Stopping Holes in India Rubber and other Articles.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Feb., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 18th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 30th Jan., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Stopping Holes in India Rubber and other Articles.
I, THOMAS BEAVEN SLOPER of 11, 12, 14 and 15 Brittox Devizes in the
County of Wiltshire House Furnisher do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
This my invention relates to improved means of stopping or repairing holes in
articles of india rubber and other materials & more particularly to articles which
cannot be conveniently repaired from the inside such as pneumatic tyres of cycles,
water beds, and the like.
In carrying out my invention I employ plugs or discs preferably of india-rubber
having a stem or branch from the centre. These plugs may be made in a form
resembling a mushroom & may have threads or fibres extending from and passing
up the stem into the substance of the disc.
To repair a hole in the tube of a pneumatic tyre I should if necessary enlarge the
hole to a little less than the size of the stem of the plug, and by means of a scraper
of a convenient form clean the surface of the rubber inside the hole. I should then
take a suitable size plug and insert it together with a little india rubber solution
into a thin tube or holder.
This tube may be of any suitable material such as steel or brass, and its use is to
temporally compress or reduce the diameter of the plug and so to facilitate its
introduction through the hole which it is to close.
After inserting the tube and plug through the hole I force the plug out of the
tube either by means of an air pump attached to the other end of the tube or by
any other means.
The plug being now inside the hole and free from the tube it expands to its
original form, and when the tube is withdrawn it may be pulled into position by
means of the cord extending from the stem.
When the plug is drawn or pressed into position the tyre may be expanded in the
usual manner by means of the air pump, which will cause the plug to retain its
position and if desired the projecting stem may be cut off, or it may be divided and
cemented to the outside.
The plugs may be made of any suitable form or size, and if desired they may be
drawn over the outside of a small tube or other device by a ring, jaws or equivalent
means, instead of being inserted inside a tube to reduce their diameter.
In order to facilitate the insertion of the tube or plug I sometimes use a guide or
device to temporally expand the hole. This may be either separate or may be made
to slide on the tube.
It will be obvious that in the case of a large hole it may not be necessary to use
any other means to assist the insertion of the plug than to roll or tie up the disc
allowing the stem or thread to project.
Sometimes I make the plug with two discs connected together by the stem and
spaced apart about the thickness of the substance to be repaired one disc to be each
side of the material.
Dated this 13th day of February 1891.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Stopping Holes in India Rubber and other Articles.
I, THOMAS BEAVEN SLOPER, of 11, 12, 14, and 15 Brittox, Devizes, in the
County of Wilts, House Furnisher, 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 my invention relates to the stopping or repairing of holes in articles of
indiarubber and other materials and more particularly in articles which cannot be
conveniently repaired from the inside such as pneumatic tyres of cycles, water-beds
and the like..
In carrying out my invention I employ plugs or, dises preferably of indiarubber
having a stem or branch from the centre. These plugs may be made in a form
resembling a mushroom and may have threads or fibres extending from and passing
up the stem into the substance of the disc.
To repair a hole in the tube of a pneumatic tyre I should if necessary enlarge
the hole to a little less than the size of the stem of the plug, and by means of a
scraper of a convenient form clean the surface of the rubber inside the hole. I
should then take a suitable sized plug and insert it together with a little indiarubber
solution into a thin tube or holder.
"
This tube may be of any suitable material such as steel or brass and its use is to
facilitate the introduction of the plug through the hole which it is to close.
After inserting the tube and plug through the hole the plug may be pushed out
of the tube by any suitable means.
When the tube is withdrawn the plug may be pulled into position from the
outside.
When the plug is in place the tyre may be expanded in the usual manner by
means of the air pump, which will cause the plug to retain its position and if desired
the projecting stem may be cut off or it may be divided and cemented to the
outside.
The plugs may be made of any suitable form or size and if desired they may be
drawn over the outside of a small tube or other device by a ring, jaws or equivalent
means instead of being inserted inside a tube.
In order to facilitate the insertion of the tube or plug a guide or device to
temporarily expand the hole may be employed and may either be separate or may
be made to slide on the tube.
It will be obvious that in the case of a large hole it may not be necessary to use
any other means to assist the insertion of the plug than to roll or tie up the disc
allowing the stem or thread to project.
Sometimes I make the plug with two discs connected together by the stem and
spaced apart about the thickness of the substance to be repaired one disc to be each
side of the material.
In the accompanying drawings in all of which the same letters are employed to
indicate similar parts I have illustrated means for carrying this invention into effect
and the different positions of the parts during the operation.
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through an instrument suitable for inserting the
plug and
Fig. 2 shows in section a portion of the instrument removed.
Figs. 3 to 11 inclusive illustrate various stages of the operation of inserting the
plug and withdrawing the instrument.
Fig. 12 shows various forms of plugs and
Fig. 13 a different form of plug and instrument for inserting it.
Figs. 14 and 15 show a modified form of instrument for inserting the plug.
The instruments shown in the figures so far are more especially adapted for use
with those plugs which have strings to the stems although they may be used for
plugs without such strings.

page_text: Fig. 16 is a longitudinal section of an instrument adapted for use with a plug
without a string to the stem.
Figs. 17 and 18 show a simplified form of tool adapted for use with a plug with
or without a string.
Fig. 19 represents a tube adapted for use with a plug having two heads as shown
in Fig. 20.
Figs. 21 and 22 show another form of inserting tool, and
Fig. 23 shows a portion of the same in use.
Fig. 24 shows in use an instrument for removing the deposit of sulphur from the
inside of the tube around the hole.
Figs. 25 to 31 show the tool or instrument for enlarging the puncture by cutting
out the piece of rubber containing it.
Fig. 25 is an elevation and Fig. 26 a section of such a tool Figs. 27 and 28
illustrating its operation.
Fig. 29 shows the hole when enlarged and
Figs. 30 and 31 show a modification of the tool shown in Figs. 25 and 26.
I will first describe the instrument and process illustrated in Figures 1 to 12.
A, Figure 1, are a number of spring fingers conveniently six, fixed in a disc or
holder A and coming together at the point A B is a tube open at its inner end B
and provided with a head or handle B². Through the tube B passes the hollow
plunger C provided with a head or knob C and with a hole C² passing
throughout its length. At its inner end the hollow plunger C, Fig. 2, has a
peripheral recess C³ which may be filled with indiarubber solution for fixing a
plug as will presently appear. In the space D, Fig. 1, between the tube B and
the hollow plunger C the head of the plug E is accommodated whilst being
inserted through the tyre F.
The use of this instrument will be understood by reference to the drawings.
The hollow plunger C is pushed forward into the position relative to the rest
of the instrument shown in Fig. 6, and the plug E placed therein with its cord
or stem E passing through the hole C and if long enough, out at the head C¹
as indicated in Fig. 2. The point A of the instrument formed by the junction
of the spring fingers A is inserted as shown in Fig. 3 into the hole in the rubber
and pushed entirely through the rubber. The tube B is then forced forward
extending the edges of the cut or hole as in Fig. 4 until the position shown in
Fig. 5 is reached when the hole is fully expanded and the tube B may be
pushed further through as in Fig. 6 by which time it will be observed the head
of the plug E is well inside the rubber tube or sheet to be repaired. The
hollow plunger C is retained in this position while the tube Baud spring
fingers A are drawn back when the position shown in Fig. 7 is reached
the edges of the puncture or enlarged hole in the tyre F taking up the
solution G carried in the recess C³ of hollow plunger as they tightly close
into the recess. The hollow plunger C is now drawn back as indicated in Fig. 8
leaving the solution between the head of the plug E and the edges of the
hole; when C has been entirely withdrawn the position is somewhat as shown
in Fig. 9, the solution being then between the head of the plug E and the
tyre and the edges F of the hole closely surrounding the stem of the plug
which is now pulled out by its stem or cord as indicated in Fig. 10 squeezing
out the solution around the head of the plug. The stem of the plug may now
be cut off as in Fig. 11, and a perfectly firm joint will be the result the
pressure inside the tube merely serving to force the head of the plug more
firmly against the interior of the wall of the tube F.
Figure 12 indicates six different forms of plugs, the first three of which
are shown with attenuated stems or cords for a portion of their length, the
fourth having a small stem throughout, and the fifth and sixth having thick
stems.
All these are shown broken off and not of their full length.
The instrument shown in Figs. 14 and 15 operates in the same manner as that

page_text: previously described, but is rather simpler, the spring fingers A being dispensed
with and the tube B being slit and the ends pressed together so as to form the
point as in Fig. 14. In use the points would be forced apart just as with the
spring fingers A of Fig. 1 by the hollow plunger C.
This
The instrument shown in Fig. 16 is substantially the same in its operation
as Fig. 1 the tube B being shown pressed forward and the spring fingers A
expanded the hollow plunger C however is dispensed with and a tube H with
a head H is substituted and surrounds the spindle I which screws through the
head Hat. ' and may be turned by the milled head 12. The inner end of the
spindle is split and formed into cylindrical jaws J the external form of which
coincides with that of the end of the hollow plunger C of Fig. 1.
instrument is intended for use with a plug without a long stem or thread and
in use the plug is inserted between the jaws J as in Fig. 2 and the spindle I
being turned in the screwed head or nut H' the wedge-shaped edge of the jaws J
is drawn into the tube H thus compressing the jaws so that they hold the plug
firmly. After the plug has been inserted the head I can be turned and the
rod I screwed back again through the nut H' when the jaws J will release
their hold upon the plug and the instrument can be withdrawn.
In Figs. 17 and 18 is shown a simple insertion tool consisting of the tube B
pointed at its forward end and the pointed and headed plunger K which with
the pointed end of the tube B forms a complete cone which may be readily
inserted through the puncture in the tyre: after the tube B has been inserted
the plunger K may be withdrawn and replaced by the hollow plunger C which is
generally similar to the hollow plunger C of Fig. 1 although in this instance it is
shown much shorter. After the hollow plunger C carrying the plug E and solution
has been inserted the tube B can be withdrawn and the operations with the hollow
plunger C are the same as those described in reference to Fig. 1. In Fig. 19 is
shown a modification of the hollow plunger C adapted for inserting double-headed
plugs E E E³; this plunger C is split at the end in a manner similar to that
described in reference to Fig. 15 so as to facilitate the insertion of the plug
into it; the operation with this instrument is the same as with Fig. 1 the tube B
preventing the split end from opening and releasing the plug until the tube B
has been withdrawn after which the plunger C can be removed leaving the plug
and solution in their proper position in the tyre as before. The head E³ is
merely for convenience in handling and can be cut off with the projecting
portion of the same after the plug has been fixed.
In Fig. 13 a modified arrangement for the introduction of the plug is shown;
in this figure L represents a tube shown with a bell-month though this is not
essential and the plug E is shown with an enlarged head the flange or projecting
rim of which may be doubled over the end of the tube L as shown at L' where
it may be secured by tying or merely held in position. It is desirable to use
the bell-mouth to the tube L as the solution can then be placed in the space L'
behind the bell-mouth between the tube and the flange of the plug. The tube L
is withdrawn when the plug has been passed through the tyre and the end can
be cut off as in former instances. The plug may be retained in the tube L
during the operation either by means of its stem or cord E which may be
passed through the tube or it may be tied round at L' as above described,
or the funnel-shaped ring M may be employed this serves to compress the
flange and draws off and remains outside as the plug is forced through the
rubber. In this arrangement the pointed end of the head of the plug E enables
it to be forced through the puncture the conical neck illustrated taking a good
bearing upon the bell or conical mouth of the tube; nevertheless the pressure
is generally not so great that damage would result to the plug even were the
bell-mouth and conical neck dispensed with. The solution may be forced into
the puncture first and may also be used to lubricate the plug in its passage
through the opening.
In the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 21 to 23 the tool is formed in two parts

page_text: the tube B which has a head B2 being screwed at its leading end to facilitate the
insertion and holding of the tool. The plunger N has a pointed screw-thread upon
it at its leading end to facilitate its entrance into the puncture in the tyre and has
also a head Nand pin N the latter to engage with a hole 133 in the head B of the
tube B. With this arrangement the plunger N which passes freely through the
tube B is screwed into the aperture its tapered point facilitating the introduction of
the end of the threaded tube B and the pin N2 causing the two to work together.
After the tube B is inserted as in Fig. 23 the plunger N is withdrawn and the plug
may then be forced through the opening B' into the inside of the tube by any
suitable plunger.
The tool shown in Fig. 24 consists of a piece of bent steel wire with a knife-
edge O formed upon it; this tool may be inserted through the aperture and then
turned round for the purpose of removing the deposit of sulphur around the hole
upon the inside of the tube.
I have described the employment of a head to the plugs but it will be under-
stood that if a conical plug be employed it may be made sufficiently firm without
the necessity for any special head particularly so if the hole or aperture be larger
upon the inside of the tyre than upon the outside.
It will be seen that the instruments hereinbefore described are suitable for
operating directly upon the puncture in the tyre the point being inserted in the
puncture which is then expanded for the passage of the plug. It will be readily
understood however that a much more satisfactory stoppage of the leak will be
effected if a circular hole corresponding and adapted to closely engage with the
plug be formed, and especially so if the hole be tapered and have its larger end at
the inner or inaccessible side of the tyre. It is therefore desirable that the hole or
puncture should be enlarged and tapered so as to suit the plug especially so since
by this arrangement a hole of a known size can be produced in which the plug will
tightly fit. For this purpose I employ the instrument whose construction and
operation is illustrated in Figs. 25 to 31 of the accompanying drawings.
The instrument illustrated in Figs. 25 and 26 consists of a stock or barrel P
preferably of hard wood through which passes the rod Q having on its end outside
the stock the head Q' pointed at its outside end and recessed at its other end so as
to produce a circular cutting edge Q. The spring Q3 Fig. 26 is carried in the
hollow interior of the stock P and compressed between the stock and the button or
handle Q fixed upon the rod Q the tendency thus being to press the cutting
edge Q against the end of the stock P as indicated in Fig. 26. In use the point
of the head Q is inserted into the puncture and the button Q pushed in until the
whole of the head Q' is inside the tyre as indicated in Fig. 27 the requisite space
between the cutting edge Q and the end of the stock P being obtained by pushing
in the button Q so that the neck Q³ compressing the spring Q³ slides into the
stock P. The next operation is shown in Fig. 28 where the cutter Q has cut out
a circular piece of the tyre and is ready to be withdrawn. The cutting operation
may be conveniently effected by turning the button Qround and round or back-
wards and forwards, the spring Q³ forcing the cutting edge upon the tyre and
compressing it between the cutting edge Q and the end of the stock P. The hole
obtained is shown in Fig. 29 the orifice upon the inside of the tyre being con-
siderably larger than the orifice upon the outside of the tyre.. The piece of rubber
cut out remains round the rod Q from which it may be removed by compressing
the spring withdrawing the piece of rubber from the interior of the head Q
and cutting it off the rod Q. Before commencing the hollow in the head Q' may
be filled with water to act as a lubricant during the cutting operation. It appears
to be a natural effect upon the rubber that the hole would be larger at that side at
which the cutting commences but to accentuate this feature the cutting tool Q³
may be swelled out as shown in the drawings so as to be of larger diameter above
the cutting edge than it is at the cutting edge.
The instrument shown in Figs. 30 and 31 is a modification of that shown in
Figs. 25 and 26; in this case the general features are the same but the rod Q is

page_text: be
thickened and screw-threaded at and provided with a turning button or
handle Q the screw thread Q engaging with a corresponding thread in the
stock P which in this instance serves also as a nut. The block R against which
the cutting is effected may in this case be either part of the stock P or as shown
in the drawing a separate portion. Where the pressure is applied by the operation
of the screw in the nut P as the rod Q is revolved the portion R may be fixed
to P but where it is desired to apply the pressure by hand the block R may
independent of P which may either be dispensed with altogether or allowed to turn
round with the rod Q. It will be therefore seen that in both instruments Figs. 30
and 31 and 25 and 26 the pressure may if desired be applied by hand the screw and
spring being provided for convenience. Both the stocks P and the cutting
block R may be provided with lugs for convenience in holding as shown in the
figures.
Instead of the head Q being the cutter and P or R the block the parts may be
reversed, and P be made the cutter and Q' the block.
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 I
claim is -
1. Stopping a hole or leak in a cycle tyre or other indiarubber article the
interior of which is not accessible except through the said hole or leak by inserting
from the outer or accessible side a plug such as described whose head or larger portion
is upon the inner or inaccessible side of the tyre or other rubber article when the
repair is completed substantially as described.
2. Stopping a hole or leak in a cycle tyre or other indiarubber article whose
interior is inaccessible excepting through the said hole or leak by temporarily
enlarging such opening inserting a plug therein and allowing the aperture to re-close
substantially as described.
3. In a tool for the stoppage of leaks or closing of apertures in indiarubber
tyres and the like which are only accessible from one side the combination with a
number of spring fingers such as A coming to a point as at A' of a tube such as B
adapted when pushed forward to separate the said fingers and a plunger such as C
substantially as and for the purpose described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
4. In a tool for the stoppage of leaks or closing of apertures in indiarubber
tyres and the like which are only accessible from one side the combination with a
tube such as B adapted to enter the aperture to be closed of a plunger such as C
having a peripheral recess as at C adapted to receive and carry the solution for
fixing the plug to the inner or inaccessible side of the material to be repaired sub-
stantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
5. The process of repairing a leak or aperture in a rubber or other article
accessible only from one side which consists in placing in a suitable instrument_a
plug such as E passing it together with the fixing solution through the temporarily
enlarged opening which has to be closed withdrawing the instrument or means by
which the hole was enlarged and drawing back the plug until its head or enlarged
portion engages with the material substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
6. An instrument for inserting plugs into punctures or holes in rubber tyres and
the like consisting of a pointed tube such as B pointed plunger such as K and
hollow plunger such as C substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 17
and 18 of the accompanying drawings.
7. An instrument for inserting plugs into punctures or holes in rubber tyres and
the like consisting of a short tube such as B preferably but not necessarily screw
threaded at its end and a screw pointed plunger such as N substantially as described
and illustrated in Figures 21 22 and 23 of the accompanying drawings.
8. An instrument for inserting plugs into punctures or holes in rubber tyres and
the like consisting of a series of spring fingers such as A tube B and combined tube

page_text: and plunger such as H I J substantially as described and illustrated in Figure 16
of the accompanying drawings.
9. For the stopping of holes in cycle tyres and the like the combination with a
tube such as L of a pointed flange headed plug such as E substantially as described
and illustrated in Figure 13 of the accompanying drawings.
10. In a rubber tyre or the like which is only accessible from one side cutting
out a leak or puncture from the inaccessible to the accessible side so as to form a
tapered hole with its larger diameter at the inaccessible side substantially as
described.
11. For the repair of a leak in a cycle tyre or other article of rubber or the like
accessible from one side only forming a tapered hole with its larger diameter at the
inaccessible side of the material to be operated upon.
12. In an instrument for cutting holes from the inaccessible side of cycle tyres
and the like accessible from one side only the combination with a stock such as P
of a pointed cutting head such as Q' Qadapted to pass through the material and
cut from the inaccessible side of the material and to be operated from the accessible
side thereof substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
13. In an instrument for cutting holes from the inaccessible side of cycle tyres
and the like accessible from one side only a cutting head such as Q' Q² adapted to
first pass through the puncture and then remove the portion of the material con-
taining the puncture substantially as described.
14. In an instrument for cutting holes from the inaccessible side of cycle tyres
and the like accessible from one side only the combination of the stock P the
head QQ rod Q spring Q³ and button or handle Q substantially as and for the
purpose described and illustrated in Figures 25 and 26 of the accompanying
drawings.
15. In an instrument for cutting holes from the inaccessible side of cycle tyres
and the like accessible from one side only the combination with the cutting
head QQ and screwed rod or spindle QQ of a stock or nut such as P sub-
stantially as and for the purpose described and illustrated in Figures 30 and 31 of
the accompanying drawings.
16. In an instrument for cutting holes from the inaccessible side of cycle tyres
and the like accessible from one side only the combination with a cutting head such
as QQ and rod or spindle Q of a cutting block such as R substantially as
described and illustrated in Figures 30 and 31 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 18th day of November 1891.
THOMAS B. SLOPER.
W. P. Thompson & Boult,
Agents for the Applicant.