Improvements in and connected with Pneumatic Tyres for the Wheels of Velocipedes and other Vehicles.
Year: 1892

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Pneumatic Tyres for the
Wheels of Velocipedes and other Vehicles.
1, HENRIETTE ROUSSET of 184, Rue de l'Eglise St. Scurin, Bordeaux,
(Gironde) France, Merchant do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:
This invention relates to improvements in pneumatic tyres for the wheels of
velocipedes and other vehicles.
The india rubber pneumatic tyres at present in use are very liable to become
deflated by the puncturing or cutting of the air chamber by nails, thorns, broken
glass, or other sharp substances with which they may come in contact and their
repair is attended with much difficulty and great loss of time which it is the object
of this invention to avoid.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this
Specification, wherein Figure 1 represents a cross-section, and Figure 2 a part
longitudinal section, of my improved pneumatic tyre.
A is the air chamber and B a protective covering or cuirass of canvas or other
textile fabric, made of strips of different widths superposed one. on the other, each
strip being previously enclosed or covered with sheet india rubber and attached to
the canvas lining C of the external rubber sheath D. E is the wheel rim of
special form in cross-section. Fare cords for securing the canvas lining C to
the rim.
The arrangement of the several elements of the tyre is clearly shewn in the
longitudinal section Figure 2 and more particularly the means of attaching the
tyre to the wheel which together with the protective cuirass of graduated thick-
ness constitute the important features of the invention as by them the tyre is both
rendered proof against injury from the causes above mentioned and also capable
of being readily mounted or dismounted from the wheel.
The cuirass B, which is separately represented in Figure 3, composed of super-
posed strips of graduated widths as described, applied upon that portion of the
air chamber not enclosed by the wheel rim this part only of the tyre being vulner-
able to injury. It is made of graduated or diminishing thickness towards the
edges so as to preserve the elasticity and flexibility of the air chamber and may
form an independent element of the tyre according as it is attached or not to the
canvas lining C of the sheath by which the whole tyre is secured upon the wheel
rim. If not so attached the use of the cuirass is optional, that is to say it may be
omitted without interfering with the remainder of the tyre.
The canvas lining C by which the pneumatic tyre is secured upon the wheel
consists, as shewn in Figures 1 and 2, of an endless band of suitable width, the
edges of which are doubled on themselves so as to form sheaths in which are
inserted two fine but strong cords F the bights of which pass through an aperture
in the rim. This canvas lining C is attached to the inner surface and forms one
with an endless jacket or envelope D of rubber, which is made of less width than
the lining C so as not to extend over the tubular edges of the latter.

page_text: The rubber jacket D and canvas lining C enclose both the cuirass B attached
or not to lining C and also the air chamber A forming a perfectly impenetrable
endless pneumatic tyre. When applied upon the rim of the wheel, the sheaths of
the canvas lining C containing the tightening cords lie in a groove or channel
made in the bottom of the rim, the cords being drawn tight against the rim and so
secure the whole tyre thereto. For the purpose of tightening the cords I employ
the tension device represented in Figure 2 which is mounted in a short tube or box
on the back of the rim enclosing an aperture through which the bights of the cords
are passed. The tube or box is slotted at opposite sides to form bearings for the
journals of the tension device which consists of a spindle provided at the centre
with a small hook upon which are hitched the bights of the two tightening cords F
which pass out of their sheaths as above mentioned, at this point. One end of the
shank has a squared head to receive a spanner for the purpose of rotating the
spindle of the winch and coiling the cords F thereon whereby they are drawn tight
in the groove of the rim and thus firmly secure the whole tyre in position therein.
The opposite end of the shank is screw-threaded to receive a nut which on being
tightened up bears against the exterior of the socket which is gripped between the
nut and flanged head of the spindle whereby the spindle is firmly retained in the
position to which it is turned when the cords are tightened up. The socket is
closed by a screw cap to prevent entrance of dirt.
The air chamber A is inflated by means of the pump shewn in Figure 4 and is
provided upon the side next the rim with a small rubber tube A' which is passed
through a hole made in the rim for the purpose and projects at the back thereof.
The air is retained by means of a small valve separately represented in Figures 5
and 6 which is fitted and bound tightly in the end of the tube A'. The bore of the
tubular portion of the body of the valve is made of two diameters, that is to say
the passage H through which air is pumped in is of small diameter and extends to
about mid-length of the valve body where the bore is enlarged and receives a
short tube of india-rubber I forming a seal for a small ball valve G (Figures 4
and 5) contained in the larger bore of the valve chamber, the ball being held
slightly pressed against its seat I so as to close the orifice H by an india rubber
band K whose ends are fixed by tying against flats J (Figure 6) formed on each
side of the valve chamber the band being kept in position on the ball valve by
passing through two diametrically opposite slots L. Thus on the air being
pumped in, the ball is forced off its seat and on the pump ceasing work, the ball is.
immediately closed on its seat by the pressure of the india rubber band, so pre-
venting the escape of the air.
To deflate the tyre, it is simply necessary to raise the ball from its seat, by
means of a rod inserted through orifice H.
Dated this 27th day of Ast TOOD
HENRIETTE ROUSSET,
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Pneumatic Tyres for the
Wheels of Velocipedes and other Vehicles.
I HENRIETTE ROUSSET of 184 Rue de l'Eglise St. Seurin, Bordeaux,
(Gironde) France, 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 :-
This invention relates to improvements in pneumatic tyres for the wheels of
velocipedes and other vehicles.
The india rubber pneumatic tyres at present in use are very liable to become

page_text: deflated by the puncturing or cutting of the air chamber by nails, thorns, broken
glass or other sharp substances with which they may come in contact and their
repair is attended with much difficulty and great loss of time which it is the object
of this invention to avoid.
Reference is to be had to the drawings filed with my Provisional Specification,
wherein Figure 1 represents a cross section, and Figure 2 a part longitudinal
section, of my improved pneumatic tyre..
A is the air chamber and B a protective covering or cuirass of canvas or other
textile fabric, made of strips of different widths superposed one on the other, each
strip being previously enclosed or covered with sheet india rubber and attached
to the canvas lining C of the external rubber sheath D. E is the wheel rim of
special form in cross-section. F are cords for securing the canvas lining C to
the rim.
The arrangement of the several elements of the tyre is clearly shewn in the
longitudinal section Figure and more particularly the means of attaching the
tyre to the wheel which together with the protective cuirass of graduated thick-
ness constitute the important features of the invention as by them the tyre is both
rendered proof against injury from the causes above mentioned and also capable
of being readily mounted or dismounted from the wheel.
The cuirass B, which is separately represented in Figure 3, composed of super-
posed strips of graduated widths as described, is applied upon that portion of the
air chamber not enclosed by the wheel rim this part only of the tyre being vulner-
able to injury. It is made of graduated or diminishing thickness towards the
edges so as to preserve the elasticity and flexibility of the air chamber and may
form an independent element of the tyre according as it is attached or not to the
canvas lining C of the sheath by which the whole tyre is secured upon the wheel
rim. If not so attached the use of the cuirass is optional, that is to say it may be
omitted without interfering with the remainder of the tyre.
The canvas lining C by which the pneumatic tyre is secured upon the wheel
consists, as shewn in Figures 1 and 2, of an endless band of suitable width, the
edges of which are doubled on themselves so as to form tubes through which are
threaded two fine but strong cords F the bights of which pass through an aperture
in the rim. This canvas lining C is attached to the inner surface and forms one
with an endless jacket or envelope D of rubber, which is made of less width than
the lining C so as not to extend over the tubular edges of the latter.
The rubber jacket D and canvas lining C enclose both the cuirass B attached or
not to lining C and also the air chamber A thus forming a perfectly impenetrable
endless pneumatic tyre. When applied upon the rim of the wheel, the tubular
edges of the canvas lining C containing the tightening cords lie in a groove or
channel made in the bottom of the rim, the cords being drawn tight against the rim
and so securing the whole tyre thereto. For the purpose of tightening the cords
I employ the tension device represented in Figure 2 which is mounted in a short
tube or box on the back of the rim enclosing an aperture through which the bights
of the cords are passed. The tube or box is slotted at opposite sides to form
bearings for the journals of the tension device which consists of a spindle provided
at the centre with a small book upon which are hitched the bights of the two
tightening cords F which pass out of the tubular edges of the lining as above
mentioned, at this point. One end of the shank has a squared head to receive a
spanner for the purpose of rotating the spindle of the winch and coiling the cords F
thereon whereby they are drawn tight in the groove of the rim and thus firmly
secure the whole tyre in position therein. The opposite end of the shank is screw
threaded to receive a nut which on being tightened up bears against the exterior
of the socket which is gripped between the nut and flanged head of the spindle
whereby the spindle is firmly retained in the position to which it is turned when
the cords are tightened up. The socket is closed by a screw cap to prevent
entrance of dirt.
The air chamber A is inflated by means of the pump shewn in Figure 4 and is

page_text: provided upon the side next the rim with a small rubber tube A¹ which is passed
through a hole made in the rim for the purpose and projects at the back thereof.
The air is retained by means of a small valve separately represented in Figures 5
and 6 whose casing is fitted and bound tightly in the end of the tube A'. The
bore of the tubular portion of the body of the valve is made of two diameters,
that is to say the passage H through which air is pumped in is of small diameter
and extends to about mid-length of the valve body where the bore is enlarged and
receives a short tube of india-rubber I forming a seat for a small ball valve G
(Figures 4 and 5) contained in the larger bore of the valve chamber, the ball being
held slightly pressed against its seat I so as to close the orifice H by an india
rubber band K whose ends are fixed by tying against flats J (Figure 6) formed on
each side of the valve chamber the band being kept in position on the ball valve
by passing through two diametrically opposite slots L. Thus on the air being
pumped in, the ball is forced off its seat and on the pump ceasing work, the ball
is immediately closed on its seat by the pressure of the india rubber band, so
preventing the escape of the air.
To deflate the tyre, it is simply necessary to raise the ball from its seat, by
means of a rod inserted through orifice H.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be perforined I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The combination with a pneumatic tyre of a protective cuirass for the air
chamber, composed of superposed strips of rubber coated canvas of graduated
widths arranged and applied between the air chamber and the outer sheath, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose specified.
2. The herein described means of securing a pneumatic tyre to the wheel rim,
consisting of cords threaded through tubular hems of the outer sheath, in combina-
tion with a tension device or winch mounted on the back of the wheel rim on
which said cords are wound substantially as specified.
3. The combination with the air chamber of a ball valve held to its seat by a
rubber band and contained in a casing constructed as specified.
4. In a pneumatic tyre, the combination with the air chamber and its sheath of
a protective cuirass formed of superposed graduated strips inserted between the
chamber and sheath as described, and the means of securing the tyre to the wheel
rim consisting of cords threaded through the tubular edges of the sheath and wound
on a tension device as described, and the air valve spring-pressed and fitted on a
casing all as herein described and illustrated in the drawings.
Dated this 21st day of February 1802
HENRIETTE ROUSSET,
By A. M & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.