Improvements in and connected with the Tyres of Cycles, Carriages, or other Vehicles.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with the Tyres of Cycles, Carriages,
or other Vehicles.
I, WILLIAM HERBERT SEWELL, of Westcliff House, Portstewart, Ireland,
General Produce Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
According to my invention I propose to construct the pneumatic tyres of cycles,
carriages and other vehicles more in consonance with the laws and forces
governing a running wheel, while at same time more simple in construction,
more durable, and affording greater comfort to the rider, by more perfectly
absorbing vibration, than any of the pneumatic tyres at present in use.
In carrying. my invention into effect, the tread or running face of the wheel is
composed of a series of separate and hollow chambered sections of rubber or the
like distensive and flexible material or a combination of rubber and other material,
these sections will be held in rim by a flange, by compression or by cup attach-
ments somewhat similar to those provided for in my prior Patent No. 12257
A.D. 1894.
The sections may be of differing shapes on outside such as spherical, spheroidal,
or cycloidal, or a modification of any of these forms, but their interior or hollow
chamber will be of as nearly a spherical form as possible, and this hollow will
be filled with air or gas at such pressure as desired.
The construction of these sections is special, and peculiar, viz. what may be
called their side wall will be thickened, or it may he strengthened by a band
or belt of a rigid, or non-stretching material, in order to prevent transverse and
longitudinal expansion whilst the running apex and its perihelion or opposite
side will be left flexible and distensive so that compression or deformation of
either of these points will readily cause them to yield to or affect each other.
In the case of the running apex of sections being any considerable distance apart,
the thickened side walls may be lengthened or elongated so as to form a cushion,
and prevent loose road metal and such like jarring or coming into contact with
ground face of the rim between the running points.
It will be obvious that in a wheel making its revolution on the flexible points
of above described inflated sections, the waves of resilience in each point neces-
sarily produced by the shocks and deformation of ground contact, will be per-
pendicular and therefore concentrated on or against the expansive perihelion
producing a perfect suspensory seat for the vehicle or rider, and further the
sharp contraction or rebound of the distended perihelion on the segment being

page_text: relieved from pressure, must re-act on the running apex and produce an impetus
in line of motion.
Dated this 18th day of November 1897.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Patent Agents.
Improvements in and connected with the Tyres of Cycles, Carriages,
or other Vehicles.
I, WILLIAM HERBERT SEWELL, of Westcliff House, Portstewart, Ireland.
General Produce Merchant, 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:-
According to my invention I propose to construct the pneumatic tyres of cycles,
carriages, and other vehicles more in consonance with the laws and forces
governing a running wheel, while at the same time more simple in construction
more durable, and affording greater comfort to the rider, by more perfectly
absorbing vibration, than any of the pneumatic tyres at present in use.
In carrying my invention into effect, the tread or running face of the wheel is
composed of a series of separate and hollow chambered sections of rubber or the
like distensive and flexible material or a combination of rubber and other material,
these sections will he held in rim by a flange, by compression or by cup attach-
ments somewhat similar to those provided for in my prior Patent No. 12257
A.D. 1894.
The sections may be of differing shapes on outside such as spherical, spheroidal,
or cycloidal, or a modification of any of these forms, but their interior or hollow
chamber will be of as nearly a spherical form as possible, and this hollow will
be filled with air or gas at such pressure as desired.
The construction of these sections is special, and peculiar, viz. what may be
called their side wall will be thickened, or it may be strengthened by a band
or belt of a rigid, or non-stretching material, in order to prevent transverse and
longitudinal expansion whilst the running apex and its opposite or lid will be
left flexible and distensive, so that compression or deformation of either of these
points will readily cause them to yield to or affect each other.
In the case of the running apex of sections being any considerable distance apart,
the thickened side walls may be lengthened or clongated so as to form a cushion,
and prevent loose road metal and such like jarring or coming into contact with
ground face of the rim between the running points.
It will be obvious that in a wheel making its revolution on the flexible points
of above described inflated sections, the waves of resilience in each point neces-
sarily produced by the shocks and deformation of ground contact, will be per-
pendicular and therefore concentrated on or against the expansive top or lid
which is unconfined within hollow of rim, producing a perfect suspensory seat
for the vehicle or rider, and further the sharp contraction or rebound of the dis-
tended top or lid on the segment being relieved from pressure, must re-act on
the running apex and produce an impetus in line of motion.
Each of the running sections may be made with a double or divided flange.
the inner is the hearing or attachment flange, whilst the outer or under will
prevent section being pushed up through, or into rim, and also obviate any
tendency to side roll.

page_text: I will now describe my invention reference being made to the accompanying
drawings.
Referring to Figure 1, 2, 3, which show cross sections of some of the differing
forms of segments and the peculiarities of construction of same, A, is the
thickened or strengthened side wall in which lateral expansion is confined, B,
is the running apex or tread of same, and C, its top or lid which is preferably.
composed of a more elastic quality of rubber than remainder of segment, D, is
the hollow and spherical air chamber, and E, is a small button or piece of self-
healing or closing rubber, through which the segments can be inflated by a
needle inflator or injector. F, is the attachment or bearing flange, which is
inserted into and bears on the other side of rim face, and G, is the buffer flange
spoken of as desirable for protection of outer side of rim face, which may be
elongated as in Figure 3, when the segmentary treads, or running points are
spaced at any considerable distance apart.
In some instances, or if desired, I might have an embodiment of canvas or
such like non-stretching material I in side walls of segments, or I might have
them lined with a similar non-stretching material with exception of top or lid,
the canvas or other material being for the purpose of more effectually controlling
lateral expansion or deformation by increasing rigidity in side walls as seen
in Figures 4 and 5.
Referring to Figure 6 which is part section and part elevation of part of wheel
rim fitted with the segmentary tyre and which illustrates one form of my inven-
tion, it will be observed that the top or lid of each segment is open and unconfined
to admit of free perpendicular expansion. The amount of this expansion will
of course vary according to the weight carried and elasticity of top or lid, and
it is in effect, an unpaid for storage of power, which will, on its contraction
or rebound as segment escapes from ground contact or pressure, be given out,
and provide an impetus in line of motion. The free perpendicular expansion
also secures an absolute suspensory seat for vehicle and rider, the shock or
vibration being also lost at this point. H is the metal or wooden rim and O
are the spokes of wheel.
Figure 7 is cross section of segments showing the effect of pressure on, or
deformation of, the running apex B of segment in actual ground contact, as
well as the effect of same on the expansive top or lid C.
Referring to my improvements as applied to heavy or vehicular wheels,
Figures 11 and 12 are respectively a section, and sectional clevation of part
of tyre, and Figure 13 is plan of the attachment for the ball or section.
A is concave rim, with beaded or bearing edge B¹. Upon this beaded or
bearing edge the attachment C¹ for ball D¹ rests. A suitable inlet is provided
at one or more points on the circumference of rim to allow of ball attachment
being readily inserted and slid into position, the whole being keyed by means
of a set-screw bolt F or other rigid fastening.
The attachment is so constructed as to provide an orifice for the through per-
pendicular expansion of the ball into rim of wheel, as shewn at E, Figure 11.
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. In the tyres of cycles, carriages, and other vehicles the using of separate
and permanently and desirably inflated segments, having their lateral (transverse
and longitudinal) expansion confined, controlled, or restricted whilst the running
apex and its opposite or top are left flexible and distensive, in combination with
a wheel rim permitting and providing for the free and unconfined perpendicular
expansion of the elastic top or lid of segment, and thereby providing a suspensory
seat for vehicle and rider, substantially as described and illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings.
2. In the tyres of cycles, carriages, and other vehicles, constructing the sections

page_text: or segments of rubber or a combination of rubber or other material in the manner
substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated on
the accompanying sheet of drawings.
Dated this 16th day of September 1898.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Patent Agents.