Improvements relating to Pneumatic Tyres for the Wheels of Velocipedes and other Vehioles.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 14th July, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 16th May, 1892--Accepted, 9th July, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Pneumatic Tyres for the Wheels of
Velocipedes and other Vehioles.
I, JAMES WILLIAM SMALLMAN, of 62, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
This invention relates, first, to an improved rim for use with pneumatic tyres,
and, secondly, to an improved method of attaching the tyre to the rim.
The improved rim for use with pneumatic tyres has the margin on each side
turned in so as to form a cavity in the rim against the tyre; a space being left
between the edges of the margins. The margins support or bear against the
tyre.
In the improved method of attaching the tyre to the rim, part of the empty or
nearly empty tyre is put between the edges of the margins of the rim into the
space. This permits the whole of the tyre to be placed in the rim. Then, after
being sufficiently adjusted, the tyre is inflated; the inflation causing it to occupy
its proper position. A tyre so put into place, while inflated, can.not come off.
Dated the 13th day of July 1891.
JAMES W. SMALLMAŅ.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Pneumatic Tyres for the Wheels of
Velosipedes and other Vehicles.
I, JAMES WILLIAM SMALLMAN, of 62, Chancery Lane, in the County of.
Middlesex, Engineer, 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, first, to an improved rim for use with pneumatic tyres,
and, secondly, to an improved method of attaching the tyre to the rim.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is a cross section through the rim and the inflated tyre.
Fig. 2 is a view shewing the shape in which the tyre is moulded.
Fig. 3 illustrates the rim and tyre with a different kind of air-tube.
Fig. 4 represents the deflated tyre when in contact with the bottom of the cavity
or space in the rim on one side of the wheel; Fig. 4ª shewing the corresponding
position of the tyre on the other side of the wheel.
Fig. 5 is an elevation, drawn to a smaller scale, illustrating the inflated tyre in
working position on the rim; Fig. 5 representing the position into which the
deflated tyre is temporarily brought while being attached to the rim according to
my improved method.
The tyre A consists of caoutchouc and cloth, and has edges a and a' which can
not be stretched to any appreciable extent. Each edge may contain a wire, the
ends whereof are connected by a screw-nipple. Or, the wire may be endless. Or,
catgut or other suitable material may be substituted for the wire. The precise
construction of the tyre itself constitutes, however, no part of this invention.
B and B' are the air-tubes, which likewise present no peculiarity.
The improved rim C has the margin o con each side turned in so as to form a
cavity in the rim against the tyre; a space C' being left between the edges c¹ of
the margins c c. The margins c c¹ support or bear against the tyre. The edge c

page_text: of cach margin may be bent over, as shewn, to prevent the rim cutting the tyre.
A strip of canvas may be cemented inside the rim; the tyre, when inflated, being
forced against the canvas. The friction between the surfaces in contact holds the
tyre firmly in position. The spokes are secured, either directly or by means of
nipples, to the wings c
:
In the improved method of attaching the tyre to the rim, part of the empty or
nearly empty tyre A (Figs. 4 and 5) is put between the edges of the margins of
the rim into the cavity or space C₁ (Fig. 4). This allows the other part of the
tyre to be slipped over one of the edges c, thus permitting the whole of the tyre to
be placed in the rim. Then, after being sufficiently adjusted, the tyre is inflated;
the inflation causing it to occupy its proper position (Fig. 5). A tyre so put into
place, while inflated, can not come off.
The ring formed by the edge a or a¹ of the tyre, being sninller' in diameter
than the rim at the edge c¹ of either margine, the edges a and a' remain in the
space C after the tyre is fully inflated. The diameter of the ring formed by the
edge a or a¹ of the tyre may vary within certain limits without materially affecting
the grip of the tyre in the rim. Though the deflated tyre can be placed eccen-
trically in the space C, it can not he, taken out of that space without removal
from the rim.
The air-tube B 18 made of caoutchouc containing an insertion of cloth. The
latter, instead of permitting the tube to expand while being inflated, may serve to
prevent expansion.
The air-tube B is composed of pure caoutchouc. Consequently, while being
inflated, it expands outwardly; its expansion being limited by the tyre A, which
it tends to stretch.
A tyre attached to the present improved rim possesses a great advantage over a
construction in which the tyre is first put into a central groove in the rim and then
taken out of that groove and opened laterally so as to lie against the vertical edges
of the rim, because in such construction the surfaces of the tyre and of the rim
which come into.contact are necessarily too small to ensure a proper grip.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, L claim :-
.
1. For use with pneumatic tyres, a rim having margins for supporting or bearing
against the tyre and a cavity or. space between the margins for enabling the tyre
to be attached to the rim and in which the edges of the tyre remain, substantially
as herein described.
2. For use with pneumatic tyres, a rim C having margins a cavity or
space C¹ between the margins, and wings to which the spokes are secured, sub-
stantially as herein described.
3. The combination, with an ordinary pneumatic tyre, of a rim C having
margins.cc, a cavity or space C between the margins, and wings substantially
as herein set forth.
14.
1.
4. In attaching a pneumatic tyre to its rim; placing part of the deflated tyre in a
cavity or space between the margins of the rim, slipping the other part of the tyre
over one of the margins, adjusting the tyre in the cavity or space, and then inflating
the tyre so as to cause it to occupy a position in which, while its edges remain in
the said cavity or space, it is supported by the margins of the rim, substantially as
herein described.
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