Improvements in and connected with Pneumatic Tyres for Bicycle, Tricycle, and other Wheels.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Oct., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 16th Jan., 1892-Accepted, 5th Mar., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Pneumatic Tyres for Bicycle,
Tricycle, and other Wheels.
I JOHN BOSWORTH No. 4 South Parade London Road Kettering in the County
of Northampton Timber Hewer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
•
This invention relates to pneumatic tyres of bicycle tricycle and other wheels.
The ordinary pneumatic tyre is made of canvas and rubber and is fixed with
canvas to the rim of the wheel in such a manner that when repairs are necessary
the canvas is cut away from the rim and afterwards replaced with cement, which is
a great disadvantage in repairing.
Now the object of my invention is to so construct the tyre and valve that these
difficulties may be overcome.
To this end I form the wheel with a hollow or solid rim, I then take the outer
covering of rubber and fix it to the rim by means of thin steel plates in sections
with screws.
The ordinary valve is placed inside the air tube which is very liable to damage
and cannot be removed without pulling the tyre and air tube to pieces.
My valve is not a part of the air chamber nor is it fixed to it by cement but is
inserted in such a manner that it can be easily detached, and the pump is
provided with a flexible connection to the valve which allows of easy inflation of
the air tyre in any position.
.
By this system of construction it is an easy matter to get at any part of the tyre
for repairs so that a person may take out the valve or air tube and replace them in
a few minutes.
DL: THAL if Ontahou 1901
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Pneumatic Tyres for Bicycle,
Tricycle, and other Wheels.
I, JOHN BOSWORTH of 4 South Parade, London Road Kettering, in the County
of Northampton, Timber Hewer 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 improvements in the construction of pneumatic tyres for
use upon the wheels of velocipedes and other vehicles, and consists,
Firstly. Of a method and means of fixing the outer envelope of the air bag or
tube, and constituting the wearing surface of the tyre, to the hollow or solid rim of
the machine, more easily and quickly than obtains with any of the methods hitherto
adopted, and this without the aid of solution or other adhesive agent, usually
employed for that purpose, and without encompassing therewith the outer surface
of the rim or any portion thereof, and I-attain this by the employment of thin plates
of steel or other metal fixed within, or incorporated with, the materials constituting
the said envelope, and upon which are studs projecting through and extending
beyond the outer surface of the envelope which engage with slots formed within -
the inner surface of the aforesaid hollow rim. Or by the means of metallic plates
similarly fixed and having in lieu of studs a cylindrical projection which extend<

page_text: through both the inner and outer surfaces of the hollow rim, or entirely through
the substance of the solid rim, into each of which is inserted a metal screw for
retaining and holding the envelope in position when the air bag is inflated.
Secondly. Of a method and means of arranging the inlet tube of the air bag so
as not to protrude beyond the surface of the inner periphery of the rim in the
unsightly manner hitherto adopted; and of a flexible'tube, connecting the inlet tube
with an air pump by which the air bag may be inflated when the wheel is in any
position, and without the need of the operator having to stoop or kneel to perform
this operation.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood I have hereunto appended a
sheet of drawings, in which
Figs. 1 and 2 are sectional views of the envelope, describing the method of
placing the studs shewn by the enlarged view Fig, 3-therein.
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal and cross section of part of the hollow rim of a bicycle
or similar vehicle wheel, upon the inner surface of which are slots for the reception
of the heads of the studs of the plates Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of a hollow rim similar to Fig. 4, with the
envelope and air bag in position thereon, shewing the manner in which the studs of
Fig. 3 engage therewith.
Fig. 6 is a plate similar to Fig. 3 but with a hollow cylindrical stud for passing
through holes in the solid rim of the wheel, or through holes formed in the inner
and outer surfaces of the hollow rim, and retained therein by a screw inserted in each
cylindrical stud.
Fig. 7 illustrates the manner of placing Fig. 6 within or between the substances
of the envelope in a similar manner to that shewn by Figs. 1 and 2.
Fig. 8 is a similar view to Fig. 5 but illustrating the application of Fig. 6 instead
of Fig. 3.
Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a hollow T piece, partly crescent shaped in cross
section, which forms in connection with a screw socket, as at Fig. 10, a ball valve
inlet for the compressed air.
Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view similar to Figs. 5 and 8, but taken between the
stud, and spoke holes, and illustrating the manner in which Figs. 9' and 10 are
placed in position through the rim, envelope and air bag.
Fig. 12 is a view shewing the manner in which the flexible tube connects the
force pump to the exposed end of Fig. 11, when charging or inflating the tyre.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the
drawings.
In carrying my invention into effect and dealing with the first method shewn in
the drawings of fixing the tyre to the hollow rim, I bore or otherwise form within
the-inner surface of the rim. A of a velocipede wheel, two rows of equidistant slots a
and-a, one on each side and near the edges thereof, and in such a manner
that the slots in the one row occur, preferably; alternately with 'those in the
opposite-row.
The air bag B may be of the usual material and constructed in the way of
such bags generally when employed for a like purpose, but the outer envelope
thereof according to my invention is constructed in two parts C and D, and
preferably of different materials, the outer or wearing surface D being of india
rubber or the like, or a composition thereof, the inner surface C being preferably
of canvas; and solutioned or otherwise fixed to D. The outer envelope D is
provided with a double row of holes corresponding in number and distance apart
with the slots in A, and before wholly fixing C to D I place there between the
plates b, in such a position that the stud of each plate passes outwardly through
said holes and extend beyond the outer surface of D. The said plate and stud
is- shewn more particularly by the enlarged view "Fig. 8, and in position
within D by the view Fig. 1. The finishing of the adhesive connection of C
and D may now be completed and would then appear as shewn Fig. 2.

page_text: The holes in Fig. 4 represent the holes to be occupied by the ends of the
spokes d, therefore, presuming that the rim A is upon the wheel and all the
spokes placed in position, the air bag B would be placed surrounding A in
the usual way. The envelope and studs Fig. 2 is then placed upon A
surrounding B, and in such a manner that one row of the studs 6 occupy the
slots a, while the opposite row occupy the slots a'. The edges of the envelope C D
are finished off as thin as possible and the entire width of C D if spread out
flat would be slightly in excess of the circumferential cross sectional measure-
ment of the bag B when fully inflated, in order that the edges of C D may
overlap each other, so as to cover the heads of the spokes d, to prevent rupture
of the bag B, should any mishap occur with the spokes. This will be clearly
understood by reference to Fig. 5, which illustrates the parts described connected
together before the bag B is inflated, and this when fully charged with com-
pressed air would press equally against all parts of C, which would have the
effect of forcing each stud b into the smallest end of its companion slot, the
overlapping ends of C D, parting sufficiently to permit this as the inflation
proceeds. It will now be fully understood that while the envelope C D serves
to protect, form a wearing surface for, and retain in position the bag B, the
inflation of the latter keeps CD in position upon the rim A.
As an alternative method I may in lieu of, or in addition to the studded
plates b, employ plates b', having in place of the stud, a cylindrical internally
threaded projection e, of a sufficient length to pass through both the inner and
outer surfaces of the tyre A, suitable holes being provided for that purpose in
addition to, or in lieu of the slots a a'. Or a solid rim may be employed by
this method instead of the hollow rim if desired. The said plates b' (shewn by
the enlarged view Fig. 6) are connected to the envelope in. the same manner
as that described with regard to Fig. 3, that is to say, the projection & passes
through the holes in D previous to the final connection of C and D as shewn
in Fig. 7. The projections are then placed in and through the previously
mentioned holes in the hollow or solid rim A. and a screw e¹ inserted into
each cylinder e from the outer surface of A, and by this means the tyre is.
held to the rim A as shewn by Fig. 8.
a
I have previously mentioned that one of the improvements constituting my said
invention is the method provided for inflating the bag B. I carry this into effect by
constructing a T piece E of metal or other suitable material, the shape of which in
longitudinal section is shewn by Fig. 9, and in cross section at Fig. 10, the foot of
which f, is provided externally with a male screw thread, and internally with
vertical bore g. A suitable hole is provided in any part of the rim A, but
preferably in line with and midway between any two of the spoke holes, and a
corresponding hole is made in the bag B. The Ṭ piece E is placed within B
previous to inflation, so that the foot passes through the last mentioned holes in A
and B, in such a manner as to place the convex surface of the crescent shaped head,
seated within, and fitted into, and corresponding with the circular shape of B, when
this is pressed into the concave rim A. The footf would then protrude beyond
the inner casing of A, if this be hollow, or partly through the substance of A, if
this be solid, and receives a resilient washer h. An elongated internally threaded
metallic cup F, provided with an internal bore or air passage i, similar to g, is then
screwed upon until the crescented head of E presses sufficiently upon the edges of
the hole in B through which has passed, to render the same perfectly air tight,
by which means E is held firmly in position, and an air passage into B provided, as
shewn by Fig. 11. The cup F contains a small ball m, which in conjunction with
the passage which is arranged to form an air tight seating therefor, acts as a
valve to prevent the return of the air during the process of, and after inflation.
The free end of F being slightly less in circumference than that which screws
uponfis provided with an external thread o, and upon this is screwed a cap G,
Fig. 10 to keep out dust and dirt after the bag B has been fully inflated' and being

page_text: air tight prevents the return of the air, should the ball m through vibration become
unseated, and this slight protrusion of o and G is all that is seen of the inlet tube
when the machine is in use.
To charge the bag B I employ a flexible tube and fittings, consisting of an
internally threaded junction piece H, capable of. being screwed upon o when G is
removed, and provided with an air passage p, similar to i, and connected to said
junction piece is a short length of flexible tubing J, bound thereon by the aid of
wire, or string or any other suitable means whereby the said connection is rendered
perfectly air tight. To the opposite end of J is connected by any suitable means a
nozzle K, into which is inserted the nose of any suitable force pump, which may if
necessary be constructed so as to screw thereinto.
The method of connecting H to i when G is removed, and the manner in which a
force pump may be connected to the elastic tube, is sufficiently clearly shewn by
Fig. 12 as to be easily understood without further description.
By the facilities provided by the flexible tube J, I am enabled to charge the
bag B, when the wheel is in any position, and without the need of stooping or
kneeling, as the tube J when connected to i may be bent in any position, and
enables me to operate the pump without the slightest possibility of bruising my
knuckles against the spokes, which often occurs with the methods hitherto adopted,
and by the method and means herein described and shewn of fixing the gas bag
envelope to the rim of the wheel, I am enabled to entirely dispense with the use of
solution or other adhesive for that purpose and which permits of easy removal for
the purposes of repair, and speedy replacement when said repairs have been
effected.
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 1
claim is :
1st. The construction and use of pneumatic tyres as herein described, the manner
of attaching same to the solid or hollow rims of velocipede and other wheels without
the need of cement, substantially as herein described and shewn by the accompanying
drawings and for the purposes specified.
2nd. For improvements in and connected with the pneumatic tyres of velocipede
and other wheels, the construction and use of a hollow rim A provided with internal-
slots a a¹, for receiving and holding the studs of the plates b, fixed between, or
incorporated with, suitable substances or materials CD, surrounding and constituting
an envelope for, and the wearing surface of the air bag B when inflated, and the
manner of overlapping the edges thereof for the purpose of protecting B from
puncture by the spoke ends d, substantially as herein described and shewn by
Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the appended drawings.
3rd. For improvements in and in connection with the pneumatic tyres of
velocipede and other wheels, the construction and use of a hollow or solid
rim A, provided with suitable holes in place of, or in addition to the slots a a¹,
mentioned in the preceding claim, for receiving and holding the internally threaded
hollow studs ‹ of plates b', when fixed between or incorporated with C and D in the
manner aforesaid, the method of retaining the studs e, in connection with A by the
means of screws e, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth and shewn
by Figs. 6, 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.
4th. For improvements in and connected with pneumatic tyres, and the manner
of charging the same with compressed air, the construction and use of a crescent
headed piece E with air passage g placed within the air bag B, the externally
threaded hollow foot of which passes through a suitable hole in B and A, and
receives an internally threaded cup F screwed thereon, provided with air
passage i. and ball valve m, in combination with any form or type of force
pump the nose of which is capable of being inserted within the nozzle K,
fixed upon a flexible tube J, bound or otherwise connected to a hollow

page_text: junction piece H, capable of being screwed upon the small end o of F, for charging
the bag B, and the employment of a dust air tight cap G for screwing upon o when
His removed, the whole connected, combined and operating substantially as and
for the purposes herein set forth and shewn by Figs. 9, 10, 11 of the drawings
hereunto annexed.
Dated this 16th day of June 1895
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
4, Moorfields, Fore Street, London, E.C.