Improvements in Rubber Tires for Vehicles.
Year: 1895

page_text: 'Date of 'Application, 28th May, 1895-Accepted, 29th June, 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rubber Tires for Vehicles.
I, JAMES GODMAN RODGERS, of 94, North Limestone Street, Springfield,, in
the County of Clarke, State of Ohio, United States of America, Manufacturer, do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for Improvements in Rubber Tires for
Vehicles, 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 that class of tires made of rubber and held within, a
flanged or concave rim, and consists in making the rubber tire in two parts,
extending peripherally around the rim, the inner part conforming to the shape, of
the flanged rim, in cross-section, fitting snugly therein and having a peripheral
groove to receive the outer part of the rubber tire fitting therein; in terminating
the inner part of the rubber tire, fitting within the rim, in shoulders, or at the
outer edges of the rim flanges,and making the outer, wearing, part of the tire of
less diameter than the inner part and than the distance between said flange edges
so that it cannot be pressed outward over said flanges to be cut thereby; in
providing the outer or wearing part of the tire with a longitudinal bore and a
metallic core and compressing the rubber thereon, and in the means for securing
the parts of the tire to each other and to the wheel rim, all as hereinafter described
and claimed.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing a portion (in section) of a wheel rim and
tire embodying my invention.
Figure 2 shows the inner part of the rubber tire, and
Figure 3 the outer or wearing part thereof, both detached and in cross-
section, and
Figure 4 a similar view of the two parts assembled.
Figure 5 represents a cross-section through the rim and two-part tire.
Figures 6, 7 and 8 represent transverse sections through the tire showing
modifications hereinafter explained, and
Figure 9 shows the ends of a flat metal.core, provided with slits or notchespfor
uniting them.
A indicates the metal rim, made, preferably, substantially rectangular in form,
in cross-section, and this may be secured to the spokes or wooden rim of the wheel
any usual or preferred manner.
in
B indicates the inner part of the. rubber tire, shown detached and in section in
Fig. 2. 'It is made to conform on its outer face, in cross-section, to the form of the
groove and of a depth, at its side, corresponding to the depth of the groove in the
rim, so as to terminate at the outer edges of the peripheral flanges a, a, forming
the sides of said groove. This inner, part of the rubber tire is moulded with a
central, peripheral, groove, b, of rounded or semi-elliptical, form to receive an outer
part C, of the tire, inade of rubber, and, preferably, round or elliptical in form, in
cross-section, to match 'the groove, b, and at the sides of the bottom of said groove,
smaller parallel, grooves b₁, b, are formed, through which wires d, may be extended
On account
and united at their ends for clamping the part B, in the grooved rim.
of the grooves b', opening-into the main or tire groove.bit.will be apparent that
the confining wires or metallic cores can be readily placed in the said grooves and
their ends conveniently joined, for holding the bed or cushion in place or against
displacement. Where preferred, the part B, may be fastened in the rim, by
cementing it therein, in the usual manner, in which case the wires can be dispensed

page_text: with, or both wires and cement can be used, if desired thereby ensuring a firm
union of the part B of the rubber tire or tread with the metallic rim.
The outer part C of the rubber tire, or tread, is provided with a central bore or
perforation and through this a wire e, or other suitable form of metal core is
drawn, and the rubber being compressed thereon, to give it the desired power of
resistance, the ends of the core are joined, in any suitable manner, to prevent its
stretching the recoil of the compressed rubber serving to hold the ends of the
rubber tire in snug contact, without the aid of cement, though the latter may be
used if desired.
The part C may also be fastened with cement in the groove of the part B; but
for all ordinary purposes, the metallic core drawn tightly and having its ends
firmly joined to prevent its stretching, will be sufficient. The central bore of the
outer part C adds to its elasticity and the rounded form of said part makes it
practicable to readily turn it, when its outer, wearing, surface becomes so cut or
worn by use as to make such turning desirable, for presenting a new wearing
surface. By making the part C separate from and removable, without disturbing
the part B, it can be readily turned, when it becomes worn, and it can also. be
replaced by a new outer part, when required, without necessitating the removal of
the inner part of the tire, thereby greatly lessening the cost of renewal.
On account of the peculiar form of the inner cushion part B, terminating in
shoulders at the edges of the flanges a, of the metal rim A, and the diminished
diameter of the outer wearing part C of the tire, I am enabled to use
very soft
grade of rubber stock in the manufacture of the tire C, which, as is well understood,
gives greater life and power of resistance to the tire.
In Figs. 6, 7 and 8, the tire is shown as made in one piece, the inner part,
indicated by B', terminating in shoulders, 3, at the outer edges of the rim flanges,
and the semi-cylindrical or semi-elliptical part C (corresponding to the part C),
rising centrally from the periphery of the part B, with its sides sufficiently
removed from the rim flanges to prevent the part C' from being crowded over upon
and cut by said flanges. In this construction, the tire may be perforated for one
wire, as in Fig. 6, for two, as in Fig. 7, or for a flat metal core, as in Fig. 8.
Where the latter is used, its ends, indicated in Fig. 9 at d' d', may have inclined
slits or notches d, cut in their opposing edges, extending half the width of the flat
strip or core, for coupling the ends firmly and bringing them into the same
vertical plane. In either case the rubber should be considerably compressed,
longitudinally, on the core, it having been found by practical test, that rubber,
Funder compression, will much more successfully resist injury from rough and
cutting surfaces of the road over which it passes in use.
The peculiar form of core is immaterial, so long as it prevents the elongation of
the tire and has the rubber compressed upon it for the purpose explained. I have
shown how the two-part rubber tire can be formed in a single piece, but it is
preferred to make the outer part C, separate from the inner part B, as facilitating
its turning and reducing the cost of repairs.
In practice, it is preferred to mould or form the two parts B and C of the
rubber, each, upon an inner. facing or core of canvas or other suitable fabric,
indicated, in the part B, by f and f₁, and in the part C by f³, (see drawing),
said lining extending through the entire bore of the part and concavities or
hollows in the outer face of the part B, after which the two parts can be brought
together and vulcanized into one, or otherwise united as above described, as may
preferred. By thus reinforcing the rubber it is further guarded against stretching,
and all danger of tearing or mutilation by the metallic cores, where the latter are
used, is obviated.
be
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inveu-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, declare that what I
claim is :

page_text: cushion part made approximately square or rectangular in shape in cross-section,
conforming to the shape of and confined wholly within the wheel rim and formed
with a peripheral groove or concavity in its outer face, for the reception of and in
combination with an outer wearing part of rubber, made of less diameter than the
bed or cushion part and embedded therein, and a non-extensible metallic core for
said outer part, for securing the same to and within the groove of the inner bed or
cushion, in the manner substantially as specified.
2. A two-part rubber tire for vehicle wheels, consisting of an inner bed or
cushion part, made approximately rectangular in shape, in cross-section, on its face,
conforming to the flanged rim in which it is confined and provided with a peripheral,
fabric-lined groove on its outer face for the reception of and in combination with
a rounded outer wearing part of rubber, of less diameter than the cushion part and
embedded therein, the cushion part terminating at the edges of the wheel rim flanges
in shoulders extending to the wearing part, for preventing the latter from coming
in contact with said edges, substantially as described.
3. A rubber tire for vehicle wheels, consisting of an inner or base part of rubber,
formed with a peripheral longitudinal tire-holding groove for the reception of an
outer part or tire of rubber, and provided with parallel grooves opening into said
tire groove, for its retaining wires, in combination with a rounded outer part or tire
embedded in said grooved part and having a longitudinal bore or perforation, and
the central, metallic core on which said outer part is compressed and which prevents
its elongation, substantially as described.
4. The combination with a double-flanged, metallic rim, of a bed or cushion of
rubber, conforming to the shape of said rim and contained wholly within the same
and formed with a peripheral groove for the reception of the tire, and with
supplemental grooves, opening into said tire groove, for the retaining wires or cores,
in combination with an outer, wearing, part, or tire proper, of rubber embedded in
said bed or cushion, and a facing or layer of canvas applied to and covering or lining
the tire-groove and, also, the supplemental core-grooves, for protecting the same from
injury, substantially as described.
5. The combination, in a rubber tire, made in two parts, of an inner grooved bed
or cushion part, confined within and conforming to the shape of the flanged rim,
and the outer, wearing, part, of rubber, lying in the groove of and surrounding
said inner part, and the flat, metallic, core, for the outer part, provided with
the slits or notches for uniting the ends thereof, in the manner and substantially as
described.
Dated this 27th day of April 1895.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.