Improvements in Puncture-proof Pneumatic Tyres for Bicycles and other Vehicles.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Aug., 1899-Accepted, 23rd Dec., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Puncture-proof Pneumatic Tyres for Bicycles and
other Vehicles.
We, GUY FEATHERSTON LAWS, Merchant, of Corvallis (no street address),
Benson County, Oregon, JAMES NEWMAN RANDLE, Blacksmith, of East side of Boule-
vard, Fairmount, near Eugene, Lane County, Oregon, and SANFORD HENRY HOUSER,
Wheelwright, of 5th Street (no number), Eugene, Lane County, Oregon, all in the
United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer
tained in and by the following statement:-
-
This invention relates to puncture-proof pneumatic tires for bicycles and other
vehicles, and consists in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter
fully set forth and pointed out in the claims.
The object is to provide simple and efficient means whereby a pneumatic tire is
rendered incapable of being punctured through its tread, the arrangement of parts
being such that while the tire is rendered puncture-proof, its resiliency and easy
riding qualities are not impaired. This object is attained by the means illustrated
in the accompanying drawing, in which
Fig. 1 is a sectional view through the circumference of a tire provided with
our improved features.
Fig. 2 is a transverse section through the diameter of the tire.
Fig. 3 is a section through a portion of the circumference of a tire at the point
where the ends of the steel spring lap.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view in detail showing a portion of the steel spring, its
inclosing tube or casing of muslin and its cushion of felt in which it is embedded.
Referring to the letters of reference, A designates the outer case of a pneumatic
tire of any suitable construction, and 13 represents inner air tube.
C designates a flat steel spring curved concentric with the circle described by
the tire, the free ends of which are adapted to overlap, as shown at a. This spring
is inserted in a casing D of muslin or other suitable fabric, which incloses said
spring completely from end to end while permitting said spring to move circum-
ferentially therein. This casing of fabric is glued or otherwise secured to a felt
cushion E which is adapted to lie against the inner wall of the tread 6 of the outer
casing of the tire. The spring C and the felt cushion E are interposed between the
outer case and the inner air tube of the tire and are held securely in place by the
pressure within the inner tube when the tire is inflated. The edges of the felt
cushion are adapted to extend over the edges of the steel blade, as shown at c,
whereby the outer casing of the tire is protected from injury by contact of the steel
blade therewith.
A vehicle tire provided with this improved projecting strip of steel is not only
rendered incapable of being punctured through the tread thereof, but the resiliency
and elasticity of the tire is preserved as well. The lapping ends of the steel spring
permit of the free circumferential expansion and retraction of the tire, permitting
the spring to yield freely when the tire is passing over an obstruction and

page_text: enabling said spring to accomodate itself to the circumference of the tire no
matter to what degree said tire may be inflated.
The presence of the felt cushion between the spring and the tread of the tire
serves to properly cushion said spring and retain it in place and at the same
time prevents any noise due to a possible friction between the spring and tread
of the tire caused by the creeping of the spring.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is:.
Claim 1: In a pneumatic or inflatable tire for vehicles, the combination of
the outer case, the inner air tube, the felt cushion interposed between said casing
and tube, and the circular spring also interposed between said tube and casing and
embedded in said felt cushion.
Claim 2: In an inflatable tire for vehicles, the combination of the outer tread,
the inner air tube: the cushion interposed between said casing and tube, the
circular spring embedded in said cushion traversing the interior of the tire
circumferentially, the free ends of said spring lapping substantially as set forth.
Claim 3: In an inflatable tire for vehicles, the combination of the outer casing,
the inner air tube, the cushion of felt interposed between said cushion and tube,
a fabric casing attached to said cushion, a circular steel spring inserted in said
casing and having lapping ends.
Claim 4: In an inflatable tire for vehicles, the combination of the outer casing,
the inner air tube, a flat steel spring interposed between said casing and tube
and curved concentric with the circle of the tire, the meeting ends of said spring
lapping one on the other substantially as set forth.
Dated this 8th day of ducunt 1000