A New or Improved Protector or Shield for Pneumatic and other Velocipede Tyres.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Feb., 1891-Accepted, 14th Mar., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Protector or Shield for Pneumatic and other
Velocipede Tyres.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD ROBERTS, of Saint James' Square, Bristol, in the County
of Gloucester, Cycle Manufacturer, 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 consists of a metallic protector or shield for pneumatic and other
velocipede tyres, the object of which is to prevent or guard against possible rupture
occurring to the tyre, such as a puncture of the bag, or tube, containing the com-
pressed air, arising from contact with sharp edged stones, or nails, lying within the
track of the wheel.
In order that my invention and the manner in which I attach it to pneumatic
and other tyres, or form it therewith during the process of constructing same, may
be clearly understood, I have appended the accompanying sheet of drawings.
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of part of a velocipede tyre fitted, or provided
with my new, or improved, protector or shield.
Fig. 2 is a cross section of a similar tyre and rim, fitted in the same manner as
Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of part of said protector, or shield, shewing one.
of the methods employed for joining, or connecting together the ends thereof.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the outer rubber, or wearing surface of a
pneumatic tyre, shewing a method employed by me, whereby the said protector, or
shield, may be moulded, or otherwise incorporated therewith so as to form part
thereof.
In carrying my invention into effect, I provide a thin band, or ribbon A, which
may be of steel, iron, brass, gun, or any other metal, or alloy of metals, suitable for
the purpose, and rendered concave upon the inner side, or the surface intended to be.
nearest the outer surface of the air bag, or tube B, and convex upon the outer side,
or the surface intended to be next to, and covered by, the outer rubber, or wearing
surface C of the finished tyre, and said protector, or shield A may be brought to
this shape in cross section by swaging, or pressing or any known means adapted for
the purpose.
In adapting my invention to pneumatic tyres during the process of their construc-
tion, I place said band or ribbon A around and along the outer surface of the air
bag B, or the casing that may be outside B when this is seated within the rim of
the wheel D, and before the outer rubber or wearing surface C is attached thereto.
Said metallic band or ribbon A being, as before mentioned, shaped internally so as
to coincide with the outer conformation of B is placed thereon for the whole of the
length thereof and the ends of A joined together but preferably not united, the one
end being recessed and the other tapered, so that the tapered end may be within the
recessed end as shewn at Fig. 3, in order that said joint may be sufficiently elastic
to accommodate itself to the contraction and expansion of the metal due to
atmospheric changes, or to the compression of B when in use; this arrangement for
the joining of the ends of A applies more particularly when my invention is brought
into use with pneumatic tyres, and I may in other cases, or when fitted to elastic
tyres other than pneumatic tyres join the ends of A. firmly and rigidly together.
The said band or ribbon A being in position in the manner described upon the
pneumatic tyre, the outer rubber or bearing surface C is placed and fixed upon B in
the usual manner, thereby covering and enclosing and retaining in position the
band A.
Or I may arrange that the protector or shield A. may be cast, or otherwise formed

page_text: integrally with C as shewn by the enlarged sectional view Fig. 4, so that the
attaching or fixing of C upon B may also form the attaching and fixing of A. and
the purposes of A as a protector or shield for B still be maintained.
It is found in practice that pneumatic tyres when charged with compressed air
cannot be driven over sharp edged stones, or other substances of a like nature with
the same impunity, or feeling of security as applies to other more solid, or less
fragile tyres, and that the slightest, or most minute puncture of the air bag, or
tube B, such as might be caused by riding over the upturned point of a nail, or tack,
would permit the escape of the compressed air in B, and the collapse thereof
speedily ensue, and the wearing surface reduced to the edge of the rim D. To guard
against such contingencies is the object and use of my said invention, as the outer
rubber, or wearing surface C, may be actually.cut through without injury occurring
to the compressed air chamber B, if my invention be adopted in the manner
described.
I do not claim as part of my invention the construction of pneumatic tyres generally,
although, in Figs. 1, and 2, I have shown a section of part of a complete wheel rim
and tyre, this being simply to illustrate the application of my protector, or shield
to such tyres and wheels.
I may adapt my invention for the protection of tyres other than pneumatic tyres,
by placing the same band or ribbon A. between the tyre proper, and a rubber, or
other wearing surface, to further prolong the life of the tyre generally.
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
-
First In a new, or improved protector, or shield, for attaching to pneumatic,
and other velocipede tyres, the use and application of a metallic band, or ribbon A,
substantially as and for the purposes herein described and shewn by the accom-
panying drawings.
Second-In a new or improved protector, or shield, for pneumatic, and other
velocipede tyres, the construction and use of a metallic band or ribbon A, cast, or
otherwise formed integrally with the outer rubber, or wearing surface C, or placed
between the air bag, or tube B, and C, substantially as herein described and shewn.
Dated this 11th day of February 1891
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
4, Moorfields, Fore Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
4, Moorfields, Fore Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.