stem of the same. I generally screw a nut
on to the cylindrical stem outside of the rim so that when the nut is screwed up,
the head of the valve is pressed tightly against the wall of the air-tube so as to
close the entrance to the air-hole. For the better accomplishment of this purpose
I prefer to arrange that the washer hereinabove mentioned shall project axially
farther than the nut which secures the valve to the air tube forming an annulus
outside the said nut so as to press the air-tube against the channelled part of the

page_text: head and effectually close the air-exit when the outer nut is screwed against the rim.
I very often provide a washer of india-rubber or other suitable material between
the head of the valve and the wall of the air-tube; such washer is made of a
conical, round, or other suitable shape so that when the outer nut is screwed tight
against the rim as aforesaid, the said washer will flatten or spread so as to close the
air-exit.
To prevent stretching of the air-tube when inflated and consequent enlargement
of the hole through which the valve-stem passes, I firmly secure to the said tube a
strip of canvas or other suitable material; the hole for the valve-stem is made
through the tube in the middle of the canvas covered part.
Instead of securing the valve to the air-tube by a nut as above described I
sometimes form a collar on the said stem a short distance from the interior flange
of the valve and force the said collar through the hole in the air-tube, so that the
collar shall be outside the said air-tube and thus keep the valve in position. Or I
may dispense with both the nut and the collar the valve being kept in position in
consequence of the smallness of the hole through which the valve-stem passes.
I sometimes form the head of the valve with a cavity at the top.
This cavity may be formed in various ways; for instance, a cap may be spun
around the top of the flanged head of the valve, or a shallow hole may be drilled or
formed in the head of the valve, and the end thereof closed by a plug or other
suitable means. The axial hole extends to the cavity, and one or more orifices is or
are provided in the flange which forms one side of said cavity so as to put the same
in communication with the interior of the air-tube, or such communication may be
afforded between the loosely fitting cap and the head.
In a modification of my invention, the axial hole in the stem of the valve
branches when it reaches the head, one branch having an aperture in the interior
flange of the head as hereinabove described and the other branch having an
opening in the side or top of the head; such opening is covered with a ring, tube,
disc or cap or the like, of flexible or elastic material adapted to be displaced when
air is forced into the branch through the stem of the valve but which closes the
opening when air is attempted to be forced therethrough to the axial hole in the
stem of the valve. In lieu of this construction, I sometimes fix on the head of
the valve, and in connection with the axial hole in the stem, a non-return valve
of any suitable pattern. When inflating the air-tube through my improved valve,
the nut outside the rim is unscrewed for a short distance and the connecting pipe to
the air-pump is secured on the end of the valve-stem. The air-pump is preferably
furnished with a non-return valve. When the tyre is fully inflated the nut is
screwed up tight against the rim.
In order to deflate the air-tube by means of my improved valve, the nut on the
stem is screwed out and the stem of the valve pressed in. This forces the head
away from the wall of the air-tube, thereby allowing the air to escape therefrom
through the axial hole in the stem of the valve.. To prevent accidental unscrewing
of the said nut and consequent deflation of the tyre I sometimes attach thereto a
lever by which the same may be screwed along the valve stem. The said lever is
pivoted on the nut and can be bent down so that its end which is provided with a
spring fork or other suitable device can engage with one of the adjacent spokes.
I fit my improved valve with a screw-cap on the end of the valve-stem
to guard against possible leakage, and to prevent the entry of dust or the like
thereinto. In a modification of this device I pivot the cap on a second nut so that
when the said nut is screwed towards the end of the stem, the cap may be tilted off
and the pump-connection secured in its place. I avoid, by this means, a source of
annoyance in losing the cap as the nut need never be screwed off the stem unless
the air-tube is required to be removed from the rim.
I make my improved valve of any suitable material and it may be lacquered,
plated, or otherwise treated so that corrosion of the parts or adhesion to the rubber
wall of the air tube for instance, is prevented.
When valves such as above described are fitted to heavy vehicles such as cabs,

page_text: and the like, I make them larger and stronger and may vary the constructional
details in order to fit them for the purpose in view.
Dated this 16th day of February 1893.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Valves.
I, CHARLES KINGSTON WELCH, The Hollies, Eaton Road, Coventry, in the
County of Warwick, Engineer, 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:—
My invention relates to valves and has for its object to provide a valve which
shall be capable of being made very small and compact and also be simple and easy
of construction.
My improved valves are specially suited for use with pneumatic or air-inflated
tyres. An important feature of my invention relates to the means whereby air is
entirely prevented from escaping and pressure is maintained in the tyre. My
improved valve can moreover be operated so as to let the air out of or deflate the
tyre when desired.
According to my invention I provide a cylindrical part or stem having a flanged
end forming a head. The said cylindrical part is provided with an axial hole
which however is not continued straight through the head but is connected by one
or more branches with an orifice or orifices in that face of the head which is in
contact with the wall of the tube.
When the valve is fitted to a vessel into which air is to be pumped through the
valve, the head of the said valve is inside the vessel, the cylindrical stem being
pushed through a hole in the outer wall of the said vessel provision being made
It is evident that
for preventing leakage through the hole around the valve stem.
if the flanged head of the valve is by suitable means brought tight against the side
of the vessel air cannot be admitted through the axial hole since the entrance
thereof in the head is closed by the side of the vessel. Morcover if the head of
the valve is pushed away from the side of the vessel air can enter or leave the same,
the entrance to the axial hole being no longer closed.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a sectional view shewing one form of my improved valve applied to a
pneumatic tyre, the valve being open.
Figure 2 is a similar view to Figure 1, the valve being closed.
Figure 3 is a detail view of a part of the valve shewn in Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 4 is a sectional view of another form of valve.
Figure 5 is a detail view of part of the same.
Figure 6 is a sectional view shewing one form of my improved valve applied to a
pneumatic tyre fitted on the wooden or other felloe of a heavy vehicle.
Figures 64 to 19 are sectional views shewing various forms or modifications of
my improved valve.
Figures 20 to 22 are views shewing modifications of parts of my improved valve.
Like letters of reference denote similar parts in all the drawings.
Referring now to Figures 1 to 3.
A is the cylindrical part or stem of the valve, B the head of the same; C is the
air tube of a pneumatic tyre, D the rim of the wheel. The head of the valve is
hollow as shewn at B₁ and is preferably formed by spinning a disc B of metal
round the flanges of the valve stem so as to form a cap.
The valve stem has an
axial hole A¹ which connects with the hollow head of the valve. The interior
flange of the head is recessed or grooved as shewn at B' thus forming a shoulder B

page_text: •
and the hollow part of the head B' opens into the air at some point or points in the
recess or groove. The wall of the air tube is pierced with a hole through which
the valve stem passes and the part of the tube around and adjacent to the said hole
is gripped between the shoulder B and a nut A' screwed on the valve stem. A
piece of canvass or other suitable fabric Co, is solutioned or otherwise secured to
the outside of the air tube at the part adjacent to the valve stem to prevent the
said air tube from stretching. A washer A³ is preferably inserted between the nut A¹
and the wall of the air tube. The interior of the air tube adjacent to the
valve head is preferably prepared as a smooth surface, so that a tight joint may be
made between the air tube and valve head in order to close the valve as hereinafter
explained. I sometimes secure a patch or washer with a smooth outer surface to
the interior of the air tube for the same purpose.
E is a washer, shewn in plan in Figure 3, capable of sliding on the valve stem
the said washer is prevented from turning in its place on the rim by means of the
wings E which are pressed into and engage with the sides of the central channel
in the rim when such a channel is provided, or by other suitable means. The
valve is also prevented from turning in the hole in the washer E by being made of
a D-shape in cross section the hole in the washer being made of a similar shape,
the valve is thereby prevented from turning when in its place on the rim. The
washer E is moreover suitably countersunk as at E' to afford space for the nut A'
and washer A³ when pushed towards the head of the valve for a purpose herein-
after explained. F is a nut adapted to screw up and down the valve stem and
G is a cap for screwing on the end thereof, which end is preferably of smaller
diameter than the remaining part of the stem as shewn, to prevent the possibility
of air escaping when the valve is in use, and also to keep out dirt and dust.
The operation of my improved valve is as follows, that is to say: The nut F is
screwed back away from the rim a short distance, the inflating tube from the pump
is screwed on the end of the valve stem the cap G having been previously removed
therefrom. The valve is now pushed into the tyre until it occupies some such
position as that shewn in Figure 1. When the pump is worked air is driven into the
tyre through the axial hole A' and hollow head B'. When the tyre is pumped
sufficiently hard, the nut F is screwed against the rim, this draws the valve out
bringing the head B towards the washer E which is kept in place by the rim. The
nut A and washer A lodge in the countersunk portion E of the washer E and
the projecting part of said washer forces the wall of the air tube against the head
of the valve thus closing the entrance to the hollow head B' as shewn in Figure 2.
The inflating tube from the pump is now disconnected and the cap G screwed on in
its place.
When the tyre is required to be deflated the cap G is taken off and the nut F
screwed out. The valve is then pushed into the tyre until it occupies the position
shewn in Figure 1, whereupon the air escapes from the tyre through the hollow
head B' and axial hole A. It will be remarked that the pressure of air inside
the tyre will tend to force the wall of the air tube away from the head of the
valve when the valve is pushed in, and in a similar manner the air pressure forces
the head B against the wall of the air tube and thus tends to maintain the valve
closed until the same is forcibly pushed in.
In all the valves shewn in the remainder of the drawings which valves differ
merely in constructional details from that shewn in Figures 1 and 2, the principle
by which the deflating of the tyre or receptacle is accomplished is the same namely
through an aperture in the internal flauge of the head of the valve, and it is only
in Figures 15 to 19 that I shew modifications in that part of the valve which
operates as a non-return valve during inflation. The operation of the valve shewn
in these figures will be hereinafter fully described.
In Figures 4, 6 and 7 the head of the valve is shewn solid with an oblique
channel B' leading from the axial hole A' in the stem.
In Figure 4 a valve is shewn wherein I dispense with the nut A² and washer A³
the air tube of the tyre being held between the head of the valve B and a shoulder

page_text: formed on the valve stem. The washer E which is shewn in plan in Figure 5 is
forced against the head of the valve when the nut F is screwed up outside the
rim D.
In Figure 6 I shew how a valve of a kind similar to those above described may
be conveniently fitted to a wheel of a heavy vehicle. D is in this case the iron
rim of the wheel fixed on a wooden felloe D'. The said rim is countersunk as
shown at D and acts in the same manner as the washer E described above with
reference to Figure 1 or the rim D may be plain and a washer used on the top
thereof similar to the washer shewn in Figure 1. I prefer to secure a washer D
on the inside of the felloe having a D-shaped hole through which the D-shaped
stem of the valve passes to prevent the same turning in the felloe when the nut F
is screwed up or down or I may use other suitable means for accomplishing the
same object.
The washer D³ may be provided with flanges as shewn at D' Figure 6 in which
the nut F can rotate but not move axially. Said washer is provided with a slot D³
in the side so that the nut F can be pushed into place from the side. The stem A
of the valve is then inserted through the hole in the felloe and the nut F rotated
to draw the stem through said hole. By this means I ensure a positive axial
motion being given to the valve stem when the nut F is rotated.
In Figure 6A I shew a valve very similar to that shewn in Figures 1 and 2 but
larger and stronger. The washer E in this case is merely a flat piece of metal
which may be brazed or otherwise fastened or which simply beds in the rim D
which is formed with a wide groove. The washer E answers the same purpose as
the iron felloe D Figure 6. The nut F is fitted in a flanged washer D³ secured to
the rim D by brazing or other suitable means, in the same manner as herein before
described with reference to Figure 6.
In Figure 7, C is a washer of conical, hemispherical, or other suitable shape,
which is placed inside, or may be secured to the air tube so that when the nut F is
screwed up the said washer flattens out and effectually closes the entrance to the
channel B.
In Figure 8 the stem and head of the valve are stamped out of one piece of
metal and in this case the head of the valve is hollow having an orifice or orifices
in the flange in the head.
In Figure 9 the washer E is provided with an extension or sleeve E³ the end of
which is formed with an undercut ring Et in which the nut F rotates. The nut is
inserted through a slot E' in the side of the sleeve as hereinbefore described with
reference to Figure 6. By this means I ensure that the valve stem and head shall
be given a positive axial movement with reference to the washer E when the nut F
is rotated. I sometimes make the sleeve E³ screw threaded so that it can be
screwed into the rim of the wheel or secured therein by a nut if desired.
In Figure 10 the cap is formed by securing a disc B by soldering or any other
suitable means in a recess formed in the top of the head.
In the designs illustrated by way of example in Figures 8, 9 and 10, as well as
in those shewn in Figs. 1, 2 and 64 I may make more than one channel leading into
the hollow head of the valve from the exterior if desired.
Figures 11 and 12 shew a form which I have found especially suitable for
pneumatic tyres fitted to rims or wheels having a rounded channel in the bottom
thereof or for applying to metal tubes or the like. Figure 11 is a longitudinal
section and Figure 12 a transverse section of the valve and part of the air chamber
or receptacle. The head of the valve is then semi-cylindrical in shape the
channel B preferably running longitudinally along the rin or tube or the like.
The countersunk washer E is placed outside the rim or the nut F may be sufficiently
countersunk to serve as the washer as shewn in Figure 13 hereinafter described.
In Figures 13 and 14, valves which are more especially suitable for use with air
cushions or other similar receptacles are shewn. In Figure 13 a nut A* is used
to secure the valve to the wall C of the receptacle as previously described with

page_text: reference to Figure 1. The washer E is made in one piece with the nut Fas
shewn. In Figure 14 the valve is secured to the receptacle in the manner herein-
above described with reference to Figure 4, that is to say by means of the
shoulder A, and the nut F and washer E are separate. When the receptacle is
the air tube of a pneumatic tyre the valve stem in these last cases does not pass
through the rim, but the valve is fitted to a part of the tyre outside the rim.
Referring now to Figures 15 to 19 the valve is made with a displaceable portion
of rubber or similar material which is displaced while air is being forced in from
the pump but which re-closes the air entrance when the pressure from the pump is
reduced. The operation of the valve when the receptacle is required to be deflated
is however the same as hereinabove explained with reference to the other figures of
the drawings.
In Figures 15 to 18 the branch tube B¹ extends through the head, one end
opening in the interior flange of the head as at B2 the other end opening out in the
top or side of the head and being covered with the displaceable rubber part H. In
Figure 15, H is a rubber cap having a hole H' at a part not opposite the entrance
to the channel B. The said cap is kept in position by a wire and groove in the
head B.
In Figure 16 H is a disc of rubber secured by its edges to the flat top of the
head and having a hole H' as in Figure 15.
In Figure 17 the rubber part takes the form of a washer H secured to the head
by a nut B³.
In Figure 18 the upper entrance to the channel B' is in a groove B' turned on the
side of the head and a round rubber ring H is placed in the said groove.
Figure 19 shews a modification of Figure 18 in which the groove B* consists of a
cylindrical part of the head, the rubber ring H becoming a tube as shewn.
It will be readily understood that the indiarubber portions of these valves can be
easily deformed and displaced to admit air to the tyre but will not owing to their
elasticity and the pressure of the confined air allow the air to escape. The deflation
of the tyre is accomplished as herein before explained with reference to the other
figures of the drawings.
In order to prevent the nut F from unscrewing when screwed tight in position
against the rim I sometimes secure thereto a spring arm F1 which is forked at the
end as at F2 so as to engage with one of the spokes of the wheel adjacent to the
valve as shewn in Figure 20. When it is required to operate the nut the said arm
is bent or sprung up as shewn in dotted lines and then forms a convenient handle
for turning the nut. In Figure 21 the forked arm is shewn rigid and pivoted on
the nut so as to be able to be placed out of engagement with the spokes when
required.
Instead of using a screw cap on the end of the valve stem to prevent leakage
therethrough I sometimes pivot the cap in a nut which can screw up and down the
valve stem. This device is shewn in section in Figure 22 where I is the pivoted
cap, I the nut and I a leather or rubber disc to seal the opening when the cap 18
in use.
When required to open the entrance to the air all that is necessary is to
screw the nut up a short distance and then to tilt the cap off as shewn in Figure 21.
The cap is thus not detached from the valve thereby avoiding the vexation and
annoyance caused by the loss of the same which frequently occurs.
I have herein described my improved valves as designed for use with pneumatic
tyres but I wish it to be understood that I also apply them to other vessels and
receptacles which are employed for containing air or other fluid under pressure,
such vessels for instance as air cushions, life belts and many others.
In many
cases I alter the shape of the valve head in order to adapt it to the rim, felloe or
chamber it may be intended for.
I make my improved valve of any suitable material and it may be lacquered,
plated or otherwise treated so that corrosion of the parts or adhesion to the rubber
air tube for instance may be prevented.

page_text: 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. The improved valve constructed with a flanged head which is placed inside
the air-chamber, a stem projecting through the wall of the said chamber, and
having an axial hole which is connected by branches to orifices in that face of the
head which comes in contact with the wall of the air-chamber, substantially as
described for the purpose specified.
2. The combination, with a valve such as described in Claim 1, of a washer
which can slide on the valve stem and is adapted to press the wall of the chamber
against the head of the valve when the outer nut is screwed up, substantially as,
and for the purposes, specified.
3. The modification of my invention wherein I cover one of the orifices in the
head of the valve by a piece of india-rubber or other suitable material which is
deformed when air is pumped into the chamber, substantially as, and for the
purposes, specified.
4. An improved valve constructed substantially as described with reference to
any of the Figures 1 to 19 of the drawings and operating as specified.
5. The means whereby I prevent the nut F from slacking back when in use
substantially as described, with reference to Figures 20 and 21.
6. The improved pivoted cap for preventing leakage constructed substantially as
described with reference to Figures 20, 21 and 22 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 15th day of December 1892
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.