Year: 1898

page_text: I, WILLIAM HENRY PARKER, of 21, Saint John's Square, Wolverhampton, in the
County of Stafford, Cycle Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven
tion to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object means by which the outer cover of a pneumatic
tyre, in case an inner tube is employed, or the elastic or flexible ring or band which
forms the tyre, in the case of a tubeless tyre, may be securely fastened to the rim,
and portions of the rim in the latter case be made airtight (if the metal of the rim
is not itself airtight) which are not made airtight by the elastic or flexible ring or
band simply, and comprises also the combination of such means, and of means
commonly employed for fixing an outer cover to a rim, with means for enabling
pneumatic-tyred vehicles to be ridden without injury to a tyre notwithstanding that
such tyre has become deflated.
The middle portion of the wheel rim is formed, according to this invention, to
project outwards from the base thereof, and the outer edges of the rim are curled
over outwards so that the extreme edges are towards the projecting portion of the
rim. The outer cover of the tyre, or the elastic or flexible ring or band which itself
forms the tyre, as the case may be, has thickened portions or heels formed to fit
within the curled-over edges of the sides of the rim, and has feet or portions which
extend therefrom, when the tyre is in place, to the sides of the projecting portion of
the rim. This cover, or the band forming the tyre, when in place within the rim has
the heels thereof within the turned-over edges of the rim and the feet between such
edges and the projecting portion of the rim, and when the tyre is inflated these feet
When an internal inflatable tube is not
are securely pressed down against the rim.
employed, the projecting portion of the rim is made airtight either by coating with
a suitable varnish or the like or by covering with a piece of thin sheet rubber, and
in the latter case the edges of the thin sheet rubber lie upon the base of the rim and
are themselves pressed upon by the feet of the tyre. The ends of the feet may be
formed with flanges which thin out towards their edges and which by extending the
bearing surface somewhat up the sides of the projection of the rim tend to increase
the security of the joint. The projecting portion of the rim is formed in section
conveniently of a U-shape, or similar shape, consisting of two sides, with a space
between, which is open at the inner periphery of the rim and is closed in at the outer
periphery of the projection.
To adapt the projection around the rim for the purpose of enabling the wheel to be
ridden without injury to the tyre, notwithstanding that the tyre has been deflated,
such projection is carried sufficiently outwards to ensure that in case the tyre becomes
deflated the outer periphery of the projection will run upon the tyre; and to avoid

page_text: sharp edges which might be liable to cut the tyre, the outer periphery of the pro-
jection is forined of a rounded shape in transverse section, or with rounded corners,
and, if desired, it may be surrounded by a rubber ring or pad which may be either
formed to fit over it or with a portion to fit within a groove formed around the pro-
jection to receive it. The projection may be adapted for the purpose stated in this
paragraph for use also with a tyre having an outer cover which has simply thickened
edges, by means of which it is attached to the curled over edges of the rim such
edges of the cover being prevented from escaping from the edges of the rim by the
inflation simply of the inner tube.
I, WILLIAM HENRY PARKER, of 21, Saint John's Square, Wolverhampton, in the
County of Stafford, Cycle Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention has for its object means by which the outer cover of a pneumatic
tyre, in case an inner tube is employed, or the elastic or flexible ring or band which
forms the tyre, in the case of a tubeless tyre, may be securely fastened to the rim,
and portions of the rim in the latter case be made air-tight (if the metal of the
rim is not itself air-tight) which are not made air-tight by any portion of the elastic
or flexible ring or band; and comprises, also, the combination of such means, and of
means commonly employed for fixing an outer cover to a rim, with means for enabling
pneumatic-tyred vehicles to be ridden without injury to a tyre, notwithstanding that
such tyre has become deflated.
The middle portion of the wheel rim is formed, according to this invention, to
project outwards from the base thereof, and the outer edges of the rim are curled
over outwards so that the extremne edges are towards the projecting portion of the
rim. The outer cover of the tyre, or the elastic or flexible ring or band which itself
forms the tyre, as the case may be, has thickened portions or beels formed to fit
within the curled-over edges of the sides of the rim, and has feet or portions which
extend therefrom, when the tyre is in place, to the sides of the projecting portion of
the rim. This cover, or the band forming the tyre, when in place within the rim, has
the heels thereof within the turned-over edges of the rim and the feet between such
edges and the projecting portion of the rim, and when the tyre is inflated these feet
are securely pressed down. When an internal inflatable tube is not employed, the
projecting portion of the rim is made air-tight (if the material thereof is not air-tight)
either by coating with a suitable varnish, enamel, or the like, or by covering with a
piece of thin sheet rubber or the like, and in the latter case the edges of the thin
sheet lie upon the base of the rim and are themselves pressed down thereagainst by
the downward pressure of the feet of the tyre. The ends of the feet are, preferably,
formed with flanges which thin out towards their edges, and which by extending the
bearing surface somewhat up the sides of the projection of the rim tend to increase
the security of the joint. The projecting portion of the rim is formed in section
conveniently of a trough-shape or similar shape, comprising two sides with a space
between.

page_text: To adapt the projection around the rim for the purpose of enabling the cycle to be
ridden without injury to the tyre, notwithstanding that the tyre has been deflated,
such projection is carried sufficiently outwards to ensure that in case the tyre becomes
deflated the outer periphery of the projection will run upon the tyre; and to avoid
sharp edges, which might be liable to cut the tyre, the outer periphery of the
projection is formed of a rounded shape in transverse section, or with rounded corners,
or, if desired, it may be surrounded by a rubber ring or pad which may be either
formed to fit over it, or with a portion to fit within a groove formed around the
projection to receive it. The projection may be adapted for the purpose stated in
this paragraph for use, also, with a tyre having an outer cover which has simply
thickened edges by means of which it is attached to the curled-over edges of the
rim.
In order that the invention may be clearly understood, I will proceed to describe,
by way of examples, applications of the same which are illustrated by the accom-
panying drawings.
Figures 1 and 2 are sections of cycle rims and tubeless tyres. Figures 3 and 4
are, respectively, a section of a carriage wheel rim and tubeless tyre, and a section of
a motor car wheel rim and tubeless tyre; and Figures 5 and 6 are, respectively, a
section of a cycle wheel rim and tyre having an internal inflated tube, and a section
of a carriage wheel rim and tyre having an internal inflated tube.
Referring, first, to Figure 1, the rim A has its edges a curled over in the usual
manner to receive the heels or thickened portions 6 of the tyre B. The rim is
formed with an outward projection C running therearound. This projection is
shewn, in this instance, as formed of two sides c, which are close together, or near
to one another, at their inner peripheries, which join into the opposite sides of the
rim, and as inclining outwards from one another in a direction from the rim, and of
a yoke c¹ which joins together the outer peripheries of the sides and closes, conse-
quently, the outer periphery of the projection. The flexible band B, which forms
the tyre, has extensions or feet b¹ which, when the tyre is in place, fill in the space
between the heels and the sides c of the projection C. These feet might be
adapted to be pressed by the pneumatic pressure against the bottom of the rim, but,
to avoid the inconvenience which such arrangement would involve in removing the
tyre from the rim, pads or cushions d of rubber or other suitable material are
interposed between the rim and the feet. These pads are formed somewhat thick
at their inner edges, and thin out to their outer edges. The under sides of the feet,
consequently, slant or curve upwards, as shewn, from the heels b to their edges which
come against the sides c of the projection of the rim, and they can thus be con-
veniently moved up to remove the heels from the rim, when the tyre is deflated
and it is desired to remove it from the rim. The edges of the feet 61 are formed with
flanges e, which extend some distance up the sides c of the projection and thin out
towards their outer edges. The yoke c¹ is formed concave as seen in transverse
section, and the periphery of the projection C is surrounded by a ring f, of rubber or
other soft material, which is held in place by the concave shape of the yoke c¹. Should
the tyre become deflated, the cycle can be ridden without risk of substantial injury
to the tyre, as the soft pad or ring f surrounding the projection C will bear upon the
tyre, and there will be no danger of the side edges of the rim cutting the tyre. If
the material of the rim is not quite air-tight, any portions thereof which are exposed
to the air compressed within the tyre may be coated with varnish, enamel, or the
like, or may be covered with a thin layer of rubber or other air-proof material. The
heads of the spokes are covered by the pads or cushions d.
An ordinary or any suitable form of inflating nozzle and valve may be used, but the
form of this invention in which a thin rubber flap, such as one of the flanges e, is
pressed by the pneumatic pressure against a side c of the projection of the rim, is
peculiarly adapted for use with a form of valveless inflating nozzle which has a screwed
portion for the connection therewith of the inflator and which is normally covered,
for protection, by a cap g, and a plain pipe h therefrom which communicates with
an opening passing through one of the sides c of the projection a short distance in-

page_text: wards from the edge of the corresponding flap e. The flap e itself forms the valve.
For the purpose, in such case, of enabling the tyre to be readily deflated, a short
nozzle, closed with a suitable cap which may be made air-tight by means of a rubber
washer or the like, is connected with the rin so that its inner end is in communica-
tion with the air chamber.
Passage-ways for the pipe and for the corresponding pipe of the deflating nozzle,
are formed through the inner side or periphery of the rim, by pressing inwards
portions of the metal which formn the angles between the sides c and the opposite
sides of the base of the rim; and the sides c may be sprung apart somewhat at their
inner edges, to facilitate putting a nozzle in place. Portions of the metal may be filed
away and portions of the nozzle pipes be slightly flattened to avoid pressing inwards
unnecessarily the metal at the angles between the sides of the projection and base of
the rim. The two sides of the base of the rim are brazed or sweated together after
the nozzle pipes have been inserted.
The rim and tyre illustrated by Figure 2 correspond to those illustrated by
Figure 1, except that the part f is dispensed with and the yoke c¹ of the projection Č
is slightly convex outwardly in transverse section, the corners which its junction.
makes with the sides c being rounded to prevent injury to the tyre in case the cycle
is ridden while the tyre is deflated.
The rim and tyre illustrated by Figure 3 correspond to those illustrated by
Figure 2, except that the projection C has the sides c thereof parallel, and the opening
which would thus be left around the inner periphery of the rim closed in by a strip i
which is brazed or sweated to the other portion of the rim.
The rim illustrated by Figure 4 corresponds to that illustrated by Figure 3, except
that the yoke c¹ is shewn as formed concave, as is the yoke illustrated by Figure 1.
The projection C is, in this instance, shewn as covered with a coat or layer of rubber,
which is moulded with a portion to fit within the concave yoke c¹, and with feet /
which bear upon the rim, and thin out at their edges. These feet k, in addition to
affording means by which the coat or layer; may be secured in place, answer, also,
the purpose of the pads or cushions & appearing on the illustrations previously
described. The band B, forming the inflatable portion of the tyre, is forined with
heels which fit within the curled-over edges a of the rim, as in the examples
already described, and is formed also with feet 61 which are pressed down, by the
pneumatic pressure, upon the feet k. These feet b₁ are formed to thin out at their
edges, as shewn, and run up somewhat against the sides of the coat or layer j, or at
any rate as far, preferably, as the point where the feet die out into the sides of such
coat or layer. In this instance, the ordinary type of inflating nozzle, fitted with a
suitable valve, is shewn, but any convenient form of inflating nozzle may be used.
In the nozzle shewn, a shank is screwed onto the inner end of a headed tube m
which is passed through the rubber surrounding the outer periphery of the
projection C. The head m¹ of this tube is embedded into the rubber as the shank
is screwed up.
A washer n may be interposed between a collar n¹ surrounding the
top of the shank and the inner face of the yoke c', being concave at its outer face
to bed properly against the convex surface of the inner face of the yoke. A collar
or nut o is screwed up around the shank and against the plate i of the rim.
Figures 5 and 6 correspond to Figures 2 and 3 respectively, but in each case there
is an inner inflatable tube D, in addition to the other parts illustrated by
Figures 2 and 3, respectively. In each case the nozzle is, of course, connected with
the inner tube, and may be so connected in any convenient manner. In the
illustrations the head m¹ of each nozzle is shewn as bearing against the inner face of
the inflatable tube and is covered by a layer of rubber p which has, of course, a hole
therethrough which coincides with the bore of the nozzle, and the material of the
tube between the head and outer periphery of the projection C is compressed by
tightening up the nut o.
When an internal inflatable tube is used, the outer cover may, if desired, be formed
simply with thickened portions or heels to engage with the bent edges of the rim,
as the expansion of the inflatable tube causes the edges of the cover to be securely.

page_text: held within the rim as in the ordinary method of securing a cover of a pneumatic
tyre within a wheel rim.
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature of iny said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :―
1. A wheel rim having edges which extend outwards from the centre of the wheel
but inwards towards each other, and an outward projection from the middle of the
base, and a flexible band, formed with thickened portions or heels which engage with
the edges of the rim, and with flexible portions which extend therefrom to the middle
projection of the rim, substantially as described.
2. A wheel rim having edges which extend outwards from the centre of the wheel
but inwards towards each other, and an outward projection from the middle of the
base, and a flexible band formed with thickened portions or heels which engage with
the edges of the rim, the said projection being adapted to run upon the tyre, should
the same become deflated, and thus enable the vehicle with which the tyre is used to
be ridden with the tyre deflated with risk of injury, or material injury, to the tyre,
substantially as described.
3. A wheel rim having edges which extend outwards from the centre of the wheel
but inwards towards each other, and an outward projection from the middle of the
base, and a flexible band formed with thickened portions or heels which engage with
the edges of the rim, and with flexible portions which extend therefrom to the middle
projection of the rim, said projection being adapted to run upon the tyre, should the
same become deflated, and thus enable the vehicle with which the tyre is used to be
ridden with the tyre deflated, without risk of injury, or material injury, to the tyre,
substantially as described.
4. A wheel rim having edges prepared to receive thickened edges of a flexible band
and an outward projection from the middle of the base formed with two sides
having a space between, a flexible band forming the tyre and formed with thickened
portions or heels which engage with the edges of the rim, and means by which any
portions of the surface of the rim which would otherwise be exposed to the air
compressed within the tyre are made air-tight, that is to say, by coating with a
suitable varnish, enamel, or the like, or by covering with sheet rubber, or the like,
substantially as described.
5. A wheel rim having edges prepared to receive thickened edges of a flexible band
forming a tyre or a portion of a tyre, and having an outward projection from the
middle of the base formed with two sides which are together at their inner edges but
which incline away from one another in an outward direction and which are joined
together at their outer peripheries by means of a yoke, substantially as described.
6. A wheel rim formed with an outward projection from the middle of the base, and a
band which forms the tyre and is formed with flanges of flexible or soft material, such
as rubber, which extend some distance up the sides of such projection, substantially
as described.
7. A wheel rim formed with an outward projection from the middle of the base
which is adapted to run upon the tyre should the same become deflated, and a band
which forms the tyre and is formed with flanges of flexible or soft material, such as
rubber, which extend some distance up the sides of such projection, substantially as
described.
8. A wheel rim formed with an outward projection from the middle of the base,
and a band which forms the tyre and has portions which extend between the sides
or edges of the rim and the sides of the projection and have flanges of flexible or
soft material, such as rubber, which extend some distance up the sides of such pro-
jection, substantially as described.
9. A wheel rim having edges which extend outwards from the centre of the wheel
but inwards towards each other, and an outward projection from the middle of the
base, and a flexible band formed with thickened portions or heels which engage with
the edges of the rim, with flexible portions which extend therefrom to the middle

page_text: projection of the rim, and with flanges which extend some distance up the sides of
such projection, substantially as described.
10. The combinations of wheel rims and tyres, substantially as described and shown
by the drawings herewith.
++
2011
1000
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.