Improvements in Pneumatic Tyres and Rims of Wheels Applicable to Velocipedes and other Wheeled Vehicles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 24th May, 1897-Accepted, 3rd July, 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pneumatic Tyres and Rims of Wheels Applicable to
Velocipedes and other Wheeled Vehicles.
I, WALTER HUGH LOOK of Sutton, Ditcheat, Evercreech, Bath, Somerset, Mechanical
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 has for its object to overcome certain serious defects occasioned by
the puncturing of cycle and other wheeled tyres of the pneumatic type, as well as side
slipping and what is known as ground suction.
Cyclists, whilst they enjoy all the comfort and ease due to the pneumatic tyre are
somehow conscious of a retarding influence detrimental to their progress and the
speed of their machine, which is augmented in a marked degree in wet weather,
and more particularly when the roads are in a plastic condition.
This is due to the ground tread of the tyre as it comes in contact with the ground
altering somewhat its original form. The original form is changed into a shape
approximating to concavity and the tyre is spread or flattened out.
In carrying my invention into practice I substitute for the usual outer cover
composed of rubber and canvas a covering or armour of welded steel embodying
features of novelty as to its shape and the means of retaining it in position in the rim
which is also of novel shape and configuration.
In order that my said invention may be properly understood and readily carried into
effect, I will now proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed.
Figure 1 is a part side view of a pneumatic tyre and rim, made in accordance with
and constituting my invention.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section corresponding to Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a transverse section.
Figure 4 is a detached view of screw stud.
Figures 5 and 6 are side elevation and plan, the latter being taken on edge in the
direction indicated by arrow Figure 3, of certain details all hereafter more fully
referred to.
The steel cover which is marked A, is provided at the ground tread of the tyre with
longitudinal indents or corrugations B, seen more particularly in Figures 1 and 3, in
order to prevent side slipping. The said steel armour or cover A, is of circular form,
and is provided with two approximately vertical wall-extensions C which terminate with
lips D bent outward. These lips D which extend circumferentially round each side of
the tyre are inserted within the rim E, and lie within the vertical walls E', and are
capable of a telescopic movement extending outward as the air tube F, is more or less
distended, but are prevented from becoming displaced, or riding out of the rim E by
the lips G, which are bent inwardly on either side thereof as seen more particularly in
Figure 3. By virtue of the construction of the lips D and G, of the armour A and
rim E, respectively the two surfaces are locked together when they come in close
contact and consequently are dust proof. The rim E is preferably of the double
hollow bottom type. The ends of the steel covering or armour A, which come
together are provided with the stepped or spliced joint H, Figures 1 and 2.

page_text: The stepped or spliced surfaces are securely and firmly held together at both sides
of the tyre by a milled screw stud I (seen in Figure 1 and in detail Figure 4) being
screwed into the hole I' Figure 2.
To facilitate the placing of the steel covering A, within the rim E, or unshipping
therefrom at any time, I make an elongated opening J, in the said rim E, in or near
the lip G, which opening enables the spliced end H, of the cover with the lip D to be
released when the milled stud I is unscrewed, and by this means the steel cover may
be drawn out laterally from the rim.
The opening is normally closed by the fillet K, seen in detail Figure 5, and by
virtue of the slots k and the turnkeys is securely locked to the rim wall E³.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same it to be performed. I declare that what I claim is—
First. In pneumatic tyres of cycles and other wheeled vehicles the steel outer cover
or armour substantially as described and shewn on the drawing.
Second. The general arrangement and combination of parts substantially as
described and shewn on the drawings.
WALTER HUGH LOOK,
Applicant.